Solving the Rebellion

The clear, cool jade-like disk of the moon hung high, bright tonight, casting a faint blue hue across the sky.

Moonlight spilled over the desolate desert, making it seem a little bleak. Occasionally, there were disturbances on the sand, likely bothered local inhabitants.

"It's like Hueco Mundo," Reiner murmured. The night desert, under the bright moonlight, appeared grayish-white, making him involuntarily recall a certain figure.

"I should find a suitable template someday and create a 'Little Ulquiorra'; that would be pretty cool."

In the desert, several bonfires blazed, and a group of people gathered around, chatting. Perhaps it was the novelty of their first night in the desert, but their conversation was lively and enthusiastic.

Sanji had set up several bonfires. He used one for cooking, while the remaining Undead were burning Dance Powder.

Another skeletal Undead stood nearby, constantly twirling two Clima-Tacts in its hands. Nami only realized how foolish she'd been after her arms grew tired. Did she really need to do this herself?

So, she simply conscripted Reiner, while she herself sat watching and directing. "Too many hot bubbles, spin out more cold bubbles. You're such an idiot."

"You're scolding an Undead? Even a skeleton's life matters!" Reiner said, exasperated.

"Dinner's ready, everyone!"

Sanji's voice rang out, like a magical command. Every time he said it, there was a corresponding response.

"Wahahaha, coming, coming!"

Luffy eagerly rushed forward, his bowl and chopsticks clattering with "ding-ding" sounds. He laughed and shouted, "Sanji, can we grill that poisonous snake I caught later to eat?"

"How are you going to eat that thing? You just said it was a poisonous snake, you idiot," Sanji said, exhaling a smoke ring indifferently.

"Then what about the poisonous lizard?"

"Changing the animal doesn't make it any less idiotic! The point is it's poisonous!!"

Sanji finally couldn't help but curse, scooping a large bowl of meat from the pot to appease Luffy. Then he handed a bowl to Reiner.

"You worked hard today, Reiner."

"It's fine, logistics, just doing my part..." Before Reiner could finish speaking, Sanji vanished.

Then, an exaggerated voice rang out, "Miss Nami~, Princess Vivi~, I've saved the best portion for you~~"

"Perverted cook."

"Perverted curly-brows."

"Got a problem, moss-head?!"

"Ah, thank you." The two girls thanked Sanji. "But give it to Reiner instead, we'll just eat a little. He must be exhausted today."

"Oh, Miss Nami and Princess Vivi look so charming when they're gentle~" After a fawning remark, Sanji turned and walked back, his face darkening.

"Damn it! Eat all of it, don't leave a single drop!"

"Huh? Dog barking?"

"You damn four-eyes!"

"Hahahaha..."

And so, Reiner had the Undead continuously burn Dance Powder. Soon after dinner, everyone hid in their sleeping bags to rest until the next day, just as dawn was breaking.

Cock-a-doodle-doo~!

Huh? What the heck was that?

Never mind.

Reiner slowly opened his eyes, shaking off the crowing sound in his mind, and sat up, propping himself with his hands.

"Hey everyone, rain clouds are gathering!"

Looking at the dim sky, Reiner couldn't help but shout, waking everyone up.

Meanwhile...

Outside the Cattelya, the Rebel Army's headquarters camp, dawn was just breaking. Most people were still asleep, with only those on duty and a few early risers active outside.

"Hey, look at the sky!"

A voice rang out, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

"Th-this... this is...?!"

"How could it be..."

"It's rain clouds!!!"

A group of people stared at the sky not far away, where dark, oppressive clouds covered the entire expanse. Everyone looked astonished, their mouths agape, unable to close for a long time, standing rooted to the spot, gazing up blankly.

"Quick! Go tell the leader!!"

"Ah... yes!"

Inside the Rebel Army camp, it was utterly silent. Most people were still immersed in sweet dreams. In the hallway, a figure frantically rushed towards the depths of the camp, shouting urgently, "Leader!!"

"Leader, the clouds!"

"Rain clouds! Rain clouds are here!"

The shouting and yelling naturally woke many still-sleeping people. Those who got up were inevitably irritable, and some with bad morning tempers even cursed.

However, after realizing what was happening, without exception, they all used all their strength to yank off their blankets and leap out of bed, not even bothering to put on shoes as they rushed out the door and into the street.

Drip—

A drop of rain hit a Rebel Army man's cheek below his eye socket. It was a little wet, a little cold, and a little itchy, but he paid it no mind.

He simply looked up at the dark, oppressive sky, his whole body trembling uncontrollably, tears streaming from his wet eyes.

"Rain clouds… It's really rain clouds."

"Three years, it's been three years!"

Watching the dark clouds in the sky, the man couldn't help but fall to his knees, prostrating himself and crying bitterly with his head on the ground.

Tap—

Tap—tap—

Tap-tap-tap-tap…

The dripping sounds grew denser, and gradually, excited voices, thrilled shouts, and mournful cries began to fill the street.

The pattering rain quickly covered the city. Everyone forgot to think, forgot about the war, forgot everything…

They just stood in the street, greedily enjoying their bodies being drenched by the rain.

"Don't just stand there, quickly find containers to collect water!"

"Leader?!"

"Leader! It's raining!"

"Yes, collect water, collect water, everyone hurry up!"

A tall figure stood in the center of the street. It was he who had just spoken, telling people to start collecting water.

Kong Zha, the leader of the Rebel Army, lifted his golden-haired head and stared blankly at the sky. Unlike the others, after a brief moment of joy, he returned to his usual calm expression.

"Why is there rain? Didn't the capital use Dance Powder to steal all the rain from the entire country?"

Kong Zha unconsciously clenched his fists, muttering to himself:

"Could it be that even Heaven doesn't want to see this war, and this is a gift of pity?"

Recalling the battles, one after another, and how his brothers and subordinates had died tragically before his eyes while trying to protect him, Kong Zha, who was usually calm and composed, couldn't help but shed a tear.

"I'm really tired."

No soldier likes war: shattered bodies, bloody wounds, the unwilling expressions of brothers and comrades in their final moments.

They hated fighting; they were forced to fight.

"Kong Zha!"

A clear voice rang out. Hearing the familiar call, Kong Zha suddenly turned around. What met his eyes was a head of sky-blue long hair, deeply etched in his memory.

"Vivi, Vivi?"

Kong Zha looked at the figure before him in disbelief, surrounded by several other people.

"Looks like this wave is pretty stable," Reiner couldn't help but say, observing the surroundings. The continuous battles had kept the Rebel Army's hearts too tightly strung. When their deepest desire suddenly appeared, that tightly strung heart instantly collapsed.

When their group arrived at the Rebel Army stronghold, no one even bothered with them, which made Reiner question the military discipline of these people.

"It seems I underestimated the depth of their despair and their longing for rain."

"I think I can understand a little," Sanji said, trying to light a cigarette, but the rain kept drenching it. He looked dejected.

"If someone had put food in front of me when I was starving to death back then, I would have devoured it, even if they told me it was poisoned."

"Vivi, why are you here?"

"I'm here to tell you about the conspiracy behind this war! It's a manipulated war!"

Hearing this, Kong Zha's expression was unusually calm. "This isn't a good place to talk. Let's go inside first."

With that, Kong Zha turned and walked directly into the camp. Vivi looked back at Reiner and the others, and seeing Luffy nod, she led the group into the camp.

A new month has arrived. Gentlemen, if you have investments, you can put in a wave.