How much time had passed since the battle began?
Exhausted by a fight with no end in sight, the soldiers' hearts wavered with every fresh wave of terror that assaulted them. Their spirits soared one moment and plummeted the next, shuttling repeatedly between heaven and hell.
When the situation devolved into attacks from their own allies, some finally began to give up. The mental toll was immense, but above all, they had reached their physical limits.
Allowed almost no rest since the King's abduction, they had been moving non-stop. Now, with morale collapsing, many soldiers unwittingly fell to their knees.
One soldier stared at the ground, clutching the hand of a fallen comrade, and muttered. His tears had run dry; the will to live had vanished from his face.
"It's over... This country is finished..."
The Marines who had suddenly intruded were frantically trying to save the Royal Army, but it was like throwing water on a raging inferno. Everyone was succumbing to the belief that turning the tables now was impossible.
But then, a group finally arrived.
The man at the front, still seemingly anxious even at this late stage, repeatedly questioned the man beside him. The only reply he ever received was, "Trust me."
"Oi, is this really okay? If Baroque Works agents are hiding in here..."
"It's fine. I only gathered people I can trust. Believe in me."
"Saying 'believe' is easy, but... normally you can't trust people you don't know well."
"You're one to talk."
Confirming that communication via Den Den Mushi was complete in the rear, the report came in.
"We're ready. Hurry. Everyone's at their limit."
"Alright. Let's go then..."
Taking a deep breath, he began to speak into the receiver in his hand.
Connected to speakers throughout the city, his amplified voice reached the plaza.
"Attention Baroque Works! You are completely surrounded!"
At the sudden voice, the atmosphere in the plaza shifted strangely.
Many stopped fighting, looking around to grasp the situation. The surprise was enough to momentarily halt the ceaseless battle.
The voice from the speakers continued. It was the same voice that had echoed throughout Alubarna a short while ago.
"And rejoice, Royal Army! You have powerful allies on your side!"
As if guided by something, Vivi turned around.
Blocking the path into the plaza, a new army had gathered.
At the forefront sat Usopp, mounted on a Bull-Uson transformation of the Super Spot-Billed Duck, and beside him, Kohza on horseback. Unbelievably, the Rebel Army had reached them.
Before, this was a development she would have done anything to prevent. But seeing Usopp, tears welled in Vivi's eyes, and a smile broke across her face. Her friends reacted the same way.
One look was enough. Their appearance was far from what anyone would call a "Rebel Army."
Horses galloped, their hooves thundering. The numbers were substantial.
The newly arrived force blocked every exit from the plaza. As Usopp had declared, they were completely surrounded. Baroque Works had nowhere to run.
Their mere arrival exuded overwhelming pressure. Their military strength was on a different level. Moreover, they were all mounted. The shaken state of the Baroque Works agents was plain to see.
Usopp shouted into the Den Den Mushi receiver. Spinning words with high spirits, he looked every bit the commander.
"Surrender now while you have the chance! Just so you know, even I can't stop their rage!"
His confident declaration terrified the Baroque Works agents even further. However, though many were bewildered and unsure of what to do, none came forward to surrender. Silence reigned.
Sighing, Usopp shook his head as if to say, "Good grief."
He extended his left arm toward the sky, pointed his index finger to the heavens, and then swung his arm down with force.
"Can't be helped... Alabasta Royal Army! CHARGE!!"
Thud. The entire plaza felt a tremor, as if the first step of the charge had landed in perfect unison.
The Rebel soldiers broke into a run, descending upon Baroque Works all at once.
Their intensity, threatening to swallow everything whole, made grown men scream. Even the former pirates turned tail and ran in panic, but the mounted soldiers chased them down effortlessly, letting no one escape.
The plaza was thrown into unprecedented chaos.
Usopp, the architect of this chaos, advanced proudly, finding Vivi and the others alongside Kohza.
Vivi and Nami were waving, smiles beaming on their faces. Despite being in the middle of a battle, they showed radiant smiles and ran happily toward them as they arrived.
Dismounting, Usopp received a slap on the back from Nami, while Vivi faced Kohza.
"Usopp~! You're amazing! You got the Rebel Army on our side?!"
"Wahahaha! Well, you know! This is a piece of cake for the great Usopp-sama!"
"Leader...!"
"Vivi, I'm sorry. I have a lot I want to say, but that comes later."
Kohza's eyes sharpened as he glared at the enemy.
"First, we have to beat the hell out of these guys...!"
"Eek—?!"
Glared at, Miss Mother's Day let out a small shriek, and Mr. 6 broke into a cold sweat.
In an instant, the atmosphere of the battlefield was dominated. The momentum now lay with this newly arrived "Alabasta Royal Army." Seeing their allies falling one after another around them, the agents could find no calm.
Furthermore, there were enemies targeting them specifically.
Riding the wave of momentum, Sanji and Chopper targeted Mr. 6.
"Let's go, Chopper! Get on my leg!"
"Rumble!"
"Armée de l'Air—!"
With Chopper on his right leg, Sanji swung with full force.
Launched into the air, Chopper transformed into Arm Point, gathering strength in his left arm.
Reaching the stunned and immobile Mr. 6, he slammed a hoof capable of shattering steel into the man's stomach.
"Kokutei: Roseo Shoot!!"
With the added velocity from Sanji's throw, the impact was far greater than usual. Unable to withstand it for even a second, Mr. 6 was blown away, sliding across the ground until he disappeared into the distance.
Chopper landed in Guard Point, then stood up in his hybrid form.
Everything was unpredictable.
Terrified by the sight of Mr. 6's defeat, Miss Mother's Day scrambled to flee.
This wasn't supposed to happen. I don't want to die.
That was all she could think of as she frantically moved her legs.
She ran without direction, her vision tunneled by fear, her attention scattered. Her expression had lost its original beauty, twisting into something ugly.
Disregarding all that, she ran single-mindedly.
Suddenly, the air in front of her distorted grotesquely, frightening her beyond reason.
It was as if space-time itself had warped—or perhaps, like a mirage.
Before she knew it, Nami appeared right in front of her, lying in wait with her Clima-Tact ready.
Miss Mother's Day, unable to stop, reached her, and Nami swung with all her might.
The moment the crossed Clima-Tact connected with her face, a gale-force wind erupted.
Miss Mother's Day was blown back violently along the path she had come. Failing to land, she tumbled across the ground, clutching her face as she glared at Nami in shock.
"Where do you think you're going? Don't think you can run after doing all this."
"Y-You...!"
Just as the enraged agent pulled out her chakrams...
Sensing a presence, she turned to her right, only to find Vivi waiting, weapon spinning.
Miss Mother's Day's jaw dropped, and she screamed.
"Kujakki: String Slasher!!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaaah?!"
Sharp blades sliced her skin and sent her flying. Miss Mother's Day hit the ground with a wet thud.
She seemed to have fainted. Confirming she wasn't moving, Vivi looked at Nami triumphantly. Nami ran over smiling and raised a hand, and Vivi slapped it hard in a high-five.
Kohza was exasperated by the unexpected sight, while Sanji was swooning.
"Amazing, Vivi-chwaaaan! A strong princess is wonderful~!"
"You're noisy, Sanji-kun."
"Of course, Nami-san is wonderful too~!"
"Hey, hey, you guys. Praise me more! My contribution was huge!"
"That was amazing, Usopp! You saved us! I thought we were done for!"
"Right, right?! As expected! Captain Usopp-sama's plan had no holes!"
Surrounded by her noisy friends, Vivi's expression softened surprisingly.
The battle wasn't over. But surely, she was allowed to relax her shoulders just a little.
Exhaling deeply, she calmed her heart and looked around.
Soldiers and Marines were cooperating, catching the manipulated soldiers and erasing the marks. The sacrifices were great, but not everything was lost.
Vivi's gaze stopped abruptly at a certain spot.
There, Zoro and Mr. 3 were fighting one-on-one.
As she stared, Sanji tapped her shoulder.
When she turned, her noisy friends were looking at her with serious expressions.
"No need to worry about him."
"More importantly, we have to save the others!"
"I should do what we can do, right?"
"Doooon't worry! You've got the great Usopp-sama with you!"
Vivi smiled softly at their words and nodded firmly.
"Everyone... thank you."
"Save that for when it's all over. Come on, let's go."
As Nami ruffled her hair, she started walking.
They began moving to save the remaining victims of the Colors Trap.
Meanwhile, the continuing battle between Zoro and Mr. 3 showed two very different expressions.
Zoro wore a belligerent grin, swinging his swords with joy, constantly pressing forward.
Mr. 3, on the other hand, wore a face full of bitterness. His perfect plan had been shattered by unpredictable events; the tables had turned completely, and he was on the verge of an unceremonious defeat. He was struggling desperately, trying to save at least himself.
He swung his massive fists, trying to scatter Zoro with brute force. But as a cerebral fighter, his combat skills were not superior. To Zoro, this was like twisting a baby's arm.
No matter how much Zoro bled, it wasn't much of a handicap.
Parrying punch after punch, he was cornering his opponent.
To cut an enemy, what is needed is not time.
It is breath, and concentration.
Now, fighting with only two swords, Zoro sought to know the enemy's breath.
"W-Why has it come to this...! My plan should have been perfect!"
"I was just better than you. That's all there is to it."
"That cannot be! There is no plan of mine that cannot win!"
Mr. 3 thrust his left fist with full power.
With a calm face, Zoro swung his sword. The moment he did, the wax armor, hard as iron, was sliced through like tofu. The forearm fell to the ground, and Mr. 3's eyes bugged out.
"Wha—?! Wha—?!"
"Phew..."
Exhaling quietly and deeply, Zoro took another step forward.
Panicked, Mr. 3 thrust his remaining right arm, trying to land a punch.
Another flash. With a single touch, the armored right arm was severed at the elbow, falling with a heavy thud.
Mr. 3 felt faint.
Zoro sheathed the swords in his hands and placed a hand on the white-sheathed blade.
He had grasped the sensation. He could cut it now.
Even as the desperate Mr. 3 rushed frantically to trample him, Zoro's gaze did not waver in the slightest.
"F-F-Fluke! It's a fluke! There is no human who can cut the Candle Champion!"
"Ittoryu... Iai."
Kicking off the ground, Zoro moved faster than the eye could follow. Before anyone realized it, he was standing behind Mr. 3.
By then, the cut was already finished. He quietly sheathed his sword.
"Shishi Sonson...!"
Immediately after, the wax armor was bisected, crumbling and rolling to the ground. Mr. 3, his body cut, fell limply. However, judging by the feeling, Zoro wasn't satisfied.
Mr. 3 could still move. Though wobbling, he tried to stand after falling.
"Tch, too shallow. I still lack training."
"Guuuuh... Im... Impossible...?! T-This cannot happen..."
Drawing three swords, he charged ferociously. Mr. 3's attempt to counter was too late.
"Doru Doru Arts...!"
"Onigiri!!"
"Hahyaoooow?!"
Slashed away by tremendous strength, Mr. 3 flew through the air. By the time he hit the ground again, he had lost consciousness.
Zoro sheathed his swords for good this time and looked down at the fallen man.
"You did well. Thanks to you, I understood the sensation."
As Zoro sighed deeply and relaxed his shoulders, Miss Goldenweek was trying to sneak away on tiptoe.
Even if combat wasn't her forte, Mr. 3 losing one-sidedly was inconceivable.
Realizing the situation was hopeless, her face had gone pale.
Blocking her path, the ground was gouged with a roar.
Then to her right, left, and behind—the ground was carved on all four sides, engraving clear lines. Step out of there and you die—it was as good as spoken.
Miss Goldenweek, face drained of color, slumped to the ground.
Noticing the noise, Zoro turned to see Cowboy, the Super Spot-Billed Duck, arriving.
Silk rode on his back. Though she looked exhausted, she gripped her sword firmly.
Unusually, she glared sharply, intimidating Miss Goldenweek.
"You'd better not move... I can cut you from here."
"Y-Yes..."
Trembling violently with a face that looked ready to wet itself, Miss Goldenweek absolutely did not move. She sat obediently in seiza, watching Silk.
Having said her piece, Silk returned to her usual self.
She turned to find Zoro and spoke in a light voice.
"Sorry I'm late. I lost a bit too much blood, so moving was hard."
"Doesn't matter. If we're both alive, it's a win."
Zoro reassessed the situation in the plaza.
With the arrival of unexpected reinforcements, Baroque Works had collapsed completely. Those who had been acting high and mighty were blown away by the momentum, and many, seeing the gravity of the situation, were surrendering.
The manipulated Royal Army soldiers were being freed one by one.
At this point, one could say victory already belonged to the Kingdom of Alabasta.
The sounds of battle were gradually fading, and some soldiers were even raising voices of joy.
But no. It wasn't over yet.
Maintaining a stern expression, Zoro crossed his arms and thought.
Victory could only truly be claimed once Luffy defeated Crocodile. Even if the organization ceased to function, the level of a Shichibukai was beyond imagination. It wouldn't be difficult for him to overturn this entire situation single-handedly.
Having felt the power of a Warlord with his own body, Zoro surmised this was likely the case.
Lost in thought, he noticed someone approaching.
When he looked instinctively, he saw a person he had trouble dealing with, and he reflexively braced himself.
"Things have calmed down."
"Wha—?! You... why are you here...!"
"Rest assured. At least for now, I have no intention of fighting you."
Stopping next to Zoro, Tashigi spoke with a somewhat dejected expression.
Sensing something different from when they last met, Zoro guessed at her state of mind.
He lowered his guard, looked in the same direction, and straightened his back.
"Lending a hand to pirates... it is the greatest stain on my life. I have never been so ashamed of my own powerlessness... If I were stronger, I would be arresting you right now."
"Feeling shame is enough. You just need to train more, that's all."
"You wouldn't understand. This feeling..."
Saying this sadly, Tashigi took a few steps forward.
"But it's fine. I have finally made my resolve."
Turning back, Tashigi showed eyes full of strength.
Zoro accepted the fighting spirit she projected head-on.
"Next time, I won't let you escape. I will be the one to capture you."
"Try it. I don't intend to yield."
Smiling faintly, she walked away to help secure the plaza. Her work as a Marine was not done.
Left behind, Silk rushed up to Zoro.
She seemed to have restrained Miss Goldenweek beforehand; the trembling girl showed no sign of running even without anyone nearby.
"Declaration of war?"
"Seems like it. Well, not that I'm interested."
"Fufu, I see."
"What are you laughing at?"
Hearing voices calling their names, the two turned around.
Their friends were running toward them. Finally, they were all together.
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