"That is what has happened, Your Majesty," said Velis solemnly.
She and Kosa stood in front of King Cobra, flanked by Paodekuai and Igaram. The air in the throne room was heavy with tension, and the faces of the assembled officials were grim.
"How could this be…" King Cobra murmured, his voice trembling. "Because he is a Shichibukai recognized by the World Government, I had my doubts… but this…"
The news clearly shook him. Never had he imagined that Crocodile's true goal was to overthrow the Alabasta Kingdom. The trusted hero of the people—a traitor.
"Your Majesty, please don't lose heart!" said Jakka, the loyal adjutant of the Royal Guard, stepping forward in alarm.
Right now, the fate of Alabasta hung by a thread. And if King Cobra, the last pillar of stability, faltered—then everything would fall apart.
Looking into Jakka's anxious yet expectant eyes, King Cobra slowly calmed himself and stood up straight.
Yes—if he were to fall now, what would become of Vivi? What would happen to the people, so deceived by Crocodile's lies? He could not allow Vivi and Igaram's sacrifices to be in vain.
"Igaram, prepare for a royal expedition at once. Gather the troops! We will defeat the Sand Crocodile!"
But just as the room stirred into action, a strong voice cut through the noise.
"Please wait, Your Majesty!"
It was Pell—Alabasta's strongest warrior, stepping forward with a serious expression.
"The Rainbase is too far from here, and Crocodile has won over much of the people's support," Pell said quickly. "If we launch an attack without careful planning, we'll be at a severe disadvantage."
Over the past few years, Crocodile's insidious plan to steal the kingdom had advanced to its final stage. A hasty war might not only fail—it might also push the deceived citizens further into his camp.
But King Cobra's eyes were filled with fierce determination. Even if he knew there would be consequences—even if it might backfire—he could not sit idly by.
For Vivi.
For the people.
Now was not the time to hesitate.
Before he could speak further, another voice joined in.
"Your Majesty, if I may—could you hear some news I just received?"
The one who spoke was Velis. Having revealed her true face, she now stood beside Kosa with calm confidence.
"Miss Velis," King Cobra said, turning to her, "you have helped stop the rebellion and shown yourself a true friend to Alabasta. Please—what do you know?"
Velis bowed politely before delivering her message.
"Princess Vivi is already on her way here," she said clearly. "And Crocodile is heading here as well."
"What?!"
A wave of shock spread across the throne room.
King Cobra stepped forward immediately. "How is Vivi? Is she safe? And how far is Crocodile from the capital?"
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty," Velis replied. "Miss Vivi is safe. However, she and her companions are moving slower than Crocodile. He should arrive first."
She had contacted Leo just earlier. But all she heard from the other end of the communication was the roaring wind, some pained cries, and several very enthusiastic shouts.
Two voices stood out—excited, wild, and completely unbothered by the chaos. Leo and Luffy, no doubt.
"In that case," King Cobra said after a moment's thought, turning to Kosa, "can you rally your men to help defend the capital?"
"If Crocodile intends to come here, then we'll greet him with open resistance."
Kosa hadn't yet replied when a powerful gust of wind tore through the palace, stirring dust and sand in every direction.
A swirling storm descended—followed by the imposing figure of Crocodile and several surviving senior agents of Baroque Works.
"Hahahaha! No need to welcome us—we've already arrived," Crocodile said with a sinister laugh.
His injuries had been roughly treated, and his signature hook had been replaced. Despite his setbacks, Crocodile looked as confident as ever—grinning like a predator circling its prey.
If the Utopia Plan couldn't proceed exactly as intended, then he would achieve his goals by force. All he needed was King Cobra—alive—and forced to reveal the secret location of "that thing."
Crocodile didn't even notice Velis. He had never seen her true form before. To him, this was just another helpless gathering of fools.
He gave a sharp gesture to the others. "Go. Intercept Leo and his group. Keep them away from the city."
As he moved toward the king, Robin—standing beside him—suddenly stepped back.
She had seen Velis from afar back at Whisky Peak. Though the scene had been distant, she had witnessed the terrifying moment Leo created this girl out of thin air.
If Crocodile could only fight Leo to a draw… then this girl might be something far more dangerous.
Meanwhile...
With the help of some rather unorthodox transportation, Leo and the rest were speeding toward Albana.
Quite literally speeding.
The massive land crabs that carried them—one of which Nami had affectionately named "Scissors"—suddenly leapt into the air and soared clean across the river.
Wrapped in a cocoon of wind energy, the crab launched itself like a missile, catching the entire group by surprise.
Everyone except Luffy and Leo, that is.
Usopp and Chopper screamed like children, clinging desperately to the shell. Nami cursed loudly, eyes wide in horror.
"Leo!! SLOW DOWN!!"
But Leo was laughing.
"Faster, Scissors! Don't stop until we're in the capital!"
They reached speeds near 300 kilometers per hour, tearing across the desert like a hurricane.
Nami, Vivi, Zoro, and even Sanji could barely hold on. They had never traveled so fast in their lives—and certainly not while riding a giant crab.
By the time they arrived in Albana and the crab screeched to a halt, most of the group tumbled off with pale faces.
"HAHAHA! That was amazing! Let's do it again!" Luffy shouted, standing tall atop Scissors and raising his fists to the sky.
"Vomit!"
Nami bent over, gripping her stomach and heaving violently. Vivi and Chopper joined her, groaning.
"Are you INSANE?!" Nami cried, wiping her mouth. "You were going to kill us!"
Leo looked unimpressed. "You call that fast?" he said, crossing his arms. "You guys are way too weak."
He glanced at Luffy, still bouncing around with excitement. "Look at him—perfectly fine. You're just being dramatic."
"Leo… you and Luffy… aren't human!" Nami gasped, clutching her chest. "You don't get dizzy?!"
"Alright, enough complaining," Leo interrupted. "The real fight's already started."
The moment he said that, Luffy sprinted off toward the palace, yelling with pure rage.
"CROCODILE!!! I'M GONNA POUND YOU INTO THE GROUND!!"
Leo blinked in confusion.
"I don't remember healing that guy," he muttered. "Where's he getting all this energy?"
The Battle Begins
By now, the royal capital was engulfed in chaos.
Baroque Works agents—those who had not fallen in the earlier conflicts—clashed with the combined forces of the Royal Army and Kosa's rebel fighters.
In the heart of the palace, Crocodile had already begun battling Velis.
The war had shifted.
Now, it was no longer rebellion versus the king. It was Baroque Works versus all of Alabasta.
Nearby, several enemy agents were lying in wait, preparing to ambush.
Leo, arriving with the others, immediately sensed the threat.
He raised his right hand calmly and said, "Site Style: Division."
A brilliant light flashed across the field. Everyone's vision went white.
When they blinked again, the scene had changed. The battlefield had been reorganized completely.
Only Vivi and Luffy remained behind—blinking in surprise, holding a note left behind by Leo.
"Vivi—take Luffy and go help Velis in the palace.
I'll handle the rest of the trouble in the city. —Leo"
The battle was far from over.
But with Leo now in play… the tide was about to turn.
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