Chapter 201: This Isn't Real!
Nami stood on the bank of the Sandora River, her face pale with dread.
After being desperately thirsty the whole journey, now they were facing such a massive river...
Chopper blinked his big eyes,
"How are we going to cross?"
That was a good question.
The Sandora River was the largest river in Alabasta, at least two or three kilometers wide.
Swim across?
Forget about the physical stamina—just the thought of what creatures might be living in this river was enough to send shivers down their spines.
Vivi frowned, as if trying hard to recall something, searching for a solution.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Just then, Chopper suddenly lifted his head, his two deer ears twitching like radar.
"I have an idea."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"I can use animal language to communicate with the creatures in the river..."
Chopper's voice was uncertain, "Maybe we can find one willing to carry us across..."
"Let's give it a try!"
Usopp pushed him toward the riverbank, "Desperate times call for desperate measures!"
Chopper stood by the water's edge, took a deep breath, and then—
"Yoo—! Yoo-yoo————! Yoo-yoo-yoo——!"
It was a frequency almost impossible for human vocal cords to produce.
About ten seconds passed.
Suddenly, the river began to churn.
A massive dark shadow rose from the riverbed, growing larger and larger.
Splash!
A fish head large enough to swallow a small boat broke through the water.
It was a catfish.
A catfish so enormous it made one wonder if it had lived for three hundred years.
It lowered its head, staring at the tiny figures on the shore with eyes bigger than Chopper's, and let out a low rumble.
Chopper listened, then conversed with it. After a moment, he happily translated for everyone:
"He's a very friendly guy and agreed to carry us across the river!"
Time was of the essence.
Vivi was the first to jump onto the catfish's back.
"Please help us!"
She bowed to the giant catfish.
The catfish's eyes narrowed, revealing what looked like a kind smile.
So everyone jumped on.
The catfish's back was as wide as a moving piece of land.
Everyone sat or stood as they began crossing the Sandora River.
Usopp drank his fill of water, feeling pleasantly surprised:
"Who would've thought we'd get to experience a water journey in a desert kingdom..."
Nami shot him a glare:
"Be careful not to fall in."
Vivi didn't join their casual chatter.
She sat facing the catfish's head, her brow furrowed.
The fish had already reached the middle of the river.
Suddenly, Vivi stood up abruptly.
"Wait."
Her voice trembled slightly, "I just remembered..."
Everyone looked at her.
"The habits of the Sandora Catfish..."
Vivi's face turned grim, "They're carnivorous, and..."
She didn't finish, but everyone understood.
They all turned their eyes to the "kind-hearted" giant catfish beneath them.
The corners of the catfish's mouth slowly curved upward, forming an eerily human-like smile.
"Chopper!"
Nami screamed, "What did you say to it?!"
"I—I just said we wanted to cross the river!"
Chopper panicked, "He said, 'Sure, hop on!' I thought he was a friendly breed!"
"What kind of man-eating fish in this world would willingly carry people across a river?!"
Usopp was on the verge of a breakdown, "That's way too sneaky!"
The giant catfish stopped pretending.
With a fierce flick of its tail, its massive body began to thrash violently.
Everyone was instantly thrown into the air—
Splash! Splash! Splash!
A series of splashing sounds followed.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Nami surfaced, her hair plastered across her face, but her excellent swimming skills kept her unharmed.
However, the giant catfish had already turned around, opening its massive mouth as it charged toward them.
"Sanji! The catfish is coming!"
Usopp shouted.
Sanji hovered in the air using Geppo, but he was alone.
If he attacked the catfish, who would save his companions in the water?
If he went down to rescue them, who would stop the fish?
In that very moment—
Chopper, as a Devil Fruit User, had already gone limp, foaming at the mouth!
Usopp dove over, lifting Chopper onto his head, treading water while shouting:
"I've got Chopper! Is everyone else okay!"
Vivi didn't answer.
From the corner of his eye, Sanji caught sight of—
Vivi's body slowly sinking. She tried to paddle, but her movements were weak.
The giant catfish was about to bite down on Vivi.
"Miss Vivi!"
Without hesitation, Sanji dove down using Geppo, scooped up Vivi, pushed off the water's surface, and leaped back into the air.
The catfish missed its target and turned toward Usopp and Nami in the water.
"Help—!"
Usopp frantically dog-paddled while holding Chopper.
Just then—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Over a dozen figures shot out of the water onto the catfish.
They were Kung-Fu Dugongs.
They rushed in front of the giant catfish and, without a word, started pummeling it with their fins.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
The catfish was beaten until it saw stars. Before it could react, it was pinned underwater by a group of Kung-Fu Dugongs, unable to move.
The lead Kung-Fu Dugong turned back and struck a "strong" pose toward the group in the water.
Everyone scrambled back onto the catfish's back—this time, with the dugongs escorting them as the catfish continued swimming.
Chopper, panting heavily, translated:
"They—they say, as fellow disciples, they'll escort us across the river."
"Fellow disciples?"
Nami wiped the water from her face.
"Since when are we their fellow disciples?"
"Lufia is their master."
Usopp suddenly understood.
"Lufia is our captain... so we're…"
"Senior brothers."
Chopper said seriously.
"The dugongs call us senior brothers."
Nami was speechless.
But she had to admit, this time they really owed it to Lufia.
Under the "escort" of the Kung-Fu Dugongs, the giant catfish obediently carried everyone to the opposite shore.
As they got off the fish, Usopp glanced back at the catfish.
It was being held underwater by several dugongs, being lectured, its fishy face full of grievance.
After landing, the group hurried to the rebel army's base as fast as they could.
However, when they arrived, only a small squad left behind remained at the base.
"Where's the main force?"
Vivi grabbed a rebel soldier and asked.
"Princess?"
The soldier was first surprised, then his face twisted with resentment.
"The main force has already marched out!
This morning, His Majesty the King—no, that tyrant!
He actually ordered the guards to shoot at civilians in the streets!!"
Vivi's face instantly turned pale.
"That can't be true…"
"How can it not be!"
The soldier said excitedly.
"Many people saw it with their own eyes!
The king's face, the guards' uniforms, and some were even injured!
Everyone can't take it anymore!
Koza has led everyone to the capital to make that tyrant pay!!"
Vivi took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
"That wasn't the king."
She said.
"That was a Devil Fruit User in disguise."
The soldier froze.
"The Dance Powder Incident was also a frame-up."
Vivi quickly explained, "The three-year drought, the nation's turmoil, and this morning's attack—all of it is Baroque Works' conspiracy.
Their goal is to incite war and seize Alabasta."
The soldier's mouth hung open, unable to speak for a long moment.
"I... I'll go prepare the camels right away!"
He turned and ran outside, "Your Highness, hurry to the capital and stop the war! You must let everyone know the truth!"
He had only taken two steps before Sanji kicked him to the ground.
"Sanji!"
Nami exclaimed, "What are you doing!"
Sanji, cigarette in his mouth, looked coldly at the soldier groaning on the ground.
"The Rebel Army encounters a royal princess, yet shows no suspicion or hostility."
He exhaled a puff of smoke, "That's the strangest part."
Everyone was stunned.
"Moreover,"
Sanji continued, "Miss Vivi only gave a brief explanation, and he accepted it completely without any further questions."
"It's as if... he already knew the princess would come and had already heard this story."
Nami's expression changed. She stepped forward and pulled up the soldier's sleeve.
On the inside of his arm, a Baroque Works mark was clearly visible.