Alubarna Palace.
Koza couldn't calm down after reading Vivi's letter. He had no doubts about its authenticity.
Like his father, he had always trusted the king and couldn't believe he'd commit such acts. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sought out the king before the battle between the armies.
After a moment's silence, Koza spoke urgently to Cobra: "I'll inform the rebels right away and tell them this battle is pointless!"
With that, Koza prepared to leave and relay the message to the rebels.
At that moment, thunderous shouts and the distant clash of weapons echoed from outside the palace.
"What's happening…?" Koza and Cobra exchanged horrified glances.
"Yes, it's the clash between the king's army and the rebel forces!" came a chilling male voice.
They turned to see Crocodile and Robin approaching. Crocodile wore his trademark sinister smirk.
"Crocodile!" they both exclaimed in shock.
"Protect the king!" ordered Guard Chaka.
The surrounding soldiers stepped forward to block Crocodile's path.
Another officer, Pell, demanded, "How did you get in? Where are the soldiers outside?"
"Oh, those?" Crocodile grinned. "All taken care of."
"What!!!"
The revelation shocked everyone. They stared at Crocodile with fury.
"Hey, hey, don't look at me like that! No need to feel sorry for them. You'll be in the same predicament soon enough!"
"Damn you!" Pell roared with anger and transformed into his falcon form, diving at Crocodile.
"Why rush to your death?" Crocodile said calmly, then waved his arm.
"Arc-shaped Sand Dune!"
"Pfft!"
Pell was hurled back by the sand blade, his body withering in the air. By the time he hit the ground, he was back in human form.
"Pell!" Cobra shouted in anguish.
"Bastard, how dare you hurt Pell!"Chaka was enraged, his form expanding into a jackal.
However, Cobra stopped him. "Hold back, Chaka. You're no match for him!"
"Hahaha..."
"Kings are kings. Unlike these brainless fools, I know you and I aren't on the same level. Charging forward now will only lead to your death!"
"You..." Chaka's fury was palpable, but he restrained himself. The strength gap was too great. Charging in now would be suicide. With the king still present, he couldn't risk it.
Pell had fallen, and if Chaka fell too, there would be no one left to protect the king.
At that moment, Cobra glared at Crocodile. "Crocodile, are you behind all the kingdom's troubles?"
"Are you referring to the dancing powder incident? The conflict between the king's army and the rebels? Or the frequent sandstorms?"
"If that's what you're asking, then yes, it's all my doing!"
"Even the sandstorms in Yuba. One storm can fill the pit your father dug over several months. Quite interesting, isn't it?"
"Hahaha..."
Cobra was stunned, his anger directed at Crocodile. "So you're behind everything! I'll tell the rebels it's all part of your scheme, and your plan won't succeed!"
"You think because I've revealed this, I'll let you go? You all die here! And the king will meet his end elsewhere."
"For instance, where the Poneglyph is located!"
Cobra's eyes widened in disbelief. "How do you know this?"
"Don't worry about how I know. Just remember the history…"
"Crocodile!!!"
Crocodile was cut off by a roar, his face showing shock.
"That voice…"
Crocodile turned quickly, only to be struck by a powerful punch before he could react.
With a "whoosh," Crocodile was sent flying backwards, crashing through the wall and landing on the platform outside the palace.
Luffy didn't pause, charging towards where Crocodile fell, followed by Zoro and Sanji.
Vivi, tears streaming down her face, looked at Cobra. "Father, I'm back!"
"Vivi!"
———
Outside the palace, Luffy and the others saw Crocodile rising, his head covered. He glared at them, his mood dark.
"Straw Hat, you've thwarted my plans time and again. I'll kill you all today!"
"Try it if you can!" Luffy declared, fists clenched.
Zoro adjusted his headband and Sanji lit a cigarette.
The next moment, the three charged at Crocodile in perfect unison.
Crocodile showed no fear, summoning a sand wall to block their attacks.
The sand wall thwarted all their strikes.
Then, a golden hook shot out from the desert at blinding speed, knocking them aside.
"Desert Diamond Sword!"
Before they could land, several sand blades rushed at them.
Desperate, the trio kicked off each other to avoid the blades.
Landing, they immediately charged at Crocodile again.
Vivi and the others arrived just then. Cobra watched the battle, exclaiming, "What a fierce fight!"
Half the palace was in ruins from the clash.
Suddenly, Luffy landed a punch on Crocodile, sending him flying and causing him to spit blood.
Seeing this, Zoro and Sanji leaped in, their weapons and legs drenched and ready to strike.
"Ghost Slash!"
"First Meat Kick!"
Their attacks hit Crocodile simultaneously, forcing him to spit out more blood.
But Crocodile was no pushover. Sand spikes erupted beneath Zoro and Sanji.
"Tear!"
The sound of tearing flesh was heard as severe wounds appeared on their abdomens.
"Ahem!"
After the assault, the four collapsed, breathing heavily.
They struggled to their feet, spitting blood in unison.
"So, Crocodile, are we on the same level now?" Luffy grinned.
"Damn it!" Crocodile's eyes were grim. He hadn't anticipated being pushed this far by these three.
But then a thought struck him, and a sinister smile crossed his face.
"Keep entertaining me. Just a reminder: in less than ten minutes, a cannonball will be fired into the center of the square!"
"The explosion's power will cover a radius of five thousand meters. Imagine the square packed with royal troops and rebels."
"When the bomb goes off, everyone will perish. No one will be left!"
"What??" Cobra and the others looked horrified.
Vivi shouted at Crocodile, "Where did you hide the shells?"
"Do you think I'd tell you? Hahaha…"
Before Crocodile could finish laughing, a sudden flash lit the sky, followed by a deafening explosion and shockwave.
Crocodile: ???
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Power Stones would be appreciated if you liked the story.