The Alabasta sun was a hammer.
It beat down on the port city of Nanohana. The air was so dry it felt like sandpaper scraping against their lungs.
Right now, the Straw Hat Pirates were running for their lives.
They had made a massive blunder. Mostly, it was their rubber-brained captain's fault. He had run headlong into a restaurant crawling with the enemy. Now, Nami, Sanji, Zoro, Usopp, and the others were sprinting like wild dogs.
They carried heavy desert supplies. They hauled barrels of food.
Behind them, a swarm of Marines shouted and fired their rifles. The narrow sandstone alleyways echoed with the clatter of military boots. They were being boxed in.
Zoro carried two massive crates on his shoulders. He carried them as if they weighed nothing.
Originally, he wanted to fight. He wanted to drop the crates, draw his three swords, and cut a path to the sea. The swordsman thrived on conflict. Running away left a sour taste in his mouth.
But then, he saw her.
Through the dust and the crowd, a certain female Marine officer commanded a squad. She had short hair. She wore glasses. She carried a named sword.
"Get back here, Roronoa Zoro!" Tashigi's voice pierced the chaos. Her blade gleamed in the harsh sunlight.
Zoro's bravado vanished. It evaporated completely.
He immediately turned tail. His face went pale. He sprinted twice as fast in the exact opposite direction. He didn't hesitate for a single second. He just desperately wanted to avoid the woman who looked and sounded exactly like his childhood rival.
"Keep moving! Don't slow down!" Zoro barked at the others.
"Why are we running from her?!" Usopp shrieked. His legs spun like windmill blades. "You're our fighter!"
"Just shut up and run!" Zoro snapped.
The chase grew frantic. The heat was suffocating.
The Marines were closing the distance. Their numbers were simply overwhelming. Worse still, terrifying gray clouds were rising over the rooftops behind them. Captain Smoker was coming.
They rounded the final corner leading to the hidden coastal inlet.
A squad of Marines stood blocking the path. They raised their rifles. They prepared to fire.
Suddenly, a man darted out from an alleyway.
He didn't draw a sword. He didn't pull a gun. He simply crouched low. The brim of an orange cowboy hat shadowed his eyes.
He swept his arm across the sandy street.
In an instant, roaring crimson flames wreathed his body.
A towering, superheated wall of fire erupted from the earth. It shot dozens of feet into the sky. The sheer thermal force sent a massive shockwave down the alley.
The Marines screeched to a halt. They shielded their faces. The blistering heat melted the cobblestones. An impenetrable barrier of pure fire blocked their path completely.
"What is this?!" a Marine commander yelled. "Where did this fire come from?!"
Luffy, Kai, and the rest of the crew didn't stick around to ask questions.
They used the distraction. They burst out of the city limits. They sprinted across the dunes. Finally, they reached the hidden cove and threw themselves onto the deck of the Going Merry.
The ship raised its anchor. They sailed out of the inlet, leaving the smoking port behind.
Only then did the crew collapse onto the grassy deck. They gasped for air.
"Those people were the Marines?" Chopper asked. His chest heaved violently.
He had just been chased by a military blockade for the very first time. He slumped against the mainmast. His cute blue nose twitched. His tongue stuck out. His furry face was pale with fright.
"That was terrifying! They had guns! And swords! And smoke!"
"Tch. Did a little running frighten you, Chopper?"
Usopp closed his eyes. He stuck his long nose pompously in the air. He placed a foot on the ship's rail. His knees were still shaking, but he found his bravado.
"It looks like it's time I told you a legendary story. Once, I, Captain Usopp, led my 8,000 valiant subordinates to fight 100,000 Marines! We were surrounded. The cannons roared like thunder. But I didn't even blink..."
"Eh?! Really?? Usopp, you're amazing!" Chopper gasped. His eyes went wide. He believed every single, exaggerated word.
"Those Marines from Loguetown actually chased us all the way to the Grand Line?!" Zoro grumbled. He interrupted the tall tale.
The swordsman let out a heavy sigh. He sat against the wooden railing. He wiped sweat from his brow. Tashigi was the one person he never wanted to face.
Meanwhile, Princess Vivi emerged from the lower cabins.
She held a hastily scribbled letter. She handed it to Karoo, her fiercely loyal giant riding duck. She instructed him to deliver it ahead to the rebel forces.
Vivi watched her avian companion speed off across the desert sands. Her heart was heavy. She returned to the deck as the Merry sailed further out to sea.
Zoro cast a look of utter disdain at Sanji, who was currently doing a depressed crouch on the deck. Then, he turned to their stupid Captain. Luffy was sitting on the ship's rail with a foolish, wide grin.
"Hey, Luffy," Zoro called out. "Why did that man wreathed in flames help us back there? You were yelling something at him. Do you know him?"
"Oh, you mean Ace," Luffy said. He squinted into the harsh sunlight. He tilted his head as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Didn't I tell you guys? He's my big brother."
Silence fell over the deck.
The wind blew softly through the sails. Nobody dared to breathe. Every single member of the Straw Hat crew slowly turned their heads. They stared at the rubber boy.
"Eh?! Brother???!!!"
The collective shout was deafening. It startled a flock of seagulls resting on the mast.
Everyone looked at Luffy in absolute, unadulterated shock.
They had sailed together for months. They had fought pirate armadas. They had faced Warlords. They had survived winter islands.
This was the very first time he had ever mentioned having a sibling.
(But as this absolute idiot's older brother...) Usopp, Nami, Sanji, and the others began to mentally picture the horror. What kind of monster was related to Monkey D. Luffy?
(...he probably won't be normal either. There's a good chance he's a giant, meat-eating idiot! Twice as loud! Twice as reckless!)
"He's three years older than me," Luffy continued. He was completely oblivious to their panicked expressions. "So he set sail to become a pirate three years earlier."
"I never thought I'd run into him all the way out here. Ace is really strong, you know. Like, really, really strong. I never beat him in a fight even once when we were kids."
Luffy puffed out his chest. A boundless, unearned confidence filled his face.
"Though, I think I could definitely beat him now!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a dark shadow fell over him.
A figure leaped onto the ship. It came from a small, fiery vessel that had pulled up alongside the Merry.
With terrifying speed, the man raised his fist. He gave the boastful rubber idiot a heavy rap on the head.
Bonk!
"Ow! What was that for?!" Luffy yelled. He clutched the rising lump on his head.
"You, brat. Who did you say you could beat?"
The newcomer crouched effortlessly on the ship's rail. He looked down at Luffy. A menacing, older-brother smile crossed his face.
He was a young man. He was shirtless. He displayed a lean, muscular physique. A massive purple tattoo covered his back. A bright orange cowboy hat rested on his head. A smattering of freckles crossed his cheeks.
Then, the youth looked away from Luffy. He turned his gaze toward Zoro, Nami, and the others.
To the crew's absolute shock, the man jumped down from the rail. He removed his hat. He bowed politely at a perfect ninety-degree angle.
"You must be Luffy's crewmates," the young man said. His voice was smooth and incredibly courteous. "I am Portgas D. Ace. Thank you all so much for taking care of my idiot little brother."
(Is he really Luffy's brother?!) The collective thought screamed through the crew's minds.
(How can he be so polite?! He has actual manners!) The stark difference between Ace's civilized behavior and their terrifying expectations left them stunned. Their jaws practically rested on the deck.
Kai stepped forward. He pulled his desert scarf down. He offered a respectful nod to the fiery pirate.
"Hey, Ace," Kai said. "I didn't get the chance to say it back in the plaza. But thank you for earlier. For saving us from Smoker. He had us dead to rights out there."
Ace's eyes flicked to Kai. The polite smile widened into a warm grin. He placed his cowboy hat back on his head.
"No need to thank me, Kai. Any friend of my brother is a friend of mine. Besides, it looked like you were holding your own against that smoke-brain for a second there!"
"Yes, yes, you're too kind! It's an honor to meet you!" The others finally recovered. They hastily bowed in return, stumbling over their words.
Sanji's single visible eye widened. A guest with actual manners was a rarity. He quickly spun on his heel. He rushed into the kitchen to prepare high-quality black tea.
"It looks like you found a great, dependable crew, Luffy," Ace said. He looked around at the diverse group. "Knowing you're sailing with good people puts my mind at ease."
"Hehe, of course they are! I picked 'em myself!" Luffy grinned smugly. He picked his nose.
A few minutes later, they sat inside the cozy, wooden-paneled galley.
The group gathered around the large dining table. They drank steaming black tea. They ate delicate finger sandwiches. They chatted with Ace.
The atmosphere was incredibly warm. It was sophisticated. It was a stark contrast to their usual shouting matches.
However, this peaceful atmosphere didn't last.
A horrifying, devastating realization struck the ship's navigator.
Nami had gone to check the storage hold. She needed to review their inventory before the desert trek. When she returned, her face was completely shadowed.
An aura of pure, murderous intent radiated from her body. The temperature in the room dropped.
"You... you big idiot!!!"
Nami was direct. She was violently expressive. Trembling with rage, she stormed across the room. She threw a vicious, closed-fist punch directly at her captain.
Luffy was giggling with a mouthful of crackers. The punch hit him square in the face.
"You drank all the water! Every single drop! What are we going to drink when we cross the desert?!" Nami screamed. She grabbed Luffy by his collar and shook him violently.
Alabasta was unforgiving. The temperatures reached lethal heights. Crossing without water was a literal death sentence.
Luffy finally realized his mistake. He rubbed his head. A second, much larger bump formed.
"I'm sorry! It's my fault. I was just so thirsty from running! But don't worry, Nami! I'll spit all the water I drank right back out..."
The absolute idiot picked up a large, empty wooden bucket. He puffed out his cheeks. He leaned over it with a serious face. He looked entirely ready to vomit into their drinking supply.
Silence descended upon the galley. It was a heavy, horrifying silence.
Whatever rationality the crew had left evaporated.
"Who the hell can drink that, you disgusting rubber freak?!" everyone shouted in perfect unison.
Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper leaped up. Chopper instantly transformed into his massive, muscular Heavy Point.
They grabbed chairs. They grabbed wooden brooms. They grabbed frying pans. Roaring like wild animals, they pounced on their idiot captain.
Clang! Bang! Thump! Crash! A cloud of dust rose in the center of the galley. Utter chaos ensued. The Going Merry returned to its usual, violent rhythm.
Ace watched his little brother being mercilessly pummeled. The corners of his mouth twitched. He took a slow, calm sip of his tea. He didn't step in.
"Alright, alright, I've got it covered before you guys actually murder him," Kai sighed.
He stood up from the table. He rolled up the left sleeve of his desert robe. The sleek, orange-and-black device on his wrist was exposed.
He tapped the glowing interface. He synced his neural intent with the core.
"Elemental Power: Water!"
A brilliant, flashing pillar of cyan light erupted. His red hoodie and tan cloak dissolved into geometric particles. They were replaced by a sleek, sleeveless blue shirt and tactical joggers.
The ambient temperature in the room dropped. A soothing, humid chill radiated from his body.
Kai walked past the brawling pile of pirates. He extended his hands over the empty wooden water barrels. His eyes glowed with a deep, oceanic blue.
"Hydro Condensation."
Bot, maximize atmospheric extraction, he thought.
[Affirmative,] Bot's voice chimed.
The air shimmered. Droplets of water pulled directly from the humid sea breeze. They coalesced in the air, swirling around Kai's wrists like glowing blue galaxies.
They poured down into the barrels in a heavy stream. Within seconds, the three massive casks were refilled to the brim with crystal clear, purified water.
Only then did the raging demons cool down. They dropped their brooms and pans. They returned to their seats. Luffy was left groaning on the floorboards, bruised and swollen.
Ace watched with intense interest. His dark eyes tracked the cyan energy.
"That's a fascinating power," Ace noted. "It doesn't feel like a Logia fruit. The energy signature is entirely different. What kind of Devil Fruit did you eat?"
Kai let the transformation drop. The cyan light faded. The comfortable red hoodie returned.
"I didn't eat one," Kai said. He tapped the watch. "It's all in the tech. It lets me wield the elements, but I can still swim."
Ace raised an eyebrow. He was impressed.
"A machine that mimics the power of the sea... the Grand Line is full of surprises. You'll go far with that, Kai."
Ace glanced down at his idiot brother. Luffy was still laughing heartlessly despite the lumps on his head. Ace smiled bitterly.
"You really haven't changed at all, have you, Luffy? Still rushing in without a plan."
"It works out fine! Because I have the best crew!" Luffy grinned widely.
The conversation shifted. Ace spoke of the New World. He talked about the deadly second half of the Grand Line.
When he mentioned his captain, Whitebeard, his eyes shone with absolute reverence.
"He is a living legend," Ace said. "He's the closest man to the One Piece. By the way, Luffy, do you want to join the Whitebeard Pirates? Your crewmates can come too. I'm going to make him the Pirate King, not you, Luffy."
"I refuse!" Luffy rejected the offer instantly.
He took off his prized straw hat. He held it firmly.
"I made a promise to Shanks. I'm definitely going to become the Pirate King! Nobody else!"
Ace broke into a huge, proud grin. "Is that so? Stubborn as ever."
Ten minutes later, they gathered on the grassy deck.
The two brothers stood opposite each other.
"Let's see how much stronger you've gotten, Luffy!" Ace challenged.
"I'm gonna kick your ass this time, Ace!" Luffy yelled. His arms snapped back. "Gum-Gum... Gatling!"
A blinding flurry of rubber fists shot toward Ace. They didn't use their full, destructive strength. But it was still a spectacle.
Ace didn't ignite his flames. He shifted his weight. His movements were fluid. Impossibly fast. He dodged every single punch with minimal effort.
With a burst of speed, Ace closed the distance. He grabbed Luffy's stretched arm. He pulled the rubber boy forward.
A devastating, spinning kick landed directly on Luffy's jaw.
Luffy crashed into the wooden mast. Even without the Flame-Flame Fruit, Ace was leagues above him.
"Phew~ I feel much better..." Ace chuckled. He pulled his groaning brother up from the deck.
"By the way, take this." Ace took out a small, white piece of paper. He handed it to Luffy.
"This is a Vivre Card. It's tied to my life force. It will always point the way to me. You have to keep this with you forever, Luffy."
"Oh, got it." Luffy tucked it securely inside the band of his straw hat.
Ace shouldered his backpack. He swept his gaze over the crew. He bowed solemnly once more.
"My idiot little brother makes a lot of trouble. I'm leaving him in your capable care! We'll meet again!"
Ace leaped over the railing. He landed smoothly on his Striker.
"That small sailboat is powered by fire!" Usopp observed in awe.
"Yeah, it's custom made," Ace explained. The engine roared. "I have important business. I came to hunt down a man named Blackbeard."
Ace's face turned dark. A dangerous shadow fell over his eyes. But the darkness passed quickly. He looked back up at the Going Merry.
"Luffy! I hope that the next time we brothers meet..." Ace tipped the brim of his cowboy hat. A unyielding smirk crossed his face. "...It will be at the absolute highest peak of the pirates!"
"Yeah!" Luffy grinned.
The fiery wake of Ace's Striker disappeared across the horizon. The crew stood in silence.
Kai leaned against the railing. He tapped the thick white bandage on his left forearm. The secret 'X' mark was hidden beneath.
The Grand Line was vast. It was full of monsters. But looking at the fierce grin on his captain's face, Kai knew they were ready.
They were ready to face the sands. They were ready for Alabasta.