The next day, after their hurried departure from Drum, two ships sailed side-by-side.
The previous night, inspired by the cherry blossoms blooming in the winter night, they had declared, "This calls for a celebration!" Bottles clinked, songs were sung, and even Zoro and Sanji who were usually at odds, shared drinks. The feast celebrated Chopper's joining, and he, experiencing his first such revelry, enjoyed himself immensely.
"Alright, let's begin the meeting."
They gathered on the deck of the Going Merry to share information and discuss their next move. Gem, familiar with the situation, led the discussion.
"We're heading to Alabasta, correct?"
"Yes. Following the Eternal Pose you gave us."
"What's Alabasta like?"
Luffy raised his hand, and Vivi, the Alabasta expert, answered.
"It's the Kingdom of Sand. Most of the country is covered in desert."
"A country of sand? Sounds rough."
"It's not all bad. Rain is scarce, but we collect enough during the rainy season to last until the next one."
The problem, however, was the rain itself. Recent droughts had stunted crop growth and reduced the water level of the main river. The reduced flow allowed seawater to encroach upon the river mouth, further damaging the surrounding farmland. Oases dried up, and habitable land became increasingly scarce. King Nefertari Cobra, Vivi's father, hadn't been idle.
"He lowered taxes, diverted water from other towns, requested aid from Twilight… but it was all reactive, not a solution to the underlying problem."
"But Vivi-chan, if the drought is the problem, what are the rebels so angry about?"
"That's…"
"I'll explain."
Seeing Vivi's distress, Gem took over. It was a matter involving Baroque Works. It was better, he decided, that he explained.
"It began with two things: the decreasing rainfall across Alabasta, and the increasing rainfall in the capital, where the king resides."
"Only the capital had more rain? Why?"
"Have you heard of Dance Powder?"
Also known as "rain-calling powder," it had been created by a researcher in a drought-stricken country. Nami seemed familiar with it, but the others didn't, so Gem summarized.
"I'll skip the details, but it's a powder that artificially induces rainfall. It was found in a caravan travelling from a port town to the capital."
"It makes rain, right? Isn't that a good thing for Alabasta?"
"It seems that way, but it forces clouds that would normally produce rain further downwind to release their precipitation prematurely."
"The result is drought in the downwind countries. The country that created it was destroyed by war."
Nami continued Gem's explanation and added this grim detail.
The World Government prohibited the possession and production of Dance Powder, as it had caused wars over rain in the past. Discovering it in a caravan heading for the capital caused an uproar. And with the ongoing drought affecting everywhere but the capital, suspicion naturally fell upon the king.
"So, Vivi, it's your dad's fault!"
"Well, it's Crocodile's doing. His plan to incite rebellion is working."
"So, we just have to defeat Crocodile?"
"Eventually. He's doing everything he can to literally dry up Alabasta."
Next, Gem explained Baroque Works. "This is simple," he said, holding up a finger.
"Crocodile's objective is to take over Alabasta. He's inciting rebellion to overthrow the king and seize power."
"Crocodile's a pirate, right? Even if the king is overthrown, he can't just become king…"
"He has a lot of support in Alabasta. To the citizens, it doesn't matter if the Marines eliminate pirates in the name of justice, or if a Warlord eliminates pirates for their treasure. They're both seen as protectors."
Besides, there was precedent for a Warlord replacing an overthrown king. Crocodile's plan wasn't entirely implausible. Though it was understandably unacceptable to Cobra and Vivi.
"Twilight, having learned about Crocodile's plan from Robin, sent me in."
To be ready to intervene, or to monitor the situation. He was about to explain Baroque Works' internal structure when a Den Den Mushi rang from his ship.
"…"
It wasn't time for Twilight's regular communication. It must be Baroque Works. Before the widespread use of radios, Den Den Mushi calls carried the risk of eavesdropping, but that was no longer a concern. Baroque Works freely used them for communication. Gem returned to his ship and answered the call.
"Hello."
'It's me – Mr. 0.'
"Is something the matter?"
'I heard you eliminated Vivi's bodyguard. Why haven't you captured Vivi yet?'
"About that… well…"
Before Gem could answer, Luffy snatched the receiver.
"Are you Crocodile?"
'…Who is this?'
"I'm Luffy. I'm going to be King of the Pirates!"
Gem stared, speechless. He hadn't expected Luffy to interrupt the call.
"Luffy, wait!"
"You messed with Vivi's country! I'm going to kick your ass! Wash your potatoes and get ready!"
'You–'
Luffy slammed the receiver down. Gem witnessed the sudden declaration of war and slumped his shoulders.
"What are we going to do…? He knows everything… Washing potatoes is the least of our worries…"
"We just have to defeat Crocodile, right?"
"If only it were that easy!"
The others looked at Gem sympathetically. Luffy's impulsive actions were common, but this had likely ruined several of Gem's carefully laid plans. Nami, holding her head, groaned.
"Luffy-kun, I admire your spirit, but… Crocodile's bounty, before it was revoked twenty years ago, was 81 million berries. He's not an ordinary opponent."
"81 million?! That's four times Arlong's bounty! What are you going to do?!"
"Well, we have an advantage in that regard."
"…What do you mean?"
Nami's frustration with Luffy was evident, she glared at Pedro, who calmly tried to reassure her.
"My bounty is 382 million. Zepo's is 360 million. We're worth more."
"Your bounties are that high?!"
"We're being watched by Marine Headquarters."
Of course, Crocodile hadn't had a bounty since it was revoked twenty years ago. Judging strength solely by bounty was unreliable. His strength and experience had likely increased significantly. They shouldn't be complacent. But Pedro wasn't unduly worried. They had someone who could match Crocodile's strength. That alone was reassuring. Nami and Usopp, calmed by Pedro's words, sighed in relief.
"The only remaining Baroque Works agents are the Officer Agents below Mr. 4 and Crocodile himself. The others aren't a threat."
Mr. 2 operated independently, but the rest worked in pairs. And with Robin on their side, they only had eight opponents to worry about. The Officer Agents commanded two hundred Billions, and below them, the Frontier Agents commanded a thousand Millions. Twilight, having determined that Crocodile's plan was nearing its final stages, was systematically eliminating them from the bottom up.
"…Well, it's not an unmanageable number, is it?"
They could ignore the small fries. But he had to report the situation to Twilight.
"Please, be quiet this time."
"Okay."
Gem dialed, after reminding Luffy to behave. The Den Den Mushi rang. After stating his affiliation and code number, the call was abruptly disconnected.
"He hung up. Is that alright?"
"It's fine."
A moment later, the Den Den Mushi rang. Gem answered on the first ring.
"This is Gem. I apologize for the interruption."
'It's fine. I always have time for important matters.'
It was a woman's voice. The Straw Hats didn't recognize it, but Pedro, Zepo, Vivi, and Igaram did. Kanata, the leader of the Twilight Pirates, the Witch of Twilight.
"We encountered a slight setback… Crocodile knows about our betrayal."
'Hmm? I heard everything was going smoothly. What happened?'
"Our ally revealed his identity and challenged Crocodile directly…"
Gem reported this apologetically, and Kanata was amused by the audacity of someone challenging Crocodile so openly.
'Was it… Luffy, the one Robin mentioned?'
"Yes. You've heard?"
'From several sources.'
Regardless, Kanata assured him, Crocodile learning about Gem's betrayal wasn't a major issue. Vivi was safe, and Baroque Works' organization was exposed. As long as they eliminated Crocodile and his key subordinates, it didn't matter if their plan was compromised. She then instructed Gem to hand the receiver to Luffy.
"This is Luffy."
'Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.'
"You know me?"
'Your grandfather, Shanks… and more recently, Jinbe.'
The first two were years ago, but Jinbe was recent. While she knew about Ace, she didn't mention him. The others wondered about her connections, but Kanata seemed to be in a good mood.
'Crocodile knowing about your plan isn't a problem. But you did challenge him, didn't you?'
"Yeah, I'm going to kick his ass!"
'Fufufu, I'm glad to hear it.'
Luffy's resolve was clear. While it didn't matter to Kanata who defeated Crocodile, as long as he was defeated, he was a Warlord, like her, someone who had held that position for twenty years. Even with Pedro and Zepo, facing him in the desert was a dangerous proposition. She took the receiver back from Luffy and asked Gem about their plan to deal with Crocodile.
'That man… well, he's not particularly strong, but he's cunning. Pedro and Zepo could probably defeat him, but I advise against confronting him in the desert.'
Facing Crocodile in the desert, even for Pedro, would be difficult. His sand powers could also potentially neutralize electrical attacks.
"Then what do we do? We could use some reinforcements…"
'I planned to send some, but… I have a slight problem.'
The Four Emperors were making their move.
Gem broke out in a cold sweat. They were forces capable of shaking the world. Their involvement could escalate the conflict beyond a simple rebellion.
"The Four Emperors? What are they after…?"
'Robin's location has been leaked. Someone was kind enough to inform them. I'm currently trying to contain the situation.'
"So, we're on our own against Crocodile?"
'No. I'll send a few of my elite. Deal with the rebellion and eliminate Crocodile.'
Of course, if you can handle it yourselves, that's fine too, she added, testing Luffy.
'I've also requested reinforcements from elsewhere. You shouldn't be short-handed.'
Hopefully. Facing two of the Four Emperors simultaneously was beyond Twilight's capabilities. They needed the Marines' help. Kanata's concern was their lack of joint training. Twilight and the Marines were allies, but they hadn't practiced coordinating their forces. But that was irrelevant to Luffy and his crew. She didn't mention it, simply saying,
'I have high hopes for you, Monkey D. Luffy, and your Straw Hat crew.'
Then, she disconnected the call.
***
In the New World, powerful forces were already in motion.
"Nico Robin has been found…? Capture her immediately! Prepare the ships!!"
"Mamahahaha! A woman who can read Poneglyphs?! Kaido's on the move too, isn't he? I can't just sit here and do nothing!"
Kaido roared in angerf and the Beasts Pirates set sail from Wano Country.
Big Mom cackled, and the Big Mom Pirates departed Whole Cake Island.
Both Emperors, allied through a pirate pact, shared the same objective: Alabasta, and Nico Robin.
They knew their actions would draw the attention of a certain someone, but they were undeterred. They weren't afraid. Kanata might be the strongest Warlord, the Empress of the sea, but they were Emperors of the New World. They wouldn't be easily stopped.
***
In Paradise, the Marines also mobilized upon hearing of the Four Emperors' movements.
"This is Marine Headquarters. All ships in the vicinity, proceed to Alabasta immediately. I repeat–"
Smoker, having received the message, abandoned his pursuit of Luffy and set course for Alabasta. While obsessed with capturing Luffy, he wouldn't ignore a direct order from Headquarters, especially when it involved the Four Emperors.
"If the Four Emperors are involved, Admirals and Vice Admirals will be mobilized… Get ready, Tashigi. This isn't a game."
"Yes, Smoker-san!"
They knew they were outmatched. But as Marines, upholding justice, they couldn't retreat.
***
–And then.
Two figures sailed from the New World towards Paradise, heading for Alabasta.
A young man with a metal pipe resting beside him, wore a hat and goggles. A woman, similarly attired, accompanied him. The man who was smiling, stared at a piece of paper. The woman watched him with amusement.
"You're grinning too much. Aren't you tired of looking at it?"
"Never get tired of seeing my little brother doing well. Gotta support him."
"Honestly… you'll see him soon. Be patient."
"I am."
Sabo, chief of staff of the Revolutionary Army, and Koala, his aide. They too were heading to Alabasta. Officially, to contact the rebel forces. Unofficially, to support Luffy. Sabo glanced at a wanted poster and pulled his hat low over his eyes.
"…Wait for me, Luffy."
Their reunion was imminent.
***
–A ship docked at Mizuho, Twilight's largest base in Paradise, having crossed the Red Line. They would transfer to a faster ship here and continue to Alabasta.
George, having escorted them from the New World, took a drag from his cigarette while running a hand through his greying hair.
"You're facing Crocodile. You shouldn't have much trouble, but… be careful."
"Heh heh, don't worry. We're well aware."
"Of course. Do you even know who we are?"
An old man with white hair and a young woman with purple hair. The man's toned physique and numerous scars spoke of a lifetime of battles. The woman's steel heels hinted at her status as a rising star within Twilight.
"Honestly, a desert… is it even worth my time?"
"Don't say that. He's been a Warlord for as long as Kanata. His ability and cunning are above average."
"I hope so."
Undaunted, they set off for Alabasta, ready to eliminate anyone Kanata deemed an enemy.
***
–And so, the stage was set. The battle for Alabasta, a battle that could determine the fate of the kingdom, and perhaps even the world, with Nico Robin at its center, was about to begin.