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The Strongest Frost Loli (178)
🕑 Added 2025-01-13 17:00:15 +0000 UTCChapter 178 - The Scramble for Nico Robin
The journey from Rainbase to the Sandora River took roughly an hour, and crossing the river itself consumed another thirty minutes. The Bananadile’s speed and stamina had significantly shortened their travel time. However, having crossed the river, the creature’s pace noticeably slowed.
“It seems even a Bananadile has its limits,” Gem observed.
“Can’t be helped… But what now?! Are we supposed to run the rest of the way?!” Sanji exclaimed.
Less than an hour remained before the rebel army reached Alubarna. They couldn't afford to waste time, but they couldn't push the Bananadile any further.
“This is problematic… I should have arranged for a replacement Bananadile on the other side of the river…” Robin muttered, scanning the desolate landscape.
The rendezvous point was correct, but Twilight was currently engaged with the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates offshore. They likely lacked the resources to assist them here.
Regardless, the Bananadile had reached its limit. They needed another mode of transport.
“But there’s nothing out here…”
There were no towns nearby. Walking seemed their only option – until Nami spotted something in the distance.
“Wait! Look!” She pointed, and the others, initially wary, relaxed as the figures drew closer.
“Karoo! And the Super Spot-Billed Duck Squad! You came for us?!”
It was Karoo, leading Alabasta’s fastest messengers. With their assistance, crossing the desert would be significantly faster. While they still wouldn't reach Alubarna in time to prevent the clash, they had to try.
“But there are only seven of them. Even prioritizing Princess Vivi, we can’t all ride,” Zoro pointed out.
Vivi, Igaram, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Gem, Mikita, and Robin. Three of them would have to travel on foot. With Vivi’s presence essential, they quickly debated their options.
“Straw Hats, all of you ride. And you too, Igaram,” Gem decided.
“While I appreciate the offer, aren’t you all stronger than I am?” Igaram asked.
“I’ll carry the other two,” Gem replied.
Mikita was a Kilo-Kilo Fruit user, capable of manipulating her weight. Carrying her wouldn't be a burden, even for Gem. He could only hope Robin wasn’t too heavy.
As if sensing his thoughts, Robin pinched his cheek and, ignoring his protests, announced she would take a different route.
“There are towns nearby. We can find horses or camels. While riding with Gem would be faster, it’s too much of a strain on him. We’ll find another way to catch up,” she explained.
“Baroque Works will be active. Are you sure you want to split up?” Pedro asked.
“Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas are already out of the picture. Mr. 1, Miss Doublefinger, Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek, and Mr. 2. You five can either defeat them, or delay them until we arrive.”
“We’ll take them down!” Zoro and Sanji declared eagerly.
Nami and Usopp nodded, confident in their abilities. Chopper seemed to agree with Usopp. With their course decided, they mounted the Super Spot-Billed Ducks and departed, leaving Robin, Gem, and Mikita behind.
“…Do you think they can win?” Mikita asked, watching them go.
“I haven’t seen them fight, but… it will be difficult,” Robin replied, shrugging.
Baroque Works’ Officer Agents were powerful. Robin, having recruited them, knew their capabilities. She had planned to handle them herself, but this changed everything. She had cooperated with Crocodile to decipher the Poneglyph, but she hadn’t anticipated him pushing Alabasta to the brink of collapse. The thought of Kanata’s inevitable wrath filled her with dread, but she pushed it aside. This wasn’t part of her plan.
“We should head for Alubarna… but…”
“Is there something else?” Gem asked.
“I haven’t told them, but the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates are about to land at the eastern port.”
“What?!”
They were arriving sooner than expected, and in force. They couldn't afford to ignore them. While the eastern port was far from Alubarna, drawing their attention away from the capital was essential.
“We’ll head for the easternmost port, beyond Alubarna. Understood?”
“I doubt we’ll be much help…” Gem muttered.
“Simply running away is enough. They’re after me. If I act as a decoy, it will minimize the damage to the kingdom.” Robin felt a bit guilty. She had sacrificed much to achieve her goals, but she hadn't simply ignored the consequences. She had chosen the path of least destruction, driven by her thirst for knowledge.
“Let’s reach the nearest town. We’ll have Lycoris pick us up in a speedboat,” she said, climbing onto Gem’s back. He hoisted Mikita into his arms and, using Geppo, began crossing the desert.
“…I really don’t like that girl…” he muttered.
***
“Those two ships offshore are approaching rapidly.”
“Twilight should be intercepting them… but it seems they’ve broken through.”
Sabo and Koala stood on a hill overlooking Tamarisk, a port town east of Alubarna. They had been waiting in town, but a chance encounter with Marines had forced them to flee. Two ships, bearing the flags of the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates respectively, were closing in. There was no sign of Twilight’s ships. They had either been sunk or retreated.
The Marines and Twilight ships stationed in the harbor opened fire, launching a barrage of cannonballs towards the approaching vessels. While such an attack wouldn’t inflict significant damage, it would buy them some time. The two pirate ships, however, altered course, heading north, away from the harbor.
“They’re planning to land beyond the northern hills. Let’s go, Koala!”
“Wait for me, Sabo!”
Before she could finish, Sabo was already running, leaping from the hilltop and heading north. He reached the landing site. Several ships had already landed, their numbers too great for the Marines and Twilight forces to contain. The pirates were advancing on the town. Sabo and Koala, deployed for this very scenario, stepped forward, blocking their path.
“…Who are you?”
A towering fish-man, Jack the Drought, one of the Beasts Pirates’ All-Stars, loomed over them. Beside him stood a rugged man in armor, Charlotte Cracker, one of Big Mom’s Sweet Commanders.
“Lord Jack! That’s Sabo, the Revolutionary Army’s Chief of Staff!”
“I see… No wonder he looked familiar.”
“Greetings. Jack the Drought, and Charlotte Cracker.”
The two commanders exuded an aura of overwhelming power. Behind them stood Who’s-Who and Black Maria of the Tobiroppo, along with Baron Tamago and Pekoms.
They had brought their strongest fighters, ready to confront Twilight and the Marines. While Sabo felt a twinge of apprehension, he couldn’t retreat. He wouldn't let Alabasta be destroyed. Moreover, Luffy was here. He wouldn't let his brother be put in danger. He tightened his grip on his iron pipe.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you pass.”
“I don’t care what you think. Nico Robin is in this country. We’ll destroy it if we have to.”
“Hand over Nico Robin. It’s your only chance to survive.”
Jack and Cracker had already drawn their weapons. Cracker’s bounty exceeded 800 million berries, while Jack’s surpassed one billion.
They were incredibly powerful and notoriously brutal. Moreover, the Gifters and Homies behind them were a force to be reckoned with.
The two ships carried over a thousand fighters. Sabo and Koala, facing them alone, were clearly outmatched. Jack and Cracker’s mocking laughter echoed through the air.
“Get out of our way if you don’t want to die. We don’t have time for you.”
“I can’t do that. You’ll destroy this country if I let you pass.”
“Obviously. We’ll search every corner of this kingdom until we find Nico Robin. We’ll destroy anything that stands in our way.”
“Then I can’t let you pass.”
Jack, tasked by Kaido with retrieving Robin, wanted to find her immediately. Sabo, however, was determined to protect Alabasta. Seeing Sabo’s unwavering resolve, Jack transformed into his mammoth form, and his massive trunk began sweeping across the ground, aiming for Sabo.
Sabo dodged and retaliated with a swing of his iron pipe, momentarily staggering Jack.
“Tch! He’s tough…!”
“Weak attack. You’re no match for us! We’ve fought on the front lines!”
Jack’s words seemed to irritate Sabo. Instead of dodging Jack’s next attack, he caught the massive trunk with one hand.
“Us? You’re no match for us?”
“You bastard!”
Sabo grinned and launched an uppercut towards Jack’s jaw. Jack, unfazed, slammed his trunk down on Sabo. The impact shook the ground, but Sabo had already vanished, and reappeared beside Koala.
“He’s tougher than I thought.”
“Of course he is! He’s a Yonko commander!”
“But I can’t let them pass!”
“I know, but…!”
While they argued, Who’s-Who, growing impatient, yelled, “Jack! We’re going after Nico Robin!”
“I don’t mind. You’re better suited for capturing her anyway. I’m here to crush these pests.”
Jack, who preferred a good brawl to a tedious search, pursued Sabo and Koala, intent on crushing them both.
Seeing the Beasts Pirates and Big Mom Pirates bypass him and advance on the port town, intent on destruction, Sabo clicked his tongue in annoyance. He was relieved, however, by the sight of Marines emerging from the town.
They were the ones Sabo had been evading – a captain and his unit. At least a captain, if not higher-ranking officers, had been deployed. They were a force capable of holding back the Gifters and Homies, if not the commanders.
“The enemy is the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates! Don’t let your guard down! We’ll stop their advance here!”
Vice Admiral Bastille, a man wearing a horned mask, roared. With most of the Marines engaged with the Big Mom Pirates in the New World, Bastille was the only vice admiral present in Alabasta. However, Sabo believed he was strong enough to hold back at least one of the commanders. He also spotted Smoker and Hina among the Marines.
“You! Sabo of the Revolutionary Army!”
“Sorry, but I don’t have time for you right now. Our objectives are the same, aren't they?”
“Grrr… Only this time!”
“Thanks!”
Even Bastille recognized the gravity of the situation.
Facing a Yonko commander and a Sweet Commander simultaneously was a task usually reserved for admirals. Bastille, a vice admiral of average strength, was outmatched.
As they prepared for a difficult battle, an unfamiliar sound reached their ears.
***
Lycoris had made several preparations for their journey across Alabasta. One of these was a speedboat, designed for rapid desert travel. It was a simple contraption, a boat fitted with a powerful engine, but its speed was astonishing. It tore across the desert, leaving a trail of sand in its wake, its engine was a rare Jet Dial, powered by a now-extinct species of shellfish.
While vehicles like the Waver, utilizing Breath Dials, existed, they were no match for this speedboat. It easily outpaced even the Super Spot-Billed Duck Squad, rapidly approaching Tamarisk.
“I don’t see any enemies in the harbor! Are they somewhere else?!”
Gem, clinging precariously to the boat due to the sheer force of the current, yelled at the front with his binoculars scanning the horizon.
The boat’s front end lifted off the ground as it sped across the sand. Mikita and Robin clung tightly to the sides.
“I sense a strong presence slightly north. Probably there,” Lycoris replied.
Zepo, following her instructions, steered the boat, executing a sharp turn as they crested a dune.
“There! And the Marines are with them!”
“Marines too? Troublesome… Oh well, I gues there is no other way.”
The speedboat executed a dramatic drift, showering Jack in sand as it came to a halt. Zepo, Pedro, and Lycoris disembarked, slightly unsteady after the bumpy ride. Lycoris, however, seemed unaffected.
“We made it just in time.”
“Twilight reinforcements! …And those two as well?” Sabo asked, surprised.
“Yes. If they’re after Nico Robin, they’ll be useful allies, won’t they?” Lycoris replied. While Mikita and Robin looked rather green, Pedro and Zepo, though pale, seemed relatively unharmed. Gem looked like he was about to be sick.
“That’s all it takes to bring you down? Pathetic.”
“That ride was insane! It’s a miracle we’re not all vomiting!” Gem retorted. He looked at Lycoris. “Why are you unaffected…?”
“We train differently,” Lycoris replied simply.
Regardless, the stage was set. The forces seeking Nico Robin, and those opposing them, had converged. Jack, who had been observing the newcomers with a frown, turned to Who’s-Who.
“Is that woman on the boat Nico Robin?”
“Yeah, that’s her. She looks just like Nico Olvia. And… I saw her when we were kids,” Who’s-Who replied, exhaling a plume of smoke from his cigarette.
“Hand her over! If you value your lives!” Jack roared.
“I refuse. I don’t see any reason to obey someone weaker than me. If you want her, try taking her,” Lycoris retorted.
Jack swung his huge nose sideways at Licorice who was standing next to Sabo, Both she and Sabo dodged effortlessly. Lycoris retaliated with a kick to Jack’s face, twitching her eyebrow at his toughness.
(He’s tough. Naturally resilient, and his Haki is formidable.)
He was a Yonko commander. She couldn't underestimate him. She created some distance, preparing to unleash her full power, when Cracker attacked from the side. She dodged his slash, then blocks the subsequent attacks with her legs, leading to a sword fight.
“…Impressive. You’re stronger than you look. Twilight’s reinforcements, I presume.”
“You’re rather rude for a gentleman. Aggressive men are unattractive, you know!”
“Manners are irrelevant in a pirate battle! Don’t underestimate me!”
She evaded Cracker’s relentless attacks, while simultaneously dodging Jack’s attempts to crush her. She focused on evading, suppressing her frustration, as Sabo engaged Jack. He tried to attack Lycoris, but Sabo intercepted him, forcing Jack to turn his attention back to him.
“You’re still here?”
“Of course!”
Meanwhile, the other pirates were moving to capture Robin. The lion mink, Pekoms, Pedro and Zepo's protégé, pleaded with them.
“Brother Pedro! Brother Zepo! Please, step aside! I don’t want to fight you!”
“We can’t do that, Pekoms. We’ve chosen our side.”
“We won’t let you take Robin! If you want her, you’ll have to go through us!”
“Hmm… Negotiations have failed, then.”
On the other side, the Marines faced off against the Beasts Pirates. Who’s-Who and Black Maria argued about who would pursue Robin.
“I’m better suited for capturing her.”
“That ship’s troublesome. I’m faster.”
“Fine. I’ll leave her to you. I’ll take the vice admiral and the Revolutionary girl.”
“Do as you please.”
The Pleasures, Waiters, and Gifters, the Beasts Pirates’ main fighting force, clashed with the Marines.
Black Maria engaged Koala and Bastille. Who’s-Who was leading a group of Gifters to advance on Robin.
Seeing this, Gem frantically restarted the speedboat.
“You’re using that thing again?!” Mikita’s face turned an even paler shade of green.
“Of course! We have to escape!” He couldn't afford to hesitate.
"Oh come on... are you really going to make me run in this damn hot desert?" Who’s-Who sighed in annoyance as he began pursuing the rapidly retreating speedboat.
