The scene shifted back to Rainer's group. After Chopper noticed something unusual about the cart, they quietly followed.
They trailed it through several winding alleys until they reached the city's edge.
"What's going on? I thought it was the local underworld," Rainer muttered, frowning as he stroked his chin. Watching the caravan leave the city and head toward the desert, he added,
"Later, we still need to regroup. Should I just send the undead ahead and capture them for questioning?"
"Wait, Rainer, look over there!" Nami's sharp voice broke in, urgent though quiet, as she pointed into the distance.
Another, larger group emerged from the city, moving toward the same cart they had been tailing.
"Chopper, do you smell anything off?" Rainer lifted the little reindeer's dangling legs for attention.
"No, just ordinary food," Chopper sniffed the air carefully and reported.
"Then it's likely the rebel army—or people working for them," Rainer reasoned. If it were just a local gang, they wouldn't be hauling entire wagonloads of food.
As they observed, more caravans of all sizes began leaving the city, heading in the same direction. Under Chopper's keen nose, they detected weapons, provisions, and even a small amount of medicine supplies that the reindeer doctor immediately recognized.
"It looks like someone's spotted us. Rebels? Or Baroque Works?"
One of the undead hawks swooped down and landed on Rainer's arm, its beak pointing toward a nearby alley.
"Nami, mark the location. Let's buy a map and head back to regroup."
"Got it."
They rose from their crouched hiding spot and slipped away before the watchers closed in.
Meanwhile, at Rain Dinners, in the secret underground meeting hall of the casino.
At the center of the wide chamber sat an oval stone table carved with plain but elegant patterns, surrounded by twelve matching chairs. Six figures sat on either side, all eyes fixed on the man at the head.
"Crocodile… It's actually you."
"I didn't expect our mysterious boss to turn out to be one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"Hold on—Zero, does that mean we've all been working under a pirate!?"
This was the first time any of them had seen Baroque Works' true leader, and the revelation shocked them.
"I had other plans for you," Crocodile said coldly, tossing several wanted posters and photos onto the table. "But circumstances have changed. This crew—the Straw Hat Pirates—should be arriving in Alabasta right about now."
He leaned back in his chair, resting his golden hook on the armrest.
"From now on, aside from Mr. 2, who will proceed as originally planned, your new mission is to eliminate them… along with Princess Vivi."
Crocodile took a long drag from his cigar, exhaled a ring of smoke, and sneered.
"Once the rebels receive this shipment, I'll force them to launch their final assault within days. If those pests interfere with my plans…"
"Yes, boss," the agents murmured, bowing their heads.
"Fufufufu… then I'll wish you success," Crocodile said, dissolving into sand and vanishing from the chamber.
"Then I'll take my leave as well."
A sultry laugh rang out as a curvy woman in a white leather coat and cowboy hat stood, flashing a smile before exiting. Only once she was gone did the rest breathe easier.
"A Warlord of the Sea… even now it's hard to believe."
"The Utopia Plan, huh? Sounds interesting enough."
"Never thought I'd end up serving a pirate!"
Back at a hidden cove near the port, the Going Merry lay moored. Zoro, Sanji, and Vivi had already returned, bringing food for their desert crossing.
"Oi, everyone, I'm back!"
Luffy's excited voice rang out as he came running in straw sandals, beaming. "Guess who I found?!"
The others turned to see a tall, bare-chested man in black shorts and an orange hat casually following him.
"Shishishi, Rainer's group isn't back yet?"
Luffy hopped aboard, scanning around in disappointment.
"Too bad! I wanted to introduce Ace to them."
"How bad is it?"
A cheerful voice answered as Rainer and his group returned from the other side. Chopper, perched on Rainer's shoulders, waved his little hooves.
"Luffy, we're back!"
Now reunited, Rainer finally got a good look at the newcomer.
"Great! Ace, look," Luffy said with a grin. "That's Rainer—the guy who set sail from Foosha Village with me!"
"Is that so? Hard to believe, three years at sea and I run into someone from home."
Ace, wearing his warm smile, hopped down from the railing, bowed politely, and introduced himself:
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Portgas D. Ace, Luffy's older brother. Please take care of me."
Everyone but Rainer was stunned.
"Luffy—you have a brother?!"
"Shishishi, we're not blood-related," Luffy explained brightly, the joy of reunion clear on his face. "We grew up together. He set sail three years before me."
"No wonder you two don't look alike," the crew muttered, finally understanding—one refined and polite, the other a total blockhead.
Luffy proudly introduced each crew member to Ace, clearly showing off.
"You've gathered some reliable friends," Ace said fondly, then turned to the others. "My idiot brother has no manners—I'm sure he's been nothing but trouble."
He bowed again. "But I hope you'll continue looking after him."
"No need to be so formal. He's our captain after all," Zoro smirked.
"Hard to believe he has such a polite brother," someone else muttered.
Ace's demeanor left the crew impressed.
"Here, Luffy. Take this."
Ace flicked a small piece of paper toward him.
"What's this?"
"It points to my location," Ace explained, touching the brim of his hat. "Keep it safe. You can use it to find me in the future."
"Got it!" Luffy carefully folded the paper, gripping it tightly so he wouldn't lose it.
"Well then, I'll be off, Luffy."
With a half-smile and his back to them, Ace said softly, "Next time we meet… it'll be at the very summit of this sea."
"Yeah! I'll be there!" Luffy shouted back without hesitation.
No one knew how soon that promise would be tested.
As Ace strode away, Rainer lit a cigarette, gazing up at the sky. The summit of the sea, huh… wonder if I can hitch a ride with Whitebeard someday.
He didn't mention Blackbeard—not even to Luffy. Ace's path was his own.
As for Marineford… well, if things played out right, Rainer figured he could crash the party too.
Just thinking about it filled him with energy. Tch, I'm really living the dream here.
Wait—something clicked.
"Crap! Hold on, Ace—let me copy your template!"Rainer dashed after him, catching Ace just in time to grab a template before returning aboard.