"Your Majesty!"
The urgent footsteps of Igaram startled King Cobra from his contemplation.
"News?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! Crocodile has finally made his move... According to reports, over the past month, unidentified sandstorms have repeatedly struck the oases, significantly reducing their size!"
"The rainfall in inland cities has rapidly declined in the past two weeks. While it isn't unusual for a city to go a month without rain, for every city to experience a complete drought at the same time is highly abnormal!"
"Furthermore, rumors about Alubarna's unusual rainfall have begun spreading in secret. Among the people, a belief is emerging that this is a 'miracle of the king!'"
"In addition, although there is no Dance Powder in the palace, rumors about its effects and characteristics have begun circulating among the populace—almost as if someone is deliberately educating them about it, ensuring they recognize it when the time comes!"
"Dance Powder... and Crocodile's Suna Suna no Mi... Vice Admiral Wright predicted everything correctly!"
Cobra exhaled deeply. "Crocodile has begun his plan... That means the next three steps he takes will provide us with the evidence we need!"
"First, a large-scale drought will strike suddenly, accompanied by the destruction of oases, trade routes, and water storage facilities—this will ignite public outrage in a short time!"
"Second, he will find a way to create irrefutable 'evidence'—he will ensure that Dance Powder is 'discovered' by accident, directing the people's anger toward the royal family!"
"Third, he will attempt to seize control of me, the king, preventing the royal family from speaking out to clear our name, deepening the civil unrest, and ultimately... inciting rebellion!"
Cobra's eyes gleamed with determination. As the ruler of Alabasta, one of the world's great nations, he was loved not only for his compassion but also for his wisdom!
Blinded by Crocodile's deception, he had been powerless to act and could only cut government spending in response. But now, armed with the truth, he was prepared to counter Crocodile's schemes with strategy and tactics of his own.
As the twelfth king of the Nefertari dynasty, a lineage spanning 800 years, how could he fear a mere pirate? Even if that pirate was a Warlord of the Sea!
The first step, drawing out the serpent, was a victory for Cobra!
Rainbase, Baroque Works' Headquarters.
"Mr. 0... So, the president is actually Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile!"
As scheduled, Nico Robin had gathered the senior agents of Baroque Works. Now, they were traveling by turtle cart toward a secret base.
Due to the organization's strict secrecy, even its elite agents only knew each other by code names. Many had never met before, and even if they had, they were completely unaware they were colleagues.
"Usually, we receive orders from Mr. 0's partner, Miss All Sunday... I never expected her to be the 'Demon Child' Nico Robin!"
The senior agents remained silent. It was far too early for the grand operation to begin—it had only been half a month without rain.
Though many had joined Baroque Works lured by the 'Utopia' plan, their loyalty to Crocodile was secondary. The organization provided them with substantial financial rewards, and they had no desire to see the plan fail.
A sudden meeting like this...
Something must have happened.
New World, Marine G-5 Base.
"Hmm?"
Wright raised an eyebrow as the nearby Lightforged Beacon flickered—a transmission from Alabasta.
He authorized the transfer, and with a flash of golden light, a letter appeared beside the beacon. Wright took it into his hands.
"Alabasta..."
After reading through it, he chuckled. "Cobra truly is a sly... Ahem, wise king."
"In just one month, he's already secured two victories... Hmm, seems like he's had some unexpected help."
"Not only did he successfully lure Crocodile out, but he's also obtained the list of Baroque Works' senior agents."
"However, due to a lack of high-level combat power, he's requesting Marine reinforcements..."
Wright picked up a Den Den Mushi and dialed Smoker.
"Smoker, how's your mission going?"
"Just wrapping up, should be done in half a day," came the gruff reply.
"Nice work. I've got a challenging assignment for you. Interested?"
"Challenging? Against who? You're not targeting another Yonko, are you? Big Mom? Red-Haired?" Smoker's tone grew wary. "It hasn't been that long since your last stunt. Can't you sit still?"
"Not a Yonko. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku wouldn't want to provoke them right now—this rare period of peace is crucial for training new Marines."
"Then who?"
Wright grinned. "Not a Yonko, but... How about a Warlord of the Sea?"
"A Warlord?!"
Smoker perked up. "Which one? Wait... I got it!"
"That sand crocodile? He finally slipped up?"
Wright smirked. "King Cobra of Alabasta just sent word requesting high-level Marine support. As for justification and evidence, he's got everything prepared."
"Crocodile is a rare Logia-type Suna Suna no Mi user. He made a name for himself with an 81-million-beri bounty before joining the Warlords and even challenged Whitebeard once... The perfect opponent for you."
Smoker's voice steadied, though his excitement was evident. "As long as I have legitimate grounds to act... Crocodile is mine!"
"Good. Bring Hina with you. I'll also dispatch T Bone, Kuina, Tashigi, and Cavendish to assist you. They'll handle Crocodile's elite agents."
"This will be a rare, evenly-matched battle. I'll stay with Cobra and leave the fighting to you."
Wright cautioned, "Crocodile may have no recorded use of Haki, but in Alabasta's vast deserts, he has the ultimate home-field advantage."
"Don't underestimate him. When he rose to prominence, you were still in Marine training."
"I get it," Smoker grumbled. "I'll finish up here and head back. What about Hina?"
"You tell her. I'm hanging up."
"Click!"
On his patrol ship, a vein bulged on Smoker's forehead as he slammed down the receiver.
Alabasta, Royal Palace.
Cobra and Igaram stood by the Lightforged Beacon.
"Ding!"
The beacon's notification light blinked. A line of text appeared on its panel:
Marine Headquarters, Vice Admiral Wright, requesting transfer.
Allow transfer?
Yes/No
Cobra pressed "Yes," feeling a strange sense of modernity from this fourth-generation beacon.
A golden flash, and Wright appeared before them. More flashes followed.
Smoker, Hina, T Bone, Kuina, Tashigi, and Cavendish—battle-ready Marines.
Cobra's heart settled.
"Vice Admiral Wright, everyone, thank you!"
"For Justice!"
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