Morning...
The Strawhats returned back to Going Merry.
Luke noticed that their mood seems different than before. They probably experienced some drama in that Town.
He later learned that the rebel group were moved to a place called Katorea near Nanohana. It will take them a whole day of travel just to reach the place.
Katorea and Nanohana were located at the far south of Alubarna, Capital of Alabasta.
Vivi wanted to go back to Katorea and persuade the rebels and stop their advance to the capital. She has to, since the leader of that rebel group has a close connection with her.
Luffy has another plan of his own. He wanted to directly go to north where Rainbase is located and also the base of the Warlord Crocodile.
He already knew the problem of Alabasta when they have reached the ruins of Erumalu. His only aim right now is to defeat Crocodile and kick him out of this kingdom.
Vivi and Luffy contradict one another.
Vivi doesn't want anyone to suffer more. She will do her best in order to stop the rebellion from clashing towards the royal guards.
Luffy seems to stick on his own views that people dies. In order to achieve freedom, they should fight with their life on the line.
"Why not we do this? Nami will escort Vivi back to Katorea while we exterminate all Baroque Work agents in Rainbase and defeat Crocodile. We arrived here earlier than expected. There's plenty of time to prevent this civil war to happen."
Luke stepped forward to stop their quarrel. He also sided on Vivi's belief. He doesn't like anyone to suffer more injustice.
Majority of the residents of Alabasta Kingdom are innocent and peacefully living while having a strong faith with their benevolent king.
Why suffer when he can change everything now that he has the power to save everyone?
"Remember Vivi, we are your friends. Your injustice is now our business. Stay strong. We'll liberate this kingdom from the manipulation of Baroque Work Organization.." Luke patted Vivi's head.
The Strawhats smiled at Vivi. They indeed treated Vivi as one of their own in these past few days with their interaction.
Vivi nodded her head as she bit her lip just to prevent herself from crying.
"It's decided then! Set course to Rainbase!" Luffy was all fired up. He couldn't wait to beat the shit out of Crocodile.
Vivi rode her cloud with Nami. Their destination is Katorea to stop the rebels. With the fast speed of the cloud, the two will arrive there before noon.
Before Nami left, she flinched when Luke talk to her via telepathy. Although surprised, she received his instructions loud and clear. She got alarmed by the information though.
Meamwhile, Tashigi found a valuable information after the discussions of the Strawhats. Vivi turned out to be a Royal Princess of Alabasta.
She knew Crocodile. How could these Strawhats dared to say they will defeat this Warlord openly? Where did their confidence came from?
...
On a carriage pulled by a fast moving giant turtle...
Lieutenant Smoker, Warlord Crocodile, Vice Admiral Kamikaze, three CP-0 agents and a man crossing his arms are heading towards Yuba.
That man with arms crossed was Marine Admiral Sakazuki or famously known as Admiral Akainu.
He was incredibly tall, light-skinned, unusually muscular man. He's about as tall as his fellow admirals at ten feet tall, with a square-shaped face, very pronounced facial features, and short black hair.
He usually wears a standard Marine cap and sports a crimson, double-breasted suit, decorated with what appears to be a pink rose on his left buttonhole. Unlike many high-ranking Marines, he does not wear a tie, but instead leaves his light red colored flower-patterned shirt unbuttoned, showing his muscular neck and part of his tattoo. He wears black gloves and black shoes.
Crocodile wanted that Yuba Oasis to be their battleground while eliminating the Strawhats and destroy this place into ruins at the same time. It will be like a two birds with one stone to his favour.
Admiral Akainu has been going busy these past few days because of the turmoil of the New World.
Big Mom's disappearance caused more pirate group to form which gave him more headache than ever.
Just a few days ago, the Five Elders secretly contacted him to execute an important mission.
He wanted to decline at first. However, when he got to know the content of his mission, he became furious and accepted it without hesitation.
The Five Elders are going to crown a newbie pirate group to be the new Emperor of the Seas. Only a condition that this newbie pirate group can defeat a Marine Admiral to be qualified of that prestigious title.
Akainu has a strong prejudice against pirates. He kill one if he sees one. He kill thousands if he sees thousands. He never showed mercy towards these filthy dregs of this world.
He knew how important it is to have an Emperor of the Seas. It is to maintain the balance between both pirates and marines alike.
With so many rising pirate group emerging these past few months, they will indeed need another Emperor to calm the seas.
However, he cannot accept it when a newbie pirate group has become the candidate for this title. He will surely annihilate whoever it is that caught the attention of the Five Elders.
"Strawhat Pirates are here!" Smoker was surprised when he saw the floating ship of the Strawhats. He didn't know how a ship can float in the desert but he knew these Strawhats are out of ordinary.
Usopp also informed the Strawhats when he saw the familiar face of Smoker. He remembered the marine of their first encounter at Nanohana.
Both ride stopped at 200 meters distance.
"Looks like your new boyfriend is doing his best to save you." Luke squinted his eyes at Tashigi.
"We should probably left her here and proceed to face off Crocodile. We have no time on dealing with the marines right now." Zoro commented on the side.
"T-That's Warlord Crocodile and also the boss of Baroque Work Organization!" Igaram immediately recognized the target after exiting the carriage.
"Crocodile?" Luffy's eyes sharpened. This is the man who caused the injustice of Alabasta for three years straight.
"That's Vice Admiral Kamikaze of the HQ!" Tashigi took a deep breath when he recognized the samurai looking guy.
Luke got also surprised when he saw this man. Things are looking a bit tricky now. He didn't expect this man to pop in this world too.
"Tho- Those are Cipher Pol agents! What the hell is going on!?" Tashigi felt her knees go weak from this line up. Why would such high ranking officials appeared to such a place? Who are their targets? Could it be...!
She then glanced at Luffy and the Strawhats. How did the Strawhats offend the World Government?
Even Luke felt something was off. Although Cipher Pol agents aren't that strong individuals, they are connected directly with World Government. Their control spreads all over the world. If the Strawhats did offend these-
He then recalled Ulquiorra and Grimmjow. Could it be that those two came from the World Government?
Before Luke could process things more, he heard Tashigi shrieked.
"A-Admiral Sakazuki!" Tashigi said in horror while taking a few steps back as her body was shaking in fear.
The Strawhats were greatly alarmed by this news.
A Marine Admiral is personally dealing with them!
Luffy didn't give a shit about the enemy's line up. He was glaring at Crocodile with anger written on his face.
Usopp and Chopper hugged in fear when they realized they were facing a powerful Marine Admiral.
Zoro and Sanji felt the rushing battle intent through their blood.
Yosaku and Johnny were shaking in excitement and fear. They didn't know what to do.
Luke coldly narrowed his eyes at the enemy. Since Luffy is set on Crocodile, he will be the one to command the crew.
"Listen up! We have powerful enemies ahead!"
"Luffy will take on Crocodile."
"Zoro, Yosaku and Johnny will take on that Vice Admiral."
"Sanji, keep an eye on that samurai lady's boyfriend."
"Usopp and Chopper, protect Merry."
"Igaram, Mr. 9 and Ms. Monday, keep an eye to the three white cloaked men."
"That Admiral is mine to take." Luke finished distributing the task.
"This... Will you be fine while moving around to fight? That Admiral looks intimidating..." Liz approached Luke with worry plastered on her face.
"I am the Vice Captain of the Future Pirate King. A mere Admiral is nothing to me." Luke boldly declared while grinning to the enemies.
"OOOOUH!! That's our big bro Vice Captain!!" Yosaku and Johnny let out a war cry which hyped every Strawhats.
Usopp and Chopper stared at Luke with sparkling stars on their eyes.
Zoro and Sanji took a deep breath while getting proud being part of the Strawhats. They then smiled while getting fired up.
Luffy also grinned while focusing his attention on Crocodile. He longed for a battle in a long time. This is the best place for him to let out some steam.
...
Crocodile glared at the Strawhats. Last night, he made an adjustments to his plan. Today, all of his men moved out to execute his commands through the remaining officer agents. The war will ignite sooner than he expected.
"They have a unique ship that can travel fast in the desert. We have to destroy it first before we eliminate them. However, it's a bit far for us." Kamikaze commented.
"Then I'll destroy them all at once!" Akainu's right arm suddenly bloated with boiling hot lava. He then punched the sky with force.
Great Eruption!
BOOM!!!