Both the Beasts Pirates and the Twilight Pirates were retreating from the epicentre of the clash. Neither side desired to be caught in the crossfire of the two titans battling, and the combatants themselves showed little regard for their surroundings. Their confrontation was a force of nature, unstoppable and unavoidable.
At the heart of the maelstrom, Kaido and Kanata were laughing. One, a long-reigning Emperor of the Sea. The other, a seasoned Warlord. Opportunities for an all-out battle were rare, and neither intended to waste this one.
"Not bad. You've been busy improving your strength."
"Wororororo! Don't patronize me! I won't lose like last time!"
The sea churned, the air crackled as their Haki clashed. Kaido realized a direct confrontation of Haki wouldn't yield a decisive outcome, so he opened his massive jaws in his hybrid form.
"Boro Breath!"
A blast of destructive energy erupted towards Kanata, who sliced through it with her spear. The bifurcated Boro Breath slammed into the ice below, shattering and vaporizing it.
The ice, already cracking under the strain of their Haki, was no longer a stable battleground. They both ascended, taking their fight to the sky.
"Blizzard!"
"Tatsumaki Kaifu!"
Kanata summoned a massive blizzard that drew up seawater, freezing it into blades within the vortex, engulfing Kaido in his dragon form.
Kaido, however, wasn't easily defeated. He coiled his massive body, spinning rapidly, generating multiple tornadoes and unleashing a barrage of wind blades that clashed with Kanata's blizzard.
The surrounding sea roiled as wind, ice, and cutting gusts of air raged indiscriminately. Unfazed, Kanata and Kaido, continued their aerial battle.
Kaido's vision obscured by the swirling seawater, nevertheless unleashed a volley of Boro Breaths towards Kanata.
"You think that will work?"
Kanata sliced through the Boro Breaths, she saw Kaido, wreathed in flames, through the momentary clearing. They were within Kanata's domain. Even with his enhanced Haki, the intense cold would inevitably take its toll. Kaido, to counter this, had transformed into his hybrid form, propelling himself towards her by kicking the air.
"This way, I don't get cold! Let's have some more fun!"
"Resourceful… then I'll just keep knocking you down until you run out of stamina."
Kanata intercepted a bolt of lightning with her spear and redirected it towards Kaido in a radial burst. Kaido dodged, then swung his kanabo downwards from above.
"You're manipulating lightning?! You're an ice user! How are you controlling lightning?!"
This wasn't the black lightning generated by Conqueror's Haki. This was real lightning. A Devil Fruit user could only have one ability. That rule was absolute. Kaido glared at Kanata, determined to uncover her secret.
Kanata blocked his attack head-on, and a BOOM reverberated through the air.
"Do I need to explain everything? Figure it out yourself!"
"Wororororo! You're right! I will!"
As soon as he said that, Kaido narrowed his eyes and observed Kanata's movements. It wasn't a Devil Fruit ability. He shifted his gaze to her spear. A faint haze surrounded it. Dark clouds, partially generated by Kaido's own Flame Clouds, constantly swirled above.
As they continued their exchange, he saw a spark of blue-white light at the tip of Kanata's spear. She raised it, drawing down a bolt of lightning, then unleashed it in a blinding flash, followed by a flurry of slashes.
"…I see."
Kaido dodged the slashes and seemed to have deduced the principle. He could ask Queen about the specifics later. The key points were:
The spear's tip glowed when generating lightning.
Generating lightning required time.
With a sign and a time lag, it was easily countered.
As Kanata's spear sparked again, she ascended, and Kaido followed.
"You're not getting away!"
The lightning always struck the spear first. He would exploit that momentary delay. He prepared to attack – but Kanata, who should have been above him, had vanished. She had changed direction, appearing below him.
"What–?"
Kaido looked down. Kanata's spear was sparking – and the next instant, a bolt of lightning struck him directly.
"Foolish, Kaido."
The roar of thunder echoed as the lightning coursed through his body. If she could control where the lightning struck, positioning him between her and the clouds was a simple tactic. He had been too focused on her movements, but he wouldn't fall for it again.
Kaido's body convulsed, momentarily paralyzed. Kanata seized the opportunity, kicking him in the head, sending him plummeting towards the sea. He managed to grab a hastily summoned Flame Cloud just before hitting the water and prevented him from sinking.
"Wororororo! You're not so easy to defeat!"
"Of course not. No one in this vast sea is stronger than me."
In front of the man known as the "Strongest Creature in the World," Kanata declared this without hesitation. Even a Yonko wasn't a threat. She was the strongest. She refroze the sea, creating another icy battlefield.
"You're not tired yet, are you?"
"Don't be stupid! We're just getting started!"
"Good. I haven't had a decent fight in a while – don't disappoint me."
Neither of them had lost the slightest bit of their fighting spirit. In fact, it seemed to get stronger with each collision, as if it was being polished.
Their battle continued, unresolved, for several days, until news arrived that the situation in Alabasta had been resolved.
***
Meanwhile, in the present, in a room within Rain Dinners, the casino in Rainbase, Alabasta…
Baroque Works' Officer Agents were assembled.
Mr. 4, a large, slow-talking man, and Miss Merry Christmas, a quick-witted, older woman.
Mr. 3, a nervous-looking man in glasses, and Miss Goldenweek, a young girl with distinctive pigtails.
Mr. 2 Bon Clay, a flamboyant okama in a swan coat with "Okama Way" written on the back.
Mr. 1, a muscular, shaven-headed man with the number "1" tattooed on his chest, and Miss Doublefinger, a woman with long, blue, permed hair.
All hand-picked by Robin.
"Now then… let's meet the boss."
Due to the accelerated timeline, they were half a day ahead of schedule. Robin, maintaining her composure, directed their attention towards a figure standing in the room.
Slicked-back black hair, a scar across his face, a distinctive golden hook on his left arm, a piercing gaze – everyone in the room recognized him.
"C-Crocodile?!"
"A Warlord… why?!"
While they had speculated about his identity, none had imagined their boss to be one of the Seven Warlords. A wave of shock rippled through the room, quickly silenced by Crocodile's glare.
"Quiet. I have time. I'll explain everything."
Crocodile, forced to alter his plans, was no longer in a favourable position. Nevertheless, he needed to inform them of the changes. He desired military power, and Alabasta, with its hidden resources, was the key.
"…So, we've been working towards acquiring this country," Mr. 1 stated.
"Yes. And the plan is entering its final phase – Operation Utopia. If this succeeds, this country will be ours."
However, even if they succeeded, time was of the essence.
"You're aware of the clash between the Beasts Pirates and Big Mom Pirates alliance and the Marines and Twilight Pirates alliance in the New World, correct?"
"It's been all over the news, but their specific destination is unknown," Mr. 3 replied.
"Their destination… is here."
Crocodile tapped his fingers on the table, his irritation was evident. The Officer Agents exchanged nervous glances, realizing the two Yonko were targeting Miss All Sunday, Nico Robin.
"No way…!"
"It's true. That's why we're short on time. We need to destabilize this country quickly and bring it under my control."
He explained the revised plan, designed for a swift and decisive takeover. The agents reviewed their instructions, then burned the papers with the flame from a nearby lamp.
"When each of you completes your assigned task, this country will fall into our hands. Failure is not an option."
The operation would commence at 7:00 am the following morning.
"Good luck," Crocodile said, dismissing them. The agents dispersed, ready to begin their tasks.
***
The Baroque Works agents used the Banchi, a squad of water-walking turtles, to travel from Rainbase, passing near Alubarna, to Nanohana. They began their operations under cover of darkness.
Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas, tasked with kidnapping the king, disembarked near Alubarna and stealthily made their way towards the royal palace, communicating solely through hand signals.
"…Here we are."
The palace was heavily guarded, making their task incredibly difficult, but they were professionals.
They had infiltrated the palace, reaching the king's chambers undetected. The patrolling guards had just passed. They had a small window of opportunity. They prepared to act, when a voice spoke from the shadows.
"The king is asleep. Leave, Baroque Works."
Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas leaped back, their eyes widening as they saw the speaker. An old man with white hair, dressed in grey work clothes. They hadn't sensed his presence until he spoke. They were wary.
"Who are you?" Miss Merry Christmas asked.
"Do you have time for introductions? I've already dealt with your companion."
"What?"
Something dripped from the old man's hand – Junshi's hand. It was blood, Mr. 4's blood. They realized this as Mr. 4, who should have been beside them, collapsed.
"Mr. 4!"
"Quiet. I said the king is asleep."
Miss Merry Christmas felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead. He had killed Mr. 4 silently and swiftly. She transformed into her hybrid form, a mole, hoping to increase her chances of survival, but Junshi merely raised his fists.
He had no questions. Torturing a professional wouldn't yield any useful information, and he already knew everything. His task was simple: elimination.
"You're joking! A monster like you, guarding the king…!"
"A Zoan user. As expected."
Her Devil Fruit ability was irrelevant. A single punch was all it would take.
"You're not letting us leave…" Miss Merry Christmas realized.
"Of course not. You should know, operating in this world, a single mistake can be fatal."
She had survived this long. She wasn't weak.
"Damn it! I'm not going down that easily!"
Escape was impossible. She had to block his attack, at least once, to survive. Focus. Counterattack. There was no other option. She raised her mole claws, ready.
Junshi closed the distance and his fist connected with her claws. They shattered.
"What?!"
Before she could react, Junshi's fist struck her chest, the force of the blow shattered her ribs, ruptured her heart and sent her flying backwards.
He glanced at her lifeless body, then, as the palace guards arrived, alerted by the commotion, he instructed them to deal with the aftermath and returned to his post, silently resuming his vigil.
He felt nothing, having eliminated two of Crocodile's agents. He was a professional. His task was to complete his mission, regardless of the opponent.
Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas were eliminated.
(Meanwhile, Luffy and the others are having a pillow fight on board the Going Merry. Hahaha…)