Chapter 118: The Desert's Edge
The Going Merry sailed steadily along the southwestern coast of the Sandora River, the golden hues of the rising sun casting long shadows across the deck. The air was cool, carrying with it the faint scent of saltwater and the earthy aroma of the desert that lay just beyond the riverbanks. The crew stood at the bow, their eyes fixed on the horizon as the ship approached the delta where they would set anchor. The tension from their earlier discussions had eased, replaced by a sense of purpose and determination. They had a plan, and now it was time to execute it.
As the ship slowed to a halt, Goku turned to face the crew, his straw hat tilted back to reveal his confident grin. "Alright, everyone," he began, his voice carrying the usual edge of enthusiasm. "We're here. Time to get ready for the desert."
The crew nodded, each member already mentally preparing for the challenges ahead. But before they could start packing, Goku's expression shifted slightly, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Oh, by the way," he said, his tone casual but with a hint of curiosity, "what did you all think of Ace? My brother, I mean."
The question caught the crew off guard, and for a moment, there was silence as they processed what he had just said. Nami was the first to speak, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait… I forgot about your brother, we did meet him"
Goku blinked, then chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, right. I wasn't there when you guys met him, huh? Said he would wait for you guys on the ship Zoro and Gin."
Zoro, who had been leaning against the mast with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "Your brother yes. How come you never mentioned you had a brother?"
Goku shrugged, his grin widening. "Well, it never really came up. But yeah, Ace is my older brother. He's a bit of a big shot in the pirate world."
Gin, who had been quietly observing the conversation, stepped forward, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "A damn big shot! Like the Whitebeard Pirates big shot!"
Goku nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment. "Yeah. Ace is the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division. He's one of the strongest guys out there."
The crew exchanged glances, their surprise evident. Usopp, who had been nervously fidgeting, spoke up, his voice tinged with awe. "Wait, wait, wait. Your brother is a commander of the Whitebeard Pirates? That's… that's insane! Well he did mention something along those lines. Now that I think about it."
Goku chuckled, his usual carefree demeanor returning. "Like I said, it never came up. Besides, Ace is his own man. He's got his own crew, his own goals. We don't really talk about each other much."
Zoro, ever the pragmatist, crossed his arms and leaned forward slightly. "So, is he stronger than you? I mean, if he's a commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, he must be a monster in his own right."
Goku's grin widened, and he shook his head. "Nah, Ace doesn't use Ki like I do. He's just… a different kind of powerhouse. He's got his own way of fighting, and trust me, it's no joke."
The crew fell silent, each member processing this new information. Gin, in particular, seemed deep in thought. "If your brother is that strong… what does that mean for you? I mean, you're already a freak of nature when it comes to Ki. Is Ace on the same level?"
Goku shrugged, his tail swishing lazily behind him. "Hard to say. We've never really fought seriously. But I know one thing for sure—Ace is someone you don't want to mess with."
The crew exchanged glances again, a mix of awe and apprehension in their eyes. They had seen Goku's strength firsthand, and the idea that his brother might be just as strong—if not stronger—was both impressive and slightly terrifying.
As the sun continued to rise, the crew set about preparing for their journey into the desert. They gathered supplies—food, water, and other essentials—and packed them into sturdy bags. Sanji, ever the meticulous chef, made sure they had enough provisions to last them several days, while Nami double-checked their maps and navigational tools.
Vivi, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, stepped forward, her expression serious. "Everyone, listen," she said, her voice calm but firm. "The desert is unforgiving. By midday, the sun will be directly overhead, and the heat will be unbearable. The cool morning air and the breeze from the river will feel like a distant memory. We need to be prepared."
The crew nodded, taking her warning to heart. They had all heard stories of the Alabasta desert, and none of them wanted to underestimate its dangers. One by one, they changed into desert attire—loose, flowing robes that would protect them from the sun's harsh rays, wide-brimmed hats to shield their faces, and scarves to cover their mouths and noses from the blowing sand.
Goku, ever the showman, twirled in his new outfit, his tail swishing playfully behind him. "Not bad, huh? I think I could get used to this desert fashion."
Nami rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Just make sure you don't get sand in your tail. We don't need you whining the whole way."
Goku laughed, his usual confidence undiminished. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
With their preparations complete, the crew disembarked from the Going Merry, their feet sinking slightly into the soft sand of the riverbank. The sun was just barely peeking over the horizon, its golden light casting long shadows across the landscape. The air was still cool, but Vivi's warning lingered in their minds—by midday, the desert would be a furnace.
As they prepared to start their journey to Erumalu, Goku held up a hand, signaling for them to wait. "Hold on," he said, his tone serious for once. "I need to hide the ship."
The crew turned to watch as Goku stepped away from the group and faced the Going Merry. He closed his eyes for a moment, his expression calm and focused. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, he shot his arms out wide to a wingspan, his entire body radiating with power.
The crew felt it before they saw it—a surge of Ki that shot forth from Goku like an invisible force. The air around him seemed to shimmer, and the sand at his feet began to shift and swirl. The Ki acted as an extension of his arms, invisible but tangible, as it reached out towards the river and the surrounding sand.
With a slow, deliberate motion, Goku began to direct the Ki, using it to manipulate the sand on a massive scale. The ground trembled as the sand shifted, rising and falling like waves in the ocean. The crew watched in awe as the sand began to enclose the Going Merry, forming a massive dune that rose higher and higher until the ship was completely hidden from view.
The entire area shook as Goku worked, his Ki moving an insane amount of sand with precision and control. When he finally lowered his arms, the Going Merry was nestled in its own secluded little lake, completely hidden from prying eyes and potential enemies.
The crew stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide with amazement. Even Zoro, who had seen Goku's power up close, was visibly impressed. "That… that was insane," Usopp muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Chopper, who had been clinging to Usopp's leg, looked up at Goku with wide eyes. "How… how did you do that?!"
Goku grinned, his usual confidence returning. "Just a little Ki control. Nothing too crazy."
Nami shook her head, a mixture of awe and exasperation on her face. "Nothing too crazy? You just moved an entire mountain of sand!"
Goku laughed, his tail swishing lazily behind him. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess it does sound pretty impressive."
The crew exchanged glances, a mix of admiration and disbelief in their eyes. They had all been training with Ki, each of them making progress in their own way. Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Gin, and Usopp had already felt their Ki, manifested it, and even used it in combat against each other and against Goku himself. But seeing Goku's demonstration just now—the sheer scale of his power and control—reinforced their belief that he was in a league of his own.
Chopper, who had only just begun to feel his Ki, looked up at Goku with a mixture of awe and determination. "I… I want to be that strong someday," he said, his voice filled with resolve.
Goku smiled, placing a hand on Chopper's head. "You will be, little guy. Just keep training."
With the Going Merry safely hidden, the crew turned their attention to the journey ahead. The sun was now fully above the horizon, its golden light bathing the desert in a warm glow. The cool morning air was already beginning to fade, replaced by the first hints of the scorching heat that would come later in the day.
Vivi led the way, her steps confident and sure as she guided them towards Erumalu. The crew followed closely behind, their desert attire protecting them from the sun's harsh rays. As they walked, the sound of the river faded into the distance, replaced by the soft crunch of sand beneath their feet.
Goku walked at the front of the group, his eyes scanning the horizon. Despite his usual carefree demeanor, there was a sense of focus in his expression, a reminder that they were walking into a dangerous situation. But with his crew by his side, he felt confident that they could handle whatever challenges lay ahead.
As the sun continued to rise, casting long shadows across the desert, the crew pressed on, their determination unwavering. The journey to Erumalu was just the beginning, and they knew that the real challenges, Crocodile, Baroque Works, and the ancient weapon Pluton, were still to come. But with Goku leading the way, they felt ready to face whatever the desert, and their enemies, threw at them.
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