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The long, narrow road stretched from the peak of the mountain down to its base, weaving through the lush greenery and rocky outcrops that dotted the landscape.
This was no ordinary road, carved meticulously through centuries of wear, use, and nature's force, yet it retained a sense of ancient dignity.
Below, the sprawling port city of Nanohana spread out in all its sun-drenched splendour, bathed in the golden light of late morning.
The port shimmered, and from the palace halfway up the mountain, they could already make out their ships.
The Tempest, a trusted vessel that had seen many adventures, was quietly docked at the port.
Though sturdy and reliable, it looked rather small compared to some of the larger merchant vessels and warships anchored nearby.
Its presence, however, was enough to stir something in the hearts of Anos's crew.
Here in Alabasta, it seemed out of place too small for the grand port and too modest in comparison to the Alabasta Kingdom's magnificent ships.
Yet, this ship carried with it stories, battles, and the lives of the people who called it home.
Anos, standing with his hands behind his back, took in the view. His gaze swept over the port, lingering momentarily on the pirate ships that were still docked there.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing something odd. These ships, which they had seen the previous evening upon their arrival, remained undisturbed.
No soldiers were attempting to confront the pirates, no alarms had been raised, and the people of Nanohana moved about their business without the usual panic or dread that followed the presence of pirates.
"Strange..." Anos muttered under his breath.
Although Alabasta's military wasn't the most formidable in the world, it was certainly nothing to scoff at.
In Tru Kingdom, such open defiance, the brazen docking of pirate ships flying their flags, would never be allowed.
It would be considered a blatant act of provocation a challenge to the kingdom's sovereignty.
The very sight of pirate flags fluttering in the wind would send shockwaves through Tru Kingdom, spurring action from the highest levels of authority.
But here, in the bustling port of Nanohana, not a single soldier stood guard near the ships.
Daiki, who had been silent, noticed Anos's discomfort. "They're not worried," he said, breaking the silence. "These pirates… it's as though they've been permitted to dock here. It's unusual."
"Indeed," Anos replied, his voice low. "If this were Logue Town or any port within the Tru Kingdom, they would have been dealt with by now. But Alabasta... perhaps the kingdom has other priorities."
He turned his attention back to Abby. The familiarity of the ship brought a fleeting sense of comfort, though that quickly dissipated when a crew member came rushing towards them as they boarded.
"Your Majesty," the crew member called, his voice thick with anxiety, "Barlow hasn't returned since he left yesterday!"
The urgency in his tone immediately put Anos on alert. He straightened up, eyes narrowing. "What do you mean? He hasn't returned? What about others?"
"Neither of them has come back," the man said, visibly distressed. "They went to purchase supplies yesterday, and when we woke up this morning, they were still missing. We've been trying to reach them, but there's been no response. The crew is worried, Your Majesty."
The news set a ripple of unease through the crew. Anos frowned, his mind already racing.
Barlow had been with him for more than half a year, a capable navigator and trusted companion.
This wasn't like him. Alabasta was a peaceful kingdom, and while the land was foreign to them, it was not hostile. Or at least, it shouldn't have been.
"Why wasn't I informed earlier?" Anos asked, his tone sharp, mirroring the tension rising within the group.
"I-I'm sorry," the crew member stammered, "we thought they'd return by morning, but now…"
Anos exhaled deeply, calming himself. He couldn't allow fear to cloud his judgment. "Chris," he addressed another crew member, "did you contact them via Den Den Mushi?"
"I did, Your Majesty," Chris replied, his voice tense. "There's been no contact since early morning. I'm not sure what's happened."
Anos closed his eyes for a moment, letting the breeze from the sea wash over him.
He could feel the weight of leadership, the responsibility for every single person aboard the Abby.
Barlow and others were valuable members of his crew if something had happened to them, it would reflect poorly on his ability to protect his own. It was not a situation he would tolerate lightly.
"I'll take a carriage to Alubarna," Anos finally said, his voice cutting through the rising chatter of the crew. "Stay here and continue searching for them. Do not rest until they are found. If you uncover anything suspicious, report it to me immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the crew replied in unison, though their uncertainty was palpable.
The last thing Anos needed was discontent or panic spreading among his Subordinates.
He had to remain composed, a pillar of strength, even as his worry simmered beneath the surface.
"Your Majesty, let me send some men to search as well," Igaram offered. "We cannot allow the navigator and your crew to go missing without any reason. We can handle this quietly."
Anos shook his head. "No need, Igaram. Without the navigator, we'll take a carriage to Alubarna ourselves. I'll need you with me to navigate the political landscape."
Igaram gave a curt nod, understanding that this was more than just a search for missing crew members.
Alabasta was an ally, but any sign of weakness or failure to protect his crew could be exploited by enemies.
Vivi, who had been standing nearby, spoke up. "King Anos, perhaps it's best if we wait here a little longer. They may return on their own. My father wouldn't mind if we were delayed a bit."
Anos gave her a small, strained smile. "It's not just about keeping appointments, Princess. Agreements between our kingdoms are more than just formalities they are bonds of trust. If I falter now, it won't just reflect on me but on Tru Kingdom itself."
Vivi looked thoughtful, then nodded in understanding. "I see. My father has always valued those bonds too."
Anos turned to Daiki. "Stay behind and manage the search. We must find Barlow, and if something has happened to him, I need you to deal with it swiftly and discreetly."
"Understood," Daiki replied. "We'll use Haki to scan the area. If they're still within the city, we'll find them."
"Good," Anos said, stepping off the ship. "I want Barlow found before we return."
As they disembarked, Anos couldn't shake the growing feeling that something was amiss. His instincts, honed over years of navigating the dangerous seas of the Grand Line, told him that this wasn't a simple disappearance.
If Barlow had encountered someone stronger and more dangerous, then Alabasta might not have been as peaceful as it seemed.
The heat of Alabasta beat down on them as they boarded the carriage.
Anos wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, trying to focus on the journey ahead.
He glanced over at Vivi, her serene face betraying no sign of the growing tension.
The white carriage, ornate and polished, trundled down the road, drawn by two majestic white horses.
The sun reflected off the iron frames, making the carriage gleam in the harsh light.
As they moved further from Nanohana and closer to Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta, the oppressive heat became ever more difficult to ignore.
Yet, for Anos, the discomfort of the heat paled in comparison to the weight of responsibility that hung over him.
Somewhere in this vast kingdom, Barlow was missing. And as much as Anos hated to admit it, his disappearance could mean far more than just a delay in their journey.
It could be the sign of something far worse lurking in the shadows of Alabasta.
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