The wind raced over the desert cliffs as Rex, Luffy, and Usopp reached the final rise overlooking Alubarna. Below, smoke coiled over rooftops, and horns of war echoed through the streets. Rebel and royal banners clashed like the sky had split in two.
Usopp dropped to his knees. "We're too late… they've already started fighting!"
Luffy's fists clenched. "We're not done yet!"
But Rex wasn't looking at the battle.
He was staring at the rock wall behind them.
Carved into the cliffside, barely visible beneath sand and wind erosion… were ancient glyphs.
Not letters.
Not maps.
But symbols.
Curved lines.
Spiraling power.
Cracks of thunder drawn in stone.
"…I've seen this before," Rex muttered.
[…Poneglyph derivative detected. Carving resonance matches stored battle technique archive. Confirmed: Michael Techniques, Sequence Alpha-Class.]
"Wait," he whispered. "You're saying… this was here?"
[…Affirmative. Confirmed linkage to Void Century. Techniques inscribed and sealed to prevent lineage corruption. Global knowledge classified.]
Luffy blinked. "Uh, Rex? You okay?"
Rex reached out and brushed his hand along the ancient carvings.
There—beneath centuries of wind and time—was the spiral mark of the Rasengan… chiseled into Alabasta's own stone.
Usopp stepped forward, stunned. "That's… that thing you did! In the cave!"
"These are… records," Rex muttered. "Of the same techniques I've used. The same forms. The same power."
He looked at Luffy and Usopp, something in his expression finally shifting — not cold, not hidden.
Open. Alive.
"These aren't from another world."
"They were always here."
Flashback Echo – Long Ago, Unknown Voice
"When the world burns, and kings crumble…
One warrior shall reclaim the lost fists of the storm.
He will not eat the sea's fruit.
He will not steal the world's power.
He will carry it within.
The final practitioner of Michael Techniques…
Shall not serve the world.
He will change it."
Back in the Present
Luffy tilted his head. "You're saying these powers were… always part of this world?"
Usopp blinked. "Then why doesn't anyone know about them?"
Rex stood slowly, brushing dust off his glove.
"Because the World Government buried the truth."
He looked out toward Alubarna.
"I'm not breaking the world."
"I'm reminding it."
Alubarna – City Gate
Guards clashed with rebels.
Crocodile stood atop a stone tower, watching it all, Vivi held hostage beside him. His face was calm — too calm.
Then he paused.
Something trembled in the air.
A shockwave — not Haki, not Devil Fruit.
But will.
Crocodile's smirk dropped for the first time.
"…He's coming."