Rain washed over Alubarna, seeping into every crack of the worn stone streets. It softened the grime and soot, pulling blood from the ground and sending it flowing into the gutters, as if nature itself sought to cleanse the scars of war. The broken banners, shattered spears, and dust-streaked armor all melted beneath the downpour into a shared memory of survival. For a land so long parched, the falling water was a miracle. Soldiers, rebels, and civilians alike stood still under the downpour, many not bothering to shield themselves.
Some wept quietly. Years of conflict, suspicion, and betrayal seemed to dissolve under the falling rain.
Others laughed through tears, clasping the shoulders of former enemies. The sound of weapons being dropped onto the muddy ground echoed softly across the square. The metallic clinks were not of surrender, but of reconciliation. Friends who hadn't spoken in years found each other. Young children peeked out from behind carts and walls, their wide eyes blinking up into the sky as if trying to remember what rain was.
Vivi stood beside her father, who was now seated against a stone column while medics tended to his wounded arm. The royal cape draped over his shoulder was soaked, clinging to him. The wound was shallow, but his age and exhaustion made him appear far older than hours before. Vivi gripped his hand tightly, unable to stop smiling despite her damp hair and rain-slicked dress.
"It's really over," she whispered.
Cobra gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You brought them together, Vivi. I only followed."
She looked at him tearfully. "No... we all made it here together."
Across the square, Luffy walked slowly through the gathered crowd. People parted for him not out of fear, but reverence. He didn't speak. He didn't need to. Where he passed, silence followed—a silence filled with gratitude and awe. His straw hat sagged under the rain, his clothes torn and soaked, but his steps remained steady.
Children pointed. Men and women nodded respectfully. Some knelt. Mothers pulled their children close and told them, "That's the man who stopped the war."
A little boy darted forward, stopping in front of Luffy. He held up a small, crumpled flower. "For you, mister. Thank you."
Luffy looked down, blinking once, then crouched and gently took the flower. He tucked it into the brim of his hat and gave the boy a thumbs-up. The child beamed and ran back to his family.
Robin stood alone beneath the awning of a broken archway, her arms crossed as she watched the pirate captain in the rain. She said nothing, her eyes unreadable, but the corners of her lips tugged ever so slightly. For the first time in years, the weight of her survival no longer rested entirely on her shoulders. For the first time, she considered staying.
Inside the palace, the Straw Hats regrouped in a spacious, damaged hall. The once-grand room was still regal despite the cracked tiles and fallen chandeliers. Debris was swept to the corners. The scent of scorched wood mixed with rainwater drifting in from the windows.
Chaka and Pell moved through the corridors issuing orders, coordinating relief and clean-up. Guards no longer stood at rigid attention, but worked alongside civilians to carry supplies and distribute blankets. The sound of footsteps and distant voices echoed with purpose, not panic.
Nami leaned against the window, watching the rainfall with wonder.
"I didn't think deserts could cry," she murmured, arms folded against the chill.
Usopp sat nearby, arms crossed, his legs outstretched. His expression was half disbelief, half pride. "We really did it, huh..."
"Barely," Zoro replied, seated and sharpening one of his blades, his tone casual but his hand steady. "It wasn't easy."
"But we protected her," Sanji added, lighting a cigarette with shaking fingers. He took a slow drag and exhaled. "That's all that matters."
Usopp clambered onto the table nearby, looking around at the exhausted crew. "Everyone's alive... that's a good thing."
The door creaked open.
Robin stepped inside, her boots echoing faintly on the stone floor. Water still dripped from her coat.
Zoro tensed. "You're not part of this crew," he said sharply, not looking up.
Robin looked past him and addressed Luffy directly. "I have a question. Why did you spare me, back in the square? You knew who I was."
Luffy, sitting on the floor with his knees drawn up, met her gaze and shrugged. "You didn't feel like the enemy."
His words hung in the air. No one interrupted.
Robin stared at him for a moment longer, then gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. But it was real.
Outside, Vivi walked to the balcony overlooking the square. The rain danced atop her arms, soaking the stone rail beneath her fingers. She watched the people gather in rows to help the injured, carry water, rebuild fallen structures. The rebellion had ended, but the recovery had only just begun.
Her eyes welled with tears as she watched a young girl offer her cloak to a wounded soldier. A rebel and a royal guard shared a canteen. Children danced in puddles.
The bells of the palace chimed in the distance, ringing out not for battle or alarm—but for unity.
Vivi turned, staring in the direction of the Straw Hats' ship, just barely visible past the rooftops, swaying gently in the harbor. She remembered the laughter, the storms at sea, the bond they had built.
She knew what they meant to her. What they had done for her country.
What they had done for her.
"I have to tell them," she whispered to herself, voice nearly lost in the rain.
Without another word, she broke into a run, sandals splashing through shallow puddles. Her cloak flared behind her like a banner, and her heart pounded with certainty. The rain could not hide the tears in her eyes.
To be continued...
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️