The People's Fury, Crocodile Panics

Not long after Luo Wen and the others left, the citizens who had been knocked unconscious by Conqueror's Haki began waking up one after another.

"What happened? Why did we suddenly pass out?"

Many citizens got up, utterly bewildered.

Their memories were still stuck on the earlier chaos, when they had been chased by Baroque Works members disguised as Royal Army soldiers.

"Crocodile, the treacherous and shameless villain! Baroque Works, steeped in evil! King Cobra, falsely accused!"

"Breaking news! One Beli per paper!"

The newspapers contained not only Crocodile's conspiracy, but also a brief introduction to Luo Wen, describing how he had uncovered the truth.

Newspaper employees shouted through the streets, explaining the situation to countless citizens who had no idea what was happening.

"Crocodile is Alabasta's hero! You are not allowed to slander him!"

One citizen shouted angrily. He was a devoted Crocodile fan.

"Heh. See for yourself!"

The newspaper employee sneered and roughly slapped a newspaper onto his face.

"What? The three-year drought was Crocodile's doing!?"

"He even ordered Baroque Works to start a war within the country!?"

The citizen who had just been filled with righteous indignation froze.

Crocodile's countless crimes in the newspaper had previously all been pinned on Cobra.

Could these people be sent by the king to whitewash his name?

Even with all the evidence laid out before him, the citizen still could not believe Crocodile was such a vicious criminal.

Until the Marines appeared, helping the newspaper office spread the news and arresting many Baroque Works agents.

Only then did these citizens believe that Crocodile was the mastermind behind everything.

"How could this be? How could this be!?"

The gazes of countless citizens were first lost and confused, then turned into blazing fury and hatred.

Because of Crocodile's selfish desires, the country had suffered three years of drought without a single drop of rain.

Their lives had become difficult and miserable, and some had even lost relatives and friends to famine.

They had been kept in the dark, worshipping their enemy while despising the innocent and kind King Cobra.

Once the truth was exposed, the people were filled with hatred for Crocodile and deep guilt toward the royal family.

"Thank Luo Wen for letting us learn the whole truth!"

Countless citizens felt grateful.

Before this, they had never even heard Luo Wen's name.

But from this moment on, Luo Wen had become a hero in their hearts.

"Luo Wen went to the capital to deal with Crocodile. Can he succeed?"

The people were deeply worried.

Even though they hated Crocodile beyond measure, none of them had thought of defeating Crocodile themselves.

Crocodile had left too deep an impression on them. He had easily defeated other pirates, controlled sandstorms before everyone, and transformed into wind and sand...

In the eyes of the people, Crocodile was like a god or demon of sand, an invincible being.

"Can a Bounty Hunter from the East Blue really defeat Crocodile?"

Countless citizens were worried sick, fearing for Luo Wen's safety.

Alabasta's royal capital, Alubarna.

Inside a secret Baroque Works hideout.

"Boss, all the senior agents have been captured. Our plan has been exposed!"

Listening to the bad news coming from the Transponder Snail, Crocodile did not say a word.

"Then, Boss, I'll hang up first. Marines are searching this area."

Amid several chaotic cries, the Transponder Snail cut off the communication.

Looking at the silent Transponder Snail, Crocodile's face turned livid, and his knuckles cracked.

In Crocodile's mind, the scene of several officers accepting their assignments that day played over and over again, making him grit his teeth each time.

"What did they say a few days ago?"

"Each and every one of them was brimming with confidence, boasting that they could deal with that Bounty Hunter!"

"Now, the moment Luo Wen arrived, they all became prisoners."

"They did not even last one day. Not even one day!"

Crocodile trembled with rage, muttering to himself without stop.

If only they had held him back for two days. His plan would have been completed soon!

Was a Bounty Hunter from the East Blue, a newcomer who had just entered the Grand Line, really this terrifying?!

Just a few days ago, his Baroque Works had been full of talent, and the plan to steal the kingdom had been progressing methodically.

That flourishing vitality, that thriving state where everything raced forward, still seemed to be right before his eyes.

How had the situation rotted to this extent after only a few short days?

The power he had built over many years, the plans he had labored over for years, had all been destroyed in an instant!

"Luo Wen, you bastard, I will never rest until one of us is dead!"

Crocodile said each word through gritted teeth.

His plan to seize Alabasta in glory had been completely declared a failure.

His position as a Shichibukai would certainly be impossible to keep as well.

Years of painstaking effort, all for nothing!

Crocodile wished he could drink Luo Wen's blood and eat his flesh to ease the hatred in his heart!

"Then, Boss, should we stop our plan?"

Nico Robin looked at the enraged Crocodile and asked calmly.

She was not as furious with Luo Wen as Crocodile was. Instead, she felt somewhat grateful to him.

With the Utopia Project ruined, she actually felt relieved.

Kind-hearted as she was, she did not want to bring too much suffering upon this country.

It was only a little regrettable that she would not be able to see that Poneglyph.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I haven't failed yet!"

Crocodile's eyes were bloodshot as he roared furiously.

"The news has not reached the capital yet. Mobilize all our forces and immediately incite the Rebel Army into revolt!"

"I will force my way into the palace and see that Poneglyph!"

"As long as I obtain Pluton, I will become the new emperor of these seas!"

Crocodile had completely gone mad, placing all his hopes on the Ancient Weapon, Pluton.

"Nico Robin, Demon Child!"

"You will obey me, won't you?"

Crocodile glared viciously at Robin as he spoke fiercely.

"Of course. I also want to see that Poneglyph."

Robin replied indifferently.

Looking at Crocodile, a faint smile curled across Robin's lips.

She had only said that she wanted to see the Poneglyph. She had never said she would tell Crocodile what was written on it.

If it truly contained Pluton's whereabouts, she would take that secret to her grave.

"Hahaha, that could not be better!"

Crocodile said with a loud laugh.

Having found new hope, Crocodile regained his ambition.

As long as he obtained Pluton, everything he had lost would return to him twofold.

"Luo Wen, I hope you come before me before I leave this place. I will give you a proper welcome!"

Crocodile muttered with a gloomy face.

He knew full well that once the plan was exposed, the Marines would inevitably send an admiral to hunt him down, and he would have to flee Alabasta as well.

But before leaving, if he did not deal with Luo Wen, he simply could not swallow this insult.

He would make Luo Wen understand what a grave mistake it was to offend Crocodile.

If Luo Wen wanted to rise by stepping on Crocodile, then he had better be prepared to die!