Alabasta, Alubarna.
Even though it was the capital of the kingdom, this city had long since lost its former splendor.
On the streets outside the palace, dust swirled through the air, carrying a dry, scorching breath of despair.
The once-lush palm trees now hung lifelessly, their leaves yellowed and curled, drooping with exhaustion.
...
Inside the palace.
Beneath the towering columns, the silhouette of King Cobra looked particularly desolate.
Cobra.
In his hands, he clutched a tightly folded Navy intelligence report, delivered through encrypted channels. His face was filled with shock and disbelief.
His knuckles turned white from the force of his grip, the paper crumpling beneath his fingers.
"This… how could this be…"
Cobra's lips trembled as he spoke, his voice hoarse and dry.
He read the intelligence report over and over again, refusing to believe it.
But every word on the page pierced his heart like a red-hot iron spike.
A hero?
The man he had personally named the "National Hero," the one revered by countless citizens as their savior — Crocodile…
Was actually the true culprit behind Alabasta's great catastrophe!
He had used the forbidden "Dance Powder" to manipulate the weather over the kingdom, cutting off rainfall across the entire country — except in Rainbase.
Three whole years.
For three long years, his kingdom and his people had been suffering, struggling desperately against this man-made disaster.
The lands cracked, rivers dried up, countless people became homeless… and in the end, all the hatred was directed at him, the "incompetent king."
Meanwhile, Crocodile, posing as a savior, bestowed his so-called "benevolence" upon the people.
He basked in their worship while secretly supporting Baroque Works, inciting rebellion, and pushing the kingdom step by step into the abyss of civil war.
"Damn it…"
Cobra's entire body trembled violently.
He remembered how many times, in front of the entire nation, he had sincerely thanked Crocodile for "protecting Alabasta from pirates."
Now, thinking back, every one of those memories felt like a stinging slap to his face.
He, Nefertari D. Cobra, the twelfth king of Alabasta, had brought a monster into his own home — and had even crowned him as a hero.
What bitter irony. What utter humiliation.
"..."
Cobra's gaze shifted toward the end of the intelligence report.
There, in bold letters, was a commanding order — absolute and irrefutable.
[The Royal Army is to immediately cease all military actions, fall back, and secure the capital. The Navy will handle Baroque Works and all related matters in full.]
Domineering. Unyielding.
At the bottom of the report, the signature was stamped with a seal as red as blood — like a declaration of Crocodile's impending doom.
Navy Headquarters Rear Admiral — Rayne Hawke.
"Rear Admiral Hawke, huh…"
Cobra repeated the name silently, several times.
He didn't know who this Rear Admiral was, nor why he had appeared here.
But one thing was certain…
This man had given him — had given Alabasta — a chance.
Without Rear Admiral Hawke, Alabasta's future would inevitably fall into Crocodile's hands.
And he… he would go down in history as the king who destroyed his own nation.
"Guards!"
"Your Majesty!"
A palace guard rushed in, dropping to one knee.
"Relay my orders!"
"Command all Royal Army forces to immediately retreat and defend Alubarna!"
"And send word to Pell — tell him to come to me at once!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The guard quickly left to carry out the order.
Soon after, a man wearing a turban and a flowing white robe strode into the hall.
His sharp gaze was resolute. This was Pell, one of Alabasta's two guardian spirits, and the Zoan-type Bird-Bird Fruit: Falcon Model user.
Pell.
"Your Majesty," Pell bowed deeply.
"Pell, do you know the Navy's current movements since entering Alabasta from Nanohana?" Cobra asked, skipping any formalities.
"Yes, Your Majesty. After leaving Nanohana, the Navy has not concealed its movements."
"After gathering their forces, they are heading straight toward Rainbase."
"Rainbase…"
Cobra's expression turned solemn.
That was Crocodile's stronghold.
Rear Admiral Hawke… you intend to strike straight at the heart of the beast!
As the king, as one who owed his kingdom's salvation to this man, he had to go.
He had to meet the one who was about to rescue Alabasta from the abyss.
He had to offer the kingdom's highest gratitude in person.
"Pell."
"Prepare yourself. We're going to Rainbase…"
Just then, a clear yet resolute voice came from behind the palace columns.
"Father, please take me with you!"
Cobra and Pell both turned at the same time.
From the shadows stepped Princess Vivi, her long blue hair flowing down her back, wearing a white dress.
Vivi.
From the moment her father received the report and lost composure, to his discussion with Pell, Vivi had already pieced together most of the truth.
Crocodile's conspiracy had been exposed.
And the one who revealed everything… was the Navy.
As the princess of this kingdom, she could not remain absent at this turning point in the nation's fate.
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Cobra slowly nodded.
"Very well. Pell, let's depart."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Pell dropped to one knee, and in the next moment, a pair of massive white falcon wings unfurled from his back.
Moments later.
"Screeeech—!"
A majestic falcon soared into the skies above the palace, climbing higher and higher.
On its back carried the present and future of Alabasta.
High above, the fierce winds howled.
Vivi clung tightly to her father's cloak, the gales whipping her blue hair into a frenzy.
Cobra looked down at the lands below — once fertile and lush, now reduced to cracked, yellowed desolation.
An endless weight of guilt gnawed at his heart.
But when his gaze turned toward Rainbase, a faint spark reignited within his ashen eyes.
Rear Admiral Hawke…
You must win!
A streak of white light cut across the skies, heading straight toward Rainbase.
...
"Step! Step! Step!"
The synchronized sound of thousands of Navy boots pounded across the silent desert.
After cleansing Nanohana of all Baroque Works agents, the Navy elite had regrouped and were now marching straight for Rainbase.
"..."
At the head of the column, Hawke walked calmly, his Justice coat fluttering behind him.
Following closely were Zoro, Sanji, Robin, Hibari, Kujaku, and the others.
Far ahead, the silhouette of Rainbase's iconic pyramid casino was faintly visible on the horizon.
Just then, atop a distant sand dune, another group appeared.
Their numbers were small, their formation scattered — in stark contrast to the disciplined Navy forces.
"Hmm…"
Hawke lifted his gaze, his eyes cutting through the drifting sand, locking onto the man standing at the center of the opposing group.
Sir Crocodile.
"Hah—"
A slight smirk curved Hawke's lips.
Then, his expression sharpened like a blade.
"Buzz—"
A terrifying, invisible pressure erupted from him, sweeping outward toward Crocodile as its target.
Conqueror's Haki!
Come.
Let's test you.
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