The storm gradually approached the desert, rain falling from it, soaking the sand.
Massive black rain clouds slowly shrouded the city.
A similarly enormous Black Ship stopped at the shore once the storm had engulfed the entire city.
Mute held a three-meter-high umbrella, standing behind Sage to shield him from the rain, with the gathered subordinates behind them.
The gangplank lowered, and Sage said to the gathered subordinates on the deck:
"Leave half of the crew to guard the ship, take turns going ashore, and the rest should take the wounded to find a doctor, then... it's time for some much-needed relaxation!"
Having sailed the seas for over half a month, staring at the ocean and storm every day, relaxation was indeed necessary.
Pirates are rare savers; with millions of Belly at their disposal, of course, they'd spend it.
Yet the ship still needed guarding, so they'd rotate shifts, each person taking a day, then returning the next.
"Ah, desert areas should have good ingredients." Marika smiled, caressing her cheek.
"I want to buy some materials." Renedia still remembered Sage's modification requests.
Lily stood beside Sage, joining him under the umbrella. With her left hand on the sword hilt, she gazed toward the city ahead, displaying a rare smile: "Shopping? I need to buy some things."
"Exactly, why keep a tense face all day? Girls should enjoy shopping. If you run out of money, look for me; your Captain is generous!"
Sage laughed heartily, then descended the gangplank, heading toward the city.
The city was still a bit of a distance from the shore, not built along the coast.
As they approached, the storm engulfing the city seemed to intensify.
The remaining subordinates looked at Sage departing, then glanced at the seemingly weaker storm in the sky, curiously asking their nearby comrades:
"Do you think the storm follows the Captain? We've never encountered so many storms while sailing before?"
A comrade stroked his chin thoughtfully, saying: "Master Sage is a 'calamity,' isn't it normal to have storms?"
"True enough," the subordinate nodded.
In about ten minutes, Sage arrived at Nalohara.
"What's going on?" Renedia asked, puzzled.
Residents raised their water tools high, cheering and jumping, even merchants busy selling stopped, pulling out household utensils to collect water.
Even the shopping civilians were spending money to buy clay pots, joining the water collection frenzy.
As a port trading city, it naturally attracted nearby residents to shop.
"Desert countries lack water, so when there's a rare chance, of course, they'll collect it. Captain, your presence has an unexpected effect here." Marika smiled.
"I'll emphasize again, it's oceanic weather, not mine, and..."
Sage glanced up at the storm and heavy rain centered on him and clicked his tongue, "I'm quite displeased."
Who likes storms for nothing?
As they entered the city, people scattered, some looking for doctors, others for taverns, and Lily led a few subordinates shopping.
As for Sage, he also sought to enjoy the excitement after being at sea for so long, needing the best venue for spending.
"Hey, you guys..."
He instructed the few subordinates following him, "Find a good entertainment venue, pick a suitable spot, make sure it has good booze and women, dancers too; since it's a desert, there must be desert dancers. Choose a location and inform the crew, I'm throwing a two-day banquet here."
"Yes!"
The few subordinates excitedly dispersed, even Mute holding the umbrella was wildly gesturing.
Running errands wasn't something Sage needed to do personally; he intended to walk the streets but was stunned as he turned.
"Where did everyone go?" Sage's temple bulged with a vein.
The entire street suddenly became clean, with the cheering people collecting rain having disappeared somewhere, only a few shops remained open, the rest closed and even boarded up.
It's not recognizing Sage, purely that the storm had both rain and gale-force winds.
All were open-air stalls; whether it's a sandstorm or gale, it's best to seek shelter.
"The rain's getting heavier..."
Inside the wall, Usopp held his hands above his head, saying: "Hope Sanji brings some umbrellas, but do places like this have umbrellas?"
Vivi pondered and said: "They do have parasols."
She stared at the increasingly fierce storm, her puzzlement only deepening.
"Why is there a storm? Alabasta has never had storms, is it Crocodile's new scheme?" she mumbled.
New type of dancing powder?
"This rainfall could draw national rainwater..."
Her eyes showed gloom, pressing her lips tightly, "Damn Crocodile!"
"Vivi, don't worry, we'll help you."
Nami patted Vivi's shoulder, looking at the emptying street, saying: "At least it's to our advantage, fewer people mean no one notices us. Once we get the supplies, we'll go to Youba!"