Ace's figure slowly disappeared into the distance.
For a few moments—
No one spoke.
Kael and the crew stood there quietly, the echoes of laughter from earlier still lingering faintly in the air.
Then Kael exhaled softly and turned back toward the others.
"Let's go, shall we?"
The women looked at him, then smiled.
"Yes."
Kael gave a small nod, satisfied.
"Good."
He turned, stepping forward without hesitation.
"To Yuba."
By now, everything had already been discussed.
The truth about Dance Powder.
How it was being used to manipulate the climate.
How Crocodile was framing King Cobra.
Twisting the situation to make the people of Alabasta lose faith in their own ruler—
All to eventually overthrow the kingdom.
They all understood the stakes.
And more importantly—
They had already decided on their next move.
The rebel army.
Their main base was in the city of Yuba.
If things continued unchecked, the conflict between the royal army and the rebels would only escalate further… eventually turning into a full-scale civil war.
That—
Had to be stopped.
And so—
Yuba became their destination.
Knowing all of this, the girls didn't question Kael.
There was no hesitation.
No doubt.
They simply nodded and stepped forward, following him.
Vivi walked alongside them, but her expression was different.
Her hands were clenched tightly.
Her thoughts… restless.
Nami noticed immediately.
Without a word, she placed a hand gently on Vivi's shoulder.
"Don't worry."
Her voice was calm.
Steady.
"Just believe in us."
A small smile formed on her lips.
"Everything's going to be alright."
Vivi paused.
The tension in her shoulders eased slightly.
She looked at Nami—
Then at the others.
And slowly—
She nodded.
"…Mmhm."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
And just like that—
Together—
They began their journey toward Yuba.
The scene shifted.
Inside the royal palace—
Silence reigned.
A heavy, suffocating silence.
Crocodile stood at the center of the hall, an arrogant smirk resting on his face as his gaze swept across the surroundings.
Royal guards lay scattered across the floor.
Broken.
Bleeding.
Some still barely conscious, struggling to breathe.
Bruises, blood, and shattered armor painted the aftermath of a one-sided battle.
Behind him, Robin stood quietly.
Her expression was calm—
But her eyes were serious.
There was a faint displeasure hidden beneath her composure.
Still, she masked it perfectly.
Meanwhile—
Nearby—
Mr. 1 finished off the last remaining guard.
The man collapsed.
Mr. 1 exhaled sharply, clearly unimpressed.
"Hmph."
"Weak."
"Pathetically so."
Crocodile let out a low, amused laugh.
"Ha… Ha… Ha…"
"What did you expect…"
"…from a bunch of trash?"
A groan echoed from the floor.
Bloodied and barely conscious—
Cobra glared up at him.
"Croco…dile…"
"You bastard…!!"
"We treated you—"
Before he could finish—
BAM!
Crocodile's kick slammed into his face.
Cobra was sent sliding across the floor, coughing violently.
Crocodile walked toward him slowly.
Unhurried.
Dominating.
He crouched down in front of him, grabbing his chin and forcing his face upward.
"Still trying to act royal?"
His voice dropped.
Cold.
"Don't forget your place."
"You're only alive…"
"…because I chose to show mercy."
Cobra's eyes burned with rage.
"…Mercy?"
"You want me to take you to the Poneglyph…"
"That's why I'm still alive…!"
Crocodile stood up again, laughing.
"Ha… Ha… Ha…"
"How perceptive."
Then his expression turned serious.
He turned toward Robin.
"What's the status of our guests?"
Robin understood instantly.
"The Sylvarion Pirates have entered Alabasta."
"They should be heading toward Yuba by now."
She paused.
"The princess is still with them."
Crocodile's grin widened.
"So… you're here, Kael Sylvarion."
His eyes gleamed.
"Good."
"Very good."
On the ground—
Cobra flinched slightly.
Kael…
That's the young man Vivi mentioned…
Earlier—
Vivi had sent a letter through Karoo.
A desperate message.
In it, she explained everything—
The truth behind Alabasta's suffering.
Crocodile's deception.
How the man hailed as a hero was actually the one pulling the strings from the shadows.
Framing the king.
Manipulating the weather using Dance Powder.
She also wrote about her new allies.
Strong allies.
Friends who had chosen to stand with her.
She asked him not to worry.
To stay safe.
To wait.
But what stood out the most—
Was one name.
Kael Sylvarion.
Cobra remembered the letter clearly.
The way Vivi wrote about him—
Repeatedly calling him Kael-san.
Praising his strength.
His character.
His presence.
Everything.
Cobra had frowned when he first read it.
As a father—
He knew his daughter well.
And this…
This was not how she spoke about someone she had just met.
Did that young man… do something to her?
Some kind of trick?
He didn't have time to dwell on it.
War was approaching.
The rebel army.
Baroque Works.
Everything was spiraling out of control.
He had immediately begun preparations—
But it didn't matter.
Because before anything could be done—
Crocodile arrived.
With his top agents.
And crushed everything.
Back in the present—
Cobra gritted his teeth, glaring at Crocodile.
"So… you even know about Vivi's allies…"
Crocodile ignored him.
Instead, he turned toward Mr. 1.
"Go."
"Welcome our guests."
A faint smirk formed.
"Make sure they're… treated properly."
Mr. 1 frowned slightly.
"Is that really necessary?"
"Wouldn't the rebel army be enough to deal with them?"
Crocodile chuckled.
"That would be disappointing."
He turned his gaze toward Robin.
"What do you think, Miss All Sunday?"
Robin maintained her composure.
"I wouldn't be so sure."
Miss Doublefinger, standing nearby, laughed mockingly.
"Fufufufu… Miss All Sunday seems quite confident in these intruders."
Robin simply smiled faintly.
"It's better not to underestimate your opponents."
Mr. 4 spoke up from the side.
"But are they really worth our time?"
Miss Merry Christmas followed with a sneer.
"Exactly."
"Let that Kael or whatever come…"
"I'll kill him myself."
She licked her lips.
Robin sighed lightly.
"…Don't say I didn't warn you."
Miss Merry Christmas frowned.
"What are you—"
"SILENCE."
Crocodile's voice cut through the room.
Instant.
Absolute.
Everyone fell quiet.
He continued calmly.
"She's right."
"Don't take them lightly."
"Even if they're just a bunch of fools…"
"…they still dealt with Mr. 2."
The agents paused.
That was true.
Earlier, they had tried contacting Mr. 2.
No response.
Later, they learned he had gone toward Whiskey Peak.
After that—
Nothing.
Crocodile had already drawn his conclusion.
He must have encountered them.
And lost.
Whether defeated or killed—
It didn't matter.
The result was the same.
Crocodile looked back at Mr. 1.
"Go now."
"Bring the princess…"
"…and that Kael back alive."
Mr. 1 nodded.
"What about the others?"
They all knew—
Kael's crew consisted of three women.
And the princess.
None of them considered them a threat.
Crocodile grinned.
"Kill them."
Mr. 1 nodded once more.
Without another word, he turned.
Miss Doublefinger, Miss Merry Christmas, and Mr. 4 followed.
Together—
They left.
Heading toward Yuba.
On the ground—
Cobra struggled, breathing heavily.
"You bastard…"
"What are you planning to do with my daughter…?"
Crocodile looked down at him, smiling faintly.
"You'll see soon enough."
"She dared to go against me."
"There are consequences for that."
Cobra's eyes burned with fury.
"YOU—!!"
Before he could continue—
BAM!
A punch slammed into him.
He was sent flying again, coughing blood.
Crocodile wiped his hand casually.
Then turned to Robin.
"Take him."
"We're going."
Robin blinked slightly.
"You mean…?"
Crocodile smirked.
"Yes."
"Let's see…"
"…what the Poneglyph has to say about Pluton."
A flicker of excitement passed through Robin's eyes.
"…Finally."
"The Poneglyph."
She stepped forward.
Using her Devil Fruit ability, she lifted Cobra, forcing him to stand and walk.
Crocodile turned and began moving ahead.
Robin followed.
But for a brief moment—
She paused.
Leaning slightly closer to Cobra, she spoke in a low voice.
"Don't worry."
"Your daughter…"
"…is safe with him."
Cobra's eyes widened.
"You… you mean…?"
"…why would you…?"
Robin only smiled.
Then stepped away.
Following Crocodile once more.
A second later—
Cobra was forced to follow as well.
Confused.
In pain.
Afraid.
But deep within—
A fragile hope began to rise.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
That woman is right.
And Vivi… is truly safe with that young man.
The desert winds howled softly as the crew finally reached Yuba.
But what greeted them—
Was far worse than anything they had imagined.
A battlefield.
A massive one.
Hordes of soldiers stood facing each other, clashing violently without restraint.
Steel met steel.
Blood stained the sand.
Screams echoed in every direction.
Pain.
Rage.
Desperation.
The Rebel Army and the Royal Army—
Colliding in full force.
At the forefront stood Chaka, leading the royal forces with unwavering resolve, while across him, Koza commanded the rebels with equal determination.
For a moment—
Everything froze.
Nami, Tashigi, and Kaya stood still, unable to process the sheer scale of chaos before them.
Vivi…
Vivi trembled.
Her hands slowly rose to cover her mouth, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"No…"
"…NO!!"
"STOP FIGHTING!!"
"PLEASE DON'T HURT EACH OTHER!!"
Her voice cracked as she screamed.
But no one heard her.
Or rather—
No one could hear her.
The battlefield had its own voice.
And it drowned everything else.
Kael stood silently.
Watching.
Observing.
The sight itself wasn't surprising.
(A war between the Rebel Army—three hundred thousand strong…)
(…and the Royal Army—six hundred thousand.)
He already knew this would happen.
And yet—
He frowned.
(The rebel army hasn't shifted their base yet…)
(That's good.)
(If they had reached Alubarna…)
(Their numbers would've grown to over two million.)
His gaze sharpened.
(But why is the royal army here…?)
He paused.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
"…Wait."
He turned toward Vivi.
"Princess…"
"Don't tell me you mentioned the rebel army in your letter to your father."
Vivi froze.
Her expression crumbled.
"I…"
"…I did tell him."
Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I told you not to."
"Then why?"
"I-I'm sorry!" she said quickly, panicking. "I thought it would be better if Father was prepared for them—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes widened in realization.
"…Wait…"
"…Is it because…?"
Kael nodded.
"Yeah."
"Your father sent the royal army to intercept the rebels."
"And that led to this."
The battlefield.
The blood.
The screams.
All of it—
Because of that one decision.
Vivi's tears finally spilled over.
"So…"
"I'm the reason…"
"…for all of this…"
Her voice broke completely.
"I shouldn't have—"
"No."
Kael cut her off firmly.
"There's no point dwelling on that now."
For the first time in a long while—
He reached for his sword.
The blade slid out smoothly.
A quiet, sharp sound.
The women blinked in confusion.
What is he…?
Without another word—
Kael stepped forward.
Toward the battlefield.
Vivi immediately grabbed his sleeve.
"Kael-san…"
Her voice trembled.
"Please… don't hurt anyone…"
"Not the rebels either…"
"They're not bad people… they're just… misunderstood…"
"They just want what's best for Alabasta…"
Kael stopped.
Then gently placed a hand on her head.
"Do you really think I'd hurt innocent people?"
Vivi paused.
Her tears slowly stopped.
Kael smirked faintly.
"Don't worry, Princess."
"I just want to try something."
"It won't harm them."
He looked at her directly.
"Trust me. Okay?"
Vivi wiped her tears.
Then nodded.
"I trust you."
Behind them—
Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi exchanged glances.
Then smiled.
Nodding in agreement.
Kael grinned.
"Good."
And then—
He jumped.
A powerful leap.
Soaring high over the battlefield.
His sudden appearance caught attention instantly.
"Hey! Look!"
"Who's that?!"
"Damn it! Is he from the enemy side?!"
"What are you idiots worrying about?!"
"Just because he can jump high doesn't mean he's strong!"
"Yeah! Let's kill him!!"
Weapons turned toward him.
Hostility rising.
Kael landed gracefully on an elevated section of broken terrain.
Above both armies.
Perfectly visible.
He stood there calmly.
A faint smile on his face.
"Excellent…"
"Everyone's paying attention."
The soldiers frowned.
"Who the hell is that?"
"Hey! You!! Who are you?!"
"Are you with the royal army?!"
"What? Royal army? I thought he was with the rebels!"
The confusion spread rapidly.
Kael raised a hand casually.
"I'm neither."
Silence flickered.
"…What?"
"Then who the hell are you?!"
"Kid, get out of here!"
"This isn't a playground!"
"Leave before we lose patience!!"
Meanwhile—
From both sides—
The leaders stepped forward.
Chaka from the royal army.
Koza from the rebels.
Chaka's voice was firm.
"Listen, young man."
"You're not from Alabasta, are you?"
"State your purpose for interfering…"
"…or don't blame us for what happens next."
Behind them—
Vivi's eyes widened.
"Chaka…!"
"And…"
"…Koza?!"
Nami glanced at her.
"What? You know them?"
Vivi nodded nervously.
"T-They…"
Back at the center—
Kael's smile slowly faded.
His expression turned serious.
"State my purpose?"
He lifted his sword—
Pointing it toward the battlefield.
"Alright."
His voice was calm.
Steady.
"I'm here…"
"…to stop this battle."
Silence.
Complete silence.
For a brief moment—
Even the chaos seemed to halt.
Then—
Confusion.
Disbelief.
"What…?"
"Did he just say—"
"Stop the battle?"
Seeing no response—
Kael's smile returned.
"Alright then…"
He raised two fingers in the air.
Clear.
Confident.
Behind him—
The girls reacted instantly.
Nami groaned.
"Oh no…"
"Here we go again."
Kaya chuckled softly.
"I think it's cool."
Tashigi nodded seriously.
"…It is."
Nami crossed her arms, turning away.
"Not every time!"
Kaya smirked.
"So you do think he looks cool."
Nami flushed.
"Shut up!!"
Even Vivi let out a small sigh, a faint smile breaking through her worry.
Back at the battlefield—
Kael grinned widely.
"So, gentlemen…"
His eyes gleamed.
"You have two options now."