Chapter 65 Sandstorm and Ice Seal the Battle, Robin Joins the Party and Causes TroubleOn the open ground where the two sides clashed, countless grains of sand surged like boiling water, instantly pulverizing hard rocks into fine sand.
"Sand Flowing Waterfall—!"
A deafening roar echoed from the sky.
The surging sand suddenly rose from the ground, forming a gigantic sand wave several times higher than the city walls between the rebel army and the royal army, blotting out the sun like a tsunami!
Zoro and the others, hearing this familiar voice, turned around in surprise.
Even Vivi, shrouded in shadow, felt a glimmer of hope rekindle in her eyes!
All the rebels were stunned, staring in horror at the sea of sand overhead that seemed poised to crash down at any moment. Was this some kind of power a human could possess?
If the royal army had monsters like this, what was the point of fighting? They might as well go home and farm!
The massive sand wave rose higher and higher, about to spiral out of control.
Luffy's furious roar suddenly boomed above the palace: "Father-in-law! If you don't act now, I'm going to collapse!! Freeze!"
Just as Luffy finished speaking, a lazy yet chilling voice drifted over.
"Ice Age!"
The terrifying sandstorm that was about to crush the rebel army into a bloody pulp was instantly enveloped by a white, icy aura, solidifying in the blink of an eye into a colossal, crystal-clear ice wall, forcefully blocking the rebel army outside the city!
Looking at the ice wall standing tall in the desert, Luffy plopped down on a sand dune and let out a long sigh.
Damn it, I almost messed up! That scared the hell out of me.
Although he had the chakra of Shukaku within him, this was still a large-scale terrain alteration; controlling a sandstorm of this scale was practically impossible.
If Aokiji had acted even a second later, those hundreds of tons of sand would have wiped out the 700,000 rebels below, leaving few even with intact corpses.
I wouldn't be a savior then, and I'd never get a kind word from Vivi again.
Luckily, my "cheap father-in-law" was reliable enough to step in and cover for me, preventing me from becoming a murderous monster burdened with hundreds of thousands of lives.
"Looks like some things can't be forced; I almost got myself into trouble."
Luffy wiped the cold sweat from his nose, looking at the magnificent ice wall ahead and reflecting on his actions.
Meanwhile, Crocodile's rookie subordinates, ambushed in the crowd, were completely dumbfounded, their jaws dropping.
The boss's mission was to fan the flames at a crucial moment, to ignite a war, but the script didn't mention a sudden sandstorm waterfall!
If that really came down, everyone would be turned into mincemeat; what was the point of fanning the flames then?
Meanwhile, in the rebel camp, Zoro and his crew had all transformed into snarling, demonic figures, roaring at Luffy in the air: "Are you trying to bury us all with you?!"
Luffy awkwardly pulled out a Den Den Mushi (smartphone phone), cleared his throat: "Ahem, a bag of rice, how many floors... wait, let's test the microphone! Hello, hello!"
Everyone: "..."
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!Can't we be serious for once, in a life-or-death situation?!
"Ahem, this is Commodore Monkey D. Luffy from Marine Headquarters. I have some news to report: Crocodile has been removed from the Seven Warlords of the Sea! The drought and sandstorms that have plagued Alabasta for the past few years were all caused by this guy's Devil Fruit powers!"
"Our Marines have now uncovered the truth. This Crocodile has planted troublemakers in both the rebel army and the King's Army. His distinguishing feature is a scorpion tattoo on his arm. You all know what to do."
"Of course, you can also ignore this. If you think anyone can beat me, feel free to try attacking again, but you won't be so lucky next time."
Luffy's slightly joking voice echoed across the battlefield via Den Den Mushi. Everyone stared at the towering wall of ice and sand, exchanging bewildered glances.
Someone suddenly dropped their weapon, and then, like dominoes falling, a cacophony of clanging and clattering filled the air.
Everyone dropped their weapons and knelt on the ground, shouting with relief, "Long live the Navy! Long live Luffy-sama!"
Immediately afterward, Baroque Works spies mixed in with the crowd were dragged out by the enraged mob and given a sound beating on the spot.
In the royal palace, Cobra, who had been as anxious as an ant on a hot plate, let out a long sigh of relief and slumped onto the throne.
Vivi's eyes were practically overflowing with adoration as she looked at Luffy.
Nami, watching Vivi's infatuated expression, pouted and muttered sourly, "Well, another one's fallen for!"
Vivi's gaze at that moment was exactly the same as her own after being redeemed by Luffy in Cocoyasi Village.
Zoro, Sanji, and the others could no longer hold on and collapsed onto the ground, falling fast asleep.
Having to control their strength to avoid killing while facing the onslaught of hundreds of thousands of people, they were completely exhausted, both physically and mentally.
Luffy watched the jubilant rebels and sighed inwardly.
These people were essentially refugees driven to desperation. Now, intimidated by such terrifying force and given a seemingly reasonable way out, who would be foolish enough to continue throwing their lives away?
At this point, whether Luffy was telling the truth or not, they were willing to believe it was the real story. After all, Luffy represented the Navy, which meant the authorities were getting involved in this mess.
Even if it continued to rain only in the capital, it would be God's will. As long as it wasn't manipulated, everyone would feel at peace.
This was the dignity the righteous Navy should have on the high seas.
Looking at the pitiful people below, their lips cracked and their clothes tattered, Luffy activated Flowing Sand Waterfall again.
However, this time it wasn't to kill, but to directly connect to the underground water veins, creating several artificial springs.
In an instant, the earth trembled, and countless clear fountains gushed forth from the capital, flowing in all directions.
Everyone, witnessing this miracle, was moved to tears, frantically kowtowing and worshipping Luffy. To these mortals, Luffy was nothing short of a living savior.
High above in the palace, Aokiji watched the young man accept the worship of thousands without any hesitation, and his lips twitched involuntarily. Truly a peculiar character who could turn a serious naval exercise into a farce.
This shamelessness truly proves the old saying:
"If a person has no shame, he is invincible."
After this incident, even if the old men in the World Government were unwilling to promote Luffy, they couldn't change their minds. After all, this guy had already boasted in front of hundreds of thousands of people.
At this moment, Aokiji suddenly sensed the carriage pulled by the fast-running duck approaching. His brows furrowed slightly; he detected Robin's presence inside the carriage.
"Were they all taken down?"
Aokiji muttered in a low voice, "Looks like this ride wasn't a waste. I need to find a way to talk to this kid and get Robin released."
Although Aokiji seems lazy, he always holds fast to his principles. Robin was clearly an innocent scapegoat, yet she was wanted for twenty years because of the Buster Call. Whether it was for his old comrade Saul's last wish or for his own sense of justice...
He wanted Robin to live freely on this sea, and he wanted to prove that Saul's choice back then was right.
"Yo, nice to meet you, father-in-law!"
Luffy, grinning, teleported to the base of the ice wall and greeted Aokiji familiarly.
Actually, even Luffy himself hadn't expected Sengoku to bring this big shot over.
But then again, it made sense. This guy usually followed Robin around like a ghost, sending any pirate crews that plotted against her or tried to corrupt her to the bottom of the sea.
With such a commotion in Alabasta, it would be strange if this guy wasn't wandering around nearby.
Kuzan, looking completely bewildered, nearly dropped his sunglasses. "What are you yelling about? Who's your father-in-law?" Luffy chuckled, leaning closer to Aokiji and lowering his voice.
"Ahem, don't worry about the details. I mainly want to discuss something important with you today—the fate of Nico Robin, the Devil's Child."
Aokiji's pupils constricted slightly, but his face remained impassive as he asked, "Oh? The Devil's Child? Is she involved in the Alabasta chaos? What are you planning to do with her? If you find it troublesome, I can escort her to Impel Down for you."
Luffy rolled his eyes inwardly, looking disdainfully at this stubborn but soft-hearted old man. Escort her?
If he let you escort her, she'd probably run into some "accident" before even leaving the Grand Line, and then Robin would miraculously escape.
At this moment, Smoker, escorting Robin, arrived at the city walls. He was stunned by the sight before him: "I didn't expect headquarters to send a Marine Admiral?"
Tashigi, seeing Aokiji, blushed with excitement, like a fangirl seeing her idol.
After all, the three Marine Admirals were gods in the hearts of all young Marines.
Robin, seeing Aokiji, trembled with fear, a fear etched into her very bones.
Although she had received Aokiji's secret protection over the years, this cold-faced man had indeed left a significant psychological scar on Robin.
Luffy cleared his throat and solemnly addressed Aokiji: "I'm here to report to you, Admiral, that I plan to recruit the Devil Child, Nico Robin, into the Marines. I want her to be my crewmate!"
Aokiji and Robin's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, their faces filled with disbelief.
Aokiji looked at Luffy like he was an alien: "Are you out of your mind? Do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course," Luffy nodded, his tone firm and resolute, "I'm willing to be her protector!"
Robin, who had been keeping her head down, was in a complete mess, her mind a jumble of emotions.
"She's a major criminal of the World Government!"
Aokiji confirmed coldly again, "I will never agree to such an absurd thing! I will report this truthfully to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Luffy watched Aokiji, still putting on a show to test him, and was utterly speechless. In the original story, Robin joined the crew and you immediately started playing the victim, and now you're using your admiral status to pressure me.
Luffy waved his hand dismissively: "Report whatever you want! I just wanted to let you know, nothing more. After all, with my current status and background, protecting Robin is more than enough."
Aokiji: "(╬￣皿￣)..."
Then why the hell are you talking nonsense to me?!
"Why did you save me?"
In a luxurious guest room in the Alabasta Palace, Robin frowned, asking Luffy with a puzzled look, "What kind of freaks are you guys with 'D' in your names?!"
"A reason?"
Luffy lay listlessly on the sofa, an apple dangling from his mouth, with Zoro, Sanji, and the others lying exhausted beside him.
"Probably because I've taken a liking to you?" Luffy suddenly switched to a grinning expression.
Robin's face flushed red at first, then darkened, a hint of anger in her eyes: "What a joke! A woman like me, with blood on her hands... like me..."
Recalling the inhuman suffering she'd endured over the years, Robin buried her head deeply in her knees, like a wounded animal.
Luffy stepped forward and gently patted her head.
Whether out of sympathy for the original character or for the sake of uncovering the truth of the past century, Robin, as an archaeologist, is an indispensable piece of the Straw Hat crew's puzzle.
Hmm...it's definitely not because Luffy has awakened some hidden attraction to older women! Absolutely not!
In another room, Koza, his head wrapped in bandages, clutched his face in anguish, crying, "I'm sorry, I made an unforgivable mistake."
Sitting beside him was King Cobra of Alabasta, the kind elder showing no sign of reproach:
"Feeling remorse means you can still be saved. Wanting to make amends is only human nature. Although you lost much and gained nothing, it's all over now. A new Alabasta awaits your generation to rebuild, a new Yuba awaits your resurrection. The war ended before it even truly began; this is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."
Koza instantly broke down, burying his face in Cobra's lap and sobbing uncontrollably.
Beside him, Vivi's face beamed with happiness, yet tears streamed down her face. Her country was saved, the war was over, Crocodile was captured—though there were casualties, it was far better than the destruction of her nation and the extinction of her race.
Luffy and the others were all safe and sound. For Vivi, this was the best possible ending.
"Quack! Quack! Quack!" Karu the running duck rushed into the bedroom excitedly, flapping its wings and squawking.
Vivi wiped away her tears and asked excitedly, "You mean Zoro and the others are awake?"
Cobra and Kosa: "..."
"How on earth do you understand duck language...?"
Vivi excitedly ran out and rushed into the next room.
"Yay—!!" Sanji immediately perked up when he saw Vivi, twisting his body to greet her.
The next second, Vivi completely ignored him and buried her face in Luffy's arms: "Luffy, are you alright? You scared me to death by suddenly fainting!"
Sanji: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!
Luffy closed his eyes with a look of enjoyment, while Sanji gritted his teeth, wishing he could chop this life winner into pieces and feed him to the dogs.
"Have you hugged enough?!" Nami, her face flushed with jealousy, pulled Luffy out of Vivi's arms.
Vivi, in turn, hugged Nami tightly. "Thank you!"
Nami, who had been furious with jealousy, instantly softened, a gentle smile appearing on her face. She patted Vivi's back. "Don't be so polite. Aren't we crewmates?"
Robin, in the corner, watched this scene with some confusion. She couldn't understand why these people would go to such lengths after only meeting them once.
Those were the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a force to be reckoned with alongside the Four Emperors and the Marine Headquarters! Luffy and his crew had actually run right into them for their friends.
"Yo, let me introduce you. This is our new crewmate," Luffy said, pointing to Robin in the corner.
"Huh? As expected of you, Luffy."
Zoro rolled his eyes. Bounty hunter, thief, cook raised by pirates, big liar, cute reindeer, and now a wanted criminal.
Luffy's crew looks like a shelter for problem children.
Sanji, on the other hand, has hearts in his eyes and dances on the spot: "Robin-chan~!!"
At this moment, Vivi also walks up to Robin and sincerely says, "Thank you!"
Robin is stunned, clearly not expecting this.
Vivi smiles and explains, "Icarus told me everything. You saved him, and thanks to your hints, I was able to discover Crocodile's conspiracy. You're also the one who introduced me to these best crewmates. Welcome to join us."
Robin is stunned. A glimmer of light flashes in her previously dull eyes. Perhaps… she really could give it a try?
Robin smiles brightly, her mature womanly charm instantly radiating. She gracefully walks up to Luffy and, without warning, kisses him on the cheek: "Then please take care of me, Captain."
Nami and Vivi are instantly petrified, their jaws hitting the ground: "Huh?!?!"
"Why did you kiss him?!" Nami roars at Robin in a frenzy, her hair standing on end.
Robin, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, rested her chin on her hand, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Because the captain said he wanted me to be his wife."
Nami: (╬￣￣)
"Luffy??"
Luffy: "..."
"Would you believe me if I said I was just joking?"
"You bastard..."
...
Luffy's unconsciousness this time was a complete disaster. He'd exhausted himself trying to suffocate Crocodile, and then, to show off, he'd used his Rinnegan to control Shukaku and unleash a massive ninjutsu, completely draining himself.
In short, he got seasick, but thankfully he recovered after a night's rest. All he needs to do is eat a big meal to fully recover.
As a Zoan-type Mythical Zoan, Nika-no-Fruit Devil Fruit user, Luffy only needs to consume high-calorie meat like a black hole, and his body can heal at lightning speed.
This is why no matter how badly Luffy is beaten, he can be as lively as ever after a good meal.
Zoan-type Devil Fruits are known for their toughness and rapid recovery, and the Nika-no-Fruit maximizes this attribute. As long as his energy is sufficient, it's like having endless sit-ups.
After awakening, he can even regenerate health at the cost of his life. This kind of insane ability is only seen in some fantasy novels, and Luffy has only ever seen it in that hotheaded kid named Gon in Hunter x Hunter. That kind of overpowered, life-draining mode is simply unbeatable.
"Tina's furious! Why does Tina have to do this backbreaking delivery work?"
Just then, a cool, aloof woman with long pink hair, a cigarette dangling from her lips, pushed open the door and entered. "Here's your phone. Headquarters is calling."
"Oh?!?"
Sanji immediately turned into a wavy noodle upon seeing the beautiful woman, circling around Tina.
Zoro, standing beside him, scoffed speechlessly, "What are you gushing about? She's a Marine, okay?"
"Huh? A Den Den Mushi?"
Luffy caught the snail Tina tossed him, and the familiar voice came through the receiver: "Hello, is this Commodore Monkey D. Luffy?"
"Yes, it is. Spit it out."
"Regarding the operation to subdue Crocodile, the government high command, after discussion, has decided to award you and Lieutenant Commander Zoro the Medal of Honor, and you will each be promoted two ranks."
"Furthermore, you are both required to attend the awarding ceremony. The government intends to use this opportunity to widely publicize the Marines' glorious deeds in saving Alabasta. We hope you are mentally prepared."
"Attend a ceremony?" Luffy stroked his chin. "Fine, but I have a condition."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the Den Den Mushi: "Please speak."
"Revoke Nico Robin's bounty. This woman is now mine, a proud Marine."
Robin, who was listening intently, had a barely perceptible glint of anticipation in her eyes.
A long silence followed the Den Den Mushi, so long that everyone thought the signal had dropped, before an aged voice finally came through: "Fine, but I don't want to hear anything she shouldn't say."
Luffy grinned, a sly grin on his face: "That's a given. By the way, have you chosen anyone for the new Shichibukai position...?"
The phone: "...(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!"
"Don't go too far! *beep*!"
Luffy angrily slammed down the phone: "Tch, you petty bastard. It's just a Shichibukai spot, why are you getting so angry?"