The captured minions were all sent to the sandy fields to harvest rice, a fitting use for them.
"With this grain and the stored water, the people of Erumalu will be able to get through this difficult year," Ryuuto remarked, looking at the warehouse, now filled to the brim with rice.
"Yeah! This place has changed so much since we arrived. I still remember when we were outside the city, all we saw were the bodies of the starved," Nami added, standing behind Ryuuto with her hands on her hips.
"It's all thanks to you, Captain!" Crocus agreed, standing up from the steps by the door and walking over.
"It's time for us to leave," Ryuuto said in a low voice, taking the map Nami had just handed him. "Next stop, Yuba!"
Just as the three of them finished packing and were about to climb onto their Moving Crab, a large group of Erumalu residents gathered before them. They had heard that Ryuuto was continuing his journey to save the people of Alabasta and wanted to lend their strength, to join him on his quest.
"Captain, we all want to go with you!"
"That's right, Captain!"
"We want to do our part for our country!"
Their voices rose in a chorus. Ryuuto looked at the crowd, seeing the earnest plea and unwavering determination in their eyes. He had no reason to refuse.
But... moving so many people at once was a problem.
Just as Ryuuto was about to speak, a traveling merchant stepped out from the crowd. "Captain, I know what you're worried about. I have more than ten Moving Crabs with me. Transportation won't be a problem at all!"
The merchant, whose name was Darola, had originally come from Nanohana with a large supply of water, hoping to save the residents here. He had arrived a step too late; by the time he got there, Erumalu already had all the water it needed. Darola had witnessed the contributions Ryuuto and his crew made for the town, and a deep, sincere admiration for the captain had taken root in his heart. This was the result.
"Alright, then let's set out!" Seeing that all arrangements were in place, Ryuuto waved his hand and declared to the crowd.
"The captain is so reckless!" Nami said with a helpless sigh, watching the scene unfold. Traveling through the desert with so many people would not only require a massive amount of food and supplies but also make them an easy target for Baroque Works.
"Hahahahaha!" Crocus simply laughed heartily and followed Ryuuto's lead.
And so, the large group set off with great momentum.
After leaving Erumalu, they journeyed back into the desert. The landscape once again turned to a uniform yellow, with sand filling the sky. Fortunately, the large carriages on the backs of the Moving Crabs allowed everyone to take shelter from the scorching desert sun.
The journey was tedious, but with Nami around, Ryuuto and the others always encountered some unexpected good fortune. A lost camel, for instance, had now become part of their caravan. A towering cactus turned out to be a decent source of food. Nami truly was a goddess of luck.
"Captain, Yuba is just ahead!" Nami called out to Ryuuto, holding the map and looking at the faint outlines of buildings in the distance.
"Let's pick up the pace and get there before nightfall!" Ryuuto rose from his seated meditation and came outside, gazing into the distance before replying to Nami.
"Got it!" Nami acknowledged, then turned and shouted to the caravan behind them, "Everyone, keep up!"
A short while later, they arrived in Yuba.
The town was in a dilapidated state. Hearing the commotion outside, only a few dust-covered old folks came out to look. After asking around, Ryuuto and his crew learned that only the elderly remained in this town. Battered by drought and sandstorms, the place was nearly a ruin. Only a few dozen old men and women, too frail to leave, remained, waiting for the oasis to be reborn. This place was a reflection of Alabasta's deepest suffering. Ryuuto wondered if, without his arrival, these elders would have ever lived to see that day.
Seeing the state of the town, Nami's eyes began to redden.
"Go and bring the water and grain," Ryuuto commanded the group with a sigh. "The rest of you, follow me!"
"Right!" The others, their faces filled with pity, silently brought the supplies to the elders.
Ryuuto then went to the outskirts of town and repeated the process from Erumalu. Rain summoning! Sowing seeds!
This time, however, was different. Ryuuto marked out an area of 1000 by 1000 meters and began to use his Rain-Summoning skill. At the [Proficient] level, he could not only control the range of the downpour but also drastically increase its volume. With this one watering, the super-rice seeds he planted would be ready for harvest in just three days. This, along with a sufficient supply of water, was Ryuuto's gift to the steadfast elders of Yuba.
With everything settled, the group rested in Yuba for one night before continuing their journey. At dawn, they set out towards Tamarisk.
Tamarisk was a town filled with giant cacti. Being closer to Alubarna, it benefited from the effects of Dance Powder, with rainfall so constant that it was like a true oasis in the desert.
After several days of travel, Ryuuto and the others stood atop their Moving Crabs and saw it in the distance—a small city atop a lush oasis, surrounded by giant cacti.
"We're about to reach Tamarisk!" Ryuuto called back to the group as he flew through the air, observing the bustling scenes within the town.
"We're finally here!"
"I can't believe there's still an oasis here!"
"Damn it!"
"Why hasn't the rainfall been affected over here by the capital? Did they use all the Dance Powder for themselves?!" the people on the Moving Crabs shouted in anger, their fists clenched. Seeing Tamarisk, a vibrant green jewel in the desert, it was no wonder they felt this way. After experiencing the despair of a waterless existence, seeing such a different scene so near the capital inevitably stirred up resentment towards the kingdom.
Ryuuto fell silent upon hearing their words. Crocodile's scheme was, without a doubt, a success.
"Captain, how could the king of Alabasta do something like this?" Nami asked, her voice laced with anger after hearing the public outcry.
"This is all part of Baroque Works' conspiracy," Ryuuto replied grimly. "Let's go. We should head into town."
As their Moving Crabs entered Tamarisk, Ryuuto saw a woman dressed entirely in red, shouting to the crowd.
"You can be your own heroes! Fight! Seize your own destiny!"
The woman had purple hair, a cigarette dangling from her lips, and a red flag held high in her hand. Clad in her striking red outfit, she exuded an incredibly infectious spirit.