Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: p@treon.com/CosmicKaminari
----------
Red returned the Sand-Sand Fruit to Nami with amazement in his eyes, though his lips still curved into a smile.
He had been lamenting his inability to obtain this incredibly useful Devil Fruit.
Yet unexpectedly, it had been reborn in Alabasta and accidentally triggered Nami's Pickup Ability.
It seemed almost like divine intervention.
However...
"Who should wield the power of this fruit?" Red couldn't help but contemplate.
Unlike the Slip-Slip Fruit, which appeared useless at first glance but proved invincible upon deeper consideration, the Logia-type...
The Sand-Sand Fruit wasn't among the most powerful Logia-types.
Even in Red's estimation, it didn't compare to the Swamp-Swamp Fruit that would appear in two years.
The fruit only demonstrated such tremendous power because its user, Crocodile, possessed exceptional combat abilities.
This presented a dilemma.
Keeping it unused would be wasteful—it was a Logia-type fruit, after all.
But if one of their companions ate it, its power might prove insufficient for their future challenges.
After a moment's reflection, a peculiar gleam flashed in Red's eyes.
He looked up and asked Nami:
"Nami, would you be interested in using this fruit to exchange for greater benefits?"
Nami looked perplexed: "What do you mean?"
...
...
One week later.
Alubarna, the royal capital of Alabasta Kingdom.
Countless citizens from across the kingdom gathered around the central plaza in Alubarna, watching with confusion and anticipation as a massive screen dominated the square's center.
Some appeared ragged and famished, yet still made their way to the gathering, supporting themselves with walking sticks and canes.
Others wore luxurious garments and occupied prime viewing positions, surrounded by personal guards.
They clearly represented different social classes and regions within the kingdom.
Now they all congregated in this crowded plaza.
Among the crowd lurked several mysterious figures who kept themselves thoroughly covered despite the scorching heat.
Had Vivi been present, she would have been shocked to recognize these concealed individuals.
For these people who dared not show their faces were none other than...
The rebels—currently Alabasta's greatest threat—who sought to overthrow King Cobra's supposedly incompetent rule!
As for why they were here instead of at their Yuba base...
It all began with a "Proclamation of Contrition" suddenly issued nationwide by King Cobra one week prior...
For years, most regions within the kingdom had suffered severe drought and water shortages, plunging the entire country into civil unrest with citizens living in desperate conditions.
The rebel forces had grown increasingly powerful!
Under the instigation of Baroque Works agents, they stood poised to launch a full-scale assault against the Royal Army at any moment!
However, just as Kohza, the rebel leader, prepared to mobilize forces against Alubarna, Cobra made a startling public announcement...
He had uncovered the root cause behind the kingdom's drought and civil strife, producing substantial evidence to support his claims.
Only then did the people of Alabasta learn the truth...
Sir Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai, regularly portrayed in newspapers as the Sand Country's hero, had been the perpetrator all along!
With Robin's assistance, Cobra presented comprehensive evidence—so thorough that even an ordinary citizen could have used it to prove a national conspiracy in any court.
Yet despite Crocodile's machinations, Cobra refused to abdicate his responsibility.
He acknowledged his failure to identify problems within the kingdom promptly, to investigate rumors thoroughly. He had believed that mere benevolence toward his people would ensure national prosperity...
In his confession, Cobra sincerely admitted his mistakes and promised his citizens he would never again employ such passive governance, hoping they might renew their trust in him!
And so...
Following Red's suggestion, Baroque Works agents who had infiltrated various regions throughout the kingdom once again exerted their influence, convincing more and more people to place their faith in Cobra.
They came to participate in today's ceremonial announcement of Alabasta Kingdom's reform plan organized by the royal court!
As the sun slowly traversed from the horizon to its zenith, bathing the earth in golden light.
Suddenly, a violent sandstorm arose on the elevated platform within the plaza.
Simultaneously, the massive black screen powered on, transmitting images from the platform to every citizen present.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting!"
An apologetic voice suddenly emanated from loudspeakers positioned around the plaza.
This broadcast extended to city squares throughout the entire kingdom.
Soon, before everyone's astonished eyes, the swirling yellow sand on the platform gradually coalesced, transforming into the figure of a blue-haired princess adorned in elegant royal attire.
"That's..."
Witnessing this, Kohza's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Vivi, who had appeared in such a manner.
As the rebel leader, he naturally maintained his own intelligence network.
Kohza instantly recognized the ability Vivi had just demonstrated—the power of the Sand-Sand Fruit, once possessed by Sir Crocodile, the Shichibukai stationed at Rain Dinners and now labeled Alabasta's greatest criminal!
"How could this be..." Kohza's expression reflected his astonishment.
Numerous others in attendance also recognized Vivi's method of appearance.
Everyone suddenly realized... today's presentation would not unfold as simply as they had anticipated!
Indeed.
The next moment, Vivi, standing beneath the spotlight, approached the microphone. Taking a deep breath, she spoke with evident sorrow:
"People of Alabasta Kingdom, I apologize that this announcement comes only today!"
"During this time, you have truly... suffered!"
As her nation's princess, Vivi suddenly bowed deeply before the thousands gathered, captured by the cameras for all to see.
This gesture instantly moved countless citizens across the kingdom to tears.
Truly.
Cobra may not have brought development and security to Alabasta Kingdom.
But as a compassionate king, he had earned the love and support of innumerable citizens.
Even after three years of drought and countless deaths from starvation, a significant portion of the population still maintained faith in their monarch.
The image of the Nefertari royal family had long since become a foundation of belief within Alabasta Kingdom.
"Princess Vivi! This is not your fault!"
"Yes! Everything is Crocodile's doing!!! It has nothing to do with you!"
"We will always support you!!!"
"..."
"..."
Throughout the plaza, people of every class and status raised their arms, shouting encouragement to Princess Vivi.
"Thank you... thank you everyone!"
The people's trust caused Vivi, already overwhelmed with shame, to burst into tears.
But when she raised her head again, her eyes reflected unwavering determination.
"Everyone, I am deeply grateful that you still choose to trust us after the Nefertari royal family committed such grievous errors."
"But it's wrong, completely wrong!"
Vivi's tone suddenly intensified, her expression growing increasingly resolute.
Under the watchful eyes of thousands, she proclaimed loudly:
"My father's policies proved insufficient to protect our kingdom!"
"Therefore, to redress the mistakes made by the Nefertari royal family and ensure such failures never recur..."
"Our kingdom... requires reform!!!"
"Reform?!"
This unfamiliar concept reached the citizens through the broadcast, immediately arousing universal curiosity.
Everyone fell silent, focusing intently on Vivi standing upon the platform.
They watched as Vivi, initially dressed in her princess attire, suddenly placed her palm against her collar and pulled sharply, exposing herself before the public!
In that moment, silken fabric fluttered in the breeze and drifted away.
Beneath the discarded princess gown appeared a set of sky-blue knight's armor, gleaming in the sunlight.
Clear and unyielding!
SHING!!!
A sharp royal sword emerged from its scabbard.
Vivi—always gentle and kind in her people's perception—now displayed warrior-like determination in her gaze.
Bright sunlight reflected off the blade, producing a brilliant golden flash.
Vivi continued:
"Yes! This is reform!"
"In the past, Alabasta was too gentle, too weak... allowing termites to hide within our kingdom undetected!"
"We lacked the power to resist!"
"After three years of suffering, I finally understand..."
"In this world, evil people will never disappear!"
"Blind gentleness and weakness only attract more predators to our shores!"
"Friends come bearing wine; enemies arrive with weapons!"
"Only through strength can we protect our loved ones and deter all enemies!"
"Therefore..."
"After extensive deliberation by the Alabasta Royal Court, I shall initiate the first turning point in our kingdom's history!"
"I will create a brand new Alabasta Kingdom!!!"
"Let the world know... all who dare invade our realm shall meet this fate!!!"
SWISH——
A hanging corpse suddenly materialized, suspended high above the platform, appearing before everyone with disheveled hair.
Upon seeing the body, horror spread across the faces of those gathered in the plaza.
"Crocodile?!"
Someone in the crowd exclaimed in shock.
Like a stone dropped into a still pond, the crowd instantly erupted in agitation.
"That's right! That's definitely Crocodile, exactly as he appeared in the newspapers!"
"Didn't King Cobra announce last week that this man secretly distributed Dance Powder, causing our three-year drought?!"
"Isn't he one of the Shichibukai? How did he end up like this?!"
"..."
"..."
Everyone stared in disbelief at the suspended corpse. Though many harbored suspicions, they couldn't fully trust their own instincts.
Even Kohza, the rebel leader, stood dumbfounded, gazing upward in disbelief.
At that moment, Vivi's voice resonated through the loudspeakers once more, addressing everyone's questions.
"As you can see..."
"The body before you belongs to Sir Crocodile, a Shichibukai recognized by the World Government!"
"He is also the architect of the three-year catastrophe that has plagued our land!"
"This demonstrates what I'm announcing today!"
"From this moment forward, anyone who dares violate Alabasta's sovereignty or harm Alabasta's people shall meet the same fate!!!"
As she spoke, a pale pink light suddenly manifested in Vivi's eyes.
The rope suspending Crocodile's inverted body suddenly snapped, sending his corpse hurtling toward Vivi.
THUD!!!
The long sword in Vivi's hand impaled Crocodile's body, raising it high for all to see.
Preserved through refrigeration, Crocodile's body remained lifelike, appearing much as it had at the moment of death.
Cold blood immediately splattered across Vivi's armor and face along the blade's length.
Though such a brutal act disturbed her naturally compassionate nature, when Vivi recalled the citizens who had suffered desperate conditions and even perished because of Crocodile's actions over the past three years, her discomfort gave way to righteous anger.
Red had been correct!
The Nefertari royal family could no longer afford such gentleness!
WHOOSH~!
A cloud of sand suddenly emanated from Vivi's body, enveloping Crocodile's corpse.
Through the moisture-absorbing properties of the sand, Crocodile's body rapidly desiccated.
Eventually, only a skeleton remained. Under Vivi's focused mental command, it instantly disintegrated into powder, dispersing into the air.
Kohza's suspicions were confirmed!
Vivi had indeed consumed the Sand-Sand Fruit that Nami had discovered, becoming its new wielder!
The price she paid was signing a series of tax exemption documents with Nami in the name of the Nefertari royal family.
From Vivi's perspective, Nami's actions essentially amounted to gifting her the Devil Fruit.
After all, she had neither the authority nor ability to collect taxes from the Straw Hat Pirates.
Vivi believed the most fortunate moment in her life...
Might have been when she was originally tied to the Going Merry by the Straw Hat Pirates.
After disposing of Crocodile's remains, Vivi recalled Red's instructions, then declared loudly, as if announcing to the entire world:
"This! This is the consequence of challenging Alabasta!!!"
In that moment!
An absolute silence fell over Alubarna's entire plaza.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the demonstration Vivi had just presented.
Of course, most remained stunned by the revelation of a Shichibukai's death.
Only now did they truly comprehend...
Alabasta Kingdom was about to change!!!