Outside the walls of Alubarna, the scorching heat distorted the very air. On the horizon, two massive curtains of dust were closing in—not from a natural storm, but from the hundreds of thousands of soldiers representing the Royal Army and the Rebels, destined to clash in a final, bloody struggle.
Blocking the only path into the city stood the elite remnants of Baroque Works. Mr. 1, radiating a cold, metallic aura; Miss Doublefinger, with her dangerous, swaying gait; the flamboyant Mr. 2; and the bizarre Mr. 4 pair. Behind them stood hundreds of "Billions," armed to the teeth, sealing every entrance.
"We have to be fast..." Vivi's hands shook, her nails digging into her palms as she watched the distant dust clouds. "We must stop the Rebels before the first shot is fired! But... there are too many of them. We can't break through!"
If she showed her face now, she would be focused down and eliminated by the top assassins in seconds.
Gaga!!
A familiar cry rang out from the desert flank. Everyone turned to see a whirlwind of sand approaching at incredible speed. It was Karoo, Vivi's trusted mount, leading the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troupe—the fastest squad in Alabasta!
"Karoo! And the Duck Troupe!!" Vivi cried out in relief.
The ducks skidded to a halt in front of the group, each one sliding perfectly in front of a team member, signaling them to mount up.
"Alright! Everyone grab a duck!!" Zoro vaulted onto a mount, drawing his three blades. his eyes were lethal. "If they're in the way, we break through by force!"
"Wait."
Viktor reached out, stopping the charge. Mounted on a duck named "Cowboy," he analyzed the line of agents ahead. "Their only target is Vivi. If we charge in a cluster, they'll ignore us and swarm her. If we don't muddy the waters, no one gets through."
Viktor's lips curled into a smirk. System, exchange.
[Ding! Consumed 500 Ninjutsu Points. Exchanged: Transformation Jutsu.]
Combined with the Shadow Clone Jutsu he already possessed, the ultimate shell game was about to begin.
"Watch closely. This is a Shinobi's tactic." Viktor stood atop his duck, his hands flashing into the "Jin" seal. His chakra divided with surgical precision.
"Ninjutsu: Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!!"
POOF! POOF! POOF! POOF! POOF!
A series of white smoke clouds erupted. Where there was once one Viktor, there were now seven—each one solid, each one radiating the same aura.
"Whoa!! So many Viktors!!" Chopper and Usopp cheered.
But he wasn't finished. The six clones and the original simultaneously performed another set of signs, their eyes locking onto Vivi.
"Transformation Jutsu!!"
BOOM!!!
An even larger cloud of smoke billowed across the dunes. When it cleared, the Baroque Works agents stood frozen in utter disbelief.
Mounted on the ducks were now seven identical Princess Vivis. The same flowing blue hair, the same dancer's attire, even the same desperate expression on every single face.
"Everyone! Pick a 'Vivi' and go! Scatter and break through!!" Viktor roared.
The Straw Hats reacted instantly. Each member flanked one of the "Vivis," kicking their ducks into a frantic sprint toward seven different directions.
"CHAAAAARGE!!!"
Mr. 2 Bon Kurei's eyes nearly popped out of his skull, his jaw hitting the sand. "Ehhh?! How are there so many little Vivis?! Which one is real?! Is this my Clone-Clone ability?! Is that red-eyed boy stealing my schtick?!"
The usually stoic Mr. 1 looked grim, a vein throbbing in his temple. "Is it an illusion?... No." He watched the figures casting real shadows and kicking up real sand. "They all have substance... what kind of monster is that kid?"
"Don't worry about it! Kill them all, let the gods sort them out!" Miss Doublefinger shrieked. "Everyone pick one! We cannot let the real Princess reach the Palace!"
Forced into a corner, the agents had to divide their strength.
Mr. 1's eyes turned cold as he locked onto the green-haired swordsman guarding a "Vivi." His arms transformed into shimmering blades as he lunged. "Pirate Hunter... you're mine."
Mr. 2 spun toward Sanji's direction. "Curly-browed boy! Come dance with me!"
Miss Doublefinger sped toward Nami and Klay, while the lumbering Mr. 4 pair roared as they chased Usopp and Chopper.
The battlefield was instantly shattered into isolated duels.
In the midst of the chaotic dust, the "original" Viktor—who had been ignored by the agents in the confusion—remained stationary on his duck. He watched his partners lead the killers away, his Transformation fading as his gaze turned icy.
"Good. The board is set."
"Those agents are tough, but Zoro and Sanji aren't exactly pushovers." Viktor turned his mount toward the grand palace rising at the heart of Alubarna. At the main gates, a nauseating aura of swirling sand was beginning to gather.
"Now... it's time for me to handle the 'Big Problem'."
"Hyah!!" He slapped the duck's flank.
Gaga!!
The duck shot forward like an arrow, carrying the dark-clad shinobi past the skirmishes, heading straight for the Palace gates—where Crocodile awaited his final prize.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/Master_Studios677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.