Amid thunderous cheers, Bai Yu strode out of the palace.
Carrying the unconscious Crocodile over his shoulder, he calmly made his way toward the crowd.
Boom—
Moments after Bai Yu exited, the palace behind him crumbled entirely.
Its collapse was triggered by the aftereffects of Crocodile's desertification ability.
The royal palace, once a symbol of Alabasta's legacy, was now buried in sand.
"Commander Bai Yu! You're incredible!"
"I knew you'd pull it off!"
"Yeah, right! You were biting your nails just now!"
"Haha!"
As Bai Yu approached, the navy soldiers surged forward to welcome him.
Laughter and banter flowed among them, creating a moment of harmony amidst the chaos.
Bai Yu smiled quietly at the sight.
Then his eyes caught Princess Vivi, standing behind the crowd.
Her head slightly lowered, hands tightly clasped, as though she was hesitating to speak.
Noticing her expression, Bai Yu gave his men a subtle look.
Immediately, several navy soldiers stepped forward, relieving Bai Yu of Crocodile's body and clamping a pair of Seastone cuffs on him.
The crowd, sensing the mood, tactfully cleared a path between Bai Yu and Vivi.
"Fortunately, I did not fail your trust."
Bai Yu approached her, offering a warm, relieved smile.
But to his surprise, Vivi's eyes brimmed red with tears the instant she saw him.
For days, the fate of Alabasta had weighed heavily on her shoulders. Now, finally, she could breathe again.
Before Bai Yu could say another word, Vivi suddenly stepped forward—
—and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
The princess's sudden gesture caught Bai Yu completely off guard.
He stood frozen, unsure whether to return the hug or keep his hands at his sides.
Joyful moments always passed in the blink of an eye.
Before Bai Yu could respond, Vivi had already pulled away.
"I must've startled you," she said, quickly brushing tears from her cheeks.
She understood: this was no time to lose herself in emotion.
The kingdom was still locked in a brutal civil war. To prevent more needless deaths, she had to rush to the frontlines—and expose Crocodile's grand deception.
Only then could the war end.
"What should we do next?"
Determined, Vivi looked at Bai Yu again, eyes seeking a plan.
"We'll escort you to the battlefield," Bai Yu said after a pause.
"One, to ensure your safety."
"Two, with Crocodile captured and the Navy at your side, your words will carry more weight."
Now that Crocodile had been unmasked as the true instigator, the Navy's actions wouldn't be seen as interference in another kingdom's affairs.
Besides, Bai Yu's system had yet to register the completion of his mission.
He guessed the mission's end condition wasn't just defeating Crocodile—but quelling the wider unrest across Alabasta.
Only once the civil war ended would the system consider it complete.
"Understood."
Vivi nodded firmly.
Without delay, the group of dozens procured camels nearby and set off toward the fiercest point of battle between the Royal Guards and the rebel forces.
A short while later—
In the city of Alubarna.
The Royal Guard, led by Adjutant Bell, clashed violently with the rebels.
Leading the rebel army was none other than Vivi's childhood friend—Koza.
Throughout the royal capital, smoke and flames rose skyward.
Screams echoed as chaos enveloped the city.
The clash had reached a boiling point, with casualties mounting on both sides at a frightening pace.
When Bai Yu and his group arrived, they found the two armies locked in direct confrontation.
"Go on ahead. Leave the rest to me."
Seeing the brutal fight just ahead, Bai Yu dismounted with ease.
Helping Vivi off her camel, he patted her shoulder with reassurance.
"Alright."
Vivi nodded. The calm in Bai Yu's voice settled her nerves.
Then, without hesitation, she dashed straight toward the heart of the battlefield.
"Move out!"
Bai Yu gestured to his naval troops.
He charged after her first, the squad of Navy soldiers following close behind.
"Look!"
"Isn't that Princess Vivi?!"
"What's she doing here?!"
Soon, shouts erupted as both armies noticed Vivi's presence.
"Behind her… are those Marines?!"
"Why is the Navy interfering in our civil war?"
Murmurs and suspicion spread as more soldiers recognized the naval uniforms.
"This is our chance!"
"Capture Princess Vivi! The Royal Guards won't dare fight back!"
A voice rang out from the rebels, suggesting a ruthless tactic.
If they captured Vivi, they could use her as a bargaining chip to force the Kingdom's army to surrender.
Dozens of eyes locked onto the princess with hostile intent.
Naturally, Vivi felt the stares.
But her faith in Bai Yu never wavered.
She pressed on, fearless.
Before long, Vivi, Bai Yu, and the others crossed half the battlefield, reaching its center.
"Vivi?!"
Both Bell and Koza, commanders on opposing sides, cried out in shock.
Vivi halted, casting her gaze between Bell and Koza.
She opened her mouth to speak—
"Seize the princess! Now!"
A shout exploded from the rebel lines.
Hundreds of rebels surged forward toward Vivi.
Swish—!
Bai Yu stomped once and flashed beside Vivi in a heartbeat.
His katana, already enveloped in brilliant cyan-blue Azure Dragon Sword Intent, shimmered ominously.
Slash—! Slash—!
With two swift, clean strikes, Bai Yu unleashed twin arcs of cutting wind to Vivi's left and right.
Two deep trenches tore open beside her, halting the rebel advance.
"Cross these lines, and you answer to me," Bai Yu said coldly.
The rebel soldiers froze.
They looked between one another, but no one dared make the first move.
Click—click—click!
At the same moment, fifty Navy soldiers took formation around Vivi.
Raising their rifles in synchronized precision, they aimed.
"Don't fear them!"
"For the future of Alabasta, no sacrifice is too great!"
Someone from the rebels bellowed again.
With renewed resolve, the rebel forces surged forward once more—
—and charged across the blade-marked lines toward Princess Vivi.