#144 - Chapter 144 Arrival at Alabasta Kingdom - One Piece: Start as a mythical beast, practice to become stronger.

In the grand council chamber of the Alabasta Kingdom's palace.

A hurried sound of footsteps suddenly broke the original tranquil atmosphere.

"Your Majesty, urgent report!"

This urgent cry cut through the air, drawing the attention of everyone present.

"The Crocodile Pirates have arrived at the port, do we need to respond?"

The court servant reported nervously and respectfully, his forehead damp, his eyes fixed on the King at the head of the chamber.

King Nefertari D. Cobra, sitting on the throne, was instantly stunned, the pen in his hand slipping from the desk.

His brow furrowed, and a trace of undisguised worry flashed in his tired but resolute eyes.

This should have been a peaceful day, but it became extraordinary due to the arrival of the Crocodile Pirates.

He pondered, his fingers gently pressing on his temples, trying to suppress the sudden headache.

A deep sense of fatigue crept into his heart, making him smile wryly.

He couldn't understand why this pirate called Crocodile chose the Alabasta Kingdom as his base.

Their arrival would undoubtedly bring great fluctuations to the kingdom's peaceful life.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the fatigue and distress in his heart.

Not wanting his subjects to see his weakness, he straightened his body again, regaining the demeanor and dominance of a king.

"Prepare to go out and meet these pirates who we will be dealing with often in the future."

"I want to see just what kind of people these Crocodile Pirates are."

The soldier who came to report couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he saw the King make his decision.

He knew that this news might influence the King's decision, but he decided to add, "According to our observations, there is also a Marine on that pirate ship."

This information was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing slight ripples.

King Nefertari D. Cobra raised his eyebrows slightly, revealing a look of surprise.

This was new information, and an unexpected twist for him.

In his memory, although the members of the Seven Warlords of the Sea sometimes had contact with the Marines, the situation of Marines directly following pirate ships was unheard of.

He pondered for a moment, then a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, as if this new discovery had opened up a new perspective for him. "Then we must go and see."

His voice was even firmer, filled with curiosity about the unknown.

Cobra's mindset had changed, this was not just an investigation into a pirate group that might threaten his country, but now also included an exploration of this unknown situation.

The presence of the Marines might mean that this pirate group's actions were not ordinary looting or threats, and there might be a deeper purpose and background.

The King stood up, preparing to face this sudden new situation as the king of a country.

For Nefertari D. Cobra, this was the challenge he, as king, had to face and solve personally.

......

Alabasta Kingdom Port.

The waves gently caressed the wooden planks of the pier, making periodic wet sounds, as if it was the ocean's own breathing.

In the shadows of the pier, a group of pirates plotted their next move, their bodies shrouded in the sunlight.

Their eyes were focused on the two scouts who had just returned.

The scouts shuttled between the crowds coming and going at the port.

Quietly approaching their team, with an imperceptible satisfaction on their faces.

They approached their companions step by step, stopping in front of the captain.

Stroking his beard, one of the scouts reported in a slightly hoarse voice:

"We have found a suitable place, not far from here, with few people around, easy access, suitable as our base."

Crocodile wore a coat that fluttered in the wind on his shoulders.

He looked around at his crew, all fully prepared, and now they had found a foothold in this land.

It was time to settle down.

"Good."

He nodded, his voice as turbulent and deep as the tide, "Let's set off now, we will gather at the new base."

"The ocean belongs to the brave, and this island is the starting point of our new journey."

As Crocodile's words fell, a cheerful atmosphere enveloped the entire pier.

The pirates, one after another, like birds throwing themselves into the forest, disappeared into the twilight of the port, to prepare a new home.

Crocodile stood at the bow of the ship, silent like a statue.

As the crew members left one after another, the scene in front of him gradually thinned out.

His weathered face appeared rough and resolute in the darkening light of the sky.

The precisely drawn outline of the corner of his mouth slowly raised a trace of arrogant smile.

His gaze passed through the gradually disappearing backs of the sailors, and cast towards the distant, boundless, mysterious sea.

In his heart, there was already a clear picture, a scroll of conquest and glory was slowly unfolding.

Crocodile's thoughts flew through time and space, he could imagine his name, like those legends in history, being repeatedly chanted by later generations.

He would be a pirate who would influence an era, his deeds would spread like waves to every port, every continent, until every corner of the entire sea.

He tightly gripped his golden hook, the symbol of his authority and power.

Crocodile raised his head, the whistling of the wind with particles at the tip of his nose became the resonance of his mood.

At this moment, he was the storm about to sweep the sea, the port was just the starting point, and the world would submit at his feet.

Crocodile was immersed in his reverie of boundless glory in the future, when he crossed the fog of the future and saw the image of his own legend.

A frivolous voice broke his contemplation.

"Hurry up."

Jin An was the first to step off the pirate ship,

"After I fight with you, I still have things to do."

Crocodile turned slowly after hearing this, and rolled his eyes at Jin An.

His movements were full of mockery, mocking Jin An's inappropriateness:

"You're such a mood killer."

Then, a sly glint flashed in Crocodile's eyes, and he sneered,