The two commanders expressions were grim, bodies still battered from the earlier clash. Chaka's voice cut through the tense silence like a blade. "Where is His Majesty?"
Mr. 2 Bon Clay raised a hand in mock innocence, his flamboyant grin barely hiding the mischief in his eyes. "I don't know," he said, his tone calm yet teasing. "I wasn't dealing with the king. My task was simple: impersonate him."
"You're lying!" Chaka shouted, blood spurting from the corner of his mouth. His fist clenched tightly as he took a step forward, glaring at the okama with deadly intent. "Where did you hide His Majesty, King Cobra?"
"Tsk, tsk," Mr. 2 replied, spinning lightly on his toes, his grin widening. "I'm already telling the truth. Some agents were assigned to handle your king. They might have already sent him to meet the boss."
The commanders froze for a moment, exchanging troubled glances. The news was unsettling. If the king was out of reach, then the defense of Alubarna relied entirely on their ability to hold back the rebels.
Before anyone could speak further, a soldier burst into the room, his armor clanking loudly as he skidded to a halt. "It's bad! The rebel army is marching from the distance! They're about to reach the palace!"
"What?!" Both Pell and Chaka's eyes widened. Alarm rippled through their veins, urgency pressing on every thought.
Chaka quickly recovered, his voice cold and authoritative. "Gather the troops. We'll hold them at the gates."
"Hey, wait—" Sanji's sharp voice called out, his hand slicing through the air as he tried to intervene.
"We won't go to war," Chaka interrupted, cutting him off mid-sentence. "We're not attacking, we're holding them back. That's our duty."
Sanji's fists clenched, a flash of frustration crossing his face. He gritted his teeth, but said nothing further, understanding that trying to argue now would be pointless.
Pell stepped forward, wiping the blood from his lips. "I'll search for the king," he said, his tone steady, authoritative.
"I'll go with you," Mikita offered softly, hopping lightly beside him. "It's my apology for earlier… attacking you."
Pell considered her for a moment, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Then, with a nod, he agreed. "Alright. We don't have time to waste. Let's move quickly."
"Oi! Are you guys forgetting something?" Mr 2 asked, frowning.
"Dont worry. You will not be forgotten," Sanji muttered, his voice low but dangerous. "How dare you lie to me, and pretend as the king. Also, you shouted to Nami-chan! That's… one death sentence for you, freak."
His eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and determination as he glared at the flamboyant imposter.
"What about us?" Ussop asked nervously, shifting from foot to foot.
Sanji glanced at him briefly. "You go assist Commander Chaka. I'm enough to handle this okama."
Nami and Kaya exchanged glances, silently agreeing, ready to help where they could but not drawn into the frontline fight. With roles established and intentions clear, each person took their position.
Sanji stalked toward Mr. 2, exuding lethal focus.
Pell and Mikita slipped silently toward the palace corridors in search of King Cobra.
Chaka rallied the remaining guards, preparing to meet the rebels head-on. Ussop and the rest followed the commander, ready to assist, defend, and adapt as the chaos approached.
...
Rainbase.
The light of the morning sun illuminated the small, sparsely furnished room. A young man lay on a simple cot, his breaths shallow but steady, his body wrapped in clean cloth. Around him, two dryads moved with delicate care, tending to bandages and gently pressing herbs to his wounds.
Zino's eyes fluttered, and a faint twitch of his finger betrayed his stirring consciousness. The dryads gasped simultaneously, their expressions a mixture of shock and joy.
"Captain!" they cried. Their voices trembled with relief, almost as if a great weight had lifted from their hearts.
Zino's eyelids opened slowly, his gaze adjusting to the warm light. He blinked a few times, focusing on the figures before him. "Huh… Chloris, Moris? Why are you here?" His voice was hoarse but laced with surprise.
The two dryads smiled softly, their relief palpable. Zino's eyes then caught another familiar figure leaning nearby—Alvida, her expression softened with concern.
"Alvida… you're here too?" he asked, his voice was full of disbelief.
Finally, you're awake," Alvida said with a gentle smile, the tension in her eyes easing. "You have made us worried."
Zino sat up slowly, testing his strength, though pain still lingered beneath his skin. "Where… where is this?" he asked, scanning the room and his caretakers.
"You're here in Rainbase," Alvida replied. Her voice carried calm reassurance, but there was an unmistakable undertone of concern.
Rainbase… the name sparked memories in Zino's mind. He recalled the crater, the swirling dust, the overwhelming wind. The last thing he remembered was standing amid the devastation he had unleashed. His brows knitted in confusion and curiosity. "So… why are you all here? I thought you were headed to Alubarna."
"You should really thank these two," Alvida said, nodding toward the dryads.
Zino turned to Chloris and Moris, his eyes widening. He studied them carefully—two seemingly ordinary dryads, yet somehow, their presence were so meaningful.
"They were worried about you," Alvida continued. "They fled from Group 2, just to follow you here. I trailed back towards Yuba, hoping to find them… only to find you, barely alive, lying in that crater."
She paused, letting the words sink in. "They healed you, Zino. They saved your life."
Zino's eyes grew even wider, a mix of awe and disbelief filling him. "They… they fled and followed me?" His voice was barely a whisper, tinged with astonishment. "And… they can heal?"
Chloris bowed her head slightly, humility in her movements, while Moris simply gave a quiet nod. Their calm expressions belied the magnitude of what they had accomplished.
"That's… amazing," Zino said finally, leaning back slightly as he processed the revelation.
"I had no idea… you two… could do something like this. You saved me. Both of you…" Zino's voice softened, tinged with genuine gratitude. "Thank you."
Tch. I thought you said you'd be safe," Alvida snorted, folding her arms. Her sharp gaze lingered on him, a mix of irritation and relief.
"The situation was unexpected," Zino admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Crocodile wasn't even the main threat. Another group ambushed me."
"Another adversary?" Alvida frowned. Her eyes narrowed. "Are they… the two people who died inside the crater?"
"Yup," Zino said tersely, his expression darkening. "People who knew about my background. But that's not important right now."
He paused, scanning the room. "Anyway… how long have I been out?"
"From the moment we moved out of Yuba, only a day has passed," Alvida answered.
"A day?"
Zino's brow furrowed in disbelief. He pushed himself upright, testing his strength. "I need to go to Alubarna. Crocodile is still out there. I can't waste any more time."
"Stop!" Chloris's hand shot out, gently but firmly pushing him back onto the cot. "Although your wounds are almost healed, you still need rest. Pushing yourself now could be fatal."
Zino exhaled sharply, tension in his shoulders loosening slightly as he nodded in reluctant agreement. "Alright… I'll rest a little."
He lay down. Then he turned to Alvida. "I'm thirsty. Help me get some water."
Alvida gave a quick nod and hurried out to fetch a container of water. But when she returned a few minutes later, she froze mid-step. Chloris and Moris both stood near the cot, faces pale and strained.
"What happened?" Alvida asked, concern tightening her tone.
"Captain… he… he flew away," Chloris stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"What?!" Alvida's eyes widened, a surge of anger and disbelief coursing through her. "Zino!!" She clenched her fists, staring at the empty space where he had just been.
High above, the wind roared past, whipping across Zino's face as he propelled himself through the sky. Every beat of his Geppo sent him higher, faster, slicing through the clouds like a streak of lightning.
"I don't have time to lie down, wasting time." Zino muttered under his breath, determination hardening his features. "I hope Crocodile hasn't started his chaotic war yet. This time… I won't let him slip away."
The wind tore at his clothes and hair, buffeting him relentlessly, but Zino leaned into it, letting the gusts guide his movement. His body throbbed faintly from his recent injuries, yet his mind was razor-sharp, focused solely on the task ahead.
"Time to pick up the pace," he murmured. Bending his legs with precision, he drove them downward with explosive force.
"Jet Geppo!"
A thunderous shockwave erupted beneath him, echoing like a cannon blast through the treetops below. The force hurled Zino forward at incredible speed, the air itself propelling him further with each burst. In an instant, Rainbase fell away beneath him, the town's sprawling rooftops and winding streets reduced to a blur of motion.
Below, Alvida, Chloris, and Moris remained rooted to the spot, eyes fixed on the vanishing figure above. The wind whipped around them, carrying with it the fading roar of Zino's departure. For a long moment, none of them spoke, the silence heavy and tense, broken only by the rustling of the trees.
"He… he's gone," Moris finally whispered, his voice barely audible, trembling with worry.
Alvida's fists clenched tightly, her jaw set. "Zino… that stubborn fool." A mix of concern and frustration flashed across her eyes. She let out a long, steadying sigh and straightened her shoulders. "Let's go! We need to catch up."
Chloris and Moris nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute. Without another word, the three of them set off, moving swiftly toward Alubarna.
...
En route to Alubarna
Vivi ran through the arid plains, her breaths ragged, chest heaving as the sun beat down mercilessly. The Orca group had stayed behind, engaging the numbered agents, leaving her to press onward alone.
Her legs ached with every step, and her throat was parched, but she refused to slow down. She knew that every second counted—the rebel army was moving fast, and she needed to reach them before they caused irreparable damage to the kingdom.
At last, she stumbled to a halt behind a low rise, panting so heavily she could barely form words. Dust clung to her sweat-soaked hair and skin. She bent over, hands on her knees, letting the cool breeze brush against her face, but only for a moment.
"I have no time to waste." she whispered to herself, voice trembling yet resolute. Her heart thumped wildly, but her resolve hardened, steeling her to continue.
Pushing herself back onto her feet, she ran again, ignoring the fatigue that threatened to drag her down. Her eyes narrowed, scanning the horizon as the distant landscape stretched ahead.
Hours—or was it minutes?—passed in a blur of running, the dry air stinging her lungs. Finally, in the distance, she saw a cluster of figures halting before her, and a spark of hope ignited within her chest.
The Rebels.
There was no mistaking them. Rows of armed men and women stood ready, their banners fluttering in the wind, their spears and rifles at the ready. Vivi's heart soared with relief and determination all at once. She had caught up. The sight seemed to replenish her energy, washing away the exhaustion she had been carrying.
With renewed vigor, she surged forward, pumping her arms and legs with every ounce of strength she had left. The arid ground blurred beneath her feet, the sun glaring down like a spotlight on her mission. Her voice rang out across the field, breaking the tense quiet.
"KOZA!!"
The rebels froze mid-step, startled by the sudden cry. Heads turned in unison, scanning the plains for the source of the shout. Vivi's voice rang clear and commanding, unwavering despite the tremble of her own fear and relief.
"KOZAA!!!"
She shouted again, this time louder, every fiber of her being pushing sound from her lungs, hoping to reach the leader. Her voice carried across the open expanse, drawing the attention of nearly every rebel present. Even those who had been moving in formation stopped and glanced toward the commotion.
At the front, Koza, who had been coordinating his troops with stern authority, paused mid-command. His brows furrowed in confusion. "Who is shouting?" he muttered, scanning the distance.
The rebels instinctively parted, giving space for their leader to see. Vivi's silhouette emerged, running unrelentingly toward them, her gown fluttering in the wind. Even the Baroque Works agents embedded among the rebel ranks hesitated, unsure how to react as the princess drew nearer.
Koza's eyes widened, recognition flashing across his face. His lips parted in astonishment.
"Princess Vivi?!" he exclaimed, turning fully back in disbelief. The rebels behind him murmured in shock, exchanging uncertain glances. Some dropped their weapons slightly, unsure whether to intervene or let the princess approach.
Vivi slowed just slightly, exhausted yet undeterred, closing the distance between herself and the rebel leader. Her eyes blazed with determination, her voice still strong and unwavering despite the grueling run. "Koza! Stop this rebellion!" she shouted, her words carrying the weight of both authority and desperation.
For a brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. The wind tugged at Vivi's hair and dress as she stepped forward, but she paid it no mind. Every step was a declaration: she would reach him, she would stop the war, and she would protect her people—no matter the cost.