The Grand Line, Alabasta.
The kingdom's western region, the Funeral Hall.
This was the burial ground of Alabasta's royal family through the ages. Its imposing rows of pillars inspired awe. Because of the war, all the guards stationed here had been sent to suppress the rebellion.
The few guards left behind had also been killed by Crocodile, filling Cobra's heart with unbearable guilt and pain.
Crocodile led the two of them impassively to the entrance of the royal hall and looked at Cobra.
"All right, talk."
"Where's the Poneglyph?"
Cobra sighed inwardly. Holding his injured arm, he walked to the entrance and shoved an unremarkable stone guardian beast hard to one side.
Clank, clank-
Chains and machinery rattled. The ground beneath the nearby lawn was pulled open, revealing an entrance leading underground.
Crocodile snorted.
"You certainly have plenty of tricks to make this place seem mysterious."
Ignoring Cobra, Crocodile went straight inside, with Robin close behind him.
Cobra hesitated, then followed them in...
Inside the underground hall.
Robin looked at the solemn, majestic hall and its carved patterns before speaking.
"This is where you hold the royal funerals, isn't it?"
Cobra was surprised that someone actually knew the royal family's customs.
"That's right."
"This is where we hold the royal funerals."
"And the Poneglyph is behind that door."
"But let me make one thing clear."
"That is the only thing our royal family has guarded through the generations."
"No information about this so-called Pluton has ever been passed down."
Robin nodded and said,
"There's a great deal hidden behind the scenes in this world."
"There are many things the kings of the World Government's Affiliated Nations don't know. That's perfectly normal."
Boom-
Crocodile controlled the sand and blasted the door apart.
"Enough of that nonsense."
He turned his head slightly,