Chapter 18

In Alabasta, at the bustling dock, a peculiar yet captivating ship sailed into port.

Dockworkers and onlookers couldn't help but marvel at the ship's unusual design—it resembled a boat yet lacked sails, giving it an air of mystery.

Arthur docked the ship smoothly, tossed a gold coin to the pier manager, and departed.

He had come to Alabasta because it was the closest stop from Devil's Town, his previous destination. Although he initially aimed for a small garden, the lack of a permanent pointer there led him to Alabasta first.

Coincidentally, Alabasta was also the next stop for the small garden. Arthur intended to stock up on supplies and acquire the permanent pointer for the small garden while he was here.

As he strolled towards town, Arthur took in the sights of Alabasta. His life had been dedicated to studying at Tenten, graduating, and then venturing into this world shortly after.

Having only explored Bika, Raijin Island, Jaya, and Devil's Town after his rebirth, Arthur realized the vastness of the world. He wasn't in a rush and preferred to take his time, exploring the diverse landscapes and discovering what treasures were worth acquiring.

After a while, feeling hungry, Arthur spotted a small restaurant and decided to enjoy a hearty meal.

While sitting down for a meal, Arthur activated his Observation Haki and suddenly frowned, sensing something peculiar.

"A Devil Fruit?" Arthur detected a man carrying a box containing a Devil Fruit, prompting him to focus on the situation.

In an instant, Arthur made a decision and swiftly moved, intending to snatch the Devil Fruit. Regardless of its type, he wanted to secure it first and decide its fate later.

With a blink, Arthur vanished from his seat in the small restaurant.

"Huh? Where did he go?" Just as Arthur disappeared, the restaurant owner brought out the meat Arthur had ordered. Puzzled, the owner realized Arthur was no longer there, cursing under his breath as he took the barbecue back, dissatisfied.

Meanwhile, Arthur had reappeared on the street, discreetly following the man carrying the box containing the Devil Fruit. He was cautious, mindful of the people around, waiting for the right moment to make his move.

Although Arthur didn't want to resort to criminal actions, he was willing to bend the rules to obtain the Devil Fruit.

After a while, the man turned into an alley with few witnesses and then entered a bar.

Arthur shadowed him closely and observed as the man handed the box to the bartender before turning away.

In that moment, Arthur deduced the fruit's destination from clues in the bar and dark corners.

It was intended for Sir Crocodile, also known as Crocodile. His men had acquired the fruit and arranged its delivery through covert means.

As soon as Arthur learned that the fruit was intended for Sir Crocodile, his interest piqued. Without hesitation, he vanished and reappeared in the dark room where the fruit was being prepared.

"Who are you?" A man in the dark room, wrapping the fruit and placing it on a bird, was startled by Arthur's sudden appearance. Before the man could react further, Arthur was struck by a direct current of 3 million volts.

The bird, witnessing Arthur's arrival and subsequent shock, appeared shocked itself, exhibiting a surprisingly human-like expression. Although Arthur felt he had seen the bird before, he couldn't recall where.

Ignoring the bird's reaction, Arthur uncovered the fruit, smiled, and vanished from the dark room.

Thirty minutes later, in Rainland, a prosperous city within Alabasta, beneath a pyramid-shaped glass building, a phone snail named Blueno was about to ring.

"Click~" The phone snail was picked up, and a man smoking a cigar and donning a fur collar coat listened in silence.

"Boss! The Fried-Fried Fruit we obtained was stolen, taken from the underground bounty house in Port Town!" a voice reported, sounding gloomy.

"Huh? By whom?" The scarred man, smoking a cigar and wearing a large coat, was none other than Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

"I'm not sure. The reports say there was a sudden flash of lightning, followed by a person appearing in the dark room, stunning the underground staff with lightning and absconding with the fruit," the man recounted the events from the dark room, including Arthur's intervention.

"Lightning? Thunder? Three million volts discharge... Could it be them?" Crocodile pondered, taking a puff of his cigar and exhaling smoke rings.

"Well, what should I do, Boss? I had prepared the Fried-Fried Fruit," the man inquired.

Sir Crocodile remained silent, pondering the recent events. Lightning, sudden appearance, lightning discharge of a million volts—a young man capable of such feats.

There were several Paramecia fruits known for lightning attacks, but none could manifest in a dark room accompanied by actual lightning.

Considering the possibilities, Sir Crocodile entertained an unlikely notion.

"That fruit has almost become a legend. How could it appear in Alabasta? But aside from that fruit, I can't think of any other explanation," Crocodile muttered, exhaling thick smoke.

"You needn't involve yourself in this. I'll handle it personally," Crocodile decided after contemplation, ending the call.

"You're heading to the port? What's on your mind?" A woman with a seductive voice inquired.

"I'm considering a group of formidable fruit abilities, specifically a Logia-type like the Thunder Fruit," Crocodile revealed.

"Oh?" The woman expressed surprise.

With that, Crocodile exited the dark room, transformed into quicksand through a hidden door, and took flight into the air.