To think that Alabasta, a kingdom blessed with the vast Sandora River, could still suffer from a water shortage felt utterly absurd.
Yet the reality was undeniable.
Alabasta’s sheer size made the problem far worse.
Even with the extraordinary stamina of people like Luffy and his crew, traveling from the central Sandora River to the western city of Yuba would take ten days and ten nights.
Yuba, once known as the Green City, had grown prosperous because of an ancient canal that branched from the Sandora River.
That canal had sustained the city for generations.
But more than half a year ago, the canal was deliberately destroyed.
Since then, Yuba had been consumed by drought, slowly withering under the relentless sun.
It was also here that the Rebel Army first took root.
“The funding issue is settled.
As for manpower…” Nair’s lips curved into a faint, controlled smile.
“Those responsible will naturally pay the price.”
He turned his gaze toward Pell.
“Send a letter to the leader of the Rebel Army in my name.
It is time to bring Father back.
As the former King of Alabasta, he should not be humiliated by his own people like this.
I guarantee they will receive the punishment they deserve.”
To Nair, a rebellion driven by ignorance and lack of investigation was the greatest insult to the sacrifices the royal family had made for the country.
…
Yuba.
Under the blazing sun, the entire city felt like it was being scorched alive.
The Rebel Army had expanded from tens of thousands to nearly three hundred thousand soldiers.
Though they occupied the city, their strict discipline prevented them from harming civilians.
Even so, Yuba stood on the brink of collapse.
Inside a worn tent, Cobra sat cross-legged, his face gaunt and exhausted.
Across from him was a short-haired young man wearing glasses.
Though he appeared unassuming, there was a steady presence about him that could not be ignored.
This was Koza, leader of the Rebel Army.
“This country is finished.
There is no hope,” Koza said quietly.
You have proven your innocence, yet rain still falls in Alabasta while Yuba and other cities remain in drought.”
He paused, his gaze firm.
“I believe you did not commit those crimes.
Otherwise, you would never have allowed yourself to be detained by us.
But I do not trust the new King, and I will never acknowledge him.”
Cobra’s voice was hoarse with fatigue.
“Do you intend to continue this war?”
“It is not what I want,” Koza replied, taking a slow breath.
“The people have been driven to this point.
You said this is all part of Crocodile’s scheme, but I cannot believe that.”
His eyes hardened.
“A pirate cannot become the ruler of this country.
The World Government would never allow it.
So why would he target the royal family in the first place?”
This doubt was precisely why Koza and the others refused to believe Crocodile was behind everything.
At that moment, noise erupted outside the tent.
Koza narrowed his eyes and stepped out.
A bird descended from the sky and transformed midair into a human figure.
Soldiers quickly surrounded him, but Pell stood calmly, completely unfazed.
“It is you… Pell…”
Koza’s emotions were complicated.
When he was young, Pell and Chaka had already served as Alabasta’s guardian warriors, protecting the kingdom alongside the King.
Back then, Koza had admired them deeply.
Now, reality felt very different.
Pell gave a slight nod and pulled out a sealed document.
“Koza, this is a letter from His Majesty.
He requests negotiations.”
“Negotiations?” Koza’s expression turned cold.
“Is he coming to Yuba himself?”
His gaze toward Koza carried clear disapproval.
“If you truly care about the people, then read this.”
Koza took the document and glanced at it casually.
But within seconds, his expression froze, then gradually turned serious.
“The Alabasta royal family will invest one hundred billion Berries to construct a water pipeline centered on the Sandora River, supplying all drought-stricken cities.”
He read further, his voice tightening.
“In exchange, the Rebel Army must surrender unconditionally, release former King Cobra, provide sufficient labor for construction, and submit to a fair trial under Alabasta law after completion.”
Silence followed.
Koza suddenly scoffed and tossed the letter aside as if it were worthless paper.
“One hundred billion Berries?” he said mockingly.
“Do you think I would believe something like this?
Alabasta cannot afford that kind of wealth.”
His eyes locked onto Pell.
“Unless the new King produces the money first, this is nothing but a lie.”
Pell’s expression did not change.
“This letter bears the King’s own hand.
Its value is one hundred billion Berries,” he said coldly.
“Chaka, deputy commander of the Royal Guard, is already on his way to Yuba with the first five billion Berries.”
Koza’s pupils shrank slightly.
“The first pipeline will begin construction here,” Pell continued.
“If conditions allow, the canal will also be restored, with additional funding provided.”
He turned away.
“If you doubt it, then let the letter be carried off by the wind.”
With that, Pell leapt into the air and transformed once more, soaring into the sky.
This time, there was no trace of concession in his actions.
Because whether the Rebel Army cooperated or not, the royal family now had the means to move forward.
With enough Berries, labor could always be found.
And when that happened, the Rebel Army would lose everything.
Left behind, they would become nothing more than true rebels in the eyes of the entire kingdom.
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100