As time passed, the sandstorm gradually settled.
The rebel base slowly came back into view—
Though now, it was buried beneath a thick layer of yellow sand.
People were barely visible.
But as desert dwellers, they weren't in any real danger.
Kane descended with Nefertari Cobra—
Then returned to human form.
"Well, no one should be slapping me in the face again now, right?"
Cobra said nothing.
Only shock filled his eyes.
Koza and the others, sensing the storm had calmed, began emerging one by one.
What relieved Cobra was—
So far, no one had died.
But the scene before them—
Left everyone stunned.
The distant sand dunes—
Had completely vanished.
The entire base—
Was buried under thick sand.
They were so shaken—
They even forgot to brush off the sand covering their bodies.
"…This isn't something we can fight against."
Koza muttered blankly.
No matter how confident he was—
Faced with such overwhelming power—
He felt insignificant.
If that attack earlier—
Had been aimed at them instead of the distant dunes—
Then everything—
Including this base—
Would have been wiped out.
No bodies left behind.
As their leader, Koza could imagine it clearly.
Despair.
Fear.
Helplessness.
They spread across the entire rebel army.
"Alright."
"You've all calmed down now."
"Then you should be able to listen to your ring."
Kane's calm voice rang out.
Everyone's gaze fell on him.
Their eyes—
Filled with deep fear.
It was this man—
Who had caused everything they just witnessed.
"Cobra, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Explain everything clearly."
"I think they can finally listen now."
Cobra suppressed his shock—
And nodded.
"…Understood."
Kane didn't say anything more.
He simply took out a cigar—
Lit it—
And took a deep drag.
Cobra stepped forward.
Koza looked at him—
Still somewhat dazed.
Faced with such overwhelming power—
He had already lost all hope of resistance.
Kane didn't bother listening to their conversation.
Instead—
He was thinking:
Jobs like this… better not take them again.
Compared to this—
Hunting pirates or treasure—
Was faster and cleaner.
And this kind of job—
Could easily end up being thankless.
Of course—
He could still take them.
But—
He'd have to charge more.
Otherwise—
Forget it.
Not long after—
A disturbance came from the crowd.
Kane frowned—
And walked over.
"You're lying!"
"Yes, Crocodile is a pirate—"
"But he's also a hero of Alabasta!"
"How could he do something like that?!"
A rebel officer shouted.
His words—
Immediately made others start thinking.
"That's right!"
"Isn't this just you shifting blame to Crocodile?!"
Cobra's expression changed.
Koza remained silent—
Clearly thinking.
"You have to believe me!"
Cobra said bitterly.
"Then show us proof."
"Yeah!"
"…How foolish."
Kane's voice rang out coldly.
"The rebel army of Alabasta—"
"Is this really your level of intelligence?"
"No wonder you're going nowhere."
"If Cobra had wanted to suppress you—"
"You'd have been wiped out long ago."
"And yet you still dare question your king?"
"Pathetic."
Everyone turned to look at Kane.
Fear once again filled their eyes.
They dared speak to Cobra like that—
But not to him.
"…Just saying this isn't enough to convince us,"
Koza said, forcing down his fear.
"Ridiculous."
"You don't even know who your real enemy is."
"Explaining things to you is already an act of mercy."
"And you—"
"You're the worst of them."
Koza's face darkened.
Koza! Believe me!"
"Don't let the real culprit escape!"
Cobra pleaded again.
"…We still need an explanation."
"Shut up!"
Kane suddenly roared.
Everyone froze.
"Vice Admiral Kane?"
Cobra was confused.
"This isn't your fault."
"Why are you lowering yourself like this?"
"As a king, yes—you must take responsibility."
"But not like this."
Cobra was stunned.
After scolding him—
Kane turned toward the rebels.
"An explanation?"
"My strength is the best explanation."
"Use your brains—what little you have."
"Why is your king speaking so humbly?"
"Or do you think—"
"You can stand against me?"
This time—
Everyone fell completely silent.
That was right.
With the power Kane had shown—
There was no need for explanations at all.
Kane smirked coldly.
"The king you've been blaming—"
"This man—"
"Before coming here—"
"He begged me not to harm any of you."
"Use your brains."
"A king like that—
"Is rare in this world."
"…Even if he is a bit naive."
All eyes turned to Cobra.
"So… even now…"
"He was still worried about us?"
"Did we really… blame the wrong person?"
Kane's words—
Carried far more weight.
Koza fell completely silent.
"Enough."
"That's the situation."
"I'm done wasting words on you."
"If you still don't believe it—"
"Go to the capital."
"You'll get your answers there."
Everyone looked at him, confused.
"Vice Admiral Kane will help us capture Crocodile."
Cobra's voice rang out again.
Everyone froze.
"Let's go, Cobra."
"I will take you back to the capital first."
"Then I'll deal with that trash Crocodile."
Cobra was startled.
"Vice Admiral… didn't you say—"
"I should return with Koza and the others?"
"That was before."
"But now things are different."
"These people don't trust you at all."
"If you stay here—"
"Something might happen."
"And if that happens—"
"Who am I supposed to collect my money from?"
Kane said, rolling his eyes.
With how much they hated Cobra—
There was no guarantee they wouldn't act recklessly.
Kane never underestimated—
The ugliness of human nature.
So instead—
It was safer to send Cobra
back first.
It wouldn't take much time anyway.
As for the rebels—
At this point—
The situation was already resolved.
Because Kane's strength—
Left them no room to resist.
The only problem—
Was accepting the truth.
After all—
They had struggled for so long—
Only to be told—
It was all a lie.
But Kane—
Had no patience—
To wait for them to come to terms with it.
-----------------------◇ Bonus Chapter Rewards◇--------------------------
◇ Every 10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ You can read 60 chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Sanam123
Your support helps the story grow and motivates faster updates.