In a side hall of the palace, Cobra, Vivi, and Leo were deep in conversation. Nami had taken the other women to use her Weather-Weather Fruit powers to disperse the lingering Dance Powder clouds.
"Leo, thank you for your help with Alabasta," King Cobra said, his voice filled with sincere gratitude. "Without you, we would have had no way to deal with Crocodile."
"I said I would help Vivi," Leo replied with a casual wave of his hand. Besides, he genuinely couldn't stand Crocodile's arrogance.
Hearing him say it was for her, Vivi immediately covered her face, her cheeks flushing a deep, rosy red.
Cobra looked at his daughter with a strange expression, a sinking feeling in his stomach. He knew their relationship was unusual, but surely... surely it hadn't progressed that far yet? It couldn't have! He tried to reassure himself.
"Don't celebrate too early," Leo said, shifting the topic and saving Vivi from further embarrassment. "Alabasta's crisis isn't fully resolved yet."
"You mean the rebel army?" Cobra's face fell. It was true. While the mastermind Crocodile was dead, the internal strife continued to fester, threatening to spiral out of control. Nearly a hundred thousand rebels had gathered across Alabasta, a staggering number that weighed heavily on Cobra's conscience. The situation was still dire.
"I sent Robin to Katorea to negotiate with the rebel leaders," Leo said, taking a slow sip of tea. "We should have news soon."
"The rebel headquarters?!" Cobra was taken aback.
Buru Buru~
Buru Buru~
Right on cue, a Den Den Mushi began to ring.
"What's the situation?" Leo answered immediately.
Robin's low, serious voice came through. "Leo, the situation isn't good. I'm afraid this war can't be stopped."
Vivi shot to her feet, staring at the snail. "Robin! What happened?!" If the royal army and the rebels clashed, Alabasta would be bathed in bloodshed. It was a sight Vivi desperately wanted to avoid.
"Koza has been assassinated," Robin explained, her voice heavy with regret. "Killed by Baroque Works agents."
Koza?! Cobra's pupils constricted. Koza was the leader of the rebel army. With him dead, the hundred thousand rebels would surely assume the king was responsible.
"Koza?!" Vivi's voice trembled.
"Vivi, you knew him?" Robin, ever perceptive, picked up on the distress in the princess's voice.
"Yes... we knew each other since we were very young," Vivi said, her spirits sinking. As childhood friends, she never wanted to face Koza on a battlefield, nor did she wish him harm. To hear of his death like this was a devastating blow.
After a moment of silence, Robin continued. "Crocodile had Koza assassinated to provoke a full-scale war between the rebels and the crown, to plunge Alabasta into chaos." His true goal was the Ancient Weapon Pluton. What happened to Alabasta itself was irrelevant to him.
"Robin, what's the rebels' current status?" Leo asked.
"They've completely lost control," she reported. "They all believe the king ordered Koza's death. They're mobilizing now, preparing to march on the capital to avenge their leader."
Her words sent a chill down Cobra's spine. His worst fear was coming true.
"Captain," Robin added, "their rage is uncontrollable. If they break into the capital..." She didn't need to finish. Cobra shuddered. Being torn limb from limb would be a merciful end. With Koza's death, the rebels' last shred of reason had vanished. Their only thought was to execute King Cobra.
"Robin, don't worry about it anymore. Just come back," Leo instructed before ending the call.
"Leo, you have a plan, right?!" Vivi's eyes were red-rimmed as she grabbed his hand. All her hopes now rested on him.
"Don't worry," Leo gave her a reassuring look. "Sending Robin to negotiate was an attempt at a peaceful solution. If that doesn't work, we'll just have to use force."
As he spoke, Leo briefly checked his status panel.
[Host: Leo]
[System: The Conquest System]
[Constitution: Iron Balloon Talent (Identical to Big Mom's)]
[Swordsmanship: Golden Lion Shiki-level Master Swordsmanship, Dual Blades Style]
[Rokushiki: Beginner]
[Observation Haki: Intermediate]
[Armament Haki: Intermediate]
[Conqueror's Haki: Intermediate]
[Innate Ability: Instant Transmission]
[Devil Fruits: Heal-Heal Fruit, Weather-Weather Fruit]
[Navigation Support Skill: Hand of the Tide]
[Special: Physique-Enhancing Essence]
[System Warehouse: 41 Observation Haki Fruits, 41 Armament Haki Fruits, 19 Conqueror's Haki Fruits, Tri-Haki Training Manual, Several Million Berries, Various Sundries]
Thanks to the Tri-Haki Training Manual, Leo's Haki had successfully advanced from Beginner to Intermediate. The Dream-State training method for Conqueror's Haki was incredibly effective. While he was still a long way from Conqueror's Infusion, dealing with a mere hundred thousand rebels was well within his capabilities.
He felt Vivi's grip on his arm tighten. "Leo," she pleaded, "if it's possible... could you please not use your lightning?"
She was worried. If Leo used his lightning, many would die. These rebels, after all, were just ordinary citizens deceived by Crocodile.
"I wasn't planning to hurt them," Leo chuckled, amused by her flustered expression. "I'll just knock them all out with Conqueror's Haki."
Vivi's face cleared as she remembered the information about Conqueror's Haki that Leo had explained when he gave her the Haki fruits. She felt much better.
"Leo, I'm sorry to trouble you again," Cobra said, his voice full of apology. First Crocodile, now the rebels. These were all problems for the royal family to solve, yet they kept relying on Leo. He felt deeply ashamed.
"It's fine. Compared to what Vivi has given me, this is nothing," Leo waved it off again.
Cobra looked puzzled. What had Vivi given him? Alabasta was practically broke; what could they possibly have that Leo would value?
Vivi, catching his meaning, immediately looked down, avoiding her father's gaze and pretending nothing was amiss. She grumbled internally, Leo, must you say such things!
"Your Majesty!" A urgent voice called from the door. Igaram hurried in and bowed.
"Rise, quickly!" Cobra said, setting aside his thoughts. "What's the situation with the rebels?!"
Igaram's expression was grave. "Your Majesty, according to our intelligence, the rebels have finished mobilizing. They've set out from Katorea. At their current pace, they will be at the capital's gates in two to three days!"
Cobra's face darkened. "Notify Pell and Chaka immediately. Mobilize the entire royal army and prepare our defenses."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Igaram saluted and left. Though Cobra trusted Leo, as the King of Alabasta, he couldn't simply do nothing in the face of a rebel army.
Once Igaram was gone, Cobra turned back to Leo. He ventured a tentative question. "Leo, once things in Alabasta are settled... you'll be leaving, won't you?"
Leo nodded. "Yes. Once the rebels are handled and the Dance Powder is washed away, I'll take my crew and leave." He estimated it would only be a few more days.
Cobra glanced almost imperceptibly at Vivi. After a moment of hesitation, he asked with difficulty, "And Vivi...?"
"Vivi is a member of my crew now. I'll definitely be taking her with me," Leo stated firmly.
Cobra's face fell. He had sensed the nature of Leo and Vivi's relationship. As a father, he wouldn't interfere with Vivi's choices, especially since Leo was Alabasta's savior. But...
"Father, is there something you want to say?" Vivi asked, noticing his troubled look.
Cobra let out a weary sigh. "Leo, to be frank with you, the stress of ruling Alabasta these past years has taken its toll on my health. It's been declining day by day." He looked at his daughter. "I understand you want to take Vivi with you. But she is my only heir, the princess of Alabasta. If something were to happen to me..."
Before he could finish, Leo was suddenly behind him. A soft, green glow enveloped Cobra as Leo activated the power of the Heal-Heal Fruit.
Cobra's eyes widened in disbelief. In mere seconds, he felt the chronic pains and ailments that had plagued him for years simply vanish. His body felt revitalized.
"I've healed all your old injuries and illnesses," Leo stated matter-of-factly. "You have nothing to worry about now. Rule in peace; your people still need you." He then looked at Vivi. "As for Vivi, I will take good care of her."
It all happened so fast Cobra was still processing it when Leo finished speaking.
Pfft— Vivi couldn't hold back a happy laugh. She was overjoyed that her father was healed, and now she could follow Leo without any lingering worries.
A strained smile appeared on Cobra's face as he took stock of his renewed body. It was true. The old weaknesses were gone, and he felt stronger. Another ability I can't comprehend, he thought with an internal sigh. He looked at Vivi, who was gazing at Leo with undisguised affection, and could only shake his head in resignation. A daughter grown is a daughter gone.
On Cobra's orders, the tens of thousands of residents near the city gates were evacuated to safe areas within two days, preparing for the rebel army's arrival.
On the third day, the ground began to tremble with the approach of the hundred thousand rebels, their rage and hatred palpable as they finally reached the capital.
"Charge! Capture Cobra!!!"
"Make the royal army pay!!!"
"Avenge Leader Koza!!!"
"Kill them all!!!"
The rebels, driven mad by grief and years of pent-up anger, had lost all reason. Since Cobra wouldn't give them a way to live, they would take one by force, killing every royal soldier and executing the king.
Leo stood atop the city wall, looking down at the horde charging from the distance. Behind him were Cobra, Vivi, and several ministers. Though they trusted Leo, the sight of the massive, seething army was still terrifying.
As the rebels drew nearer, their battle cries and roars filled the air above the capital. The combined hatred and fury of a hundred thousand people was a tangible, oppressive force.
"Cobra! Get down here!!!" a rebel commander on horseback screamed, pointing his sword up at the king.
Hearing him, all the rebels looked up, their bloodshot eyes locking onto Cobra. Being the focus of such concentrated malice made the king tremble.
"Your Majesty!" Igaram quickly stepped forward to steady him.
"I'm alright," Cobra said, waving him off.
"Leo, it's up to you now," Vivi said, her voice tight with anxiety.
Leo smiled and ruffled her hair. "Relax."
He closed his eyes, expanding his Observation Haki until it enveloped the entire rebel force. Then, his eyes snapped open.
HUM~
In an instant, an overwhelming, domineering pressure erupted from him. A wave of Conqueror's Haki, powerful and aggressive, swept over the rebels like a tidal wave.
Within its range, everyone was affected. Those with weak wills were instantly knocked unconscious.
The Conqueror's Haki swept through the vanguard like a hurricane. Just as they were about to reach the gates, the immense pressure crashed down on them. In the space of a breath, tens of thousands of rebels—men and horses alike—collapsed, their eyes rolling back into their heads.
As the Haki rapidly spread, the rest of the hundred thousand-strong army met the same fate. The sound of bodies hitting the ground became a continuous rumble. In less than ten seconds, the entire roaring rebel army lay unconscious.
Leo looked down at the sea of fallen bodies with a satisfied nod. Mission accomplished.
Behind him, Cobra, Vivi, and the others stood in stunned silence.
It was over? Just like that? That was a hundred thousand people! Even though they had expected it, witnessing it firsthand left them speechless.
A recovered Cobra stepped forward to the rampart and looked down. Before the city gates, the rebels were piled on top of each other like stacked firewood, all unconscious, their weapons scattered everywhere.
"So this is the power of Conqueror's Haki... One in a million... It's truly domineering!" Igaram was utterly awestruck.
"I'd only heard legends. It's truly extraordinary," Pell and Chaka agreed, nodding in amazement.
Leo simply smiled without comment. If his Haki hadn't reached the Intermediate level, dealing with so many people at once wouldn't have been so easy. True mastery of Conqueror's Haki lay in Infusion and Future Sight negation. For now, his Haki was only good for clearing out small fries.
"My part is done. The rest is up to you," Leo said, turning to leave.
Cobra immediately sprang into action. The first step was to confiscate all the rebels' weapons and equipment. The second was to relocate the unconscious rebels to a secure area. The third, once they awoke, was to calm them and reveal the truth. The process began in an orderly fashion, though it would undoubtedly take time. Fortunately, none of it required Leo's further involvement.
Meanwhile, Nami successfully used her powers to wash all the residual Dance Powder from the atmosphere. With that interference gone, Alabasta would no longer have to worry about rain.
With Crocodile dead, the rebel army pacified, and the Dance Powder cleansed, all Alabasta needed was time. Under Cobra's rule, the kingdom would surely return to its former prosperity
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T/N :
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