"From now on, I will execute the purge order. Anyone who makes a move will be killed without question!"
Chaka's figure had already charged into the ranks of soldiers, heading straight for the positions he had just memorized.
A soldier with a mark on his arm, seeing that the jig was up, was about to draw his short knife when Chaka's sharp claws swept across his wrist, followed by a chop to the back of his neck, instantly knocking him unconscious.
Another agent, realizing the situation was dire, turned to flee. However, he had barely taken two steps when Chaka's claw struck him between the chest and abdomen, causing him to foam at the mouth and pass out.
The entire purge was efficient and swift. The Royal Army soldiers held their breath, watching their commander crush these disgusting infiltrators with overwhelming force.
No one dared to move. The only sounds on the entire city wall were the whoosh of wind as Chaka moved swiftly, and the screams of the Baroque Works infiltrators as they were subdued.
In just a short while, Chaka had already returned to Vivi's side.
He knelt on one knee and reported in a deep voice: "Reporting, Princess Vivi! All confirmed infiltrators on the South Gate city wall and surrounding areas have been cleared."
"Mm, you've worked hard, Chaka. You did very well."
She said softly, then raised her voice and ordered the soldiers behind her, "Everyone can lower your arms."
With a synchronized rustle, a sound of arms falling, the Royal Army's morale finally stabilized somewhat. Although they hadn't known about the infiltrators before, now that they were all cleared, it brought immense peace of mind.
Just then, from below the city wall, a shout came that was somewhat unfamiliar yet familiar to Vivi:
"Royal Army!!"
Vivi immediately stepped forward, resting her hands on the merlons and looking down. She saw a young man riding a horse, wearing goggles, standing alone in front of the city gate, looking up at the city wall.
"We are the Rebel… no… "
The young man seemed to have difficulty speaking, and finally changed his words, shouting, "We are a civilian organization… we need your help…!"
"What?" Vivi shouted back loudly from above.
Koby, who had been looking down, unsure how to phrase his words, looked up when he heard that clear and familiar female voice.
When the blue hair and eyes from his memory came into view, he almost couldn't believe his eyes.
"Vivi, it's you! You're back!!"
"Koby! It's you!"
Vivi also recognized this childhood playmate from the Suna Suna Team. After many years, reuniting at such a tense moment, her heart was filled with mixed emotions, feeling as if an age had passed.
"Koza… Koza is an imposter…!" Koby immediately pointed to the Rebel Army behind him and shouted towards the city tower, his voice filled with urgency.
"What!? That imposter?"
"He was just exposed by that person in the pit, someone I don't know, and now we've tied him up. But… he said Koza is in Alabasta…"
Koby clenched his fists. If Koza was in Alabasta now, how were they, the Rebel Army, supposed to enter the city?
Listening to Koby, Vivi was certain that if someone could deceive those around them, it could only be Mr. 2. And now Mr. 2 had actually been defeated. Although she didn't know who defeated him, this was undoubtedly incredibly good news.
Vivi looked down at Koby, who seemed at a loss, and promised him: "In Alabasta… Okay, Koby, we will do our best to find him and bring him back safely!"
She glanced at the Royal Army and then at the distant Rebel Army, continuing to shout:
"Koby, can you ask everyone to retreat to Katorea first? Here… if war breaks out in the end, it's an outcome none of us want to see!"
Koby's face below the city wall showed clear hesitation. What if Koza was detained by the other side? Or what if he wasn't in Alabasta? What would they do then?
Vivi saw his hesitation. She gripped the edge of the city wall tightly with both hands, using all her strength to convey her sincerity through her voice:
"Koby! Trust me! Okay?!"
Her voice trembled slightly, "If he really is in Alabasta, we will send him back as soon as possible! If he isn't, we will search all of Alabasta until we find him!"
Childhood memories flashed through her mind like fragments: running in the desert, playing in ruins, fighting, and the kidnapping they once encountered… All these emotions finally converged into one shout:
"Trust the Suna Suna Team! Okay?!"
These three words instantly opened the softest corner of Koby's heart. He looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar blue-haired princess on the city wall, and seemed to see the little girl who was called the Vice-Captain many years ago.
Tears welled in his eyes, and he nodded heavily, shouting towards his Vice-Captain:
"Mm…! I trust you! Vivi!!"
With that, he no longer hesitated, turned his horse around, and headed in the direction of the Rebel Army.
Chaka walked to Vivi's side, watching Koby's retreating figure, and sighed with genuine emotion: "Princess, it's truly you… You made them retreat."
Vivi slowly shook her head, her face showing no joy of success, only a sense of fatigue, and deep within that fatigue, an even stronger resolve.
"No, Chaka… I just truly don't want anyone to bleed in this meaningless war." She looked at the Rebel Army slowly retreating in the distance, knowing this was only a temporary peace.
The true culprit had not yet been dealt with, and the kingdom's greatest crisis still remained.
She took a deep breath, adjusted her breathing, and turned to Chaka, her voice calm:
"Let's go to the Royal Palace. It's probably useless for others to go. It's time for us to personally deal with the mastermind behind this country."
Chaka looked at the princess before him, who had now shed all her childishness, almost resembling Cobra. Watching the little princess grow, his heart couldn't help but fill with pride.
Chaka knelt on one knee again, bowed his head, and his voice was firm and resonant:
"Yes! Ready! Lady Vivi!"
"Dash!"
Dash, who had been waiting in the corner of the city tower, rushed to Vivi's side.
"Gak!"
Vivi skillfully swung herself onto Dash, lowering her body:
"Are you ready, Dash?"
Her gaze pierced through the street ahead, looking towards the Royal Palace, "This is… the final battle."
"Gak—!!!"
Dash carried the princess on his back, like a golden lightning bolt, instantly rushing down the steps and into the empty streets of Alabasta!
Chaka also didn't hesitate. With a low growl, his form transformed into a jackal again, bursting with astonishing speed to follow closely behind Dash.
Target! The Royal Palace!