(Vivi x Crocodile) One Piece: The Princess and the Villain - Season I

06 - THE FORTUNE UPON PRINCESS

Crocodile stood in his private quarters, his mind momentarily at ease, confident that he had thwarted any of Koza's plans to rescue Vivi. He had anticipated every move, every possibility, ensuring that no one could take her away from him. But just as this reassurance settled, disaster struck—a massive explosion ripped through one of his underground shipments, disrupting his entire operation.

The damage was catastrophic. Word of the accident traveled quickly through Crocodile's network, sending shockwaves of panic among his underlings. Miss All Sunday—Nico Robin, his most trusted partner, was at his side when the news reached them. Without hesitation, Crocodile barked orders and decided to personally oversee the damage control.

In their haste, both he and Miss All-Sunday departed Alabasta, leaving the mansion vulnerable for the first time in months.

This rare lapse did not go unnoticed.

Koza, ever watchful, saw his opportunity. With most of Crocodile's guards deployed elsewhere, he made his move. Disguised as one of Crocodile's men, he infiltrated the mansion, his heart pounding as he navigated through the labyrinthine halls. Every step brought him closer to the one person he had been trying to save for what felt like an eternity.

After what seemed like hours, Koza found it—Crocodile's private quarters, where Vivi had been imprisoned. His breath hitched as he opened the door, and there she was. Her eyes widened in disbelief as Koza, dressed in the enemy's garb, reached out to her.

"Koza...?" Her voice was soft, full of uncertainty.

"Come on," he whispered urgently. "We have to get out of here, now."

Vivi, still processing what was happening, followed without question. Koza led her through a series of hidden pathways—routes known only to those involved in Crocodile's underground dealings. The mansion, now mostly unguarded due to the explosion, allowed them to move swiftly. And before long, they had escaped Crocodile's domain.

The desert stretched out before them, vast and foreboding, but it was their only route to freedom.

They mounted camels and rode off, the silhouette of Crocodile's fortress growing smaller behind them.

***

Vivi's mind raced, caught between relief and dread. Koza's plan had succeeded where she feared it wouldn't, but the weight of the situation still bore down heavily on her. She stared ahead as the desert stretched out before them, the wind brushing against her skin, yet offering no comfort. The towering figure of Crocodile still loomed large in her thoughts.

The question that pressed most is: Was what she could tell anyone about what had happened. Crocodile wasn't just any enemy—he was an icon to Alabasta, revered as a savior, a national hero. Exposing his dark side wasn't just dangerous; it was catastrophic. He held a position so deeply entwined with the kingdom's future that even the mere suggestion of his treachery could rip Alabasta apart.

Crocodile's influence reached into every corner of the kingdom. His bounty as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea had been suspended, giving him a level of protection that was nearly impenetrable. His powers weren't only limited to brute strength—his Suna Suna no Mi, granted him abilities that could ravage entire cities with just a flick of his hand. His reputation for strategy and ruthlessness was known across the seas. If they ever confronted him directly, Alabasta would likely be reduced to a wasteland.

Vivi clenched her fists, remembering the Baroque Works, the underground criminal organization Crocodile controlled like a hidden web, stretching into every layer of society. This wasn't just a personal grudge—Crocodile had been working for years to destabilize the kingdom, pitting factions against one another, using his covert operations to manipulate politics. His power wasn't just about physical force; it was about control. He had mastered the art of using deception, misinformation, and fear to cripple those who stood in his way. He had the loyalty of an army, one that moved in the shadows, unseen and unknown by the common people.

If Vivi revealed the truth about her captivity, it could incite chaos across Alabasta. The nobility and military, already strained, might fracture completely. Koza's rebellion might reignite, this time with a fury even he couldn't control. Internal war wasn't just a possibility—it would be inevitable. Alabasta would turn on itself, ripping apart the delicate peace she had fought so hard to preserve.

And what of her father? The king was beloved, but how would the people react if they learned he had been blind to Crocodile's true nature? Crocodile's defeat wouldn't just tarnish the royal family—it might undo their rule entirely. Crocodile had embedded himself in the very fabric of Alabasta's society. How do you fight a man who has made himself indispensable?

Her heart tightened. If the palace ever declared war on him, how many innocent lives would be lost? Crocodile was not a man who fought fairly—he would ensure the conflict would decimate Alabasta before he relinquished power. He would twist their love for him into a weapon. In their desperation, many would still defend him, believing he was misunderstood or framed.

The image of Rainbase, Crocodile's fortress-like casino and base of operations, loomed in her thoughts. It wasn't just a symbol of wealth and power—it was a bastion, fortified and guarded by elite mercenaries, assassins, and some of the deadliest forces under his command. Getting to him would require more than just a battle—it would take an army, one that Alabasta simply didn't have.

Vivi's breath hitched as the weight of her silence pressed down on her even harder. If she spoke the truth, it could unleash chaos on a scale no one could predict. The kingdom she loved would be torn apart. And yet, if she stayed silent, Crocodile's influence would continue to grow unchecked.

Beside her, Koza rode in silence, stealing glances at her as the tension between them grew. He had risked everything to free her, but he didn't know the full extent of what she had endured or the catastrophic consequences her truth could unleash. How could he? He wasn't aware of the full scope of Crocodile's reach. To Koza, Crocodile was still an adversary to be defeated with enough courage and numbers. But Vivi knew better. This wasn't just a battle of swords and armies—this was a battle for the very soul of Alabasta.

Koza's hand drifted to the sword at his side, his eyes narrowing in determination. But Vivi's mind remained clouded, haunted by the choices that lay ahead. Should she tell him? Could she trust him with the whole truth?

How could she face the people, knowing what she had allowed to happen under their noses? Crocodile had broken her in ways that no one could ever understand. A fresh wave of despair threatened to consume her. Could Alabasta survive the truth?