Chapter 20: Operation Utopia
Year 1516 - Alabasta, Two Weeks After the Crocodile Confrontation
The warehouse on the outskirts of Rainbase burned.
Not from battle or accident, but deliberately—Aiko's crew destroying evidence before Baroque Works agents could relocate it. Inside, they'd found shipping manifests, weapon caches, and communication logs that painted a damning picture of Crocodile's conspiracy.
"This is the third weapons depot we've hit this week," Isra reported, watching the flames consume crates of rifles and ammunition. "And each one has the same pattern—arms being shipped to rebel-controlled territories, disguised as merchant goods."
"All traceable back to shell companies owned by Baroque Works," Sadi added, reviewing documents they'd salvaged before the fire. "Crocodile's been arming both sides of the conflict. He supplies rebels to keep the war going, then 'protects' loyalist cities to position himself as a hero."
Aiko studied a map they'd constructed over two weeks of investigation. Red pins marked known Baroque Works operations. Blue pins showed weapon shipments. Green pins indicated rebel activity. The pattern was clear—every rebel attack had been preceded by a Baroque Works shipment to that area.
"We're building a case," he said. "But it's not enough. Crocodile's a Warlord—even with evidence, the World Government might ignore it if exposing him is inconvenient. We need something undeniable. Something that proves his guilt beyond any doubt."
"Like catching him red-handed?" Yuki suggested.
"Or finding the source of the drought," Kiara said, pointing to another section of the map. "The Dance Powder. If we can prove he's been using it to create the artificial drought, that's a direct violation of international law. Even the World Government couldn't ignore that."
Dance Powder—the substance that could extract moisture from the air, creating rain in one location by stealing it from everywhere else. It had been banned worldwide after wars fought over its use. If Crocodile was employing it...
"That's our target," Aiko decided. "Find the Dance Powder stockpile. Document it. Then expose everything at once—the weapons, the manufactured rebellion, the drought manipulation. Make it impossible for the World Government to protect him."
"There's a problem," Aria said, her mist form coalescing from where she'd been scouting. "We're not the only ones investigating. I just detected Marine ships in Alabasta's waters—three of them, bearing Rear Admiral colors. And they're heading for the capital, Alubarna."
Everyone tensed. Marines in Alabasta, while they were conducting covert operations...
"Which Rear Admiral?" Aiko asked.
"Hina. 'Black Cage' Hina. She's known for her Ori Ori no Mi—the Cage-Cage Fruit. Anything she passes through gets trapped in iron bars." Aria's expression was worried. "And according to overhead conversations, she's specifically hunting for the Snow Admiral. Someone leaked our presence here."
"Crocodile," Isra said immediately. "He contacted the Marines, told them where we are. He can't beat us himself without risking his cover, so he's using the Government to do his dirty work."
"Smart," Aiko admitted grudgingly. "He maintains his Warlord status, gets rid of us, and the investigation dies with us. We need to move faster. How long do we have?"
"Maybe forty-eight hours before Hina's forces start systematic searches. Less if they get lucky."
"Then we split operations. Team One—myself, Isra, and Aria—will hunt for the Dance Powder stockpile. Team Two—Sadi, Kiara, and Yuki—will gather the remaining evidence on weapon shipments and Baroque Works operations. Team Three—everyone else—prepare the Hakusetsu for emergency extraction and keep monitoring Marine movements."
"What about the Poneglyph?" Doc asked. "Robin said if we stop Operation Utopia, she'll talk. But we can't read the Poneglyph without her."
"First we stop the coup. Then we recruit Robin. The Poneglyph isn't going anywhere, but Alabasta's stability is measured in days." Aiko looked at each crew member. "Questions?"
Marcus raised his hand. "What do we do if we encounter Baroque Works officer agents? The numbered ones—Mr. 1, Mr. 2, etc. Intelligence says they're all Devil Fruit users or martial arts masters."
"Avoid if possible. Engage only if necessary. Our mission is investigation, not combat. If you're compromised, retreat and regroup." Aiko's expression was serious. "This isn't like fighting pirates. Baroque Works is a professional criminal organization with hundreds of trained agents. We're outnumbered, outpositioned, and working against a timeline. Caution over heroics."
"Understood."
They dispersed to their assignments. As Aiko prepared his gear, Sadi approached privately.
"There's something else," she said quietly. "Revolutionary intelligence just sent an update. Dragon wants you to know—the World Government is planning something big. They've pulled Admiral Akainu from active patrol and stationed him at Mary Geoise. Along with increased CP0 presence and what Dragon calls 'unusual activity among the Five Elders.'"
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning they're preparing for something. Dragon thinks it might be related to you—that your bounty increase and designation as 'Enemy of Humanity' was the first step in a larger plan. He says to be careful, that Im—" she stopped, looking conflicted.
"Im?" Aiko prompted. This was the first time anyone had said that name directly.
"The person above the Five Elders. The one who's supposedly ruled for eight centuries. Dragon says Im has been showing unusual interest in your activities. That's never good—when ancient powers start paying attention to individuals, those individuals tend to... disappear."
Aiko absorbed this. Im-sama. The shadow ruler. The architect of eight hundred years of control. And apparently, Aiko had drawn their attention.
"Tell Dragon I appreciate the warning. But it doesn't change our mission. If anything, it makes exposing the truth more urgent. If Im is threatened by what we're doing, we must be on the right track."
"Or you're walking into a trap that's been eight centuries in the making."
"Maybe both." Aiko smiled slightly. "But we've been walking into traps since Sabaody. At least now we know who's setting them."
Alubarna, Royal Palace - Same Time
Princess Nefertari Vivi stood in her father's throne room, trying to hide her frustration as King Cobra addressed his advisors.
"The drought continues," one advisor reported. "The outer regions have had no rain in three years. Crops are failing. People are starving. The rebellion grows daily."
"And still the capital receives rain," another added. "The people believe Your Majesty is hoarding water through forbidden means. The accusations of Dance Powder use become harder to deny."
"Because I'm not using Dance Powder!" Cobra's voice was strained. "Someone else is—someone who wants to frame me, to turn my people against me. But we have no proof, no way to find the source."
Vivi clenched her fists. She'd been investigating secretly for months, trying to find evidence of who was manipulating her kingdom. She suspected Baroque Works—the criminal organization that had appeared around the same time as the drought. But every lead turned to sand in her hands.
Literally, sometimes. She'd seen agents dissolve into sand when cornered, leaving no trace.
"Your Majesty," Igaram, the captain of the guard and Vivi's secret protector, spoke carefully. "There are reports of unusual activity in Rainbase. A group calling themselves the Wandering Marines has been operating there. They've destroyed several warehouses, engaged in combat with local forces, and—"
"Wait," Vivi interrupted. "The Wandering Marines? The rebel Marines who escaped Impel Down?"
"The same, Princess. Led by Commodore Danzo Aiko, the Snow Admiral. His bounty is eight hundred million berries."
Vivi's mind raced. She'd heard stories about the Snow Admiral—a Marine who'd defied his superiors to protect innocents, who'd fought an Admiral to save his crew, who'd broken out of the world's most secure prison. If the stories were true, he was either a dangerous criminal or a genuine hero, depending on who you asked.
"What are they doing in Rainbase?" she asked.
"Unknown, Princess. But intelligence suggests they've been targeting the same facilities we suspect are connected to the weapon smuggling. It's possible they're investigating the same conspiracy we are."
Before Vivi could respond, an explosion rocked the palace. Guards rushed in, weapons drawn.
"Report!" Igaram commanded.
"Rebels, sir! Thousands of them, marching on the capital! They're armed with modern weapons and demanding the king's abdication!"
King Cobra stood, his aged face pale but determined. "This is it. The rebellion has reached Alubarna. Igaram, deploy the royal guard. We'll try to negotiate, but prepare for the worst."
"Father, wait!" Vivi grabbed his arm. "Something's wrong. The rebellion wasn't supposed to reach this scale this quickly. Someone's accelerating the timeline, forcing a confrontation—"
Another explosion, closer this time.
Through the palace windows, they could see smoke rising from the city, hear the sounds of combat, see thousands of rebels flooding toward the palace.
And at their head, commanding the assault with professional precision, was someone Vivi recognized from intelligence reports: Mr. 2 Bon Clay, a Baroque Works officer agent with the Clone-Clone Fruit, currently wearing King Cobra's face.
"It's a trap," Vivi breathed. "They're using my father's likeness to command the rebels. Making them think he's ordered attacks on his own people. This will turn the entire kingdom against us!"
"We need to expose the deception," Igaram said urgently. "Show the rebels they're being manipulated—"
"By whom?" Cobra asked. "We still don't know who's orchestrating this!"
"I do."
Everyone turned to see a woman standing in the doorway—how she'd gotten past the guards was unclear. She had dark hair, blue eyes, and an expression of calm calculation.
Nico Robin.
"You're Miss All Sunday," Vivi said, recognizing her from intelligence photos. "Crocodile's partner. You're with Baroque Works!"
"I was," Robin corrected. "Past tense. As of approximately ten minutes ago, I've decided that Sir Crocodile's plan has become too... destructive for my comfort. So I'm offering information in exchange for sanctuary."
"Why should we trust you?" Igaram demanded, his weapon ready.
"Because I can tell you exactly how to stop this coup, who's behind it, and where to find proof. And because..." Robin glanced toward the window, where more explosions were erupting, "you don't have many alternatives right now. The Snow Admiral was right—actions prove trustworthiness. Consider this my action."
Vivi made a split-second decision. "Talk. Quickly."
"Crocodile is orchestrating everything. He's been using Dance Powder to create the drought, arming rebels through Baroque Works, and manipulating both sides to destroy this kingdom. His goal is to seize power in the chaos and claim the Poneglyph hidden beneath this palace. Once he has it, he'll search for the Ancient Weapon Pluton."
Dead silence.
"You're saying a Warlord is trying to overthrow my kingdom to find a weapon of mass destruction?" Cobra's voice was hollow.
"Yes. And he's succeeding. Unless you can expose his conspiracy in the next few hours, Alabasta falls." Robin pulled out a map, spreading it on a table. "These are the locations of Dance Powder stockpiles. These are Baroque Works command centers. And here—" she pointed to a specific location, "—is where Crocodile stores all the evidence he's been collecting to eventually blackmail the World Government if needed. Financial records, communication logs, everything."
"Why are you betraying him?" Vivi asked.
Robin's expression was unreadable. "Let's say I've been reminded that some causes are worth more than personal security. The Snow Admiral is attempting to stop this coup. I find myself... wanting him to succeed. Call it curiosity about whether idealism can actually triumph over pragmatism."
Before anyone could respond, the door burst open again. This time it was Chaka, one of Alabasta's guardians with the Jackal-Jackal Fruit.
"Your Majesty! The Snow Admiral's forces have engaged the rebels at the western gate! They're fighting to protect the palace!"
Everyone rushed to the windows. Below, they could see it—a smaller force in Marine-style uniforms and civilian clothes, forming defensive lines against the rebel assault, using non-lethal techniques to subdue rather than kill.
At their head, unmistakable with his white hair and coat, was Danzo Aiko, ice barriers forming to block weapon fire, his voice carrying across the battlefield:
"Citizens of Alabasta! You're being manipulated! The drought, the weapons, the attacks—they're all orchestrated by Baroque Works and Crocodile! We have proof! Stop fighting your countrymen and listen!"
"He's trying to reason with them," Vivi breathed. "In the middle of combat, he's trying to save lives instead of taking them."
"He's going to get killed," Igaram said grimly. "The rebels are too enraged to listen. They believe the king betrayed them. Words won't—"
"Then we give them more than words," Vivi decided. She turned to Robin. "You said you have proof of Crocodile's conspiracy. Show me. Now."
The Western Gate - Aiko's Position
The battle was chaos.
Rebels poured toward the palace, driven by three years of suffering and rage. Aiko's forces—maybe thirty Marines and Revolutionary agents—held defensive positions, trying desperately to stop the assault without killing anyone.
It was nearly impossible.
"Sir!" Yuki shouted over the din. "We can't hold this position much longer! There are too many!"
"Then we fall back to the secondary line!" Aiko created another ice wall, blocking a volley of bullets. "Remember—minimal force! These people aren't our enemies, they're victims!"
A man with a sword broke through, screaming about his dead children, his dried crops, his destroyed life. Aiko disarmed him with a precise strike, froze his legs to immobilize him, and moved on to the next attacker.
How many could he save? How many rebels could he stop without killing? How long until his crew was overwhelmed?
Then, from the palace, a voice amplified by Den Den Mushi:
"PEOPLE OF ALABASTA! THIS IS PRINCESS VIVI! PLEASE, STOP FIGHTING AND LISTEN!"
The combat faltered, rebels hesitating. Princess Vivi was beloved, even among those who hated the king. Her voice carried weight.
"You've been deceived!" Vivi continued, her voice breaking with emotion. "The drought is not my father's doing! The weapons you carry were given by criminals! The rebellion has been manufactured by Baroque Works and their leader, the Warlord Crocodile!"
"Lies!" someone shouted from the rebel forces. "The king is trying to trick us!"
"Then look at this!" Vivi's voice was joined by another—Robin's, clinical and precise. "Shipping manifests showing Dance Powder purchased by Crocodile's shell companies. Communication logs detailing weapon shipments to rebel leaders. Financial records proving every aspect of your rebellion has been funded and directed by Baroque Works. You've been puppets in someone else's scheme!"
Large screens—Den Den Mushi projectors—activated across the palace walls, showing documents, photographs, maps. Everything Aiko's crew had gathered, plus Robin's insider knowledge, displayed for everyone to see.
The rebels wavered. Some continued attacking, too angry to listen. But others—the majority—stopped, staring at the evidence, beginning to understand they'd been used.
"This doesn't prove anything!" A new voice, and Aiko's Observation Haki screamed a warning.
Mr. 2 Bon Clay, in King Cobra's form, appeared on a rooftop, his Devil Fruit transformation perfect.
"The princess has been corrupted by the rebel Marines!" the false Cobra shouted. "She's working with criminals to undermine your justified revolution! Attack! For Alabasta!"
The rebels started to surge forward again, but Aiko was already moving.
He used Geppo to reach the rooftop in seconds, appeared beside the fake Cobra, and Yukikaze swept out—not to kill, but to cut the man's face just enough to draw blood.
"Yuki no Mai: Shōmei!" Snow Dance: Revelation!
Ice spread from the wound, and as it did, it disrupted Mr. 2's Devil Fruit transformation. The face flickered, revealing Bon Clay's true features for just a moment before he fully reverted.
"An impostor!" Vivi's voice rang out. "That's not my father! It's Mr. 2 Bon Clay of Baroque Works, using his Clone-Clone Fruit to manipulate you!"
The rebels saw it. Saw the transformation, the deception, the proof of manipulation. And like a dam breaking, the truth flooded through them.
They'd been used. Lied to. Turned against their own kingdom by criminals.
The assault stopped.
Not immediately—there was confusion, anger, denial. But the momentum broke. People started lowering weapons, started questioning, started seeing the evidence Vivi had provided.
And into that moment of hesitation, a voice like sand and smoke:
"Well. This is inconvenient."
Crocodile appeared on the palace walls, his coat billowing, his hook gleaming in the sun.
"I had planned to wait until more blood was spilled before revealing myself. But it seems the Snow Admiral has accelerated my timeline." The Warlord's smile was cold. "No matter. I can work with this."
His hand transformed to sand, and a massive wave of it crashed toward the palace walls—toward King Cobra, toward Vivi, toward everyone.
Aiko appeared between them and the attack, his awakened powers creating an ice barrier that held against the sand for precious seconds.
"Everyone inside! Now!" he shouted. "This fight just got real!"
As civilians and rebels fled for cover, as royal guards mobilized, as the situation spiraled from coup attempt to actual Warlord assault, Aiko faced Crocodile again.
"You just couldn't leave well enough alone," the Warlord said, his casual demeanor gone, replaced by genuine anger. "You've ruined months of planning. Exposed my organization. Turned potential victory into complicated mess."
"That's kind of my specialty," Aiko replied, Yukikaze ready despite exhaustion. "Ruining the plans of people who hurt innocents."
"Then let me return the favor." Crocodile's entire body transformed into a sandstorm. "Sables: Pesado!"
The second battle between snow and sand began, this time with an entire kingdom watching.
And somewhere in the palace, Nico Robin watched through a window, seeing Aiko once again throw himself between danger and innocents, and made a final decision about who deserved her trust.
END OF CHAPTER 20
Next Chapter: "The Fall of a Warlord - Battle for Alabasta"