Koza galloped through the streets of Nanohana, two voices seemingly arguing fiercely in his mind.
One voice was the handwriting from Vivi's letter, every word accusing Crocodile and Baroque Works of their conspiracy; the other voice wondered if everything before his eyes was orchestrated by the King, after all, those three people had only appeared suddenly.
"Get out of the way! Quickly, get out of the way!"
"It's Koza! Koza is here!"
The panicked citizens on both sides of the street recognized him and quickly made way.
He rushed into the port square, reining in his horse, and the sight before him made his pupils contract sharply.
Mr. 2, disguised as Cobra, stood in front of a group of Royal Army soldiers, beginning a solemn speech: "To make everyone forget that unpleasant Dance Powder incident…"
"I have decided to destroy Nanohana, to utterly ruin this evil city! Burn it down!"
Immediately after, he waved his hand, and the Billion's, disguised as Royal Army soldiers, began firing their guns, some throwing torches to set the square ablaze.
"Stop it!"
Koza dismounted, his voice hoarse from anger and his frantic ride. "What exactly are you doing?! Cobra!"
Mr. 2 slowly turned around, a deliberate look of pity on his face: "Isn't this the leader of the Rebel Army? Have you come to witness the end of this city with your own eyes?"
He spread his arms, addressing all the citizens, "I admit it! I confess to you! I am the one who stole the rain and plunged this country into drought!"
A commotion broke out around them.
Koza was even more enraged, wanting to charge forward immediately, but he was blocked by the Royal Army. "Do you know what you're saying!?!?"
"The people of this country trust you so much, I won't allow you!!…"
Looking at Cobra's face and his strange behavior and words, Vivi's letter flashed through his mind like lightning. The letter clearly stated that there was an individual within that organization…
…who possessed a Devil Fruit ability that allowed him to mimic others' appearances, and he had already mimicked Cobra's appearance.
He stared intently into the King's eyes, trying to find a flaw. He took a deep breath, not dwelling on the previous rhetoric.
"Is Crocodile making you do this? Imposter."
The expression on Mr. 2's face instantly froze; it was the unpreparedness of a disrupted plan.
A panic, which no king should ever show, flashed in his eyes, and even his posture subtly shifted, becoming a bit fidgety.
He subconsciously said with a hint of urgency: "You… what nonsense are you spouting?!"
It was this momentary lapse that completely dispelled all doubts in Koza's heart.
"As expected…"
Koza slowly drew the longsword from his back, its blade reflecting a dazzling white light under Alabasta's scorching sun. He pointed the tip of his sword at the opponent, "Cobra… would not do this."
Seeing that the situation was starting to go awry, Mr. 2 immediately shouted orders to the surrounding Royal Army soldiers: "Surround him completely! Don't let any unauthorized personnel get close! Take down this arrogant Rebel Army leader!"
The plan cannot be interrupted like this… I must deal with this guy first!
The fake Royal Army immediately sprang into action. Wielding firearms and swords, they quickly dispersed the scattered onlookers, forming a cordon that cut off outside view.
Then Mr. 2 touched his left cheek, reverting to his original appearance, and looking at the encirclement, he laughed:
"Hahahahahahahaha! I didn't expect this humble one to be exposed so quickly! You have good eyes, but…"
"This is as far as you go!"
Koza didn't hesitate for a moment; he knew he had to act quickly.
He let out a low growl and charged at Mr. 2, his longsword slicing through the air as he brought it down! This was a strike that condensed all his belief and fury.
However, the disparity in strength was like a chasm.
Mr. 2's figure swayed gracefully, easily evading the sharp blade.
"Oh my, is this all the leader of the Rebel Army has?"
"Okama Kenpo: Grand Swan Dance!"
Immediately after, Mr. 2 delivered a powerful single-leg kick, instantly piercing Koza's defense.
He felt a sharp pain in his chest, and his blocking arm was numb from the impact. He stumbled backward, trying to regroup, but Mr. 2 gave him no chance.
"Okama Kenpo: Swan Dance Festival!"
In Koza's eyes, it was as if swan phantoms appeared before him, and then the opponent's fists, like drunken boxing, continuously assaulted him, punching his chest again and again.
"Pfft—"
Koza spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground.
Mr. 2 landed gracefully, brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes, and looked at Koza, who was gasping for breath on the ground, pouting: "Wouldn't it have been better to just lie down quietly?"
He waved his hand, and two cadres disguised as Royal Army soldiers immediately stepped forward, roughly lifting Koza.
Then he leaned in close to their ears, "Take him back to Alubarna quickly, just send him to Ms. All Sunday's place." The subordinates understood, took out a cloth, and immediately bound Koza and gagged him.
Just then, from a distance in the port, came a clamor of shouts and footsteps—it was the vanguard of the Rebel Army, finally arriving!
Mr. 2 immediately had a bold idea: since playing Cobra was no longer an option, wouldn't it be even more interesting if he led this Rebel Army?
He quickly ran his hand over Koza's face, and then his own face transformed again. In the blink of an eye, he became Koza, dressed in the King's attire, with a resolute expression.
Then Mr. 2 began to signal the other cadres disguised as Royal Army soldiers, telling them to start retreating.
"You dogs of the Royal Army! I will never allow you to harm any innocent person in Nanohana again!"
As he shouted, he brandished his longsword, and then the Royal Army soldiers retreated step by step. To the approaching Rebel Army, the entire process looked as if Koza had bravely and fearlessly triumphed over the Royal Army.
"Retreat! Quickly retreat!"
"Protect the King and retreat!!"
The cadres playing the Royal Army cooperated perfectly, immediately feigning panic. They escorted the real Koza and fled the scene in disarray.
Mr. 2 then turned around, facing the Rebel Army soldiers who had just arrived, looking astonished.
He was panting, as if he had just been through a fierce battle, and raised his arms, his voice excited and slightly trembling, echoing throughout the port:
"Look! Did you all see it?!"
"This is the true face of the Royal Army! Kidnapping, oppression, harming civilians! This country, under their rule, is already terminally ill, beyond saving!"
Mr. 2's words were highly inflammatory, and the eyes of some Rebel Army soldiers who still harbored doubts began to burn with even greater anger.
"Alabasta's rule is already corrupt and powerless; now the King's clothes have been stripped off by me." Koza's voice, as impersonated by Mr. 2, grew increasingly high-pitched. He raised the longsword, pointing it directly towards Alubarna.
"Since they stole the rain that should be ours, and even opened fire…"
He took a deep breath, using all his strength, and uttered the declaration that would push countless people into the flames of war:
"Then now it is up to us to give this country new life! The future of Alabasta will be forged by our own hands! I, Koza, hereby declare!"
"From this moment on, I shall be the new King of Alabasta!"
The voice echoed over the port. After a brief silence, there was a fervent roar, like a mountain tsunami, completely ignited.
"Koza!!!"
"Follow King Koza!!"
"Advance to Alubarna!!!"