The Pirate Sir Crocodile

The scene opens with two location boxes establishing the setting: "SANDY ISLAND (ALABASTA KINGDOM)" and "PORT TOWN, 'NANOHANA'". The panel shows a bustling port town with Middle Eastern-style architecture, featuring domed buildings and minarets. Several ships are docked at the shore, including a large pirate galleon. On the docks, a pirate wielding a sword yells out in shock, "SIR CROCODILE!". In the foreground, a large, overweight pirate captain with a striped shirt and a captain's coat is lying flat on his stomach on the stone pavement, looking up with an expression of absolute terror. He stammers, "HM? HUH!? AHHH, CROCODILE! YOU CAME!". Another pirate in the background also shouts, "IT'S SIR CROCODILE!". The pirates are clearly intimidated by the arrival of this new figure.

The large pirate captain's face is shown in a close-up, sweating profusely and looking terrified as he stammers, "CROCODILE! IT COULDN'T BE... CROCODILE!". A massive, imposing figure wearing a large, dark, fur-lined coat stands before the pirates, casting a shadow over them. The figure commands, "SILENCE!". The pirate captain tries to justify his presence, yelling, "I'VE ONLY COME TO TAKE THE HEADS OF THESE PIRATE SCUM!". One of his crew members nervously questions, "ONE OF THE SHICHIBUKAI...?". Meanwhile, the townspeople of Nanohana are ecstatic. They cheer wildly for the newcomer, shouting, "CROCODILE!" and "LONG LIVE CROCODILE!". A woman with a veil clasps her hands together and says, "OUR HERO...". Another townsperson adds, "THAT'S WHAT YOU SAY BUT YOU ALWAYS RESCUE US TOO!". The contrast between the terrified pirates and the adoring citizens is stark.

A massive, dramatic splash page shows the imposing figure of Crocodile from behind, standing in the center of the town square of Nanohana. He is wearing a long, dark, heavy coat that billows out around him. The town square is filled with hundreds of citizens who are cheering wildly for him. Huge Japanese sound effects for cheering fill the air. The crowd's shouts are translated in jagged speech bubbles: "CROCODILE!", "KING OF THE DESERT! CROCODILE!", and "THE PROTECTOR OF ALABASTA!". The architecture of the town surrounds the square, with tall towers and domed roofs. Crocodile stands alone against the invading pirates, hailed as the savior of the city.

A close-up reveals Crocodile's face. He has a prominent horizontal scar across his face, slicked-back hair, and is smoking a thick cigar. He smirks confidently and says, "KUHA HAHA. WELL... YOU CAN CALL ME WHATEVER YOU WISH...". The next panel shows him in full view. He is a tall, muscular man wearing a patterned shirt, a cravat, and his large fur-lined coat draped over his shoulders. Notably, his left hand is replaced by a large, golden hook. He commands the invaders, "IN ANY CASE, CEASE YOUR VIOLENT RAMPAGE AT ONCE, PIRATES...". An introductory box appears next to him, reading: "'ROYAL SHICHIBUKAI' PIRATE SIR CROCODILE FORMER BOUNTY: 81 MILLION BERI". The crowd continues to roar in the background, cheering "CROCODILE!" as he confronts the pirate crew.

The large pirate captain stands up, gripping his sword, his fear turning into anger. He yells at Crocodile, "DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE UNDERESTIMATING US A LITTLE TOO MUCH!? OR DO YOU REALLY WANT TO TAKE ON MY ENTIRE CREW ALONE!?". He continues to mock Crocodile's status, shouting, "WHAT'S A 'GOVERNMENT'S DOG' WHO SOLD HIS SOUL FOR AUTHORITY LIKE YOU DOING PLAYING HERO!?". Crocodile remains completely unfazed and calmly warns the citizens, "TO THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO DIE, DUCK FOR COVER AT ONCE!". The pirate captain laughs arrogantly, "HA! LOOK AT THIS IDIOT JUMPING DOWN, ASKING TO BE KILLED! KILL'IM! WE'RE TAKING THIS TOWN FOR ALL IT'S GOT! AIN'T NO ONE GONNA STOP US!". His crew members raise their swords and charge forward, yelling, "AYE-AYE, CAP'N!".

The pirate crew swarms Crocodile, thrusting their swords directly into his body. However, instead of drawing blood, the blades pass right through him. Crocodile's body appears to turn into sand at the points of impact. The large pirate captain laughs triumphantly, "GUAA HAHAHA! SO THIS IS THE STRENGTH OF ONE OF 'EM SHICHIBUKAI?". A close-up shows Crocodile's face; he is completely unharmed and unbothered, his eye narrowing slightly. The pirates suddenly realize their attacks are having no effect, looking confused as their swords remain stuck in his sandy form. The final panel shows a tight close-up of the pirate captain's eye widening in sheer terror as he realizes the true nature of Crocodile's Devil Fruit power.

Crocodile unleashes his power, transforming the lower half of his body into a massive, swirling sandstorm. The powerful vortex of sand violently blows the attacking pirates away, sending them flying through the air along with debris. Crocodile stands tall in the center of the storm, his golden hook raised high. The defeated pirates are left buried in the sand or scattered across the ground. Crocodile looks down at them and coldly states, "WE MAY BE BOTH PIRATES, BUT WE'RE CUT FROM DIFFERENT CLOTHS, SWINE." The sheer difference in their strength is evident as Crocodile effortlessly neutralizes the entire crew.

The sandstorm settles, and the townspeople of Nanohana peek out from behind the dunes of sand, amazed by the display of power. Seeing the pirates defeated, they erupt into cheers once again, shouting "CROCODILE!" and "CROCODILE!". Crocodile turns and walks away from the scene, casually carrying a large sack over his shoulder. His dark coat billows behind him as he strides through the desert landscape just outside the town. The citizens continue to cheer wildly for their protector, their voices echoing as Crocodile departs, leaving the incapacitated pirates behind.

The scene shifts to the capital city. A location box reads: "ALABASTA KINGDOM 'ALUBARNA PALACE'". The panel shows the grand, ornate exterior of the palace with its large domes and intricate architecture. Inside the throne room, King Nefertari Cobra, a man with dark hair and a distinctive beard, sits on his throne. A royal guard reports to him, "BY THE TIME WE ARRIVED AT NANOHANA, THE PIRATE ATTACK WAS ALREADY...". Cobra interrupts, "HE BEAT US TO THE ATTACK AGAIN?". Cobra looks thoughtful and says, "I SEE... AS LONG AS THE CITIZENS ARE OKAY, I SUPPOSE IT'S FINE...". A close-up of Cobra's face shows a complex expression as he adds, "THIS COUNTRY, IS INDEBTED TO HIS SERVICE...". An introductory box identifies him: "KING OF ALABASTA NEFERTARI COBRA".

The story moves to the Going Merry sailing on the open sea. Luffy is sitting on the deck, whistling innocently and looking away with a guilty expression. He says, "NO, I'M SERIOUS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKIN' ABOUT." Sanji stands over him, smoking a cigarette and looking extremely annoyed. Sanji interrogates him, "WHAT'S WITH YOUR SHIFTY-EYES THEN? LOOK ME STRAIGHT IN THE EYES. I PROPERLY DIVIDED OUR FOOD SUPPLIES SO THAT THEY'D LAST LONG ENOUGH FOR 8 PEOPLE TO REACH ALABASTA. IF YOU'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE, THEN WHY'S THE FOOD DISAPPEARING EVERY NIGHT?". Sanji then notices something and points, "HEY, IS THAT SOME LEFTOVERS I SEE STUCK TO YOUR MOUTH?". Luffy panics, frantically wiping his face, "CRAP! IT'S STILL THERE!?". Sanji grabs Luffy by the collar, yelling, "DON'T EVEN TRY TO MAKE ANY EXCUSES. YOU'RE A TERRIBLE LIAR." Luffy lets out a loud "BURP".

Sanji delivers a brutal kick to Luffy's face, sending him flying backward with a loud "GAHH!". Sanji yells, "SO IT WAS YOU!". In the background, Usopp and Chopper are sitting by the railing, casually fishing and chewing on stolen food with "MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH" sound effects. Sanji turns to Nami, who is relaxing on a chair, and complains, "NAMI, DID YOU SEE? JUST LOOK AT WHAT THIS BUFFOON DID! WON'T YOU BUY ME A REFRIGERATOR WITH A LOCK ON IT? <3". Nami replies nonchalantly, "HMM, I'LL THINK ABOUT IT. AFTER ALL, IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH...". A label points to Usopp and Chopper, identifying them as "ACCOMPLICES". Usopp nervously says, "GULP... GUESS WE SHOULD REALLY CATCH SOMETHING, FOR SANJI'S SAKE AT LEAST...". Karoo the duck quacks nervously nearby.

Nami turns to Vivi, looking surprised. "CROCODILE IS ALABASTA'S HERO?". Vivi, sitting on the deck, confirms, "HERO?". She explains the situation: "TO BE A 'ROYAL SHICHIBUKAI,' MEANS THAT YOU'RE A PIRATE EMPLOYED BY THE WORLD GOVERNMENT ITSELF. SO WHETHER IT'S A SHICHIBUKAI WHO GETS RID OF THE RAIDING PIRATES, OR THE MARINES WHO DO IT FOR JUSTICE, THE PEOPLE ARE THANKFUL TO WHOEVER KEPT THEM SAFE. THE END RESULT IS THE SAME." The panel shows the crew relaxing on the deck; Sanji is sitting on a barrel smoking, Luffy is recovering on the floor, and Usopp and Chopper are still fishing. Vivi looks down thoughtfully as she explains the political reality of Crocodile's status in her country.

Vivi continues her explanation, her expression turning serious. "WELL I GUESS THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED... BUT TO THINK THE SO-CALLED HERO OF ALABASTA, WOULD BE SECRETLY PLANNING ON TAKING OVER THE COUNTRY... I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD'VE IMAGINED THAT EVEN IN THEIR DREAMS." Luffy, having recovered from Sanji's kick, punches his palm enthusiastically and declares, "EITHER WAY, ALL I HAVE TO DO, IS KICK THAT GUY'S ASS, RIGHT!?". Vivi looks at Luffy and smiles, finding comfort in his straightforward determination. She says, "YES... IF WE CAN PUT A STOP TO THE CIVIL UNREST FIRST, AND CHASE AWAY BAROQUE WORKS, THEN ALABASTER WILL BE SAVED...".

Zoro wakes up from a nap, rubbing his eye and looking confused. "BAROQUE WORKS... EXACTLY HOW IS THIS B.W. ORGANIZATION SET UP AGAIN? AND WHAT'S WITH THE 'MR' AND 'MISS' BUSINESS?". Usopp and Chopper look at him, and Usopp says, "OH, ABOUT THAT." Vivi takes over the explanation, "IT'S QUITE SIMPLE, REALLY. AT THE TOP, YOU HAVE CROCODILE, WHO GOES BY THE CODENAME MR. 0...". She continues, "THEN YOU HAVE THE 12 PEOPLE AND 1 ANIMAL WHO ARE HIS 'AGENTS' THAT RECEIVE THEIR ORDERS DIRECTLY FROM MR. 0. THESE 13 AGENTS ARE ALL NAMED MR. FOLLOWED BY A NUMBER SIGNIFYING THEIR RANK. AND EACH OF THESE AGENTS IS PAIRED WITH A FEMALE AGENT WHO'S SIMILAR TO THEM IN TERMS OF STRENGTH. MR. 13 AND HIS PARTNER MISS FRIDAY ARE A SPECIAL CASE SINCE THEY SERVE AS THE EXECUTIONERS THAT PUNISH THOSE WHO FAIL THEIR MISSIONS."

A full-page detailed organizational chart of Baroque Works is displayed. At the top is "PRESIDENT Mr. 0 (CROCODILE)" paired with "Ms. All Sunday (VICE PRESIDENT AND HIGHEST RANKING COMMANDING OFFICER)". Below them are the Officer Agents: Mr. 1 and Ms. Double Finger, Mr. 2 Bon Kurei (noting "NO PARTNER DUE TO BEING BOTH A HE/SHE"), Mr. 3 and Ms. Golden Week, Mr. 4 and Ms. Merry Christmas, and Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine. An arrow points down to the "Billions (200 Agents), Subordinates of Officer", listing Mr. 6 through Mr. 12 and their respective female partners (Ms. Mother's Day to Ms. Saturday). Another arrow points to "Millions (1800 members), Subordinates of Frontier Agents", showing Mr. 13 and Ms. Friday (the Unluckies). Vivi's face appears at the bottom, narrating: "AND AMONG THE AGENTS, THOSE WHO ARE EITHER RANK 5 OR ABOVE ARE COLLECTIVELY CALLED 'OFFICER AGENTS.' MOST OF THESE OFFICER AGENTS ARE DEVIL FRUIT USERS, AND THEY ONLY CARRY OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT MISSIONS. BELOW THEM IN RANK ARE THE FRONTIER AGENTS. THEY ACT AS THE LEADERS OF UNRANKED FOLLOWERS CALLED 'MILLIONS,' TO COLLECT REWARD MONEY FOR HUNTING DOWN PIRATES AT THE ENTRANCE OF GRAND LINE. THIS IS THE BASIC RUNDOWN OF THE BAROQUE WORKS ORGANIZATION."

Luffy punches the air again, completely missing the nuance of the explanation. "OH, I GET IT! SO ALL I GOTTA DO, IS KICK CROCODILE'S ASS, RIGHT!?". Sanji sighs in exasperation, "YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND A THING, DID YA?". Usopp, looking serious, pieces the information together, "SO ASSUMING THAT, TAKING OVER ALABASTA IS B.W'S FINAL OBJECTIVE...". Nami continues his thought, "THEN THOSE ONES YOU CALL," and Chopper finishes the sentence, "'OFFICER AGENTS'...". The crew is starting to realize the scale of the threat they are facing and the impending confrontation with the top members of Baroque Works.

The realization sets in for the crew. Close-up panels show the determined faces of Nami, Luffy, Usopp, and Zoro. They collectively conclude, "SHOULD ALL... YES...". A large, ominous panel dominates the bottom half of the page, showing the dark silhouettes of Crocodile and his top Officer Agents standing together. A speech bubble completes their thought: "BE GATHERING IN ONE PLACE." The silhouettes include Crocodile in the center with his hook, and various uniquely shaped figures representing the other high-ranking agents. The text at the very bottom reads, "VOL. 17 'HILULUK'S CHERRY BLOSSOMS' (END)", marking the end of the volume.

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