Chapter 52: Alabasta – Rain Dinners Trap & Crocodile's Welcome
Nami and Usopp panted as they ran to the entrance of Rain Dinners casino, just in time to run into Zoro hurrying over.
"Zoro! Where's Vivi? Weren't you with her?" Nami asked urgently.
Zoro looked around after lifting his head: "I told her to go ahead… She hasn't arrived yet?"
Usopp wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Maybe she already went inside?"
At that moment, Luffy's shout came from the distance: "Everyone run! Get inside first!" He was being chased by Smoker in a sorry state, sprinting straight toward the casino.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious suite on the top floor of the casino, Crocodile stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, a cold smile on his lips: "Heh heh heh… So those pirates and Princess Vivi have already reached this city?"
Robin stood elegantly beside him, holding the latest intelligence: "Yes, Mr. 0 just confirmed the information."
"Excellent." Crocodile turned, his black coat billowing behind him. "Let's go down and 'welcome' these self-delivered rats."
"Understood." Robin gave a slight bow and followed him toward the elevator.
——————
In the special Sea Prism Stone cell beneath the casino, Luffy was seriously rubbing his chin: "What a clever trap!"
Usopp crossed his arms and nodded repeatedly: "Yeah, such an elaborate trap—getting caught was unavoidable!"
"Trap your head!" Nami jumped in fury. "We literally ran right into it! Are your brains made of tofu?!"
The group was trapped in a cage made entirely of Sea Prism Stone.
It all started when they caused chaos in the casino and were led by Robin's agents toward the so-called "VIP room." At a fork in the hallway, they saw a sign: left said "VIP," right said "Pirates."
"We're pirates, so obviously this way!" Luffy didn't hesitate and led everyone right—only to all fall through a trapdoor in the floor. Even Smoker, who had been chasing them, fell in and was trapped in the specially designed cell with them.
"So weird… I suddenly feel completely powerless," Luffy grabbed the bars and immediately went limp.
"Huh, Luffy too? I thought it was just me," Usopp said, also feeling drained.
Smack!
Before Zoro could react, Smoker suddenly drew his jutte from behind and swept it horizontally, knocking both of them away. He then pressed the tip of his weapon against Luffy's stomach: "How's that? Feeling powerless again?"
"Uwaaah!" Luffy flopped like a dead fish, eyes rolling back and tongue lolling out.
Usopp barely crawled up, flailing wildly: "Hey! What are you doing! Let go of Luffy! Or I won't be polite!"
Smoker withdrew his weapon. "I embedded a piece of Sea Prism Stone at the tip of this jutte. You could call it a portable sea."
Zoro nodded: "The sea is the natural enemy of Devil Fruit users—so that's why these two idiots are powerless."
Nami finally understood—so the entire cell was made of the same material.
"Of course," Smoker cracked his neck. "Otherwise I'd have escaped long ago. Now we can only pray someone comes to save us. Speaking of which—why haven't I seen Sol with you guys?"
"You know Sol? He went to the bathroom earlier—he should be here to save us soon," Nami tried to get close to Smoker to learn more about her boyfriend's situation.
"That guy's one of my close friends," Smoker replied briefly and said no more. Knowing that pink-haired monster was outside, he wasn't particularly worried anymore. He simply returned to the corner and waited quietly.
Zoro also chose to sit down and rest: "The guy's right. Now we can only wait for Sol and Sanji to come save us. Rest up for now."
Crocodile's figure loomed in the shadows outside the cell, cigar smoke swirling around him. His low laugh echoed in the sealed space: "What a touching show of teamwork… even a Marine captain willingly walked right in."
He slowly approached the bars: "Captain Smoker, I'll report to the World Government that you died heroically pursuing Straw Hat Luffy… They'll probably give you a medal, huh? Hahaha…"
"Crocodile!" Luffy lunged at the bars, only to collapse weakly the instant he touched the Sea Prism Stone.
"Idiot! I told you not to touch the bars!" Usopp frantically dragged him back.
Crocodile looked down at them from above, his golden hook glinting coldly in the dim light: "Don't be impatient, Straw Hat… My partner has already gone to invite a very special 'guest.'" He exhaled a smoke ring, cruelty flashing in his eyes. "Once Princess Vivi arrives, I'll catch you all in one sweep."
Crocodile finished speaking and returned to his seat, sipping red wine: "Enjoy your final moments… Once my 'Utopia' plan is complete, this country will no longer need royalty."
Outside the casino, Vivi watched in despair as Pell was effortlessly taken down. Robin elegantly clapped her hands: "Even the kingdom's strongest warrior is nothing special." She turned to Vivi with a dangerous smile: "Princess Vivi, please come with me."
"Can… can I come too?"
A voice suddenly spoke right behind Robin's ear. She stiffened instantly and leaped forward. When she turned, Sol was standing exactly where she had been moments ago, holding Chopper. Sanji stepped out from the shadows, lighting a cigarette.
"Vivi, you okay?" Chopper jumped down and ran over, nervously checking on her.
"I'm fine…" Vivi breathed a sigh of relief, pointing at the unconscious Pell. "Help Pell first!"
Robin narrowed her eyes: "Fire Dragon Sol… appearing out of nowhere again, just like last time." She suddenly crossed her arms: "Six Flower Bloom: Claw!"
Six arms instantly bloomed on Sol's body—two pairs clamping his upper body, another pair grabbing his ankles, trying to pull him backward. But Sol didn't budge—like an immovable mountain.
"Impossible…" Robin's pupils shrank slightly. Sol gestured for her to continue, but Robin wisely raised both hands: "Ara ara… I surrender."
Sol smiled and—magically—pulled a rope from his pocket: "Tie yourself, or should I help?"
"What a twisted man~" Robin pouted and sighed helplessly, but still used her ability to perform a perfect "self-binding" show.
When Sol handed the rope end to Sanji, the cook—who had just been protesting "You must treat a lady gently!"—instantly changed expression: "Yes sir! I'll definitely tie this beautiful big sister's love line nice and tight!"
On the other side, Chopper had already fixed Pell's dislocated joints: "Just a dislocation—nothing serious."
Vivi looked complicatedly at the bound Robin, who returned a mysterious smile: "What? Touched to tears, little princess?"
Sol flexed his wrists: "Alright—next up, time to meet Mr. 'Crocodile.'"
--------------------------
Support us on patreon (+Gain access to 100 chapters in advance)
patreon.com/inkshield