126. The Gathering Storm

Chapter 126: The Gathering Storm

**Katorea: The Rebel Camp**

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sprawling rebel camp in Katorea. Tents dotted the landscape, their fabric flapping gently in the warm desert breeze. The air was thick with tension, the kind that precedes a storm. The rebels, a mix of hardened fighters and desperate civilians, moved about with purpose, their faces set in grim determination. At the center of the camp, under a large, tattered banner bearing the symbol of the rebellion, stood Koza, the young leader of the rebel army. His face was weathered beyond his years, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and resolve.

Around him, a group of rebel commanders gathered, their voices low but urgent as they discussed their next move. The mood was electric, a palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the air. The time had come. The rebellion was on the brink of its final, decisive act.

Koza stood with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on a map of Alabasta spread out on a makeshift table. The map was marked with red lines and symbols, indicating their planned route to Alubarna. He tapped a finger on the capital city, his voice steady but filled with intensity. "This is it. Alubarna is the heart of Alabasta. If we take it, the royal family falls, and the people will finally see the truth. The corruption, the lies, the suffering—it all ends here."

One of the commanders, a grizzled man with a scar running down his cheek, leaned forward, his voice gruff. "We're ready, Koza. The men are fired up. They've been waiting for this moment for years. But we're still short on weapons. The shipment from Nanohana was delayed. Without those supplies, we're going into this fight at a disadvantage."

Koza's jaw tightened, but he didn't flinch. "We've fought with less before. The people of Alabasta are counting on us. We can't wait any longer. Every day we delay, more lives are lost to the drought, more families are torn apart by the king's greed. We strike now, with or without the weapons."

Another commander, a woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, stepped forward. "Koza, I understand your urgency, but we can't afford to be reckless. The royal army is well-trained and well-equipped. If we march on Alubarna without proper preparation, we're walking into a slaughter."

Koza turned to her, his voice rising slightly. "And if we wait, we risk losing the momentum we've built. The people are with us, Tari. They're tired of suffering under the king's rule. If we hesitate now, we risk losing their trust. We have to strike while the iron is hot."

Tari crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "And what about Crocodile? He's been supplying us with weapons and resources, but we still don't know his endgame. What if he's using us as pawns in some larger scheme?"

Koza's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "Crocodile is a means to an end. Once we take Alubarna and overthrow the king, we'll deal with him. But for now, we focus on the mission. The people of Alabasta come first."

The commanders exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to challenge Koza further. He had a fire in him, a conviction that inspired loyalty even in the face of uncertainty. The rebellion was his life's work, and he would see it through to the end, no matter the cost.

Koza straightened, his voice firm and commanding. "Prepare the men. We march on Alubarna at dawn. Spread the word—this is our moment. The future of Alabasta depends on us."

The commanders nodded, their resolve hardening. They dispersed to carry out his orders, leaving Koza alone with his thoughts. He stared at the map, his hand resting on the symbol of Alubarna. For a moment, his expression softened, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the steely determination that had carried him this far.

"This is for you, Father," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "For all of us."

***

**Alubarna: The Royal Palace**

In the heart of Alubarna, the royal palace stood as a beacon of stability amidst the chaos gripping the kingdom. Its towering walls and grand architecture were a testament to the strength and resilience of the Alabasta royal family. But inside, the mood was anything but stable. King Cobra sat on his throne, his face lined with worry as he listened to the reports from his advisors. The room was filled with the Royal Guards, their armor gleaming in the light of the chandeliers. Among them stood Pell, the leader of the Royal Guards, and Chaka, his trusted second-in-command.

Pell stepped forward, his voice urgent but respectful. "Your Majesty, the rebels are gathering in Katorea. Our scouts report that they're preparing to march on Alubarna. If we don't act now, they'll be at our gates within days."

Chaka, his expression grim, added, "We need to mobilize the Royal Army immediately. If we strike first, we can cut off their advance before they reach the capital."

King Cobra leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. His face was a mask of sorrow, his voice heavy with emotion. "No. I will not order an attack on my own people. The rebels are not our enemies—they are Alabastans, just like us. They're fighting because they believe they have no other choice. If we meet them with violence, we only deepen the divide."

Pell's eyes widened in disbelief. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, if we don't defend ourselves, the rebels will overrun the city. Innocent lives will be lost. We can't afford to be passive."

Chaka nodded in agreement. "Pell is right, Your Majesty. We must protect the people of Alubarna. If we don't act, the kingdom will fall."

King Cobra stood, his voice rising with a rare intensity. "And if we act, we risk becoming the very thing they accuse us of being—tyrants who rule through fear and violence. I will not let this kingdom tear itself apart. There has to be another way."

Before the debate could continue, the doors to the throne room burst open, and a messenger rushed in, his face flushed with urgency. "Your Majesty! A message from Princess Vivi!"

The room fell silent as the messenger handed over a rolled-up parchment. King Cobra's hands trembled slightly as he unrolled it, his eyes scanning the words written in his daughter's familiar handwriting. As he read, his expression shifted from confusion to shock, and finally to grim resolve.

He looked up, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "Vivi has uncovered the truth. Crocodile, the man we trusted to help us, is behind the drought and the rebellion. He's using the people's suffering to destabilize the kingdom and seize control."

Pell and Chaka exchanged stunned glances. Pell was the first to speak, his voice filled with disbelief. "Crocodile? But... he's been our ally. He's been supplying the rebels with weapons and resources. Why would he—"

King Cobra cut him off, his voice firm. "Because he's a Warlord of the Sea, and his loyalty lies only with himself. Vivi's letter makes it clear—he's been manipulating us from the start. If we don't stop him, Alabasta will fall, and he'll use Pluton to plunge the world into chaos."

Chaka stepped forward, his expression hardening. "Then we have no choice. We must confront Crocodile directly. If we can expose his treachery, the rebellion will lose its momentum, and the people will see the truth."

King Cobra nodded, his resolve firm. "Prepare the Royal Army. We march on Rainbase. Crocodile's casino is the heart of his operation. If we can take him down, we can save Alabasta."

Pell hesitated, his voice filled with concern. "But what about the rebels? If we leave Alubarna undefended, they'll take the city."

King Cobra's eyes softened, but his voice remained steady. "We have to trust that the people of Alabasta will see the truth. If we can stop Crocodile, we can end this war before it destroys us all. This is our only chance to save our kingdom."

The room fell silent, the weight of the king's words sinking in. Pell and Chaka exchanged a glance, their resolve hardening. They bowed deeply, their voices filled with determination. "As you command, Your Majesty. We will prepare the army at once."

As the Royal Guards dispersed to carry out their orders, King Cobra stood alone in the throne room, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The storm was coming, and the fate of Alabasta hung in the balance. But for the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope. Vivi's letter had given him a path forward, a chance to save his kingdom and his people.

"This is for you, Vivi," he whispered, his voice filled with quiet resolve. "For all of us."

The stage was set. In Katorea, the rebels prepared to march on Alubarna, their hearts filled with anger and desperation. In Alubarna, the Royal Army prepared to confront Crocodile, their resolve unshakable. And in the shadows, Crocodile watched, his smirk widening as the pieces of his plan fell into place.

The storm was coming, and no one would escape its fury.

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