SALUTATIONS! I rejoice to you joining me in this new month. I hope all your ambitions for this year come to fruition!
Thank you all, and may this chapter bring great entertainment to your month.
After their brief encounter with Luffy's older brother, they returned their focus to their mission.
The crew sailed along the Sandora River, the water gently rocking the Going Merry as it meandered through the desert landscape. Vivi took a moment to sketch out a route on a map detailing their upcoming destination—Yuba. She also sent Karoo off the ship with a detailed message for her father concerning Crocodile's plans.
If he was made aware of the situation this way, then he would be able to take the necessary precautions, at least she hoped. It was better than being in the dark about what was happening to their country. Her father wasn't the type to make rash decisions as king, but she didn't want Crocodile manipulating or forcing them to move. Besides that, Crocodile had built his reputation well in Alabasta and her father even held gratitude towards the warlord for protecting their country from other pirates. She needed to pull that veil away before anything else happened.
The bigger challenge wouldn't be getting to Yuba but for Vivi to convince the rebel army's leader to stand down. She intended to approach the leader and, armed with the information she had gathered, about Crocodile's insidious agenda. She aimed to avert a civil war within Alabasta, preventing the unnecessary spilling of blood and chaos that Crocodile sought to exploit.
Sakura was quite concerned about this plan. Convincing people, especially those already committed to a cause, wasn't a matter of presenting facts and figures; it involved navigating through emotions, grievances, and deep-seated beliefs.
"Are you sure this will work?"
Vivi nodded, a mixture of determination and hope in her eyes. "I have to try. If we can avoid more bloodshed within Alabasta, it's worth the effort. Crocodile wants this war, and I won't let him succeed."
"Yeah, we're gonna kick Crocodile's ass!" Luffy exclaimed, leaping from the deck.
Sakura glanced at Vivi, "We didn't even really talk about that part,"
This operation was working a lot differently than what she was used to as a shinobi. When Sakura went on missions with her team, they usually planned meticulously their moves as if they were pieces on a chess board.
'Should we sit down and make an actual plan?'
Sakura thought about it, then she heard Sanji crying out and running over to Nami like he had just burned his cooking. "Nami-san! Where's your dancer outfit!?"
Nami was now wearing a regular plain dress offering full coverage over her body, she admitted that she was still wearing the clothing under her, Vivi had followed her example. She then handed off some clothing to Luffy and a pair to Sakura.
"These should be more comfortable for the dessert," Vivi said
Sakura sighed in relief, "Thank you!"
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Sakura looked at herself in the mirror, soothing the wrinkles on her dress. It was a simple plain beige robe that would keep her from frying in the sun. Feeling like she was betraying herself a little, she glanced at the dancer outfit Sanji had picked out for her. He even took it out in red when she told him it was her favorite color.
A two-piece, top and long skirt. She held them up to her body, remembering that Nami and Vivi looked very elegant in their outfits.
Her bottom lip pulled out, and her brows 'Doesn't suit....'
Sakura shook her head, 'Why am I remembering that jerk's words?'
Zoro didn't even mean it maliciously, he was just saying the first thing that popped into his dumb moss head. And they were just going about as usual, butting heads. Something she was all for.
She gave a heavy sigh.
"What's that face about?"
Jumping, Sakura threw the clothing across the room at the culprit. She watched Zoro hit the floor and slip on the last step on impact, slamming his head on another step.
"What the hell are you doing down here!?"
"Vivi says we're almost there," Zoro said, taking the clothes she had flung at him and tossing them to the side.
"I'll be up in a minute," Sakura went back to the mirror tugging her fingers through her hair to tie it into a bun. It would only prove to annoy her when she sweats, with strands sticking to her face if she kept it untied.
"What?" Sakura asked after noting he hadn't left yet. And his gaze was piercing through her.
Zoro turned on his heel, walked up the stairs, and without meeting her eye said, "That suits the weather,"
Sakura raised her eyebrow, watching Zoro leave. 'Was that meant to be a compliment?'
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Sakura, with her usual silent grace, stepped out to head to the deck of the ship. But her attention was diverted when she noticed Nami engrossed in some peculiar items. Three poles with holes in them, a seemingly inconspicuous yet intriguing sight. Especially when she struggled to jam them into her bag. With curiosity getting the better of her, Sakura approached Nami.
What are those for?" Sakura inquired, her green eyes reflecting genuine interest.
Nami caught off guard, and jumped slightly, a reflex born of the unexpected interruption. "Sakura! Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Sorry," Sakura offered a sheepish smile. She gestured toward the peculiar poles. "Are those poles for a tent? Vivi said it should only take half a day for us to reach Yuba, so I don't think we really need to worry about- "
Nami hesitated for a moment as if deciding whether to share the secret behind her newfound possessions. Then, with a sigh, she decided to spill the beans.
"It's not for a tent," Nami admitted, her eyes averting for a brief moment before meeting Sakura's gaze. "It's a weapon. I had Usopp make it for me,"
Sakura tilted her head, puzzled. "Okay... I didn't know you used a staff."
Nami sighed again, her fingers running along the edge of one of the poles. "Well, I figured we might get dragged into a battle, and I didn't want to be unprepared."
Something was hinting in Nami's tone that Sakura didn't want to leave alone because it seemed to be weighing on the girl's shoulders. It was just a look in her eyes that lingered but it mirrored one Sakura had become familiar with when she was twelve.
"Something you want to tell me?"
Nami hesitated again. "Just... it must be nice to be as strong as you are," she confessed.
"Huh?" Sakura's brows furrowed in surprise.
"Even though we're both girls," Nami continued, "you can protect yourself and others. You're even able to heal them when they're hurt."
Understanding dawned in Sakura's eyes. This was a familiar sentiment—a longing for strength, a desire to overcome one's vulnerabilities. She had once harbored similar feelings.
"I can't do that. I can't even protect myself well enough not to burden my friends during battle. I don't want it to impact this mission. Not when there's so much on the line for Vivi. So I was hoping that this might be able to make up for my lacking,"
When it came to navigating, Nami was truly the best. It was as if she could sense the change in weather with her body alone. And she had survived hardships, becoming an excellent thief, a craft she needed to ensure her survival and that of her village. On the other hand, she didn't have any professional training in battle. She didn't try to engage in direct fights, because they usually wouldn't fall in her favor. So while the encounter with dangers could be comparable, the preparations were largely different.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji had trained themselves for battle. They were eager to engage in combat, to test their strength, this was where they held the spotlight. And it was a big part of a pirate's life. They had to be able to fight to survive the sea and all the dangers that came with it.
Sakura gave a small scoff, and smile sitting down in front of Nami, "Believe me, I know how it is. Those feelings of weakness. When your struggles are not the same as others but the obstacles are. And all you can do is either stand back or be in the way,"
Nami looked at Sakura, "No way, you?"
The quiet acknowledgment of her own past struggles lingered in Sakura's words. Nami listened, absorbing the sincerity in Sakura's voice.
"Yeah. Took almost losing my friends for about the dozenth time before I finally realized something needed to change. That I needed to be stronger. So I trained, for years, with my mentor,"
And yet, in the end, she found herself here. Completely in limbo, with no clear starting line for how this happened to the finish line of how this will end.
"One thing I learned about being a woman, is that we have to be strong. Or the world is going to trample us," Sakura put her hand on Nam's shoulder, "But don't force yourself to do more than what you can right now. You need to make sure you live long enough to improve."
Sakura didn't want to encourage Nami to have the same reckless disposition as the boys from her village had. If there was something in their way, they were determined to push beyond their limits just to see how far they could get even if they couldn't win. Nothing was impossible if it wasn't ventured first, warnings of others meant nothing until they experienced the consequences for themselves and decided if it was worth it or not. And none of them ever regretted the choices either, because it was their own. Sakura couldn't understand having that kind of drive, she was honest in that regard.
She remembered how Rock Lee risked his life with surgery just so that he could continue living as a ninja. Then there was Sasuke who was willing to throw away everything to gain power. Naruto would never give up, no matter how hopeless a situation became. If something was standing in the way of their dreams and goals, they would do everything they could to overcome it. Pain, and logic, nothing held them back.
The only way they stopped would be if they were dead.
Sakura didn't know if she could ever have that same drive. She pushed limits but nothing in comparison to them.
Perhaps that's why she sympathized with Nami, who had to stand beside people like Luffy. It was hard when you couldn't keep up.
"When we get the chance, I'll give you a hand,"
Nami grinned, "I'd like that,"
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As they disembarked, a sudden commotion erupted from the water. The crew immediately went on high alert, ready for a potential ambush. However, the threat turned out to be rather unexpected—creatures emerging from the water. They were a peculiar blend of turtles and seals, with faces and bodies resembling seals and protective shells covering their heads and backs.
"What are those?" Sakura questioned, her eyes fixed on the bizarre creatures.
"Kung Fu Du Gongs!" Vivi exclaimed, identifying the creatures as territorial sea creatures known for their aggressive nature. The crew cautiously observed them, but Usopp, in a moment of overconfidence, approached too closely and found himself at the mercy of the Kung Fu Du Gongs' martial prowess.
Luffy, true to his impulsive nature, seized the opportunity and engaged with the creatures. Vivi, realizing what was about to happen, warned him not to harm the animals, but it was too late. The unconventional battle unfolded, leaving the crew somewhat baffled by the creatures' unexpected combat skills.
Vivi explained, "It's their custom for the loser to become the winner's disciple!"
"This world is so weird." Sakura gave a heave of exasperation.
Indeed, in a world filled with sea beasts, dinosaurs, talking reindeer, and now martial arts-practicing creatures, Sakura couldn't help but acknowledge the extraordinary and sometimes perplexing nature of the Grand Line.
The little Du Gongs, having been bested by Luffy in their martial arts demonstration, bowed in respect. Chopper, acting as the translator, conveyed their sentiments to the crew. Luffy started engaging with the creatures, training them to mimic his moves, much to the amusement of the crew.
As Luffy prepared to continue their journey to Yuba, he turned to his crew with a determined expression. "Okay, guys, let's go to Yuba!"
However, Zoro couldn't hide his irritation as he noticed the little Du Gongs standing neatly behind Luffy, seemingly ready to follow.
Sakura immediately opposed the idea. "Uh-uh! No! We are not taking them with us!"
"Why not?" Luffy asked.
Vivi stepped in to explain, "Du Gongs can't cross the desert."
The little creatures, understanding the situation, clung to Luffy's legs, nuzzling him in an adorable display. Despite their initial resistance, Vivi and Nami found it challenging to resist the cuteness overload. Even Sakura, who usually stood as a voice of reason, had succumbed to the charm of the tiny creatures.
Zoro, looking at Sakura, couldn't believe his eyes. "Can you believe this—seriously?! You too!?" he exclaimed, only to find Sakura muttering about how cute they were.
Chopper, always considerate, went to their bags and pulled out some food, offering it to the Du Gongs. "You can have this if you stay here, okay?" The creatures, satisfied with the offering, agreed and waved the crew off as they departed for the desert.
"At least we seem to have some guards for the Going Merry," Sakura remarked, glancing back at the little Du Gongs.
"You better not pick up any more strange animals on our way, Luffy!" Nami warned.
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As they approached Elumalu, the so-called "city of Green," the crew was greeted by a sight that starkly contradicted its name. The once-thriving city now lay in ruins, its buildings half-buried in the unforgiving desert sand. Vivi led the group through the eerily silent streets of the city that had once thrived but now lay in ruins. The buildings, partially buried in the sand, told a tale of a place that had seen better days. The wind carried whispers of a time when the river flowed, sustaining life in this arid land.
Vivi, in her role as navigator and guide, introduced the desolate place with a certain sadness in her voice. "This is Elumalu, the city of Green," she declared, but there was little green to be seen. The crew exchanged glances, their expressions revealing their disbelief at the stark difference between expectation and reality. Only Vivi knew that not long ago, this now desolate place had been a lively and thriving city.
Vivi began to recount the story of Alabasta's recent troubles. Three years ago, the drought had struck the desert country. Despite being accustomed to harsh conditions, Alabasta relied on rain, which fell sporadically and was stored to sustain the land. However, one place still received water—the capital, Alubarna.
"People called it the King's miracle," Vivi explained. "But it was all a deception."
"Are you saying the rain was set up?" asked Sakura.
"Yes,"
She went on to reveal the truth. Three years ago, a cart carrying goods to the palace tipped over, revealing crates of Dance Powder. The traders claimed it was intended for the king. Nami clarified its nature. The powder, when burned, accelerated the formation of rain clouds, causing rainfall earlier than natural. However, this process stole rain from other regions, leading to conflicts and wars.
"When the dance powder forced rain clouds to mature early and it would rain, that just meant another region that was meant to receive those clouds would be left without rain which could lead to a drought. It's happened before. That's why Dance powder was banned by the World Government. It's illegal to produce or possess," Nami told them.
"Exactly,"
Zorn and Luffy listened to the explanation but the information didn't seem to sink in well.
"So it makes the rain fall," said Zoro.
"Oh I get it, it's a magic powder!"
Sakura shook her head, "No, this Dance Powder It accelerates the creation of ice particles in sub-freezing temperature clouds, resulting in near-immediate heavy rainfall.
The process in which the artificial rain is created artificially matures clouds which allows them to release rain.
However, this powder cannot create new rainwater entirely. If the powder causes all rain to fall in one location, it will deprive other locations of rain, causing droughts."
Zoro frowned pulling his face as he looked at Sakura, "You can figure that out, but you can't even remember how to get home?"
Sakura bulked, glaring at Zoro, "What was that?"
Usopped sighed, "It's always something with these two,"
"Once the Dance Powder was uncovered the entire Nation realized the truth behind the capital's rain." and of course the King was the major suspect. Vivi recounted how the Dance Powder revelation had shattered the people's trust in the king. The rebel army emerged as a response to this perceived betrayal. However, what they didn't know was that the entire Dance Powder incident was a trap set by Crocodile to sow discord and chaos in the country.
"That's when I decided to go undercover and learn the truth, about who's been trying to defame my father," Vivi said.
"And you discovered Baroque works and Crocodile," Sakura stated.
"Yes,"
The revelation of Alabasta's tragic history left a heavy atmosphere lingering over the ruins of Elumalu. As Vivi knelt in the sand, holding the skull that represented the remnants of the once-vibrant City of Green, her voice resonated with pain and anger. Sakura, now fully aware of the orchestrated chaos and suffering, felt a growing sense of determination to put an end to Crocodile's manipulations.
Viv's lip trembled as they stopped in front of a sandy lineup that looked like a road, but it was actually a remnant of what used to be a canal that received water from the Sandora River. As the drought continued, and the Dance powder incident incited distrust it wasn't long before the in-fighting began.
"And then the City of Green withered away," Vivi lamented, her voice carrying the weight of sorrow and frustration.
In a moment of despair, Vivi clutched the skull of a resident that had been left to their fate in the desolate city, questioning Crocodile's right to inflict such suffering on an entire nation. Her friends, sharing in her pain, found their ways to express anger. Sanji, Luffy, and Usopp vented their frustration by toppling the remains of the once-proud city.
As the sun beat down on the desolate landscape, Luffy, ever impulsive, urged them to move forward. The crew, fueled by a mixture of sorrow and determination, continued their journey.
"Let's hurry and get a move on," said Luffy.
SNEAK PEEK CHAPTER 24
"Luffy, I'm not going to say it again, put the scorpion down!" Sakura's voice cut through the commotion, her eyes narrowing at the potential chaos.
Under the scorching sun of the Alabasta desert, Luffy's antics took an unexpected turn as he decided to use a scorpion as a makeshift prop for his playfulness. The scuttling creature became a pawn in his chase with Usopp, dangled dangerously by its tail. Concerned for both her crewmates and the unsuspecting scorpion, Sakura intervened, scolding Luffy for his reckless behavior.
"Luffy, get away from me!" Usopp pleaded, trying to evade the unpredictable dance around the desert. His fear overcame the heat.
With a swift and assertive move, Sakura marched over to Luffy, giving him a solid knock on the head. She swiftly took the scorpion from him, flinging it far into the desert.
"You're going to wear yourself and everyone out at this rate," Sakura warned, her eyes stern.
"Nu-uh! There's no way a desert's gonna bring me down!" Luffy protested, throwing his arms up defiantly. However, before he could continue his antics, Sakura seized him by his cloak, dragging him along to keep pace with the group as they continued their journey through the unforgiving desert.
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
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-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi
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-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
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-Through the Looking Glass chapter 21, 22, 23
-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
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