The next morning dawned.
Between the Rebel Army's base flowed a river that traversed the entire Arabasta Kingdom.
This river was the lifeblood of the desert kingdom, so vital that calling it "Arabasta's Mother River" would be no exaggeration.
However, today, something unexpected seemed to be happening at the Mother River.
"Laboon, you've gotten so much bigger lately!" Luffy exclaimed, stroking the exposed skin that might have been Laboon's chin. "Looks like things haven't been too peaceful for the creatures of the Grand Line lately..."
Having woken up early to come here, Luffy laughed heartily as he patted Laboon's skin.
"Boo-ooo-ooo~"
Laboon suddenly let out an uncomfortable cry, as if complaining about something.
Then, with tremendous force, the massive whale twisted its body twice in the river, heedless of the consequences.
The sheer power of its colossal frame forcibly widened the riverbanks, creating a small lake.
In an instant, the river water that had been blocked by Laboon's body flowed freely again.
Turbulent currents surged wildly, rushing into the massive pit beneath Laboon.
The water revitalized Laboon's slightly wrinkled skin, restoring it to its smooth, gleaming state.
"Boo-aow~"
Relieved to escape the desert's scorching heat and return to the cool depths, Laboon let out a contented cry.
In the newly formed lake, it performed a massive 180-degree roll, further expanding the lake's surface area.
Luffy wore a slightly exasperated expression as he retreated, dodging the splashes from Laboon's antics. He watched the whale playing in the lake like a parent watching a child.
After a while, Laboon had widened the river, the very river that sustained the Arabasta Kingdom beyond recognition.
Across the river from Luffy, a massive cloud of dust began to rise, spreading rapidly toward him like an encroaching sandstorm.
This location had been revealed to Luffy by Crocodile the previous day. According to intelligence from Crocodile's spies within the Rebel Army, their leader, Koza, would lead an army of 600,000 soldiers across this river today.
Their objective: to directly attack the capital, Alubarna, and seize control of all of Arabasta in one swift stroke!
Six hundred thousand a terrifying number!
Even 600,000 ants could create a formidable spectacle.
How much more so when it was 600,000 strong young men!
The earth-shaking footsteps of the advancing army trampled the soft sand, sending waves of dust billowing into the air.
The swirling sandstorm, like a force of nature, gradually enveloped the advancing army.
This dust cloud, far more terrifying than any sandstorm, stained the entire sky a murky yellow-gray.
"Koza, we're almost at the designated position. Tell the men to prepare the river-crossing equipment!"
At the head of the column, a man on a camel, wearing goggles, suddenly spurred his mount forward and called out to Koza, the leader.
Koza raised his hand, fingers pressed together to form a flat plane, and held it above his brow, instantly shielding his eyes from the scorching sunlight. He gazed ahead, then slowly replied, "Alright. Have the men prepare first."
Whether it was his imagination or not, Koza couldn't shake the feeling that something strange was lurking at their destination. It was dark and indistinct, too far away to make out clearly.
But with a massive army of six hundred thousand men, even the slightest delay would waste a staggering amount of resources. So Koza didn't order a halt. Instead, he kept the column moving forward in a straight line.
He truly believed nothing could stand against their overwhelming force.
Until...
They saw the towering mountain!
"What... what is that?"
The Rebel Army, poised to cross the river and spread out like a dark, oppressive mass, halted before the water's edge.
Koza, leading the charge, dismounted his camel and strode to the riverbank.
He stared at the small lake, utterly different from what he remembered, and at the colossal, mountain-like object looming in its center.
"Ah~"
"You've finally arrived..."
As Koza and his 600,000 rebels curiously surveyed their surroundings, a languid voice suddenly echoed from the mountain-like object.
A young man's figure materialized atop the black mass.
Under the scorching sun, Koza could only make out a pure black silhouette, unable to discern any facial features.
Yet from the figure's commanding presence, Koza sensed an unsettling aura, like encountering a primordial beast in the wilderness.
The anxiety that had gripped his heart since the shadow's appearance refused to abate.
The more Koza tried to make out the figure's full appearance, the more intense his sense of urgent dread became.
Luffy rode Laboon's smooth skin like an ice skater, gliding down the giant whale's curved back.
When he was still some distance from the lake's surface, he leaped lightly, landing directly in front of the Rebel Army and Koza.
*Swish!*
In an instant!
Tens of thousands of gun barrels swung to point at Luffy and the small mountain behind him!
They had just seen the mountain tremble slightly.
Several of Koza's close aides drew their weapons, aiming sharp blades and pointed spears at Luffy.
"Who are you?!" Koza shouted, drawing his own waist saber and pointing it at the suddenly appearing Luffy.
Even with an army of six hundred thousand men behind him, Koza felt a growing sense of unease.
Yet...
Luffy, under the watchful eyes of the massive army, acted as if nothing were amiss.
After a moment of awe at the overwhelming sea of people stretching before him, Luffy refocused his attention on Koza, who stood at the very front of the crowd.
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
It was hard to imagine such a scene: six hundred thousand people standing ramrod straight, their minds completely focused on the figure before them, yet not uttering a single word.
The reason was...
In each of their hearts, it felt as if they were being enveloped by a dark cloud crackling with terrifying lightning.
Any hint of rebellious thought would draw the full force of that lightning-infused power down upon their hearts.
It was the primal fear felt by lower lifeforms in the presence of a superior being.
After briefly scanning the composition of the Rebel Army, Luffy turned his gaze back to Koza and said:
"You're Koza, the one Vivi told me about, right?
The leader of the Rebel Army..."
"Vivi...?"
"You mean Princess Vivi..."
Koza, Vivi's childhood friend, was about to ask something.
But remembering his current status and the task at hand, he immediately stopped mid-sentence.
His expression shifted instantly, concealing his deep concern and replacing it with a resolute look as he addressed Luffy:
"So, you're Princess Vivi's envoy..."
"I won't kill you!"
"Go back and tell Princess Vivi that King Cobra has gone too far! At this point, there's no turning back!"
With a forceful downward swing of his gleaming blade, Koza gestured magnanimously for everyone to lower their weapons.
Luffy, however, found himself both amused and exasperated by Koza's "mercy."
He glared at Koza, who still clung to his self-proclaimed importance, believing he could save Arabasta.
Perhaps, if Luffy and his crew hadn't intervened, the kingdom's power might indeed have fallen into another master's hands.
But fate had other plans.
His calm eyes swept over the 600,000-strong army before him once more. Luffy murmured softly,
"Don't worry, it'll be over soon."
"It won't hurt at all~"