After fully enjoying the spicy, slightly bitter taste of the Arubarna Koshari and washing it down with sweet chai tea, they were satisfied with their meal.
Afterward, the group continued their stroll through the capital.
Though a civil war had erupted and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, the citizens of Alabasta had preserved much of their homeland's beauty. No one wished to see their home scarred beyond recognition.
The blue sky, the golden sands, and the occasional burst of vivid green trees created a breathtaking contrast.
Looking at the vibrant and peaceful Alabasta Kingdom—so different from the image of a nation once ravaged by war—Vivi, Rengoku, and even Hancock found themselves unexpectedly healed in spirit.
A land where everyone can live in peace, smiling together…
Was that not the very definition of paradise?
As he walked through this peaceful capital, Rengoku felt his resolve strengthen. To protect such peace, he must be willing to lay down his life.
He had once thought that joining the Demon Slayer Corps had been his clan's duty, but joining the Marines—that must have been the hand of fate guiding him.
....
"Pirates!!"
It was always pirates who shattered the peace within his heart.
Hearing the alarm, Rengoku's expression hardened. He felt genuine disgust that nameless pirates dared disturb this brief calm.
Though circumstances with special cases like the Straw Hats had grown complicated, he still saw most pirates as little better than demons.
Pure evil.
If possible, he would have inscribed upon his blades—Yōrinkyūtetsu and Shusui—not just "Destroyer of Demons" but also "Destroyer of Pirates."
"There are pirates nearby!"
"Yes, it seems so…"
Rengoku twitched his ears slightly, then turned his head, locking onto the disturbance.
"Four hundred meters ahead on the left. A vile group, clashing with the kingdom's soldiers. I'll reinforce them immediately!"
Without hesitation, he used Soru, vanishing in a flash.
Within moments he reached the scene, where he saw the pirates clashing with Alabasta's brave royal guards.
"You there, who's in command here?" Rengoku asked.
"Who are you?! A pirate?!"
Without his Marine uniform and with his suspension, no one recognized him.
"I'm but a passing traveler who heard pirates were here. Are you the officer in charge?"
The captain eyed him suspiciously but nodded. "Traveler, best stay out of harm's way. We'll handle this—"
"Kuhahahaha! I've heard the royal army of Alabasta are weaklings, but at least you've got some sense of duty!"
A hulking pirate, clearly the leader, swaggered forward with a massive blade.
"Who's that?"
"I don't know," the captain admitted. "But traveler, please withdraw quickly!"
Responsible words. Rengoku immediately liked this man.
"I am the mighty [Beard-Slasher] Higegiri, bounty of 30 million berries!" the pirate roared, swinging his weapon to intimidate the soldiers.
CRACK!
The blade shattered instantly.
"…Eh?" Higegiri blinked in confusion. His prized sword had been destroyed as if it were nothing.
"Pirates are evil!"
Rengoku roared, shifting into a stance.
"It is my duty to eradicate evil!"
No need for his sword. His fists would suffice.
"Fish-Man Karate! Tang Ca Tile True Punch!!" (Karate Tile-Breaking Straight Punch)
Even with little moisture in the desert air, there was enough for him. Channeling the ambient water, he unleashed a devastating shockwave.
BOOM!
Over twenty pirates, including Higegiri, were blasted away, their bodies twisted under the invisible force.
Royal soldiers rushed forward to check.
"His face is crushed!"
"His organs are ruptured!"
"His ribs are shattered!"
Every last one of them was incapacitated.
Had this been the Marines, subordinates could have handled them before he even stepped in. But today, these men had chosen the wrong opponent. Against pirates, especially scum like these, there would be no mercy.
....
News of Rengoku's actions soon reached the palace.
"He downed a 30-million-berry pirate with a single strike, leaving all of them gravely injured?"
"Yes! He didn't even touch them—just punched the air, and they collapsed!"
"…He did it with the mere pressure of his fist's wind?"
Prince Mamba, who had some martial skill himself, commented in awe.
King Cobra's regard for Rengoku rose yet again.
"We've already notified the nearest Marine branch. They'll take custody soon enough."
"Remarkable restraint, too. He left them alive."
"No doubt because the royal guard was present, and civilians nearby. He avoided needless deaths that might cause panic."
Mamba turned to his brother. "Your Majesty, should we not honor him at tonight's banquet?"
Cobra, seeing his brother so interested, agreed at once.
....
That evening, the palace annex in Alubarna was alight with festivity.
The banquet was in full swing, with dishes crafted from the desert kingdom's many specialties. Even Hancock, despite her refined tastes, found herself captivated by the unique cuisine.
To their surprise, there were many seafood dishes as well, distinct from those of seafaring nations, with flavors uniquely Alabastan.
As the feast reached its height, a slightly tipsy King Cobra brought Vivi with him to Rengoku's side.
"Vice Admiral Rengoku… I am so deeply… hic! …so deeply grateful to you!"
"Ha! I am only grateful, Your Majesty!"
Rengoku clasped King Cobra warmly as the monarch, already unsteady with drink, clung to him.
"If it hadn't been for you… hic! If it hadn't been for you, my Vivi would have suffered so much. As her father, the worry nearly broke me… nghh! I feel like I ought to kiss you myself out of gratitude! hic!"
"Hahaha! You seem to be in very high spirits tonight, Your Majesty!"
"Of course! On such a joyous day, one must eat, drink, and celebrate! Attendants! Summon the royal dancers! Let us see that dance again, it's been too long! hic!"
The king's uninhibited command left Chaka, captain of the guard, visibly sweating.
"Your Majesty, it is called the Sword Dance of the God of Rebirth. Perhaps you should not…"
"It's all the same! hic! Tonight, let us drink ourselves to death!"
No one dared restrain the intoxicated king. Fortunately, even at his most inebriated, Cobra never crossed the line into disgrace.
Meanwhile, Rengoku's ears caught on the phrase Chaka had muttered.
The Sword Dance of the God of Rebirth… A ritual song to the god of revival, woven with blade and motion?
At the king's order, Pell, the Falcon guardian, stepped into the center of the hall. Stripped to the waist, he wielded an ornate ceremonial blade.
The music began.
Ting…♪
A soft, melodious sound filled the banquet hall.
Pell moved with the rhythm—sometimes fast, sometimes slow—entrusting his entire being to the music, blade, and body moving as one.
It was graceful, yet filled with spirit. Though weaker than himself, Rengoku could not deny the raw force in the dance. It reminded him faintly of the flowing grace of Kanroji Mitsuri's Love Breathing and the delicate poison-tinged elegance of Kocho Shinobu's Insect Breathing.
But within Pell's thrusts and strikes lay a spirit uniquely his own, a fighting aura that soared far beyond his normal strength.
The tempo quickened. Strangely, Pell's movements slowed—yet it did not feel out of place. Instead, it seemed as though he was gathering his spirit, each deliberate step drawing the audience deeper into his rhythm.
At last, with a final flourish, the dance ended as the music cut.
The hall erupted in thunderous applause.
"Hahaha! Truly worthy of the Falcon of Alabasta!"
"No matter how many times we see it, the music and the dance remain magnificent!"
Prince Mamba leaned toward Rengoku with a sly smile. "Vice Admiral, you seemed to enjoy it very much. What did you think?"
"…"
When Rengoku did not answer, Mamba called him again. "Rengoku?"
"Ah! Forgive me. I was so entranced by the beauty and power of the performance that I lost myself."
Even as he said it, images of Pell's dance lingered in his mind—the rippling muscles under torchlight, each motion sharp and precise. Truly, an impressive display.
"Haha, to think even you were left spellbound… that pleases me greatly." Mamba chuckled, sipping his wine.
"By the way, there is something important I would speak with you about… would now be a good time?"
"So long as His Majesty permits, I have no objections."
"I've already spoken with my brother, the king. Come, let us move elsewhere."
"Yes!"
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