Chapter 86: The Operation Begins

Usopp hadn’t even finished speaking when a thunderous clang echoed through the chamber—the iron cage abruptly halted its descent. Before them now appeared an underwater vault, and there stood Crocodile, draped in his leather coat.

“We’re all about to ascend to the heavens together. You ought to get along,” Crocodile remarked nonchalantly, puffing on his cigar.

At the sight, Smoker instantly loosened his grip on his jitte, his gaze icy as he spat, “Sand Croc!”

Taking advantage of the moment, Luffy scrambled to his feet and yelled at Crocodile outside the cage, “So you’re Sand Croc? You bastard, let me out! I want a fair fight with you!”

“Straw Hat Luffy, impressive! I never expected you to find this place. Truly, I didn’t think our meeting would occur here. But don’t be hasty—I’ll take care of you all soon enough. Just wait a bit longer. We’re still waiting for a special guest. My partner has gone to fetch her.”

As Crocodile finished, both Luffy and Smoker tried to speak, but Usopp beat them to it. “Sand Croc, so you’re the bastard who’s turned Alabasta into a mess? Let us out, now!”

Crocodile smiled faintly, glancing at Usopp with a hint of disdain. “And what little rat are you? Speaking to me in such a tone… Since you already know, are you itching for a fight with me?”

The four in the cage were taken aback by Crocodile’s blatant admission. None was more stunned than Smoker; he had only vaguely suspected that the chaos in Alabasta was orchestrated by someone formidable behind the scenes, but he hadn’t imagined it would be one of the Seven Warlords—Crocodile himself.

“Sand Croc, are you the mastermind behind Baroque Works?” Smoker demanded coldly.

Crocodile gave a relaxed smile. “Oh? The famous Smoke Devil, as sharp as a wild dog. Seems you never saw me as an ally of the World Government.”

“In my eyes, the whole Warlord system is a mistake. Pirates are pirates—Justice doesn’t need your sort meddling in the Navy’s affairs,” Smoker retorted with a snort.

Hearing this, the three members of the Straw Hat crew were momentarily stunned. In their minds, Smoker was the relentless Navy officer who never let up in his pursuit of pirates. For him to make such a statement now revealed a crack in his faith in the Navy’s current “justice.”

Before Crocodile could reply, footsteps echoed from the staircase. Everyone turned to see two women descending. When the blue-haired figure appeared, the three Straw Hats cried out in unison, “Vivi!”

Smoker’s brow furrowed, a dark thought crossing his mind: Why would the princess of Alabasta appear here at such a moment? This complicates matters.

While everyone was still reeling, Crocodile spread his arms wide in an exaggerated gesture and called out to Vivi, “Ha! Welcome, Princess Vivi of Alabasta! Or should I say, Miss Wednesday. Care to tell me how you slipped past your pursuers and arrived here so quietly?”

Facing Crocodile, Vivi replied with unwavering dignity, “Of course. As the princess of this kingdom, no matter where you are, I will come. Because I must kill you with my own hands, Mr. Zero!”

Crocodile’s expression showed no surprise, only a sly grin. “The only thing dying today is this tedious kingdom.”

At those words, Vivi could no longer restrain herself. The peacock chains hidden in her sleeve lashed out as she charged down the stairs toward Crocodile, her voice ringing with fury: “Crocodile! If it weren’t for you, this country would still know peace!”

From inside the cage, the Straw Hats shouted anxiously:

“Vivi, wait! Don’t be reckless!”

“Crocodile, you damned bastard, let me out!”

By then, Vivi had already closed the distance. Her peacock chain lashed toward Crocodile’s head. Yet, at the moment of contact, his body dissolved into sand, evaporating into the air.

The three Straw Hats felt their hearts sink. Smoker, his cigar clenched between his teeth, muttered, “It’s useless. Logia-type fruit users—physical attacks like that don’t affect him at all.”

“Cooled off yet, Miss Wednesday?” Crocodile’s voice drifted from the air itself.

Moments later, the swirling sand behind Vivi reformed into Crocodile’s body. He seized her, clamping a large hand over her mouth, and spoke slowly, “Living in this country, you should at least know about my Sand-Sand Fruit. Are you eager to become a mummy?”

“Bastard! Let Vivi go!” Luffy roared, forgetting all about the Sea Prism Stone cage. He pulled at the bars with all his might, but after a moment, his strength failed and he slumped back down.

Crocodile had used his power to drain some of the moisture from Vivi’s body, leaving her weak. He tied her to a chair, then said unhurriedly, “Sit tight and glare at me all you wish. You arrived just in time—the banquet is about to begin. Isn’t that right, Miss All-Sunday?”

Robin glanced at her pocket watch and smiled. “Indeed. The Utopia Operation of Baroque Works officially commences now.”

With that, Crocodile opened the sluice gate of the chamber, then departed with Robin.

…

Meanwhile, in the casino, Buffon, having completed Pell’s treatment, asked Lily to open the door. By then, the long line outside had vanished.

A waiter approached respectfully. “Doctor Buffon, since you must be tired, we’ve asked those waiting to come back in the afternoon.”

Buffon frowned slightly. He knew it was just an excuse; no doubt Crocodile’s plan had already begun. Evacuating the civilians from the casino was simply a ploy—when chaos erupted here, Crocodile could still maintain his good reputation.

He nodded, closed the door, and said to Lily, “Shrink down and go find Saul and Reiju. Once you’ve found them, wait for me at the casino entrance. And Baggio too.”

“Captain Buffon, where are you going? Are you sure you can manage alone?” Lily had barely finished the question before realizing it was pointless. If Buffon couldn’t handle what was to come, she would only be a burden.

“I’ll be fine alone,” Buffon replied. Then, turning to the elderly man still in the room, he said, “Old man, are you staying in the casino or heading out?”

Buffon had no idea what astonishing deeds this man—still a civilian for now—might be capable of.

The old man rose and said quietly, “I’ll cover your retreat, young friend.”

Buffon nodded calmly. “Then I’ll leave this old eagle in your care.”