Chapter Ninety-Seven: Buffon's Rainfall Bomb (Please Subscribe and Recommend)

Meanwhile, on a high ground to the west of Alubarna, a group of unusual figures appeared. Among them were naval soldiers, CP0 agents dressed in white, and four giant tribe slaves. Most striking of all was a Celestial Dragon riding atop a panda.

He lowered his monocular telescope and spoke to the CP0 beside him, “That face-changing fellow is impressive. Bring him here as my slave. And I want that flying woman too!”

The CP0 agent, wearing a female skull mask, replied coldly, “I’ll inquire with Stussy right away.” She then pulled out a Den Den Mushi and called Stussy.

At that moment, Stussy was also watching the absurd scene unfold on the battlefield, unsure of what to say. Hearing the ringing from the Den Den Mushi, she answered, “Hello? What’s the matter?”

From the other end came the voice, “Kamaar Saint and I have arrived in Alubarna. What’s going on with that flying woman on the battlefield?”

Stussy was startled to hear Kamaar Saint’s voice and composed herself before saying slowly, “That is Reiju, the princess of the Vinsmoke family.”

After a brief acknowledgment, the call ended.

Stussy knew Kamaar Saint would come to Alabasta—officially to oversee the battle, but in reality on a tour—but she hadn’t expected him to arrive so soon. According to the original plan, Kamaar Saint was supposed to appear only after the battle here concluded.

“If he comes now, I just hope no trouble breaks out,” Stussy thought. Then she turned to Crocodile beside her and asked, “Kamaar Saint is here. How do you intend to explain the current situation to the World Government?”

“The real drama hasn’t even begun yet!” Crocodile said slowly, though inwardly he cursed, “Why should I explain anything? Those damned Celestial Dragons, if it weren’t for the World Government’s protection, what right do they have to act so arrogantly here?”

Still, he was shaken by the recent scene. He had thought Buffon’s ability to turn his sandstorm into glass was impressive enough. But the latest move had completely redefined Buffon in his mind—this was a skill seemingly unrelated to Devil Fruits.

What worried him even more was that Robin had yet to appear, along with the Mr. 1 and Mr. 4 duo who should have joined by now.

“If it comes down to it, I’ll have to go in myself,” he thought grimly.

Stussy, too, was stunned by Buffon’s move. Judging by her analysis, Buffon’s technique was a development based on the Navy’s Rokushiki Storm Leg, but its power and effect were far beyond anything they could match. And that black slashing wave—it looked like a fusion with Armament Haki.

With this thought, she exchanged a look with the three people behind her and then began to split up. The three headed to the palace to search for Princess Vivi, while she went to Kamaar Saint’s side.

Back with Kamaar Saint, after hearing the report, he said happily, “Go, take the slaves and capture those two for me!”

“Lord Kamaar Saint, Mr. 2 is easy to handle, but the woman named Reiju is a member of the World Government allied states, princess of the Vinsmoke family…” the CP0 began.

Before the CP0 could finish, Kamaar Saint arrogantly interrupted, “Oh ho! A princess, you say? Even better! Let the Navy admirals deal with her family; it’s just a country without territory anyway.”

The CP0 responded with a “Yes,” then commanded the navy and slaves to move toward Reiju and Mr. 2.

At that moment, a commotion arose behind them. The CP0 turned to see a pair of navy officers rushing over.

One of the CP0 agents swiftly moved before the navy soldiers and coldly ordered, “You are to join us in capturing only Vinsmoke Reiju and Mr. 2!”

The tone was an order, with no hint of inquiry about their mission.

“Sir, we are here to stop the civil war in Alabasta. We will assist with arrests after the fighting ends,” Dasuki said earnestly.

“Navy, do you intend to defy the orders of CP0 and Kamaar Saint?” the agent challenged.

Hearing this, Dasuki looked up at the Celestial Dragon nearby, riding the panda with a round glass dome on his head. Swallowing her anger, she reluctantly replied, “Understood, sir!”

——

Outside the south gate of Alubarna Palace, chaos reigned. Chaka and the king’s orders held no sway. Facing the rebel assault, the king’s forces courageously sallied forth to meet them.

Soon the navy troops arriving on the scene joined the fray, their goal aligned with the king’s army: to direct the battle against the rebels.

Laughed was also doing his best to stop the navy, though not with his earth-shattering power; instead, he used his still-sheathed cane sword to knock the soldiers unconscious one by one.

Gradually, the flames of war spread from outside the city walls into the city itself.

Buffon had taken the little girl in his arms and left the battlefield, standing atop the city wall alongside Cobra.

Seeing the navy join the fight puzzled Buffon. With Reiju and Funkfreed present, they should have been able to at least slow the navy’s advance; their arrival should not have been so swift.

At that moment, the little girl in his arms spoke seriously, “Doctor Magician, can you perform a magic trick for me again?”

Buffon asked, “What kind of magic do you want to see?”

“Can you make it rain here?”

Buffon paused briefly, then smiled and said, “Alright.”

He set the girl down and pulled out a Den Den Mushi to call Brook.

“Hello? Big brother Buffon, the task you gave us is done. Shall we begin?” Brook answered.

Buffon nodded confidently, “Yes!”

“Doctor Buffon, what are you doing?” Cobra asked in surprise.

“What better way to stop a war than with rain?” Buffon said earnestly.

After ending the call, Brook on the Juventus raised a hand signal to the two ships behind them.

On the Rainfall ship, Sauro and Robin began directing the crew to operate this large artificial rain-making vessel, formerly owned by the Baroque Works.

On a nearby warship, Hinai watched the busy figures on the Rainfall ship and remarked to Smoker, “Didn’t expect you’d ever help pirates.”

Smoker took two deep drags from his cigar, exhaled smoke rings, and expressionlessly replied, “Aren’t you the same? Besides, I’m helping the people of Alabasta. By the way, why have we heard nothing from headquarters?”

After leaving Rainbase, Smoker had contacted Hinai, a fellow disciple of Zephyr, hoping to use the warship to seize the Rainfall ship from Baroque Works. He believed nothing could better awaken the long-thirsty hearts of Alabasta’s people than a downpour.

But when they found the Rainfall ship, it had already been taken over by Buffon’s group aboard the Juventus.

Smoker wanted to fight to take back the ship, but was stopped by former Navy Vice Admiral Sauro, who had supposedly “died” under the Ohara extermination order.

Smoker, once a student of Zephyr like Sauro, was astonished by his resurrection and even more so upon learning Buffon had saved him.

“Just because of that debt, you became a pirate with him?” Smoker asked.

“I can no longer believe in Navy justice, so I chose to protect the neutrality in Captain Buffon’s heart,” Sauro replied.

It was this statement that convinced Smoker to cooperate, since their goals aligned for the time being.

Minutes later, dark clouds gathered over Alubarna.

The little girl and Cobra looked up in unison, “Is it really going to rain?”

Buffon nodded, then said to Peruh beside Cobra, “Take me into the air. Reach as high as you can.”

Peruh nodded, transforming into an eagle and soaring upward with Buffon.

As they ascended, Buffon quickly dismantled the Glue-Glue Fruit and switched to the Meat-Meat Fruit.

Using his imagination, Buffon compressed carbon dioxide from the air into bear-paw-shaped dry ice.

At the peak of Peruh’s ascent, Buffon leapt high and unleashed the goalkeeper’s secret technique: Backfield Goal Kick!

He kicked all the bear-paw-shaped dry ice into the clouds.

With a series of muffled thunderclaps, raindrops began to fall from the sky.

Vivi, having been sent to rest in her room by Karoo, was startled awake by the thunder. She hurried to the window, watching the rain intensify, a long-lost smile lighting her face.

From the city wall, Cobra looked down at the raindrops in his hand, then up at Buffon descending slowly on Peruh’s back, and exclaimed, “Doctor Buffon is truly a god sent to save Alabasta.”

The three factions engaged in battle paused their actions due to the sudden rain.

Many had not seen rain for three years; at this moment, they forgot their reasons for fighting, tilting their heads and opening their mouths to greedily enjoy the long-awaited rainfall.

Thus, the once chaotic battlefield fell silent, the only sound the pattering of raindrops.

At that moment, a thunderous shout erupted from the city wall: “Caster Buffon, you are the new guardian deity of Alabasta!”

The cry began with Cobra and spread through the king’s army, then to the plaza, beyond the city, and every corner of the battlefield.

Everyone except the navy shouted this slogan.

Like a signal, upon hearing it, the people aboard the Juventus and the Straw Hat crew began converging toward the plaza.

Having just witnessed Baccio take the stage and swiftly dispatch the blade-covered Mr. 1 with his Flash Dragon Slash, he was somewhat dissatisfied at not being able to torment Mr. 1 more but gathered himself for the assembly; his little indulgence would have to wait.

Zoro, surprised by Baccio’s calm demeanor and the black blade Autumn Water he wielded, felt his dream of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman strengthen anew.

Outside the south gate, Chopper and Usopp, having successfully retrieved Mr. 4 and his partner, headed toward the palace.

“Why do we have to drag these two unconscious agents along?” Usopp complained.

Chopper, now in human form, answered seriously, “Don’t you see the threads on them? Only Doctor Buffon has those. If they escape unnoticed here, it could lead to serious trouble!”

Miss Doublefinger, defeated through the combined efforts of Lili and Nami, was carried by Lili as they ran toward the plaza.

Inside the city, Luffy and Sanji, searching for Crocodile, gave up and also headed toward the plaza.

Having been saved by Buffon once, Luffy now trusted this friend of his brother completely. Since the city was already chanting Buffon’s name, it meant the crisis was resolved.

This rain, which halted the war, would become a pivotal moment in Alabasta’s history, passed down through generations as a legend.

Yet at this moment, the Celestial Dragon’s party arrived at the plaza through the palace’s west gate.

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Chapter Ninety-Seven: Buffon’s Rainfall Bomb — Free to Read.