In Alabasta, the heavy rain poured down endlessly.
Smoker and Hina stood silently in the downpour, staring at Crocodile's lifeless body on the ground, now reduced to only half of its former self.
"Burns, severe burns... It's as if everything that comes into contact with the flame is instantly vaporized."
Hina observed the remains of Crocodile, muttering in disbelief.
"Portgas D. Ace..."
Smoker gritted his teeth and growled the name.
"It's hard to believe he managed to knock you unconscious with just his Conqueror's Haki, and then went on to kill Crocodile... a Shichibukai!" Hina said, shocked.
She then glanced around and pointed at the surroundings.
"Look at this place."
Despite the relentless rain, the ground around them still emitted intense heat, and thick white smoke continued to rise into the sky. The area where they stood was visibly sunken, as if the land itself had evaporated.
What caught Hina's attention the most was the small patches of green sprouting from the sand, seemingly emerging after the devastation.
"Destruction followed by new life... It's as if the entire climate here has shifted. That man's abilities…"
Hina's expression grew solemn as she observed the radically transformed landscape.
"There are only a few individuals in the Marines who could create something like this."
"An awakening of Devil Fruit power... Even if it wasn't fully awakened, that man is on the verge of reaching such a level," Smoker said through clenched teeth.
As a Logia user himself, Smoker knew all too well the power of an awakened Devil Fruit. Once a Logia power awakens, it can permanently alter the climate of a place.
But Ace's power stemmed from the Mera-Mera no Mi, the Flame-Flame Fruit. If his fruit had truly awakened, the climate shouldn't look like this. Yet, even without awakening, Ace had brought himself dangerously close to that realm.
With such mastery of his Devil Fruit abilities and that overwhelming Conqueror's Haki...
Smoker's fists tightened, and he fell silent.
"Colonels Smoker, Hina!"
A group of Marines hurried through the rain, carrying several bodies.
"Hmm?"
Smoker and Hina turned toward them.
"These individuals were found in the desert. Two are known criminals with bounties: the Thorn-Thorn Fruit user, Poison Spider Sara, and the Clone-Clone Fruit user, Mr. 2, Bon Clay.
We also found this man, the infamous assassin from the West Blue, Daz Bones—Mr. 1."
Smoker's eyes narrowed upon seeing Daz Bones.
"They look dead, but these Devil Fruit users still had a faint breath left. Were they defeated by Portgas D. Ace's crew?" Hina speculated as she inspected their wounds.
Crunch.
The sound of Smoker biting down hard on his cigar made Hina glance at him in confusion.
Smoker's gaze darkened as he stared at the deep sword wounds on Mr. 1's body.
"Smoker, what's wrong?"
"It was caused by a swordsman..." Smoker muttered, fists trembling.
"Wait... Are you saying it was the female Marine officer who Portgas D. Ace took with him?" Hina asked, her eyes widening in realization.
Smoker remained silent, his expression growing even more grim.
The only swordsman aboard Ace's ship...
Why, Tashigi? Why would you choose to ally with a pirate?
And how could you defeat Daz Bones, someone even Smoker knew by reputation?
What in the world happened?
"We need to report this immediately. A Shichibukai has been killed. What happened here in Alabasta is beyond our capacity to handle," Hina said, after a brief pause.
Smoker stood in the rain for a long time, unmoving.
——
Though the rain persisted in Alabasta, Ace could see how much Vivi wanted to reunite with her father as soon as possible.
After quickly changing his clothes, Ace once again summoned the giant traveling crab. Even though Vivi kept insisting they wait for the rain to stop before returning to the capital, Ace and the others knew how she felt.
After infiltrating the massive criminal organization Baroque Works, fighting for her country, and enduring so much, she had finally lifted the weight of her burden. The longing to see her father and the people she loved was overwhelming.
The girls reassured Vivi that a little rain wouldn't be a problem.
Using the crab, they rushed toward Alabasta's royal capital at top speed.
——
In the capital, Ace and his companions were greeted with the warmest of welcomes.
"Father!"
Tears streamed down Vivi's face as she spotted Cobra, who stood in the rain with a kind smile.
"You've come back safely. That's all that matters," Cobra said, looking at his daughter with deep relief.
Turning to Ace, he added, "And you... Ace. You saved Alabasta. Please, accept my gratitude."
Cobra attempted to bow deeply, but Ace merely raised his right hand slightly, and Cobra found himself unable to bend forward, as if a mysterious force was holding him back.
"There's no need for that, uncle," Ace replied with a warm smile, subtly using his Conqueror's Haki.
Cobra froze for a moment, glancing at Vivi, whose face had turned red with embarrassment, and then he understood.
His expression became complicated, feeling as though the treasure of his household was being taken away.
"Welcome home, Princess Vivi!"
Chaka and Pell, loyal retainers who had watched over Vivi since childhood, smiled as they welcomed her.
"I'm back, Pell, Chaka..."
Vivi smiled back warmly.
"Oh, Vivi, look who's here!"
Cobra gestured behind him.
"Princess Vivi!"
"Igaram!"
Vivi's face lit up in surprise. Though she had already learned from Robin that Igaram was alive, actually seeing him filled her with joy.
"I had him return to the capital after hearing you'd landed in Alabasta," Robin said with a smile.
Igaram, however, was visibly stunned upon seeing Robin and immediately adopted a defensive stance.
"Don't worry, Igaram. She's one of us now, a companion," Vivi said, quickly waving her hands to calm him.
Igaram was speechless for a moment, glancing thoughtfully at Ace.
Companion? Us?
"Please, come inside. The banquet is ready," Cobra said warmly, stepping aside to invite them in.
"A banquet, huh? I'm looking forward to trying the Alabasta Palace's delicacies~" Ace's eyes lit up as he followed Cobra.
"Come on, everyone," Vivi urged, smiling at her friends.
"Oh, Vivi, by the way, where's your treasure room? I'd love a tour!" Nami asked excitedly.
"Let's eat first..." Vivi responded nervously, sweat trickling down her forehead. Nami's Bailey-shaped eyes made her hesitant to show the treasure room.
——
In the grand reception hall of the palace, Cobra sat at the head of the table and called out joyfully, "Welcome to Alabasta Palace! Please, enjoy yourselves."
The table was laden with a spread of Alabasta's finest dishes.
"Thank you for your hospitality. Let's eat," Ace said politely.
"Haha, don't be shy. You and your friends are Alabasta's greatest benefactors," Cobra replied warmly, his admiration for Ace growing.
But soon, Cobra's expression shifted to one of astonishment.
Ace was devouring the food and drink at an incredible pace. Having just fought Crocodile, Ace's body was ravenous for energy, and he consumed everything in sight. The food was rapidly digested, fueling Ace's already impressive physique as it continued to grow even stronger.
Subsequently
"Boom!"
Ace collapsed directly onto the table.
"Ace?!" Cobra was immediately alarmed, fearing that remnants of the Baroque Works had poisoned the food. But his daughter Vivi gestured for him to remain calm. Then, the sound came.
"Hoo! Hoo!"
A faint snoring filled the room.
"Sleeping...?" Cobra, Chaka, Pell, and the others were utterly stunned. After a few minutes, as the energy in his body was nearly fully absorbed, Ace's eyes flickered open. Without missing a beat, he dove back into the feast, devouring more food.
"That's just how Ace is. We've gotten used to it." Vivi smiled, covering her lips with a hand.
Vivi, however, wasn't focused on the food. She rested her chin in her hands, smiling sweetly as she watched Ace continue to devour the dishes in front of him. That smile made Cobra's heart ache. His beloved daughter, his delicate flower, had been taken.
Meanwhile, in the palace kitchen:
"More food! Quickly!" Terracotta, the head chef, who bore a striking resemblance to her husband Igaram, rolled up her sleeves. "He really is the young man who saved Alabasta. What an appetite!"
Her voice echoed through the kitchen. She knew she had to make sure Alabasta's savior was well-fed. There was no room for failure. The kitchen sizzled and smoked as the cooking continued in full force.
Boom!
Finally, after Ace had completely replenished his energy, Terracotta collapsed into a chair, wiping the sweat from her brow. "As expected of the young man who saved Alabasta," she muttered breathlessly.
"I'm full," Ace said with a satisfied smile, wiping his mouth. He turned to Cobra, "Thank you for the meal."
"You... as long as you're satisfied," Cobra replied mechanically, watching the astonishing display of Ace's metabolism. He couldn't believe that despite the mountains of food Ace had eaten, his physique hadn't changed. In fact, he seemed even more toned.
Shaking his head, Cobra decided not to dwell on it and addressed Ace and his companions. "Ace, Nami, Kaya, Tashigi, Nojiko... I cannot express how grateful we are for your help. You've saved Alabasta."
His gratitude was heartfelt, though this time, he refrained from bowing. With Ace present, even if Cobra tried, he knew he wouldn't be able to follow through.
"No need for thanks. Vivi is one of us, after all," Nami said, raising her glass with a charming smile. "Although," she added slyly, "it would be nice if I could see the Kingdom's treasure room."
Cobra coughed, "Ahem! Is there anything else I can offer in return?"
Nami pouted, pretending not to hear his response.
"There is one thing, actually," Ace said with a smile, catching Cobra's attention.
"Please, anything," Cobra replied earnestly.
"Could I ask for my historian to examine the Poneglyph?" Ace gestured towards Robin with a knowing look. Robin, who had been quietly sipping tea, froze, her expression one of surprise.
"My historian...?" she thought to herself, staring at Ace.
"Poneglyph?" Cobra echoed, surprised, and glanced at Robin. Seeing her nod subtly, he hesitated but then answered, "If that's all, I suppose there's no harm. After all, if it's you…"
"She has no interest in Pluton or anything of that nature," Ace assured him. "She's only interested in understanding the history lost to time."
Cobra took a moment, processing Ace's words, and then stood. "Very well. Please, follow me."
Ace turned to his crew. "You girls, you should rest. Robin, Uncle King, let's go."
"Vivi, you sure you won't take me to that treasure room?" Nami teased, clinging to Vivi.
Kaya waved them off with a warm smile. "We'll wait for you here, Ace."
——
With a soft creak, the door to the Royal Mausoleum opened.
"This is where the Poneglyph has been kept, safeguarded by our family for generations," Cobra said solemnly.
"Let's go," Ace said to Robin, who was still in a daze.
Robin, with a complex expression, silently followed. As they moved through the dimly lit corridor, they finally came upon the ancient stone slab engraved with the mysterious script.
"The Poneglyph... It really is a Poneglyph!" Robin whispered in awe, her fingers trembling as she touched the ancient markings.
"Go ahead and read it. We'll take a break afterward," Ace said, leaning casually against a wall and yawning.
"You don't seem very interested in this Poneglyph," Cobra remarked curiously.
"Crocodile's been scheming for years, so this probably contains information about Pluton's location. That's not my concern. What I'm interested in is the Void Century," Ace explained, a grin playing at his lips.
"The Void Century?!" Cobra's eyes widened in shock.
Robin finished her reading and slowly stepped back, her face pale.
"What is it? Didn't find what you were looking for?" Ace teased.
Robin turned sharply, facing him.
Ace chuckled softly. "Welcome aboard, my historian. The sea is vast."
Robin's heart swelled with emotion. Ace's outstretched hand and gentle smile made her eyes sting with unexpected tears.
"Thank you, Captain," she said, placing her hand in his.
——
Later that night
The palace was quiet, the exhaustion of the day's battles settling in. Ace had already fallen into a deep slumber, replenishing his energy with the help of his Combat Turtle Breathing Technique.
The sound of cautious footsteps echoed in the hallway. Slowly, the door to Ace's room creaked open, and in the moonlight, long blue hair shimmered.