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Among the officials below, some remained calm and composed, while others were already panicking, but at this moment, no one dared to voice any objections.
After timidly acknowledging the command, the officials dispersed.
Only when everyone had left the grand hall did the major's expression grow slightly serious.
"How is the plan progressing on Major General's end?"
"We're drawing the snake out of its hole. The pressure over there is intense, after all, the opponent is…"
After a pause, the soldier below continued solemnly:
"It's that Shichibukai called Crocodile!"
"A top-tier expert in this world! I'd really like to see his strength in person."
With a sigh, the major waved his hand.
"Let's focus on our mission. The five Parliamentary Procedure members are no ordinary people either; there shouldn't be any problems."
The soldiers then dispersed in all directions to capture the fake Cobra and intimidate the officials. This was just the beginning. There was still a mountain of tasks to handle, they were busy.
Across Alubarna, bars hidden in the alleys, dim nightclubs, one after another, were violently broken into by soldiers from Qin's Nation or Alabasta's military, who surged inside.
"Execute all remnants of Baroque Works!"
"Purge the traitorous Shichibukai, Crocodile!"
"Civilians, clear the way!!"
Shouting slogans, under the shocked gazes of the people, a massive and sweeping purge operation had begun.
Even though Baroque Works consisted of many highly skilled assassins, under the joint effort of Qin's Nation soldiers and the large-scale Alabasta military, its branches and personnel were being swiftly wiped out.
No one had expected that Baroque Works, a force founded by the Shichibukai Crocodile, entrenched in Alabasta for years, would be uprooted so quickly.
In a corner of a street in Alubarna,
"What?! The King of Alabasta, Cobra, was actually a puppet impersonated by Crocodile's man?!"
As they watched the Qin's Nation soldiers escort Mr. 2 past them, Cameron and other Marines, dressed in civilian clothes, were dumbfounded.
They finally understood why, after being in Alubarna for so long, they had never seen the King! So the real man had already been replaced.
"Colonel, the situation in this country is seriously messed up now," a soldier remarked with emotion.
The sudden appearance of Qin's Nation soldiers, the fake King, the rebel army, and the Shichibukai Crocodile's forces… Such a chaotic mix, even the Marines were at a loss.
"Right now, we need to figure out who exactly these Qin's Nation soldiers are."
Cameron narrowed his eyes and watched the soldiers march past him as he spoke in a low voice.
"So far, the only intel we have is that their weapons are more advanced than ours. Also, their individual combat ability is high, even surpassing us Marines!"
The soldier following behind spoke in a deep tone.
From several brief skirmishes earlier, they had already formed a rough understanding of Qin's Nation's military.
"But as for their structure, leadership, or commander, we still know absolutely nothing."
"These people vanished the moment they entered Alabasta, only to suddenly appear today. Their actions are too well-organized and purposeful."
As he listened to the report, Cameron's eyes grew more serious, and troubled.
"These people… their objective isn't simple."
"I'm afraid… this country is about to change hands!"
As soon as those words fell, a thunderclap boomed through what had been a perfectly clear sky.
"Rumble, !"
The sudden thunder startled many people. In drought-ridden Alabasta, rain was rare and extremely hard to come by.
Three minutes later, a light drizzle began to fall, then rapidly intensified into a torrential downpour.
At that moment, a soldier from Qin's Nation's forces suddenly had a gleam in his eyes, dashed to higher ground, raised his rifle, and shouted:
"It is heaven's will! Qin's Nation will surely bring prosperity to all!"
It sounded foolish, simple words spoken like a fanatic, but in that moment, it struck a deep chord within the people of Alabasta. Then, the entire street erupted. One after another, people rushed out of their homes, ran into the heavy rain, crying out madly, basking in the long-awaited downpour.
At the gates of Alubarna, a figure slowly lowered his hands after finishing a hand seal, smiling as he gazed at the falling rain before him.
"Ninpō (Ninja Art): Rain Tiger at Will Technique!"
This downpour now covered nearly all of Alubarna, and in an instant, allowed this man to grasp the complete state of the city.
Behind him, Buggy, Sanji, and Qing You stared on in disbelief and awe.
Just moments ago, this man had transformed into a black dragon, carrying them across a vast distance. In mere minutes, they had arrived in this city!
"A Devil Fruit user?!" Buggy muttered in shock.
But how could it be? Wasn't His Majesty already a Logia-type? How could he possibly possess other abilities as well?
"Your Majesty!"
Just then, Qin's Nation soldiers arrived to relieve the gate guards. Upon seeing Qin Yi, they immediately saluted.
"What's the situation?"
Qin Yi asked calmly, as if seeking the Dao itself.
At that moment, he was rapidly sensing the city's full state. Already, he had mapped out one-fifth of it through the rain.
"Our forces have seized control. The Royal Palace is secured. The five members of the Parliamentary Institute, along with Major General Du Hong, are currently forcing Crocodile to appear!"
The soldier responded quickly.
"Oh? That's rather quick. Not bad."
Qin Yi nodded approvingly.
Through his rain-based perception, he saw Qin's Nation soldiers guarding every key route. They had coordinated well with Alabasta's army. So far, no anomalies.
"Focus on your own duties. No need to worry about me."
Nodding toward the soldier, Qin Yi stepped forward and entered the city.
The soldiers saluted once again, then quickly resumed guarding the gate.
"Qin… are you really a king?"
Hearing the conversation just now, Sanji and Buggy were dumbfounded. These soldiers, dressed in military uniforms and exuding an extraordinary aura, clearly weren't ordinary men. And when they faced Qin Yi, their respect and awe were entirely unhidden, reverent to the point of worship.
It was all enough to show Qin Yi's status.
"His Majesty's strength, identity, and position… are things beyond your comprehension," Qing You said coldly.
At that moment, Qin Yi gave a small laugh.
"Ah, found them. The five Parliamentary Procedure members. And…"
"Crocodile!"
Hearing that name, Buggy and Sanji both stiffened.
On the way here, they had already learned what that name represented,
Shichibukai, Sand Crocodile Crocodile!
A true top-tier expert, with a bounty of 81 million. Buggy, just thinking of facing him, could barely stand still without trembling.
In a courtyard somewhere in the rain-drenched Alubarna…
Crocodile sat quietly, enjoying the downpour before him. Beside him sat a woman in a cowboy hat, her skin dark, face half-concealed, her identity unclear.
Suddenly, a glint flashed in Crocodile's eyes, and a wicked grin curled at the corner of his mouth.
"So all this time… it was you people hiding in the shadows, going against me?"
As soon as the words fell, six figures appeared silently at the edge of the courtyard.
"Crocodile."
"The net has closed."
(End of Chapter)