"Crocodile?"
King Nefertari Cobra's face turned pale as soon as he heard the name from Luo Ye's lips.
That name wasn't unfamiliar to him—far from it.
Crocodile was once a notorious pirate with an initial bounty of 81 million Berries, a figure that already marked him as dangerous in the eyes of the World Government.
But ever since Crocodile had been granted the title of Shichibukai—one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—his bounty had been frozen.
It no longer reflected his true threat level.
If not for that pardon, Cobra had no doubt Crocodile's bounty would have increased tenfold by now.
The shock of it left Cobra unable to question Luo Ye's identity any further.
If what Luo Ye said was true, it explained everything.
The endless drought. The civil unrest. The Sandora River's strange behavior. The rise of Baroque Works.
It all pointed to one man.
And of course—it would be him.
The wielder of the Suna Suna no Mi—the Sand-Sand Fruit.
The ability to absorb water, create sandstorms, and even dehydrate life itself.
It all made sense now.
Cobra clenched his fists.
But then—his eyes narrowed in suspicion once more as he looked at Luo Ye.
"If Baroque Works was created by Crocodile, then that makes him the mastermind behind our nation's destruction…" Cobra paused, voice low and uncertain. "And yet you—how can I know you're truly the new Marine Admiral?"
He had to ask.
A man this young claiming to be "Silver Eagle" Luo Ye, the newly appointed Admiral?
It seemed too fantastical.
Luo Ye didn't reply.
He simply stared at Cobra with calm indifference, his voice emotionless but firm:
"I'm not here for your trust. I didn't come to negotiate. I need someone to show me where Baroque Works is hiding. Once Crocodile is dead, I'll return to Marineford.
I don't have time to waste."
Cobra blinked. That kind of tone…
It was the way an Admiral would speak. Cold, efficient, direct.
He looked at Luo Ye again—and this time, he saw the truth.
This wasn't a man here to beg for cooperation.
This was someone used to acting alone, used to people following orders.
And Cobra? He was just a king.
Suddenly feeling small, he nodded deeply.
"Please wait. I'll send someone at once."
He hurried from the hall, heart racing—not out of fear, but from a rare flicker of hope.
After all these years… maybe Alabasta could finally be saved.
Cobra didn't keep Luo Ye waiting long.
Moments later, he returned—with a girl beside him.
She wore a blue bandana, and her eyes were sharp with worry, yet she held herself with grace.
"This is my daughter—Princess Vivi."
Luo Ye glanced at her. She looked familiar, and he realized why.
Miss Wednesday—the undercover agent from Baroque Works, currently listed as a wanted criminal.
But here she stood—clearly no pirate.
"I suspected Baroque Works for a long time," Cobra explained. "But I had no concrete proof. Vivi chose to go undercover within the organization herself. Her codename was Miss Wednesday. She's been gathering information on their leadership for months."
Luo Ye's gaze didn't change. Vivi, on the other hand, was studying him.
She had just been told this young man was a Marine Admiral.
An Admiral?
That was… absurd. Admirals were like living legends—Kizaru, Aokiji, Akainu.
Men with terrifying power, years of military dominance.
But Luo Ye? He looked barely older than her.
She watched, waiting for Cobra to dismiss the claim—but her father didn't.
Instead, he seemed almost reverent toward Luo Ye.
Luo Ye turned to her, brushing aside any further explanations.
"Let's go."
Vivi blinked.
"…That's it?"
No briefing? No strategy? He was going to walk straight into Baroque Works' hideout?
She glanced at her father, who nodded seriously.
Left with no choice, she led Luo Ye out of the palace, toward the shadowy base of Baroque Works.
They walked in silence for some time—until Vivi's curiosity and concern overwhelmed her caution.
"Are you really a Marine Admiral?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.
Luo Ye didn't even look at her.
"Yeah."
Just like that. No elaboration, no proof.
Vivi nearly tripped. That was the whole answer?
She bit her lip. "Then… why are you here in Alabasta?"
"Passed through East Blue. Decided to stop by."
"East Blue? Is that where you're from?"
Luo Ye finally glanced at her—for a few seconds longer than necessary. His eyes were unreadable.
Then he replied flatly:
"You ask too many questions. I'm here to kill Crocodile, not be your personal diary."
Vivi flinched. The words stung more than she expected.
But… she understood.
In this man's eyes, she wasn't a princess. She was a civilian. A liability.
And if he really was an Admiral, her title meant nothing.
Still, something in her heart settled.
Because if he really was here to kill Crocodile… then maybe—just maybe—they had a chance.
Soon, they arrived at the hideout—an innocuous-looking tavern nestled against a rocky bluff outside Rainbase.
"This is the place," Vivi whispered.
"Most of the Baroque Works agents gather here at this hour, including… Crocodile himself."
She gripped her hands tight.
Luo Ye stepped forward, ready to push through the door—but she grabbed his arm.
"Wait. I'm coming with you."
He turned, eyebrow raised.
Vivi's voice trembled slightly, but she stood firm.
"If something goes wrong, I can help you escape. I know the layout. And I've worked with them. I can delay them."
Luo Ye looked at her in surprise.
This princess had more steel in her than he'd thought.
He nodded.
As soon as they entered, a man in a black suit stepped forward.
He had a square jaw, a buzzcut, and cold, calculating eyes.
"Miss Wednesday? What are you doing here?"
The man's voice was calm, but sharp—Daz Bonez, aka Mr. 1—Crocodile's top enforcer and user of the Dice-Dice Fruit.
Vivi took a step back in fear.
But Luo Ye didn't spare a moment.
He looked at Mr. 1 and said flatly:
"Bring out Crocodile."
Mr. 1 narrowed his eyes.
"Crocodile? Who the hell are you supposed to be?"
He reached for his weapon.
Luo Ye sighed.
"Why does everything have to be complicated?"
In one fluid motion, he unsheathed the saber at his waist.
With a single flick, he unleashed a wind-shattering slash—sharp enough to cleave stone.
Mr. 1's eyes widened in shock as he crossed his arms in defense.
Steel met steel.
The battle had begun.