It's shocking but it's pretty clear Oda has been regretting having Crocodile lose against Alabasta Luffy for a while. He's trying to make up lol
Yeah, so it seems.
I didn't have this much faith in Crocodile's future, but Oda had great plans for him apparently. Above the YC1, o in every case near to them and above some of them, is incredible. And I am happy as a Shichi and Croco sort of fan.
A shame that Moria, another character that would have been great to see back to his prime, didn't get any of that attention and treatment.