T/N: Bonus chapter for the 50 Power Stones, thank you very much!
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Thud, Thud, Thud...
What followed was a complete one-sided domination.
Without Mr. 5's leadership, the remaining hundred or so low-level Baroque Works members were helpless. When Hyaku charged into their ranks with his sword, each swing cleared away scores of enemies.
The battle ended swiftly.
His Marines easily annihilated the deployed Baroque Works forces.
Afterward, Hyaku and his group sailed their warship into Alabasta's coastal waters. Night had fallen, so he ordered everyone to rest and prepare to contact the local Marine garrison at dawn.
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That evening, the Marines gathered on deck for a rare victory celebration.
"Hahaha... What an exhilarating day! We took on the infamous Baroque Works!" one Marine soldier exclaimed.
"We sure did! We defeated hundreds of their fighters and even captured Mr. 5 himself! Everyone back home will want to hear about this!" another Marine chimed in.
"And don't forget — Mr. 5 was an Akuma no Mi user with a ฿10,000,000 bounty! Our commander was incredible today! He charged in single-handedly and cut through their ranks to capture their leader. Now that's true courage!"
"..."
The Marine soldiers continued to sing Hyaku's praises.
His impressive display had won them over completely, cementing their trust in his leadership.
Gulp!
Leaning against the ship's bow, Hyaku listened to their conversation with a slight smile, emptying his sake cup in one swift motion.
'This was just the beginning. Mr. 5 was merely an appetizer. The real main course is yet to come,' he thought to himself.
Then, carried by the gentle breeze, he drifted off to sleep.
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The next morning.
Hyaku awoke to the sound of Marine soldiers' footsteps. Opening his eyes, he saw them bustling about, carrying navigation supplies.
"Commander! You're awake!" The Master Chief Petty Officer greeted him, "We've made contact with our local Marine comrades this morning. The Warlord Crocodile arrived before us and helped repel the invading pirates. Now Alabasta only faces an unresolved civil war — one we shouldn't interfere with."
He quickly shared the latest intelligence with Hyaku.
At this time, Crocodile still held his title as one of the Seven Warlords. No one suspected that he had orchestrated everything. The Marines still considered him an ally.
"Where is Crocodile now?" Hyaku asked.
"In the royal palace of Alubarna. It seems we've made this trip for nothing." The Marine Master Chief Petty Officer sighed.
The pirate invasion had been resolved, and Alabasta's civil war was the kind of internal conflict the Marine government typically avoided.
Normally, this mission would end here.
"Do you have a map of Alubarna?" Hyaku asked.
Familiar with the original story, he knew this wouldn't be the end.
Crocodile would escalate the civil war in Alabasta, usurp the throne to become king, and find the Poneglyph hidden in the royal tomb — the one that recorded the existence of the Ancient Weapon Pluton.
Everything was planned with precision.
"Yes!" The Master Chief Petty Officer responded.
He retrieved a map of Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta.
"Leave fifty people behind, and have the other fifty gear up lightly. We're heading to Alubarna immediately!" Hyaku ordered after studying the map and confirming travel times.
"Yes, sir!" Although unsure of the commander's plan, the Master Chief Petty Officer followed the orders without question.
They quickly selected fifty Marines from the original hundred to travel with light equipment.
The group set out for the capital Alubarna.
What Hyaku didn't realize was that he was already too late. Under Crocodile's influence, the civil war in Alabasta had erupted in full force. Crocodile himself had already entered the royal palace, plotting to usurp the throne!
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Meanwhile, Hyaku's group pressed on.
Racing toward the royal palace of Alubarna, Hyaku briefed the fifty Marines on their mission.
"Is... is this true?!"
"The Warlord Crocodile is actually going to betray us?"
"This whole string of civil wars was all planned by him..."
The revelation left everyone stunned.
Though Hyaku deliberately withheld information about the Ancient Weapon - Pluton, the news still sent shockwaves through the Marine ranks.
"We must stop Crocodile before he seizes power!" Hyaku declared with a firm nod.
"But... Commander... With just our fifty men, to stop a Warlord..."
The ranking Marines following close behind wore worried expressions.
This was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
It was a title granted by the Marine government itself — a recognition of immense power. Compared to Mr. 5, Crocodile was in an entirely different league.
"Stop!" Before Hyaku could respond, his eyes narrowed with sudden alertness. He raised his hand, signaling everyone to halt.
The group of fifty-one immediately froze in place, looking at their commander in confusion.
To reach the palace quickly and discreetly, Hyaku had chosen a route along the desert's edge. The landscape stretched barren and empty, broken only by several peculiarly shaped boulders.
No other signs of life were visible.
"Why bother hiding when I know you're there?" Hyaku called out coldly, his gaze fixed on a massive rock to his left.
His words were met with silence.
Clap, Clap, Clap...
Just as the Marines began to doubt their commander's instincts, steady applause echoed from behind the boulder.
A muscular figure emerged from behind the rock formation, and the Marine soldiers instantly snapped to attention.
The newcomer cut an imposing figure — tall and powerfully built, with a clean-shaven head and clothing that evoked a warrior monk.
"Mr. 1!" Hyaku exclaimed.
This was Daz Bonez, Mr. 1 of Baroque Works, known as "The Killer"! He possessed the powers of the Paramecia-type Supa Supa no Mi (Dice-Dice Fruit)!
Among all of Crocodile's subordinates, Mr. 1 stood as the most formidable!
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