By the time Amine returned to the Going Merry, the ship was already docking at the port of Nanohana. The heat was like a physical weight, pressing down on the crew. But the heat wasn't natural. Amine could see 'Red Pixels' vibrating in the air—a sign of forced dehydration.
"Luffy! Stay alert!" Amine shouted, but Luffy was already running toward a food stall, completely oblivious to the danger.
Suddenly, the sand beneath the port began to swirl. A massive silhouette formed—a man made of golden sand, with a hook that shined like a predator's tooth. Sir Crocodile. But something was wrong. Crocodile didn't look like the version Amine remembered. His eyes were glowing with a digital red light, and his hook was dripping with 'Eraser Ink'.
"The Prophet has arrived," Crocodile's voice boomed, turning the air into a sandstorm. "The Editor told me you'd be coming. He told me that if I delete you, I'll be given the power to 'Edit' this world myself. I won't just be a King, Amine. I'll be an Author."
Amine grabbed his stylus and drew a massive 'Water Barrier' around the crew, but the sand didn't turn into mud. It just absorbed the ink.
[System Alert: Enemy Boss has been granted 'Admin Privileges' for this Arc.]
"He's cheating!" Usopp screamed, holding onto the mast. "Amine, your drawings aren't working!"
Amine gritted his teeth, the sweat pouring down his face. "If he has Admin Privileges, I need to hack the system. Nami! Remember what I taught you! Use the 'Ink Cyclone'!"
Amine didn't just draw for himself this time. He drew a 'Link' between his system and the entire crew. For the first time, everyone saw the world as he did—a world of lines and layers.
"Everyone!" Amine roared over the storm. "We're not just fighting a pirate. We're fighting for the right to our own story! Luffy, don't just punch the sand—punch the code!"