One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 43: King Cobra

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The noonday sun of Alabasta bore down mercilessly, casting harsh shadows against the pale sandstone walls of the capital city. Waves of heat shimmered off the cobblestone streets, creating a suffocating atmosphere that even the most seasoned desert dwellers found unbearable. Surrounding the city, an army of Marines stretched out in an unbroken circle, their disciplined ranks resembling an iron fortress. Thousands of soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder, their faces like stone, eyes fixed on the city as though daring anything within to escape.

The tension in the air was palpable. Each Marine's grip on their weapon was firm, their gaze unwavering. From the towering ramparts of the palace to the market stalls below, no corner of the city was free from their watchful eyes. It was as if the entire city had become a trap, a snare set for the prey known as Meliodas, the Dragon's Sin of Wrath.

In the heart of the city, just outside the royal palace, King Cobra emerged with a slow, deliberate stride. His dark robes fluttered in the faint breeze, their black fabric embroidered with gold filigree. His face was stern, framed by shoulder-length black hair streaked with the faintest traces of gray. Behind him, his daughter Vivi followed closely, her silk white dress shimmering under the sun's relentless glare. A golden bracelet adorned her slender wrist, and her long, azure hair cascaded down her back like a river of sapphire. Both were flanked by royal guards, their armor gleaming, their spears held high.

At the base of the palace steps stood a Vice Admiral, his crisp Marine uniform spotless despite the desert's dusty winds. His sharp eyes studied the king, though his expression held a veneer of respect. Bowing slightly, he said, "Your Majesty King Cobra, my deepest apologies for this intrusion. However, we require your assistance in evacuating the city's civilians."

Cobra's brows furrowed as he stepped forward. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked, his tone edged with concern. "Why is the city surrounded by your forces? What kind of threat justifies such a response?"

The Vice Admiral straightened, his voice steady. "We have reason to believe that the Dragon's Sin of Wrath is in Alabasta."

At this revelation, King Cobra's eyes widened ever so slightly. His fingers twitched at his sides, and a bead of sweat slid down his temple. "The Dragon's Sin..." he murmured, his voice low. Memories of whispered legends and dreadful tales rushed to the forefront of his mind. This was no ordinary criminal—this was a man who had once slain a Celestial Dragon.

"We fear that the battle to capture him may cause significant destruction," the Vice Admiral continued, his voice grave. "Your assistance in evacuating the citizens is vital. The Marines will compensate for any damages incurred."

Cobra clenched his fists at his sides, his knuckles whitening. His voice was steady, but his eyes burned with intensity. "So that's your real concern—avoiding unnecessary casualties."

The Vice Admiral nodded solemnly. "Precisely. The safety of the people comes first."

Taking a deep breath, King Cobra turned to his guards, his voice now booming with authority. "All palace guards! Assist the Marines in evacuating the citizens at once! Their safety is our highest priority. Go now—there is no time to waste!"

The guards sprang into action, their armored boots echoing across the palace courtyard. The urgency in their movements was mirrored by the growing unease among the city's population. People peered out of their windows and market stalls, their faces etched with fear as whispers of an impending battle spread like wildfire.

In the bustling marketplace, Meliodas stood with his back to a wooden stall, a simple brown cloth draped over his head. The small-framed man had a deceptively carefree expression as he held a Vice Admiral by the collar, dangling him off the ground like a ragdoll. The Vice Admiral's uniform was in tatters, his face battered and bruised, yet a defiant smirk lingered on his lips.

"You know this is the end for you, don't you?" the Marine officer rasped. "Your story ends here, Dragon's Sin. You can't win this battle."

Meliodas's emerald green eyes gleamed with mischief as he released his grip, letting the Vice Admiral collapse to the ground in a heap. The onlookers stared in stunned silence, their disbelief palpable. Whispers spread through the crowd, growing louder with each passing moment.

"Who is that man?"

"Did he just take down a Vice Admiral?"

"Is he... the Dragon's Sin?"

The tension in the air thickened as two figures approached from the shadows—Elizabeth and King. Elizabeth's silver hair shimmered under the sun, her striking blue eyes wide with concern. She wore a light blue dress that fluttered gently as she hurried toward Meliodas.

"You took your time," Meliodas said, his tone light but laced with an undertone of seriousness. "He already managed to alert the others."

King, carrying his signature green pillow under one arm, looked at the fallen Vice Admiral with a faint frown. His light brown eyes flickered with recognition. "Meliodas..." he said quietly. "Now I remember where I've heard that name before. You're the Dragon's Sin—the one who killed a Celestial Dragon two years ago. How are you still alive?"

Meliodas met King's gaze, his expression unreadable. "We don't have time for this," he said, unsheathing his blade, Lostvayne, from the scabbard on his back. The reflection of his face glimmered in the blade's polished surface. "King, you can fly, can't you?"

King hesitated, his grip tightening on his pillow. "Yeah, thanks to my Devil Fruit."

Meliodas nodded. "Take Elizabeth and get out of here. Head to the city where Diane is. I'll catch up with you later."

Elizabeth stepped forward, her blue eyes blazing with determination. "No! I'm not leaving you behind!"

Meliodas turned to her, his voice steady but firm. "This is an order, Elizabeth. King, take her and go. Now."

King sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Fine. Guardian!" With a flick of his wrist, the green pillow transformed into a gentle, bear-like creature. The creature gently scooped up Elizabeth despite her protests, and both King and his creation began to rise into the air.

"Meliodas, don't do this!" Elizabeth cried out, her voice breaking. "Please, let me stay with you!"

King glanced down at her, his expression calm but resolute. "A captain's orders are absolute."

As they ascended, the air around them suddenly grew heavy, charged with an ominous pressure. In the blink of an eye, Vice Admiral Garp appeared above them, his fist coated in a menacing aura of crimson-black Haki. The sheer power radiating from him caused the very air to crackle.

"Not so fast," Garp growled, his voice like thunder.

King's eyes widened in alarm as he manipulated his Devil Fruit ability, transforming the bear into a protective sphere around himself and Elizabeth. Garp's punch connected with the sphere, creating a deafening explosion that sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

CRASH!

The sphere hurtled downward, smashing through the roof of a nearby building and crashing through several floors before coming to a stop in the basement. Dust and debris filled the air as the structure trembled, and a stunned silence fell over the marketplace.

Meliodas stared at the aftermath, his grip tightening on Lostvayne. For the first time, a flicker of genuine concern crossed his face.

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