Morning light crept across the sand, painting Yuba in gold. The crew packed their things quietly — the mood heavy but focused. Vivi stood at the center of the ruins, staring at the broken well.
Kai finished tightening his cloak and glanced at her. "You ready, princess?"
She nodded. "Yes. The rebels are in Katorea. If we can reach them before Crocodile does, maybe… maybe we can stop this war."
Luffy stretched his arms, yawning. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
[Stream: LIVE — "March to Katorea Begins!"]
[Viewers: 36.2M]
[Chat: "Rebellion arc time!!🔥🔥🔥" / "Streamer leading the emotional charge!" / "Protect Vivi squad assemble!"]
They left Yuba behind — a lonely silhouette swallowed by the dunes.
Hours passed in silence, the desert stretching endlessly ahead.
Kai occasionally lifted his phone, reading messages from his anonymous "market buyers."
People across Alabasta were now using his snail-mobiles to communicate secretly.
The "DreamEye Network" was spreading — even the rebels were unknowingly using his tech.
He smirked to himself. They have no idea who made it.
[System Notification: "DreamEye Network Reach Expanded — 20% of Alabasta connected."]
[Reward: +500 Stream Coins | Passive Buff — "Information Web (Lv.2)."]
By midday, a dust cloud appeared on the horizon. A caravan of sand ships sailed toward them — flying the banner of the Alabasta Rebellion.
Vivi froze. "That's them."
As the ships approached, soldiers leapt down, weapons ready. The crew instinctively spread out — Zoro hand on his swords, Sanji guarding Nami and Vivi, Kai activating his stream silently.
[Stream Title Updated: "Streamer Meets the Rebels!? ⚔️"]
[Viewers: 42.1M]
[Chat: "BRO THIS IS HUGE" / "Rebel leader reveal incoming 👀" / "Don't get caught streaming 😭."]
A tall man stepped forward — tanned skin, sharp eyes, scarf wrapped around his face.
"Who are you travelers?" he demanded.
Before Vivi could speak, he removed the scarf. His expression shifted from suspicion to shock.
"...Princess Vivi?"
She stepped forward, trembling. "Koza… it's really you."
The man's eyes softened, but only for a moment. "You shouldn't have come. This desert isn't safe — and neither is Alubarna."
Vivi shook her head. "Koza, please. You're being deceived. Crocodile is the one behind everything!"
Murmurs spread through the rebels. Some looked uncertain. Others angry.
Kai whispered, "This is going to get messy."
[Chat: "Drama alert 😬" / "Old friends turned enemies arc 😭." / "Streamer needs popcorn rn."]
Koza clenched his fists. "You think we'd believe that? The king abandoned us! My people suffer while he hides in his palace!"
"Koza, listen to me!" Vivi pleaded. "My father isn't the enemy! Crocodile's manipulating the entire kingdom—"
But Koza turned away. "I can't stop now. The people need change. Even if it means war."
Vivi fell silent, her voice breaking. "Koza…"
Kai stepped forward. "Then how about proof?"
Everyone turned to him. He held up his snail-camera, the lens glowing faintly.
"I can show you Crocodile's men in action — the chaos they caused in Nanohana, the towns they burned."
Koza frowned. "A… camera?"
Kai grinned. "Think of it as a truth mirror."
[Stream: LIVE — "Rebel Negotiation Broadcast."]
[Chat: "HE'S STREAMING THE REBELS 😭😭😭" / "Kai playing 5D chess rn." / "This is about to go viral."]
He played the footage — clips of Baroque Works agents attacking civilians, the emblem of Crocodile's group flashing on their cloaks.
Gasps rippled through the rebels.
Koza's jaw tightened. "This… this can't be…"
Vivi stepped closer. "Now do you see?"
He looked between her, the screen, and the dust-stained faces of his soldiers.
Finally, he sighed. "If what you say is true, then Crocodile is the real enemy."
Relief washed over Vivi's face. "Then—"
"But," Koza interrupted, "I can't end the rebellion until I see proof with my own eyes. Too many have suffered already."
The wind howled again. The tension eased, but only slightly.
Vivi nodded. "Then we'll go to Rainbase. We'll expose him there."
Koza stared at her — then at Kai. "Be careful. Crocodile doesn't play fair."
Kai smirked. "Neither do I."
[System: Quest Updated — "Expose Crocodile in Rainbase."]
[Reward Preview: 5 Skill Tokens + Rare Viewer Item Drop (Guaranteed).]
[Chat: "RAINBASE ARC SOON 🔥🔥🔥" / "Streamer vs Crocodile incoming??" / "This is getting too good."]
As the sun dipped low, the crew said their goodbyes to Koza and the rebels, setting course for Rainbase.
That night, aboard the sand ship, Vivi leaned against the railing, lost in thought.
Kai joined her quietly. "Rough day?"
She smiled faintly. "I thought I could just explain the truth… but I forgot how deep pain runs."
Kai looked out at the stars. "Pain doesn't vanish overnight. But it listens when you keep showing up."
She glanced at him. "You really believe that?"
He grinned. "I stream it every day."
[System: Vivi Affection +3 | Emotional Sync Bonus: "Hope Shared."]
The wind picked up, carrying sand across the dark horizon. Ahead, lightning flickered in the clouds — the desert storm of Rainbase waiting for them.
[End of Chapter 31 — "Rebellion and Rumors."]