Hey guys, how have y'all been?
Just wanted to say that the chapter upload may get inconsistent starting from this week, due to my school starting. Yep, it shucks, doesn't it.
It may become as slow as three chapters per week, but we will have to see how it goes.
Annnd about heading to Alabasta, I've thought of a way to avoid going there. However, it seems impossible... due to the following reasons.
1. Luffy's entry into the Grand Line is... going to be complicated. Recruiting Zoro will probably go as same as the canon, even without the Alvida pirates; there were the marines nearby who attacked the pirates. They will pick up Luffy and bring him to their base, where Morgan is about to execute Zoro.
2. However, Nami formed her own crew with Nojiko. Without a proper navigator in the crew, and with Luffy and Zoro together, I... can't imagine what would happen. Up until Orange town will be fine, but what about after that?
3. How about Usopp then? I personally think he will survive even without Luffy's help. After Rowan's visit, he realized that his island is not as safe as he believed. He woke up. He will train himself and hone his skills. Who knows? He may be able to defeat Kuro by himself, who hasn't fought for quite some time; he is the son of Yasopp after all.
4. For Sanji, there is no issue at all. Don Krieg was defeated long time ago. He just cooks while occasionally shivering from his experience with Newkama.
5. All these sequences lead to one outcome: Crocodile obtains Pluton. Let's say Crocodile is defeated after he gained Pluton. The whole Alabasta Kingdom is destroyed. Vivi dies. Robin dies. The Pluton ends up in the hands of the World Government. Yeah, that's... wow. There is no way Rowan and his crew can survive in such turmoil.
Due to this reason, I had no choice but to turn the ship, to prevent Crocodile before he achieves his primary goal.
However, do not worry! I am going to try the events as natural as possible; do look forward to the future chapters!