Chapter 74: That Makes a Lot of Sense
In the narrow alleys of Alubarna, Roy and Amatsuki Toki stepped off Horus's back. Roy quickly pulled an umbrella from his pack, and Toki took it, opening it with a soft flutter and holding it above them.
"Horus, it's scorching down here. Do something about this heat," Roy said.
"Yes, Master!" Horus replied cheerfully, flashing a smug grin at Pandora before soaring into the sky.
Moments later, the white cloud Homie spewed out a massive amount of thunderclouds that gathered high above the desert capital. These were the same clouds Horus had devoured in the New World—and now he was releasing them, altering Alabasta's weather entirely.
Toki took Roy's hand as they stepped out of the alley and walked along the bustling street. Around them, merchants and townsfolk dressed in colorful desert garb gazed upward in awe.
Dark, heavy clouds rolled across the sky, blotting out the sun and casting cool shadows over the city.
"Boom!"
A low rumble of thunder echoed through the air—but instead of fear, the people cheered.
No one noticed the unremarkable white cloud drifting down nearby. Their eyes were fixed on the miracle above—the long-awaited rain.
Some ran home to fetch pots and barrels, while others stood in the streets laughing, faces turned toward the sky as the rain began to fall.
"Splash!"
The first drops struck the sand, hissing as they hit the dry earth. Then came a downpour—thick, heavy rain washing away years of dust.
Cheers erupted throughout Alubarna.
Roy smiled faintly as he rubbed Toki's soft hand. He didn't particularly enjoy extreme heat, but if Horus could bring a little relief to the people while they passed through, why not?
Besides, the sight before him was… stunning.
Women in flowing desert dresses danced joyfully in the rain, their laughter echoing through the streets as the rain traced the lines of their arms and shoulders.
Roy blinked twice, awestruck.
That's… amazing. Absolutely beautiful!
"Isn't it?" Toki said with a knowing smile.
Roy chuckled. "A dance of joy under the rain of harvest—it really is beautiful."
At that moment, Horus descended and nestled against Roy, his features melting away as he turned into a fluffy pillow.
"This is unbearable!" Pandora grumbled, shrinking down and hiding under the umbrella. The little sun hated the rain with a passion.
---
Later that day, in Nanohana, Alabasta.
A pirate ship had just docked at the port. On deck, Charlotte Linlin was in visible distress, holding a tiny meal portion with a miserable face.
Losing weight was hard enough—but in this unbearable heat, it was pure torture.
Kureha handed her a bottle of chilled drink with a smirk.
"Glug, glug!" Linlin chugged it in one go. "Ahh! So hot! Zeus, change the weather now!" she shouted.
"Yes, Mama!" Zeus flew into the sky, releasing a puff of thunderclouds.
"The Marines are here!" Kureha warned, pointing behind them.
"Zeus, come back! We're leaving!" Linlin barked.
Zeus reluctantly descended, grumbling as they prepared to set sail.
---
Back in the royal palace, King Neferutari Abner was stunned by the reports.
That same day, a white cloud had appeared over the capital, bringing heavy rainfall—and now, Nanohana too had received a downpour.
"If it's the work of a Devil Fruit user," the king murmured, "how could the same phenomenon happen in two places at once?"
His mind returned to what his adjutant had said—that a flash of red hair was seen in the clouds.
"Was it a god… or a man with extraordinary power?" Abner whispered as he sat down, beginning to record the day's events in his journal.
---
A few days later, on the banks of the Santora River.
The wide river shimmered where it met the sea, and the air was finally cooler. Roy and Toki had spent a night in an inn before continuing their journey, and now they were ready to leave Alabasta behind.
"It's still so hot…" Roy groaned, sitting with Toki on Horus's back. Both were dressed in loose desert clothes, scarves wrapped around their heads.
"Waaah!"
Under the waves below, a group of curious sea creatures poked their heads out, watching the cloud glide across the sky.
They couldn't understand human things like logic or disbelief—only that it was beautiful.
One particularly clever creature waddled ashore and began scratching a picture into a flat stone: a white cloud flying across the sea, a tiny figure sitting on it, and a glowing sun following behind.
Over time, the carving was forgotten—but generations later, explorers who landed on Alabasta would still stumble upon the strange image and wonder at the "legend of the Sky God."
---
"Phew! Finally out of Alabasta!" Roy sighed, wiping sweat from his brow. He handed a water bottle to Toki, who took a sip before gently pressing it to his lips.
"Gulp, gulp…" Roy drank gratefully. The water here was cool again—sweet and refreshing.
"Linlin should've left Drum Kingdom long ago," Toki said. "So why are we heading there?"
"We're not going there to find her," Roy replied.
"Pfft—hahaha!" Pandora burst into laughter, the little sun shaking from amusement.
"Unbelievable," Horus groaned, clearly annoyed.
Roy stared at them both, exasperated. "Use your heads! We came from the New World—how could we possibly catch up to her by chance?"
The two Homies fell silent, blinking blankly.
"Linlin went to Drum Kingdom. I just want to confirm her next move," Roy explained. "If the doctors there can cure her food cravings, she'll head back to the New World. If not, she'll keep searching elsewhere."
"But how can you be sure?" Toki asked.
Roy took out a Den Den Mushi and smirked. "Because she's not answering my calls. That means she's avoiding me—she's not ready to face me yet."
He patted the snail's shell. "Once I ask the doctors in Drum Kingdom which medical experts they respect most, I'll know exactly where she's gone."
Toki, Horus, and Pandora stared at him, speechless.
After a moment, Toki muttered, "That… actually makes perfect sense."
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