In the plaza where the battle had ceased, there was a frantic rush to restore order.
They bound the Baroque Works agents who had surrendered, hurried to treat the wounded, and, with heavy hearts, carried away those who would never speak again.
The scars of battle were too deep; even now that the time for rest had come, few could find peace of mind.
Chaka, standing at the forefront to issue orders, had insisted that Vivi rest. As a result, she sat with her friends, catching her breath as she gazed out over the scene.
There were those shedding tears for the deaths of loved ones. There were those who, even after the fighting ended, could not move, hovering on the border between life and death due to deep wounds. And there were those who had departed this world entirely.
It was a scene she would surely never forget.
They had survived a battlefield where countless emotions swirled together.
There was immeasurable anger, unforgettable sorrow, and a joy they should have felt but struggled to grasp.
It had undeniably been a time of suffering. That could not be denied. But precisely because of that, she felt she must never forget it.
Alabasta would begin anew from this point. Vivi fixed her gaze firmly on that moment of genesis.
Seeing her serious expression, her friends hesitated to speak lightly to her.
After a while, Chopper, noticing a shadow overhead, called out.
"Ah. Look."
Looking up, they saw a falcon descending.
The people of Alabasta reacted visibly, calling his name in unison. When Pell spread his wings and touched down, they were even more surprised by the figure riding on his back.
Cobra stood upon the ground, gathering the gaze of every human in the plaza.
Confusion and tension. Most eyes held these emotions.
Vivi hesitated, unsure if she should rush to the father she hadn't seen in so long.
Kohza, too, was the leader of the Rebel Army. He wore a look of awkward guilt.
Perhaps because of the immediate circumstances, no one dared approach the King; even Chaka harbored hesitation.
"What is the matter with everyone? You all look quite dejected."
When he dared to ask with feigned ignorance, many averted their eyes.
It wasn't that they were being blamed, but they had no words. They didn't know what to say.
Cobra looked around at the faces of the people present.
Soldiers of the Royal Army, citizens of the Rebel Army, the Straw Hat Pirates, and even members of Baroque Works.
He understood without needing to ask. It seemed he, too, was considering where to begin.
For now, he took a step forward.
The first person he addressed was the exhausted Chaka.
"Chaka. You held out well."
"Your Majesty..."
"I am grateful for your devotion. Thank you."
With those words, Cobra bowed his head deeply.
It was a sudden action, seemingly unbefitting a King. Chaka immediately began to panic.
"P-Please stop! There is no reason for Your Majesty to bow your head...!"
"No, my thoughts were insufficient. I should have realized sooner."
"If you say that, then so were we. We realized nothing of his schemes and were completely deceived."
"Is that so? Then we are even."
Surprised by Cobra's beaming smile, Chaka stood there, dumbfounded.
It seemed this was the King's way of offering encouragement. Still smiling, Cobra broke eye contact and began to walk.
Next, he approached Kohza.
Kohza didn't know what face to show him. Cobra smiled at the troubled young man.
"It has been a long time, Kohza. You've lost weight again. But you've become a fearless man."
"King... I..."
"Say nothing. It is not over yet."
Kohza started at his words. Cobra likely meant to convey that the root cause of this situation still remained. Kohza had heard the details from Usopp.
Noticing the change in expression, Cobra nodded.
After that, he spoke casually, as if making small talk.
"I am glad we could speak like this again. When this is finished, I would like to talk more."
"...Yeah. You're right. There's a lot I want to talk about, and a lot I want to apologize for."
"Mm. Then, until later."
Promising to speak at the next opportunity, Cobra turned his back on him.
And finally, he made his way to Vivi.
How long had it been since he last saw the daughter who had suddenly disappeared?
Outwardly, to maintain his dignity as King, he had pretended not to worry. But in his heart, he had worried about her every single day. Cobra's doting nature was famous throughout the kingdom.
The citizens knew he was worried, even if he thought he had hidden it.
Cobra wore a gentle smile.
Vivi, in contrast, wore a troubled smile, remnants of hesitation still lingering.
She had been away for a long time and caused him worry. Those feelings were written on her face.
"Vivi."
"Father..."
"I heard from Pell. You worked hard to protect this country. Thank you."
"No... I'm sorry for worrying you."
Hearing her voice, Cobra looked relieved. It was as if a heavy burden had finally been lifted from his shoulders.
"More than anything, I am glad you are safe. Though it seems you are as much of a tomboy as ever."
"Ah..."
Vivi blushed, looking at her bandaged shoulder. She had been a tomboy since childhood, often getting injured doing dangerous things despite being a girl. It brought back memories.
Now she had grown, becoming quite ladylike, and had matured in spirit as well.
Running frantically to save the country was proof enough of that.
He shifted his gaze to the group sitting nearby.
Judging by their closeness, they were her friends, or perhaps comrades. They, too, were battered; though treated, their appearances suggested a fierce battle.
"Are you Vivi's friends? My daughter is in your debt."
"You the King?"
"Oi! Watch your mouth, you idiot! This old guy is Vivi's dad, that means he's the King! What if we get executed?!"
"You just called him 'old guy' yourself!"
"I'm sorry. We're pirates, so we don't have much in the way of manners."
"I do not mind. In such tattered clothes, manners can eat shit for all I care."
Usopp smacked the rude Zoro on the head, while Nami offered a wry apology for their exchange.
That was enough for Cobra to gauge their character, and he accepted their presence without suspicion.
"Things are a bit hectic right now. Let us speak later."
"Yes, of course. Just so you know, we don't run a charity."
"Hahaha. I shall keep that in mind."
Turning on his heel to look around at everyone in the plaza, his heart was calm.
A moderate tension and just the right amount of composure. He felt he could speak to everyone now.
Checking the faces of his people one by one, he began to weave his words with a settled demeanor.
"Everyone, what is the matter? Why such long faces?"
The citizens listened to his words. Or rather, they clung to them.
After a battle that nearly broke their spirits, they were exhausted in body and mind; without someone to rely on, even breathing was painful. They needed someone to lean on.
Knowing this, Cobra tried to stand close to them.
Not as a King, but as a human being. He himself desired it.
"I understand your heartache and your depression. You want to stop moving. I know you have experienced enough to make you feel that way, even without having been there myself."
He walked slowly, speaking quietly. Everyone focused on his voice.
"But we must not forget this experience. There were those who scattered their lives for the sake of others. Those who protected their pride for the sake of the country until the end. Is it right to forget them? ...No. Is it right to pretend this battle never happened? That is also wrong. What we must do is never forget this experience, use it for the future, and pass it on to the generations to come."
Cobra's voice spread across the silent plaza.
His words, slipping surprisingly easily into their hearts, gradually changed their expressions.
"Your friends, your comrades, your families fought bravely for this country and for the people living in it, never forgetting their compassion for others until the very end. We have lost much. We have gained nothing. But what we were able to protect was far greater. Everyone is alive here!"
It was then, just as everyone was focused and Cobra spread his arms wide.
"What happened here today was—!"
"A precursor to the beginning of a new country. Is that what you want to say?"
Suddenly, a voice rained down from the roof of one of the buildings surrounding the plaza.
The moment eyes gathered there, he smiled, looking down at the masses.
Crocodile's arrival, stunning everyone, was the thing Cobra had feared most in this moment.
"The King of that country... is me. I'll have the old King disappear. Along with the citizens plotting rebellion."
"Crocodile...!"
"H-Hey, what happened to Luffy? Wasn't he supposed to blow him away?"
When Vivi called his name and a terrified Usopp voiced his question, Crocodile's eyes turned toward them.
With a smile, Crocodile's single sentence easily shook their hearts.
"He died. Just moments ago."
The crew gasped at his casual tone. They had imagined something had gone wrong the moment Crocodile appeared, but being told explicitly came as a shock.
It seemed he had seized control of the atmosphere in an instant.
Amidst the fear, one person showed anger. Kohza stepped forward.
Crocodile looked down at him, smile still in place.
"So you were pulling the strings from the shadows... All of it!"
"That's right. I orchestrated everything. The rain falling in Alubarna, the towns drying up, the Rebel Army entering Katorea, Yuba being abandoned. Even the 'friend' you met was nothing more than a part of my plan."
Perhaps realizing something, Kohza swallowed his words.
He had just heard the rough outline from Usopp. It seemed it wasn't a lie.
Noting his reaction, Crocodile continued.
"You all moved exactly as I wished. Except for the very end."
Seeing the former rebels standing alongside the Royal Army, his gaze sharpened.
"Doing something so troublesome. Thanks to you, it seems I have to do the work myself."
"Don't screw around! Who would let you do as you please!"
"Kuhahaha. Very well... Try to protect them, then."
Laughing fearlessly, he turned to sand and vanished.
Immediately after the crowd gasped in shock, Crocodile appeared in the air, directly above Cobra. By the time they spotted him, an unnatural power was already gathering in his right hand.
"If you want to protect them, show me your power. Sables—"
"Your Majesty!"
"Pesado!"
Pell instinctively rushed to the King, diving to cover him.
Immediately after, a storm meant to crush everything crashed down from above.
It wasn't just the two on the ground; everyone in the plaza was affected. Some fell violently, some smashed into walls, and others were sent flying through the air.
Crocodile acted instantly, capitalizing on the chaos.
Appearing in an instant before the prone Cobra, he raised the knife on his left arm.
A storm was raging that would normally prevent anyone from standing, but Pell, realizing the approach, desperately leaped up to stand before Cobra.
Given no time to draw his sword, he caught the thrusting blade with his own right arm, stopping it even as it pierced him.
Cobra, shocked by the sudden turn of events, was still on the ground.
Pell desperately gripped the enemy's blade and screamed at him.
"Guh... Your Majesty! Please run!"
Right after he screamed, the right arm moved. A blade of sand sliced through Pell's body, and he collapsed violently to the ground.
Crocodile advanced calmly.
Fixing his eyes on Cobra, who was finally trying to stand, he intended to stab him to death.
As he closed in step by step, Chaka, transformed into his beast-hybrid form, attacked from behind.
He intended to cleave Crocodile in two from the head down with his raised sword. But sensing his presence, Crocodile swung his arm as he turned, unilaterally slashing Chaka's torso.
Chaka vomited blood, his footing wavering.
Though stumbling, he braced himself and gripped his sword once more.
Crocodile's attention was on him. That alone meant something.
Ready to throw away his life, he stepped forward.
"I won't let you... do as you please any longer—!"
"Barchan!"
Attacked by an arm moving so fast it left a crescent-shaped trail in the air, Chaka, caught defenseless, had a massive amount of moisture drained from his body. Rapidly withering, he collapsed without being able to offer any resistance.
Both of the Kingdom's strongest warriors were now incapacitated.
Looking at Cobra with composure, Crocodile walked toward the King, who stood his ground, gritting his teeth.
"Is this the best you have?"
"Kh...!"
Without the means to fight, he had no escape.
Just as he thought that, the Straw Hat Pirates approached all at once. Glancing at them with disinterest, Crocodile swung his right arm with force.
"You bastard, that's enough!"
"You're in the way."
Countless blades raced along the ground, assaulting the crew.
Fast and precise, the crew, unable to dodge, was blown away in an instant. Having fought continuously, they had no stamina left. They flew through the air as easily as leaves in the wind.
Among them, only Zoro and Sanji, though injured, managed to barely dodge and attempted to close the distance.
Sanji leaped forward first with tremendous momentum.
"Oraaa!"
He extended his leg for a jump kick. But Crocodile dodged lightly and slashed Sanji's leg with his knife. It wasn't a deep wound, but Sanji lost his balance and crashed to the ground.
Crocodile lost interest in him immediately and looked away.
Next, Zoro challenged him with his two-sword style.
I cut iron. I will cut sand, he resolved, raising the swords in both hands.
In that instant, with swift movement, Crocodile slipped past his guard and slashed his torso in passing. Zoro, unable to react at all, tumbled with his running momentum, showing a face full of frustration.
Even considering his blood loss from the fight with Mr. 1, the enemy was too strong. It was as if their moves were being read.
Having dealt with them, he turned his eyes back to Cobra.
The crew was exhausted; once down, it would take time for them to stand again.
Because Crocodile targeted Cobra again, the people in the plaza finally took up weapons.
The storm had vanished; they could move now.
Soldiers and citizens alike stood up, rushing Crocodile en masse to protect their King. The sight of people becoming a massive wave was terrifying in its intensity, yet his expression did not change in the slightest.
Cobra saw Crocodile's face—far from afraid, he didn't even flinch.
Cobra imagined the worst-case scenario.
He screamed at the people rushing in.
"Protect the King!!"
"Take down Crocodile!!"
"Stop?! Stay back, everyone!"
"Annoying flies..."
Sand swirled in his right hand. It became a tangible wind, growing explosively fast.
"Disappear! Sables!"
"Uwaaaaaaaaah?!"
Hundreds of people who had rushed him were blown away at once.
Swept aside like scraps of paper, Cobra was among them; helpless, he flew through the air and crashed into the ground, unable to tell up from down.
Enduring the pain, he lifted his head to find Crocodile standing right before him.
"Pathetic. Is that the figure of a King?"
Stared at by those cold eyes, Cobra strangely seemed to regain his composure.
Standing up with his aching body, he looked Crocodile squarely in the eye.
"It is true that as a King, I was far too shallow. I allowed your maneuvering, and even with this much sacrifice, there is nothing I can do."
"You understand your own worthlessness well."
"But even I have the pride of watching over this country as King! Crocodile, no matter how much you try to steal the throne from me, you will never be King!"
"Hmph. A difference of opinion, but I'll listen."
Amidst the raging sandstorm, the two spoke.
Cobra glared sternly; Crocodile kept his smile.
Before long, the center of the tornado-like sandstorm became their sanctuary, where only their voices could be heard clearly.
"A country is its people. No one will follow a man like you, who manipulates others with every scheme."
"Thinking like that created this situation. Our ways of life are fundamentally different. Have you forgotten? Originally, I am a pirate. Maneuvering, scheming, and plotting are my essence."
He raised his left arm, pointing the knife.
Though out of reach, Cobra did not flinch, listening to Crocodile's words.
"Taking over the country is merely the first step. I am looking beyond that."
"As I thought... you do not have the vessel of a King."
"I don't fit into a vessel as small as a 'King.' You wouldn't understand."
Just as he was about to finish him, suddenly, Crocodile's head was blown away.
Hit from behind, only his head turned to sand, scattering quietly into the air. However, his body remained, and as the sand gathered, his form returned.
Then, Crocodile looked behind him.
Vivi, shoulders heaving, had run through the sandstorm.
Noticing her, Cobra was visibly shaken and instinctively leaned forward.
"Vivi?! What are you doing! Run, quickly!"
"Huff, huff... No, Father. Running won't change anything. As long as this man is in this country, there is no safe place anywhere..."
"The daughter understands a bit better. But surely, you don't intend to defeat me?"
"If only you weren't here—"
Baring her emotions, Vivi raised her weapon again and ran.
"If only you weren't here, this country would have been at peace forever!"
Ignoring Cobra's cry to stop, she unleashed an attack. But the strike was effortlessly dodged by Crocodile, who instantly stepped inside her guard.
The knife glinted ominously before her eyes.
Thinking this might be the end, Vivi refused to close her eyes.
It happened the instant he tried to stab her to death and end it all.
Suddenly, Crocodile's eyes widened, and he froze.
Staring at Vivi, in a moment where he could have completely killed her, he stopped mid-motion.
Trembling violently, Vivi scrambled away from him in a panic, collapsing once she was out of his line of sight.
Sitting on the ground, she looked back and realized the reason.
"—Ah."
A weak voice escaped her lips involuntarily.
Beyond Crocodile, she saw Luffy, looking as if he were about to collapse, and tears welled in her eyes.
Bathed in blood, standing in a precarious, crimson state, Luffy was there.
Just standing seemed to make his legs wobble; the usual energy was gone, and he looked like he was barely clinging to life. Yet, despite that, his face and eyes exuded strength, conveying clearly that he had no intention of giving up in silence.
The crew noticed him too.
More than the surprised crew, Crocodile was the one in shock.
He shouldn't be alive after taking the scorpion venom. He should be dead.
"What on earth... are you?"
"Someone like you..."
A voice that sounded like it was being wrung out. His weakness pained the expressions of those who heard him.
For a moment, he swayed, nearly falling.
Luffy stomped his left foot hard on the ground, bracing his body again.
"Huff... can't beat me..."
To this statement, which could be taken as mere bluff, Crocodile reacted strongly for some reason.
"How many times must I kill you to be satisfied...! Impaled! Dried out! Poisoned! Buried alive! Why do you stand up after I've killed you three times! Is this country that important?!"
His breath was faint; speaking was painful.
Luffy lifted his face and fixed Crocodile with eyes full of life.
"I am... the man who will become the King of the Pirates."
Hearing that declaration, Crocodile's expression changed.
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