After that shameless Crocodile escaped, Sandy had originally wanted to chase him.
But after taking one step, he froze — he didn't even know how to get to the capital of Alabasta, Alubarna.
So, he had no choice but to return to Rainbase to buy a map and stock up on supplies for the journey.
As soon as he returned, Sandy spotted Smoker sitting off to the side looking deep in thought, with Tashigi standing behind him.
"Little brother Smoker," Sandy called out, "didn't you go to Alubarna? Why are you still here?"
Smoker immediately raised his cross-shaped weapon and pointed it at Sandy. "Pirate Sandy, do you really think I won't arrest you?"
Sandy groaned, "Are you a bull or something? Stop spouting nonsense. I got tricked by Crocodile — he's already heading for Alubarna."
Then he ran right up to Tashigi and said with a grin, "Beautiful lady, can you take me to Alubarna? I don't know the way!"
Tashigi froze, her face turning red as memories of that day flashed through her mind. She stammered, "You… you're a pirate. It's impossible between us!"
Her response was completely unrelated, leaving both Smoker and Sandy staring at her in confusion.
When Smoker finally processed it, he roared, "Bastard! What did you do to Tashigi?!"
He immediately swung his weapon at Sandy.
Sandy caught Smoker's weapon with one hand and growled, "Oi, Smoker, can you use your brain for once? The priority right now is Crocodile."
He added with a smirk, "Once I knock Crocodile out and hand him over to the Navy, I should be able to claim his bounty, right?"
Tashigi exclaimed, "What did you say?! But you're a pirate!"
Sandy rolled his eyes, then slung his arm over Smoker's shoulder.
"Crocodile's bounty is over eighty million Belly. If I take him down, it should be at least seventy million for me. I'll treat you to a feast and cover your cigar money for a year."
Both Smoker and Tashigi were stunned.
A few seconds later, Smoker exploded. "What kind of joke is this, Pirate Sandy!"
Damn, this guy's temper was ridiculous.
Sandy snapped back, "Just tell me if Crocodile's bounty is still valid!"
Tashigi quickly answered, "Crocodile used Dance Powder, which is banned by the World Government. He's no longer a Shichibukai. His bounty is valid."
Sandy grinned. "Then if I take him down and hand him over to the Navy, I can claim the bounty, right?"
Smoker's voice dropped low. "But you're a pirate."
Sandy rolled his eyes again. "The princess of Alabasta can act as the middleman. Just give the bounty to her. Seriously, what do you even have in that head of yours? You smoke so much, I bet you've got a ton of debt."
Smoker's face twitched with rage.
Ignoring him, Sandy winked at Tashigi. "No wonder you left Loguetown. Bet you owed money there and ran."
Without hesitation, Smoker swung his weapon at him.
Left slash. Right slash. Diagonal slash.
But no matter how much Smoker attacked, Sandy dodged effortlessly — spinning, jumping, eyes half closed like some dancing idiot. Tashigi couldn't help but stare.
After a while, Smoker was panting heavily, glaring at Sandy like a mad dog.
"Alright," Sandy sighed, "I'm done playing with you. I'll just buy the damn map myself."
"Wait," Smoker said suddenly. "You're coming with us. I won't let Crocodile get away. How dare a pirate make fools of the Navy!"
Sandy immediately wrapped an arm around Tashigi's waist in excitement. "Then I'll trouble you, Tashigi!"
Her face went crimson. "L-Let go!"
"Cough cough… I couldn't help myself."
Soon, the three of them were on their way to Alubarna.
Smoker really had no choice. Compared to the World Government, he trusted Sandy more at this point.
After all, he knew what kind of "justice" the World Government really had. They had created the Shichibukai system, and now they wouldn't clean up their own mess.
Would the arrogant nobles step in and handle it themselves? Of course not.
On the road, the more Smoker thought about it, the angrier he got.
And the angrier he got, the more he glared at Sandy — who was happily holding Tashigi's hand like they were on a date.
"Stinking pirate," Smoker finally exploded. "Let go of Tashigi! And when we get to Alubarna, don't walk with us or I'll arrest you too!"
Sandy rolled his eyes. "I say, little brother Smoker, why don't you learn from that old man Garp? He knows how to be flexible. You're just charging at everything like a bull."
"White Out!" Smoker roared, attacking immediately.
Sandy grabbed the smoke with a grin. "I also have White Pinwheel and White Lover!"
He chuckled. "Let's talk this out. There's not that much hatred in the world. How about after this, we grab some drinks? Though your alcohol tolerance sucks…"
Before he could finish, Smoker threw a punch at him. "Pirate, don't you dare look down on the Navy!"
Tashigi sighed. "Can you two be quiet? Alabasta is still in chaos."
Smoker calmed down slightly. "Tashigi, when we get there, we'll handle the aftermath. But we're not getting directly involved."
Tashigi blinked. "Why?"
Sandy tapped her forehead. "Your Navy isn't Alabasta's military. You have no right to interfere in their internal affairs. You don't even know that?"
She looked at Smoker for confirmation.
Smoker nodded. "He's right."
Sandy groaned. "Smoker, can you stop wearing that miserable face all day? Even if you can't pay your debts, at least pretend to be happy. Should I help you pay them off?"
"What kind of joke is that?!" Smoker swung his weapon again, chasing Sandy down the road.
But no matter how hard he tried, Smoker just couldn't beat him.
And so, the three of them bickered their way toward Alubarna.
…
Author's Note:
The fanfic One Piece: My Flirtatious System Adventure is first half completed.
The entire story has been uploaded on Patreon as a dedicated collection:
📚 One Piece (Chapters 1–362)
Carefully organized into multiple posts, with several chapters per post for smooth and easy binge reading.
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continuous support and love for this journey 💙