5 Ch 5 : Pawn

When the words were heard by the rebels, the atmosphere immediately turned depressing.

The more they heard from Rain, the more convinced they were that Rain was the real deal, and he could really trample them if he wanted to.

Some of the rebels were still a bit unconvinced and wanted to try to shoot Rain, but when they heard the testimony of their fellow rebels, which said that gunfire couldn't harm Rain at all, they all were immediately convinced.

Kohza saw this and sighed.

For such a guy to come here at this moment, it could be either a disaster or a miracle.

In the end, Kohza had no other choice but to bring Rain to his base to talk.

The things this guy wanted to talk about might be some confidential matter, and it would be impolite if they were to continue talking here.

"...Say.. can we move to a quiet place where we can talk?"

Rain looked around at the various rebel groups gathered here and remembered how the Baroque works had already infiltrated both the rebel group and the royal guards.

"...Fine."

But just when the two were about to leave for the quiet place, Rain could hear some shouts from behind.

"Kohza!"

Some of Kohza's close friends shouted, obviously not agreeing with letting the two be alone.

"You can come with me if you want. Either way, one or two ants, all of them doesn't matter to me."

Kohza and the rest looked at Rain with eyes full of depression before nodding and heading into the tent.

No matter what they did, they really couldn't refute Rain, they thought.

After they settled inside, Rain finally spoke.

"So… you weaklings wanted to overthrow the kingdoms? It seems that I have entered a circus here! Don't you guys realize that you are just a pawn playing under the big chessboard?"

"!?"

Kohza and everyone looked in shock. They have been used to such sarcastic words as hopeless or fool. But to be a pawn under a big chessboard? What does this guy mean?

"What do you mean?"

Kohza and the others looked at Rain full of confusion.

Rain sighed, but he didn't have any intention to explain.

The more mysterious he is, the more likely that the other party will believe him. Especially when the other party eventually realized the truth by themself.

"You have no idea what this kingdom had been through while you guys are here fighting against each other…"

"You-!"

One of Kohza's friends snapped and was about to punch Rain in the face, but Kohza held him back.

"I will say it just like that, you guys are just pawns. Do you guys really think such a kind and magnanimous king would change out of nowhere? You guys really never use your brain, huh?"

Hearing this, Kohza and the rest were solemn and continued to remain silent.

They indeed found there was something wrong with the incident. However, there was just way too much evidence that pointed toward the king, and they had no choice but to believe it.

Now that Rain had come and slapped them this way, they could only continue to become silent and not refute.

Rain looked at this and sighed inwardly.

His goal had been achieved, and now all that was left was just to guide those guys to where Vivi would be and let Vivi clear up all the misunderstandings.

Rain stood up as he was ready to leave, but just before he left, he said another detail to them.

"Your childhood playmate will be in Yuba in a few months, maybe you could get your answer directly from her."

And just like that, Rain left the rebel's camp.

Judging by the time, It would still be a few months until Strawhat and Vivi arrived in Alabasta, and that time would be enough for Kohza to think about the right choice to make.

Actually, Rain never had the thought to help the rebels, and all he did until now was just for his own selfishness.

If Kohza told Vivi about him, then he would certainly score some good points from the Straw Hats, and that was his goal for today.

After he left, Rain was heading toward the Rainbase, Crocodile's headquarter in Alabasta.

Some people said that the safest place was right under the nose of the danger, and that was what Rain was planning to do right now.

Either way, he believed that he would be able to escape if it was just the agents from the Baroque works.

Rain looked at the sun shining bright above him and decided to leave quickly so he could reach Nanohana before the end of the day.

The distance between Katorea and Nanohana isn't that great and could be reached within the day.

By the time Rain almost reached Nanohana, it was already nighttime.

Rain intended to just enter Nanohana and rest, but trouble came and approached him first.

"Are you the guy who just left the rebels base? Can you please spare some moment to talk with us?"

Two guys said as they suddenly appeared right in front of Rain.