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The Strongest Frost Loli (179)
🕑 Added 2025-01-15 17:00:19 +0000 UTCChapter 179 - The Fires of Rebellion
The rebel army, over a million strong, converged on Alubarna, filled with fury focused on King Cobra. The royal army, however, made no preparations for battle, instead they concentrated their efforts solely on evacuating the city’s citizens.
This wasn’t cowardice. Cobra had forbidden them to engage, unwilling to shed the blood of his own people. Some might scoff at his idealism, others might mock his naiveté. Regardless, Cobra had chosen peace, guided by his unwavering convictions. –And now, he was missing.
“Search everywhere! He must be somewhere in the palace! The rebel army will arrive soon! We have to protect the king!”
Chaka’s voice echoed through the palace corridors. Cobra, who had been seen only moments ago, had vanished without a trace. The guards, initially unconcerned, had grown increasingly anxious and reported his absence to Chaka and Pell. They now frantically searched the palace.
Pell, who has the power of the Tori Tori no Mi, a falcon Zoan, circled overhead, but yielded no results.
“Where could he have gone…?”
Chaka held his head and cried out in despair.
***
“I apologize for asking such a reckless favor.”
“Think nothing of it. I’m accustomed to reckless requests.”
Cobra and Junshi stood in the desert just beyond Alubarna’s southern gate. For Junshi, a master of infiltration and disguise, smuggling Cobra out of the palace in broad daylight had been a trivial task. Cobra, who had donned a green headscarf as a precaution, now folded it and tucked it into his pocket. It had been unnecessary.
“Will the rebel army approach from this direction?” Cobra asked.
“They should. My Observation Haki’s range isn’t that extensive, but I’ll have ample time to redirect them if necessary.”
Time remained before the rebel army arrived. While Cobra’s request to “sneak out of the castle” had initially baffled him, fulfilling his charge’s wishes, within reason, was part of his duty. He could handle Crocodile, and even the rebel army, if it came to that. He could easily escape with Cobra, even if outnumbered. However…
“Was this necessary? Alubarna is easily defensible. Holding the palace wouldn’t be difficult.”
“That’s not the point. Both the rebel army and the royal army are my people. I can’t allow them to harm each other.”
“Hmm… A noble sentiment.”
“I’m aware. But a kingdom is its people. Even if I fall, if my people survive, Alabasta can be rebuilt.”
He was willing to sacrifice himself to stop the rebellion.
Junshi, recognizing Cobra’s unwavering resolve, smiled faintly. “My duty is to protect your life, you know.”
“Then protect it you must. But don’t worry, I don’t intend to throw my life away so easily.”
“Good.”
His Observation Haki sensed the commotion in the palace. Leaving a note would have prevented this, but it would have also revealed his location. While Junshi’s presence would prevent any forceful attempts to retrieve him, the royal army, stationed outside the palace, would inevitably clash with the rebel army.
The citizens had already evacuated. The only ones remaining outside Alubarna were likely rebel reinforcements, or Baroque Works agents. Though, they seemed unaware of Cobra’s absence.
“They’re almost here. Heading straight for us.”
They waited. The approaching rebel army, a massive force over a million strong, gradually came into view, a cloud of dust was rising on the horizon.
The ground trembled beneath their feet. Each soldier, driven by the desire to save Alabasta, marched towards Alubarna, ready to reclaim the rain stolen from them.
They wouldn’t expect Cobra to be here. He had to make them understand. A giant would have been useful, Junshi thought. He intimidated the rebels not with Haki but with killing intent. The horses beneath them whinnied nervously and slowed.
“What’s happening?! Why are we stopping?!”
“I don’t know! What kind of trouble is this, right before we reach Alubarna?!”
Koza gritted his teeth, ready to abandon their mounts and charge the city on foot if necessary. Then, a voice, loud enough to be heard over the rumbling of the approaching army, echoed through the air.
“Stop, rebel army!”
The horses, already skittish, had slowed to a halt. The rebels’ attention focused on Alubarna, turned towards the source of the voice. There he stood. Cobra, arms crossed, his expression calm, unafraid of the approaching horde.
“Impossible… Cobra?!”
“Why is King Cobra here?!”
The rebels stopped, their confusion evident.
“Why are you here, Cobra?!” Koza demanded.
“Would remaining silent in the palace solve anything, Koza? Of course not.”
Koza, who had led the rebellion to overthrow Cobra and reclaim the stolen rain, was stunned. Cobra stood before them, accompanied by a single, unknown old man, seemingly unafraid of their million-strong army.
“We’re going to save Alabasta! We won’t let you destroy it!”
“Save it? How? Using Dance Powder will only lead to war with other countries. There will be no denying Alabasta’s responsibility.”
Rain was a natural phenomenon. Artificially inducing it with Dance Powder would only create further problems. Using a banned substance would have serious repercussions. There would be no excuses.
“And even if I fall, there’s no guarantee it will rain.”
“Silence! We saw you and the royal army attack Nanohana! Don’t think you can deny it!”
“That… wasn’t me.”
“What…?” Koza stared at him, dumbfounded.
“I haven’t left Alubarna since yesterday.”
“Don’t lie! There were countless witnesses! You can’t deny it!”
“Calm yourself, young man.”
Junshi, who had remained silent, spoke.
Koza, turning his attention to Junshi for the first time, felt a chill run down his spine. The old man’s physique, glimpsed beneath his clothes, and his piercing gaze, were unsettling. While Koza wasn't a skilled fighter, he instinctively sensed danger.
“…Who are you?”
“Me? I’m a member of Twilight. I’m currently acting as King Cobra’s bodyguard.”
“Twilight…? What business does a pirate crew have in this country?”
“What business, you ask? We’re here to capture the one who stole your rain.”
“What?!”
Cobra wasn't responsible? The rebels murmured amongst themselves, their confusion growing.
Koza turned back to Junshi.
“You know who stole the rain?”
“Of course.”
“Who?! Who stole our rain?!”
“Crocodile.”
The name sent a wave of shock through the rebel army. Crocodile, the hero of Alabasta, trusted even within the rebel ranks. He had protected them from pirates, his presence was a deterrent against outside threats. He was more popular than Cobra. And he was the enemy?
“…Vivi told me the same thing. But it’s hard to trust her, given the circumstances.”
“I understand your hesitation.”
“I saw Cobra attack Nanohana with my own eyes. And you’re still claiming Crocodile is the enemy?”
“Yes. I swear on Twilight’s name, it’s the truth.”
Twilight, a powerful organization with influence rivaling nations whose presence was felt even at the Reverie, wouldn't make such a declaration lightly. The Twilight emblem, emblazoned on Junshi’s back, left no room for doubt.
“Our hero…”
“Crocodile… is the enemy…?”
Many stared in disbelief. Some had likely been saved by him. Few had witnessed the conversation between Koza and Vivi. The truth, revealed so suddenly, left them stunned. Crocodile, who had protected them from pirates, had been deceiving them all along.
“Stand down, rebel army. If you fight the royal army, the only one who benefits is Crocodile.”
“…You’re right… I still have doubts, but…”
While Crocodile’s reputation in Alabasta was considerable, Twilight’s was greater. They were known for their fair dealings and their control over sea trade. They had earned the kingdom’s trust, providing aid during the drought. If forced to choose, the rebels would side with Twilight.
“Is there anything we can do?” Koza asked.
“His subordinates are troublesome. It’s best you don’t get involved.”
“But this is our country. If there’s anything we can do–”
A gunshot echoed through the air. If Cobra had been the target, Junshi would have reacted. He instinctively moved to protect him, but the bullet wasn't aimed at Cobra.
“Koza!”
Koza fell from his horse, clutching his side. He had been grazed, not fatally wounded. He looked towards the source of the gunshot. –It was Cobra. While his attire was slightly different from the Cobra standing beside Junshi, Koza recognized his face.
“Two Cobras?!”
“The Mane Mane no Mi user. That saves us the trouble of searching,”
Junshi muttered, aiming a flicking finger pistol at the retreating Cobra. However, a Baroque Works agent, disguised as a royal soldier, intercepted the attack, shielding Cobra as he fled towards the palace. While Junshi could pursue him, he couldn’t leave Cobra unprotected, surrounded by a potentially volatile rebel army. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, considering his options, when the rebel army surged forward.
“That’s the real King Cobra! He was trying to trick us!”
Crocodile’s agents, planted within the rebel army, began inciting the crowd. Most of the rebels had taken up arms due to the attack on Nanohana. They were easily swayed, their anger reignited. Moreover, Koza, their leader, had been shot. Their outrage grew, spreading rapidly through the ranks.
“Overthrow the real King Cobra! We’ll save Alabasta!” Someone yelled. The rebel army charged towards Alubarna.
“This is… problematic.”
“I’m sorry. If I had handled things better…” Cobra muttered.
“It’s not your fault. Crocodile is cunning. This kind of deception is his specialty.”
If Lycoris had eliminated him in Rainbase, things would have been simpler. Junshi sighed. He would have to reprimand her later. But he had more pressing matters to attend to.
“We can’t stay here. We have to return to the palace.”
“Why?”
“At least it will prevent him from manipulating the royal army.” With Crocodile impersonating Cobra, the royal army would likely believe him. But Junshi would be there. He would eliminate any imposter who dared to show their face.
He hoisted Cobra into his arms and, using Geppo, began scaling the cliff towards the palace.
***
–Around that time. As the rebel army clashed with the royal army outside Alubarna, another battle was unfolding elsewhere.
The Straw Hats, having travelled with the Super Spot-Billed Duck Squad and benefiting from Cobra’s diversionary tactic, had reached the outskirts of Alubarna just as the fighting began. They now faced the waiting Baroque Works agents.
