Chapter 185: Zoro: Suddenly Feeling a Bit Redundant
The meowing cries of the sea cats still echoed in their ears as the Going Merry slowly sailed into the port city of Nanohana in Alabasta.
"We're here."
Nami lowered her telescope, but her expression remained tense.
Because what she saw wasn't just the harbor—it was also the dense cluster of ships covering the sea outside the port.
The vessels varied in size and flew different flags, but upon closer inspection, one could spot the cleverly concealed identical mark—the hidden emblem of Baroque Works.
"So many ships..."
Usopp swallowed hard.
Vivi stood at the prow, the sea breeze lifting her long hair.
She stared at the ships, her voice tight:
"These are all subordinates of Baroque Works' senior agents. Just like Bon Kurei we encountered before, each senior officer has their own fleet and crew."
Nami quickly estimated the numbers, her expression growing even graver:
"So this time, Baroque Works has mobilized only their elites. Just the number of people on these ships alone must be in the hundreds."
"Hundreds?"
Usopp's voice began to tremble, but this time, his way of expressing fear was a bit peculiar—
He turned and ran toward the stern, then pushed a large cannon, huffing and puffing, to the side of the ship.
"Usopp, what are you doing?"
Chopper tilted his head in confusion.
"What am I doing?"
Usopp adjusted the cannon's angle as he spoke, "Before they spot us, let's fire a few shots! Sink a few of their ships, and their numbers will drop!"
He spoke with conviction, his hands never stopping.
His posture suggested he was ready to light the fuse at any moment.
Ralph walked over and placed a hand on the cannon.
"Starting a fight now isn't a problem. With our current strength, wiping out this fleet would just take a bit more effort."
Usopp's eyes lit up:
"Right! That's what I—"
"But," Ralph interrupted him, "that won't do any good for saving Alabasta."
Usopp froze.
"Instead, it would alert Crocodile."
Ralph looked at Vivi, "What we need most right now is to infiltrate this country quietly, not start a battle with Baroque Works' main force at the harbor."
Vivi nodded firmly:
"Ralph is right. The top priority now is to find the rebel army and explain to them that the turmoil in Alabasta is all Crocodile's scheme."
"We must stop them from fighting the royal army!"
"Explain what!"
Lufia had somehow already climbed to the top of the main mast, shading her eyes as she gazed at the distant city.
Hearing Vivi's words, she turned her head, "If everything is that Crocodile's doing, why not just go and beat him up? I'm heading to Rainbase! I'm going to beat him up!"
The deck fell silent for a moment.
On one side was Vivi's "find the rebel army, explain the truth, stop the war." On the other was Lufia's "just beat up Crocodile to solve the problem."
Two approaches, two choices.
Everyone looked at Ralph—
Without realizing it, this black-haired man had become the team's de facto decision-maker.
Ralph glanced at Vivi, then at Lufia on the mast, "Then let's split into two teams."
"Huh?"
Everyone was stunned.
"With our current combat strength, even if we split into two teams, we can easily accomplish our respective goals."
Ralph spread his hands, "While stopping the war at the fastest speed, we also take down the mastermind behind it—isn't that the most perfect plan?"
He spoke so casually, as if this wasn't a plan to confront one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and save a country, but rather a simple game.
Strangely enough, hearing his words, everyone felt reassured.
If Ralph said so, then it had to be this way.
Next was the question of how to divide the team.
The group with Lufia would head straight to Rainbase to confront the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile, head-on.
Meanwhile, those escorting Vivi to find the rebel army and stop the war would need to use their intelligence advantage to quietly cross Alabasta, avoiding the eyes and ears of Baroque Works.
Two tasks, two completely different styles.
"It seems the team dealing with Crocodile needs stronger combat power."
Zoro crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"The team stopping the war requires more carefulness and wisdom."
As soon as he finished speaking, the crew members naturally began to align themselves based on their roles.
Thus, the division was decided:
Vivi, Nami, Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper in one team;
Lufia, Ralph, and Zoro in the other.
Zoro looked at the five people on the opposite side, then at his own team, which only had three including Lufia. Finally, his gaze settled on Sanji and Usopp.
"Nami is the Navigator, Chopper is the ship's doctor—both are functional roles with low combat power. It makes sense for them to choose to go with Vivi."
Zoro said with a playful expression.
"But Sanji, Usopp, what's your situation?"
Sanji replied confidently:
"Lufia naturally has Ralph to take care of her. How could we not have a reliable person to look after Miss Nami and Miss Vivi on this side?"
"Hey! Sanji! Who are you calling unreliable?!"
Usopp immediately protested, but upon careful thought...
Saying he was unreliable didn't seem wrong!
He choked for a moment, then forced himself to justify:
"It's not that I'm afraid of that Crocodile!!"
He emphasized.
"In my heart, stopping the war is just as important as defeating the enemy! Besides, Sanji only knows how to take care of girls. I still have to look after Chopper!"
Chopper, hearing this, was moved to tears and rushed over to hug Usopp's leg: "Usopp! Thank you!"
Lufia jumped down from the mast, dusting off her hands:
"I don't really care either way."
As she spoke, she glanced at Ralph, her lips unconsciously curving upward.
"With Ralph here, I always feel at ease no matter what."
Her words were so natural, so matter-of-fact.
Ralph felt a warmth in his heart, but then Lufia added:
"The only thing to worry about is if the enemies aren't enough to fight, or if Ralph tries to steal Crocodile from me."
"In that case, my wish to increase my bounty will be dashed again!"
"Don't worry."
Ralph laughed.
"I promise to leave Crocodile for you."
"You promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
The two of them went back and forth, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
Zoro stood to the side, suddenly feeling a bit superfluous.
He seriously considered:
Should he also switch to the other team?
Though they were dividing into teams, it was still too early.
According to the route, the path to Rainbase, where Crocodile was located, and Yuba, where the rebel army was, overlapped for a stretch.
Everyone could easily split up after reaching Yuba.
Their most urgent task now was to procure supplies in Alubarna.
"First, we need to change into local clothing."
Nami had already entered planning mode.
"We not only have to hide our identities as pirates but also help Vivi conceal her status as a princess. Then, we must stock up on enough food and water—crossing the desert is no joke."
As she spoke, she had already started making a list on paper.
But Lufia couldn't wait any longer.
"Food!"
Her eyes lit up.
"We've been eating fish for days at sea! I want meat! Lots and lots of meat!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she dashed off the ship and sprinted toward the town.
"Wait! Lufia! We haven't changed clothes yet—"
Vivi's voice was scattered by the sea breeze.
Ralph sighed and said to the others:
"You go ahead and shop. I'll catch up with her."
And so, the only two members of the Straw Hat Pirates with bounties on their heads entered the city without any disguise.