Showdown at Alubarna

Zoro is shown in a close-up, his face tense and sweating as he grips the hilt of his sword, grunting "NRGH! NRGH!" in frustration. The scene shifts to a vast desert landscape where a giant crab is scuttling rapidly across the dunes, kicking up clouds of sand. A conversation is happening among the passengers riding the crab. Someone remarks, "And ever since then, crabs all around the world have realized just how bow-legged they were..." which prompts a realization: "OHHH! SO THAT'S WHY THEY WALK SIDEWAYS!" Another voice yells, "YOU BOW-LEGGED FREAK!" and continues, "And that's when I yelled..." On the crab's back, Nami, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, and Vivi are gathered. Nami, looking annoyed, tells Zoro, "Zoro, stop wasting energy pointlessly." Zoro angrily snaps back, "SHUT UP!" Sanji, smoking a cigarette, calmly advises Nami, "Just leave him and the others be, Nami..." Meanwhile, Usopp is telling a story to Chopper, gesturing with his hands: "And there was another twerp hopping behind him then... It was a shrimp!" Chopper is amazed, "OHHH! SO SHRIMPS ARE CRABS?" Usopp confidently replies, "Yup, they're crabs." The giant crab continues its swift journey across the desert sands.

Sanji sits relaxed, smoking his cigarette, and analyzes the situation. "They need something to keep their minds preoccupied so they can calm down," he observes. "They're no good at maintaining composure... Especially that muscle-head. He's feeling insecure because he's realized the gap between him and a Shichibukai." Zoro, overhearing this, glares fiercely at Sanji and demands, "What're you implying, exactly? Out with it!" Sanji doesn't back down, stating bluntly, "Fine, I'll say it. You're scared that Luffy might lose." This strikes a nerve; Zoro's face contorts in rage as he yells, "ME...? SCARED...!?" He challenges Sanji, "SAY THAT AGAIN, PRETTY-BROWS!" Sanji starts to reply, "WHA-" but Zoro interrupts, screaming, "THE HELL DID YOU JUST CALL ME!? YOU LITTLE... MARIMO-HEAD!" Sanji retorts, "WHAT WAS THAT!?" as the two prepare to clash. Nearby, Usopp and Chopper are panicking. Usopp, sweating profusely, declares, "EVERYONE'S ON EDGE BECAUSE OF WHO WE'RE UP AGAINST... IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE THAT I, AS THE VICE-CAPTAIN, HAVE TO TAKE CHARGE!" Suddenly, Nami loses her temper and delivers a swift beating to the bickering crewmates. She yells, "QUIT IT, YOU DUMBASSES! YOU WANNA FIGHT..." She then turns to the group with a confident smile, reassuring them, "Luffy won't lose! It'll be fine, guys!"

Vivi is shown in a close-up, her face covered in sweat but shining with a bright, determined smile. She reassures the crew, saying, "After all, he promised us! He promised he'd meet up with us at Alubarna!" Hearing her unwavering faith, Sanji scratches his head, looking a bit sheepish. "Well, I can't exactly say anything after that, can I now..." he admits, adding softly, "...Sorry for making you worry needlessly, Vivi." Nami, still irritated by the earlier commotion, scolds Sanji and Zoro, who are nursing bumps on their heads. "AREN'T YOU THE ONE WORRIED THE MOST!?" she yells, pointing a finger at them. "You just stick to worrying about the rebellion, not us!" Sanji and Zoro wince, groaning "OWW!" Nami then turns her attention forward, pointing towards their destination with enthusiasm. "Alright then... Off to Alubarna we go! COME ON, SCISSORS!" she commands. Usopp looks confused and asks, "Uhh... What was that?" Chopper explains simply, "Scissors. It's the crab's name." Usopp deadpans, "A crab named scissors... Seriously now?" The giant crab, now officially named Scissors, continues to scuttle rapidly across the desert landscape, carrying the group towards the capital.

A wide, desolate view of a ruined desert town is shown, with crumbling buildings and dead palm trees half-buried in the sand. A signpost identifies the location as "Former Rebel Base, Yuba". The wind howls, blowing sand across the barren landscape. In the center of a deep, dried-out crater, a small puddle of water remains. Crocodile stands at the edge of the puddle, his large coat billowing in the wind. He looks down at the water and remarks, "Look... Look at all this water...!" He continues speaking, addressing someone unseen in this panel, "There's still all this water underneath...! Didn't I tell you, Luffy? These lands are hardy..." The scene emphasizes the harshness of the desert and the lingering traces of life in the ruined oasis town.

A close-up shows the weathered, smiling face of Toto, the old man who tirelessly dug for water in Yuba. Crocodile's voiceover continues, mocking the old man's efforts: "Yuba's still alive and kicking...!" The scene cuts back to Crocodile standing in the desert. He raises his hand, and a massive, swirling sandstorm begins to form in front of him, growing rapidly in size and power. "Yuba will die..." Crocodile declares coldly. "This sandstorm should finish it off once and for all..." He watches the destructive vortex with a sinister calmness, adding, "Such cliched empathy and pity for your fellow man is what will destroy this kingdom... And its destruction will only further fuel the rebels' rage." The sandstorm rages on, a physical manifestation of Crocodile's cruel intentions to obliterate the last remnants of hope in Yuba.

Crocodile is shown holding Luffy suspended in the air. Crocodile's golden hook is impaled entirely through Luffy's torso. Blood drips from the wound. Crocodile glares at Luffy, saying, "The same applies for you as well, Straw-Hat Luffy. If you'd only thrown your worthless friendship away, you'd have lived to see another day!" Crocodile then notices the small water barrel Luffy was carrying, which is now leaking water onto Crocodile's arm. "Water?" Crocodile questions. "Even all this water can't save you now..." Suddenly, Luffy's hand reaches out and tightly grabs Crocodile's arm. The sound "CLUTCH!" accompanies the action. Crocodile looks down in surprise, uttering a confused "Hm?" as Luffy, despite his fatal injury, shows a final burst of defiant strength, groaning "NGHH!"

Crocodile's eyes widen in shock as he realizes Luffy is still conscious. "HE'S... STILL ALIVE!?" he exclaims, sweating slightly. Luffy's face is shown in a gruesome close-up, his eyes rolled back, blood pouring from his mouth as he gasps for air, "HAH HAH...GAH". Crocodile violently yanks his hook out of Luffy's body with a sickening "SLUMP!" sound. Luffy plummets towards the ground, crying out "UGHH!" He lands heavily in the sand, clutching his bleeding chest, groaning in immense pain, "NGHH... UGH!" Crocodile looks down at him with a sadistic smirk. "You seem to be in agony...!" he taunts. "But don't worry, you'll soon rest in peace... Hahaha!" Luffy's body begins to roll down the slope of a sand dune, tumbling helplessly towards a pit of quicksand at the bottom, letting out a final "GAHH!" as he falls.

Luffy lies at the bottom of the quicksand pit, his body slowly being swallowed by the shifting sands. He is completely silent, marked by ".......!!" as he sinks deeper. He weakly raises his bloodied hand towards the sky, letting out a faint "UGH..." Crocodile's voice calls out a dismissive "Farewell." Luffy's hand slowly disappears beneath the surface of the sand with a "SINK..." sound, leaving only a small disturbance on the dune. Crocodile turns his back and walks away from the pit, his large coat trailing behind him. He mutters to himself, "That was a complete waste of my time..." leaving Luffy buried in the desert.

Smoker is smoking two cigars, looking sternly at Tashigi. "You decide on your own what the right thing to do is," he tells her. Tashigi is shocked, asking, "You want me to go to Alubarna!? Am I to pursue the Straw-Hats there!? Or are you telling me to help the royalists quell the uprising...!?" Smoker simply replies, "I'll leave that to you!" Tashigi stammers, "Pardon!?" Smoker is then seen sitting on his Billower Bike, revving the engine. Tashigi runs up to him, demanding, "Just what on Earth is going on, Captain!? And where are you going, Capt. Smoker!?" Smoker looks back over his shoulder and says, "Follow your own sense of justice. That'll be good enough. Whatever happens, I'll take responsibility." He adds, "I need to go back out to sea on urgent business. Be ready to receive further orders from me at all times." As he prepares to drive off, he calls out, "Tashigi." She responds, "Yes!?" Smoker gives his final instruction: "Keep a close eye on the impending conclusion to this kingdom's crisis. Whether Alabasta falls or survives..."

Smoker pulls his goggles down over his eyes, his face set in a serious expression. He finishes his thought: "CRISES LIKE THESE ALWAYS MARK THE TURNING POINT OF AN ERA...!" Tashigi watches him go, her face a mix of awe and determination. "O-oh, right...!" she stammers. A marine soldier approaches her from behind, saluting. "SGT. TASHIGI! YOUR ORDERS, PLEASE!" Tashigi stands tall, gripping the hilt of her sword. She issues her command with newfound resolve: "We shall resume our pursuit for the Straw-Hat pirates! Restock on ammunition so we can then depart for Alubarna as soon as possible!" The marines around her respond with a unified shout, "YES, SIR!" Tashigi looks ahead, ready to lead her men and follow her own sense of justice in the coming conflict.

A large group of rebel soldiers is shown charging fiercely across the desert on horseback and camels, kicking up massive clouds of dust. A narration box reads, "Meanwhile, the rebels led by Kouza, Continue to quickly close in on Alubarna." Kouza is shown in a close-up, his face scarred and furious, wearing his tinted glasses. He yells out a challenge to the king: "Just you wait, Cobra! We won't allow you to do as you please with Alabasta anymore! We'll be the ones to protect this country!" Below, a map of the Alabasta Kingdom illustrates the strategic situation. It shows the Rebels moving north from Katorea towards Alubarna, while the Royalists are stationed at Alubarna. Another narration box states, "The Royal Guards led by Chaka," setting the stage for the inevitable clash between the two massive forces.

At the capital city of Alubarna, the Royal Guards are frantically preparing for the rebel attack. Soldiers are seen moving a massive cannon into position. "MOVE THE CANNON TO THE SOUTHERN GATES!" one shouts. "HURRY UP AND BRING MORE AMMUNITION!" yells another. A narration box notes, "Continued to fortify the capital for the impending assault." Inside the palace, Commander Chaka is speaking with a subordinate. "Commander Chaka, the enemies reportedly number over 2 million," the soldier reports. Chaka asks, "You there... What do you make of his majesty's appearance at Nanohana?" The soldier replies, "Well, as a faithful soldier who's served him for over a decade, I can't quite swallow it... There's no way he would have done such a thing!" Chaka agrees, "Exactly my feelings too... Something sinister must have happened to his majesty!" Chaka's face hardens with fierce determination as he declares, "That's all the more reason why we cannot afford to lose this battle! Do not hesitate at the enemy's numbers! For the sake of our king... And princess Vivi... WE MUST PROTECT THIS KINGDOM!"

In the streets of Alubarna, citizens are fleeing in panic, carrying their belongings in large bundles. Guards are directing the evacuation, shouting, "ALL NON-COMBATANTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO EVACUATE! ANYBODY WHO REMAINS HERE DOES SO AT THEIR OWN RISK! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES BEFORE THE BATTLE BEGINS!" Outside the city walls, two Baroque Works officer agents, Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas, are waiting. Miss Merry Christmas, a stout woman, is complaining rapidly. "'Bout time they started running! Wish they'd start the damn battle already! I don't give a damn if he's the king or whatever! Just how long do they intend on making us stand here and keep an eye on him!? I won't stand for it! Won't Stand! W.S.!" Beside her, the large, slow-witted Mr. 4 simply stands there, muttering, "Fo......... Fo......... Fo........." Between them, King Cobra is sitting on the ground, bound tightly with ropes, looking battered and helpless as he is held hostage by the agents.

King Cobra is shown in a close-up, his face bruised and bleeding, his expression one of deep anguish. Miss Merry Christmas continues her rapid-fire complaining off-screen, "I know I'm the only one who can get past the guards and abduct the king but... That doesn't mean they can just order me to babysit him afterwards! Right, Mr. 4!? Ack, my poor hip's actin' up again! My hip! ARE YAEVEN LISTENIN'!? REPLY FOR GOD'S SAKE!" Cobra ignores her ranting, his thoughts consumed by the impending tragedy. He thinks desperately of his commanders, "CHAKA... KOUZA...!" He silently pleads with them, "THE COUNTRY IS ITS PEOPLE! WE MUST NOT LOSE ANY LIVES UNNECESSARILY! YOU MUST NOT FIGHT!" His internal cries highlight his helplessness as he is forced to watch his kingdom tear itself apart.

A montage of four key figures in the Alabasta conflict is presented, each accompanied by a piece of narration. In the top left panel, Toto is shown kneeling in the desert, desperately digging in the sand with his bare hands, tears streaming down his face. The text reads, "Those who lament the war..." In the top right panel, Crocodile is shown in profile, a sinister smirk on his face, blood dripping from his chin, reveling in the chaos he has caused. In the bottom left panel, Chaka is depicted in a fierce, dynamic pose, wielding a large sword, ready to defend the capital. The text reads, "Those who fight it..." In the bottom right panel, Kouza is shown screaming in fury, leading the rebel charge with his sword raised high, fully committed to the battle.

The montage continues. At the top, Crocodile is shown again, this time smoking his cigar with a confident, evil grin. The narration reads, "Those who agitate it..." The middle panel shows the Baroque Works agents, Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas, sitting idly while King Cobra remains tied up on the ground between them, representing the hidden manipulators of the conflict. The bottom panel focuses on Vivi, who is riding on the back of the giant crab alongside Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper. Vivi looks ahead with a fierce, unwavering determination in her eyes. The narration concludes, "And those who know the truth and attempt to stop it..." highlighting her crucial role in trying to prevent the impending tragedy.

Tashigi is shown at the top, her sword drawn, looking resolute as she prepares to lead her marines. The narration continues, "All of them," Below her is a large, stylized map of the Alabasta Kingdom. Banners label the different factions and their starting locations: "Marines" and "Straw-Hats" at Rainbase, "Baroque Works" moving from Rainbase, "Rebels" at Katorea, and "Royalists" at Alubarna. Large black arrows converge from all these locations, pointing directly towards the capital city of Alubarna, where a symbol of crossed swords marks the impending battleground. The narration concludes the thought: "Each with conflicting intentions, Will clash at Alubarna." The map visually summarizes the massive convergence of forces that will decide the fate of the kingdom.

A wide, silent shot shows the grand city of Alubarna in the distance, surrounded by vast, empty sand dunes. Suddenly, a small drop of water falls onto the sand with a "PLOP!" In the next panel, a small crater is visible in the sand, and a faint "COUGH!" is heard. Then, Luffy's face bursts out of the sand, his eyes wide and his mouth open as he gasps for air. In the final, massive panel, a colossal shout echoes across the desert, directed towards the distant city of Alubarna. The word "MEAAAT!" is bellowed with incredible volume, accompanied by large sound effect characters, signaling that Luffy has miraculously survived and is demanding food to recover his strength.

No description for this page.