Chapter 107 The Fifth Question

"Three years ago?"

Suddenly, a shadow fell over the minds of the people of Alabasta. Their faces displayed an expression of disbelief.

While others did not understand the implications, the people of Alabasta couldn't help but be sensitive to the timeframe of three years ago. It was because three years ago, on a certain day, rainfall throughout the country, except in the capital city of Alubarna, suddenly ceased.

Alabasta was originally a desert country where water was precious. The regular rainfall sustained the ecological balance of the oases and the livelihoods of the people depended on it. However, after the rain stopped three years ago, everything began to change.

The oasis turned into desolate wastelands, wells started to dry up, and accessing drinking water became a challenge. Eventually, even survival became an issue. Moreover, while the rest of the country suffered, the capital city of Alubarna continued to enjoy favorable weather conditions. It was evident that something was amiss.

The revelation about Dance Powder, a substance capable of artificially creating rain, further complicated matters. However, its side effect was that it drained the moisture from the clouds, leaving nothing for the downwind areas. Once this information was exposed, combined with the abundance of rain in Alubarna, people naturally suspected that the king's selfishness had caused this nationwide catastrophe.

As a result, people who couldn't survive in such conditions rose up in rebellion, leading to the current state of Alabasta.

However, today, through the live QnA session, they heard another possibility.

Three years ago, Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai, arrived in Alabasta. He brought the secret criminal organization, Baroque Works, along with him. Coincidentally, it was also three years ago that the rain in Alabasta ceased. This series of coincidences no longer appeared coincidental.

Could it be that there was more to the drought than meets the eye? Was the true culprit behind this nationwide disaster the man they had always considered their hero in Alabasta?

This thought sent shockwaves through the minds of the people of Alabasta. In the headquarters of the rebellion in Katorea, the main instigators of the rebellion were also watching the recent live Q&A session.

Upon hearing the question, their expressions instantly turned shocked and unpleasant. If the mastermind behind this incident was someone other than King Cobra, did it mean they had been manipulated and directed by Crocodile all along? Had their anger been misplaced?!

Did they wrongly accuse the king?!

Koza and the other rebels stared intently at the live broadcast, awaiting the answer.

Crocodile's face was now as dark as the bottom of a pot. Who exactly was this Luke, and how did he know so much about his affairs? Crocodile couldn't recall ever having dealings with this man. How did this man come to possess such knowledge about him?

Crocodile quickly scanned his surroundings, feeling as if he had been living in a world under constant surveillance, as if someone had been watching him without his knowledge.

What exactly was going on?

Could there be hidden secrets in this world that remain unknown to others?

Crocodile's scalp tingled, sensing an indescribable fear enveloping him.

Meanwhile, at Marineford, a marine officer was briefing Sengoku and the others on the situation in Alabasta, helping them understand Crocodile's motives.

"We received reports about the situation in Alabasta. Currently, the country is not in a good state. It is said that rainfall has ceased throughout the entire country, except in the capital city. The drought has led to dire living conditions for the people, and rebellions have erupted in various regions. The country is on the brink of civil war."

"Sengoku, didn't King Cobra request the assistance of the Marines to quell the rebellion?" Sengoku looked surprised as he glanced at the marine officer.

One of the privileges of being an affiliated nation is the ability to request the assistance of the Marines in cases of rebellion or pirate attacks. They can also seek help in other matters by paying a certain fee.

The marine officer replied, "No, it seems that King Cobra is a benevolent king. He does not wish to see the country suffer from further conflict and the people endure more pain. Instead, he has been investigating this matter himself, trying to find the culprits behind the rainfall cessation before the situation becomes irreparable. However, he has been unable to uncover the mastermind behind the drought."

Sengoku fell into silence at King Cobra's actions. Perhaps he was the best king among the affiliated nations that Sengoku had encountered so far. The others didn't even regard the common people as human beings.

If this had happened with any other king, they would have immediately called for assistance from the Marines as soon as the rebellion started.

However, the people present were not fools. The reason they hadn't discovered any hidden agenda behind these events was that they hadn't paid much attention to them before.

But now, hearing all this, it was clear that there was more to the situation. Only a fool would believe otherwise.

Crocodile, with his involvement in stopping the rainfall in Alabasta, framing King Cobra, and inciting the rebellion, what were his true intentions?

At this moment, the high-ranking officers of the Marines who were watching the live broadcast reached a unanimous decision. They could not let Crocodile go unpunished.

To carry the title of one of the Shichibukai and commit such outrageous acts within an affiliated nation, for the sake of the Marines' reputation and justice, this man must face the iron fist of justice.

Sengoku immediately issued the order, "Inform the personnel in Alabasta, issue an additional command: Capture Crocodile immediately, regardless of the cost or resistance!"

"Yes, Admiral Sengoku," the Marine officer responded.

Meanwhile, in the New World, Dressrosa, Donquixote Doflamingo, upon hearing the question, suddenly smirked.

He detected a familiar feeling within this situation.

This operation seemed quite familiar. Crocodile, are you trying to emulate his methods of overthrowing a nation?

Doflamingo burst into laughter.

Does he think he can conquer a country just like Dofkamingo did?

Doflamingo sneered disdainfully.

In the live broadcast, Robin didn't hesitate and organized her thoughts before revealing Crocodile's plans in Alabasta to the world.

"Answer: Crocodile intends to seize the country. He wants to bring Alabasta under his control and establish his ideal nation. This is the true objective of the Baroque Works."

Robin's statement instantly caused a huge uproar worldwide. The fact that Shichibukai Crocodile wanted to seize a country, and that a pirate would dare to act as a king?!

This revelation shocked many people, but none were more shocked than the affiliated nation kings. Their initial shock quickly turned into uncontrollable anger...

Such actions had already crossed their bottom line.

Shichibukai attempting to seize a country had occurred more than once before. The incident where Doflamingo seized Dressrosa had left them deeply disturbed. However, since the World Government supported Doflamingo, they were powerless.

Now, another incident of a Seven Warlords attempting to seize a country had unfolded.

They could no longer tolerate this. The World Government was gradually encroaching on their nations. Not only that, but even Shichibukai under their control were trying to take over the affiliated nations. They were treating the affiliated nations like pieces of meat on a chopping board!

Now that another Shichibukai had attempted to seize a country, it wouldn't be surprising if they sent their own agent to directly assume the positions of the affiliated nation kings. Would there be any room left for their survival in the future?

With these thoughts, the affiliated nation kings felt a mix of anger and fear. The World Government was pushing them to the edge, and they had almost no room to retreat!

Robin's explanation was not yet over. She continued, "Three years ago, Baroque Works, under the leadership of President Crocodile, came to Alabasta. However, due to Crocodile's desire to remain hidden, all decisions were made by him, and I carried them out on his behalf.

After arriving in Alabasta, Crocodile had members of Baroque Works use Dance Powder to stop the rainfall throughout the country, except in Alubarna. When people discovered this abnormality, Crocodile deliberately arranged for them to find Dance Powder in the harbor town of Nanohana. At the same time, members of Baroque Works infiltrated the crowds and spread the rumor that King Cobra was responsible for this.

Soon after, rebellion blow out in Alabasta, and the Rebel Army was established. Baroque Works provided weapons and assistance to the rebels, helping them expand their influence and oppose the King's forces.

During this, Crocodile, posing as one of Shichibukai, settled in Rainbase, portraying himself as the hero of Alabasta. It's worth mentioning that the pirates causing trouble in Alabasta were actually members of Baroque Works, intentionally playing their part in Crocoodile's scheme."

As Robin's words were revealed, the faces of the people in Alabasta and the Rebel Army became increasingly grim.

Deceived and filled with anger, their minds erupted like a volcanic eruption.

They had been regarding the one who brought them disaster as a hero all this time!

They had been unknowingly manipulated by others all along!

Roars of anger and venting voices echoed throughout Alabasta.

These revelations infuriated them to the point where they wanted to immediately kill Crocodile to vent their frustrations.

At this moment, in the Alabasta Royal Palace, King Cobra's face turned pale as he looked at Robin, who had confessed Crocodile's criminal acts.

So it was Crocodile who caused the suffering the people endured over the past three years.

They spent countless time and effort searching for solutions. From initially believing it was a natural disaster, to later thinking it was a punishment from the heavens, and then discovering that there was a culprit behind it all... For three years, Alabasta had been filled with misery and people were barely surviving. And now, there was even the possibility of a civil war, with an unknown number of lives at stake.

King Cobra witnessed it all, feeling the pain in his heart but helpless to change the situation.

He never imagined that the true culprit was manipulating everything from Rainbase and enjoying the people's respect.

He had previously been grateful to Crocodile for protecting the people. What a fool he had been!

Damn it!

That despicable Crocodile!

To think he would commit such acts!

King Cobra clenched his fist and punched the wall, exerting too much force and causing his hand to bleed.

After the anger subsided, he felt a sense of relief. Fortunately, it hadn't reached the point of no return. Now that the truth was exposed, Crocodile's conspiracy would be shattered.

King Cobra looked at Luke in the live broadcast with a mix of gratitude and relief. Without this broadcast, Alabasta would have been in danger.

But his expression changed suddenly when he heard Robin's next words.

"However, all of this was just preparation. Before I came here to participate in the QnA, Crocodile had already begun the final phase of his plan.

Crocodile instructed me to gather the senior agents of Baroque Works and head to Rainbase to meet with him.

Although he didn't disclose the details of the final operation, I can guess what it entails.

Baroque Works has a senior agent named Bon Clay, codenamed Mr. 2. He has the ability to mimic anyone's appearance by touching their face.

Crocodile probably intends to have him impersonate King Cobra and provoke a civil war between the royal army and the rebel army. While they fight each other to the death, Baroque Works will infiltrate both sides and eliminate their respective leaders.

Crocodile will then step in and put an end to the war.

He plans to take over the country in the guise of a hero, transforming Alabasta into his ideal nation."