Along the way, the crew laughed and chatted casually. But as they neared Alabasta, the topic finally shifted to the enemy they would soon confront—Crocodile.
When Valentine and Golden Week were mentioned, the two women lowered their heads in shame, too embarrassed to speak. The reason was obvious.
The king was a diligent and loving ruler, yet his people had chosen to believe pirates—outsiders—over him. It was hard to explain the mindset of the masses.
As the princess of Alabasta, Vivi found it difficult to speak freely. But Renaud noticed her discomfort and gently patted her shoulder, offering a reassuring smile.
"Once we defeat Crocodile, all problems will be solved."
"…Mm. I believe in you, Brother Renaud," Vivi replied, clenching her fists with determination. She had waited a long time for this day—and so had her people.
—
Rainbase, Alabasta – Rain Dinners Casino
Inside the cigar-smoke-filled office of Rain Dinners, Crocodile summoned all remaining senior agents of Baroque Works.
There were noticeably fewer people than before.
"Is this all that's left?" Crocodile glanced down the long table, his face darkening.
Half the agents were gone.
"Boss, Mr. 13 is en route as ordered, but he may not return in time… As for Mr. 5, Mr. 4, and the others…" Robin hesitated.
"…I know." Crocodile waved his hand in frustration.
They had all died by Renaud's hand. As for their partners, some had betrayed the organization and joined Renaud's crew.
"We can't delay any longer. The plan will proceed, with or without them!"
Crocodile slowly raised his head and scanned his remaining commanders—his most elite subordinates.
Mr. 1, a master of the Dice-Dice Fruit.
Beside him was his elegant and lethal partner, Miss Two-Finger.
Further down were Mr. 3 and Miss Christmas, all formidable in their own right.
"Tonight, we succeed. Failure is not an option. Understood?"
"YES!"
The agents responded in unison before leaving the office to prepare.
Once they were gone, Crocodile lit another cigar.
"Robin, any updates on Renaud?"
His gaze narrowed as he looked sideways at her, his tone sharp.
Must you be so scary about it?
"There's no problem. Once they arrive, they won't be leaving alive," Crocodile sneered, stroking his golden hook.
Still provoking me… Does he think he's on the same level as Whitebeard?
"…Understood," Robin replied quietly and left the room gracefully.
But beneath her calm exterior, something was off.
In secret, Robin had been investigating Renaud—and found something strange.
She could still track Kaya and Nami… but Renaud? It was as if he had appeared from thin air. There were no traces of his origin.
Everything about him had started the moment he met Nami.
Since then, Nami—once considered weak—had obtained the Lightning Fruit and risen rapidly in power. And Renaud? Even more mysterious.
He had once fought Hawkeye Mihawk at the Baratie. Though he didn't win, he pushed Mihawk to the brink—an incredible feat.
The Navy's intel is still far from reliable… Robin chuckled.
She hadn't reported this to Crocodile.
After all, their alliance was one of convenience.
If Crocodile can't beat a man who stood toe-to-toe with Mihawk… then what's his plan?
—
Evening – Alubarna, Alabasta's Capital
The Going Merry arrived at the capital city.
"Vivi!"
A familiar voice echoed through the square, and Vivi's slim body trembled.
She looked up to see her father, King Cobra, rushing from the palace.
Tears welled in Vivi's eyes as she ran to him.
"Sir Renaud… can you truly defeat Crocodile?" Cobra asked gravely.
This was about more than personal revenge—it concerned the fate of all Alabasta.
Crocodile was a Warlord of the Sea. Not someone to be underestimated.
"Just call me Renaud," he said with a wave. "Vivi is my wife now, after all. So you're my father-in-law. No need for formalities."
Beside him, Vivi playfully stuck out her tongue. "Don't be so formal, Dad."
Cobra looked at the girls gathered around Renaud and got an odd feeling…
Could they be…?
"I'm a hundred percent sure I'll defeat him. If anything, Crocodile's more anxious than you right now," Renaud said confidently.
"Just wait. He'll come to us."
Crocodile's obsession with Pluton guaranteed it.
Hearing his assured tone, Cobra finally breathed a sigh of relief.
—
Nightfall
As darkness cloaked the city, laughter and noise faded from the homes.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept over the palace rooftop, gathering into a sandstorm that coalesced into a massive figure.
Crocodile had arrived.
Behind him, the remaining Baroque Works commanders appeared one by one.
These were Crocodile's elite—a lineup of billion- and million-berry bounty holders.
His golden hook glinted under the moonlight.
"It's time."
With a wave of his hook, his agents vanished into the shadows.
"I can smell victory," he muttered, closing his eyes to savor the moment. After a few seconds, he opened them again—his burning gaze locked onto the palace.
When the time comes… I'll kill that bastard Whitebeard.
With that delusional thought, Crocodile's body dissolved into sand and vanished into the wind.
Only Robin lingered, a complex expression on her face.
She sighed and turned to leave—then froze.
A figure stood before her.
For a moment, panic flashed in her eyes… then she calmed.
"Renaud? When did you arrive?"
He casually saluted, "We got here today. I thought I'd wait for him here, but I didn't expect Crocodile to be so eager to rush to his own death."
Robin smiled faintly—elegant and unreadable.
But behind that mask, she was already assessing the situation.
She knew about Renaud's all-female crew. Knew about his affairs. Knew the patterns.
Is he planning something with me too…?
A dangerous man, she thought.
Renaud looked at her and asked with a smirk, "So? Want to join my crew?"
Robin was silent for a moment—then smiled.
"You seem to like beautiful women. But don't you know? The prettier they are, the more dangerous they become."
"Dangerous?" Renaud stepped closer. "Are you talking about your origins?"
"The survivor of Ohara. The Devil Child. Nico Robin. Bounty: 79 million."
Boom—
Robin's mind trembled.
"How… how do you know that?" she asked coldly.
Renaud didn't answer directly. Instead, he said softly:
"I know your past. I know your pain. You and Crocodile are just using each other. Come with me, Robin. Join my crew. I promise you true happiness."
Robin's mask cracked for a split second.
If someone else had invited her, she wouldn't care.
But this man knew her secrets. He understood how dangerous it was to even be near her.
And yet, he still wanted her aboard.
"Are your goals the same as Crocodile's?"
"Pluton? Ancient texts? I couldn't care less," Renaud said, shaking his head.
"And even if I do read those texts later… it's not your job to interpret them for me."
Before she could speak, he added, "Besides, I already know."
Robin bit her lip. Her expression finally softened.
"I don't like being rejected. So I'm giving you only one option—join me."
Renaud casually waved his hand and chuckled.
"Robin, you know why the World Government is so afraid of you—because you can read the texts. You could expose their buried history."
"And you probably don't know that the real ruler behind the scenes is a woman named Imu."
"She's the true master of the seas. And I'll make her part of my crew too."
Robin: "…"
She didn't even know who Imu was—but from the way Renaud spoke, she knew one thing:
He was going to face something far scarier than even her.
Finally, she calmed.
"…Fine. Captain Renaud's story does seem far more exciting than mine."
She smiled faintly, eyes gleaming.
Robin had joined the crew.