Chiyu couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of admiration.
Although Nami was still young, her mind really was remarkably keen…
She had clearly already guessed his plan.
Of course, that was because she understood him better than anyone and had personally seen him use this very tactic to wipe out the entire Krieg Pirates with ease.
Colonel Hina and Chaka, however, were completely at a loss.
"Nami-chan, what are you talking about?"
"Hina doesn't understand at all…"
Nami proudly puffed out her chest. "Secrets mustn't be revealed!"
Hina pouted, obviously unhappy with the way Chiyu and Nami were acting.
Chaka simply said in a deep voice, "Rear Admiral, just give the order—how should we proceed?"
"Very well," Chiyu replied.
Rainbase, the Dream City of Alabasta
From afar, the city center was dominated by a grand, pyramid‑shaped golden building. At its peak loomed a huge, menacing crocodile statue.
It was the largest and most luxurious casino in all of Alabasta—Rain Dinners.
Inside a hidden chamber beneath Rain Dinners, the surviving members of Baroque Works had finally assembled:
Mr. 1 – Dice‑Dice Fruit user, Daz Bones
His partner Miss Doublefinger – Spike‑Spike Fruit user, Zala
Mr. 2 – Clone‑Clone Fruit user, Bon Clay
Mr. 4 – immensely strong but slow‑witted, Babe
His partner Miss Merry Christmas – Mole‑Mole Fruit user, Drophy.
Just then Nico Robin appeared, giving everyone a gentle smile and wave.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Drophy screeched impatiently, "Miss All Sunday!
"Isn't it the boss himself who called us here?!
"Why hasn't he shown up yet? I'm dying to know!"
Knowing Drophy's temper, Robin merely smiled gracefully. "No need to rush. The boss will be here in a moment."
At that instant the door swung open and a tall, burly man strode inside.
Everyone stared—and gasped in shock.
Bon Clay blurted, "Y‑you're…
Drophy gaped. "Why is our boss a pirate?
"Isn't Baroque Works supposed to hunt pirates for a living?!
"And he's even one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
Zala added quietly, "It really is astonishing…"
Crocodile sneered and sat on the central throne.
"If you don't like it, get out.
"But anyone who betrays me—well, you can imagine the result."
Silence fell. However vicious these criminals were, none dared act up before this man.
Zala shrugged. "Honestly, I don't mind; if anything, it's exciting that such a big shot is our leader."
Bon Clay skipped closer, dancing the okama steps.
"Why would someone of your stature work in the shadows?
"What's Baroque Works' true goal?
"You can tell us now, right?!"
Crocodile looked at him with thinly veiled disgust.
"Very well. The time has come for the final phase.
Everyone pricked up their ears.
Lighting a cigar, Crocodile took a deep drag and filled the room with smoke.
"We're going to seize control of the entire Kingdom of Alabasta."
Shock rippled through the group.
"Even as a Warlord, how can you take a country that big so easily?!"
"That's none of your concern," Crocodile said coldly. "Just follow my orders."
"Now for assignments.
"In three days, King Cobra will give a public speech in Alubarna denying the misuse of Dance Powder, trying to salvage an unsalvageable situation.
"Our job is to toss a spark into this powder keg and light it up.
"The key player is you, Mr. 2."
Bon Clay giggled. "Yo‑yo! Got it!
"You want my okama kung‑fu to assassinate the king, right?"
Crocodile snorted. "Killing him would be too easy—and he's still useful to me.
"No. You'll use the Clone‑Clone Fruit to become his double and, in front of the whole nation, publicly 'confess' that he did misuse Dance Powder."
Realization dawned on the others.
Zala murmured, "That would make the rebellion unstoppable…"
"Miss All Sunday, you have a secret mission as well," Crocodile said.
Robin: "And that is?"
"Capture Princess Vivi alive."
"That little girl? What for?"
"To squeeze information out of that old man Cobra. He may not talk, but his daughter will be the last bargaining chip. Fail and you die with her."
Robin nodded. "Understood."
"Mr. 4, Miss Merry Christmas—sneak into the rebel base. Make sure they attend the king's speech and incite them into full‑scale war."
"Mr. 1, Miss Doublefinger—
"Command the rest of Baroque Works and keep tabs on that meddling Marine…
"If necessary I'll have the standing army back you up."
Both nodded. "Understood."
Crocodile rose and crushed his spent cigar on the table.
"This is Baroque Works' last and most important mission.
"Succeed. Failure is not an option."
A few days later — Alubarna's central square
The square was packed shoulder‑to‑shoulder.
People from across drought‑stricken Alabasta had come to confront the king. Among them were Koza's rebels.
Koza—Princess Vivi's childhood friend—had become rebel leader at just eighteen after seeing his homeland wither.
Hooded to avoid recognition, he stared at the platform, waiting for King Cobra. Despite everything he still found it hard to believe the benevolent king was guilty of such crimes.
Today's speech would decide the rebels' course.
If Cobra proved innocent, they would not fight. If not… all bets were off.
"Leader, all positions are ready.
"A mysterious group even delivered us firearms…"
"Oh?" Koza frowned. "Who?"
"No idea. But with sheer numbers and no weapons we couldn't match the royal army, so it's a godsend."
Koza felt uneasy. Aid now was welcome—but it also reeked of someone pushing both sides toward mutual destruction.
Calmly he said, "I understand. Tell every position to await my order."
Just then the crowd stirred—the king appeared on stage.
Cheers and curses erupted alike.
Accompanied by guards, "King Cobra" strode out—but his gait was oddly flamboyant, unlike his usual dignity. Still, the face was unmistakably the king's.
Realizing something was off, he forced himself to act solemn.
Cough, cough! He pressed his hands down for silence.
"My beloved subjects, please listen!"
The square fell deathly still.
But the "king" cracked a foolish grin, enraging many. In a land dying of drought, he could still smile?
"I have come to apologize publicly!"
"Your Majesty, what have you done? Don't let rumors force your hand!"
Grinning, the "king" said, "I admit I used Dance Powder in Alubarna to keep the capital prosperous, causing drought elsewhere. Yes, that is my sin!
"But surely you understand? The capital is the king's holy residence—naturally it deserves good weather first!"
The crowd exploded; anger spread like wildfire.
"Leader! You heard him! Any doubts now?"
"Give the order—overthrow the tyrant!"
Koza still hesitated. That face… something felt wrong.
"Is that really King Cobra?"
"What nonsense! Who else could it be?!"
"I just feel he's… different," Koza muttered.
"Of course! The once‑benevolent king is now a selfish tyrant. Decide, leader!"
After a long sigh Koza nodded.
Meanwhile the furious crowd began hurling objects at the stage. Guards struck back; chaos reigned. The "king" slipped away, grinning.
Koza clenched his fist. "You're right—it's time. Alabasta needs a new dawn!"
He was about to signal the uprising when—
A brilliant screen suddenly lit up on the platform.
Even the guards turned in shock.
Koza frowned. "An Image Transponder Snail?! What's happening?"
The huge screen showed a live feed—from a Transponder Snail—broadcast simultaneously across Alabasta: cities, ports, rebel camps…
On screen the "king" finished his speech and danced offstage in a grotesque okama dance—utterly un‑royal.
From atop the palace wall, Crocodile watched the turmoil below, smiling cruelly—until Robin stopped him.
He turned—and saw the glowing screen.
"What… is that?" His face paled.
In that instant Crocodile—and nearly every citizen—saw the truth.
The dancing "king" reached the foot of the stage, where a figure awaited:
The kingdom's hero, Warlord of the Sea—Crocodile!
Crocodile's real face twisted in horror. On screen, the "Crocodile" with a cigar barked:
"That's enough. Job's done—change back."
"King Cobra" beamed. "Yes, Boss!"
He peeled off his face—revealing Baroque Works' Mr. 2, Bon Clay, the Clone‑Clone Fruit user!
Gasps swept the nation.
Koza was stunned. "So it was an impostor all along! No wonder something felt off…"
But why would Crocodile—?
On screen, "Crocodile" sneered:
"Excellent work, Mr. 2—our top commander!
"Thanks to you, Project Utopia will topple Cobra and put Alabasta in my grasp!
"I manufactured a disaster with Dance Powder and framed Cobra, but without you the people wouldn't hate him this much, and the rebels wouldn't clash to the death with the army!
"Now nothing can stop it—let the flames of war engulf Alabasta!
"Let rebels and soldiers slaughter each other! When both are ruined, this kingdom will be mine—ha‑ha‑ha‑ha‑ha!"
The revelation stunned the whole country—then ignited an even fiercer fury.
"Damn you, Crocodile!
"So he's the mastermind!
"The 'hero' is really the boss of a crime syndicate!
"He used Dance Powder and blamed the king!"
Anger blazed like wildfire.
Koza barked, "Tell every rebel force—stand down!
"Track the ones who armed us—they're surely Baroque Works! We'll tear those scum apart!"
No one was more shocked or enraged than Crocodile himself. Face crimson, cigar falling, he smashed his fist into the stone wall, pulverizing it.
"What the hell happened?!
"In one instant my whole plan collapsed—and now all the rage is aimed at me!
"Nico Robin, what's going on?!"
Robin, equally stunned, suddenly understood. Original content can be found at noveⅼfire.net
"Only one man could have done this…
Crocodile's pupils shrank; fury consumed him. Clenching his fists until they creaked, he roared to the sky:
"I'LL TEAR YOU TO PIECES!!!"
— This Fanfic is Completed in !