Alubarna — Capital City of Alabasta
Night passed, and the dawn came. The first light of the sun shimmered faintly over the sandstone walls of Alubarna, while the streets were starting to have some activities—tense with the lingering threat of war.
At the front gate, a sudden commotion stirred the guards from their stillness. A line of riders approached under the dim torchlight, the royal crest was visible.
"Th-That's…!" one guard stammered, his eyes widening.
"Your Majesty!" another barked, quickly kneeling in salute.
King Nefertari Cobra, cloaked and riding with urgency, reined in his camel and nodded to the guards. His expression was stern, but his voice remained calm.
"Mm. Good work, all of you. Now, stand down."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the guards responded in unison, quickly stepping aside to let the royal entourage through.
Without delay, the king and his guards pressed forward toward the royal palace, their footsteps echoing against the stone roads. Meanwhile, one of the gate guards sprinted off toward the inner grounds—to deliver the urgent news.
Inside the palace, within the Strategy Hall, Pell and Chaka are already there, listening intently as Sanji, Usopp, and Nami briefed them.
"…and that's why we believe Crocodile orchestrated this rebellion," Sanji explained. "He's been operating from the shadows, manipulating both sides. If we don't stop him, he'll seize the throne in the chaos."
Chaka nodded. "Crocodile's plans...we already know that from the letter Karoo sent back to us."
Pell on the side nodded.
"As for Vivi," Nami added, "She went to Nanohana with part of our crew to stop Koza before the fighting starts. She might already succeeded in persuading him."
Usopp chimed in, "If she can talk him down, we might be able to stop the war entirely."
Just then, the door burst open. A palace guard stepped in, panting.
"Commanders! The King—His Majesty has returned!"
Both Chaka and Pell turned sharply.
"The King?" Chaka repeated, then turned to Pell.
"I searched Nanohana yesterday, but didn't find him," Pell said, eyes narrowing. "How…?"
There was no time to waste.
"Let's go meet him," Chaka said, already moving.
Pell gave a sharp nod. "All of you, come too."
Sanji and the others exchanged glances, then followed without hesitation.
Within minutes, they arrived at the Royal Throne Room.
The massive doors creaked open, revealing the tall figure of King Cobra seated on the throne. His cloak flowed behind him like a shadow, his face tired but composed.
"Your Majesty!" both Pell and Chaka saluted as they entered.
Cobra looked up at them with a faint smile, worry lingered in his gaze. "Pell. Chaka. I've returned sooner than expected… because the situation has grown dire."
Behind the two commanders, the Orca group stood in respectful silence.
"We heard of your disappearance," Chaka said, stepping forward. "We feared the worst."
King Cobra gave a tired sigh. "I had… some business to attend to," he replied vaguely. "That's why I left without notice. I apologize for worrying you both."
His words hung in the air, strange and unsatisfying. Chaka opened his mouth to ask more—but before he could speak, Cobra's sharp gaze turned toward the unfamiliar faces behind his commanders.
"Who are they?" he asked, his voice cool and formal.
"They are friends of Princess Vivi," Pell replied. "Allies who've aided her during this crisis."
Cobra's brows furrowed. "Vivi's friends? Why are they here in the palace?"
Before Pell or Chaka could respond, Sanji stepped forward, his expression firm but respectful.
"Your Majesty," he said. "We came here not to oppose you—but to ask something of you. Please… refrain from declaring war on the rebels."
A tense silence filled the throne room.
"…What did you say?" Cobra asked slowly, his frown deepening.
"This war, this entire rebellion—it's not what it seems," Sanji continued. "Crocodile orchestrated everything. He's manipulating both sides to plunge Alabasta into chaos and seize power for himself."
Cobra's eyes narrowed at the mention of the warlord's name.
"Crocodile?" he repeated, voice low. "He is a national hero. A protector of this kingdom. Do you expect me to believe such a man would betray us?"
Sanji held his ground. "That's exactly what we're saying. He's been using Baroque Works in secret, sabotaging both the royal army and the rebels. Vivi herself uncovered the plot. That's why she went to stop Koza."
Cobra's expression turned cold. "You're just pirates. Outsiders. Strangers to this land."
His voice gained weight as he rose from the throne, cape rustling behind him.
"Why should I trust a word you say?" he asked. "Pirates lie, cheat, and destroy for their own gain. You're no different."
Sanji's eyes narrowed, but he kept his temper. "We're not asking for your trust," he said. "Just for a chance. Give Vivi time to reach Koza and stop this war before it's too late."
Cobra paused, studying the young man. His face was unreadable.
Then, without a word, he turned to Pell.
"Escort them out of the palace," King Cobra said flatly. "They've said enough."
Pell hesitated, a shadow of doubt in his eyes. "Your Majesty, if I may—"
"That's an order," Cobra interrupted, his voice sharp and final.
Pell clenched his jaw but nodded solemnly. "Understood."
"Wait—let's just talk this out!" Nami pleaded, stepping forward. "We're not here to fight. We came to help!"
Cobra's eyes flashed with sudden anger. "Silence! Leave now, before I change my mind and have you all imprisoned!"
The room tensed. Sanji's eyes narrowed sharply, a flicker of fury rising inside him.
How dare this puny king shout at Nami-chan?
"So that's it then," Sanji said quietly, stepping in front of her. "You're not even going to consider what we said?"
"I don't take advice from pirates," Cobra said coldly. "Especially ones who walk into my palace and insult my allies."
Sanji let out a long breath, then pulled a cigarette from his coat and lit it with a snap. "I see. Then if words won't get through to you…"
He raised his head, eyes gleaming with determination. "…We'll stop you with force."
"Sanji, wait!" Nami said, worry in her voice. "This isn't the way—"
"Nami-chan," Sanji said gently, his gaze never leaving Cobra. "You saw it yourself. He won't listen. Zino told us to stop this war, no matter what. If that means bringing this king to his senses with a fist—then so be it."
He cracked his knuckles and began to step forward, slow and deliberate.
But before he could get close, two figures stepped into his path—Pell and Chaka, standing firm.
"That's far enough," Pell said, his voice low.
"Out of our way," Sanji growled.
"You cannot attack the king," Chaka added. "No matter the reason."
Sanji's brow furrowed. "What? Don't tell me you're okay with this? Don't you see that your king is unreasonable?"
Neither commander answered immediately—but their expressions said it all. There was hesitation in their eyes. Doubt. But loyalty still held them in place.
"Even if something feels wrong," Pell said quietly, "We can't stand by and watch a foreigner raise his hand against the throne."
Chaka tightened his grip on his sword. "We've sworn to protect him. Until we know the truth… we have no choice."
Sanji clicked his tongue, frustrated. "Tch. So that's how it is."
He took a step back, bent his knees—and then surged forward like a bullet. "Then I'll beat the truth out of all of you!"
"Stand your ground!" Pell shouted.
Steel clashed with resolve as Sanji launched into a spinning kick, forcing both commanders to block. The throne room erupted into chaos as the battle exploded between them.
On the throne, Cobra sat still, watching… with something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
...
Somewhere in the heart of Alubarna, the quiet streets were bathed in the morning sunlight. Two agents stood silently outside a modest, yet well-guarded house, their posture rigid and alert. The night air carried a subtle tension, as if something important was about to unfold.
Suddenly, movement caught their eyes. A figure approached with an unusual calm, gliding across the cobblestones with confidence.
"Miss All Sunday," one of the guards called out, straightening his back. "Good evening."
"Where is the king?" Nico Robin asked, her tone low and measured, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings with a hint of impatience.
"He is inside," the other guard replied cautiously, his voice betraying both respect and unease.
Robin's expression remained composed, almost serene. "Bring him to me," she commanded.
The two agents hesitated for only a moment before turning and disappearing into the house. Their footsteps echoed briefly in the hallway, then were replaced by silence. The heat of the desert seemed to rise fast as time ticked by.
Moments later, they returned, their grip firm on the ropes binding King Cobra. His head lifted, eyes sharp, and a faint trace of irritation flickered across his features.
"So, it was you, Nico Robin," Cobra said, his voice a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Are you working with Crocodile?"
"You seem unusually lively for a captive, Your Majesty," Robin said softly, a subtle amusement playing at the corners of her mouth. Then, almost imperceptibly, her expression shifted to seriousness. "I need your help, and I need it now. You're the only one who can guide me through this."
Cobra frowned, his regal composure returning. "I don't help bad people," he said firmly.
Robin's lips curled into a quiet, knowing smile. "Fufufu… you don't really have a choice." Without another word, she gave a swift tug, and Cobra's restraints shifted as she began leading him away. His eyes narrowed, but he did not resist.
"Miss All Sunday, where are you taking him?" one of the guards called out, his voice tinged with suspicion and confusion.
"I'm just taking him for a stroll," Robin replied lightly, glancing back briefly. "You two stay here."
The two agents exchanged uncertain glances, their training clashing with the unpredictability of the situation. They had been given countless orders over the years, yet nothing quite like this. They were experienced, yes—capable of holding their own against street-level threats—but the complexities of the higher echelons of Baroque Works were beyond their purview. Million-tier agents like them often only saw the surface of things.
Despite their hesitation, they remained in place, eyes fixed on the two figures disappearing into the distance.
...
En route from Nanohana to Alubarna, Zoro's group pressed forward with relentless speed. The dusty roads blurred beneath their feet, and the distant morning sun cast long shadows as the warriors pushed themselves onward. Vivi ran alongside them, eyes darting constantly, scanning the horizon for any sign of the rebel forces they pursued.
Suddenly, both Zoro and Gin's eyes snapped wide, their instincts screaming a warning.
"Dodge!" Zoro shouted in unison with Gin.
The group barely had time to react as a sharp whistling sound cut through the air. Swoosh! A molten wax slammed into the earth where they had just been standing. Had they not leapt aside, their legs would have been trapped.
Everyone froze for a heartbeat, adrenaline spiking as they turned to scan the origin of the attack. In the distance, several figures stood at the edge of the road, shadows cast long and menacing in the early sunlight. Their stance and posture spoke volumes—these were no ordinary enemies.
"My hunch was right," Miss Doublefinger said with a sly grin, her sharp eyes glinting. "The Orca group would use this path to reach Alubarna."
"You're right," Mr. 1 agreed, a thin smile playing on his lips. "I would have been bored stiff had we gone straight to the capital. This little encounter is far more… entertaining."
Mr. 4 frowned, his brow furrowing as he studied the advancing group. "Do we really not need to go to the capital ourselves?"
"Forget it," Mr. 3 said with a shrug, his expression relaxed but eyes cold. "Mr. 2 is already handling the capital. Personally, I find dealing with these little mice far more exciting. After all..."
He began to move forward, his movements deliberate, every step measured. "…I didn't catch them at sea. Now that they've come to us, let me finish my mission." His voice was calm, yet carried an unmistakable edge of threat.
Ms. Merry Christmas's voice rang out, cheerful yet sharp. "Hold it! Don't think you get to have all the fun. We want to play with them too!"
The group paused, exchanging quick glances. A subtle tension filled the air as they weighed their next moves. Miss Doublefinger raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly as she observed the Orca group. "I guess we need to divide them?" she mused, her voice smooth and calculating.
Her observation wasn't lost on the others. Each agent's eyes swept over the Orca team, silently selecting which members would make for the most interesting "opponents."