The *Going Merry* glided smoothly across the calm seas, the sun casting golden ripples over the waves as Chopper practiced **Geppo** under Sanji's guidance. The reindeer's hooves slipped on the air, sending him tumbling into a barrel.
"Focus on your core, little bro!" Sanji called, effortlessly kicking off an invisible platform. "It's all about balance!"
Luffy, sprawled on the figurehead, stared at the horizon. A memory flickered—*Zaffer, the grieving Marine father in a dusty bar, slurring about his son's death. "Beast claws… like an animal tore him apart…"*
*Kaido's crew.* And the traitor in the Marines—*Vergo.* The pieces clicked: Vergo, Doflamingo's spy, had covered up the murder to protect Kaido's underworld ties. If Luffy could convince Sengoku to redirect the Marines' focus from Whitebeard to Kaido…
*Ace wouldn't have to chase Blackbeard. Whitebeard would owe me. Then…* Luffy's grin sharpened. *Kaido gets a punch to the face. Win-win.*
Nami, leaning against the mast, caught the glint in his eye. "Luffy. What's that look for?"
"Hmm? Nothing!" Luffy hopped up, stretching lazily. "Just thinking about lunch!"
Nami narrowed her eyes but let it drop. She'd learned to dread his "nothing" grins.
Vivi spread maps of Alabasta across the table, her finger tracing the route to the rebel army's stronghold. "If we can reach Yuba before Crocodile's agents, we might convince Kohza to stand down."
Nami nodded. "The Log Pose stabilizes tomorrow. We'll dock near Nanohana and cross the desert from there."
Luffy, unusually quiet, stared at the map. His mind raced: *Ace is hunting Blackbeard, but he'll pass through Alabasta soon. If I meet him there…*
"Luffy?" Vivi's voice cut through his thoughts. "You're sweating."
He wiped his forehead, forcing a grin. "Just hungry! Let's eat!"
Beneath the waves, a shadow trailed the *Going Merry*—a submarine marked with Baroque Works' jolly roger. Inside, Nico Robin sipped coffee, reviewing spy reports.
"Crocodile's arrogance will be his downfall," she murmured, her eyes lingering on a photo of Luffy. "But you… you're playing a deeper game, aren't you?"
A Den Den Mushi rang. Crocodile's voice crackled through. "Update."
"They'll reach Alabasta in two days," Robin replied. "The princess has evidence against you. Shall I intercept it?"
"No. Let them come. I'll crush their hopes myself."
Luffy slipped away to the crow's nest, a stolen Den Den Mushi in hand. He dialed a number burned into his memory.
*Ring… ring…*
"*This is Fire Fist Ace. Leave a message.*"
Luffy scowled. "Ace, it's me. Don't do anything stupid with Blackbeard. I've got a plan. Meet me in Alabasta. There's a restaurant in Nanohana—*"
The line died. Luffy growled, pocketing the snail. *Stubborn idiot.*
Nami found Luffy later, staring at the stars. "You've been weird all day. What aren't you telling us?"
Luffy shrugged. "Just stuff about… um… Zaffer's son. Marine stuff. Boring!"
"Marine stuff?" Nami crossed her arms. "Since when do you care about Marines?"
"Since never!" Luffy laughed, dodging her glare. "C'mon, let's check on Chopper!"
He vaulted over the railing, leaving Nami fuming. *Liar.*
On deck, Chopper managed a wobbly **Soru**, zipping from the mast to the figurehead. Usopp cheered, while Zoro grudgingly nodded.
"Not bad," Zoro said. "Now try it blindfolded."
"E-eh?!"
Luffy landed beside them, his earlier tension masked by a grin. "Hey, Chopper! Race you to the galley!"
As the crew laughed, Vivi watched the horizon, her fists clenched. *Hold on, Father. We're close.*
Unseen by all, a Marine warship patrolled nearby—G-5, Vergo's unit. Aboard, Vergo reviewed a missive from Doflamingo: *"Crocodile's failure is inevitable. Secure the Smile shipment from Kaido.*"
He crumpled the paper, his expression icy. *Let the Straw Hats play heroes. The real war is just beginning.*
The *Going Merry* approached Nanohana's port, the desert wind carrying the scent of spice and rebellion. Luffy tightened his straw hat, his mind a storm of plans: *Find Ace. Expose Crocodile. Save Alabasta.*
And, silently: *Save Ace.*
Nami sidled up to him, her voice low. "Whatever you're hiding… don't get us killed."
Luffy grinned. "No promises!"
As the crew docked, the first grains of a revolution began to shift—one that would shake empires and rewrite fates.