The Twelve Zodiac 'Chen Dragon', destruction or rebirth!

Alabasta.

The royal palace in the capital, Arubana.

"Hmm."

King Nefertari Cobra of Alabasta stood before a window in the royal palace, his gaze fixed on the outskirts of the city.

His brow was furrowed, his eyes filled with contemplation.

"Igaram—where is he?"

He asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, according to intelligence—he should be entering the royal capital within ten minutes at most."

Standing beside him, Igaram, captain of the Royal Guard, responded solemnly.

Beside Igaram stood two others—Bello, the adjutant of the Royal Guard, and Huka, the king's personal bodyguard.

"Very good."

Cobra nodded lightly, "Then I should prepare as well."

Upon hearing the king's words, the three members of the guard exchanged solemn glances.

"Your Majesty, do you really intend to meet this 'guest' in person?"

Igaram couldn't help but ask.

"Forgive my bluntness, but such an unknown individual is far too dangerous—I still believe the three of us should probe his background first."

He was cut off by Cobra.

"Dangerous?"

The king's gaze remained fixed on the distant horizon outside the window as he spoke softly, "Look, Igaram."

In his view, massive rain clouds were gradually appearing.

A torrential downpour had descended upon the royal capital, just as the rumors foretold.

But in Cobra's eyes, the falling rain was more than just rain.

It was a culmination of the news he had heard over the past seven months.

The dried-up Sandora River, the withered crops, the scattered and panicked populace—every piece of news pained him deeply.

But Cobra was helpless to do anything about it.

Only Arubana in all of Alabasta was still receiving rain, and the rainfall of a single city was clearly not enough to sustain the entire nation.

He sensed a conspiracy, but he had no time to investigate.

All he knew was that the seven-month drought had strangled Alabasta, plunging the ancient kingdom into an unprecedented crisis.

And it was not long ago that he had heard of the arrival of this 'guest'.

No one knew who he was or where he came from.

But wherever he went, torrential rain would fall.

When he stopped to rest, the rain would temporarily cease.

And when he resumed his journey, the downpour would continue.

His journey had led the people of Alabasta along the way to almost believe it was a miracle.

And today, in just a little while, he would enter the royal capital.

Cobra didn't know the man's identity, nor did he know his purpose.

But he knew at least one thing.

"If the drought continues, then he may be the hope of the people of Alabasta."

"He comes to the royal capital to meet the king of this country, and I am to hide because of the so-called unknown?"

He turned to his loyal captain of the guard, "Igaram, the king you serve is not such a petty man."

This was something he had to do.

Even based on the rumors of the man's attire, they had almost guessed his possible identity.

But for the sake of Alabasta, he had to meet him.

Hearing these words, Igaram and the other two exchanged glances.

Then, filled with emotion and helplessness, they knelt in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Cobra said with a smile, "Let us go and meet this guest, and see this so-called 'miracle'."

"Yes!" *3

As the four prepared to descend the stairs and head to the palace gates to greet the guest, "Tap!" "Tap!" "Tap!"

Accompanying the crisp sound of footsteps.

A girl with blue hair, a shapely figure, and a beautiful face pushed open the door to the room.

"Haha... ha..."

Her face was still covered in sweat as she gasped for breath.

"Princess Vivi!?"

At that moment, Igaram looked at the nation's most noble princess in surprise, "What are you..."

"I'm going too, Father!"

Vivi took a few breaths and then said seriously, "I'm going to see the 'Rain Summoner' too!"

"Eh!" *3

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the three guards nearly popped out of their heads.

"Princess Vivi, don't joke around!"

"Princess Vivi, that guy is likely the one who was recently..."

"Yeah, how could something like this..."

They flustered, their words tumbling over each other, and Igaram's golden curls looked as if they were about to snap.

But Vivi only looked at her father.

"Hmm."

Kobra stroked his chin after hearing this, "Alright."

"Eh!" *3

Leaving aside the three whose jaws had practically dropped, Kobra now only looked at his daughter, "You are a princess, and also Alabasta's next queen. I originally planned to have you get involved with national affairs in a few years, but now it seems that might not be a good thing."

His eyes held both love and decisiveness.

As the king of Alabasta, one of the 'original twenty countries' that founded the World Government, he deeply understood the darkness of the world.

He had originally intended to let Vivi grow up in innocence and happiness for a few more years.

But the country's severe drought, the hidden conspiracy within it, and the recent changes in the country had all made him realize--perhaps the time had come.

"But remember, you only need to listen."

"Mm."

Vivi also nodded firmly.

Over the past seven months, she had witnessed the changes in the country with her own eyes.

She was anxious, but there was nothing she could do.

Until today, after noticing the torrential rain outside the window, she had finally made up her mind--as a princess, she might not be able to do much, but she should at least try to do something.

"Your Majesty."

And at that moment, a guard outside the door brought news, "That guest has entered the royal capital and is heading towards the palace."

Thus, Kobra and Vivi exchanged a glance.

The group immediately headed towards the palace gate.

And when they arrived at the square in front of the palace, they could already see the bustling crowds of Alabasta's citizens.

They gathered there densely, looking eagerly into the distance.

"It's the 'Rain Summoner'!"

"It's really raining!"

"Would I lie? I followed them all the way from Yuba!"

They subconsciously made way for a path, allowing Vivi to barely make out the figure at the end of the road.

The mysterious robe and the majestic dragon-head mask were exactly as rumored.

They gradually approached, until, under the wary gazes of the guards, they stepped into the palace.

Finally, when they were not far from King Kobra, they stopped at the foot of the steps.

The eyes beneath the mask looked at Kobra and Vivi.

"Welcome, honored guest from afar."

Kobra straightened his chest and raised his hands.

"I am Nefertari Kobra, and I represent Alabasta in welcoming you. May I ask what I should call you?"

He said this, while Bello, Huka, and Igaram beside him tensed their muscles, ready to deal with the enemy at any moment.

But unexpectedly, the person in the rain did not make a move.

They only looked at Kobra.

Then, a low voice, just loud enough for those on the steps to hear, rang out.

I am the 'Dragon of the Hour of Chen'."

"I have come here to discuss a deal with Your Majesty."

"One that is directly related to--everything in this country, whether it welcomes destruction or rebirth."

Tomorrow, in order to test the waters with the card, the update time will be temporarily changed to 0:00 AM.