Amidst everyone's cheers, Hyaku walked out of the palace carrying the unconscious Crocodile.
Rumble Rumble...
Not long after, the palace behind him completely collapsed due to Crocodile's sand transformation ability, leaving it thoroughly buried.
"Commander Hyaku! You're amazing!"
"I knew you would win!"
"Nonsense! I just saw you looking worried!"
"..."
Marine soldiers rushed forward to welcome Hyaku, their excited chatter creating a warm, harmonious atmosphere.
Hyaku smiled at their enthusiasm.
At the back of the crowd, he noticed Vivi. She stood with her head slightly lowered and hands clasped together, as if struggling to find the right words.
Seeing this, Hyaku gave the crowd a meaningful look. They quickly understood. Several Marine soldiers stepped forward to take Crocodile from his hands and secure him with Kairōseki handcuffs.
The crowd parted naturally, creating a path.
"Mission accomplished." Hyaku said with a smile as he approached Vivi.
When she saw him, tears welled up in her eyes. The anxiety she had carried for Alabasta these past days could finally be put to rest.
Before he could say more, Vivi stepped forward and embraced him.
"Thank you...!" She said, her voice thick with emotion.
Vivi's sudden action caught Hyaku off guard. His hands hung awkwardly in the air, unsure whether to return the hug or let them fall.
But happy moments are fleeting. Before he could react, she had already stepped back.
"Excuse my behavior." Composing herself, Vivi wiped the tears from her eyes.
She knew this wasn't the time for tears. Alabasta was still in the midst of a fierce civil war, and to prevent more innocent deaths, she needed to reach the battlefield and expose Crocodile's conspiracy to end the conflict once and for all.
"What should we do next?" Vivi looked at Hyaku with determination.
"Let us escort you to the battlefield. We can ensure your safety, and with Crocodile in custody and the Marines' authority, your words will carry more weight." Hyaku replied after a moment's thought.
Since the civil war was caused by the pirate Warlord, their intervention wouldn't count as directly interfering with another country.
Moreover, after defeating Crocodile, Hyaku hadn't received the system's mission reward notification. He suspected this was because the mission encompassed the broader Alabasta unrest. It would likely only be complete once the civil war was quelled.
"Mm!" Vivi nodded in agreement.
The group of several dozen people then purchased Yasa Camels for travel and headed toward the most intense fighting between the Alabasta Royal Guard and the rebel army.
✣✣✣✣✣✣✣✣✣✣
A while later.
Inside Alubarna Palace.
The Royal Guard, led by their Commander Pell "The Falcon", was locked in direct combat with the rebel army. The rebels were led by Kōza, Vivi's childhood friend.
Smoke rose across the palace grounds as the two armies clashed. Agonized screams filled the air as the battle reached its peak intensity, with mounting casualties on both sides.
When Hyaku's group arrived, they found themselves facing the main forces of both armies engaged in fierce combat.
"Just go ahead, leave everything else to me." Hyaku said as he dismounted his camel, watching the intense fighting ahead.
He helped Vivi down from her camel and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.
"Mm!" She nodded, showing complete trust in his words.
Without hesitation, she ran straight toward the center of the battlefield.
"Let's go!" Hyaku called out to the Marine soldiers behind him.
He rushed forward first, following Vivi's path with the Marine soldiers close behind.
"Look!"
"Isn't that Princess Vivi?"
"Why is she here?"
Soldiers from both armies quickly recognized Vivi.
"Behind Princess Vivi..."
"Those are Marines?"
"Why are Marines involved in our war?"
The sight of Hyaku and his group following the Princess sparked confused murmurs among the ranks.
"Brothers! This is our chance! If we capture Princess Vivi, the Royal Guard won't dare move!"
Suddenly, a voice from the rebel army called out this suggestion.
They had spotted an opportunity — with Vivi as their captive, they could force the Royal Guard to surrender!
At these words, countless eyes fixed upon the princess.
Vivi naturally noticed the hostile gazes from the rebel army. However, trusting in Hyaku, she continued forward without stopping.
Quickly, Vivi, Hyaku, and their group reached the center of the battlefield.
"Vivi!"
Upon seeing this special group — and Vivi among them — both Pell and Kōza called out simultaneously.
Vivi stopped, looking at them in turn.
Just as she was about to speak—
"Now's our chance! Capture Princess Vivi!" someone shouted, taking the lead.
Hundreds of rebel soldiers began swarming toward her.
Whoosh!
In this critical moment, Hyaku stomped his foot and appeared instantly at Vivi's side. His Tachi had already gathered sword energy, though none had seen when it happened.
Whoosh, Whoosh!
With two quick swings, he released fierce slashes on both sides of Vivi. The incredibly sharp attacks carved deep marks in the ground beside her.
This stopped the rebel army's advance.
"Cross this line, and don't blame me for what happens." Hyaku warned coldly.
The rebel soldiers who had charged forward exchanged glances, none daring to move.
Click Click Click!
The fifty Marine soldiers who had followed formed ranks around Vivi, raising their rifles in unison.
"Don't... don't fear him! For Alabasta's future, any sacrifice is worth it!" someone from the rebel army shouted.
Emboldened by these words, the hesitating rebels crossed over the sword marks and charged toward Vivi once more.
✣✣✣
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