Chapter 51: Alabasta – Rainbase Chaos & the Path to Crocodile
Vivi pointed north and told everyone: "Crocodile is currently in Rainbase's oasis, north of Yuba."
When Luffy muttered, "It'd be great if we could just sail there," Vivi suddenly had an idea and led the group back to Yuba.
With Toto's help, they found a sand sailboat—a special vehicle that glided across the desert using wind power.
"Woo-hoo—! Sol, go faster!" Luffy stood at the bow shouting excitedly, his straw hat flapping wildly in the wind.
"Charge charge charge! Go Sol!" Usopp and Chopper hugged each other, cheering along.
The others clung desperately to the railings, feeling the thrilling rush as the sandboat sped across the desert. With Sol continuously releasing hurricanes from the stern, the boat flew forward at astonishing speed.
Thanks to Sol's power, the group soon reached Rainbase—the dream city of the desert.
Just as they prepared to disembark, Usopp mysteriously pulled out a strangely shaped weapon: "Nami, this is for you! I made it back when Sol took you to see the doctor and forgot to give it to you."
"What is this…?" Nami took the Clima-Tact curiously, examined it, then hid it behind her back along with the hanging treasure box.
Zoro suddenly frowned and asked: "Vivi, does Baroque Works know we're in this country?"
"…They probably do." Vivi thought for a moment before answering firmly. "When we returned, we ran into Mr. 2 again. He'll definitely report back."
"What happens if they report?" Luffy tilted his head.
"Idiot! If we're discovered, we'll be hunted down!" Usopp cried out in terror, clutching his head.
"No—it'll be assassination," Zoro corrected calmly. "That's their specialty."
"Who's Mr. 2?" Nami raised her hand to ask. She, Sol, and Chopper had rejoined the group later.
Vivi briefly explained their encounter with Mr. 2. Nami and the other two finally understood: "No wonder your hands are bandaged… so that's what happened."
"So… the three of us aren't on their list?" Nami's eyes lit up. "Great! That makes moving around much easier!"
"Hey hey! Nami, that's way too cunning!" Usopp wailed.
Nami winked playfully: "Rest in peace, Mr. Usopp, soon to be assassinated~"
"Nooooo—!"
Amid the noisy chaos, the group finally stepped into Rainbase—the bustling dream capital of Alabasta, Crocodile's headquarters, and the only prosperous city untouched by drought and civil war. The streets were crowded, casino noises echoed from afar—a stark contrast to the desolation they'd seen along the way.
Inside a tavern in Rainbase, Tashigi sipped iced juice and adjusted her glasses: "Captain Smoker, why are you so sure the Straw Hats will come to Rainbase?"
Smoker stared at the ice cubes in his glass, cigar smoke curling around him: "Instinct. This country's situation is too abnormal…" He frowned deeply. "It's like an invisible hand is controlling everything."
"Do you suspect Crocodile is connected to that criminal organization?" Tashigi asked in a hushed voice.
"Not certain." Smoker furrowed his brows. "We haven't even confirmed the relationship between the Straw Hats and the princess. Right now, we can only wait for them to make the first move…"
At that moment, loud banging came from the bar counter: "Boss lady! Five extra-large cups of ice water!" Luffy and Usopp shouted in hoarse voices. The two groups were close enough to touch yet hadn't noticed each other.
When the owner brought out two huge buckets of ice water, Luffy and Usopp immediately plunged their heads in and guzzled. After shouting so much while sand-sailing in the desert, their throats were practically on fire.
"So good! Water in the desert is literally the source of life!" Luffy threw his head back, water dripping down his chin. Usopp mumbled agreement through a full mouth: "Hurry up and finish so we can buy supplies…"
The familiar voices made Smoker whip around. Their eyes met in midair. Usopp spat a mouthful of water right into Smoker's and Tashigi's faces, then grabbed Luffy and the remaining three buckets and bolted out the door.
"Straw Hat!!" Smoker wiped his face and roared, chasing after them. Tashigi frantically paid the bill and rallied the Marines.
Meanwhile, on another street shaded by palm trees, Nami and the others were resting.
"Is it really okay to let those two idiots buy water?" Sanji asked worriedly, blowing a smoke ring.
"Don't worry—even idiots can buy things," Nami said nonchalantly.
Zoro crossed his arms: "Really? I've got a feeling they'll bring back some 'surprise'…"
Before he finished speaking, distant chaotic footsteps and Luffy and Usopp's shouting rang out: "Marines are coming!" Luffy and Usopp came running with water buckets, smoke and dust billowing behind them—Smoker and a large group of Marines in hot pursuit.
"These two idiots!!" Nami clutched her head in despair. "Tell them not to run this way!"
Vivi counted heads and realized: "Sol and Chopper went to the bathroom and haven't come back…"
"Forget it," Zoro stood up, hand on his sword. "Sol will take care of Chopper."
When Luffy and the others reached them, Usopp was still shouting while clutching the buckets: "Marines are here! Run!"
Nami ran for her life while crying: "This is all your fault!!"
Smoker fumed from behind: "Those bastards run pretty fast!"
Usopp suddenly realized in panic: "Oh no! This is going to expose us right under Baroque Works' nose!"
Zoro sharply noticed figures flashing at building windows: "Too late!"
Luffy decided to split up and escape the Marines. "Vivi—where's Crocodile?" Vivi pointed to the tallest building. "There. Everyone sees the building with the crocodile roof, right? That's Crocodile's casino—Rain Dinners."
"Then let's meet there later," Luffy suddenly leaped onto a rooftop at the critical moment: "Come chase me, Smoky!" He deliberately taunted, buying time for his crew to escape.
"Arrogant brat!" Smoker's arms turned into spiraling smoke. "White Vine!"
"Rubber Balloon!" Luffy instantly inflated his body to break free, using the rebound to land precisely in a nearby stable alley and vanish.
On the other side, Zoro stayed behind to cover Vivi's escape. Blade flashes cut down Marines like wheat. But when Tashigi appeared with her sword, his expression changed drastically—that face identical to Kuina's made him unable to draw his blade. He retreated in embarrassment.
Sanji also stayed to block pursuers: "That smoky guy isn't here—you're out of luck!" His elegant kicks sent enemies flying instantly.
After shaking off their pursuers, Usopp and Nami ran into a Baroque Works assassin ambush. When Nami realized the enemy was only targeting Usopp, she cleverly stepped aside: "Go for it, Long-Nose!"
"Hey! That's heartless!" Usopp suddenly remembered he was now a Devil Fruit user. He turned, pulled out his slingshot: "Sure-Kill: Scatter Lead Star!" A sky full of lead bullets triggered chain explosions, blasting the enemies away.
When the smoke cleared, Nami had somehow appeared again, enthusiastically patting Usopp's shoulder: "We make such a great team!"
"Stop it! You were clearly just watching! I was fighting alone!!" Usopp's complaint echoed across Rainbase's streets.
Meanwhile, in a quiet alley, Sol was leisurely strolling with Chopper in his arms. Both held cold drinks.
"Sol… aren't we lost? Won't Nami and the others worry?" Chopper asked anxiously.
"No problem," Sol smiled. "I can sense their presence."
"But…" He looked toward the casino. "Let them cause some chaos first."
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