Crocodile and Robin disappeared into the distance, their figures swallowed by the chaos.
Leo turned his gaze sharply toward Nami, who had just reverted from her transformed state. His eyes burned with frustration, but now wasn't the time to settle scores. The stone floor beneath them was rapidly turning into sand, and water from the lake was gushing in uncontrollably, flooding the underground chamber.
He glanced toward Luffy and Smoker, who were both slumped on the ground, completely drained of strength. Around them, banana crocodiles stirred, agitated by the sudden disturbance.
And then, it happened.
A tidal wave of water broke through its constraints and poured into the room in a massive surge. The roar of the flood drowned out everything else.
"Ahhhhh—!" Luffy screamed as he was swept away by the surge, disappearing beneath the churning water.
Moments later, Sanji emerged from the lake, dragging Luffy's limp form behind him, gasping for air.
The others fared similarly—except for Usopp, who had been knocked unconscious by falling debris. Nami had barely managed to pull him out in time.
Leo surfaced with Vivi in his arms. Her hands were badly injured, but she was still conscious. He carefully placed her on the shore.
"Roronoa Zoro!" came a sharp voice.
Leo turned to see Smoker, drenched and exhausted, gripping his extinguished cigar tightly between his teeth. He raised his weapon and pointed it at Zoro.
"Why did you save me?"
Clang!
Zoro deflected Smoker's blade with ease.
"I was just following the captain's orders," Zoro replied casually. "Don't bother thanking me."
Smoker stared at Zoro for a long moment, then shifted his gaze toward Luffy—and finally, Leo. He remained silent, the tension in his jaw evident.
"The direction Crocodile fled in—it has to be Albana," Leo said, wringing moisture from his clothes. "We need to go there immediately."
"But what about Chopper?" Vivi asked, concern shadowing her face. "I haven't seen him since the chaos began."
Leo nodded. "Neither have I."
Vivi bit her lip. "We can't leave him behind."
Before they could discuss further, voices echoed from outside.
"Hey! It's the Straw Hat Crew!"
"And Colonel Smoker! Everyone, support the Colonel!"
A wave of Marines appeared in the distance, weapons drawn, sprinting in their direction.
"Move!" Nami shouted, scooping Usopp over her shoulder and turning to flee. The others quickly followed, splashing through puddles and kicking up sand.
Smoker watched them disappear with a conflicted expression. He didn't move. He didn't raise his weapon.
"Colonel! Should we pursue them?" asked a young Marine with a long knife strapped to his back.
Smoker didn't answer immediately. He stared at the horizon, mind racing. Finally, he turned.
"No. Tell the others to halt. Regroup everyone here," he said.
The Marine hesitated. "But... sir, the headquarters has given orders not to mobilize large-scale forces to chase after the Straw Hats…"
Smoker's glare turned murderous.
"When have I ever followed orders from the top?"
The Marine paled. "Y-Yes sir! I'll relay the command immediately!"
Without another word, he dashed off like his life depended on it.
---
Meanwhile, some distance away…
"Hey! Did you find that sand crocodile guy yet?" Chopper called out breathlessly as he came bounding into view—riding a massive crab.
He'd only gone to the bathroom, and when he came back, the entire city was crawling with Marines. His friends had vanished without a trace, leaving only Eyelash behind with some luggage.
So Chopper recruited Eyelash's friend—the massive crab—and set out to find the crew.
"Whoa! This is the legendary Moving Club!" Vivi gasped in amazement as the crab skidded to a stop. "They usually hide in the sand. It's a super rare species!"
"It looks delicious," Luffy said, eyes wide and mouth watering.
Zoro ignored him, staring at the crab's powerful legs. "It runs fast. Can it get us to Albana?"
Chopper nodded. "Hop on! Marines are everywhere!"
Everyone clambered onto the crab's wide shell, finding places to sit among the ridges.
"Chopper, take care of Vivi and Usopp's wounds. I'll steer," Leo offered, moving to grab the reins.
"Thanks, Leo," Chopper said gratefully and immediately got to work.
But Leo had something else in mind. As he sat at the helm of the crab, reins in hand, the golden desert sun painted the horizon in amber. Dressed in his dusty cowboy outfit, revolver strapped at his side, he imagined himself in a western—riding not a horse, but a giant crab, with a beautiful woman behind him and danger ahead.
All that was missing was a dramatic revolver shot into the sky.
The crab surged forward, kicking up a massive cloud of sand in its wake.
Leo grinned. "Yee-haw."
---
Elsewhere, Smoker wiped the last drops of water from his coat and turned to Tashigi.
"Take your unit and head straight to Albana," he ordered.
Tashigi looked puzzled, clutching the hilt of her blade. "Are we assisting the royal army? Or chasing the Straw Hat Pirates?"
Smoker turned away.
"Do what you think is right. Whatever happens, I'll take full responsibility."
He lit another cigar, mounted his modified motorcycle, and revved the engine.
"I have other matters to attend to. Stay in contact," he added, before speeding off.
Tashigi stood stunned for a moment. Follow my own sense of justice? The words echoed in her mind.
Then, a voice snapped her back to the present.
"Sergeant! Please give the order!"
She glanced at her subordinates—all looking to her for leadership. Zoro's face flashed through her mind.
"Pursue Straw Hat Luffy and his crew!" she shouted. "Prepare to depart for Albana! Equip your best gear—we move now!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the Marines barked in unison, snapping to attention.
---
Back on the crab, Chopper tied the last of the bandages around Vivi's arm and added a pink bow for flair.
"All done! That should help the healing," he said cheerfully.
Vivi smiled through the discomfort. "Thank you, Chopper."
"Hehehe, d-don't say that—I'm not happy or anything!" Chopper replied, clearly thrilled, his tail standing straight.
Leo glanced over his shoulder. "Hold on, everyone. I'm kicking things into high gear!"
A wave of magical energy surrounded the crab. A powerful wind swirled around them, boosting their speed tenfold. The desert blurred around them as they surged forward, a sandstorm in their wake.
As the sun dipped lower, casting shadows across the dunes, Leo gripped the reins tighter.
Whatever waited for them in Albana—Crocodile, the rebel army, or something worse—they would face it together.
The Straw Hats were on the move.
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