After a brief clash, both Chaka and Pell spurted blood from their entire bodies.
Their wounds looked as if they had been sliced by sharp blades or impaled by keen thorns.
In front of the townsfolk looking up at the building, the Kingdom's strongest warriors fell.
Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger grabbed the scruffs of their necks, capturing the two who were about to fall powerlessly.
Seeing the stunned onlookers, Koza shouted.
The performance could be called a success.
Mr. 2, disguised as Koza, bore the important task of declaring war.
At this time, at this very moment, Alubarna indeed became a battlefield, plunging into great chaos.
"The era of tyranny is over! Now is the time to protect our country! Citizens, rise up! From this day forward, Alabasta will change! This time, a country where people can live as people!"
The faces of the people changed.
Overwhelming fear.
They were forced to understand that this was a situation that directly concerned them.
"The rebel army... what have they done...!?"
"We will eradicate the corrupt royalty! Freedom for the citizens! Peace for the nation!"
At the same time, a city-wide change, noticeable even to those in the plaza, began to unfold.
Fires erupted from various parts of Alubarna.
Numerous black plumes of smoke rose, and buildings roared with flames.
Even without going to the scene, it was easy to surmise from the situation that it was the work of the rebel army.
After all, their leader, Koza, had captured the King and defeated the two Royal Guards right there.
Fear was contagious.
If it were just one spot, it might be manageable, but multiple plumes of smoke were visible.
It felt almost like watching the end of the nation, and the people simply stood dumbfounded.
Soon after, rebel soldiers, armed with weapons, stormed into the plaza.
Most carried guns or swords, but some held lit torches.
When the first person screamed, a torch was thrown,177 setting a house on fire.
The people who had been standing idly suddenly scattered, fleeing in every direction.
There was no way to verify if they were the true rebel army or not.
Armed and destroying the town under Koza's command, their appearance alone was enough for them to be judged as rebels.
Even if they were actually Baroque Works agents, Millions, no one could discern the truth.
Amidst the chaos of the attack, Koza had already disappeared.
Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger, who had captured Chaka and Pell, had also left the scene, and no one among the confused onlookers noticed this fact.
The soldiers, thrown into disarray by the loss of their commanders, also seemed unable to cope with the suddenly appearing rebel army.
Facing the purposeful onslaught of the rebels, soldiers fell one by one.
Attacks coming suddenly from amidst the fleeing citizens were impossible to avoid, no matter how much training they had received.
It felt less like combat and more like a one-sided massacre.
Far from the bustling plaza, a house stood several main streets away.
On its rooftop terrace, the other Officer Agents had gathered.
Miss Goldenweek, who had been peering through binoculars, muttered softly.
Mr. 3, who was sitting nearby drinking tea, responded.
"It succeeded so easily."
"Naturally. How many years do you think this rebellion has been going on? In fact, I'm surprised the citizens weren't expecting this to happen at any moment, ganey."
"Yeah. Everyone's panicking."
"With this, Phase One is complete. After this, the rebel army will engage in guerrilla warfare within Alubarna, and time will pass without full-scale combat with the Royal Army. They'll destroy the town while awaiting the arrival of the 'main' rebel force. The citizens, consumed by fear, will flee in all directions and eventually cry out for help."
Miss Goldenweek lowered her binoculars and spoke to Mr. 3, who was sipping his tea.
"The hero of the desert country."
"Precisely. And when the hero arrives in this chaotic town, if he defeats the 'main' rebel force and saves the country... what will the simple-minded citizens think?"
"That the hero is fit to be king."
"Before that, of course, the King needs to die. After we've found the item the boss is after."
Hearing the screams from afar, the two conversed calmly.
Their allies on the same terrace also overheard their conversation.
Miss Merry Christmas, interrupting to join, lay sprawled on a simple bed, asking Mr. 4, who was massaging her back.
"Will it really go that smoothly? That kid is over there, isn't he?"
"Of course, he'll try to stop us. He understands our thinking. That's why I'm here, to adapt the plan as needed, ganey."
"There's no certainty that the real rebel army will even move, is there?"
"Oh, they'll move. With a word from Mr. 2."
"So, no oversights there either, huh?"
Miss Merry Christmas closed her mouth, appearing satisfied.
This time, Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine joined in.
"So our objective is to eliminate the enemy?"
"Hahaha, easy peasy. It's the simplest mission."
"Don't underestimate the enemy. All our information has been leaked, ganey. If you're saying 'easy peasy' knowing all your weaknesses are exposed, then I'm relieved, but do you understand that?"
"Needless worry."
"It's not just them who know the enemy's weaknesses, is it? Hahahaha."
Mr. 3 placed his cup on the table, his smile fading as he spoke seriously.
"There's no doubt that Kili will be the biggest obstacle in this operation, ganey. But conversely, if we can stop him, we'll have the advantage throughout. He's the only one with the intelligence to overturn our numerical superiority. Even if the members here fall, stopping the rebellion will be impossible, ganey."
"Whoa, whoa, what a strange thing to say."
"Do you think we'll lose? Hahaha, funny joke."
"Actually, you're the most likely one to fall, you 'buffoon'!"
"Foh~ foh~ foh~...!"
"Mr. 3, you're totally out of favor."
"Bah, only fools who can't read the tide of battle, ganey. But their victory is impossible, even by a fluke. After all, I am the one orchestrating this entire operation."
Mr. 3 adjusted his glasses with a finger and smiled.
The other agents also exuded confidence in their own abilities, laughing with relaxed ease, showing no signs of expecting defeat.
Not a single person was nervous before the decisive battle.
Still, they felt the time of battle drawing near.
Each prepared to meet the enemy in their own distinct way, with their own methods.
Mr. 2, still wearing clothes similar to Koza's, dashed off with his subordinates.
Although his first job was done, he still had another task remaining.
He even seemed to be changing clothes mid-movement to quickly get to it.
His subordinates, disguised as rebels, assisted him, and they departed from the chaotic town center.
"Oh, so busy, so busy! Hurry up, you lot! Are the Visual Den Den Mushi ready!?"
"Yes! They've already arrived in Nanohana!"
"Any time we get the signal!"
"Then we have to hurry! This time, I need to become little Cobra!"
"Mr. 2 Bon Kurei-sama, next corner is left!"
With a thudding commotion, they secretly disappeared into the even more boisterous town.
By then, Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger, bringing Chaka, Pell, and Cobra, had arrived at the Royal Palace.
Despite the loss of command, they nonchalantly infiltrated the very place many soldiers had left to counter the suddenly appearing rebel army, and were greeted by Miss All Sunday, who had entered before them.
"Good work. The King is waiting inside."
"Oh, but we just brought the King, didn't we?"
"Fufufu, I wasn't clear enough. A new King is waiting."
From her words, it was clear that Crocodile had already arrived.
Mr. 1, dragging Chaka and Pell, asked.
"What about the trash disposal?"
"I don't think it's necessary, but could you check just in case? Most of them have been dealt with. By me and the Unluckies."
She said it casually, but it meant that there were no longer any enemies within the castle.
While most of the soldiers might have gone out to the town, it was impossible for the castle to be empty, no matter how critical the situation, and there were also servants who were not soldiers.
Yet, Miss All Sunday was now saying there were no more enemies in the castle.
Impressed by her deft handling, Miss Doublefinger put a kiseru pipe in her mouth.
"If you two moved, then there won't be any stragglers. Unless new ones came in."
"So, we wait for a while..."
"Don't worry, you'll be busy soon enough. Also, those people will be looked after by the Unluckies. Enjoy a moment of elegance until they arrive."
"We will."
They, too, spoke calmly and began to prepare for what was next.
They realized their turn would come a little later and left the spot.
And in the depths of the Royal Palace.
A man sat alone on the single throne, having arrived ahead of them.
He laughed, looking extremely amused at an unseen enemy.
"Now then... shall we settle this?"
At that moment, only one man was visible in his eyes.
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