Unimpeded by anyone, they left chaotic Nanohana.
Kohza, who barely managed to catch a glimpse of them, or rather, was deliberately shown them, had no doubt that Cobra had ordered it.
Not just the citizens, but even his loyal captain of the guard.
With repeated betrayals, there was no longer any way to stop him.
"Cobra!! I'm going to Alubarna now... to take your head! And restore true freedom and peace to this country! Wash your neck and wait!!"
"That's troublesome. If that happens, we can't remain silent either."
"Fine by me. I'll end this long battle today!"
(Kohza, don't fight...! Don't play into their hands...!)
"Tell all Rebel Army members in Cattelya! Take up arms! Head for Alubarna! We're starting the final battle!!"
All the citizens standing in Nanohana roared.
The Rebel Army, unarmed citizens, were shouting to defeat the Royal Army.
At this moment, at least in this place, only those who wished for battle remained.
They wanted to defeat the mad king, they embraced weapons, violence, and wished to go to war.
Igaram couldn't even hear the doctor's encouraging voice; he only heard their lamentations.
The outcome was unbelievable.
Some of Arlong's crew, who had been watching the events unfold nearby, were agitated.
They had been told to attack the town to stop the fighting, but this was clearly not the situation they had anticipated.
With his face still hidden by his hood, Hatchan stared blankly at the town consumed by madness.
Kill the King.
Kill the King.
Kill the King.
His chest ached from the shouts of the people.
He wanted to cover his ears.
Make him understand the pain of wounding the country.
Make him atone for the sin of killing people.
The most excruciating suffering in this world.
Unimaginable despair.
Roars echoed all around.
The anger of the masses mingled into one, now engulfing the entire town.
At this moment, Hatchan felt fear towards humans for the first time.
Perhaps that's why.
He didn't hear Chew's voice right beside him, and only noticed when he was tapped on the shoulder.
"Hachi! Don't space out! Connect the Den Den Mushi!"
"Nyuh!? O-okay... to Arlong-san, right?!"
"No! Not that one! The paper user!"
"Kiri? Uh, um..."
"Tell him about this situation! Everything! Hurry!"
Hatchan fumbled, pulled out a Baby Den Den Mushi, and dialed.
At the same time, as if to halt the Rebel Army, which had indeed begun to move, bombardment started.
Cannonballs flying from the sea fell onto Nanohana, forcibly blowing away burning houses.
Arlong's main ship had begun its attack.
Arlong, of course, was in command.
He must have been observing from a distance.
Knowing that something was amiss in the town, he still proceeded with the plan.
"Destroy the town! Mow down anyone who comes at you! But don't kill them!"
"Ooooh!!"
After raising his Kiribachi and giving instructions, Arlong led some of his crew into the sea.
For short distances, swimming was faster than approaching by ship.
A select few.
Attack members were chosen separately from Igaram's escort.
Also, continuous bombardment from the ship continued to draw the Rebel Army's attention.
As expected, the Rebel Army was overwhelmed by the sudden attack.
Citizens were once again plunged into the depths of fear.
Unable to abandon the citizens, those who had intended to head for Alubarna stopped in their tracks.
Arlong and his crew quickly arrived at the port.
Wielding weapons, shouting loudly, they ran forward with clearly aggressive postures.
Citizens screamed and fled, while the armed Rebel Army reflexively braced themselves.
"Let's gooo! Steal valuables! Destroy everything in sight!"
"Pirates?! Why at a time like this...!"
"Tch, just for a little while, hold them off! If it's pirates, surely the Desert Hero will—"
"Crocodile won't come!"
Rebel Army soldiers near the port began fighting Arlong's crew.
They didn't want unnecessary sacrifices before the decisive battle with the Royal Army.
They fought not to defeat the enemy, but to buy time.
However, just as they resolved to do so, a voice was heard from somewhere.
Probably from beyond a building.
The voice reached them, undeterred by the sound of burning houses.
Even while fighting, the soldiers, and perhaps Kohza, heard that voice.
"Crocodile won't come here! Everyone run! You'll be killed by pirates!"
"What...? Who's saying that? Crocodile isn't coming?"
It was Hatchan, who had given the Baby Den Den Mushi to Chew, running around.
Being careful not to reveal himself as a Fish-Man, he ran through the fleeing crowds, shouting.
No matter how long they held out, help wouldn't come.
He couldn't imagine how the Rebel Army would react to that truth.
Even if they bought time here, the Rebel Army would surely still aim for Alubarna.
Still, if they could buy even a little time, something might change.
Chew, who had ended the Baby Den Den Mushi call, distorted his expression.
His comrades, who had unknowingly been influenced by Hatchan, were now running and shouting the same words.
If their identities were revealed, who knew what would happen.
In that regard, this chaos might indeed be beneficial.
He didn't know why they had to follow the plan so obediently.
But at this time, they were acting not because Arlong told them to, but of their own free will.
Was it to protect their pride, or did they just not want to lose?
He didn't know who they didn't want to lose to, but Chew also ran alongside them.
Buildings burned, black smoke obscured their vision, cannonballs destroyed houses, and Nanohana was in a terrible state.
Running through the town, where death could strike at any moment, Chew followed Hatchan.
"You idiot, Hachi... No one will believe us if we say it. We're Fish-Men, and these are humans. Who would trust us, for crying out loud?"
He muttered, yet for some reason remained unsettled, and finally, he too started shouting.
"Just run, you idiots! Chu! You'll be killed by pirates!"
The town, wounded by the King, was further destroyed by pirates.
Why did it come to this?
Kohza stood frozen, staring blankly at the burning townscape.
"What in the world is happening...? Did we do something wrong? Is it that God wants to punish us or something?"
"What now, Kohza?! Should we call for reinforcements?! The main force is still in Cattelya!"
"If so, hey, God. Are you punishing the wrong people?"
"Hey Kohza, snap out of it! This isn't the time to be spaced out! Even putting aside whether Crocodile will come or not! You can't just let this happen!"
"I understand perfectly, God. I'll kill you someday too."
When one of his comrades grabbed Kohza's shoulder and peered into his face, they involuntarily recoiled.
Consumed by rage, he was like a completely different person.
He picked up a gun that a Royal Army soldier must have dropped, emitting a powerful aura of anger from his entire body.
"Get the townspeople out! Don't abandon anyone! Rebel Army, crush those pirates!!"
"Ooooh!!"
Though few in number, the Rebel Army seriously challenged Arlong's crew.
Arlong's crew approached the battle intending not to kill them.
In Nanohana, engulfed in flames, much more blood was shed.
A battle no one knew who started or why.
Amidst it, people raged, grieved, and cried out for peace.
Igaram heard many of those screams.
He seemed to be being carried by a doctor after receiving first aid.
With his eyes closed, he imagined.
His body was numb, but his thoughts didn't stop; he lamented his powerlessness as his mind wandered.
(How pathetic... Not only could I not stop their rampage, but my being shot only intensified the will to rebel. There's nothing more I can do... so utterly, inadequate!)
He felt like crying, but his numb body couldn't even do that.
He pictured the faces of his comrades who weren't with him now.
(I have no choice but to leave it to you all. Princess Vivi, please be safe. Luffy, please defeat Crocodile. Kiri, please protect everyone...)
Now, he could only wish.
(Everyone, please be safe...)
Igaram wished intensely, silently cheering on his comrades in his heart.
The day had only just begun.
As the color of the Nanohana sky was already changing, his comrades must have already been running through the desert.
-------------------------------
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