Taro, who had retreated outside the city, felt secretly self-reproachful. He was always worried that after changing the plot, things would escape his knowledge. But if he didn't explain some things clearly, it was hard to gain trust.
"Sigh," Taro sighed and drove the f·crocodile toward the seaside.
Shortly after.
"Leader, Leader Koza!" A Rebel Army soldier ran into the camp in a panic, shouting loudly for Koza.
Inside the tent, Koza was feeling agitated. Hearing the shouts from outside, he dashed out of the tent in one stride. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Leader Koza, the ship... the ship that was bringing us weapons..." The newcomer was somewhat terrified.
Koza grabbed the man's collar and asked sternly, "What happened to the ship?"
"The ship was sunk. A swordsman appeared on the open sea, and with just one slash, he destroyed the weapon ship. Our weapons are gone!" the soldier reported painfully, tears streaming down his face.
"Ah!" Koza roared in anger, shoved the soldier aside, and ran toward the seaside.
On the open sea off Katerea.
Taro stood on a small boat and slowly sheathed his blade. Then he turned around and shouted with all his might at the Rebel Army soldiers and the commotion in the crowd on the distant shore, drawing their attention.
Then, pointing at the weapon transport ship slowly sinking on the sea, he announced loudly:
"Today, I am going to fish in this area of the sea. No ships are allowed to enter or leave the port, otherwise..."
"This will be the consequence!"
Just as Taro finished speaking, the quiet crowd was stunned for a moment before erupting into a burst of noise. Taro was far away and couldn't hear clearly, but he could probably guess it wasn't anything good.
But he didn't care; this was the only way he could stop the Rebel Army from obtaining weapons.
Koza pushed through the crowd and stood by the sea. He looked at the figure on the sea with bloodshot eyes and spat out a few words through gritted teeth, "Prepare a boat for me."
"Leader..."
"Koza..."
"You can't, he..."
Everyone tried to stop him, but Koza waved them off. "Go, quickly!"
Seeing a small boat slowly leaving the port, Taro's eyes turned cold. He drew his sword and was about to strike when he saw a person standing at the bow of the small boat—it was Koza.
"What exactly do you want?!" Koza roared at Taro in shock and anger.
Taro slowly lowered his blade and revealed a smile. "Nothing, I just want to fish and don't like being disturbed."
"You!" Koza pointed at Taro. "You..."
Taro curled his lip and held his sword horizontally. "Stop talking nonsense. If you're unwilling to talk, then we'll let our blades do the talking!"
Koza's face remained gloomy for a while. "Even if we don't have weapons, with harpoons and clubs, we will continue to fight...!"
"How dare you!" Taro shouted angrily, and the seawater around him suddenly surged and exploded with a "bang." "If you dare send those unarmed civilians to the battlefield, I will kill you right now."
Koza gave a sarcastic laugh. "Since you're so powerful, why bother threatening me? Wouldn't it be better to just go and deal with Baroque Works?"
"That way, no one would have to die!"
Taro was speechless.
"Since you can't, then don't stop us!"
Koza said finally.
Taro was silent for a long time, sheathed his sword, and sighed. "If you agree to my condition, then I will take action against Crocodile."
Koza didn't expect Taro to relent and didn't react for a moment, then heard Taro speak again.
"My condition is that from now on, you must stop receiving weapons."
As soon as Taro finished, a soldier behind Koza said, "Leader, you can't agree to him!"
"If you agree to him, our weapons will only..."
Koza waved his hand to stop the soldier from continuing. "I agree."
"Leader..."
Koza raised his hand, interrupting the soldier, and turned around. "Don't spread this news yet. Tomorrow, we will march toward the Royal Capital as planned."
Then he looked back at Taro. "I hope you keep your word."
Taro nodded heavily. "I will naturally do what I say."
At the same time, among the crowd watching on the shore, several people were gathered together. One of them whispered to a companion nearby,
"Go quickly and report the situation to the Vice President!"
Then that person quickly pushed through the crowd and ran toward the town.
Having received the news, Nico Robin arrived at the shore. Koza's small boat had already returned. She looked at the figure still standing proudly on the sea, her eyes flickering.
"Vice President, does this matter need to be reported to the President..."
A lackey asked Robin's opinion in a low voice while handing over a den den mushi.
Robin didn't even look at him, her gaze still fixed on Taro's figure. "Don't you know that the use of den den mushi is prohibited until the President gives a clear order?"
"I will return to Rainbase immediately to report this in person. You all act according to the plan; don't take it upon yourselves to act, understand?"
"Yes."
...The open sea off Alabasta.
"Hina, my troops will land from here. What's your opinion?"
Smoker, with a cigar in his mouth, tapped his large hand on the map. "Hina, did you hear me?"
"Mm," Hina replied lazily. "I'm only cooperating with you to capture the Straw Hat crew. You can land wherever you like."
Smoker frowned. "This is the sea area under your jurisdiction. What's wrong with you? You've been like this for a while now!"
"It's none of your business," Hina responded casually, gazing at the Alabasta coastline through the captain's quarters' window. "I wonder where Taro has gone. Hina is very worried."
Smoker's eyes narrowed, and he also felt an inexplicable irritation. He gave a light snort. "Didn't you say his strength is indeed as strong as the rumors? Then what are you worried about?"
Hina glared at Smoker, also snorted, and pushed the door open to walk out.
"Tch, this woman..." Smoker muttered. "Pass the order, the fleet is preparing to land."
Tashigi gave a military salute. "Yes."
..."Leader Koza, our men report that the man is still on the sea and doesn't seem to have any intention of leaving."
Koza said nothing upon hearing this and waved his hand for the soldier to withdraw... Somewhere in the western border of Alabasta, Spider Cafe.
A female shop owner was sitting in a rocking chair quietly reading a book when the door was suddenly pushed open.
A burly figure walked in. His skin was dark, and there was a large tattoo of the character 'One' on his bare chest.
"Mm, Paula, I'm here," the man said flatly. "Why the sudden rush? This isn't the same as the plan."
The female shop owner put down her book and stood up. "Mr. 1, you've come at just the right time."
She clapped her hands. Several people were already waiting in the shop. A man with a very strange appearance and clothing, as well as a pair of bloated-looking man and woman, all turned their heads to look over.
The agents who were supposed to come have all arrived, and a document has been sent to the Spider Cafe. We must now rush to the 'City of Dreams,' Rainbase.
The man we call 'Boss' is waiting for us there.
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