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A Few Days Earlier…
Fleet Admiral Sengoku received an urgent request for assistance from King Cobra of Alabasta. The reason for the request was dire: a revolutionary army rebellion had erupted within the kingdom.
Initially, Sengoku planned to deploy Marine forces to suppress the uprising. However, Cobra firmly rejected this idea. His reasoning? The revolutionary army consisted entirely of Alabasta's civilians, and he could not bear to see his people slaughtered.
Sengoku respected Cobra as a benevolent king, but the refusal left him perplexed. Without Marine intervention, resolving the rebellion seemed near impossible—especially with the lurking complication of Shichibukai Crocodile.
As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile was a special case. Under the terms of the World Government's agreement, Shichibukai operated autonomously, so long as they refrained from unforgivable crimes. Acts like human trafficking, looting merchant ships, or even skirmishes with Marines were tolerated. This leniency frustrated Sengoku, who viewed the Shichibukai system as a mockery of Marine justice.
Even so, Marines could only grit their teeth and comply. Their operations and funding depended entirely on the World Government, leaving little room to challenge the system.
After discussing the situation with Cobra, Sengoku uncovered the king's true intent. Cobra wasn't asking for Marine reinforcements to suppress the rebellion. What he wanted was for Marine to identify the mastermind behind the uprising.
Cobra admitted he was prepared to step down as king if it meant his people could live peacefully. But he strongly suspected there was more at play—a shadowy figure pulling the strings behind the revolution.
The mention of a revolutionary army immediately brought one name to Sengoku's mind: Monkey D. Dragon, Garp's son and the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
That was why Sengoku summoned Garp. Dragon's connection to the situation, even if indirect, couldn't be ignored.
When Sengoku finished explaining, Garp frowned, deep in thought.
"I know Cobra," Garp said after a moment. "He's a good man, and Alabasta has thrived under his leadership. I can't imagine he'd deserve rebellion."
"Dragon may be leading the Revolutionary Army," Garp continued, "but the countries he's targeted are the ones suffering under the World Government's exploitation. Places where the people are truly desperate. Alabasta doesn't fit that description."
"I'll bet my name on this—Dragon has nothing to do with the rebellion in Alabasta."
Garp's confidence stemmed from knowing his son well. Once a promising Marine on track to become an admiral, Dragon had abandoned his post after witnessing the corruption of the World Nobles and the dark underside of the World Government. His ideals led him to form the Revolutionary Army, seeking to overthrow tyranny and bring justice to the oppressed.
"There's someone else behind this. If you ask me, it's not Dragon—it's Crocodile."
Sengoku nodded in agreement. He, too, had watched Dragon grow up and trusted in his character.
"I think you're right, Garp," Sengoku said. "This doesn't align with Dragon's goals. But if we're going to investigate Alabasta, we need a legitimate reason. We can't risk upsetting the balance by interfering without cause."
Pausing, Sengoku added gravely, "My goal isn't to investigate the Revolutionary Army. It's Crocodile. I suspect he's the one orchestrating the rebellion in Alabasta."
Sengoku leaned back, his thoughts circling around the problem. Pirates were pirates, after all—especially notorious ones like Crocodile or Doflamingo. If something went wrong, they were the easiest scapegoats.
"I'm saying, Sengoku," Garp began, crossing his arms. "If you already believe this has nothing to do with Dragon, then just send someone to investigate Crocodile directly!"
He paused before adding with a sly grin, "I don't mind if you use Dragon's name to get into Alabasta. Not like he'll care."
In that moment, Garp shamelessly leveraged his son's reputation, a fact that Sengoku couldn't help but shake his head at with a faint smile. "I've just thought of a better plan," Sengoku said, leaning forward.
"Instead of sending official Marines, let's use a private Marine to enter Alabasta for the investigation."
Sengoku then elaborated on his idea. It was a mix of convenience and inevitability:
The Straw Hat Pirates were already heading toward Alabasta, drawing attention everywhere they went. Smoker, pursuing Luffy, would naturally follow them. Once Smoker entered Alabasta in pursuit of the Straw Hats, he could conduct an investigation into Crocodile's activities under the guise of enforcing justice.
This way, the chaos caused by Luffy would obscure the true purpose of Smoker's mission, giving the Marines plausible deniability.
Garp mulled it over for only a moment before nodding in agreement. Without hesitation, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi and began dialing Ikki.
Meanwhile, in Whiskey Peak…
Nearly all the bounty hunters in town had been defeated by Zoro, their bodies sprawled across the ground. Only Miss Wenesday and her duck remained standing—though just barely.
This wasn't due to Zoro's mercy but rather Sanji's intervention. True to his chivalry, Sanji couldn't allow a beautiful woman to come to harm, even if she was technically an enemy. Zoro, familiar with Sanji's "quirks," didn't bother to argue and instead took a swig from his sake gourd.
The tense quiet was broken as two figures approached from the distance: Baroque Works agents Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine.
Miss Valentine surveyed the fallen bounty hunters with a mocking laugh. "Kyahahaha! What a pitiful sight! You couldn't even take down one swordsman!"
Igaram, clutching his wounds, scowled. "What are you here for? To gloat?"
Mr. 5, his afro swaying as he sneered, replied, "Hardly. We've been given a mission—eliminate anyone who knows too much about the boss's plans."
Miss Valentine's gaze fell on Vivi. "And that includes you, Princess Nefertari Vivi of Alabasta."
Vivi stiffened, her identity exposed. Igaram, despite his injuries, immediately stepped forward, brandishing his weapon.
"Princess Vivi, go now! I'll hold them off!" he shouted.
Gunshots rang out, shrouding the area in smoke and dust.
Bust as they say, too much smoke means no harm done.
Mr. 5, a Bomb-Bomb Fruit user, casually withstood the attack. With a flick of his finger, he sent a booger bomb flying toward Igaram, knocking him down effortlessly.
On the roof, the Straw Hats watched the unfolding drama.
"Hey… are these guys ignoring us or what?" Usopp said indignantly.
Before anyone could respond, Sanji bolted forward, determined to save the beautiful Vivi. However, as he approached, he hesitated—Miss Valentine was also a woman. His principles wouldn't allow him to harm her.
Frustrated but unwilling to break his code, Sanji shifted his target and delivered a fierce kick to Mr. 5's face instead.
Meanwhile, Ikki made his move. With Toyako Bokuto in hand, he dashed toward Miss Valentine and struck her with a precise, powerful blow, sending her flying.
From the rooftop, Nami blinked in surprise. "Wait a second… didn't that move look familiar?"
Usopp nodded. "Yeah, it really did."
Both turned to Zoro, who was mid-sip from his gourd.
"It's one of my sword techniques," Zoro said, lowering the drink with a frown. "When did Ikki learn that?"
As the dust settled, a shrill perepere sound broke the silence. Ikki reached into his pocket, pulling out a miniature Den Den Mushi.