The Going Merry was slowly sailing along the route to Alabasta. According to the navigator's calculations, it would take about another week.
"Lookout Chopper, beginning observation!"
"Port side, all clear!"
"Starboard side, all clear!"
Chopper held Usopp's binoculars, looking around excitedly from the mast. Seeing the little guy's excited face, it seemed he was very interested in the task assigned by "Captain Usopp."
After all, this was the first time in the little reindeer's life that he had left his hometown to adventure in the outside world.
"Astern... Huh! A huge squid!"
Chopper hurriedly shouted down: "Hey, everyone! Bad news, a giant squid has appeared on the sea surface!"
"What? A squid?" Luffy, sitting in the captain's VIP seat, immediately had stars in his eyes upon hearing this: "Speaking of which, I haven't had Sanji's grilled squid in a long time, that taste is really..."
Thinking of this, the idiot captain quickly wiped the drool overflowing from his mouth and sprinted toward the stern.
"Haha, this one is really huge!" Luffy grinned wide, pressing down on his straw hat. It looked like he was extremely satisfied with the "dinner" floating in the distance.
"Watch this! Gum-Gum... Spear!"
Whoosh!
Luffy's arm stretched exaggeratedly, his fierce fist hitting the poor squid like a cannonball for a one-hit KO. Then, his hand tightly gripped the squid's body, and with the rubber's amazing elasticity, he pulled it over.
Splash... The scattered water spray was exceptionally dazzling under the sunlight.
"So cool! You can actually lift such a huge squid." The little reindeer lowered the binoculars, his furry little face filled with amazement as he watched the squid enlarging in mid-air.
"But where this big squid is falling seems to be..."
"2413, 2414..." Zoro was still sweating like rain, training at the stern.
(Strange, did it get cloudy?)
Covered by a sudden shadow, the green-haired swordsman paused slightly. Then his expression changed drastically as a very ominous premonition rose in his heart.
This scene seemed somewhat familiar...
Boom!
The giant squid's massive body crashed heavily onto the Going Merry's aft deck. The entire ship shuddered violently, scaring the little reindeer so much he almost fell from the crow's nest.
"Phew~ that was close..." In the nick of time, Zoro dove to the side, barely avoiding the fate of being crushed by Luffy's prey again.
You kidding? How could an excellent swordsman fall in the same place twice?
But this giant squid was different from the giant turtle last time.
Pfft! A stream of pungent ink spurted from the mouth of the unconscious squid, drenching the secretly relieved green-haired swordsman.
Uh, this time he should be called the black-haired swordsman.
"Hahaha, Zoro, how did you turn into that? Did you want to dye your hair? Hahaha, you're too funny!"
Watching the idiot captain rolling on the deck laughing, Zoro expressionlessly picked up the giant dumbbell he had just thrown aside...
Inside the cabin.
"Can't these guys behave for a bit?"
Hearing the fierce fighting and the little reindeer's screams outside, Nami rubbed her short orange hair helplessly. "Honestly, we're about to reach the Sand Crocodile's territory, yet they have no sense of tension at all."
"If Luffy suddenly started behaving, I'd suspect he turned into someone else," Princess Vivi said with a giggle, sitting on a nearby chair. It seemed the blue-haired girl had completely figured out the airhead captain's personality these past few days.
"Quack." The large duck Karoo quacked in agreement, seemingly approving of his master's words. His cute, dopey look made the two girls giggle.
"Turned into someone else?" Sanji walked in from outside holding a tray of drinks. He snubbed out his half-smoked cigarette and chimed in, "Who knows, maybe in the future we'll meet a Devil Fruit user who can turn into other people."
"After all, Devil Fruit abilities are all too bizarre."
Saying this, the curly-browed cook glanced at the Occultist who was concentrating on practicing mirror image fusion nearby.
"Sherlock, have a drink and rest for a while." Sanji smilingly handed over a drink with excellent presentation.
"Ah, thank you very much," Sherlock accepted it with a smile.
Watching the curly-browed cook's extremely friendly attitude toward the Occultist, Nami and Vivi couldn't help but think of the banquet that night.
To avoid drinking that night, Sherlock had told Luffy and the others a simplified version of what happened at the Goldglint Trading Company. Leaving other things aside, when Sherlock mentioned that he forgave Miss Anna, who had betrayed him and nearly caused his death, Sanji became incredibly excited.
"What you did was amazing! Sherlock, being able to forgive a lady for such a serious mistake is the true spirit of chivalry! Ahhh! I really admire you!!" Sanji had said.
Just like that, this love-struck cook, who regarded protecting ladies as his lifelong pursuit, not only threw his previous jealousy of Sherlock to the nine heavens but also regarded him as his soulmate. If not for the fact that Sherlock didn't drink, he would have wished to drink a sworn brotherhood toast with the Occultist right then and there.
And since that night, Sherlock felt that Sanji's cooking for him had become much more delicious than before, with larger portions. Occasionally, he would even make him a portion of the exquisite desserts usually reserved for Nami and Vivi, causing Luffy and the others to cry unfairness.
The orange-haired navigator happily took a sip of the curly-browed cook's secret beauty fruit punch, then looked at the long-nosed brother surrounded by a pile of strange parts.
"How is it? Usopp, how is the development of my new weapon coming along?" Back at Little Garden, Nami had resolved to improve her combat ability. However, as a physically weak girl with no Devil Fruit powers, if she wanted to become stronger quickly, she could only rely on external items.
"Perfect!" Mentioning his latest invention, Usopp puffed out his chest proudly, lifting his long nose as he continued to brag forcefully: "Have you not heard the saying famous throughout the East Blue? — 'Produced by the Great Inventor Usopp, it must be a masterpiece!'"
"This is a powerful weapon unique in this world. Its power will definitely make the enemies [gasp in amazement]!!"
(Later, when Nami recalled Usopp's words at this moment, she realized the long-nosed brother actually hadn't bragged this time. This damn thing truly made the enemies [gasp, in, amaze, ment]!)
"Is that so..." The innocent navigator smiled slightly. It seemed she was looking forward to her new weapon.
Sherlock, holding his cup, glanced at the extremely bizarre materials around Usopp and silently pushed up his glasses.
(Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Forget it, I'd better go take a nap first. My energy consumption is too high.)
These days, Sherlock had been trying to increase his mental strength by overdrawing his spirit. Although the effect was far less significant than the time on Drum Island, it was better than nothing. However, the side effect of doing this was that Sherlock spent two-thirds of his day sleeping.
Rainbase, a prosperous city located on the west bank of the Sandora River, was also the residence of one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Alabasta's "Guardian God," Sir Crocodile.
It was late at night, but thanks to countless lights, the city was still brightly lit. The sounds of peddling and laughter were endless, a scene of singing, dancing, and prosperity.
It could be said without hesitation that the prosperity of Rainbase had surpassed Alabasta's capital—Alubarna. Just as the Sand Crocodile's reputation among the people had faintly surpassed their King, Cobra.
Looking only at the city of Rainbase, you would absolutely never imagine that this country was actually undergoing a rebellion, that countless citizens were living in deep suffering, and that drought was claiming large numbers of lives every day.
And the culprit behind all this was staying in the basement of the largest—and only—casino in Rainbase.
Crocodile sat in his chair, looking at the intelligence report in his hand, his brow furrowed into a knot. Paired with the centipede-like scar on his face, he looked even more gloomy.
"Why have people from the World Government been appearing frequently in my territory lately? And those Marines... As a Warlord, the World Government gave me great freedom. My performance over these years should have made the Marines very assured about me..."
"Could it be that news leaked from some step in the plan?" The Sand Crocodile's slightly narrowed eyes flashed with two terrified gleams.
Thanks to those agents—who knew which CP unit they were from—and the Marines investigating everywhere, Baroque Works' recent secret operations had been somewhat constrained, wasting a lot of time.
(However, none of that matters now...)
Rustle...
The paper filled with intelligence in Crocodile's hand suddenly seemed to have its moisture sucked dry, turning into a handful of fine sand. Driven by a mysterious force, it scattered and vanished.
(Once I get that thing, whether you're the Marines or the World Government, you won't be my match!)
(But before that, this [Key] that can unlock the truth of history must not face any mishaps...)
Thinking of this, the Sand Crocodile turned his head to look at Nico Robin in the distance.
The beautiful woman wearing a moon-white coat was sitting on a soft sofa reading a book. The sound of her slender fingers turning the pages was very noticeable in this somewhat empty room.
She just sat there quietly, legs crossed, eyes lowered, carefully reading the book in her hand. The light hit the top of her head, her black hair falling on her shoulders, slightly reflecting the light. The corners of her mouth curled up in a very wonderful arc; perhaps in her view, reading was one of the few things that could bring pleasure.
Looking at such a temperamental beauty who could make countless men lose their focus, Crocodile's gaze at this moment was like a crocodile in the river staring intently at its prey—cold and ruthless.
"Miss All Sunday..."
"Yes, is there something the matter? Mr. 0." Robin gently closed the book in her hand and looked at her current boss.
"Have Mr. 1 and the others return. Also the Billions, have them all gather in Alabasta." Crocodile tapped the armrest of his chair rhythmically: "It is time to execute the final plan!"
"Also, the situation outside has been a bit subtle lately. You'd better stay honestly within this casino."
After all, Nico Robin's identity was still too sensitive.
"I understand." Robin nodded, her delicate eyebrows wrinkling slightly: "But those Marines..."
"Don't mind them. After all, I am a Warlord of the Sea. The Marines can't do anything to me without the World Government's permission."
Here, the Sand Crocodile's eyes flashed with extremely cold, bloodthirsty killing intent.
"Besides, if those blind fools try to meddle..." He said, "I will bury them right here in this desert!"
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