Chapter 74

"VIVI!" A loud cry echoed across the entire city of Alubarna, drawing every eye towards the sky to witness a figure falling down from the stormy clouds, clutching another person like a rag doll. 

Most of the onlookers were puzzled about the figure but those who recognized that familiar childish voice laced with glee and excitement, sighed a breath of relief, their hearts lifting at the sight of the one they'd been worried about the most, even if none of them showed it.

"He's back!" Chopper cried, his eyes glistening with joyful tears. He gazed happily at Luffy while he held a body and his backpack as he was falling.

"...And he's holding someone," Usopp murmured in awe, clearly noticing the unmistakable white, wispy hair bleeding to the original black haired mane of his captain. He recognized it. He couldn't forget it, yet right now, rather than fear, there was pure elation as he witnessed his captain in the same nightmarish getup once more. 

"I don't have a clue why he is falling from the sky," Nami admitted, her gaze fixed on her captain's radiant grin. "But that means he has done it!"

"LUFFY WON!" The Strawhats cheered with glee, ignoring their battered bodies and exhaustion, which were temporarily forgotten.

"Luffy..!" Even Smoker, who was getting ready to come down from the clock tower, couldn't help but let a smile etch on his face at the sight of the kid safe and sound. He was even astonished to see Crocodile in his hands, looking utterly wrecked up.

"Luffy!" Vivi's voice broke into a choked sob, seeing Luffy graciously land on the plaza, her eyes glimmering as they landed on the battered figure of Crocodile. He had done it. Crocodile was defeated. Her country's safe now.

So lost in her emotions, Vivi hardly noticed the first drops of rain which fell on her skin, until Kouza's voice broke through, filled with astonishment. 

"R-Rain?!" Kouza whispered, utterly fascinated and astonished at the rain drops which finally fell from the sky. It was as if the rain was soothing his skin, soaking up all the tension and also quieting down the rebels and royals alike. It was as if all their daze had disappeared and they were finally coming to their senses. "It is really raining."

The square fell into a hushed silence. Vivi, standing on the platform, felt tears pricking at her eyes. Not just because of the relief that Luffy was safe, but because, at long last, the rain had come. It poured down from the sky, soothing the desert's endless thirst, washing away the fear and despair that had gripped her heart for so long. It was a moment of pure, bittersweet relief.

"Vivi," Luffy smiled at the princess happily, lifting his haul-Crocodile- to show her as if the warlord was a prize. "Crocodile is done for. Vivi's country is safe now."

"Thank you, Luffy! Thank you so much for keeping your promise." Vivi sobbed, wiping the happy tears rolling down from her eyes. She was grateful beyond words for everything Luffy had done for the country. From getting kidnapped by the 3C's to defeating Crocodile and now standing between Cole and Cyane like he belonged there, flashing her that infectious, hopeful smile.

"Hold it! Why is Sir Crocodile looking so dead?!" A voice cried from the crowd, echoing the collective shock as they stared at Crocodile, who looked so battered and broken.

"Sir Crocodile?!" Cole scoffed vehemently. He couldn't believe that the rebels were still clinging to their hero, their 'savior'. Though, he couldn't blame them as Crocodile's manipulation ran deeper than he'd realized.

"Luffy! You always find a way to amaze us." Cyane chuckled softly, making sure that his voice didn't reach anyone beyond his brothers. He was worried a bit about Luffy's identity as 'Cyra' potentially being exposed, but with his trademark cloak soaked wet and disheveled due to the winds, it was unrecognizable– and his necklace was hidden under the cloak.

"Shishishishi! I miscalculated and fell from the sky, but it was fun!" Luffy smiled brightly, his irises flickering from red to pink to brown constantly. It was worrying Cole and Cyane but none of them decided to voice it right now.

"Oh, by the way," Cole started, nodding towards the hostile crowd. "Everyone is doubting about Crocy's involvement in this whole war. They still think he is some saint." Cole gestured to the crowd of rebels mostly, some of whom were looking with murderous gaze at their brother for harming the country's 'hero'.

Luffy's smile faded into a frown, as he let his gaze fall on the crowd, sensing their anger, mistrust and confusion.

"Who the hell is that brat?! What's he doing with Sir Crocodile?!"

"Could it be that he somehow managed to trick Sir Crocodile and beat him?!"

"How dare he even lay a hand on our country's hero?!"

"Unhand him this instant, you miscreant!"

Guns were reloaded and aimed once again, but this time it was on Luffy who ignored their hostility and with a calm fury, plopped his straw hat over his head, shielding his eyes to not show his darkened expression. Grabbing a handful of Crocodile's hair, Luffy yanked the warlord's head to face the crowd. "Wake up." Luffy ordered, his voice laced with an unusual, commanding force that silenced the crowd, freezing them in their actions and words alike. "Wake up, you damn Crocodile!" Luffy kicked the man in his shins, rousing the man in his arms and getting a painful grunt from Crocodile, whose eyes fluttered open with a gasp. "Tell them what you did. Right. Now."

Bruised and exhausted, Crocodile stared at the crowd, barely clinging to consciousness. He needed a break. He needed to get as far as possible from the demonic eyes of the brat, which were flickering from red to pink to brown, and were so so so close to him. It hurt his ego and pride but he was scared of the demon holding him. Wasn't it enough for the demon to beat him to unconsciousness?! To be honest, he would choose Impel Down over the grueling punch and kicks the demon brat was showering on him. "I-I'll tell t-them." Crocodile uttered, not able to recognize even his own voice. "J-Just... s-stop kicking m-me."

The crowd was silent, their breaths caught up in their throats, wanting to hear what was truly going on from their hero.

"Speak." Luffy ordered, yanking Crocodile to dangle before the crowd, unknowingly making him a laughing stock for the people to witness and see.

Crocodile groaned in pain, his ribs aching from the words he had uttered. His vision seemed to be covered with black dots and the cold embrace of unconsciousness seemed to be calling him, cradling him like the sea would to a devil fruit user. He could feel the eyes of the demon on him, urging him to speak.. speak the truth and nothing else. "You fools.." Crocodile uttered, his lungs screaming for some air as if his throat was being held in a death grip. "I made you all dance to my tune." Miraculously, his words, even if they were barely a whisper in the rain, were being carried to each and everyone in the square like a hiss, making several eyes spark with confusion and anger. "I stole the rain, keeping you thirsty, starving... making the royals and the rebels tear each other apart in war.. so that I could take over the country for myself."

The crowd was taken aback with shock and betrayal. Some were staring at the man, who was unceremoniously flung to the side by the kid or teen with horror, unable to reconcile the man they once saw as a hero as the mastermind behind their suffering, while others were wide eyed but calm enough to begin connecting the dots of their country's turmoil. But that still didn't explain the whole commotion which had occurred in Nanohana.

Vivi couldn't help but smile, her heart pounding as she saw the people finally start to understand and accept the truth presented to them.

"Who is that kid though?" An older rebel asked, his gaze fixed on Luffy, who was standing nonchalantly between Cole and Cyane, whose very presence had them freezing before.

"That's Strawhat Luffy, a rookie pirate." Another voice answered, recognizing Luffy as the one who beat Crocodile and made him eat dust, freeing their country.

A hush fell over the crowd as they took in this new realization. The whispers grew louder, incredulous yet filled with awe. "How did a rookie, a kid on top of that, beat Crocodile, one of the Warlords of the Sea!?"

.

In the clock tower, where Smoker was watching everything occur, had his jaws dropped, his cigars slipping from his mouth and rolling on the ground, as he struggled to believe his eyes, not sure whether or not he was dreaming. Don't get him wrong, he was happy to finally see the energetic kid back, but he couldn't believe that Luffy- the kid- beat a Warlord, threatened him to spill the secrets and was standing before his kidnappers- the 3C's- without an ounce of fear, as if he had somehow befriended them!

"It's over now." Luffy beamed happily to Vivi, not caring about the whispers of his name echoing in the crowd. He did feel a bit out of place, considering he is a pirate, but he needed to make sure that Vivi would be able to handle the rest without him.

Vivi nodded, stepping forward to address her people. "The rain is falling now and will again as in the past now that the nightmare is finally over." Vivi spoke to the crowd, allowing Luffy to take a step back to his brothers.

"Nightmares don't end just because you or anybody declared them over, Princess!" Someone spat from the crowd. "Crocodile may have been behind the rain and war, but that doesn't explain what happened in Nanohana and the king's involvement in it."

"We saw what the king did at Nanohana with our own eyes. Our leader Kouza was shot too!" Another voice yelled out. "It's the same with every act of violence the royals have carried out up until now."

"Do you think any of our fallen comrades can just accept this conclusion?!" Another rebel shouted out, anger lacing their words.

The war which was finally over seemed to be taking a new turn, as the rebels raised weapons once more, anger flaring as they prepared to act. Even Kouza stood silent, torn, not knowing what to make of the events in Nanohana but-

"Stand t- Ahem! Maa Maa..!" A voice echoed in the plaza with the oh-so-familiar tic in it. "Stand down, rebels and royals!"

"CAPTAIN?!" "IGARAM!"

The royals and Vivi shouted, recognizing the voice and the man who was approaching towards them with a kid cradled in his arms.

"Can you speak, boy?" Igaram asked gently, looking at the injured child in his arms. 

"Hey, isn't that..?" A rebel muttered, lowering his weapon, recognizing the kid.

"It's the kid shot by the royals at Nanohana." Someone answered, their voice carrying the same confusion and bewilderment as the rest,who recognized the kid.

"Everyone, listen to me! You've got it all wrong!" The boy cried, tears and snot dripping from his eyes and nose. "It wasn't the royals who shot me. I saw them..! The 'royal guards' who attacked Nanohana.. were all fake!" His voice was raspy and gruff but the kid continued to talk, despite all the pain. He was determined to stop the pointless war and bloodshed. "Even the King was a fake. It was all a trap set by someone else."

"He's telling the truth." Kouza finally found his voice, as he stepped forward to address his comrades. He knew that the king was captured all along by that mysterious woman. "This whole conflict was set up from the very beginning."

"I will explain everything that has occurred in this country but first, throw down your weapons, all of you." Igaram ordered, to which everyone had their weapons falling from their grip to the ground.

"Our work here is done." Cyane murmured to Cole and Luffy, who stood proudly with a bright smile lighting on his face.

"Shishishi!" Luffy grinned brightly, and was about to speak something more when Cole and Cyane sensed lingering eyes on them. The three brothers exchanged a brief, knowing look. A few people around them were still eyeing them curiously, their attention drawn by the familiarity and ease they shared with each other.

It was the time to slip away from here. They had done what they'd come to do and now with Igaram and the boy finally clarifying the truth, they could leave the rest in Vivi's and the captain of Alabasta capable hands. With quiet yet swift movements, they slipped out of the plaza, blending seamlessly into the surrounding streets, and out of the sight.

"Finally out of that place!" Cole spoke, spreading his observation Haki to see if there were people around them, which to his happiness, he found none yet. Thus, getting the chance to remove his cloak before it gets more soaked in the rain.

"There's just one last thing I need to take care of." Luffy grinned, an uncharacteristic seriousness behind his eyes, despite his usual energy and before his brothers could question him, Luffy had already vanished, disappearing with the rain and winds towards his next adventure.

.

Guided by his guts and the winds, Luffy wound his way down into the hidden heart of Alabasta, finding the hidden staircase that led to the royal tomb. He slipped down the stone steps until he entered a cavernous chamber lit by the faint flicker of torches. At its center lay the Poneglyph, shrouded in shadows but unmistakable, and beside it stood King Cobra, Robin and Kuma, who was watching quietly from a distance. 

"Is what you desired recorded there?" King Cobra questioned Nico Robin, seeing the look of disappointment cloud her gaze as her fingers traced the ancient inscriptions of the Poneglyph.

"Is that it?! Is this everything your country is hiding?!" Robin's voice wavered, barely holding back a swell of desperation. 

King Cobra shook his head, his expression solemn. "No, there is nothing more. I showed you everything as promised." He answered.

With a shudder, Robin's shoulders sank and she collapsed to her knees, the weight of years spent in the shadows, relentlessly hunted and pursued, finally crashing down upon her. "It's over." She murmured, the words escaping in a hoarse whisper yet acknowledging defeat. "There's nowhere left to run... nowhere left to hide." The exhaustion etched on her face was undeniable. She had fought for so long, carrying the burden of her past and the truth she sought for. Yet now, confronted by the limits of Alabasta's secrets, she felt the years press down on her shoulders like a shackle.

Robin knew that she still had one place to turn to. To the revolutionaries or to the Strawhat Pirates. But the latter were gone, their captain kidnapped by the 3C's, leaving her with only one option. The revolutionaries. She didn't want to go with them. She refused to know what the revolutionaries would want her for. Would it be the same like Crocodile, searching for military power? Even if the Revolutionaries were among the prominent figures of the World, she didn't know what to expect from them. But what else did she have to do? Either the revolutionaries or get caught by the marines or the 3C's infecting the square. She wasn't sure how long she could do it anymore. She was tired.

Kuma took a step forward, a sympathetic look in his eyes, to provide some words of reassurance to the woman but before he could do that, Luffy suddenly appeared and moved past him, stepping towards the Poneglyph, his fingers tracing the ancient cravings with a faraway look in his eyes as he traced each symbol with an almost reverent touch.

"I don't remember everything or how this Poneglyph ended up in Alabasta," Luffy spoke softly, his gaze lifting to meet Robin's briefly, then drifting over to Cobra, sensing the shock and curiosity from each of them. "But I know it's in good hands. After all, the Nefertari family is Nefertari D. Lily's family." Luffy's voice held a bright confidence as he gave Cobra a wide grin, his words a reassurance that reverberated through the room. 

Cobra's face was frozen in stunned disbelief. "How... How do you know?" Cobra breathed, hardly able to comprehend how a mere kid knew the top most secret known only the royal heirs, who had been privy to their family's true heritage, the legacy which was only whispered in the shadows of their lineage. Yet here was a child, one who bore the truth with an ease that startled him. "Who are you..?"

But Luffy didn't answer the king. Instead, he turned to Robin, extending a hand toward her with a gentle and soft smile. "Come with me, Robin. No one will stop you from reaching your dreams." He spoke softly, his voice carrying his honestly. "You've been through enough already... all alone."

Robin looked up at him, still awestruck by his entrance and his repeated belief in her and her dreams. Her gaze traveled towards his face, but fell upon the necklace peeking from the folds of his battered cloak. Recognition flooded her. She had seen that pendant before, on Cyra, one of the 3C's. Her heart froze, her suspicions reaffirmed in a quiet, disbelieving voice. "You... you're Cyra."

Cobra's gaze snapped to the kid, his eyes wide as he glanced at him from top to bottom, scanning for anything that would connect the kid to Cyra and there it was. The necklace, that jewel shining brightly alongside a blue transparent feather, peeking out of the kid's cloak, which on closer inspection seemed to be the trademark cloak which Cyra wears. He couldn't believe his eyes, couldn't believe that one of the most feared 3C's was a kid. He would have gone along with any excuse the kid would have opted to say but seeing the kid merely offer the woman a playful smile, nodding as if it were the simplest truth, was a shock.

"If you tell anyone about that," Luffy teased, his voice light like a child threatening someone. "I won't tell you anything about the true history. Not a single word about the Void Century and what was lost to the world. At least the parts which I know."

Robin's eyes, initially wide with shock and wariness, softened to something akin to hope as she stared into those flickering golden eyes, feeling warmth spread within her chest, giving birth to new rays of hope which she hadn't felt in years. The offer was clear but so was her hesitation. Her heart raced with the urge to say yes, to leave behind the shadows but she feared the risks it might entail.

Sensing the struggles of Robin, Luffy softened his smile, taking back his hand and stuffing them in his pockets. "Take your time." He said gently turning around. "You can think about it." Turning next to the king of the country, Luffy's childish tone faded to a serious one. "This war is over now but there are people out there." He spoke, mainly referring to the rebels. "Who need to hear from you... the king, to feel free of their guilt."

"I.. I understand." Cobra spoke, happy that the war is finally over but knowing full well who those 'people' are. He needed to speak to them and show the way rather than despairing and be guilty but he had questions he needs to ask-

"This stays a secret." Kuma spoke for the first time in a while, standing between Luffy and the king and Robin. "For your sake and his. If word spreads out, there will be consequences none of us want."

"Of course, you have my word." Cobra was the first person to agree with the secret, sensing the fact that Cyra isn't someone to mess with easily. He didn't want the World Government to come after him and his country, only for knowing the real person behind the mask of Cyra.

Meanwhile Kuma's gaze drifted over to Luffy's face, catching the way his irises were still flickering from golden to red to pink to brown. His skin even seemed paler than the last time he had seen him, his breath perhaps just a bit shallower, as if he was pushing himself beyond his limits. Kuma knew the significance of that glint in his eyes and knew what it meant but it was still worrying. He fought the urge to step in, knowing very well that he shouldn't. Not right now. Not before the people who don't know anything about it. 

"Let's get out of here." Luffy spoke, walking towards the exit. 

Kuma nodded, opting to stay closer to Luffy, his gaze never straying far from the boy's face. He noticed the way Luffy occasionally swayed, only to catch himself with a determined grin. Though Kuma held back his concern, he cannot help but worry with each second. Especially not when he saw Luffy's eyes flicker to gray for a moment. It was as if something else had happened today. Something more than letting his godly powers out. But Kuma couldn't point out what was happening.

. 

The Strawhats were huddled together, walking clumsily yet determinedly as they followed Zoro down a narrow, dimly lit alley. The day had been long, their bodies were battered and bruised, only getting a bit of soothing from the rain but none of that mattered; they had one mission left. To find Luffy. Each of them were tired, exhaustion lacing in their steps but the absence of their captain had left a far more hollow space in each of their hearts, which they desperately wanted to fill.

"Are you sure this is the right way, Zoro?" Usopp questioned, groaning due to the injuries and how Sanji was giving him a shoulder to walk on his own.

"Yeah, we have taken three different routes already," Nami added, but her voice was softer than usual, her irritation caving in to show her worries. Her leg was throbbing in pain too, but she could care less about it right now.

"Trust me, I can feel it. He'll be here." Zoro shot them a determined look, knowing that he can always somehow find his way to Luffy, even if he is lost.

And he wasn't wrong. Just as they turned another corner, two familiar figures came into view. Ace and Sabo were standing a few steps ahead, leaning casually against the stone wall, through their relief at seeing the Strawhats and Bonney was plain as day. Ace's smile grew wider when he spotted them and Sabo's usually composed expression softened into a warm greeting.

"Hey, guys! What's up?" Ace casually greeted them, having felt their presence long ago.

"Where the hell were you guys? You both just disappeared at Rainbase!" Nami questioned, a bit irritated but glad to finally see Luffy's brothers. If they are here then Luffy has to be somewhere near, right?

"Where's Luffy?" Chopper asked next, worry etched on his face as he hopped forward, his eyes darting around, searching for any signs of their captain.

"He went off somewhere, saying he needed to do something." Sabo spoke with a shrug, glancing at Ace to know if he knew their baby brother's whereabouts currently, only to get nothing.

"He'll be here soon though. Don't worry." Ace spoke, unable to feel Luffy's radiant signature. He would have pondered on it, if not for Bonney's face to spring up in his vision. "Is something wrong, Bonney?" Ace questioned warily, glancing at Bonney and then looking at Sabo, to see him smiling sheepishly too.

"You guys left without me." Bonney spoke with her arms crossed and face set in a pout. "And here I was thinking you two were big, bad brothers." She scolded, poking each of them in the ribs. She knew that they were going to traumatize Crocy as the 3C's but they didn't tell her that she needed to go with the Strawhats and not with them! "You just left me out there to chase after these guys without so much as a word."

The crew chuckled at the antics of Bonney making the big feared brothers sweat.

"I am sorry Bonney. Please forgive us this time." Sabo spoke, kneeling down to Bonney's level, who was in her ten year old self. He can tell that she had helped in the fight and was proud of it.

"I am sorry too, Bonney. We'll inform you next time." Ace also knelt to Bonney's level, ruffling her hair, making her pout and about to retort but before she could, the sound of approaching footsteps once again drew their attention.

"Luffy!" The Strawhats shouted at once, momentarily forgetting their own pain and injuries. Without hesitation, Usopp, Nami and Chopper ran towards him, ignoring their sore muscles, aching bones and bleeding skin, to throw themselves at him in a group hug, which was completed by Zoro and Sanji getting tangled in the hug somehow.

"Where the hell were you?" Sanji muttered, trying to sound annoyed even as he gave Luffy a firm hug, in disguise of Usopp pushing him into Luffy.

"Do you know how worried we were?!" Usopp questioned, feeling tears roll down from his eyes. The words of the mole woman finally left his mind as he found himself holding onto the much alive Luffy.

"Even Zoro was worried about you!" Chopper cried, hugging Luffy with everything and getting a grunt from Zoro, who wasn't trusting his voice right now. 

"You made us drag ourselves across the city looking for you, idiot." Nami uttered, wiping her tears. She was truly worried but seeing Luffy once again all her worries just vanished.

Luffy grinned, feeling the worry and relief from his friends radiate towards him. "Shishishi! Sorry, guys!" Luffy's eyes crinkled as he laughed that familiar, comforting laugh. "But everyone did an amazing job. You defeated your opponents. I am proud of you." He praised, his voice brimming with pride and genuine happiness.

The words settled over the Strawhats like a soothing balm, and finally, the exhaustion from their hard fought battles caught up to them. Nami winced, clutching her arm where Miss Doublefinger had pierced her; Zoro's legs buckled momentarily due to the blood loss and Usopp winced as he felt a few ribs complain. The Strawhats collapsed around Luffy, sinking to the ground in a loose circle, all smiles and heavy sighs, the adrenaline of the day finally ebbing away.

"Guess, we are all just tired." Usopp muttered, managing a small laugh. But even as they settled into a relieved silence, Luffy's breathing seemed to change and his grin faltered with his eyes scrunching shut for once.

Chopper was the first one to notice the abnormal signs in Luffy. "Luffy? Are you okay?" He asked, worry obvious in his tone, and directing other's gaze at Luffy.

A faint tremor ran through Luffy as he blinked, trying to focus but his vision was blurring. The world around him was swaying and his knees buckled. His friends' and siblings' voices became muffled, their faces blurring as darkness crept around his vision. Before he could fight it like before, he was falling, his body giving in to the unknown exhaustion.

"Luffy!" Zoro's shout cut through the murmur of the alleyway, sharp and urgent. The crew shot to their feet, their own exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they surrounded their captain, worry etched deeply into their faces.

Ace was the first to reach Luffy, his hand already on Luffy's forehead, which was unbelievably hot. "Luffy.. hey, come on. Don't do this now." He murmured, his voice thick with worry. The lighthearted air vanished, replaced by a tense, palpable fear as he watched Luffy's eyes flutter shut. Ace was shocked for a moment, not believing the unbelievable gray flicker in his irises which he saw for a moment.

Chopper immediately jumped into action, his tiny hooves checking Luffy's pulse and temperature with practiced precision.

"Kuma-san, what happened?" Sabo questioned, seeing how Kuma's eyes held something akin to knowing. Something had happened for sure because fighting a weak warlord like Crocodile was a piece of cake for Luffy, not exhausting. Was it the rain then? But how? Luffy was never exhausted whenever he did these. So what had happened?

Kuma didn't know what to answer, as he watched the Strawhats, Ace and Bonney fret over Luffy. He knew that something had happened, he had seen Luffy's eyes flicker to grey twice now which had never been there. "I dunno to be sure, Sabo." Kuma finally voiced out, feeling the concerned gaze of Sabo on him and Luffy. "Only Luffy can answer what has happened."

"Chopper, what's wrong with him?" Zoro's voice was uncharacteristically strained as he hovered over Chopper, his concern deepening as he noted Luffy's shallow breaths.

"He is out cold." Chopper answered.