A few seconds later.
Crocodile, with a grim expression, picked up the Den Den Mushi, his low voice ringing out:
"This is Crocodile."
Sakazuki's indifferent voice came from the Den Den Mushi:
"Enjoying being a hero."
Crocodile's eyes narrowed:
"What do you mean."
Sakazuki's indifferent voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi:
"What do I mean?"
"The purpose of the Seven Warlords is to curb the development of pirates."
"Not for you to hide in Alabasta and play the hero."
"Find a way to proactively attack and eliminate pirates."
"I'll give you one year."
"If you can't prove your worth."
"Then don't expect to keep your head."
"Useless."
*Snap*
The sound of the Den Den Mushi being hung up echoed.
Being scolded like this, being treated like a dog.
It made Crocodile gnash his teeth so hard, the Den Den Mushi in his hand creaked, on the verge of exploding.
*Bang*
With a loud noise, the boss's desk in front of him was smashed to pieces by Crocodile.
The half-dead Den Den Mushi in his hand was casually thrown to the ground.
He turned into sand and rushed out of the room.
That day... the sandstorms in Rainbase and the surrounding cities were particularly fierce.
Evening.
Crocodile, with a blank expression, returned to the office of the casino 'Rain Dinners'.
By now, the damaged boss's desk had been replaced with a brand new one.
His subordinates waited nervously outside the door.
After all, it was the first time they had seen the boss fly into such a rage, and no one dared to make a peep.
Crocodile ignored them and pushed open the door to the office.
"Everyone come in."
Then, a group of subordinates filed in.
Crocodile sat in the spinning boss's chair and lit a cigar.
The swirling smoke obscured his face and expression:
"If I want to curb the development of pirates."
"Do you have any good ideas?"
"Whoever comes up with one will be rewarded."
His subordinates exchanged glances, somewhat at a loss.
With the organization's current strength, they could barely protect Alabasta from pirate attacks.
To curb pirates in other regions, wasn't that a pipe dream?
Although they didn't know why the boss was doing this, no one dared to provoke him.
After a long silence, no one spoke.
*Bang*
The newly replaced boss's desk almost fell apart again.
Crocodile said grimly:
"Useless."
"What good are you?"
As he spoke, a gust of sand swept through the office, growing stronger...
At this moment, a subordinate in a black suit gritted his teeth and stepped forward.
"Boss! I have a plan!"
Crocodile looked at him expressionlessly:
"Speak."
The subordinate in the black suit said:
"Our strength is not enough to curb pirates in other regions."
"But we can use the power of pirate hunters."
"We can establish a small town at the entrance of the Grand Line."
"Offer free food and accommodation to attract pirate hunters, and let them hunt pirates for us."
"We will pay them bounties lower than the Navy's, and because of the free food and accommodation, etc."
"They will likely agree, and it will be safer for them to gather together."
"Then we will take the pirates we trade for and exchange them with the Navy for Berries based on their bounties."
"Although we will lose everything in the early stages, we will definitely make it back through the price difference later."
"If this goes on for a long time, it's not impossible to develop them into our own outer organization."
Crocodile listened to the plan and stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed:
"Excellent, you have ideas."
"Whose subordinate are you?"
The man in the black suit said nervously:
"I'm under Mr. Squirrel."
Squirrel was the general manager of the Rain Dinners casino, in charge of everything in the casino, essentially the head butler.
Crocodile said calmly:
"This matter will be entrusted to you."
"If you handle it well, his position as general manager."
"You will take it."
Among those standing at the front, a middle-aged man in a black suit's pupils contracted violently.
The young subordinate who proposed the plan was overjoyed:
"Thank you, Boss."
"I will definitely handle this matter well!"
"Please rest assured!"
Crocodile smiled enigmatically:
"You all may go."
Soon, the quiet office was filled only with the sound of puffing smoke.
Having vented for a day, Crocodile, now calm, felt an increasingly urgent desire for 'that thing'...
--------------------
Alabasta, inside the Royal Palace.
King Nefertari Cobra, who appeared calm and amiable to outsiders, paced anxiously outside the Queen's palace.
Igaram, the captain of the guard with peculiar curly hair, couldn't help but say:
"Don't worry too much, Your Majesty. The Queen will surely be fine."
"This place is gathered with the best doctors in the country."
King Cobra stopped and sighed:
"Even so... but... alas..."
At this moment, a baby's cry suddenly came from the palace.
"Ah—"
Everyone outside was startled for a moment, then ecstatic. This signified the birth of the King's heir!
Cobra was also overjoyed and wanted to rush into the Queen's palace.
However, two female doctors came out, their faces grave:
"Your Majesty, your child has been successfully born."
"It's a beautiful princess."
"But the Queen, I'm afraid..."
Cobra felt dizzy and swayed backward, but was caught by Igaram beside him.
Waving his hand, the supported Cobra said tremblingly:
"What's wrong with the Queen..."
One of the female doctors spoke with difficulty:
"The Queen suffered severe exhaustion due to a difficult labor and massive bleeding."
"She may not have much time left..."
The impact of joy and despair within a short period caused Cobra to faint.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!!!"
"Doctor!"
"Quick!!!"
"Someone, quick!!!"
Nightfall, inside the Royal Palace.
Cobra, who had been unconscious for two hours, woke up with a jolt:
"Titi!!!"
His mind quickly recalled the scene before he fainted. He threw off the quilt, ignored the fact that he was in pajamas, and rushed out.
Igaram, who was guarding the door, heard the shout and was about to push the door open when he saw Cobra rush out, madly running towards the Queen's palace.
"Wait! Your Majesty!!!"
He followed and ran out.
----
The brightly lit Queen's palace.
Cobra, who had run there frantically, his pace quickened upon seeing the scene.
He reached the door of the chamber and pushed it open forcefully.
"Titi!!!"
Nefertari Titi, a blue-haired woman with a strong resemblance to Vivi in later years, was leaning against the bed.
She looked gently at the sleeping blue-haired baby girl beside her and quietly held up a finger to Cobra, who had burst in, saying 'Shhh'.
Cobra excitedly rushed forward, hugged Queen Titi, his body trembling slightly.
Titi gently patted Cobra's back and said softly:
"It's okay, Cobra."
"I am now..."
"Very happy..."