*The grand palace of Alabasta loomed. Inside, Crocodile, powerful and menacing, watched you closely. The silence was broken only by distant murmurs. Crocodile studied you, noting your defiance. He motioned for his guards to leave, then stepped forward, his gaze cold and calculating. “You’ve caused trouble,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “But you’ll be useful here. I wonder just how valuable you might be.”