Chapter 24: Reunion!
"I can't imagine what we could possibly cooperate on."
Crocodile found Luo Lin's words odd. The Poneglyph was his deepest secret; no one else knew about it.
"Then let me jog your memory. The only reason you're in this country is because there's a Poneglyph here—one that contains clues to the Ancient Weapon Pluton."
The moment those words left Luo Lin's mouth, Crocodile's eyes widened in shock.
Even Robin couldn't hide her surprise. She had studied ancient texts her whole life and knew of the three Ancient Weapons, but she never imagined Pluton's location was recorded right here in Alabasta!
"How the hell do you know that?!"
Crocodile's killing intent flared.
Robin silently echoed the same question. (But now wasn't the time.)
"Relax. I'm the only one who knows. Don't worry about how—just answer me: interested in a deal?"
Luo Lin looked completely at ease. If there had been a couch, he'd already be sitting with his legs crossed.
"Only you know? Thanks for the reminder. If I kill you right now, the secret dies with you, doesn't it?"
Crocodile narrowed his eyes threateningly.
Luo Lin: …Where does this guy get his confidence?!
"Oh? You think you're stronger than me? Fine—let's fight first, talk business later!"
Luo Lin wasn't some pushover. He instantly released Conqueror's Haki and drew Mitama, coating the Supreme Grade blade in Armament Haki.
Crocodile broke into a cold sweat when he saw that pitch-black sword.
He was just trash-talking! He didn't expect Luo Lin to actually go for blood!
"…Fine. Tell me what your 'cooperation' is."
Crocodile took a deep breath and backed down. He'd challenged Whitebeard out of deep grudge, not because he picked fights with random monsters. And the guy literally said he came to talk business—might as well hear him out first.
"Good. Here's the deal: we read the Poneglyph for you and tell you everything on it. You already know who she is—Nico Robin, the last scholar of Ohara, the only person alive who can read those stones. If we wanted to steal it, we would've done it already. We're offering cooperation because we don't feel like robbing you, and we don't care about some ancient weapon."
Crocodile thought for a few seconds.
"…Deal."
His original plan had been to hunt them down anyway. This was just… slightly different from expected. The only downside: with Luo Lin's strength, he couldn't kill Robin after she finished translating. One extra loose end.
"Great! Partnership sealed! We'll help you read the stone—until someone else beats you to death, that is."
"Beat me? Hilarious. I'm a Shichibukai. Logia user. No one in the first half can touch me."
"You do you. Where's the Poneglyph?"
"Still not in my hands. I've searched the royal tomb dozens of times—always failed. I'm certain it's inside, but the exact location is locked behind the royal family. I need to become king first."
Luo Lin: …
"So basically, aside from plotting a coup, you've got nothing?"
"…I hate to admit it, but yes."
"Bye."
Luo Lin grabbed Robin's hand and turned to leave.
He'd lived in this world over 20 years—without reminders, he'd forgotten most minor plot details. He thought he could just camp with Crocodile until Luffy arrived. Turns out the idiot hadn't even found the stone yet. No way was he sticking around to be mistaken for Baroque Works!
"Wait! I just haven't found it yet! The deal can still stand!"
"Call me when you do."
Luo Lin waved lazily without turning back.
He knew Crocodile would eventually find it… right before Luffy kicked his ass.
"This isn't a place you can just walk in and out of as you please! Desert Storm!!"
A small sand tornado roared toward them.
Luo Lin's eyes turned cold.
He let go of Robin, slashed once with Mitama—the sandstorm vanished, and the remaining sword pressure kept flying toward Crocodile.
Crocodile barely leaped aside. He didn't know Haki, but he knew that slash could hurt him.
Luo Lin wasn't done. Shave—whoosh—he was already beside Crocodile, side-kicking him straight in the ribs.
"So fast!!"
BOOM!
Crocodile crashed through walls, fell several stories, and demolished a house on impact.
Luo Lin glanced down, grabbed Robin's hand again, and strolled out like nothing happened.
Gotta hand it to the guy—balls of steel. Picking fights with Whitebeard, now this.
His "Desert Storm" just now was the weakest version possible—he was testing the waters. If Luo Lin was only so-so, he'd let him go with a threat. If he could land a sneak attack, he'd force cooperation.
Never expected Luo Lin to one-shot him through a building.
Cough cough… That bastard!
In the rubble, Crocodile clutched his side. Hurts like hell. Luo Lin didn't kill him—just a friendly reminder who's boss.
Meanwhile, Luo Lin and Robin walked out of the casino like they owned the place.
"Where to now?"
"Palace."
"Huh? …Oh!"
Robin instantly understood. Crocodile hadn't taken the stone yet = still in royal hands.
"But we can't just waltz into the royal tomb. First, we infiltrate the king's side."
"How?"
"Ahem. Plan's ready. Just follow me."
And so, under Robin's twitching smile, Luo Lin used Conqueror's Haki to bulldoze his way straight into the palace.
That was your grand plan?!
They met King Cobra, revealed their identities and goal, promised to save the kingdom in exchange for the Poneglyph, and claimed to be "friends of Princess Vivi."
The royal guards were skeptical (Vivi never mentioned them), but the country was falling apart—they had no choice but to trust for now.
At this point, the Straw Hats were on Drum Island kidnapping Chopper to cure Nami's fever. They still had to pass Little Garden → get delayed by the mosquito → arrive in Alabasta a couple days late.
As expected, Luffy won Chopper over with pure charisma.
Two days later, the disguised Straw Hats (terrible disguises) landed in Alabasta, ditched the costumes, and planned to stop the rebel army first.
Luffy, impatient as ever, got separated from the group and wandered the desert alone.
Luo Lin? Already camping in the exact restaurant where Luffy and Ace would reunite, ordering mountains of food.
Robin was safe in the palace—she'd been forced to learn Haki years ago. No one in Paradise could touch her.
Ace walked in, sat right next to Luo Lin (they'd never met as kids), and ordered just as much food.
Then—mid-meal—face-planted into his plate and fell asleep.
Luo Lin nearly spat out his rice. Someone actually eats himself unconscious?!
But he kept eating. Soon both tables were buried under empty plates, surrounded by shocked onlookers whispering:
"He's dead!" "Definitely dead!" "How is the guy next to the corpse still eating so happily?!"
Luo Lin finished his last grain, chugged juice, burped, and started picking his teeth with a toothpick.
Ace suddenly jolted awake, scaring everyone half to death.
Crowd dispersed—false alarm, nothing to see.
Ace pulled out Luffy's wanted poster and asked the owner if he'd seen him.
Then a voice from behind:
"Pretty bold, eating so casually in public—Portgas D. Ace, Commander of the 2nd Division of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
The civilians screamed.
"W-Whitebeard Pirates?!"
"That sleepy guy is from Whitebeard's crew?!"
"What's a big-shot pirate doing here?!"
Smoker stepped forward, cigar in mouth.
Ace just yawned.
"I'm looking for my little brother. What do you want?"
"Your destination is Impel Down, pirate."
"I—"
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA!"
Luo Lin burst out laughing beside them.
Smoker's vein throbbed.
"What's so funny, kid—oh? If it isn't the Devil's Guard. Not a pirate, not my problem. Portgas D. Luo Lin."
Ace blinked. Luo Lin? The one Luffy never shuts up about?
Before he could speak—
"Gum-Gum… ROCKET!!"
CRASH!!
A rubbery blur shot through the wall, slamming into Smoker and Ace, sending both flying through several buildings.
The onlookers' jaws hit the floor.
Luo Lin: 🤣🤣 This is the best day ever!
"Yay! Food! Finally food! Bring it all! Meat meat meat!!"
Luffy slammed the table, completely ignoring the human-shaped hole he just made—and the two guys he just yeeted.
The owner stood frozen.
Luo Lin quietly called out:
"Oi, Luffy."
Luffy slowly turned, still stuffing his face.
His eyes gradually widened.
Then—pure joy exploded across his face.
"LUO LIN!!! You're here!!! Awesome!!! HAHAHA!"
He launched himself for a hug.
Luo Lin blocked him.
"Eat first, talk later!"
"Ok!"
And he went right back to inhaling food.
The owner tried to remind him he just flattened two people.
Luo Lin waved him off—paid the bill and left a huge repair fee.
Outside, Ace and Smoker crawled out of the rubble, furious.
"Which bastard—?!"
Smoker looked like his soul left his body.
Ace stormed back in—then saw Luffy demolishing the menu.
His anger instantly turned to delight.
He opened his mouth to yell—
Only for Smoker to slam him face-first into the floor.
"I've been chasing that damn straw hat all over! Found you, Monkey D. Luffy!"
Luffy kept chewing, brain spinning.
Finally remembered.
"You?!"
"Any last words?"
"Wait!"
Smoker actually paused.
Luffy swept every plate into his stretching cheeks, swallowed it all in one gulp, and bolted.
"Thanks for the meal!! Bye-bye!!"
The entire restaurant went silent.
Smoker snapped out of it.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!!"
He and Ace both gave chase.
Luo Lin paid, left the repair money, and casually strolled after them.
Luffy sprinted with comically puffed cheeks.
Smoker literally turned into smoke and pursued.
Ace followed close behind.
As for Luo Lin? He used Soru along the coast, looped around, and was already lounging on the Going Merry by the time everyone arrived.
Shave is just unfair.
Just as Smoker's White Fist was about to hit Luffy—
A wall of flames—Hiken—blocked it.
Ace and Luffy exchanged quick words.
Ace told them to run; he'd hold off Smoker.
The Straw Hats didn't hesitate—they booked it toward the ship!
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