One Piece: I'm a Hunter on the Grand Line

Chapter 153 Arrival at the Royal Palace

Is Lao Sha no longer in the rain?

Yelena immediately realized the reason; news of what happened in Katrea had reached his ears.

It's not surprising, as his men must have been hidden within the resistance.

"You arrived too quickly, disrupting the president's plans. He intended to take the existing senior agents from headquarters and head directly to Albana."

"Time is running out, I have to set off too."

Yelena put down the Den Den Mushi and looked at Vivi beside her. "It seems the battlefield will have to be in the capital."

In her view, the battle with Old Shah would be more advantageous if it took place in the capital city of Albana than in the rainy lands.

The rainy area is small and too close to the desert, making it easy for the fighting to end up in the desert's home ground.

The capital was built on a high ground, with rock walls and high ramparts that isolated it from the wind and sand. While this didn't necessarily limit Old Sand, it certainly wouldn't provide him with any boost.

Vivi took a deep breath. "I'm ready to rebuild it after the war! Everyone, hold back, let's have a good time! Drive the enemy out!"

Everyone could hear the firmness in her voice.

Luffy and his crew were eager to get started. "Leave it to us!"

Yelena chose a clean spot, sat down on the ground, and conserved her energy for the upcoming battle.

Under Nami's command, the Going Merry left the southeastern coast of Alabasta and arrived at the mouth of the Santo River in the center of the country.

Although it is said to be a estuary, in recent years, the country has experienced scarce rainfall, causing freshwater in rivers to dry up and leading to seawater intrusion.

The ship was going north against the current at the estuary, but instead it was moving with the current.

The sound of rushing water came from not far away. Yelena leaned on the railing and turned her head to look to her side and back. A large warship had caught up with their ship.

Smoker stood on the gun turret at the bow of the warship.

It seems he took what he said earlier to heart.

She nodded to the other person, then returned to her original position to continue resting.

Traveling by water with the wind is much faster than crossing the desert. The Merry departed the estuary at dusk, sailed at full speed all night, and arrived at the northern coast of the Santo Doe River the next morning.

Not far away is a vast white stone city—the royal capital Albana.

As Yelena was preparing to disembark, a huge sea turtle with a seat on its back swam across the water in front of the Merry.

The fact that this guy is here means that Robin, Crocodile, and the others have already arrived in the capital.

She twitched her nose and smelled a faint fragrance in the air, the one Robin often used.

The fragrance hadn't faded yet.

Robin and the others had just left.

Old Sha traveled faster than they could by boat!

Yelena looked at the sandy ground ahead, her vision filled with huge footprints.

That guy probably came riding a crocodile, right?

Everyone quickly disembarked.

Nami's physique is weaker now and she can't keep up with the speed, so Yelena simply carries her on her back.

Usopp shouted from the back, "Wait for me! I'm not keeping up either!"

Whoosh!

Luffy stretched out his arm and tied the person around his waist, then casually tied up Zoro, who had strayed off course, as well.

The group climbed to the top of the hill, passed through the gate, and rushed into the city.

"How could a banana crocodile appear in the royal capital?!"

"Run!!"

Civilians scattered and fled through the streets, their faces filled with fear.

A terrified scream reached Yelena's ears. She looked around and saw three enormous crocodiles rampaging through the middle of the road, each surrounded by soldiers.

The crocodile closest to Yelena and the others was the largest, roughly estimated to be at least thirty meters long.

The soldiers poked it with spears, but it didn't leave any marks. They aimed with rifles, but only left faint scratches on the yellow skin, which didn't seem to hurt or itch.

"Damn it! Banana crocodiles are ferocious beasts that can hunt sea kings, how can we possibly stop them?!"

"Even if we can't stop them, we must stop them; at least we must hold out until the citizens have escaped to a safe area!"

The soldiers looked desperate.

Vivi quickly stepped forward and slashed down with her sword!

Puff!

Blood gushed from the back of the crocodile's neck. After trembling and hissing a few times, it lay motionless on the ground.

Upon recognizing the newcomer, the soldiers' faces lit up with surprise and delight. "Princess Vivi!!"

On the other side, Luffy lowered his fist, Zoro sheathed his sword, and the remaining two crocodiles received similar treatment to their companions.

A soldier quickly stepped forward to report, "Your Highness, two banana crocodiles have run towards the palace, and it looks like there are people sitting on them."

Vivi nodded, "You guys calm the surprised citizens down, and leave the rest to us!"

After saying that, she turned into a side alley and led the way, and the group took a shortcut to the palace.

From a distance, on the steps outside the palace, two yellow-green crocodiles were beating hundreds of soldiers, and with each swing of their tails, more than ten people were sent flying.

The crocodile opened its huge mouth and lunged at the soldiers in front of it, about to devour those unfortunate men.

Before Vivi could rush over, Yelena raised her hand, and the syrup arrow quickly formed, coated with Armament Haki, and flew over!

Bang!Bang!

Each of the two crocodiles had a bloody hole the size of a washbasin cut into its body.

Is Old Sha angry because his plans were disrupted?

They release crocodiles everywhere to bite people.

The group passed through the gate and arrived at the palace courtyard.

"Per!" "Jaka!"

One of the royal guards was covered in knife wounds and unconscious, while the other had his limbs sealed with steel wax and was unable to move.

Ordinary soldiers lay scattered on the ground. Some were injured by clubs, some were covered in paint, and some were pierced by spikes.

Vivi rushed to the immobilized Per and swung her knife to cut the candles around him.

"Your Highness, you're back?! Crocodile has breached our defenses and stormed the Council Hall! His Majesty the King is in danger!"

Belle didn't have time to express his joy at the princess's return; his face was filled with anxiety.

Vivi patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, my companions and I will rescue Father safely."

She stood up and looked at Icarum, "You stay here and work with Per to organize the soldiers to treat the wounded and evacuate the crowds around the palace. No civilians should remain within a kilometer radius."

"yes!"

"Prepare water pipes, long enough to extend to the council hall," Yelena added.

"Leave it to me!"

When the group arrived outside the council hall, they were blocked by six people and a dog.

Yelena's gaze swept across their faces. Mr. 1, Mr. 3, Mr. 4, and their partners were all there. She looked around but didn't see Mr. 2.

What about Mr. 2 von Clay?

Could it be that they haven't arrived in Alabasta yet?

"We'll deal with these guys." Zoro took off the bandana wrapped around his arm and tied it around his head.

"King against king, general against general." Usopp crossed his arms, his expression full of confidence.

He turned and pointed at Miss. Golden Week with his nose, which was almost as big as a finger: "You over there, your opponent is me! Bring it on!"

Well----

The fighting spirit that everyone had just mustered instantly crumbled.