allendalepharm Chapter 105 Believe in the Black Sun, Crocodile is the Spokesperson of God!
Chapter 105 Believe in the Black Sun, Crocodile is the Spokesperson of God!
Chapter 105 Believe in the Black Sun, Crocodile is the Spokesperson of God!
Red-Haired Shanks' Red Voss and the Navy's massive fleet, carrying with them lingering smoke and boiling fighting spirit.
They had planned it all along: the moment they entered and could no longer see Dilt, they would start fighting again.
It won't end until everyone on the other side is wiped out; it's a fight to the death!
However, as they drove one after the other into the smoke barrier that Dilt had forcibly torn open, everyone's fighting spirit vanished instantly. An indescribable sense of unease gripped their minds. It was as if they had stepped into another world!
The first thing that impacts the senses is light.
It was a bright and sunny afternoon outside.
But passing through that thin, misty barrier, the Alabasta sky came into view.
The clouds were no different, but the view was shrouded in a strange, dusky twilight.
Most chillingly, the sun hanging in the sky was obscured by clouds and was no longer its original reddish-yellow color.
At first, no one realized what it was, and they didn't mistake it for the sun at all. They simply thought it was some kind of dark disc!
But after scanning the sky, there was nothing else hanging there.
In other words, it was a black sun!
A pitch-black sun!
He was like a huge, ominous pupil, coldly looking down at this land that had been forcibly transformed.
Although it was black, its light was not dark. The light was still bright, not much different from that of an ordinary sun.
However, under the dark sun hanging in the sky, the entire Alabasta was imbued with a somber and oppressive atmosphere.
Gone is the scorching dryness of the desert; now only a dark hue carries a morbid vitality.
The air was thick with moisture and the smell of earth, the distinctive scent of the rainforest, a stark contrast to the scorching heat Shanks remembered. "What the hell is this?!"
Even Yasopp, who had seen the world, was trembling with fear, pointing at the dark sun, almost fainting.
"Has the sun turned black?"
Snake also felt a chill; as a navigator, he instinctively sensed the extreme abnormality of the celestial phenomenon.
"The Black Sun," Hawkeye Mihawk stared intently at the dark celestial body, his brow furrowed.
He could sense the extraordinary power contained within it. He felt incredibly small in the face of this thing. "An unpleasant aura." Kojiro withdrew his gaze from the sky, his hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of his sword.
"It's even more lively than I expected." Merlin's smile remained, but his eyes held a hint of amusement and seriousness.
On the other side, aboard the naval flagship, Sengoku's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
The pitch-black sun and the wild rainforest in the distance challenged the limits of his understanding as a naval admiral.
As soon as they entered the barrier, the communication equipment picked up an emergency contact signal from the Akainu army inside Alabasta.
"Marshal! It's Admiral Akainu's signal! Finally, finally connected! Connected!" the communications officer shouted excitedly.
"This is Sengoku! Sakazuki, report the situation! Immediately!" Sengoku growled into the Den Den Mushi.
The voice coming from the other end of the Den Den Mushi was filled with exhaustion and an indescribable sense of dread. It wasn't Akainu's voice, but Onigumo's.
"Marshal, that's great! The communication is finally connected! You've finally come in!"
Sengoku had a bad feeling when he heard that the person who answered the phone wasn't Akainu.
"Why are you answering the communication? Where are the Sakazukis?"
The Den Den Mushi was silent for a few seconds, its voice trembling with disbelief.
"Reporting to the Marshal, last night we officially began fighting against the Red Army at Yuba City."
"Admiral Akainu—was killed on the spot by some kind of terrifying artillery barrage from Sabo's heroic spirit, the War God, during the Battle of Yuba Castle!"
"What?!"
Even someone as shrewd as the Warring States period couldn't help but gasp in surprise!
All the naval officers on the bridge who heard the news instantly turned pale.
The Navy's top combatant, the Magma-Magma Fruit user, Admiral Sakazuki is dead?! Killed by the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff and his Heroic Spirit?!
Are Heroic Spirits really that powerful? They can even kill the strongest forces in the Marine Headquarters. Even the Five Emperors can't be 100% certain of killing an Admiral.
Sengoku felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head. Lu Qi behind him was shocked, and even Yu Dai Hassan in the shadows seemed to tremble.
Even Shamrock Saint showed a surprised expression; he knew Akainu's strength very well.
While they were still in shock, the phone call on the other end hadn't ended, and it was a truly shocking and outrageous conversation.
"It's not over yet, Marshal! The situation has deteriorated drastically! Due to the complete alteration of Alabasta's ecosystem, a black sun has appeared in the sky."
The public has been misled.
Onigumo took a deep breath: "It was all done in secret before, and Admiral Akainu didn't oversee it."
"And right after Admiral Akainu's death, Crocodile, who calls himself the agent of the 'Black Sun,' is inciting fanatical faith throughout the country! It seems Alabasta will soon fall under his control!"
What?! Crocodile is indeed extremely dangerous!
Although his heart was in turmoil, he could not show it; he had to remain calm in front of his soldiers.
"Where are Sabo and that Heroic Spirit?!" Sengoku was most concerned about the murderer who killed the general.
Onigumo spoke with deep remorse: "Everyone on the Red Team escaped! It's our fault!"
"Damn it! Damn it!!" Lieutenant General Rat slammed his fist on the command platform, sending splinters flying.
With Admiral Akainu killed in battle, the Red Team and others escaped, Crocodile taking the opportunity to start a cult, and the entire country turning into the bizarre battlefield of Alabasta, the situation has deteriorated to an unbearable degree!
The Red-Haired Pirates? We can't worry about that for now!
The Warring States period acted decisively and immediately issued an order.
"Cease fighting, full speed ahead to Alabasta, messenger!"
"Immediately contact all naval forces in Alabasta! Move closer to our forces! Establish a temporary command post! Prioritize securing communications and intelligence networks!"
"CPO, conduct a full investigation into Crocodile, search for hidden Red Army enemies, blockade the entire western Arabstan, and also, Your Excellency Taigong Wang, please do your utmost."
The Warring States period swiftly issued a series of orders, his voice carrying an unprecedented urgency and gravity.
He must take control of the situation immediately, or the consequences will be dire.
"Marshal, rest assured, I will do my best."
Taigong Wang nodded slightly, but his gaze seemed to be looking thoughtfully into the depths of the rainforest shrouded in the dark sun.
Merlin—the feathered serpent god of smoke and mirrors. They came because of that angel, and one change led to even more changes.
However, the world's original "variables" seemed to be more numerous than he had anticipated.
The naval fleet ignored the USS Red Fosse, which was also adapting to its environment in the distance.
They sped towards Albana, a port city controlled by the Alabasta Kingdom's army.
Shanks stood at the bow of the ship, his red hair appearing somewhat dim in the dim light.
Seeing the navy leave, their already dwindling fighting spirit completely dissipated.
Beckman patted Shanks on the shoulder: "Let's go. Now that we're here, let's get the situation straight and prepare for battle."
Hawkeye, who was standing to the side, nodded slightly.
The sheer power and influence to have such an impact is unimaginable, and that is precisely the significance of his participation in the war.
"Let's go, redhead, let's land."
Redhead took a deep breath, pulling himself away from the bizarre scene before him.
His voice still carried unparalleled optimism and pride.
"Hahaha! Brothers! Land! Fight for Uta! Luffy's on the island too, he needs our help!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire pirate ship erupted in loud cheers, as if the passion was about to dispel the gloom in the sky.
"Charge! Land! For Uta's sake, let's see that brat Luffy!"
Soon after, the Red-Haired Pirates slowly approached the shore, and Kojiro and Mihawk cut down the vines and bushes that were growing directly in the sea and blocking their way.
This allowed everyone's view to encompass the entire island. Shanks' powerful Observation Haki spread out like a tide, and the scene he perceived made his heart even heavier.
The familiar, boundless golden sea of sand has disappeared, replaced by a dense, almost wild, lush tropical rainforest!
Giant ferns, climbing vines, and towering, unfamiliar tree species covered the land as far as the eye could see.
The river became turbulent and muddy, and the air was filled with the chirping of insects and birds, brimming with primal vitality, yet also carrying an unsettling wildness.
This is no longer Alabasta! It's clearly Amazon Lily or some unknown island in a new world!
Although I had expected it, it still felt eerie when I actually experienced it myself.
Navigator Snake unfolded the map and called everyone over.
"We are now in the southwest of Alabasta. That's strange. If we followed the direction we came from, we should be in the east. —..
Shanks chuckled. "Who cares? The southwest? It's pretty close to Yuba, isn't it? I remember we spent quite a bit of time in Yuba back then."
Snake scratched his head and pointed north: "Yes. Yuba should be over there—"
As soon as he finished speaking, his outstretched fingers recoiled. The sky over there was completely shrouded in smoke.
Merlin nodded slightly: "A very powerful magical reaction; it must be from the battle between them."
Beckman's face darkened, while Shanks decisively gave the order.
"Go and inquire in the surrounding villages; the fighting must be very intense. The villagers may have heard rumors."
All the members nodded, and Shanks took the lead and jumped off the pirate ship first.
There happened to be some villages on the shore, and they too were not spared from the strange changes. The earthen houses that were originally in the desert were now covered with vines.
However, compared to the villagers' behavior, the environment is already quite normal.
Shanks and his group arrived at the gathered crowd.
They were dressed in simple clothes, their faces bearing an expression that was a mixture of fanaticism and numbness, as they knelt and prayed towards the dark sun.
On the simple wooden stakes or stones, a totem symbolizing the pitch-black sun is carved.
They muttered incantations, and the indistinct sounds of prayer drifted on the wind.
"Praise the dark sun—a blessing that dispels drought."
"The great Tescatlipoca has given us new life."
"The heretical rebels are blasphemous heretics! They will be consumed by the wrath of the sun!"
"Lord Crocodile is the spokesperson of God! He guides us towards abundance!"
Folly, fanaticism, and hostility toward the resistance.
Crocodile, the schemer who once attempted to seize power, has transformed himself into a so-called agent of God.
And he succeeded! At least in the minds of these deceived people, he succeeded.
Shanks could clearly sense that this belief was not entirely false; it contained elements of improved environmental conditions and awe of unknown forces, which Crocodile skillfully guided and exploited.
"Pfft, Tescatlipoca? Who's that?" Shanks said in a deep voice, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.
Beckman shook his head: "I don't know. It seems to be related to the dark sun, so it's quite possible that it was caused by the sand crocodile."
Merlin picked up a clod of dirt from the ground: "Tescatlipoca, the great black sun. He is a supreme god, a supreme god of immense power."
Hawkeye and Shanks shuddered. A supreme god? What a terrifying term.
The situation was more complicated and worse than imagined, in the oppressive drawing room of the Albanian Palace.
King Cobra seemed to have aged ten years overnight.
He sat on the throne, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest, his eyes sweeping across the ground below with a weary and angry gaze.
Opposite him sat Fleet Admiral Sengoku, CP0 Commander Lucci, and Celestial Dragon Shamrock Saint.
Taigong Wang stood quietly beside Shamrock, exuding an air of otherworldly grace, yet bringing an invisible pressure.
Sitting below King Cobra, acting as if he were half the host, was none other than Crocodile!
He had a cigar in his mouth and a smug, even somewhat compassionate smile on his face.
Behind him stood several priests dressed in robes embroidered with black sun totems; they were actually members of the Baroque workshop.
"Your Majesty," Sengoku spoke in a deep voice, breaking the oppressive silence, "You are surely aware of the upheaval in Alabasta. The Navy and the World Government will do everything in their power to assist the Kingdom in restoring order, with the primary objective being to eliminate the Red Team, especially the Revolutionary Army's Sabo and his followers."
"And the suppression of Crocodile's incitement of illegal beliefs and separatist activities!" His gaze pierced Crocodile sharply.
Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring and smiled dismissively.
"Marshal Sengoku, you are mistaken. Illegal? Division? I, Crocodile, am merely following divine will, spreading the gospel of Lord Tescatlipoca, the Dark Sun. Look out the window!"
He pointed out the huge floor-to-ceiling windows of the palace.
Outside the window, a huge crowd had gathered in the square in front of the palace!
They waved frantically, holding up simple flags and signs depicting a dark sun.
"Lord Crocodile! The spokesperson for God!"
"Believe in the Black Sun! And you will attain eternal abundance!"
"Expel the heretics! The kingdom belongs to the new gods!"
"Thank you, great Tescatlipoca! Thank you, Crocodile, for bringing new life!"
The sound surged into the palace like a tidal wave, making King Cobra's face even more grim. He clenched his fists around the people, many of whom were his subjects, people he had desperately tried to protect, yet they had been so easily swayed!
"Your Majesty, you have seen it too." Crocodile's voice carried a seductive power, yet also contained a hint of threat.
"The will of the people is clear, and the will of God is evident. Lord Tescatlipoca has bestowed a miracle, transforming the desolate desert into a rainforest of hope, bringing sustenance to his parched people. What a blessing this is!"
"All I have done is guide lost sheep back to the true faith and build a new Alabasta bathed in God's grace. How is it unlawful? How is it divisive?"
"You!" Cobra trembled with rage.
"Whether this rainforest is good or bad is still unknown! Many people cannot adapt to being attacked by monsters, and that pitch-black sun is even more eerie! My daughter Vivi—" Crocodile interrupted him, his smile turning cold and mocking.
"She chose the wrong path, colluding with those blasphemous revolutionary rebels and pirates, and standing on the opposite side of the great God."
"Your Majesty, as the ruler of a country, you should be able to distinguish right from wrong, rather than protect traitors."
He deliberately emphasized the last few words, his gaze sweeping over Sengoku and Shamrock.
Saint Shamlock's deep, steady voice rang out.
"Crocodile! King Cobra! Regardless of your past grievances, what the World Government needs is a stable and obedient Alabasta."
"Crocodile can appease the people, guide them to believe in the Black Sun, and prevent greater chaos; this is order."
"King Cobra, if Vivi remains obstinate, then she shall be punished for treason!"
He sided entirely with Crocodile because, in his view, any force that could control the situation was a good force.
Sengoku frowned; Shamrock's attitude put him in a very passive position.
King Cobra looked out the window at the frenzied crowd, and at the aggressive Crocodile and the indifferent Celestial Dragons before him. A deep sense of powerlessness and anger welled up in his heart.
He knew Crocodile was lying, and he knew that the source of all this disaster was likely the evil god that Crocodile had summoned!
But he had no evidence that the kingdom's army was unreliable due to the previous upheavals and Crocodile's infiltration.
The king's daughter, Vivi, was still in the enemy camp, leaving him isolated and helpless.
Crocodile interpreted Cobra's silence as surrender.
He slowly stood up, walked to the huge French windows, turned his back to the oppressive crowd inside the palace, and faced the fanatical believers in the square who were like a boiling ocean.
The smoke from the cigar swirled around him, as if outlining a human figure beside him.
He took a deep breath, his voice not loud, but it seemed to contain some kind of strange magic, clearly penetrating the walls of the palace.
The sound reverberated throughout Albana, and even, with the aid of some force, seemed to travel faintly to more distant places.
"People of Alabasta!"
The square fell silent instantly, as countless fervent eyes focused on the figure standing in front of the palace window.
"Look at this vibrant land! Look at the rain that nourishes all things! Feel the life force that fills the air!"
"Who bestowed all of this upon us?!"
The crowd shouted enthusiastically!
"It is the pitch-black sun high in the sky! It is the great god of smoke and night—Tescatlipoca!"
Old Sha's face showed great satisfaction.
"Yes, he is the god of change! The god of power! The supreme ruler who gave us new life!"
"And I, Crocodile!"
His voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable authority and an almost cult-like fanaticism.
"By divine grace! To receive divine pronouncements!"
"I am Y, the agent of the Great Smoke Mirror walking among men! I am the messenger of his will! I am the fighter who leads you toward abundance and power!"
"The age of foolishness is over! The lies of heresy will be burned to ashes!"
"Now, in the name of God's agents, I command you."
Crocodile suddenly opened his arms as if to embrace the dark sun.
His eyes gleamed with ambition and a desire to control everything. He used all his strength to declare to the entire Alabasta, as if offering a sacrifice to some unseen being.
"Worship the Black Sun! Offer your faith, your souls, your everything, to the great Tescatlipoca!"
"On this newly born land, only by believing in the Black Sun can one obtain salvation and strength!"
"I, Shah Crocodile, am the agent of the Smoke Mirror! The Black Sun Faith is the only true faith in Alabasta!"
Boom!
As he finished his final declaration, the dark sun in the sky seemed to flicker slightly!
An invisible, vast, and oppressive spiritual wave swept across the entire Atabastan like ripples!
Countless people who were praying or working, whether deep in the rainforest or on the edge of town, seemed to hear this proclamation that reached the depths of their souls.
Their bodies trembled involuntarily, and the fanaticism in their eyes intensified.
They knelt down even more devoutly, either facing the direction of the Albanian Royal Palace or directly towards the dark sun!
Inside the palace, King Cobra, his face ashen, slumped onto his throne.
Sengoku and Lucci's pupils contracted as they sensed the terror of this spiritual power.
Saint Shamrock crossed his arms and glanced at the cane beside him.
Taigong Wang paused slightly as he stroked his beard, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
The smoke mirror granted Crocodile three opportunities for absolute command—the first of which has already been activated and yielded results.
Based on the entire Alabasta, the frenzy of the Black Sun faith officially transformed into a torrent that swept everything!
Crocodile stood by the window, bathed in the fanatical shouts of the believers and the eerie light cast by the dark sun, a cold and satisfied smile playing on his lips.
agent?
No, this is just the beginning.
What he wanted was to become the most important person in the world.
The One and Only God!!!