When I looked back up at the timer, my expression immediately changed.
Time was dropping.
Fast.
Too fast.
"We don't have time to observe anymore!" I shouted abruptly.
I turned to Koby.
"Koby, go get the crown. As fast as possible!"
Then to Nami, not even giving her time to respond.
"Nami, cover him. The card soldiers will react the moment he moves. I'll handle the Heartless along the way."
They didn't hesitate for a second.
I stepped forward, raised my hand… and condensed a mass of flames in my palm.
"Move aside!"
I hurled a massive fireball straight ahead.
The impact was violent.
The explosion only destroyed part of the Heartless—their resistance had clearly increased—but it achieved what I wanted: it opened a path through their ranks, pushing them back several meters and breaking their formation.
More importantly…
It drew attention.
The young queen—still frozen in front of the crown—suddenly lifted her head.
Her red eyes locked onto us.
"Intruders…" she murmured, her voice already tinged with madness.
Meanwhile, Koby moved.
His body leaned forward, his legs bursting into a sharp acceleration. His gaze was completely fixed on the crown lying on the ground—still intact, still free.
Nami raised her arms.
"I've got you covered!"
A dozen lightning beasts appeared around Koby, their electric forms silently roaring. They circled him like living guardians, already intercepting the first incoming attacks.
I didn't waste another second.
My body transformed completely.
My skin darkened, my limbs expanded, and in an instant, a giant crocodile surged into the battlefield.
I charged straight into the enemy ranks.
The Shadows were swept away, crushed beneath my jaws or sent flying by the sheer force of my charges. The Flying Soldiers attempting to dive toward Koby were caught in my movements or deflected by the shockwaves created by my advance.
I was deliberately loud.
I was destroying everything.
To draw all attention onto me.
And it worked.
"Eliminate him!" the queen shouted, her voice warped by anger.
The Heartless swarmed toward me in masses.
Meanwhile, Koby advanced on the other side, protected by Nami's creatures. Each step brought him closer to the crown.
But the queen understood.
Too late… but she understood.
Her eyes widened as she saw Koby's trajectory.
"The crown!" she shouted. "Retrieve it!"
The nearest card soldiers rushed forward.
But Nami reacted instantly.
"No way!"
The lightning beasts shifted form mid-motion, transforming into electric birds that dove onto the card soldiers.
Lightning exploded.
The guards were pushed back, disorganized, unable to approach the crown.
Koby was only a few meters away.
On my side, the battlefield was shifting rapidly.
Most of the Heartless—Shadows and Flying Soldiers—had already been wiped out under my full form. Only the Round Bodies remained, almost completely immune to physical attacks.
I immediately changed strategy.
My body shrank slightly, returning to my hybrid form.
My hands lit up.
"Let's finish this."
Waves of fire and ice followed one another, striking directly at the remaining Round Bodies. Their lack of magical resistance sealed their destruction.
Nami didn't let up. Around her, waves of winged lightning creatures kept forming, their numbers multiplying as they dove relentlessly onto the card soldiers. Each impact unleashed bursts of electricity, pushing back the guards still trying to reach the crown. Despite their immortality, their advance was completely halted.
Meanwhile, Koby had succeeded.
He grabbed the crown in one swift motion without slowing down, then immediately pivoted to return toward us. His Observation Haki guided every step, allowing him to avoid residual attacks and cross the battlefield without wasting a second.
When he reached us, he held out the crown to me.
At that exact moment, a shiver ran down my spine.
A premonition.
Without thinking further, I turned to Nami.
"Put on the crown."
She froze for a fraction of a second, surprised by my request.
"Huh? Are you serious?"
I didn't answer, simply staring at her.
She understood.
A smile spread across her lips.
"Alright… let's do this."
She took the crown from Koby.
Behind us, Koby immediately repositioned himself, intercepting the card soldiers still trying to approach. He was holding off eight of them on his own, his movements becoming smoother, almost instinctive.
"I've got this!" he shouted, blocking an attack before countering.
At the same moment, the queen screamed.
"NO!"
Her voice was filled with both despair and rage.
She knew exactly what was about to happen.
Nami raised the crown… and placed it on her head.
The moment the metal touched her hair, the transformation began.
The crown warped, its color shifting into a finely crafted silver tiara, glowing with a soft, steady light as it blended into her orange hair.
A strange silence fell over the battlefield.
Then the fifty-two card soldiers froze.
Completely.
Their bodies stiffened, as if time itself had stopped.
A white light enveloped them.
Soft.
Soothing.
And when it faded…
They were no longer cards.
Before us now stood men and women.
All still bore the symbols of their families, but now as elegant armor and clothing.
The cards from 2 to 10 formed the base of this army. Their size and build varied with their value: the lower ranks were smaller and faster, while the higher ones were larger and more durable.
Each family had a distinct role.
The Hearts wielded tridents, their movements fluid and coordinated, like protective guardians.
The Spades carried massive axes, embodying brute strength and destruction.
The Diamonds were equipped with solid shields, forming perfect defensive lines.
The Clubs held mage staffs, their eyes gleaming with intelligence, ready to channel magic.
But that wasn't all.
The queen herself was enveloped in light.
Her body trembled slightly… then changed.
The madness vanished from her gaze.
Before us now stood a magnificent woman, dignified and imposing, dressed in an elegant gown adorned with heart motifs, her aura restored—stable and noble.
At her side, two additional figures appeared.
A young girl, strongly resembling Alice, dressed in a white gown marked with a red heart pattern. On her outfit, a distinct symbol was visible: Jack.
And behind them…
A tall woman, calm and majestic, bearing the symbol of the Ace.
The royal figures were now almost complete. The two card soldiers Nami had previously obtained stepped forward and transformed into the new King of Hearts and King of Spades.
Within each family, the higher cards took form:
Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
The Hearts and Diamonds were represented by three women and one man, embodying balance and protection.
The Spades and Clubs, on the other hand, formed a contrast: three men and one woman, more oriented toward offense and magic.
I crossed my arms as I observed the scene, a slight smile on my lips, before bowing exaggeratedly toward Nami.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty…" I said in a deliberately theatrical tone.
Nami lifted her chin with a proud little expression, clearly enjoying the moment… for exactly two seconds.
Then, with a mischievous smile, she raised her hand slightly.
"Off with his head."
Time seemed to freeze.
Half a second of silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
The card soldiers—now human—reacted instantly.
"AT YOUR COMMAND!"
A dozen of them rushed toward me at surprising speed, weapons raised, fully intent on carrying out the order without hesitation.
"Nami?!" I blurted, jumping back.
I immediately vanished into the Path of Air, reappearing a few meters above. The soldiers rushed through the spot where I had been a second earlier.
"NO NO NO WAIT!! CANCEL THAT!!" Nami shouted, waving her arms frantically.
The soldiers froze instantly… just centimeters from their target.
An awkward silence fell over the hall.
I hovered in the air for a few seconds, looking down, then let out a long sigh before cautiously descending.
"Alright…" I said calmly. "We're going to set a few rules."
I still kept a bit of distance as I landed.
"First rule: avoid anything that sounds like a decapitation order."
Nami immediately looked away, red as a tomato.
"It was a joke…"
I raised a finger.
"Second rule: we need to test whether they obey automatically… or if they interpret your intent. Because if it's automatic…"
I paused, staring straight into her eyes.
"You might end up killing Luffy by accident."
A heavy silence settled.
Nami turned even redder.
"N-NO WAY!!"
I shrugged.
"You say that now… but imagine: 'Luffy, stop being an idiot' and BAM, public execution."
Koby let out a nervous chuckle before coughing to regain composure.
Nami crossed her arms, sulking.
"That's not funny…"
I smiled slightly.
"It is. A little."
She muttered something unintelligible before turning her gaze toward her soldiers, this time clearly wary.
"Alright… you only obey when I give a serious order, understood?"
The soldiers straightened immediately.
"AT YOUR COMMAND, YOUR MAJESTY."
She flinched slightly, caught off guard.
"That's… still kind of creepy…"
Beside us, Koby was watching the entire scene with stars in his eyes, clearly fascinated. However, he eventually regained his composure and turned toward me.
"Jordan?"
"Yes?"
"If I counted correctly… there are only the bosses left… and about a third of the elementals."
He glanced at Nami's army, clearly impressed.
"Can we test their level now?"
I smiled.
"Now that's a good question."
I looked at Nami and her army.
Then at the door on the opposite side of where we had entered.
"Your Majesty…" I said with a slight smirk. "Would you like to lead your first official battle?"
Nami straightened her shoulders. Her smile returned, more confident this time.
"With pleasure."
She slowly raised her hand, her expression turning serious.
"FORWARD."
Her voice echoed throughout the hall.
Instantly, the sixteen royal figures moved. They positioned themselves around us with military precision, forming a perfect close guard.
Koby, meanwhile, stayed strangely close to the Jack of Hearts, observing the small figure with curiosity—it reminded him a lot of Alice.
I placed a hand on his shoulder with a sigh.
"Koby… that's not Alice."
He flinched slightly.
"Y-Yeah, sorry!"
Behind us, the four battalions deployed quickly.
The Diamonds, shields raised, formed the first defensive line.
Beside them, the Spades took position, axes ready to strike.
Behind them, the Hearts and Clubs closed the formation, prepared to support and unleash magical attacks.
"Perfect formation…" I murmured with a satisfied smile.
We passed through the great rear doors of the castle.
A vast space stretched out before us, filled with explosions, fireworks, and elemental discharges. The air itself vibrated with magical power.
Facing us stood the final obstacles.
The eight Tower Masters.
And the remaining elementals.
Nami narrowed her eyes.
"They're… much more imposing than the others."
The Tower Masters dominated the battlefield, their massive bodies surrounded by unstable energy, each one channeling multiple elements at once.
I stepped forward.
"Nami, I'll handle the remaining elementals," I said calmly. "You take on the Tower Masters with your army… and Koby."
Koby tightened his grip on his blade, determined.
"Understood!"
Nami raised her hand.
"Battalions, advance! Don't give them any opening!"
I immediately disappeared into the fray, returning to my usual role against the elementals. Flames, ice, and lightning clashed all around me, but my body adapted to every impact.
As I fought, my Observation Haki spread across the entire battlefield.
The royal figures…
They functioned as a perfect unit.
The Aces and Queens stayed slightly behind, emitting a constant light that regenerated injured soldiers almost instantly.
The Kings, on the other hand, were monstrous.
Every strike they delivered seemed amplified by the strength of their affiliated troops, as if they were channeling the power of their entire family into a single blow.
And the Jacks…
I smiled slightly.
"Perfect defense…"
They continuously generated magical barriers, intercepting attacks aimed at the Aces and Queens with impressive precision.
Meanwhile, the battle was progressing quickly.
Very quickly.
"Left side!" Nami shouted, directing her troops.
A Tower Master attempted to unleash a wave of fire.
Too late.
The Clubs raised their staffs, partially nullifying the attack, while the Spades charged forward, breaking through its guard.
"Now!" Nami ordered.
A massive lightning bolt struck.
BOOM.
The first Tower Master fell.
"Again!" she shouted.
She followed up herself, her lightning creatures taking on more complex, more aggressive forms. A second Tower Master was overwhelmed and destroyed under her assault.
On his side, Koby…
Was unrecognizable.
He moved at incredible speed, appearing and disappearing around a Tower Master.
"Too slow…" he murmured.
His blade struck.
Again.
Again.
Again.
The boss tried to retaliate… but every attack was anticipated.
Finally—
An opening.
Koby seized it without hesitation.
"Haa!"
A clean strike.
The Tower Master cracked… then collapsed.
Meanwhile, the remaining five…
Didn't even get the chance to fight properly.
Under Nami's precise command, the card soldiers surrounded, disorganized, and then crushed their targets with perfect coordination.
Shields blocked.
Axes struck.
Magic supported.
And healing made the whole force nearly unstoppable.
When I finished eliminating the last elementals, I raised my head.
The battlefield was… over.
I smiled slightly as I walked back to them.
"Well then…" I said, looking at Nami. "Your Majesty, your army is quite effective."
Koby, still slightly out of breath, nodded with admiration.
"It's… incredible."
Nami crossed her arms, a proud smile on her lips.
"Obviously."
ou have prevented the Queen of Hearts' coronation and seized her army. Card soldiers will now only appear at your side. Alice can now be protected from the true evil that haunts this world.
Nami gains command of the Card Army troops. (Can be improved through training)
Koby gains the King's Talent (ability to swap power with one of the card kings. Switchable at any time and enhanced through use).
Jordan gains 1200 Shadows, 8 Giga Shadows, 240 Round Bodies, 240 Red Nocturnes, 240 Yellow Operas, 240 Blue Rhapsodies, 240 Flying Soldiers, and 8 Tower Masters.
All Shadows, Giga Shadows, Round Bodies, Red Nocturnes, Yellow Operas, Blue Rhapsodies, Flying Soldiers, and Tower Masters in your possession have been enhanced to Expert level.
You have unlocked Wonderland – Master Mode.
You will be immediately teleported to Wonderland – Master Mode since the required individuals are present:
The one who received Alice's kissThe one who possesses the Card Army
I blinked for a second, processing the flood of information that had just forced itself into my mind.
"…We don't even get time to breathe," I muttered finally, more to myself than to the others.
Beside me, Nami placed a hand on her head, her brows slightly furrowed as if trying to grasp something new.
"I… I can feel everything…" she said, surprised. "Their positions, their condition… it's like… they're part of me."
Her voice wavered between fascination and slight unease, faced with this sudden connection to an entire army.
Koby, on the other hand, clenched his fists, standing still for a few seconds as a strange energy seemed to flow through his body.
"The kings…" he whispered. "I feel like I can… exchange their strength with mine…"
He looked at his hands as if rediscovering his own body.
I gave him a brief glance, still pragmatic.
"We'll test that later."
But something was already changing.
The air grew heavy. A dark light began to envelop us, different from anything we had seen before. This wasn't a simple teleportation.
It was denser… more oppressive, as if the world itself was forcing us elsewhere.
The ground beneath our feet vanished without warning.
Space twisted, folded in on itself
And in a fraction of a second
We were thrown somewhere else.
When my vision stabilized, I immediately recognized the place.
The circus.
But nothing felt familiar anymore.
The bright colors had disappeared, replaced by dull, almost lifeless tones. The structures seemed warped, distorted, as if eaten away by an invisible presence. Even the air vibrated strangely, filled with an unhealthy tension.
In the distance, distorted laughter echoed—too sharp, too irregular to be human.
A feeling ran through me.
We weren't alone.
I slowly turned around.
Alice stood behind us, silent.
Her eyes, usually filled with curiosity, were now filled with fear she didn't even try to hide. She looked around anxiously, as if she recognized this place… but in its worst version.
A new message briefly imposed itself in my mind:
Escort Alice to the world's exit gate to free Wonderland from the power of darkness.
I took a slow breath, letting my shoulders relax despite the pressure in the air, then a slight smile formed on my lips.
"Well then…" I said, turning toward Nami and Koby.
I cracked my neck, my gaze hardening.
"Get ready. We're jumping straight into Master Mode."
The wind blew faintly through the twisted circus.
(Author's note: I hope you're still enjoying the story as much as ever. I've included images of the royal figures, and sorry for the slight delay in publication.)