Several hours after the incident in Alabasta.
Soldiers scurried everywhere, finally extinguishing the flames. Smoke still rose, but the fire had been driven from the town.
The town was in ruins.
Burned, collapsed—the morning's peace felt like a lie.
Fleeing citizens had already evacuated Alabasta. They'd shelter in the desert until it ended, avoiding the rebel clash.
Meanwhile, the royal army had to eliminate the attackers.
But they struggled.
The rebels who set the fires had vanished.
Time dragged on, anxiety mounting.
The destruction had stopped, but the kidnapped king and vice-captains remained missing. Who knew where they were now—or what was happening.
Soldiers frantically searched the town.
Then, at the gate, soldiers glanced toward the desert.
A massive dust cloud approached—a huge object charging.
They stared. One finally realized.
"…That a Moving Crab?"
"Rare. Coming to town on its own?"
"Hey, no time for chit-chat! The king's still missing! Forget the crab—search!"
"I-I know… Wait, someone's on its head!"
"What?"
"No way—the king?!"
One stopped; dozens followed suit.
Moving Crabs avoided people—yet this one headed for the gate.
Maybe the kidnapped king.
Hope was slim, but with none left, they clung to it. Clad in heavy armor, they sprinted to intercept.
Alabasta sat on a high plateau, ringed by desert.
To enter from the sands meant climbing a long staircase.
Reaching the gate stairs, the soldiers spotted figures leaping from the crab's head, already racing up.
Friend or foe—unknown.
Spears raised, they bellowed at the strangers.
" Halt! Who the hell are you?!"
"Rebels?! Not one step further!"
"No… we're not rebels."
The lead girl threw back her hood.
Panting, her face was unmistakable to any citizen.
Princess Vivi—missing for years—suddenly returned. Recognizing her, soldiers dropped spears, knees buckling in shock.
"P-Princess Vivi?!"
"You're safe?!"
"Why now—?! It's dangerous! Evacuate!"
"I know the danger. Tell me everything. I'm here to protect this kingdom!"
Beside Vivi: Carue. Behind: strangers.
Her words rang true, but post-attack Alabasta was no place for her. Soldiers hesitated, exchanging helpless glances, lips moving uselessly.
They couldn't stand idle.
Vivi was impatient too.
Fists clenched till they hurt, she pressed harder.
"No time! What happened here?!"
"Y-Yes! Rebel leader Koza suddenly kidnapped the king and attacked…!"
"As you see, rebels burned the town. Sudden assault—we couldn't stop it… Citizens fled to the desert, many injured. Royal army took heavy losses."
As expected. Vivi bit her lip.
Kiri's prediction wasn't far off.
He'd memorized Cobra and Koza's appearances with his powers—could impersonate them to spark war anytime. Once ignited, even he couldn't stop it.
With scant info, the situation was clear.
Town attacked, Cobra kidnapped, royal army in chaos. Enough.
She didn't need Kiri to tell her what to do.
Resolve hardened; Vivi looked up.
She alone could lead the royal army now.
"We're searching for the king—"
"I'm taking command. Gather all troops in the square!"
"Princess Vivi—command us?!"
"But Princess, the town's crawling with danger! Rebels could be anywhere!"
"Then just watch the kingdom fall?! I know the real enemy! I can defeat them!"
Emotions surging, Vivi grabbed the nearest soldier's cloak.
Gripping tight, she raised her voice for all.
"The enemy you're fighting aren't rebels! Someone else wearing their faces! If you fight the real rebels, this kingdom dies!"
"Princess, what—?"
"We're the only ones who know the truth! Please—lend us your strength…! Only you can save Alabasta!"
Her explanation was rushed, hard to grasp.
But her raw passion, distorted face—none could ignore it.
The soldier she grabbed swallowed hard. What did doubt matter when protecting her?
He decided first.
Flustered, he spun to the others.
"…R-Report to all units! Everyone to the square! Princess Vivi takes command!"
"B-But the town's dangerous—!"
"Shut it! If we don't trust Princess Vivi, who will?! Relay: follow her orders!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Soldiers bolted. Not all—some stayed to guard—but they ran full-tilt to spread the word.
Watching, Vivi calmed.
Releasing the cloak, she bowed, breathless from fervor.
"Sorry… I was too rough."
"No. Your will came through. We don't understand everything, but we'll protect you."
"…Thank you."
"Princess—who are they?"
Eyes turned to the obvious non-soldiers.
Vivi smiled, glancing back.
"Comrades. Betting their lives with me."
"Y-Yes, ma'am…"
The remaining soldiers stared, unsure what to say.
Kiri stepped forward.
Everyone moved in sync, heading out.
"Vivi, we're going. Mr.9 and Miss Monday stay."
"Got it."
"Leave this to us."
"Don't worry about us. Focus on your role. If everyone does, it'll turn out as planned."
"Yeah… Be careful, everyone."
Carue, Mr.9, and Miss Monday stayed with Vivi. The rest passed her.
Facing the burned town, they sprinted.
No looking back—straight down the main street.
Watching their backs, Vivi switched gears.
Caring wasn't just worry. She got it now.
"Let's go. Father was kidnapped?"
"Yes. And Chaka-sama and Pell-sama too…"
"As expected. It's okay—we haven't lost yet."
To reassure the soldiers—or herself?
Vivi walked, surrounded by soldiers and Carue, murmuring, forcing her gaze forward, biting her lip as she pressed on.
Shortly after parting with Vivi, the Straw Hats split too.
Goals similar yet different.
Defeat different enemies, plan for the aftermath—ultimate aim: stop the rebellion.
Un-pirate-like, but success was everything now.
Leading: Luffy and Kiri.
Kiri glanced back, signaling the split.
"From here, your call. Everyone—live to meet again."
"Obviously!"
"Don't jinx it."
"I'll do my best! Tell me if you're hurt!"
"Zoro, don't get lost."
"Shut up! I'm not a kid!"
"Luffy, Kiri—be careful."
"Yeah."
"Alright, let's go, guys!"
Luffy grinned, facing forward.
"Go wild! Let's fight!!"
"YEAH!!"
Instantly, they paired off, scattering.
Into alleys, different streets.
Only Luffy and Kiri stayed on the main road, eyes locked on the palace.
"Luffy, that's the palace. No getting lost, right?"
"Duh. You think I'm stupid?"
"Sorry, sorry. But… I might not stick with you much longer."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"