"Shi-shi-shi! You're a funny guy! Be my nakama!"
On the beach, Sabo stood there completely stunned as he watched Luffy inviting a Kung Fu Dugongs to join the crew.
He could understand Chopper; after all, Chopper had eaten a Human-Human Devil Fruit, so he was effectively half-human. But a Kung Fu Dugongs...
Chopper, on the other hand, was absolutely thrilled. "Luffy, really? Is he going to be our companion from now on?"
"Of course!"
And so, the fourth member of the Straw Hat Pirates was confirmed: a Kung Fu Dugongs.
"I say, Luffy..." Sabo facepalmed, at a total loss for words. "Are you actually serious?"
"Yeah! I think Midori is going to be really strong!"
"Midori?"
"Yeah, I just named him. Look, Midori looks happy!"
"Fine... as long as you're both happy."
In truth, if one followed the original story, this Kung Fu Dugongs actually became quite successful, even learning Haki. It had to be admitted that while Luffy was an idiot and selfish in many ways, he had an incredible eye for talent. Anyone he took an interest in turned out to be a goldmine of potential. Perhaps that was a unique perk of being the protagonist.
"What's next? Where are we going?"
"Next... I want to find a navigator! They say Alabasta is the largest country in the world, so we should be able to find a great navigator there, right?"
"Luffy, Alabasta is indeed huge and heavily populated, but the country hasn't been very peaceful lately..." Sabo said with a meaningful look.
Before his memories had returned, Sabo had been with the Revolutionary Army. He had heard a great deal about the situation in Alabasta. Some within the Revolutionary Army had even suggested utilizing the chaos in Alabasta—or perhaps even giving it a secret push—to recruit a large number of warriors and expand their own strength.
However, that plan had never been finalized. The Revolutionary Army had not yet discovered who was behind the unrest or what their ultimate goal was. Intervening without understanding the full picture would have been too risky.
"What's wrong with the country?"
"It hasn't rained there for several years!"
"What's the problem with it not raining?" Luffy tilted his head, looking genuinely confused.
"You... if it doesn't rain, the land becomes arid. If the land is arid, you can't grow food. That's the first problem!" Sabo explained simply. "Secondly, if it doesn't rain for years, the groundwater will dry up. Eventually, there won't even be water to drink. Simply put, in a few years, the entire country might have nothing to eat and nothing to drink!"
"Not having water is fine, but no food? That's unacceptable! Isn't there any way to fix it?"
Unbelievable. He didn't care about the water at all; he only cared about the food. That was Luffy for you.
Sabo was speechless once again. "As for a solution... there are rumors in Alabasta that the King used Dance Powder, causing the rain to stop and the land to wither."
"It was the King? That's easy! I'll just punch him into the horizon!"
"Easier said than done. Besides, those are just rumors. While the Revolutionary Army couldn't pin it down, it seems those rumors were intentionally spread. Much of the intel points toward an organization called Baroque Works."
Sabo shook his head and shared what he knew. According to the Revolutionary Army's investigations, Cobra was actually a very decent king compared to most. He never oppressed his people and was an anomaly among royalty. Furthermore, the situation was contradictory; if Cobra had used Dance Powder, why was Alubarna also suffering from the drought? It made no sense.
Baroque Works, however, was highly suspicious.
"Sabo, do you know where this 'Baroque' whatever is?"
"What are you planning?" Knowing Luffy, Sabo immediately realized the boy intended to meddle in Alabasta's affairs.
"I'm going to find those Baroque people and stop them!"
"You... sigh. Fine. If you want to find people from Baroque Works, you might find clues in Rainbase. Although it's usually rainy there, the rainfall over the past year has been several times the normal amount. It's very abnormal, so..."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!!"
Before Sabo could finish his sentence, Luffy let out a roar and bolted away.
Sabo stared in disbelief. Rainbase was to the North—why the hell was he running South? And besides, the South was the ocean; he could see it just by looking!
'''
Several days later, at the junction of the Calm Belt and the Grand Line.
"Close the auxiliary rotors on both sides! Set sail!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
On a large Marine warship, Nami was loudly commanding a group of marines. After more than a week of sailing, they had finally reached the Grand Line. Now, by using the Eternal Pose, they could reach Alabasta in about five days.
"Rear Admiral!"
"What is it?"
"We just received word from the Alabasta Royal Family. Traces of the Straw Hat Pirates were found in Yuba; their destination seems to be Rainbase."
"So, even though they skipped the East Blue, they've returned to their original route?"
"Rear Admiral?" Lucci looked at Sean, confused by the comment.
"No, never mind. Tell Alabasta to keep watching them. Once we arrive, we will head north up the Sandora River," Sean ordered with a shake of his head.
"Yes, Rear Admiral!"
Alabasta was a massive island divided into east and west by the Sandora River. The western region contained the port city of Eluma; further north was the trade hub of Yuba, and beyond that lay Rainbase. To the east of Rainbase, across the Sandora River, was the capital, Alubarna.
Since he was about five days behind Luffy, following his exact path might not allow him to catch up. The best strategy was to skip landing at the ports of Eluma or Nanohana and sail directly north along the Sandora River, eventually docking between Rainbase and Alubarna. That way, regardless of whether Luffy was still in Rainbase or had already rushed to Alubarna, he would be very close to the landing point.
"Right. Tell Jabra to get ready. When we pass the port city of Nanohana, have him take a company of marines ashore. He'll head to Katreya to lock down the rebel army's position and wait in hiding!"
"Understood. I'll arrange it immediately!"
There was no doubt that he would handle Crocodile on this trip. However, defeating Crocodile didn't mean the rebel army would automatically disband and return to their normal lives.
After all... even if Kohza wanted to call it off, there was a good chance others would push him to keep going.
Just like in the original story, the Revolutionary Army wasn't something that could be stopped just because one person said so. Often, even when you want to stop, others push you from behind, forcing you to keep moving forward.
It was important to remember that Baroque Works had planted numerous moles within the rebel army. Therefore, Sean had to take preemptive measures.
As for whether a company of forty-eight Marines could handle over ten thousand rebels, Sean felt no pressure at all.
Those people were merely misled civilians; at this stage, the vast majority of them lacked weapons, let alone any actual battlefield experience.
And what exactly was the company Jabra commanded? They were individuals with an average Doriki of over 400. Suppressing those rebels would be like child's play. He could easily neutralize them without having to kill a single person.
'''
The Rainbase Casino.
Inside a massive office.
"Mr. 0, we've found a group of interesting pirates in Yuba."
"Interesting pirates... tell me more, day!"
"They're known as the Straw Hat Pirates. Their captain's name is Monkey D. Luffy!"
"Never heard of them. Are they a newly bountied crew?"
Crocodile thought about it for a moment, but the name left no impression on him.
"Doesn't the surname 'Monkey' sound familiar to you, Mr. 0?"
"Hmm? Wait... Monkey... Monkey D. Luffy... Could he be that guy Garp's...?"
"Exactly. If I'm not mistaken, he should be the grandson of the Marine Hero, Garp!"
"Garp's grandson... Now that is an interesting pirate. I wonder, if I capture this brat and hand him over to Cobra to arrange a public execution, wouldn't that be even more interesting, day?"
Crocodile smirked. If played correctly, he might be able to move his timeline forward significantly.
"If that happens, I believe Cobra will be even less inclined to pay attention to us, Mr. 0!"
"Precisely. If Garp comes charging in here out of rage—or perhaps loses his head and kills Cobra in the process... Arrange it. Bring the boy to me!"
"Yes, Mr. 0!"