The Royal Army had massed in Alubarna's largest plaza.
The air buzzed with a chaotic vitality as preparations were made in haste. The soldiers worked under the assumption that another battle was imminent—a correct assumption, for there were those among them who knew this conflict could not simply end here.
One such man was Sanji, currently acting as their provisional commander.
The wounded were receiving emergency first aid, while the able-bodied scavenged for anything that could serve as a weapon. They tore through the rubble of destroyed homes to cobble together makeshift barricades and shields.
The plaza was vast, which was a disadvantage; with entrances to the north, south, east, and west, the perimeter required constant vigilance. The enemy's numbers were unknown, and the Royal Army was already severely weakened, its ranks filled with wounded men. Even scraping together every fighting force left in Alubarna, the only rational conclusion was that they were at a disadvantage.
Sanji, taking a brief respite to light a cigarette, surveyed the square.
Even if they didn't know when the enemy would strike, they wouldn't be overrun instantly if their defenses were solid. Now, it was a battle against time. They simply had to endure until everything was settled.
A soldier ran up to Sanji, who was perched on a pile of rubble. The man spoke with a familiarity that had developed quickly in the trenches, hesitating not at all.
"Sanji-san, won't you eat something? It's not much, just some light rations..."
"I'm fine. Prioritize the guys who are flagging."
"Understood... but surely, at least some water?"
Seeing the concern on the soldier's face as he held out the canteen, Sanji relented and reached out.
"...Sorry."
He uncapped the canteen and took a long drink.
Sanji was just as exhausted as they were. He had fought back-to-back battles against Officer Agents, and his duel with Mr. 2 had left him with several broken bones. He was far from top condition.
But he had to do this. The real critical moment started now.
"Do you think... we can win?"
"How the hell should I know? But I wouldn't be fighting if I didn't think we could."
Sanji capped the canteen and tossed it back. The soldier caught it calmly as Sanji turned his gaze back to the plaza. It seemed the man needed to talk to keep his nerves in check.
Anxiety was written plainly on the faces of the soldiers working around them. Win, lose, or something else entirely—the inability to predict the outcome was spreading fear like a contagion. It was a dangerous state for an army. Regardless of their skill, morale this brittle could lead to the worst possible outcome.
Offering clumsy comfort would be meaningless now. Besides, unless the recipient was a woman, Sanji detested coddling people. He wasn't about to say something witty just to make them feel better. However, he also had no intention of lying.
He answered the soldier's question with dead seriousness, speaking his own truth.
"Vivi told you to live. My job is to make sure you lot stay alive, and that means I have to beat the crap out of anyone who comes at you, no matter who they are. Right now, that's the only thing you need to focus on."
"Thank you..."
"I don't accept thanks from men. It's all for Vivi's sake."
Sanji spat the words out with a sullen look, but then his expression tightened. He was calculating the Royal Army's current status, running scenarios on how to minimize casualties. Reducing them to zero was impossible; once the fighting started, men would reach their limits and fall. He wasn't stupid enough to deny reality, nor was he an idealist.
But he would keep the body count as low as humanly possible.
That line of thinking was Sanji's naivety, but also his kindness.
"Anyway, the objective is to survive—even if it's just for one minute or one second longer. We don't need to wipe out the enemy. When the time comes, this battle will end."
"End? How?"
"Our captain is going to take their boss's head. Once he does that, it's all over."
The soldier frowned at Sanji's brimming confidence. He trusted Sanji, but could he swallow such a bold claim? Having just survived a fierce battle, the idea of a simple victory was hard to process.
"Will it really go that smoothly?"
"That's just how much influence their boss has. Take him out, and the tide of war stops turning. After that, we just have to hold the line with sheer guts."
"This boss... who is it?"
"For your own sake, you're better off not asking. Especially not right now."
Considering how low morale already was, Sanji kept the name Crocodile to himself. The soldier didn't press further.
But one thing the soldier did understand: this man was far more capable of influencing this situation than he was. Despite being a stranger, the soldier couldn't help but respect him. His personal valor, his tactical mind capable of mobilizing an army he'd only just met, and his way with words—he was a rare talent.
Running out of words, the soldier found a faint smile touching his lips.
With him here, we'll be alright. The thought came naturally.
He bowed slightly and stepped away. In this situation, cutting through hesitation and acting with resolve was paramount. Thinking he would try to emulate Sanji's attitude, the soldier headed toward his comrades to prepare for the coming fight.
"It's going to be okay. This country will be saved... as long as he is here, we can win this."
"Heeyyy! Sanjiii!!"
Just as the soldier left, two figures approached Sanji.
Riding atop the Super Spot-Billed Ducks—the large-bodied Stomp with his backward cap, and Bourbon Jr. with his white hat and flask—came Nami and Chopper. They were bandaged and battered, but smiling.
Sanji looked up and reacted instantly.
"Nami-swaaan! You're safe!"
"Sanji-kun... thank goodness. You look lively."
"Sanji, what about me?"
The pair dismounted. Sanji, who was practically pirouetting with joy at the sight of Nami, joined them. But as he got closer, his expression changed in a flash.
"Hah!? Nami-san, don't tell me your beautiful body is injured!? You poor thing! If only I had been there... Here, let me hold you and comfort you instead!"
"Pass."
"I love your angry face too!! Hey, Chopper! What the hell do you mean letting Nami-san get hurt when you were with her, huh!?"
"Eh, me!? I'm hurt too, you know..."
"I don't give a damn about your body! Listen to me: Rule one, Nami-san. Rule two, Nami-san. Rules three through five are all Nami-san! Why can't you get that through your thick skull!"
"Ugh, he's an idiot. This guy is a total idiot."
"Just ignore him, Chopper. Let's rest a bit..."
Looking exhausted, Nami sat on the rubble Sanji had vacated. Sanji immediately moved to stand near her, while Chopper, walking slowly, plopped down on the ground.
Both of them bore the marks of a fierce battle. Then again, Sanji was in a state that could only be described as heavily wounded; the toll of the fighting was evident on all of them.
"What's the situation?" Nami asked.
"I took down Mr. 2. And it looks like these guys managed to weather the first wave. How about you?"
"We beat the Mr. 4 pair," Chopper said. "Tied 'em up tight so they can't move."
"Honestly, they were such a pain," Nami added. "But I'm glad these ducks came. You sent them, right Sanji-kun? Thanks."
"No, no, it was nothing~!"
Nami glanced around the square, cutting short Sanji's blushing humility with a look of concern.
"Is it just us? Where is everyone else?"
"No word yet. I'm not worried about the others, but I am worried about Silk* and Vivi-chan."
(Note: "Silk" appears to be a specific character to this fanfiction context, likely an OC or minor character).
"Huh? Sanji, where's Usopp?"
"I heard he had something to do. Didn't ask what, though."
Chopper shook his head, realizing Usopp, who should have been paired with Sanji, was missing. None of the other crew members were in sight. The frantic movement of the soldiers caught his eye.
Chopper turned to Sanji, who had been there the longest.
"What are those guys doing?"
"Preparing to intercept the enemy. We can't win with standard tactics."
"Hey," Nami interrupted, "have you seen Vivi?"
Sanji turned to her seriously.
"She went to the palace. To save the King."
"Alone?"
"No, she had an escort. I was worried, but I couldn't let Mr. 2 get away, so I had to let her go. I hope she's safe..."
"Wait a minute. Are we okay just relaxing here? We have to go help Vivi!"
"I sent a few soldiers to check the situation. I considered marching the whole army to the palace to hole up there, but there are too many wounded. If we got ambushed en route, it'd be over."
"Sanji-kun..."
The gentle atmosphere had evaporated. Chopper looked between the two of them, confused. Nami was speaking out of worry for Vivi, but Sanji, for once, wasn't just blindly agreeing with her.
"Nami-san, these guys don't have a commander right now. If someone doesn't prop them up, they'll collapse. The only thing I can do right now is kick their asses into gear and stand my ground so that as many of them as possible survive."
Nami bit her lip, absorbing the sincerity in his voice and expression. She understood why he was doing this. It wasn't out of fear. There was a reason he had to stay.
Chopper listened intently as Sanji continued.
"If the Royal Army gets wiped out, even if we crush Baroque Works, Vivi-chan's heart won't clear. She won't be able to say she truly won. So, I'm going to protect as much as I can of what she wants to protect. And right now, I'm the only one here who can do that."
Hearing this, Nami nodded and stood up immediately. She dusted off her clothes, picked up the Clima-Tact she had set down, and looked at Chopper with resolve.
"Let's go, Chopper. We'll protect Vivi in Sanji-kun's place."
"Yeah! I'm gonna do what I can, too! I'll protect Vivi!"
"Leave the rear to me," Sanji said. "I'll hold this ground."
Just as the two prepared to mount Stomp and Bourbon Jr. again with determined faces, the air shifted. As if waiting for that exact moment, a commotion erupted from the direction of the palace, and soldiers began to gather.
Naturally, the three pirates looked that way and started walking to investigate. The crowd was too dense to see what was happening.
But though they couldn't see, they could hear the voices of the soldiers. Their expressions brightened, and they broke into a run, pushing through the crowd.
Breaking through the wall of people, they found them. A group was walking from the direction of the palace.
Vivi was at the front. An exhausted Chaka was being supported by a soldier, accompanied by Mr. 9 and Miss Monday, who had gone to check on things. It seemed they hadn't been attacked on the way; everyone was safe.
"Vivi! Thank god you're safe!"
"Whoaaa! Viviii!"
"Vivi-chwaaaan!"
Unable to hold back, Nami threw her arms around Vivi. Vivi looked a little surprised but accepted the embrace happily, smiling at the safety of her friends.
Chaka watched the scene silently.
"Nami-san! And Tony-kun too... both of you are hurt badly."
"Ah, this is nothing. Just a scratch, right? You did well too."
Nami reached out and roughly ruffled Vivi's hair. It was a gesture meant to keep Vivi from worrying, a transmission of kindness. More than anything, the joy of reuniting with her friends brought a bright, genuine smile to Vivi's face.
Witnessing that smile, the Royal Army soldiers vaguely sensed the bond these people shared—and Sanji started making noise again. But Vivi's arrival alone changed the atmosphere in the square.
Why are we fighting? They felt as if they were confirming the reason with their own eyes.
The Princess, who had been missing for so long, stood before them. She was the royalty they were sworn to protect, and that smile—reminiscent of the one she showed as a child—pierced their hearts with surprising force.
Wasn't that smile what they were fighting to protect?
Without needing to speak, the sentiment spread. Faces hardened with resolve. Morale began to soar.
Chaka observed this transformation vividly. It wasn't just her royal blood. An atmosphere of acceptance already surrounded her. Something must have happened while he was away. The soldiers had already recognized Vivi as their liege and were ready to entrust their lives to her.
The blank time of her disappearance had not been wasted. Rather than worrying about the details of her journey, Chaka found himself rejoicing in her growth.
With a faint smile, Chaka switched gears and surveyed the area. He did a quick headcount, assessed their condition, and then his eyes landed on the objects placed around the plaza. As a commander with years of experience leading men, it didn't take him long to understand the intent. He didn't know who had devised it, but he was impressed.
"Are those cheval de frise? Someone plans to intercept the enemy here."
"Just an amateur's idea. Don't expect too much."
Sanji called out to Chaka, who had noticed the defenses. Chaka immediately realized this man was the architect.
Lumber and stone from ruined houses had been gathered, piled up, and lashed together with rope to create barricades and obstacles positioned throughout the square. As Chaka confirmed each placement, he couldn't hide his surprise.
He was a soldier trained in tactics and seasoned by battle. He knew enough about large-scale warfare to read the intent just by looking at the layout.
His first thought was that this was no amateur work.
It was a formation designed to blunt the momentum of a large army with a small force. Even if they couldn't stop the enemy completely, if the defenses functioned well and dragged the battle out, they would be effective.
This wasn't a tactic one simply came up with on a whim. Had he done this on the fly?
Chaka looked at Sanji with unconcealed astonishment and a hint of suspicion. But Sanji remained aloof, his face calm.
"This is a tactic to maximize a small force... Just who are you people—"
"Just pirates. That's why I don't have the guts to lead an army."
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke.
"I'm leaving the rest to you. In exchange, leave Vivi-chan to us. No matter what happens, we'll protect her to the end."
"...Understood. I will trust you."
Normally, it was a proposal he couldn't easily agree to. But Chaka understood his own condition, and he saw the expression Vivi wore when she looked at them. He knew this was the best course of action.
Chaka turned to Vivi. Before entrusting her to them, he wanted to convey his own words.
"Vivi-sama, you are our hope. Please, do not take unnecessary risks."
"I won't. I'll be fine. I have friends I trust."
Seeing the strength in her eyes and the light of hope within them, Chaka smiled and lowered his gaze. When he looked at her again, his face was set with determination.
"Please stay safe. When this is over, there is much I wish to discuss."
"We will meet again, safely. I promise."
"Of course. And I have a lecture prepared for you, too. You worried us all greatly."
"Fufu, I know. I'll listen to it all later."
They exchanged smiles, and Chaka turned away, leaving her side. She had people to protect her now—people she called companions.
Chaka walked forward without hesitation, raising his voice to address every soldier in the square.
"From this moment, I am taking command! Everyone, to your positions! Do not neglect combat preparations!"
Bolstered by Vivi's presence, the soldiers responded with a thunderous roar and moved with renewed vigor. They grabbed their weapons and scrambled to their posts.
Chaka watched them, calculating the best formation. This was a death ground. He could not afford a single mistake.
As the surroundings grew frantic, Vivi turned back to the three pirates. There wasn't much time, but she had to tell them.
"Vivi, where is your father?"
"It seems he was taken away. But it's okay. I left that to Luffy-san and Pell."
"You met Luffy!?"
"Yes..."
Her expression clouded for a moment, but she quickly recovered, her eyes fierce.
"Luffy-san will defeat Crocodile. Absolutely. Until then, we have to hold out, no matter what. Once he's gone, Baroque Works won't be able to make their next move."
"True. The enemy numbers are steadily dropping," Nami noted.
"If Luffy wins, we win!" Chopper added.
"That said," Sanji muttered, "the hard part starts now."
Just as they were trying to raise their own morale, a single Spot-Billed Duck entered the square. Since the Duck Squad were allies, no one stopped it.
Wearing a helmet equipped with horns and goggles, Ivan X—the largest of the squad—slid to a halt in front of Vivi and the others.
"Eh!? Mr. Bushido!?"
"No way!? Zoro!"
"Zo-Zoro~!? Are you okay!?"
Slumped across Ivan X's back like a corpse was Zoro.
Vivi, Nami, and Chopper rushed over in a panic, and even Sanji's expression shifted.
A moment later, Zoro sat up sluggishly.
"Mn? Oh, we here?"
"You were just sleeping!?"
"Aaaah... seriously, what a pain."
"Tch. You should've just stayed dead."
Everyone gaped at how casually he woke up. While Chopper shouted, Nami held her head, and Sanji frowned, only Vivi sighed in genuine relief.
Zoro hopped down from Ivan X. His clothes were stained with blood and sand, and his torso was wrapped messily in bandages.
Chopper reacted instantly.
"Zoro, you're hurt? What is with those bandages!"
"Ah. This bird had some medicine or something. It's first aid."
"That wrapping is a disaster! You have to do it properly!"
"It's fine. The bleeding stopped."
"No it's not! Sit over there, I'm redoing it!"
"You've got your right arm in a sling yourself."
"Sling or not, I'm a doctor! Hurry up and come here!"
"Naaami-swaaan! I think the bone in my leg might be broken! Ba-bandage me, pleaaase!"
"No."
"Cold-hearted Nami-san is wonderful too!!"
It was hard to tell if morale was going up or down.
Zoro was forced to sit while Chopper redid his bandages, and Sanji rolled around on the ground with hearts in his eyes for some reason.
Watching them made the tension ease. Perhaps because they had been on edge for so long, Vivi's expression softened at their usual antics.
However, to the onlookers, it was baffling. Mr. 9 and Miss Monday looked appalled.
"Are these guys sane? The battle isn't over yet..."
"Zero tension."
"It's fine," Vivi said, watching them with eyes as gentle as a parent watching a child. "This is much more like them."
Seeing her face, the two agents sighed. These people really were strange. They lost the will to stop them. In the midst of a crisis, the cheerful group stood out conspicuously in the square.
It was Vivi who noticed the change first.
She looked up at the sky, squinting into the distance with a puzzled look.
"What is that..."
It was likely intuition, undefined by logic. She didn't know why she had noticed it. But moments later, it entered everyone's field of vision.
A massive object, advancing with a roaring rumble.
It was a colossal sandstorm—something that should never strike the elevated city of Alubarna.
"That's... a sandstorm!? Why so suddenly...!"
People began to notice the approaching threat. A stir of panic rippled through the ranks.
Nami was particularly shocked. Since there had been no precursor signs, she hadn't predicted it, which told her immediately that something was wrong. Vivi answered her unasked question.
"It can't be..."
"Vivi?"
"It's his doing."
The cause was identified. But the idea that a Devil Fruit power could do this much... While Nami trembled, Vivi stared at the sandstorm as if facing the enemy himself.
The soldiers were confused, but helpless.
Soon, the sandstorm reached the plaza. Violent winds raged, and flying dust instantly reduced visibility to near zero. Worse, the storm seemed to park itself over them, its intensity undiminished.
The situation was worst-case. The square was enveloped in a storm that felt malicious. Enemy detection would be delayed, and combat would be hindered.
Suddenly, Sanji's face went pale. He was the first to scan the surroundings through the haze.
"Damn it. Was this timing the plan all along...!"
His realization came a split second too late. Just as the sandstorm spread confusion, the situation changed abruptly.
From all directions, from the rooftops, bombs were lobbed into the square.
Explosions roared, tearing up the ground and the barricades. The smoke from the blasts mixed with the sand, blinding them further.
It was a surprise attack designed to throw the Royal Army into chaos—the quickest way to seize control of the battle. Under the cover of the sandstorm, Baroque Works had arrived.
"E-Enemy attack!?"
"This is ridiculous...! Was this all calculated too!?"
Chaka gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached. He had intended to meet any attack head-on, but this was the worst possible opening move.
Visibility was terrible. Issuing orders would be too slow. By the time he heard reports from his subordinates, it would be too late. The timing was impeccable.
Right now, his exhausted men needed a leader to drag them forward by the arm. That was why Sanji had stepped up, and why Chaka had decided to take over, even entrusting the Princess's safety to others.
It was hard to visually confirm what was happening. The soldiers were wavering, their resolve to intercept the enemy crumbling.
A total rout was possible. Chaka frantically searched for a countermove, but the angry roars of friend and foe mixed with the continuous explosions made it impossible to think clearly. He couldn't find the answer.
In that chaos, Millions and Billions emerged from all sides, surrounding the plaza.
Leading them were two agents standing shoulder to shoulder.
A small old man carrying a machine on his back and an old woman wearing strange goggles peered into the square. They were the recently recruited Mr. 12 and Miss Saturday. Known as the "Scientist Pair," they had almost no direct combat ability, but they made up for it with their inventions.
"Now then, from here on, it's your turn. We leave the rest to you."
With a shout, the Baroque Works employees flooded the square. Those who had used inventions to scale the roofs dropped down with assisted momentum, while others charged in from the ground entrances. The initial defensive formation was rendered useless, and the area descended into chaos in an instant.
Friend and foe mingled in a brawl.
Baroque Works' numbers had depleted from the earlier fight, but thanks to their strange gadgets and unscrupulous tactics, the shaken Royal Army was being pushed back.
Chaka drew his sword, fighting desperately while shouting orders, but few had the composure to listen. In a contest of pure strength, his exhausted men would lose. He had known they needed a strategy, yet they had fallen right into the enemy's trap. After promising Vivi victory, he couldn't afford to lose here.
Is there no way?
Just as he scanned the battlefield, a bolt of thunder roared in the center of the plaza.
"What...!?"
"Lightning...?"
The sound halted both the Royal Army and Baroque Works for a split second.
The front line of the enemy charge had been scorched black.
As several men fell, a few figures stood amidst the smoke, radiating an intimidating presence that drew all eyes despite the poor visibility. Chaka felt a wave of apology wash over him, even as a smile tugged at his lips.
"Damn, you guys are loud..."
"Oi. We can cut all these guys, right?"
"Bash them to your heart's content. Just don't make me work too hard."
"Alright, I'm gonna do my best too! Uoooooh! I'm a pirate!"
The four of them scattered in four directions, tearing into the enemy with ferocity.
Because it was a surprise counter-assault following the pause, the Baroque Works agents were blown back easily. But as the shock wore off, a fierce melee began.
Remaining in the center, Vivi was flanked by Mr. 9 and Miss Monday, watching the events unfold. She was the general in this chess game. The one piece that could not be taken.
She had been strictly told not to lift a finger. Leaving the fighting to her friends, she resolved to fulfill her duty as a Princess and stand as the symbol of the Royal Army.
"Good grief, are those guys monsters? They're incredible."
"To think they were goofing around just a minute ago. Their strength is a joke."
Vivi didn't seem to hear the agents' banter. She watched every struggle. Men were killing. Men were dying. Her heart ached for all of it, but she refused to look away. She had decided to accept it all.
Vivi clasped her hands before her chest and prayed with desperate intensity.
"Everyone, please... lend us your strength for just a little longer. Please, don't give up...!"
There were those fighting to answer Vivi's prayer.
Bolstered by the aid of these unknown allies, Chaka roused himself. He raised his sword high and roared.
"Prepare yourselves, Royal Army! This is the final battle! Strike down the enemies threatening our homeland! Protect Vivi-sama... Protect the Kingdom of Alabasta! Everyone, fight with your lives on the line!"
His voice, loud enough to cut through the storm, reached the soldiers.
It shook their hearts, banished their hesitation, and killed their fear.
The soldiers responded with a roar, raising their weapons with everything they had left.
"All forces! Advance!!"
At this stage, he didn't tell them to defend. He screamed for them to destroy the enemy.
Answering Chaka's command with a war cry, the Royal Army began their charge. Driven by the will to slay their foes, they crashed into Baroque Works with terrifying force, forgetting their fatigue in a surge of spirit and momentum that pushed the enemy back.
-----------------------------
I've just uploaded up to 30 chapters in advance on Patreon!
If you enjoy this story, please supporting me on Patreon!
👉 [patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your amazing support!