Sand…
Luffy stepped onto the beach of the rapeseed-flower port city, glancing around at the seemingly normal harbor scene.
Workers were busy unloading cargo, merchants called out energetically, and everything appeared far less dire than Vivi had imagined.
"Oh? This isn't so bad!"
Zoro, who had just landed, quickly looked around at their surroundings, speaking to Vivi with a hint of curiosity in his tone.
But Vivi, setting foot on her homeland again, gently pressed her lips together before replying slowly to Zoro:
"Because the city is near the sea, the drought hasn't affected it. And with so many outsiders here, the rebels' unrest hasn't reached this far yet."
"Heh, doesn't matter~"
Luffy stepped forward, excitement and curiosity sparkling in his eyes as he looked around this city from the original story. He addressed the still-slightly-sad Vivi:
"Don't worry, don't worry! First, we'll solve your problems, then we'll explore Arabasta and enjoy the sights. Nothing's gonna change. The rulers of this country won't change. Trust me."
"Luffy-sama…"
Vivi's eyes filled with tears of gratitude. She bowed deeply to Luffy and said:
"Truly… thank you so much!!!"
"Haha…"
Luffy took a step forward, waving casually.
"Save the thanks for after everything's over…
For now, let's get moving!"
"Y-yes! Alright, Luffy-sama!"
…
…
The bustling streets were filled with happy citizens.
This was Alubarna, the capital of Arabasta Kingdom.
Compared to the rest of the kingdom, Alubarna seemed like a paradise that shouldn't even exist!
Everywhere, water was freely used, green plants flourished, and lavish entertainment venues overflowed with wealth…
From the looks of it, this city didn't resemble one in a kingdom teetering on the edge of destruction at all.
A massive, terrifying lizard slowly stopped beside the outer wall of Alubarna.
"Heave-ho!"
One by one, Luffy's crew leapt down from the giant lizard.
"That's fast… having a mount really helps, huh…"
Luffy muttered appreciatively as he landed.
Beyond the port lay a vast desert, so expansive it could take three days and nights to cross.
Following Vivi's suggestion, they could have rented desert camels to traverse the silent wasteland.
But Luffy figured that their own feet might be faster than camels, so he ignored her advice and chose to travel on foot.
They had planned a friendly race through the desert, each showing off their own skills.
Yet, the desert was teeming with rare and exotic beasts, many of which Luffy found irresistibly cute, stirring his protective instincts.
After careful selection, a golden desert lizard was chosen as the crew's temporary steed.
…
…
"Alright, big lizard, for working so hard, I won't eat you!"
As the crew headed toward the city gates, Sanji gently patted the giant lizard's skin.
From its train-engine-sized head, a single drop of cold sweat formed, a sight rare in a cold-blooded animal.
Its mood was clearly conflicted.
Earlier, it had witnessed this gentle man suddenly transform into a monster with a massive mouth, a real monster!!!
Even scarier than itself!!!
That monstrous mouth had devoured every beast that dared attack them, including two desert monsters twice its size.
Now, under Sanji's touch, the golden lizard dared not move, terrified it might incur his wrath and get eaten.
"Sanji, hurry up~!!!"
Usopp, nearing the city gates, called out anxiously, seeing Sanji lagging behind.
"Eh! Coming!"
With a swift series of steps on the sand, Sanji quickly caught up to Usopp.
The relieved lizard bolted off, as if some demon were chasing it.
…
…
As they entered the capital, Luffy's group hadn't had time to investigate when a commotion erupted in the city's prosperous area.
BOOM!!!
A loud explosion shook the ears of Luffy and the others.
Men's heavy breaths, women's screams, children's cries, the entire Alubarna descended into panic.
The Rain Dinners, the most luxurious, no, the most extravagant entertainment venue in all of Arabasta, personally built and run by Warlord Crocodile, had become a scene of chaos.
Usually, it was filled with visitors from other islands or wealthy pirates seeking entertainment.
Today, however, it was destined to change dramatically.
BOOOOM…
As if the foundation had been destroyed, the grand gambling complex collapsed.
Panicked visitors ran in all directions. Some unlucky ones were crushed by falling debris or swallowed by collapsing floors, never to be seen again.
"Ah!!!"
"Run, run!!!"
"Save me!"
"The captain… the captain's still inside!"
"Doesn't matter! Save yourselves first!!!"
The frenzied crowd surged outside.
The marines lined up in two rows, guiding the panicked masses.
Dust, falling debris, chaos, Daz Bonez, with his eyes exposed, wielded the famous sword Hanzo, just seized from Baroque Works agents, protecting the Marine from falling stones.
Fortunately, Crocodile had claimed this area, leaving no ordinary residences nearby.
Otherwise, the casualties would have been three times higher.
White smoke suddenly poured from the collapsed Rain Dinners.
From its center, a tornado-like whirlwind shot skyward, destroying the last remaining support and completely leveling the structure.
CRASH!!!
The immense building collapsed, sending dust and debris flying, with thick white smoke hidden inside.
High above, sand and grit rose into the air.
A man in a black combat cloak, face scarred and sporting a pompadour, a lit cigar clenched between his teeth, slowly emerged from the sandstorm.
"Marine! You'd better explain yourselves! Attacking one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea without reason is a military crime!!!"
Crocodile, flying high with his Devil Fruit powers, addressed the smoke below, unhurried.
After a moment, the smoke began to disperse, revealing Smoker, cigars in mouth like he was racing Crocodile, glaring upward.
Blood trickled slowly from his waist.
Luckily, Smoker's Marine training allowed him to recover quickly.
With one hand covering his wound, his flesh knitted back at superhuman speed.
Casting a resentful glare skyward, Smoker growled at the smug Crocodile:
"Don't tell me… you can use Seastone weapons too!?"
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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