One Piece : Rise of Thunder King

You can read the advance chapters here : patreon.com/Vigilante04

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The rebels stormed the city, and the sounds of battle echoed loudly. 

Under Crocodile's manipulation, the people of Alabasta's rebel army had completely lost faith in King Cobra. 

Koza, the leader of the rebels and once Princess Vivi's childhood friend, had set aside all personal ties to lead the attack on Alubarna. His goal was clear: dethrone King Cobra and change the nation entirely. 

Alubarna, once a thriving city, was now in chaos. Every street had turned into a battlefield where the royal army clashed with the rebels. 

From the palace walls, King Cobra stood watching the devastation below. His heart was heavy with sorrow. 

Time and again, he turned to Arthur, his gaze filled with desperation, silently pleading for him to intervene. Yet Arthur remained unmoved, shaking his head. 

"King Cobra," Arthur said calmly, "Crocodile's schemes remain hidden in the shadows. If I act now, it would be easy to put down these rebels, but the people still misunderstand the royal family. Their resentment would persist. 

"Even if I suppress the rebellion today, without addressing the deeper issues, it's only a matter of time before another uprising. This would just shift power without solving the problem. Why should I help you like this? 

"Be patient. Let this storm run its course. Once Crocodile's true motives are revealed, you'll have the chance to act. Besides, a rebellion that isn't allowed to vent its frustrations could grow into something far more dangerous." 

King Cobra furrowed his brow as he considered Arthur's words. There was truth in what he said. More importantly, the idea of losing the royal family's authority was something Cobra couldn't accept. 

He wasn't a tyrant—he genuinely cared for his people and knew that Alabasta thrived under his rule. Without the Nefertari family, the country would face instability, and the World Government would never allow such a sudden transfer of power. 

Cobra's reluctance to step down wasn't about personal pride. Eight hundred years ago, his ancestors gave up their status as Celestial Dragons for the sake of their people. Cobra would do the same if it were necessary. However, the Nefertari family carried responsibilities and a mission that couldn't be abandoned. 

Arthur suddenly narrowed his eyes, as if seeing through the distance. "She's coming." 

"What?" Cobra asked, confused. 

Before Arthur could reply, Cobra's eyes widened in recognition. A familiar figure appeared in the distance. "Vivi!" he gasped. 

Riding on Karoo, Vivi skillfully evaded the rebels' attacks as she made her way toward the palace. 

Arthur's expression softened with a glimmer of admiration. Vivi's long blue hair, tied in a ponytail, swayed in the wind. Her traditional Alabasta attire contrasted against her fair skin, giving her an elegance that shone even amidst the chaos. 

Before long, Vivi reached the palace gates, where the royal guards quickly opened the way for her. 

Meanwhile, the Straw Hat Crew, who had accompanied Vivi to Alabasta, had split up to face their respective opponents scattered throughout the city. 

In the desert near Alubarna, Crocodile finally confronted Luffy for the first time. However, the encounter wasn't much of a fight. Crocodile treated it as a mere nuisance, quickly defeating Luffy when he grew tired of the boy's determination. 

Elsewhere, Nico Robin, dressed in a hooded white coat, moved toward the palace. But unlike the others, she avoided direct confrontation and instead slipped in quietly through another route. 

Inside the palace, Vivi finally reached her father. But her eyes widened in shock when she saw the young man seated beside King Cobra. 

"Arthur?" Vivi asked in disbelief, staring at him with a mixture of confusion and amazement.

"Why are you here…" Vivi stared blankly at Arthur, her voice tinged with disbelief. She had heard of Arthur's impressive reputation, but this wasn't the time to dwell on it.

Quickly snapping out of her surprise, Vivi turned to her father, Cobra. "Father, I've learned the truth! Crocodile's men have a Devil Fruit power that lets them imitate others' appearances!"

"All of this is Crocodile's conspiracy! Koza… Koza has been deceived by him too!"

Cobra nodded gravely. "I know, Vivi. I've already been made aware of the situation."

"Father, please, give me a chance!" Vivi pleaded desperately. "Now that I know the truth, I'm sure I can stop Koza and the others!"

Her heart was filled with hope. None of this was Koza's fault, nor her father's. The blame lay squarely on Crocodile. If the rebels, especially Koza, could learn the truth, everything could be resolved.

But Vivi's hope was too optimistic.

Cobra shook his head gently. "They won't listen now, Vivi. The rebels are too blinded by anger to hear reason. Only when Crocodile's schemes are revealed to everyone at the right moment will this chaos end. Be patient. Wait here. Crocodile will come soon, I'm certain."

"What? Father…" Vivi's face fell. She hadn't expected him to stop her.

Cobra then repeated Arthur's reasoning to her.

As she listened, Vivi's expression grew more solemn. She was intelligent, and although she didn't want to admit it, she realized her father and Arthur were right. The rebel army carried the fury of millions of people. A single person's words wouldn't stop them now.

Suddenly, a sound broke the tense silence. Bell and Chaka, standing guard nearby, stiffened. The unmistakable echo of footsteps reached their ears.

"Hehehehe, we meet again, Mr. Arthur." The voice was smooth and sly, belonging to none other than Nico Robin, who had secretly slipped into the palace.

"It seems Crocodile will arrive shortly," Arthur said, his throne floating slightly in the air before spinning lightly.

Robin stood elegantly, her demeanor calm and composed. "Yes. He'll be here once he's dealt with that Straw Hat boy. We're running out of time."

"You're… Miss All-Sunday? Why are you here?" Vivi exclaimed, startled to see Robin.

Robin gave her a faint smile. "Hehe, hello, Miss… or should I say, Princess Vivi."

While they spoke, a gust of sand whirled through the air, carrying a clear signal—Crocodile was approaching Alubarna.

Crocodile entered the city swiftly, heading straight for the palace. Soon after, he flew inside, carried by a swirling current of sand.

As Crocodile landed in the palace, his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. His brows furrowed. There was something strange—an unsettling, familiar presence lingering in the air.

A flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Did Cobra bring in reinforcements?

Suppressing his unease, Crocodile noticed the palace was unusually empty. There were no guards in sight, not even near the throne room. His lips curled into a faint sneer. Is Cobra so desperate he can't even station proper security?

With quiet confidence, Crocodile pressed forward, closing in on his goal.

Crocodile sneered as he flew toward Cobra, a glint of excitement flickering in his eyes.

"Crocodile!" Bell and Chaka immediately sprang into action, half-transforming into their beast forms as they faced the Shichibukai who materialized from the swirling sand. Their expressions were tense as they prepared for a fight.

"Hmph." Crocodile scoffed, sparing the two a dismissive glance. However, his confidence faltered when his gaze landed on Arthur. His face shifted, and his pupils narrowed sharply.

"You... Why are you here?" Crocodile's voice dripped with unease, his confidence momentarily shaken.

The sight of Arthur brought back a memory—one from seven or eight years ago. Back then, Crocodile had underestimated Arthur, dismissing him as a lucky brat with the power of the Thunder Fruit. Yet, that "brat" had managed to wound him, something Crocodile had never forgotten.

He had brushed off the incident as a fluke, but the man standing before him now wasn't just a memory. Arthur had become a world-renowned powerhouse, the very man who had defeated Kaido, one of the Four Emperors.

Though Crocodile was arrogant by nature, he couldn't deny the gap between himself and the true titans of the world.

Arthur, calm and composed, locked eyes with him. "Long time no see, Crocodile."

Arthur's sharp perception immediately noticed that Crocodile had grown stronger since their last encounter. But even with this increase in power, Arthur couldn't help but think, With this strength, Luffy doesn't stand a chance—even with the so-called 'protagonist's halo.'

Arthur raised an eyebrow as he considered the situation. Originally, he had planned to let events unfold naturally, watching Luffy and Crocodile clash like a grand, live-action drama. But now, seeing Crocodile's current strength, he realized that plan might need some adjustment.

Seems like I'll have to step in after all, Arthur thought to himself.

"You lucky brat," Crocodile growled, his tone dark and irritated. "Why are you here? This has nothing to do with you."

Arthur chuckled lightly, noting Crocodile's flickering expression. "What's the matter? Are things starting to slip out of your control? Planning how to adapt already?"

"Hmph! Don't flatter yourself," Crocodile shot back, his voice steady despite the unease bubbling beneath the surface. For all his arrogance, he knew this wasn't an opponent he could take lightly. Still, he couldn't afford to show weakness now.

Gathering his composure, Crocodile sneered again. "Boy Lightning, this is none of your business. You wouldn't dare interfere, would you? Don't forget, I'm a Shichibukai. I have rights and authority in this country that even you must respect."

Arthur gave a faint nod, his gaze shifting to the chaotic city below. "Of course. But today, Crocodile, your opponent isn't me—it's that kid."

As he spoke, a powerful voice echoed through Alubarna, cutting through the tension.

"CROCODILE!"

The shout rang with raw fury, its tone unmistakably young and full of determination.

Crocodile's face darkened even further. "That brat… He survived?" he muttered, his irritation evident.

Crocodile had been confident that Luffy wouldn't make it out of the desert alive. The battle there, coupled with his sand-based powers, should have finished him off. Crocodile had dismissed the Straw Hat captain as an insignificant pest, focusing instead on his plans for Alabasta.

Yet now, that same "insignificant pest" was charging toward him, carrying a large barrel on his back, his energy undiminished.

Arthur's eyes followed Luffy's approaching figure, a small smile tugging at his lips. Finally… the destiny of this world takes center stage.