The Hero in the Desert

Alabasta's national radio broadcast has not been shut down.

Cobra stood in front of the microphone, looking at the Sky Screen that had lit up again.

The communications officer asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, shall we continue the connection?"

Cobra said, "Continue."

When Vivi returned to the Royal Palace from the old waterway, sand still clung to the hem of her dress.

Sabo followed behind her.

When the dragon saw her enter, he said, "This time, you'd better listen for yourself."

Vivi nodded.

"I'll listen."

The question on the Sky Screen is entering its countdown.

Answers from all over the world quickly flooded in.

[Correct answer: D, all of the above]

[Institutional Analysis Begins]

The scene first shows a conference room.

New World nautical chart was laid out on the conference table, with several sea areas marked by red circles.

The younger Sengoku stood on the empty side, next to World Government officials.

The official said, "The Navy cannot simultaneously suppress the Four Emperors, the Revolutionary Army, and the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line."

Sengoku said, "Therefore, you must recognize the pirates' legitimate right to plunder."

The official said, "Only seven will be admitted."

Kong said, "Seven is the same."

The official said, "If we don't use naval funds, we can keep the pirates fighting amongst themselves, Affiliated Nation will accept that."

In the video, another official is seen handing over a document.

[Draft of the Shichibukai]

[Privileges: Bounties frozen, legal privateering, access to certain World Government channels]

[Duties: Respond to the call to arms, hand over the spoils, and assist in suppressing pirates]

Garp scoffed in the Marine Headquarters plaza.

"To assist in suppressing the pirates."

He said, "That's how it's written in the document."

Akainu said, "The words 'legal privateering' should be torn up."

Looking at the Sky Screen, Sengoku did not defend the past.

The Sky Screen backdrop transitions.

Desert Kingdom.

Crocodile, wearing an overcoat, stood on the streets of Alabasta, receiving cheers from the common people.

Some people call him a hero.

Someone lifted the child up, wanting the child to see clearly the Shichibukai who drove away the pirates.

As Vivi watched the cheers on the screen, she slowly gripped the hem of her skirt.

Luffy stood up in the hut in Sabaody.

That guy is no hero.

Nami said, "He lied to everyone back then."

Robin looked at Crocodile on the screen.

"Including me."

Sanji looked at her.

Robin said, "I was also at Baroque Works back then."

Luffy said, "That's different."

Robin looked at him.

Luffy said, "You're our partner now."

Robin lowered his head and gave a soft "hmm".

Text appeared in the Sky Screen.

[Typical Case 1: Alabasta's Attempted Seizure of State]

[The Shichibukai involved: Crocodile]

[Systemic loopholes: Long-term infiltration under the guise of legitimate identities, which the Navy and World Government failed to investigate in a timely manner]

The video begins to play.

Crocodile founded the Baroque Works.

The codenamed members dispersed and entered Alabasta.

Someone instigated the Rebel Army.

Someone is spreading rumors about Dance Powder.

Someone intercepted the rain information.

Someone impersonated the King's army and attacked civilians.

Cobra heard the cries on the screen and closed his eyes.

Vivi said, "Father."

"I see," Cobra said.

In the scene, young Vivi has cut her hair short and changed into Baroque Works clothing.

Igaram stood in front of her.

"Princess, it's not too late to regret it now."

Young Vivi said, "If I don't go in, no one will know who's pushing this country forward."

As people across Alabasta witnessed this scene, their voices gradually fell silent.

The former Rebel Army also looked up at the sky.

Koza stood in the crowd, his face pale.

"Vivi."

The video continued playing on the Sky Screen.

Casino in the Rainbase.

Crocodile sat in the basement, a cigar between his fingers.

"This country needs a hero, and it also needs a sinner."

Robin stood behind him.

Crocodile said, "When everyone hates the king, I will become the new king."

The scene shifts to the eve of the war.

The Rebel Army and the royal army faced off in the dust storm.

Vivi stood on the clock tower, desperately shouting for them to stop.

Her voice was drowned out by the sound of artillery fire.

In the Sabaody Cottage, Nami looked at Vivi from back then, her eyes reddening.

How old was she back then?

Usopp said, "Even smaller than now."

Luffy looked at the screen.

"She's very strong."

Zoro said, "Hmm."

The image on the Sky Screen shifts again.

Luffy was defeated by Crocodile and fell to the ground for the first time.

He was pierced by the hook a second time.

The third time, he used blood to beat his sand-like body.

Crocodile was blasted through the earth and sent flying into the air.

As the Alabasta people watched the scene, some began chanting the name of the Straw Hat.

The Sky Screen, however, did not remain fixed on victory.

The scene shifts back to the post-war period.

World Government officials sit in their offices.

A report lay on the table.

[Draft of External Notification Regarding the Alabasta Incident]

[Recommendation to publicly attribute credit to: Marine Headquarters Captain Smoker]

[Straw Hat Pirates related records: deleted]

The official said, "We cannot let the world know that an Affiliated Nation was saved by pirates."

Another person said, "The disasters caused by the Shichibukai shouldn't be known to the world in too much detail."

The Third Person said, "Crocodile has already been stripped of his title; that's enough."

The Sky Screen magnified the document.

[World Government's directive: The Alabasta Incident is classified as an individual rebellion by the Shichibukai; the system itself will not be subject to review.]

Inside the Alabasta Royal Palace, Vivi looked up.

Cobra placed his hand next to the microphone.

He spoke.

"A citizen of Alabasta."

The radio broadcast his voice throughout the country.

"What the Sky Screen shows are all things I personally experienced."

"Crocodile used his status Shichibukai to deceive this country, and he also took advantage of our trust in the World Government system."

He paused for a moment.

The Straw Hat Pirates saved Alabasta.

In the Royal Square, many people looked up.

Cobra continued, "Marine Captain Smoker helped us, but the one who ultimately defeated Crocodile was Monkey D. Luffy and his crew."

Inside the hut in Sabaody, Nami was stunned.

Usopp pointed to the Sky Screen.

"He said it."

Luffy touched his Straw Hat.

"Oh."

Sanji said, "Is that all you're capable of?"

Luffy said, "It's good that Vivi is alright."

Robin looked at Cobra in the Sky Screen.

This statement will put pressure on Alabasta.

Vivi took the microphone inside the Royal Palace.

"I am Neferutari Vivi."

She looked at the Sky Screen.

"Back then, I begged them not to reveal the truth because I feared Alabasta would once again be dragged into the conflict World Government and the pirates."

"Now, I want to return this gratitude to them."

"Luffy, Nami, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, and Robin, who later became their crewmate."

"Thank you for saving my country."

Luffy smiled.

"Vivi's voice is so loud."

Nami covered her face.

"Idiot, this is national broadcast."

Chopper cried and waved his hooves.

"Vivi!"

Golden Light descended from the Sky Screen.

[The truth behind the Alabasta Incident confirmed]

[The responsibility for the Seven Warlords of the Sea system has been established]

[World Government's Hidden Record of Straw Hat Pirates's Achievements Revealed]

[Captain Smoker's record of falsified merits revealed]

Marine Headquarters.

Smoker stood at the edge of the training field, watching his name being displayed in the sky.

Tashigi stood beside him.

"Mr. Smoker."

Smoker was chewing on a cigar.

"I've said it before, that credit doesn't belong to me."

The text on the Sky Screen continues.

[Special Inquiry: Smoker]

Do you accept the World Government's award for quelling the rebellion in Alabasta?

Smoker looked up.

"I don't accept it."

On the Marine Headquarters plaza, Sengoku looked at the communications officer.

Connect to Smoker.

The Den Den Mushi lit up quickly.

Smoker's voice came through.

"Fleet Admiral, that was a battle won by the Straw Hats."

Sengoku said, "I know."

Smoker said, "Then let's change the file."

Sengoku glanced at the crane.

The crane nodded.

The Sengoku said, "Change it."

Akainu opened his mouth.

"Straw Hat is a pirate."

Smoker said, "He is also a savior of the nation."

Akainu looked at him.

Smoker did not back down.

Kuzan said, "The fact file can be written in two lines."

Kizaru said, "The Straw Hat Pirate is a pirate, and he also saved Alabasta."

Garp laughed loudly.

"That works."

Akainu remained silent for a moment.

"Write."

The Sky Screen curtain has been lowered.

[Reward recipients: Alabasta Kingdom, Smoker, Neferutari Vivi]

Vivi looked up.

[Reward 1: Alabasta receives a seven-day agreement to stabilize public sentiment in the capital, and the large-scale riots triggered by historical truth will be weakened.]

[Reward 2: Smoker gains the right to correct records once, which can correct a naval merit record that has been altered by the World Government]

[Reward 3: Neferutari Vivi obtains the Desert Voice, and when she broadcasts nationwide, false accusations and malicious editing will be flagged by the Sky Screen.]

Cobra breathed a sigh of relief.

Vivi gripped the microphone.

This time, they can no longer speak for us.

In the old waterway, Zero Zero One closed her eyes.

Sabo said, "You heard that."

Zero Zero One said, "I heard you."

"The system is starting to crack," Sabo said.

Zero Zero One said, "You've only seen the first piece."

The Sky Screen darkened for a moment, then brightened again.

[Typical Event Two Coming Soon]

[Change of Throne in Dressrosa]

On the terrace of Dressrosa Royal Palace, Doflamingo raised his hand to adjust his sunglasses.

His laughter rang out again.

"Fufu."

"It's my turn."