"Kou... Koza! Something's happened!"
Just as the Rebel Army was galloping towards Albana, the capital of Alabasta, an unexpected event occurred.
Smoke billowed from their side and rear, revealing a group of fast-running lizards with curled, collar-like neck membranes chasing their troops.
"It's the Neck Frill Marathon! Why would they come after us at a time like this?!"
Koza knew them; they were the exclusive emergency intelligence messengers of that mysterious organization Baroque Works.
"Let's give everyone a break and see what Baroque Works is up to!"
Hunger, thirst, heat, cold, and the long journey had taken their toll, so the Rebel Army were in poor condition and were happy to take a short rest.
"What exactly is going on..."
He took the letter from the neck of the leader Neck Frill Marathon, and the contents of it left Koza in disbelief.
The words on it are written crookedly, but you can roughly make out their meaning: the king of Narohara is an imposter, and the real king has been kidnapped!
Furthermore, it states that both the Royal Army and the Rebel Army have traitors!
Koza also began to ponder some details. He and his father had known the king for many years, and no matter how they looked at it, the king didn't seem like the kind of person who would do such a thing.
But they look exactly the same, even their figures and voices...
Devil Fruit!
Koza had a flash of inspiration; he thought of the most mysterious force on the sea!
If someone possesses the corresponding Devil Fruit ability, then everything makes sense!
"Mr. Koza! What did the letter say?"
His subordinates were all eager to know why a letter would arrive at this time, and from that mysterious organization no less.
"That mysterious organization told us we'd better attack quickly, otherwise the Royal Army will be ready. They hope we can save the country!"
Regardless of whether what was said in the letter was true or false, he now had no way out. With millions of the Rebel Army mobilized, he had to take Albana first!
"Koza! I have a bad feeling. They must be up to something!"
Standing beside him, the Rebel Army's staff officer also sensed that a large hand was manipulating something.
"That's true, but it's no use saying anything now. We need to take Albana first!"
Koza pushed up his glasses; the gunshot wound in his abdomen throbbed, and everything became hazy.
"The ground is shaking..."
"That's a million-strong Rebel Army..."
Inside the palace, Chaka and Beel stood guard on either side of Cobra, while Cobra stood in front of Chopper and Nolan.
"Um... are you sure it's okay...?"
Cobra wasn't entirely sure either. Following Cifer's advice, he temporarily dismissed all the Royal Army and ordered that no one was allowed to leave the house that day.
If the Rebel Army could seize the palace, take him over, and end the war, that would naturally be the best outcome for him.
However, Crocodile is clearly also heading this way, and if they encounter the Rebel Army, it will result in heavy casualties.
He was accompanied only by two Guardian God and a few of Cifer's companions.
Can casualties really be minimized?
"Don't underestimate Enel! No matter how many people there are, they won't be a match for him!"
The Rebel Army continued their advance, and at dawn they entered the once prosperous capital city and successfully reached the square in front of the palace.
"Why is there... not a single person on the street?!"
The Rebel Army were on edge, wary of whether this was a ruse or a feint.
"Boom! Boom!"
Suddenly, thunder roared.
"How is that possible... It's broad daylight!"
Looking up, the sky was clear for miles, so the sound of thunder was obviously unusual.
"No matter what, let's get to the palace!"
No matter who is behind this, we must charge forward with all our might!
"Who is that?!"
Just as the Rebel Army were about to rush up the stairs into the palace, they discovered a shirtless man sitting on the top step.
There was a large pile of food next to him.
"Stop!"
"War should not occur in a kingdom protected by the God!"
Although the sound was not loud, it clearly reached the ears of the Rebel Army; it was like thunder entering their ears!
"What... is this guy saying?!"
Koza ignored him and instead ordered them to continue forward.
"Lightning Domain!"
Enel's entire body radiated lightning, which spread from him all the way to the bottom step of the stairs, with flashes of electricity passing by.
"This is..."
The group of people who were about to go forward also stopped in front of the stairs.
"I advise you not to enter the Lightning Domain, or you will bear the consequences!"
Cifer said to leave it to him to decide, and that if necessary, he could severely damage all the Rebel Army.
Enel, of course, had a better way.
"I'll do it!"
"Wait! Falafola!"
Ignoring Koza's advice, the man insisted on climbing the long ladder.
Ah~
As he stepped onto the first step of the stairs, endless lightning swirled around him, and then the man, his body charred black from the electric shock, collapsed.
"Don't worry, I've controlled the current, you won't die."
Enel changed his position to lie on his side and slowly began to eat an apple.
"The injury isn't too serious!"
Beside Koza, a burly man wearing glasses examined him and came to a conclusion.
"Where is the king? Let the king come out and give us an explanation!"
The square is teeming with the Rebel Army; if there were a trap, they could easily be wiped out.
But Koza couldn't care less about that now; he just wanted an answer.
"Koza!"
Cobra finally couldn't hold back any longer and came out. Since he didn't have Enel's abilities, he could only shout it out loud.
"It's that scoundrel king!"
Someone in the Rebel Army started the uprising, reigniting the anger of the crowd and launching a condemnation of Cobra.
"It wasn't said that the king was..."
Koza was dumbfounded; the situation seemed to have become even more complicated.
At this moment, Cobra walked to Enel's side and knelt down in front of the Rebel Army in the square.
The square fell silent instantly, as if no one had expected this outcome.
"I heard about what happened in Narohara yesterday. That person wasn't me. It all started with the Dance Powder incident; it was a conspiracy!"
"A conspiracy by a mysterious organization called Baroque Works!"
Cobra shouted, but the Rebel Army below weren't too keen on responding, since many of them had witnessed yesterday's events.
"Stop making excuses! We saw everything clearly yesterday!"
Boos rang out again from the crowd; a traitor was stirring up conflict and hatred!
Koza turned around, trying to find out who it was, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"Shut up, all of you!"
Koza had no choice but to first stop his men.
"You need to find a way to produce evidence, evidence of Narohara, and evidence that the drought over the years has been a conspiracy!"
"Otherwise, don't make a futile struggle, surrender to us, and let us rebuild a new country!"
Now that things have come to this, without evidence, nothing I say will make a difference. If I want to leave here, the Rebel Army behind me won't agree easily.
Three years of severe drought had accumulated too much anger.
I wish there would be a Shigure!