"It's here, Lord Hashirama Senju."
In this life, because of Roy, the fish-man Arlong had been dealt with early on, and she had a happy childhood, but in the end, influenced by Luffy, she went out to sea and became a pirate.
Hashirama Senju looked at the spot Nami pointed out, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
"Ha ha ha ha, so it was over there, thank you, youngsters."
His laughter was hearty and unrestrained, completely unlike the cold and ruthless figure of legend.
Before leaving, Hashirama Senju gave the Straw Hat Pirates a deep look, sensing the vitality and unique aura emanating from this group.
Although they were young, they held firm convictions, which made him take a strong interest in them.
"Youngsters, you're quite impressive. I hope we have a chance to meet again."
With that, Hashirama Senju turned and strode briskly off the beach, heading toward his destination.
The Straw Hat Pirates' crew stood in place, watching Hashirama Senju's figure gradually fade into the distance.
Usopp collapsed onto the sand like a puddle of mud, gasping for breath, while Zoro and Sanji also relaxed their tense bodies in turn, letting out long sighs.
Luffy looked at their reactions with a puzzled expression and asked, "Who was that guy anyway? Is he famous?"
Zoro rolled his eyes helplessly, Sanji also looked speechless, and Nami could no longer hold back, lightly punching Luffy on the head as she snapped, "Don't you read the newspapers?"
Luffy rubbed his head, looking innocent. "I really don't read them."
He had no idea how close they had just come to such a terrifying figure.
"What a scary guy." Chopper hid in a corner, his small body trembling.
His instincts told him that Hashirama Senju's strength was as vast and unfathomable as the sky.
Usopp struggled to get up and pulled a newspaper from the pile, handing it to Luffy. "Look at this."
The headline of the newspaper read: "The Most Heinous Criminal, Fifth Emperor of the Seas — Hashirama Senju."
Luffy's eyes widened as he compared the photo in the paper with the old man they had just met, then burst out laughing: "Hmm, he seems pretty strong. Hey, this guy looks just like that old man from earlier."
Nami punched Luffy on the head again, this time a bit harder, clearly exasperated by his ignorance. "You idiot, that was him!"
Luffy finally understood, his mouth hanging open. "Ah? That was him? So cool!"
His eyes sparkled with excitement, thrilled to have encountered such a figure.
Nami gave Luffy a frustrated look and warned, "You almost got us all killed. If someone like that really wanted to hurt us, it would be like squashing a bug."
Zoro frowned, lost in thought. "What would a big shot like that be doing here?"
The Straw Hat Pirates gathered together but couldn't come up with any answers.
...
On the other end of Alabasta, Crocodile sat in his stronghold, tapping his fingers on the armrest, his eyes full of deep thought and wariness.
He had already received shocking news: the Fifth Emperor of the Seas, Hashirama Senju, and the Marine Admiral, Kizaru, were about to arrive in Alabasta.
"How could both a pirate and a Marine of this caliber be coming to this tiny place like Alabasta?"
Crocodile was filled with doubt. His brows furrowed as he tried to figure out the reason.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind: "Could it be because of Pluton?"
Crocodile lifted his head sharply, a flicker of caution in his eyes.
Ever since his defeat by Whitebeard, his mindset had changed drastically.
He was no longer content to drift across the seas as an ordinary pirate and had begun pursuing greater power, aspiring to conquer the world.
His spirit had been crushed, leading him to believe that human strength alone was insufficient, and that he needed to rely on ancient weapons.
Pluton, the legendary ancient weapon, was the key to achieving that ambition.
"I've recently located where Pluton is. Just give me a little more time, and I'll find it."
Crocodile muttered to himself, a hint of anger in his voice.
He recalled how Kizaru had secretly warned him about Alabasta back then; he had been just one step away from overthrowing Alabasta's throne, only to be thwarted by Kizaru's interference.
"No matter who it is, no one will stop me from obtaining Pluton."
Crocodile's voice was low and fierce, his fists clenched.
He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed out at the distant desert.
The vast desert of Alabasta seemed to transform into a battlefield in his eyes, and he was the master of this war.
Crocodile knew that the arrival of Hashirama Senju and Kizaru would undoubtedly add many variables to his plan.
But he also understood that only by acquiring Pluton could he truly achieve his ambition.
Therefore, no matter how great the difficulties or challenges, he would not give up.
...
Inside Alabasta's royal palace, Princess Vivi was eagerly preparing for Roy's arrival.
Her emotions were a mixture of excitement and complexity, her thoughts drifting back to eight years ago.
Back then, she had accompanied her father, Cobra, to the World Conference.
During the conference, Wapol, angry at being publicly rebuked by Cobra, deliberately bumped into Vivi and slapped her hard.
But just when Vivi felt helpless and humiliated, Roy, who was then a Marine Vice Admiral, stepped forward.
He not only defended Vivi but also disciplined Wapol.
In that moment, Roy was deeply etched into Vivi's heart, becoming an unforgettable memory for her over the years.
As time passed, Vivi's gratitude and admiration for Roy gradually turned into a subtle affection.
Roy was not only a trustworthy friend but also a strong protector for her and her country.
Over the years, Roy had indeed quietly looked after Alabasta, even giving a warning to the Warlord Crocodile.
Now, upon hearing that Roy was about to arrive in Alabasta, her heart was filled with joy and anticipation.
This meeting was not just a reunion but also a precious chance to express her true feelings.
She dressed carefully, hoping to appear before Roy in her best light, showing him how she had grown and changed over the years.
"We'll finally meet again." Vivi spoke softly to her reflection in the mirror, a glimmer of anticipation shining in her eyes. She knew she had waited far too long for this moment.
As she picked out her outfit, she kept examining her accessories.
***