Two days of tranquil sailing passed, a calm before the storm. Mario used the time well, his days a blend of intense training—refining his unorthodox Hand-Rankyaku—and cherished moments with the crew.
He fished alongside a now-more-skilled Usopp and Luffy, shared quiet smiles with Nami, and even helped Usopp modify a new weapon for their navigator, insisting the sniper write clear, step-by-step instructions.
"And for the love of God, teach her how to use it properly," Mario had stressed, envisioning a potential disaster.
As the third dawn broke, Zorro, who had been dozing against the mast, cracked open his eye.
"We're close."
"How can you tell?" Usopp asked, peering at the featureless horizon.
Zorro simply pointed. Dotting the sea ahead were ships—dozens of them, their sails and hulls bearing the stark, stylized mark of Baroque Works. It was an armada of thugs and bounty hunters.
"Billions..." Vivi whispered, her face pale. "They're all Crocodile's men. There must be hundreds of them." The sheer scale of the opposition was a physical weight on her shoulders.
"No matter," Zorro stated, his voice cutting through her anxiety. "Don't concern yourself with them. It's not time. We just need to follow our original plan." His gaze was steady, a rock in the rising tide of fear. "But first, the countermeasure for that Mr. 2."
The crew gathered on the deck, and Mario joined the circle. Zoro laid out his plan with a swordsman's precision: a simple, physical mark that their flamboyant foe couldn't easily replicate.
"Huh. Even the marimo has a good idea sometimes," Sanji remarked, unable to resist the jab even in a moment of unity.
"What did you say, you shitty cook?!"
"Stop it, you two!" Luffy's command was cheerful but firm. He was already tying a strip of white bandage around his left arm, just below the bicep. He pulled the knot tight with his teeth. "This will be the proof that we are who we say we are," he declared, holding his bandaged arm out. A wide, infectious grin spread across his face. "And the proof of our friendship! Shishishi!"
One by one, they followed suit. Nami, Vivi, Usopp, Sanji, Zorro, Chopper, and finally, Mario. Each tied an identical bandage around their own arm. As Mario tightened the knot, a profound sense of belonging washed over him. This wasn't just a tactical measure; it was a ritual, a visible symbol of their bond.
"First, to a restaurant! Then to Alabasta!" Luffy declared, practically vibrating with excitement as the port of Nanohana came into clearer view.
"Why a restaurant?!" Usopp cried, gesturing wildly at the fleet of enemy ships they were sailing past. "We have a kingdom to save!"
"MEAT!" Luffy bellowed, his eyes transforming into giant meat symbols. "No offense, Sanji, I love all your fish meals! BUT…" He clutched his stomach dramatically, a river of saliva now flowing freely from his mouth. "I CRAVE MEAT!"
"Get your priorities straight!" Nami sighed, massaging her temples, though a small, fond smile betrayed her exasperation.
While the others debated the merits of lunch versus liberation, Mario felt a different kind of anticipation thrumming through him, one that had nothing to do with food. He was finally going to meet Ace. The mere thought sent a jolt through his system, a mix of fanboy excitement and profound, chilling responsibility. During his meditations, he had agonized over this moment. What could he possibly say? How could he alter the course of a destiny so deeply entrenched without causing a catastrophic paradox?
The answer he had arrived at was a delicate, dangerous compromise. He would give Ace a warning. A small, seemingly casual nudge about Blackbeard—not enough to stop Ace from pursuing him, but perhaps enough to make him more cautious, to plant a seed of wariness that might buy him a critical second in their fated confrontation. It was a risk, but a calculated one.
His larger plan, however, was far more radical. He would let the immediate story play out as written, at least for now and to some degree.
Alabasta, Skypiea, Water 7… he would be a guardian in the shadows, mitigating the worst of the damage but allowing the crucible of conflict to forge his crew into the legends they were meant to be.
They needed to grow stronger.
Because his true intervention, the one that mattered most, would not happen in some dusty desert or a courtroom on the sea. It would happen at Marineford.
He would save Ace or die trying….
But the moment he did, the entire world would spiral into uncharted territory. The balance of power would shatter. The Marines' wrath would be absolute. The Yonko would be sent scrambling. The world government gods knew what they would do…
He had no map for what came after. It would be a radical change. His only certainty was that when that day came, he would need a crew strong enough to stand beside him against the tidal wave of consequences he was about to unleash.
***
The Going Merry hadn't even finished her gentle bump against the dock at Nanohana before a red blur shot over the railing.
"FINALY! MEAT!" Luffy's triumphant roar echoed through the port as he sprinted into the maze of sun-bleached buildings, driven by a singular, all-consuming purpose.
"That blockhead," Nami sighed, though the fondness in her voice was unmistakable.
"It's fine, let him have his fun," Mario said with a chuckle, hoisting an empty supply sack over his shoulder. "I'm going too. I need to refill our stock before we head into the desert."
"Ah, yes!" Nami produced a heavy pouch of Berries, her expression turning serious for a moment. "Here is the money for the supplies. Vivi and I also need to find some suitable clothes for the desert." She gave him a quick, knowing wink.
"I could use some good liquor. And real meat," Zorro grumbled, stretching his arms. "I'm done with that cook's stupid fish."
"Then STARVE, you moss-headed freeloader!" Sanji shot back, a dangerous glint in his eye.
"Oh! I would love to explore the city!" Chopper whispered, his eyes wide with wonder as he looked at the bustling streets. "This is my first time outside of Drum Island!"
"Then let's go together!" Usopp declared, puffing out his chest. "The great Captain Usopp will be your guide!"
"Okay, so everyone, let's meet back at the ship later," Mario directed, taking charge of the logistics. He then looked down at their feathered crewmate. "And Karoo, you guard the ship."
"Quack!" The super spot-billed duck stood at attention, offering a crisp, comical salute.
The crew scattered into the vibrant, noisy port town. Mario moved with purpose, going from shop to shop with the practiced efficiency of a now seasoned quartermaster. He ordered massive amounts of fresh water, dried fruits, salted meats that weren't fish, and hardy grains. But his foresight extended beyond the sea voyage; he also secured desert-specific supplies—lightweight, breathable fabrics for head wraps, extra canteens, and a large stock of waxed canvas for shelter from the relentless sun. He was provisioning not just for a journey, but for a war in one of the most unforgiving environments in the world…the Desert.
After a grueling few hours navigating the bustling markets, Mario's cart was piled high, creaking under the weight of his purchases. He had been ruthlessly efficient, prioritizing the most critical resource: freshwater. He bought every available cask and barrel, knowing the desert sun would be a more relentless enemy than any Baroque Works agent. As he pulled the heavily laden cart back towards the docks, he was struck by how little effort it required. The grueling training, the Haki awakening—it had all compounded into a tangible physical strength that now made a task that should have been backbreaking feel almost trivial. A satisfied smile touched his lips.
He was just finishing unloading the last of the water barrels when Zorro, Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper returned, their arms full of their own acquisitions. They fell into the familiar rhythm of stowing supplies, the work going quickly with many hands.
Just as they secured the final crate, Nami and Vivi arrived. The sight made Mario pause. They were dressed in spectacular, traditional Alabastan desert attire—vibrant, flowing silks in shades of sapphire and gold, with intricate patterns and diaphanous veils that hinted at the fashions of Earth's belly dancers. They looked breathtakingly beautiful, the elegant fabrics a stark contrast to the rugged port.
Sanji immediately descended into a lovestruck daze, hearts practically shooting from his eyes as he twirled at their feet. Zoro merely grunted, more interested in checking the integrity of a sake barrel.
Mario, however, felt a warm blush creep up his neck. His eyes met Nami's, and she offered a slow, knowing smirk that seemed to say, Like what you see?
"Ugh, my nose is killing me! What is that smell?" Chopper complained, clutching his sensitive blue nose.
"Smell?" Vivi asked, then laughed lightly. "Ah, it must be the perfume. Nanohana is famous for its perfume distilleries. I suppose it can be a little strong for a reindeer."
"You mean this?" Nami said playfully, spraying a delicate mist of jasmine and sandalwood into the air, her gaze locked on Mario with a teasing, seductive glint.
"GYAAAAAH! STOP IT!" Chopper wailed, stumbling backward.
The moment was shattered by a sudden commotion from the town—shouts, the sound of scattering stalls, and a general uproar.
"What's going on?" Vivi asked, her smile vanishing.
"Maybe the Marines are after some pirates," Zorro mused, his hand drifting toward his sword hilts.
They didn't have to wait long for an answer. Luffy came sprinting around a corner, his cheeks comically distended with half-chewed meat.
"OY, GUYS! LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!!" he yelled, his words garbled by food.
Right behind him, a plume of white smoke materialized into the formidable form of Captain Smoker.
"I WON'T LET YOU ESCAPE, STRAW HAT! WHITE BLOW!" Smoker roared, his arm elongating into a massive fist of dense smoke, hurtling towards Luffy.
Before it could connect, a wave of intense heat shimmered in the air.
"HEAT HAZE!"
A wall of fire erupted between Luffy and Smoker, vaporizing the smoke fist in an instant. And there he was, stepping out from the shimmering air, a casual smile on his face and his signature orange hat tilted back.
Mario's breath caught in his throat. The fanboy excitement, the weight of his secret knowledge, and the sheer presence of the man himself hit him all at once
Ace.