Grand Line, Kingdom of Alabasta.

In a small town near Rapeseed Flower Port, a tall man's figure was surrounded by a group of people.

"Lord Crocodile!"

A stooped white-haired old man held the tall figure's hands tightly, full of gratitude, "If you hadn't taken action and eliminated the Bread Pirates, our whole family of more than 20 people would probably have died long ago.

It turned into a pile of corpses!”

"yes!"

The bald old man next to him also echoed, "We were already in despair, but thanks to you... Oh, I really don't know how to express our gratitude!"

"You don't have to do this."

The tall figure with a slicked back hair and a thick scar running through his face on the bridge of his nose was none other than Crocodile, who had just become King Shichibukai last year.

At this moment, facing the gratitude of a bunch of people, he spread his hands and said helplessly:

"Alabasta is a member of the World Government, and I am a Shichibukai that cooperates with the government. It is my job to deal with the pirates nearby. There is really no need for this."

"How can you say that!"

The rickety old man who spoke earlier became excited immediately:

"You have only been in our Rapeseed Flower Port for three or four months, right? In just these few months, you have eliminated more than a dozen pirate groups and saved at least several thousand people.

Among the seven warriors in the sea, who can be as selfless and great as you?"

"that is!"

The bald old man also said, "Don't be humble. If anyone dares to say that you are not the hero of our Kingdom of Alabasta, old man, I will be the first to go up and blow his head off!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Crocodile scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "Since you all said that, I'll admit it with embarrassment!"

"But..."

He turned his head, glanced at the money bags held in everyone's hands, and waved his hands quickly, "You should take these, I don't need this!"

"Well, Lord Crocodile, this is our intention, just accept it!" the gray-haired old man hurriedly advised.

"Hey, there's really no need for that."

Crocodile shook his head resolutely, but could not shirk away the enthusiasm of the crowd. He looked around, suddenly took a few steps forward, and came to the end of the team, in front of a thin little girl of seven or eight years old.

"K...Lord Crocodile!"

The little girl held the rice balls she had made by herself. When she saw her benefactor coming to her, she raised her hands in excitement, her eyes full of hope.

Crocodile touched her head gently, then picked up the rice ball, carefully stuffed it into his arms, and smiled at the people around him:

"If I really want to accept any gift of thanks, just take these rice balls. Compared with money, these are more precious things."

Everyone stared at him blankly.

"Well, let's go, everyone, see you later when you have time~"

The words just fell.

Yellow sand rose up, Crocodile waved his hand towards them, and his figure disappeared at the entrance of the alley.

Watching his leaving figure, the people on the street fell into silence.

"Lord Crocodile is indeed as rumored, a good man who punishes evil and promotes good without asking for anything in return."

After a long time, the stooped old man couldn't help but sigh.

"Yes." The others also agreed, "We are really lucky to have such a hero in Alabasta!"

And what they don't know is.

Outside, Crocodile, who had left the street and turned into a dark alley, suddenly lost his smile and became expressionless.

"boring."

He glanced at the rice ball in his hand coldly, then crushed it into pieces and threw it into the smelly ditch nearby. He then looked up at the sky.

There happened to be a few newsbirds flying over there.

I stretched out my hand and waved lightly, and immediately a news bird flew over.

Crocodile bought a newspaper, spread it out and scanned it casually.

result.

As soon as he glanced at the front page news, his eyes suddenly froze and his brows knitted together tightly.

"Drought Galileo was defeated by that Noxia in the Western Sea?!"

I hadn't paid attention to the newspaper for just a few days, and yet such shocking news broke?

"This guy..."

Looking at the photo on the front page, Crocodile narrowed his eyes and murmured in a low voice:

"At the age of less than 20 years old, even the great pirates of the New World are no match. The Navy Headquarters has found a treasure again..."

He suddenly felt uncomfortable and felt an inexplicable sense of frustration.

A year ago, he entered the new world with the same high spirits. First, he fought with Douglas Barrett to no avail, and then he was recruited by the World Government to become the Shichibukai.

But in the next few months, he was first easily defeated by Whitebeard, and then a few days later, he ran into the Beast Pirates' ship, was beaten violently by Drought Galileo, and almost died on the spot...

It was that battle that made Crocodile completely disillusioned with the new world and retreated to Paradise.

But he never expected that less than a year had passed, and the drought that was so overwhelming in front of him had already been arrested by the navy brat in the photo and became a prisoner.

Compared to this guy, who do you think you are?

"..."

Looking at the handsome young man's face in the photo, Sand Crocodile's hands holding the newspaper couldn't help but squeeze it tightly.

Since Roger's death, the world has changed a bit too fast. Strong newcomers are constantly emerging. Life is like sailing against the current. If you don't pay attention, you will be surpassed and left behind.

I can't go on like this anymore.

A stern look flashed across Crocodile's eyes, and he recalled the secrets he had inadvertently obtained about this mysterious ancient desert country and those secrets hidden in history.

Originally, he just stopped by to check things out with a skeptical attitude.

But now.

I absolutely cannot let go of this opportunity, no matter how slim the hope is, I must start immediately and formulate a plan that is reliable and long-lasting...

————————-

The great route.

A winter island covered with snow.

The cold wind was howling, and two figures who had just fought fiercely were sitting panting in the snow, looking at each other with big eyes and small eyes.

For a moment, there was some sympathy for each other.

"Hey, you guy, your swordsmanship is really good!"

The red-haired boy wearing a straw hat threw a can of beer over, grinned and said:

"My name is Mihawk, right... He's really strong beyond my expectation, and he's qualified to board my boat! What do you think, my boat is still missing a rower, do you want to consider it?"

"No need."

The young swordsman with sharp eyes like an eagle took the beer and took a sip with a calm expression, "I like to be alone and have no habit of being someone else's subordinate, and..."

The corners of his eyes twitched slightly, "I've only heard of helmsman. What is a rower?"

"Ah hahaha, because my boat is still very small and has no rudder at all!"

The straw hat boy scratched his head and laughed:

"But if you join me, I believe it won't be any slower than those big ships. After all, Jesus Bu and I saw it before the collision. You guy, just holding a sword, can kill

The boat rows very fast..."

Um?

Was he actually seen? Hawkeye's right hand holding the beer can froze slightly, he narrowed his eyes and looked up at Shanks, and suddenly...he had murderous intent again.

But just at this moment, Lajilu, a fat man wearing a green and white striped vest, hurried over, waving a newspaper in his hand, his face full of excitement,

"Hey! Shanks! The latest newspaper just came out, I bought it!"

"Good job, Lucky!" Shanks' eyes suddenly lit up, he jumped up from the snow with joy and grabbed the newspaper in the fat man's hand.

"There are newspapers every day..." Hawkeye looked at him puzzled, "Why are you so excited?"

"You don't understand!"

Jesus Bu on the side also came over, winked at Hawkeye, and said with a smile, "Shanks, he just defeated Moonlight Moriah, one of the Seven Martial Arts under the King, yesterday!"

"So today's newspaper headline must be Shanks' picture!"
To be continued...