Chapter 46 – Ending the War
Everyone in Alabasta heard the deafening roar and instinctively looked up.
High above, a colossal shockwave swept across the sky, scattering the dark clouds and unveiling brilliant sunlight.
Bathed in that light, a figure with enormous Black Wings stood in the heavens like a god.
"It's over—really over!"
Tears shimmered in Vivi's eyes.
Gazing at the bright sky, her beautiful eyes sparkled; the heavy stone in her heart had finally lifted.
On the palace roof, the Straw Hats saw it too. They were happy for Vivi, yet clouds of worry still shadowed them.
Because their Captain still hadn't returned!
Had everything Crocodile said been true—was he really dead?
"Roar! Crocodile!"
A tremendous shout suddenly echoed from afar. Hearing that familiar voice, the Straw Hats finally breathed again.
There was Luffy, being flown in by Pell in his falcon form.
After losing to Crocodile, Robin had rescued him; once he'd eaten his fill, he and Pell rushed over.
He'd even strapped a bucket of water to his back—his special counter for Crocodile.
"Luffy!"
Vivi heard the cry above. Seeing Luffy lively and unharmed, her heart settled and a delighted smile bloomed.
If any of these friends had died helping her, she would have felt guilty forever.
"Hey, Luffy!"
Zoro waved, signaling him to come over.
The rest of the Straw Hats cheered in joy.
Spotting his crew, Luffy leapt straight off Pell's back and came crashing toward them.
The delighted crew yelped and scattered—only Zoro, a split-second too slow, was squashed flat beneath him.
"Ah! Doesn't hurt at all—fantastic!"
Safely landed, Luffy sat laughing on the ground.
"I… I'm going to kill you!"
A voice dripping with resentment rose from beneath Luffy.
"Huh? Zoro, what're you doing down there? Taking a nap?"
Hearing the voice, Luffy stood and saw the battered Zoro under him.
"You did this, idiot!"
The other Straw Hats ground their teeth in unison.
"Ah-hahaha!"
Realizing what had happened, Luffy laughed in awkward glee.
"Right!"
Remembering something, Luffy's expression turned serious.
"Where's Crocodile? That bastard—I'm gonna knock him flying!"
He cracked his knuckles, fury blazing in his eyes.
"Too late, Luffy!"
Nami rolled her eyes and pointed at Crocodile's lifeless body.
"He's dead. Dante Voss killed him."
Luffy stared at his fallen foe, stunned, then grumbled, "C'mon, he was my opponent!"
"You've got some nerve!" Nami snapped, punching his head.
"You said you'd stop him—yet he nearly wiped us out! Lucky Dante Voss was here."
Rubbing the lump on his head, Luffy lifted a weary arm. "Sorry!"
Sanji exhaled smoke. "We really owe Dante Voss this time. We couldn't have handled a Shichibukai alone."
Zoro's gaze was grave. "Yeah. Logia users are untouchable—no way to hurt them."
Whoosh!
A gust swept from the sky. Everyone looked up—and froze.
Dante Voss was flying down, a pair of Black Wings sprouted from his back.
Whoa!
Stars shone in Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper's eyes as they gazed at him in awe.
"I wanna fly too!"
Excited, Luffy grabbed the railing and, using his Gum-Gum elasticity, launched himself skyward.
Dante Voss glanced at him; Devil Power burst forth, forming a huge black hand that caught the bouncing Luffy.
"Huh? What's this? Awesome Ability!"
Luffy stared at the energy hand in wonder, ever more curious about Dante Voss's power.
With Luffy in tow, Dante Voss flapped his wings and glided down toward the palace.
The moment he landed, the Devil Power vanished and Luffy plopped onto the ground.
The Straw Hats stared in shock, curiosity about Dante Voss's abilities growing by the second.
"Dante Voss, what Devil Fruit are you? How can you have so many powers?"
Nami's eyes sparkled with envy—especially of flight; she wanted it more than anything.
If she could fly, she could escape any foe and never fear capture again.
Everyone fixed their eyes on Dante Voss, longing to know more.
Whether his mysterious spatial skills, food-creating Ability, or this casual black power—each drew their envy.
"Are you really a Devil Fruit user?" Sanji asked, exhaling smoke. "If so, how can you swim?"
The Straw Hats froze.
Right!
Before meeting them, Dante Voss had drifted on the sea for days.
Devil Fruit users are weak in water—Luffy and Chopper sure are—so why isn't Dante Voss?
"Yeah, water scares me!"
Luffy looked puzzled; after eating the Gum-Gum Fruit, seawater saps his strength.
Yet Dante Voss shows no weakness at all.
Meeting their questioning gazes, Dante Voss shook his head. "I'm not a Devil Fruit user."
He raised a hand; thick Devil Power pooled into a black sphere.
"These abilities are mine by nature, not granted by any fruit."
It was the only explanation he could give—he'd never reveal his ultimate trump card, not even to the Straw Hats.
"Then… are you even human?"
Chopper blurted; he'd read of many races populating the world.
Sanji's eyes narrowed. As Vinsmoke's third son, he'd heard tales of mighty bloodlines—perhaps Dante Voss descended from one of them.
Dante Voss's lips curled in a faint smile.
He wasn't of this world; his body had crossed over from another life, different from anyone here.
"Maybe."
Curiosity sated, the crew slowly accepted his powers—and the world felt even more wondrous.
"Thank you all for saving the kingdom of Alabasta. On behalf of every citizen, I offer our deepest gratitude."
Cobra arrived with Chaka and Pell and bowed deeply to Dante Voss and the others.
He knew Ending the War and restoring peace was owed chiefly to them.
Without Dante Voss slaying Crocodile, none of this would have been possible.
He silently rejoiced that Vivi had brought them here—otherwise the palace, perhaps the whole kingdom, would have fallen.
The royal family could perish, but if that pirate had ruled Alabasta… he dared not imagine the horrors.