Hello, dies as. I have some sad news. Patrons are leaving oer another, leaving holes in my tender heart. Heizz. Well, as I said before, it is never smart to stretch out a fanfic, but One Piece is a long one—what I do? Last month I was the king, and now I am the beggar again. But fret not; I have already finished writing Wano and am thinking ahead. It is holy killing my motivation, but I will tinue writing. Please sider helping this bro out, as your support is my inspiration and sometimes food on my table. Thanks!

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  --xLOVEx--

  The sandstorm began to die down, and Crocodile’s ughter faded with it. They had escaped, for now. Coby peeked out from behind the rocks, sing the area to make sure Crocodile was gone. Satisfied that they were in the clear, he turo Luffy.

  “We o get back to the crew,” Coby said. “We’ll regroup and figure out our move.”

  Luffy, though still bristling with the urge to fight, nodded again. “Alright,” he agreed, his voice low. “But ime, I’m taking him down.”

  Coby shook his head, a smirk tugging at the er of his mouth. "You promised, Luffy. If you ’t hit him, then it’s my turn. At least I have Uchimizu to hurt him." He kept his tone light, but the underlying seriousness was clear.

  Luffy filed his arms in frustration. "I o learn that Haki thing. Yes! I’ll learn it before we reach Alubarna, the him for sure!" His eyes lit up.

  Coby chuckled, shaking his head. "If you learn it by then, you have your rematch. But until then, Crocodile’s mine."

  Luffy snorted, folding his arms. "Fine, but I’ll still take him dowually."

  By the time they returo the Going Merry, the sun was already setting over the desert, casting long shadows across the sand. The ship sat waiting at the riverbank, its sails fppily in the evening breeze. As soon as they climbed aboard, Nami took the helm without a wuiding the ship across the Sandora River.

  Vivi, who had been anxiously pag the deck, rushed over to meet them as soon as they stepped on board. Her eyes darted between Luffy and Coby, notig the defeated look on Luffy’s face. "What happened?" she asked, her voice full of .

  Luffy slumped onto the deck, his usual energy drained with defeat. "I couldn’t beat him, Vivi. He’s to. His sand just slips away every time I punch him."

  Vivi frowned, her worry deepening. She bit her lip, her thoughts rag. "If we ’t stop him, then Abasta…"

  Coby cut in, his voice steady. "We’ll stop him, Vivi. ime, I will definitely end him."

  Nami gnced over from the helm, steering the ship. "What’s the pn then? We ’t just charge in without a strategy.."

  Coby nodded, agreeing with Nami. "We’ll regroup in Alubarna. The rebels are heading there too. Crocodile thinks the rebels are charging to fight against the Kingdom, but he’s in for a rude awakening." He smirked slightly, casting a quice at Vivi. "I’ll sneak Vivi ihe pace. She’ll take and and root out the Baroque Works agents within the army. Then, we’ll merge both forces. Oake care of Crocodile, this kingdom will be saved."

  Vivi hough worry still shadowed her face. "I do that. I know who I trust in the pace."

  Luffy punched his palm, clearly eager for the fight. "Alright! Let’s go kick Crocodile’s ass!"

  Zave a small nod. "Sounds simple enough. Just tell me where to go."

  As the Going Merry approached the banks of the Sandora River, the crew disembarked, leaving the ship behind once more. This time, the jourhrough the desert felt shorter, their urgency propelling them forward.

  When the silhouette of Alubarna appeared on the horizon, they paused to catch their breath. But it wasn’t just the city that caught their attention—oy's right, a massive cloud of dust rose into the sky. The rebel army roag.

  Coby could see the rebel army approag, but they were slower than normal—definitely putting on a show. They weren’t here to fight; they were just pying their part. "They're close. Let's go," Coby said. Vivi nodded and quickly jumped onto his back.

  Coby turo the crew, giving them a quick rundown. "There should be five agents—Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger, Mr. 2, and Mr. 4 with Miss Merry Christmas. Since we took out Mr. 3 and Mr. 5 along with their partners, Crocodile might have sent more. But you hahem."

  The crew nodded, ready for a. Without wasting any more time, Coby reduced his weight to 1 kilogram and took off, moving swiftly with Stealth Foot, his speed making it look like he was gliding across the desert.

  Vivi held onto Coby tightly as they sped towards the pace. She could feel the wind whipping past them, the ndscape blurring arouhe heat of the desert was relentless, but they didn’t let it slow them down. Every sed ted.

  Behind them, the crew split up to cover mround. Luffy and Zoro headed toward the main gates, while Sanji went to intercept Mr. 2. Nami, Chopper and Usopp paired up, stig to the shadows as they moved to deal with Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas. They khe agents would be tough, but they were ready for the fight.

  As Coby he city, he spotted a group of Baroque Works agents statio the entrahey were on high alert, but oved too quickly for them to react. He dashed past, slipping through the gates unnoticed.

  Inside Alubarna, the tension alpable. The city was on edge, with soldiers and citizens alike brag for the iable csh. Coby could see the royal pa the distas grand towers looming over the city like sileinels.

  Coby nded softly on a rooftop, Vivi still on his back. "We’re going in through the batrance," he said, keeping his voice low as they made their way across the rooftops.

  Vivi nodded, her eyes sing the city below. "I know a secret passage that leads directly into the pace. It’s hiddehe western garden."

  Coby adjusted his course, following Vivi's dires. They moved quickly and silently, avoiding the patrols below. The pace was heavily guarded, but they weren’t here to fight their way in—they were here to outsmart Crocodile.

  Reag the western garden, Vivi poio a small, inspicuous entrance hidden behind a thick wall of ivy. Coby nodded and quickly made his way inside, careful not to disturb the surroundings. Onside the narrow passage, they navigated the winding corridors that led deeper into the pace.

  As they reached a heavy wooden door, Vivi motioned for Coby to stop. "This leads to the throne room," she whispered. "We o be careful. There might be agents inside."

  Coby nodded, pushing the door open just enough to peer through. The throne room was grand, with tall pilrs and intricate designs carved into the walls. But it was empty—except for a few Baroque Works agents patrolling the area.

  Coby turo Vivi. "Stay behind me. I’ll take care of them."

  She nodded, stepping back as oved in. He approached the agents quickly, his movements silent. Before they could react, he struck them down with switft blows, eae crumpling to the floor without a sound. Ohe coast was clear, he signaled for Vivi to follow.

  Coby knew Cobra was kidnapped by now, and Chaka was on the verge of making a desperate decision. He quickly found Chaka, who ag anxiously in one of the grand hallways, preparing to mobilize the kingdom’s forces. The King's absence weighed heavily on him, and it was clear that he was about to make a move against the rebel army.

  Coby, with Vivi by his side, approached Chaka swiftly. Vivi quickly expihe situation, trying to keep her voice calm. "Chaka, it’s not the rebels who are the enemy. It’s Crocodile and Baroque Works. The rebels know the truth now. We o stop Crocodile before any more damage is done."

  Chaka’s eyes widened as he absorbed the information. He nodded, realizing the gravity of the situation. "I’ll gather my most trusted men," he said. He moved quickly, issuing orders to his loyal guards. They dispersed throughout the pace, beginning a thh search for the Baroque Works agents hiding within.

  --

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