In the square before the Alubarna Palace, the deafening sounds of battle filled the air.
With the arrival of reinforcements from the rebel army, the fighting grew even more brutal.
Every second, someone fell wounded to the ground.
And falling meant death.
Compared to the storm raging in the square, the palace courtyard, reachable only by a long flight of stairs, was deathly silent.
Crocodile, draped in his coat, stood tall within the courtyard.
Before him was the King of Alabasta, Cobra, nailed to the wall by iron spikes.
"Guhaha... in ten minutes, this entire square and courtyard will be blown to pieces. By then... the new king of the Alabasta Kingdom will be born!"
Crocodile sneered as he looked at the blood-drenched, immobile Cobra.
The relentless sounds of battle behind him served as a constant reminder that his plan was proceeding smoothly.
Brimming with confidence, Crocodile was unaware that his top agents had already been defeated one by one.
Nor did he know that the clock tower housing the specially prepared bomb had welcomed a man even he should fear.
At this moment, his only thought was to seize Cobra's throne.
Afterward, he would use Robin's ability to read the Poneglyphs and uncover the nation's greatest secret—the Ancient Weapon Pluton.
Everything was within reach.
"Is this... truly the end?"
Cobra gritted his teeth as he glared at Crocodile's triumphant laughter.
Remorse for his people and the helplessness of being unable to turn the tide stabbed at his heart like countless blades.
Tap... tap...
Robin emerged from the palace.
Her gaze swept over the severely injured royal guards on the ground, then at Cobra pinned to the wall, before finally resting on Crocodile's smug figure.
"Things are truly chaotic down there. And the rebels' reinforcements are still pouring in."
"Guhaha... they don't realize they're marching to their deaths. They've all gathered within the blast radius. This way, I don't even need to destroy the palace—one bomb will eliminate every threat."
Crocodile sneered, showing no regard for the tens of thousands of lives at stake.
Cobra's face twitched with rage at those words, veins bulging on his forehead as he wished he could devour Crocodile alive.
"Alright, time to get down to business."
Crocodile's laughter gradually faded, his eyes cold as he gazed at Cobra's unwilling expression, barely able to conceal his excitement.
"I didn't scheme for so long just to take the throne of the Alabasta Kingdom. What I truly desire... is the Ancient Weapon Pluton!"
"!!!"
Cobra's face changed drastically, his shock palpable.
"Crocodile, you..."
"Heh, if you're smart, you'll answer my next question honestly."
A glint flashed in Crocodile's eyes.
There were ten minutes left until the bomb exploded.
In one corner of the square—
Vivi stood helplessly, watching the brutal battlefield of hundreds of thousands clashing.
No matter how desperately she screamed, her voice was swallowed by the chaos.
No one could hear her.
In the face of such a massive war, she felt utterly powerless—small and insignificant.
With her strength alone, stopping the war was impossible.
Even if God descended, the result would be the same.
Vivi felt despair.
But even if she couldn't stop the war, she had to find the bomb.
"Where is it? Where could it be?"
She racked her brain, searching for possible hiding spots.
Memories from childhood resurfaced, making her eyes snap toward the clock tower—
The hour hand pointed at twenty-five minutes.
Five minutes until the explosion.
With no margin for error, Vivi could only trust her own judgment and dashed toward the clock tower.
Meanwhile, the Straw Hat Pirates, having finished their battles, gathered one by one.
With two minutes remaining—
Everyone except Luffy stood behind Vivi.
"I'm so glad... everyone is alright..."
Vivi clutched her mouth, tears welling up as she looked at her injured but present friends.
"Vivi, what's the situation?"
Nami, covered in blood, immediately asked.
Not long ago, she had barely defeated Miss Doublefinger, though her body bore deep wounds from the barbed attacks.
After the battle, she had struggled to reach the square, encountering Chopper and Zoro on the way.
With Chopper's treatment, the bleeding had stopped, but the pain lingered.
Everyone's eyes turned to Vivi.
Just as Vivi was about to explain—
"You damn okama, why are you here?!"
Sanji's furious roar broke the tension.
The newly awakened Sanji immediately spotted Bon Clay, the man who had kicked him into oblivion.
"Because... of my friendship with little Luffy~!"
Bon Clay winked at Sanji.
Sanji froze, recalling the moment before he passed out when Luffy had fallen from the sky.
What happened afterward?
He vaguely remembered being tightly embraced by Bon Clay.
"Ugh..."
Realizing the situation, Sanji gagged and coughed out a mouthful of blood.
Why couldn't you transform into Nami-chan before hugging me?!
"Stop messing around!"
Nami glared at Sanji and Bon Clay.
Everyone ignored Bon Clay, their focus returning to the bomb.
"We don't have time to climb the tower, and I can't be certain the bomb is really there!"
Vivi bit her lip.
"There's no time for doubt! Climbing the stairs is too slow—we'll use unconventional methods!"
Nami made a snap decision.
"I can create a barrier ladder... but its range is limited."
Bartolomeo stepped forward at the critical moment.
"That's fine. Leave the rest to me."
Sanji clenched a cigarette between his teeth, glancing at the unconscious Zoro.
"I'll help too!"
Bon Clay's weak voice chimed in.
Everyone ignored him.
With the plan set, they moved into action.
One minute remained.
Bartolomeo's barrier formed a ladder against the clock tower wall.
Sanji and Bon Clay launched Vivi onto the barrier.
Then, Bartolomeo created a circular barrier beneath her.
Sanji and Bon Clay kicked the barrier, sending Vivi flying toward the clock tower.
"Go, Vivi!"
Sanji and the crew shouted encouragement.
Just as emotions peaked—
The clock tower window creaked open.
A figure emerged—
Maude, holding the bomb.
"Eh?!"
Everyone's jaws dropped.
"Maude... how are you there?!"
Maude raised the bomb.
"Is this what you're looking for? The gunner's dead, but this bomb is on a timer. Even if you kill the gunner, it'll explode when the time runs out."
"Ah?!"
Vivi's face paled as she flew into the tower.
Maude turned to watch her approach, his mood light.
"Do you want to stop all this?"
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