Far from the city, Crocodile rode across the dunes on the back of a giant Bananawani, the sand swirling around him. He was not yet in Rainbase when he received the report, but he was on his way, and he was furious. The news that some upstart crew had waltzed into his casino and walked out with millions of his Berries was infuriating. That was money funding Baroque Works, money for his grand design.
"My, my. How will you handle this, I wonder?" Nico Robin, his ever-present partner, remarked with a faint, unreadable smile. Theirs was an alliance of convenience, and she was not at all displeased to see the arrogant Sand Crocodile taken down a peg.
"Hmph. We'll see," Crocodile rasped, his eyes fixed on the distant shimmering heat of Rainbase. "If they didn't possess those blueprints... this would be a simple matter."
The incident in Water 7 involving the Black Star Pirates had sent ripples through the underworld. After making inquiries, Crocodile had a strong suspicion that the "documents" they'd stolen from CP9 were the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon, Pluton. He couldn't be certain they were real, or if they'd even be useful to him, but the possibility was tantalizing. It didn't conflict with his current plan in Alabasta; it only added a new, irresistible prize. One was a living weapon, the other a blueprint. If the opportunity arose, he wouldn't choose. He would take everything.
Meanwhile, in the bustling port town of Nanohana, Ace and his group were enjoying a well-deserved lunch. After a busy morning gathering supplies from Deuce's list, they were now devouring plates of Alabasta's famous barbecue.
"Mmm! This is amazing!" Ace cheered, his mouth full. "Brook, you have to try some! Maybe if you eat enough, you'll grow some meat back on those bones!"
"Really? In that case, I must certainly eat my fill! Yohohoho!" Brook replied, heartily digging in.
They were seated at a corner table, enjoying their meal, when a commotion erupted from the street outside. A moment later, a familiar, determined shout echoed from the restaurant's entrance.
"Fire Fist Ace, you are under arrest!"
Everyone froze. They looked up to see Captain Isuka standing at the doorway, flanked by a squad of Marines. The other patrons in the restaurant, many of whom were pirates themselves, instantly panicked. A chair scraped, a glass shattered, and what was a peaceful lunch spot devolved into chaos. Lawbreakers scrambled for the exits while innocent civilians screamed and dove under tables for cover.
"Ah! My apologies! Secure the civilians!" Isuka shouted, realizing her grand entrance had been poorly timed. She and her unit immediately went to work, apprehending pirates who were trying to take hostages and restoring order.
But by the time the dust settled, she discovered that Ace and his crew had vanished.
In a narrow alley behind the restaurant, the group moved stealthily. "Isuka's here, but I didn't see Vice Admiral Gion," Deuce whispered, analyzing the situation. "They must have split their forces."
"I agree," Skull added. "The Marines know we separated after landing. They probably think the desert environment will weaken Jerry's water-based abilities, making his group the easier target to intercept."
"Haha, you boys are smarter than you look," a strange, mocking voice suddenly echoed from the corner of the alley.
"Mr. Deuce, look out!"
A black shadow lunged from the darkness. With lightning speed, Brook flew forward, his blade drawn.
CLANG!
A set of sharp, wolf-like claws met Brook's sword in a shower of sparks. To the crew's astonishment, Brook was sent flying by the sheer force of the blow, crashing into the wall of a nearby house. The attacker stepped into the light: a tall, werewolf-like man in a black suit with a long, braided ponytail.
"Who the hell are you?!" Ace roared, turning from his lookout position, furious that he hadn't sensed the attack in time. He drew back a fist, ready to strike, but a sharp glint from behind forced him to pause.
"You're not getting away!" Isuka's shout and her gleaming sword appeared at the other end of the alley, her Marines blocking any chance of retreat.
The werewolf chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Haha, you came just in time. Glad my little ambush paid off." He crossed his arms, his grin widening. "I am Jabra, of the World Government's Cipher Pol 9! Now, I advise you to hand over the documents you acquired in Water 7, or else—"
He never finished his sentence. A flash of cold steel shot from the side.
"Dawn Song: Right-Handed Strike!"
Brook, seemingly unharmed, lunged forward, his sword aimed directly at Jabra's heart. The air itself seemed to split as the blade moved, and Jabra, his hair standing on end from pure instinct, abandoned his speech and threw a powerful punch.
"Iron Body!"
But just before the iron-hard fist could collide with the sword's tip, Brook stopped his thrust, stomped on the ground, and vaulted into the air, his attack changing in a heartbeat.
"Gavotte: Leap Forward!"
The rapid-fire series of thrusts caught Jabra completely off guard. "What?! Iron Body!" he roared, hastily shifting the power of his Iron Body from his fist to his entire frame to withstand the assault.
Brook's blade struck true, but all his attacks merely shredded Jabra's suit, leaving only a few shallow scratches on the man's unnaturally hard skin.
"Hehe! Don't think you can cut through my Iron Body so easily!" Jabra gloated. It was clear he had mastered the defensive technique to perfection, able to move and fight freely while maintaining its protection.
Ignoring the enemy's taunt, Brook landed softly, holding his sword at the ready. "So this is the famous Iron Body," he murmured. "Mr. Jerry was right. I must try harder... to feel the rhythm of all things..."
"Oh? Giving up already? What a perfect opportunity!" Jabra laughed sinisterly and leaped forward, kicking out a sharp blade of compressed air. "Tempest Kick!"
"Polka Continuation!" Brook took a single step and vanished, the air-slash striking the empty space where he'd been.
On the other side of the alley, Ace casually shattered Isuka's attack with a single punch. He turned and yelled to his friends, "Deuce! You and Skull, get back to the ship! We'll meet you there!"
"Right! Be careful!"
Deuce and Skull saw their chance. With Ace blocking the Marines and Brook locked in a fierce battle with the CP9 agent, they turned and ran. They had to get the ship ready to sail.
Seeing two of her targets escape, Isuka gave a decisive command. "You men, go around! We'll catch these turtles in a jar!"
Ace paused, stroking his chin with a look of genuine confusion. "Oh? So Deuce and Skull are turtles now?" He shook his head, then suddenly spread his hands wide, a grin on his face. "You'll have to get through me first! Blaze Net!"
With a roar, a massive wall of fire erupted in the alley, blocking the Marines' path completely.