Three days passed in the blink of an eye...
Katorea, a town near the capital city of Alubarna, served as the headquarters for the Rebel Army.
Led by their commander, Koza, the rebels were now marching silently toward Alubarna. Mixed among them, on camels and giant moving crabs, were the weapon-wielding residents of Elumalu. Belo Betty, concealed by a black cloak, was hidden among the crowd.
Meanwhile, Ryuuto and his two companions had arrived at the royal palace long ago. They were currently taking it easy in the main hall, enjoying a platter of fruit.
"Hey, Vivi," Ryuuto said, putting down the newspaper he was reading. He was getting a little bored. "I heard you know the captivating Perfume Dance! How about a little performance for us?"
"I... I don't think that's a good idea!"
Vivi awkwardly scratched her head of blue hair, then fidgeted with the hem of her clothes. She glanced over at her father, Cobra, and Ikalem for support.
Cobra and Ikalem immediately whipped their heads away.
Both of their faces were black and blue—a masterpiece courtesy of Ryuuto, of course.
When Ryuuto's group had first arrived at the palace, Ikalem had recognized him as a pirate with a 70 million Belly bounty and immediately panicked, aiming the rifle hidden in his curly hair at him. Ryuuto had just chuckled and proceeded to teach them a lesson in what true speed was.
Seven paces. Your bullet's fast, but I'm faster.
After effortlessly dodging Ikalem's shot, Ryuuto sent him flying with a single kick before appearing in front of Cobra and landing a solid punch. With the fighting over, it was time for introductions. After a very "friendly exchange," everyone had gathered in the main hall to await Crocodile's arrival. Having proven his strength, the subsequent conversation went as smoothly as Ryuuto had predicted.
Vivi looked at Ryuuto shyly, then called out in a voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Perfume Dance!"
She began to sway her body from side to side in an exaggerated dance, her long blue hair flowing with the movement. Her hands crossed and uncrossed before her as she moved. With every twist, the loose white robe she wore clung to her, revealing her stunning figure.
It seemed that with her status as a princess, even a reenactment of her embarrassing past could be different. This time, Vivi's Perfume Dance was nothing short of beautiful.
"What kind of dance is this?" Nami asked, watching with curiosity.
"Ah, to be young again," Crocus mused, stroking his beard.
Cobra and Ikalem, however, could only wonder when Vivi had ever learned such a dance.
"I'm finished!" Vivi said, letting out a breath. She stopped, looking at the group with a bashful expression.
"Vivi, you were amazing!" Nami exclaimed, running over to give her a hug.
At that same moment, Koza and the Rebel Army had reached the city gates.
"Charge!"
At Koza's command, the massive force of riders on camels surged forward. The city guards put on a show of resistance before conveniently letting the gate fall, allowing the rebels to pour into Alubarna. As Belo Betty passed through, she shot an appreciative glance at one of the guards she had planted there earlier.
Instantly, the capital city of Alubarna became a battlefield for the Rebel Army and the Royal Army. At the same time, Baroque Works' Officer Agents, Billions, and Millions, who had been lying in wait throughout the city, emerged from hiding.
The rebels and royal soldiers fanned out across the city, engaging one another. Both sides, however, shared a silent understanding, glancing at the red armbands tied to their opponents' wrists. Then, they began to "fight," their blows carefully measured and staged.
"People of Alubarna, I am the Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile. By order of the World Government, I have come to aid you!"
Suddenly, Transponder Snails in every corner of the city crackled to life.
The voice belonged to Crocodile, who was standing on a rooftop, broadcasting his message to the entire city. Beside him stood Robin, Mr. 2 Bon Clay, and Mr. 3 Galdino.
"President, it's time to begin," Robin said, looking at Crocodile.
"Place your trust in me," Crocodile's deep voice continued over the broadcast. "I will help you drive out these rebels!"
With that, he stuffed the Transponder Snail into his coat and dissolved into a swirl of sand, flying toward the royal palace.
Seeing this, Robin, Mr. 2, and Mr. 3 leaped down from the roof. They stood aside, content to simply watch the battle unfold.
Hearing Crocodile's voice, the other Baroque Works agents, Billions, and Millions charged into the crowd, roaring as they attacked the fighting rebels.
Mr. 4 swung his heavy baseball bat, sending the explosive baseballs spat out by his bazooka-dog, Lassoo, into the heart of the battlefield. The bombs detonated indiscriminately, blowing away rebels and royal soldiers alike.
Miss Merry Christmas, a Mole-Mole Fruit user, dragged a rebel commander underground, where she could travel unimpeded.
Mr. 5 continuously picked his nose, flicking his explosive boogers into the crowd, setting off a series of deafening blasts. As a user of the Bomb-Bomb Fruit, any part of his body could explode, including his boogers and even his breath.
Miss Valentine, a user of the Kilo-Kilo Fruit, made herself weigh a single kilogram, leaped from a high place, and then instantly increased her weight to thousands of kilograms, crashing into the ground below.
With the Officer Agents joining the fray, casualties began to mount on both sides.
"This isn't looking good," Robin said, frowning as she watched the battle in the plaza. The forces of Baroque Works were far too powerful. "I wonder how things are going at the palace." She cast a worried glance in the direction Crocodile had disappeared.
Belo Betty swung her flag, knocking down several Baroque Works Millions who stood in her way. Seeing the one-sided slaughter, she took a deep breath, the fabric of her shirt straining as her chest expanded. She inhaled so hard her entire cigarette burned to ash in an instant.
Koza, his forehead bleeding from a recent explosion, ducked behind a wall and desperately tried to contact his subordinates with a Transponder Snail.
Back at the royal palace...
"He's here," Ryuuto said calmly, alerting the others.
He shot up from the sofa, instantly flashing to the outdoor platform.
Coating his right leg in Armament Haki, Ryuuto aimed a powerful kick at the swirling mass of sand that had just landed.
Clang!
The sand instantly solidified into a human form, and a gleaming golden hook met Ryuuto's kick.
"Hello there, Mr. Crocodile."
Seeing his kick had no effect, Ryuuto landed gracefully on the floor, his eyes fixed on the man before him.
"And who are you?" Crocodile asked, polishing the hook on his left hand. "More reinforcements hired by Cobra?"