The sky had shifted again.
The frost of Drum Island melted into warm breezes and golden light as the Going Merry sailed steadily south. The sea was calmer now, but the tension aboard the ship was rising.
Vivi stood at the front of the deck, her eyes fixed on the distance.
"Alabasta's close," she said softly. "And the fighting's probably already started."
Luffy leaned over the railing, face serious. "We'll stop Crocodile. Don't worry."
Zoro nodded, arms crossed. "Whatever it takes."
Sanji passed around plates of food with calm focus. "We're ready for war."
Usopp tried to laugh, but it didn't last. "R-Right… ready…"
Nami flipped through charts and maps, chewing her pencil in thought. "We'll hit Nanohana Port first. From there, we'll need disguises."
Rex stood at the mast, arms folded, scanning the horizon.
Not silent — just steady.
There was something different in him since Drum Island. Not more power. Not faster hands. Just… clearer eyes. Sharper focus.
Every challenge carved him a little deeper.
And every step forward, he understood more.
How to read a battlefield.
How to stand without fear.
How to protect without needing to overpower.
Later That Day — Aboard the Merry
The crew gathered around a small table as Vivi began sketching diagrams into the wood.
"This is where we'll land. Nanohana. The rebellion is moving east. The capital's to the south. And Crocodile's base—Rainbase—is in the desert."
"He's the one pretending to be a hero, right?" Luffy asked.
"Yes. To the people, he's their savior. But he's actually behind the entire civil war."
"Classic scumbag," Sanji muttered.
"He's smart," Vivi said. "Manipulative. People believe in him."
"They'll believe in you again," Nami said, setting a hand on her shoulder.
"And what if they don't?" Vivi asked.
Rex spoke from the shadows of the mast.
"Then you show them. Not with speeches. With action."
She looked at him.
He wasn't trying to be wise. Just honest.
She nodded.
Nightfall — One Day Before Alabasta
Rex couldn't sleep.
The stars overhead blurred with sea wind, the sails creaking like old bones. He stood at the railing alone, watching the waves twist beneath moonlight.
Nami joined him, arms folded.
"You're always on watch."
"Not always," he replied. "Just when it matters."
"You know," she said, "you've changed since Reverse Mountain."
"How?"
"You used to stand like a storm waiting to happen."
She leaned closer.
"Now you stand like the calm between two of them."
He looked at her.
"…That's not worse, is it?"
"No," she whispered. "It's better."
A long pause passed.
Then she turned to go.
And paused.
"Also—don't get cocky. You're not the only one getting stronger."
He smirked. "I wouldn't dare compete with you."
"Good," she said, walking away with a smile.
And for a long time, Rex just stood there.
Not alone.
Not anymore.
The Next Morning — Nanohana Port
The desert heat hit them like a wall as they stepped onto the sand. The port city bustled with noise, sweat, and worry. Armed guards patrolled the streets. Wanted posters fluttered in the wind.
The people talked of war.
Of hope.
Of Crocodile.
And none of them knew the truth.
Nami pulled up her scarf. "We'll keep a low profile."
Luffy whispered, "What's that smell?"
Sanji sighed. "Spices."
Usopp wheezed. "My boots are melting."
Zoro shrugged. "You'll live."
Rex adjusted his collar, scanning the streets with quiet eyes.
Then something made him stop.
A twitch.
A shift in the crowd.
A man stepped from an alleyway with too much precision to be a local.
Gloved hands.
No sweat.
Eyes tracking.
Rex moved quickly.
Intercepted the figure before he reached Vivi.
"Looking for someone?" Rex asked quietly.
The man froze.
Then swung a hidden blade.
Blocked.
Rex caught his wrist.
Twisted.
Crack.
The agent fell to one knee.
People scattered.
Nami hissed, "Rex—!"
But he didn't draw attention.
He whispered to the agent, "Go back to your leader. Tell him the princess is protected."
The man trembled, stood, and fled.
No dramatic battle.
No flashy moves.
Just quiet dominance.
Zoro stepped beside him. "Nice catch."
"Too easy," Rex said. "They're watching already."
Vivi's face was pale. "We have to move. Now."
That Night — Desert Outskirts Camp
The wind howled across the dunes.
The crew set up a small fire under a rock formation. Water was rationed. The tension had returned.
But no one was afraid.
Not now.
Because they had each other.
And they had Rex — steady, undefeated, unshaken.
He didn't stand above them.
He stood with them.
And he always would.