In the deep wilderness of Alabasta, a howling gale whipped sand and grit across the desolate plains. Here, on a stretch of rocky wasteland devoid of human life for a hundred miles, stood a lonely building: the Spider Cafe.
The clock struck 8:00 PM. Despite the remote location, the shop was not closed; instead, it played host to a group of dangerous individuals with bizarre appearances.
Behind the bar, a blue-haired beauty with a curvaceous figure, dressed in the style of a motorcycle gang leader, was nonchalantly polishing a glass. She was the cafe's owner and a high-ranking agent of Baroque Works—Miss Doublefinger.
By the window sat a tall, muscular man in monk-like robes. His eyes were sharp as blades, and he radiated a cold, unapproachable aura of steel—Mr. 1. At another table sat the heavy-set Mr. 4, who was always a half-beat slow to react, and his talkative, impatient partner, Miss Merry Christmas, an old woman who was currently fuming.
"Where is that damn transvestite? So slow! It makes me furious!" she barked, slapping the table.
Just then, the door burst open.
"I—HAVE ARRIVED!!!"
With a high-pitched shriek, a figure in a pink swan costume entered. He didn't walk; he spun madly on his tiptoes like a ballerina.
"Spinning, spinning—Jete!!"
Mr. 2 Bon Kurei made his grand, flashy entrance. "Oh, sorry to keep you all waiting!" He struck a difficult pose before shouting excitedly, "Listen to me! I met a group of super interesting pirates at sea! The Straw Hats! And I can confirm—they have landed!"
Hearing this, the silent Mr. 1 slowly looked up, holding a stack of the latest bounty posters.
"Monkey D. Luffy, 30 million berries. Pirate Hunter Zoro... and this one." Mr. 1's gaze fell on the photo of a black-haired youth with a constant smirk. "'Guren' Viktor, 28 million berries."
"Oh! That's the red-eyed boy!" Mr. 2 screamed, his expression becoming exaggerated. "Though that Straw Hat kid is fun, my intuition tells me... this Viktor guy is extremely dangerous! That look in his eyes... he's scarier than the Marimo swordsman! He's the type who will kill you if you aren't careful!"
"Hmph." Mr. 1 snorted, tossing the poster onto the table with arrogant disdain. "Just rookies from the East Blue with some empty fame."
He raised his arm, his skin gleaming like polished metal under the lights. "No one can defeat us and our Devil Fruit powers. A killer doesn't need intuition; he only needs strength."
Led by the owner, the group boarded a massive turtle-drawn carriage and headed for the "Rain Dinners," the largest casino in the city of Rainbase. In a luxurious, dimly lit underground VIP room, they finally met their mysterious boss, Mr. 0.
Through a cloud of cigar smoke, a man with a massive golden hook and a horizontal scar across his face turned around. One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Sir Crocodile.
"Welcome to my city, everyone."
Crocodile didn't waste time, revealing the grand "Operation Utopia." "My goal is simple: seize Alabasta, build our ideal nation, and obtain the ancient weapon buried beneath this land—Pluton."
Even these hardened killers felt a chill at the mention of Pluton.
"Enough talk," Crocodile exhaled a ring of smoke, his eyes cold. "The final phase begins now. Go to Alubarna, kidnap the King, and incite a total war between the Rebels and the Royal Army. Go and set this country... completely ablaze."
Meanwhile, at the other end of the vast desert.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the temperature plummeted, turning the daytime oven into a nighttime freezer. The Straw Hat crew sat huddled under a leeward sand dune, gathered around a campfire for dinner.
Except for Zoro. The marimo-head was leaning against a rock, hugging his swords and snoring loud enough to shake the sand.
"Chomp! Munch munch!" Luffy grabbed a piece of mystery lizard meat and chewed vigorously. Suddenly, his face twisted. "Bleh... this tastes bad. It's so bitter." He opened his mouth to spit it out.
"HEY! LUFFY!!"
Sanji, who had been working hard at the grill, instantly snapped. He brandished his spatula at Luffy. "Don't you dare spit that out! This is prey we worked hard to catch! Food is precious in the desert! Swallow it!"
"But it's really gross..." Luffy pouted. Then, his eyes twinkled. He held up the half-bitten skewer and shoved it toward Sanji's face. "Here... you eat it!"
"Who wants your spit?! Get away!!" Sanji's face went flat with annoyance. He raised a foot and pressed his sole firmly against Luffy's face, pushing him back.
Up in the branches of a few withered trees nearby, Usopp was perched with binoculars, nervously scanning the pitch-black desert.
Viktor was lying on the branch next to him, hands behind his head, one leg dangling. Though he was supposed to be on watch, his steady breathing suggested he was fast asleep.
"Hey, Klay," Usopp poked the crow perched on Viktor's stomach. "Why don't you fly a lap and patrol? What if there's danger?"
Klay rolled his eyes and buried his head under a wing, letting out a dismissive caw. "Caw... Shut up, Long-nose. A great master needs his sleep."
"Hah? You lazy bird!" Usopp's nose twitched in anger. "Looks like we're short on ingredients tonight. Maybe we'll have roasted crow!"
"COOO-CAW?! What did you say!!"
The man and the bird, somehow finding each other's company fitting, began a bickering match that actually seemed quite harmonious.
By the fire, Vivi, Nami, and Chopper were leaning against the warm feathers of a sleeping Karoo. Chopper, having hooves, struggled with human utensils. He held a biscuit between his hooves, nibbling clumsily, crumbs covering his face.
"Ah! So cute!" Vivi watched Chopper's fuzzy form and reached out to gently pet his antlers.
Nami took a sip of water, her eyes softening as she watched him. "Chopper, you worked hard today. This heat must be terrible for your fur."
Chopper stopped chewing. He looked up, crumbs still on his face, his large eyes sparkling in the firelight.
"Hehe..." Chopper shook his head shyly. His body began to wiggle in a wavy motion as he spoke happily, "It wasn't hard! Not at all! I'm just so happy... to be on an adventure with everyone... I'm really happy!!"
Nami's eyes widened, and a wide smile broke across her face. "Oh! Chopper! You really are the best!"
Chopper wiggled even more frantically. "Y-you bastard! What are you saying... that doesn't make me happy at all! (Asshole!)"
In the freezing desert night, those simple, honest words were warmer than the campfire itself.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/Master_Studios677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.