"Well then, I shall continue to Rainbase. Let us part ways here!" Pell nodded at Taro, seeing that he had mostly recovered.
Taro wasn't sure how far the plot had progressed, so he didn't say much. "Please, be careful!"
Pell transformed into a giant Falcon and soared into the high sky with a "whoosh."
[Falcon Form learned successfully]
Taro breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried about receiving a failure notification because his previous experience failing to learn Arlong's skills had made him doubt if he could learn Zoan-type Devil Fruit Abilities.
Fortunately, he now knew that only certain specific skills could not be learned, which put his mind at ease.
Although Logia-type abilities were currently Heaven-Defying, once Haki appeared and Paramecia-type and Zoan-type ability users began to show their strength, the fact that he could learn Zoan-type skills was exciting news for Taro.
"I'll just go to Alabasta and wait there." Taro thought for a moment. Rather than running around like a headless fly because he didn't know the plot's progress, it was better to go directly to the site of the final battle.
In his current state, if he encountered Crocodile again, he would surely die.
"Falcon Form!"
The Minor Formless Skill's Internal Energy surged out, and a cyan-white air current rose, mimicking the form of a Falcon. Taro kicked off the ground, flapped his arms, and took flight with a "whoosh," heading straight for the clouds.
After stumbling a few times in the air, he gradually adapted to the rhythm of flight. He determined the direction and flew toward the royal capital... In the desert outside Rainbase, the battle between Luffy and Crocodile had already reached a conclusion.
Luffy's body had been pierced by that massive gold hook, and he was thrown into a massive quicksand pit.
"Heh heh heh heh, ha ha ha ha!" Crocodile sneered, watching Luffy roll toward the center of the sand pit. "Now you should finally understand—I am not on the same level as you pirates!"
"What a waste of boring time!"
Having said that, he made a stylish departure.
The surrounding quicksand quickly closed in, burying Luffy. After Crocodile left, Robin suddenly appeared. She made a hand gesture, and several arms sprouted from the sand, lifting Luffy's body.
Covered in blood with a large hole in his chest, Luffy struggled to squeeze out two words: "Thank... you!"
Robin gazed at Luffy. "Why do you fight? You people with 'D' in your names... just who are you?"
Taro was a Marine, yet he wanted to destroy the conspiracy of a Shichibukai who was nominally an ally; she already didn't understand that.
And now, why this pirate?
With a wave of her hand, Luffy's straw hat flew into her grasp. She was about to speak.
Pell descended from the sky.
"Oh? One of the kingdom's guardian deities, Pell!" Robin tossed the straw hat onto Luffy. "You've come at the right time. You should save this child first."
Robin glanced at the suddenly appearing Pell and turned to leave. "He is the brave knight who escorted your noble princess to this country, you know."
"And the princess is fine! She's currently heading to Alabasta, though I don't know if she'll be fine after that!"
Pell was about to chase after her to get some answers; this strange woman seemed to know a lot.
However, as soon as he moved, someone grabbed the hem of his clothes. He turned back to see the youth who was on the verge of death from his heavy injuries. He heard the youth use all his strength to shout:
"Meat!"
...At the Katerea Rebel Army camp, final preparations were underway. Koza gathered the high-ranking members of the Rebel Army and announced his orders.
"In all regions, those without weapons are strictly forbidden from participating in the war. They are to stand by. Sufficient defensive forces must be left in every area. Everyone else, follow me and attack the royal capital."
"Leader, this won't work. If we do that, our numbers will be reduced by more than half. We won't be able to defeat the Kingdom Army at all."
"That's right, Leader! And even without weapons, everyone is willing to risk their lives to drag the King off his throne and take back our country!"
Koza waved his hand. "I know all that. But without weapons, how do you expect them to fight? To go to their deaths?"
"Even if it's to die, everyone has no regrets!"
"Then let those of us with weapons die first!" Koza roared, slamming his palm heavily onto the table. "Go and deliver the orders!"
"Yes!"
...Meanwhile, in the northern royal capital, Alabasta, Chaka—the commander of the Kingdom Army and adjutant of the Royal Guard—had just finished arranging the palace's defensive layout.
The garrisons in all towns along the route from Katerea to the royal capital had been withdrawn. The Rebel Army could march straight through and arrive directly at Alabasta.
Chaka looked toward the distant sky with a worried gaze.
Dawn is almost here!
...In Rainbase.
"You want me to go to Alabasta? Is it to pursue Straw Hat Luffy's group, or to support the Kingdom Army?" Tashigi asked, puzzled.
"That's for you to decide," Smoker said softly. "Just follow your own justice."
"No matter what happens, I will take responsibility for you."
Tashigi was stunned for a moment, watching Smoker as he prepared to leave on his 'Billower.' "Colonel Smoker, where are you going?"
The 'Billower' was a type of amphibious three-wheeled motorcycle that Smoker powered using his Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability.
He put on his gloves. "I suddenly have urgent business and need to head out to sea. Stay in contact at all times, Tashigi."
"Yes, sir."
Smoker tightened his windproof goggles. "You must witness the end that this country reaches. Whether it is destruction or survival, such things always happen at certain stages of an era."
Having said that, he started the 'Billower' and headed toward the coast.
Tashigi was silent for a while before coming to her senses and issuing orders. "All troops assemble! Gear up! We head for Alabasta to continue the pursuit of the Straw Hat Luffy crew!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The group of Marine Soldiers complied... Soon, Taro had flown to the royal capital. He landed on the outskirts of the capital. The long-distance flight had caused his wounds to tear slightly, and the seeping blood stained his bandages red.
Taro tightened his robe, clutching his wound as he slowly stepped into the city.
The atmosphere in the city was already very tense. Everyone knew the news that the Rebel Army was about to attack the royal capital. Most of the capital's residents had evacuated, and the remaining Kingdom Army soldiers were hurrying to deploy defenses.
Meanwhile, in another port city, Nanohana, Igaram, with his uniquely curly hair, had just set foot on the soil of the Kingdom of Alabasta.
He was the Captain of the Royal Guard and had gone undercover in 'Baroque Works' alongside Princess Vivi under the code name Mr. 8. While Vivi and the others were on their way back to Alabasta, he had disguised himself as Vivi to draw the attention of their pursuers.
All parties were converging for the final battle in Alabasta!
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