At the temporary Marine base in Nanohana, Smoker puffed thoughtfully on his cigar as he replayed the events that led to the Straw Hats' escape. He was interrupted by the arrival of Hina, a fellow captain who, like him, had been urgently summoned, and Tashigi, his subordinate.
"Skiving off, are we?" Hina quipped.
"Hardly. I'm working," Smoker grumbled.
"Is that so? You look more like you're sulking about letting those pirates slip through your fingers again."
Smoker and Hina, being from the same graduating class, spoke with an easy familiarity. Hina lit a cigarette and sat down, while Tashigi, looking slightly uncomfortable, perched beside Smoker. As the three of them sat enveloped in a haze of smoke, Smoker spoke.
"Hina, have you seen any Haki users in this sea recently?"
"Haki users? No. Aren't they rare in Paradise?"
"True… I haven't seen many myself."
While stronger pirates tended to wield Haki, some relied solely on their Devil Fruit abilities and managed to reach the New World even without mastering it. This trend was even more pronounced in Paradise. For Smoker, whose jurisdiction had been the East Blue, and Hina, whose territory encompassed the area around Alabasta, encounters with Haki users were infrequent.
"But I just saw one."
"A Haki user? That is unusual."
"He was with Straw Hat… It's possible he joined their crew while I wasn't looking, but that's not the issue. He used Soru."
"Six Powers?!"
Hina's eyes widened in surprise. Tashigi, seemingly lost, looked back and forth between them.
"So, could it be…?"
"Not likely a government agent. No reason for them to team up with pirates. Nine times out of ten, it's Twilight."
While a few pirates possessed similar movement techniques, using Soru alone wasn't conclusive. However, outside of government agents, Six Powers users were almost exclusively affiliated with Twilight. The process of elimination pointed towards a Twilight operative. Their collaboration with independent pirates was the puzzling aspect.
Twilight's intelligence network was notoriously thorough. Any attempt at infiltration, no matter how subtle, was quickly exposed and dealt with. This was common knowledge within the Marines. Consequently, while Twilight members trusted each other implicitly, they harbored little trust for outside organizations, including the Marines. Therefore, their alliance with independent pirates raised serious questions.
"Astonishing. Utterly astonishing," said Hina
"That woman can stop even a Yonko head-on. If they're just deploying forces as a precaution, knowing the destination, they should be acting openly. Besides, they have no need to utilize random pirates. Their strength is on a completely different level."
While the specifics remained classified, even within the Marines, Twilight was estimated to possess the strength to engage a Yonko directly, even without Marine assistance. The Straw Hats were a fledgling crew, formed only a few months ago. If they were under Twilight's protection, they could openly display their affiliation, eliminating the risk of being pursued by the Marines or ostracized by townsfolk. Their refusal to do so suggested otherwise. Their alliance with independent pirates, their secrecy, their motives… Smoker couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
"She's contributed as a Warlord for a long time, and I understand the government's reluctance to lose such a valuable asset, but pirates are pirates. They can't be trusted… Especially that 'Witch.' She's clashed with the government numerous times. It's only a matter of time before they cut ties."
The Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates, two of the Four Emperors, were reportedly heading towards Alabasta to capture Nico Robin.
This was known to the Marines, and they would gladly apprehend her themselves, if they had the resources. The current situation simply meant they lacked the manpower to deploy.
Twilight, disinterested in the One Piece or the ancient weapons, had shown no inclination to acquire Nico Robin. Smoker couldn't comprehend, nor condone, the government's decision to trust Twilight enough to station forces in Alabasta, while simultaneously not monitoring their activities. Yet, he had no choice but to accept it.
"So, there's more to this than meets the eye?" Hina asked.
"No, the Yonko alliance targeting Nico Robin is likely true. And Twilight intercepting them is also true."
However, the reason for Robin's presence in Alabasta during this civil war, and how two Yonko based in the New World had learned of her location in Paradise remained a mystery. Something was happening behind the scenes, beyond the knowledge of mere captains like Smoker. Higher-ups were undoubtedly pulling strings. This irked Smoker.
"…I lack the rank."
"Oh, developing a thirst for power, are we?"
"To operate freely within the organization, you need rank. To challenge the government's appeasement of pirates, the Marines' cooperation with them… my current rank is insufficient."
"True. Quite a development for someone who nearly got dismissed for insubordination and misconduct."
"Are you mocking me?"
"Not at all. I apologize. I'm merely acknowledging your growth," Hina replied with a smile.
"You're still mocking me, aren't you?"
A vein throbbed in Smoker's forehead. Tashigi, nervously watching the escalating tension, interjected, "P-please, don't fight!"
"We're not fighting, idiot," Smoker snapped.
"We've known each other long enough to avoid such childish squabbles," Hina added.
As if their earlier animosity had been a mere act, they both calmly tapped the ash from their cigarettes into their ashtrays. Tashigi, relieved, leaned back in her chair. Just then, a messenger arrived.
"Vice Admiral Bastille requests the presence of Captains Smoker and Hina!"
"Right, we'll be there," Smoker replied.
"We'll be there shortly. But what does he want?" Hina asked.
They were already aware of the situation involving the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates alliance. However, the conflict was occurring in the New World. The Marines' presence in Alabasta was a precautionary measure. They hadn't anticipated any actual work.
"I haven't been informed of the details, but it's potentially an emergency," the messenger replied.
"An emergency… I see. It seems something unpleasant is happening."
Such urgent summons usually meant trouble. With a sense of foreboding, Smoker and Hina headed towards Bastille's office.
***
Meanwhile, in Katorea…
Luffy who was still sobbing uncontrollably, was being led by his companions to the outskirts of town, hoping to find a quiet place to talk. His face was streaked with tears and snot.
"Waaaaah… S-Sabo!"
"Haha… still a crybaby, I see. Reassuring, in a way."
Sabo sat on a nearby rock, watching Luffy with a smile. The others, completely lost, exchanged bewildered glances. Vivi and Igaram, who had returned from their meeting with Koza to find Luffy in this state, were the most confused.
"Luffy, what happened?" Vivi asked.
"I don't know. That man spoke to Luffy, and then… he started crying."
"Don't you know who he is?"
Unlike the bewildered Straw Hats, Zepo and Pedro were wary. Gem avoided looking directly at him. Mikita, too, wore a grim expression. Zoro sensed the tension and placed a hand on his sword.
"Do you know who he is?" Zoro asked.
"I don't know his relationship with Straw Hat, but I know him."
"Who is he?"
"Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army – their number two."
Gem's words shocked Sanji and Nami. Vivi's eyes widened, and she turned to Gem. Zoro, however, looked puzzled.
"The Revolutionary Army?! So, the one Koza mentioned, the one from the Revolutionary Army looking for his 'brother'…"
"That's me," Sabo confirmed, nodding.
Realization dawned on everyone as they pieced together the situation.
"Let me introduce myself again. I'm Sabo, Luffy's older brother. My little brother is always causing trouble for you all."
"Indeed," Pedro muttered dryly.
Sabo bowed his head slightly, prompting Usopp and Sanji to bow in return.
Gem and Pedro, having concluded that Sabo was merely visiting his brother, relaxed slightly, though they maintained a certain distance. He wasn't one of them. It was prudent to maintain a professional detachment.
"But why the sudden outburst? Even if they haven't seen each other in a while, there's no need for such… theatrics," Nami commented.
"Well, I was presumed dead, so he's probably surprised I'm alive."
"Presumed dead? What happened?"
Sabo briefly explained his past, how he had lost his memory and lived as a revolutionary until reuniting with Ace two years ago. Hearing Ace's name, Luffy looked nostalgic, while Gem and the others paled. It was a name that resonated with them.
"Ace… you don't mean… Whitebeard's second division commander…?" Gem asked.
"You're well-informed," Sabo replied.
What a family, Gem thought, pressing a hand to his forehead.
Pedro, Zepo, and Mikita, all familiar with the power dynamics of the New World, winced at the sheer weight of the information. Luffy, no longer crying, reacted to Ace's name.
"You met Ace?!"
"Yes. He's grown quite strong."
"I see… I bet he's strong… but I've gotten stronger too! I won't lose to him anymore!"
Sabo had only met Ace once, two years ago, and his most vivid memory was of them both being punched by Kanata for defying her. He simply replied, "Well, yes, I suppose," trying to avoid embellishment. It was a brother's prerogative to boast in front of his younger sibling, and Sabo was no exception.
"I came to Alabasta for personal reasons, to find Luffy, but that's not the only reason."
"What business does the Revolutionary Army have in this country?" Vivi asked.
Aware of Vivi's identity but knowing his objective wasn't to incite a revolution here, Sabo simply smiled wryly at her hostility.
"My objective… well, I can't reveal the details, but it's largely the same as yours."
"The same as ours? You mean… you're here to defeat Crocodile?"
"Close, but not quite. I received information from a certain source that Luffy and Princess Vivi were together. There were some within the Revolutionary Army who suggested we should support the rebels…"
The Revolutionary Army opposed the World Government, often supporting uprisings in countries ruled by tyranny. With the suspicion of King Cobra using Dance Powder, and the countless citizens suffering from the drought, their involvement in Alabasta wouldn't have been unreasonable. However, both Dragon and Sabo knew the true cause of the civil war. They couldn't condone supporting Crocodile's orchestrated rebellion.
"We know what Crocodile has done. We won't start a revolution in this country."
Sabo looked directly at Vivi and stated this firmly.
"Then why are you here?" Luffy asked.
"As I said, my objective is largely the same as yours. To save Alabasta… but I'm here as a precaution."
"A precaution…?"
"Let me explain. This country is currently facing two crises."
Sabo held up two fingers. Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords. And the alliance of the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates.
"Luffy, do you understand how strong the Yonko are?"
"No."
"Haha, I figured."
"This isn't a laughing matter, Straw Hat," Gem interjected.
Sabo chuckled at Luffy's honesty, while Gem sighed.
"There are four great pirates who rule the latter half of the Grand Line like emperors. They are called the Yonko. The Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates are two of them. These two crews have formed an alliance to oppose the combined forces of the Twilight Pirates and the Marines."
While Marines and pirates rarely cooperated, the Seven Warlords were an exception, government-sanctioned pirates. However, the government held little faith in five of them, relying primarily on Kanata and Mihawk.
Jinbe's position was purely political, and Kuma had his own reasons for being a Warlord. Crocodile, Doflamingo, and Moria were expendable. These details, however, were irrelevant to the current situation, so Sabo omitted them and drew a simple diagram on the ground.
"Broadly speaking, there are four external forces involved in this war. The Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, the Twilight Pirates, and the Marines. They're currently clashing in the New World. Do you know the objective of the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates alliance?"
"No."
"Yes, you do. That woman, Nico Robin. You talked about her on the Den Den Mushi."
"And you were rescued by her on Lunes," Sanji added.
Usopp and Sanji corrected Luffy, and Sabo was glad they were aware. Nico Robin was an important figure to the Revolutionary Army as well. Protecting her, even if it meant antagonizing two Yonko, was worth the risk.
"They're after her. But even if Twilight and the Marines are working together to stop them, there's no guarantee they'll succeed."
There was always the possibility of being outmaneuvered or outsmarted. No matter how thorough their blockade, it wasn't absolute. While confronting them in Alabasta was the safest option, it would significantly increase the collateral damage. Kanata, to avoid this, had chosen to intercept them at sea.
Sabo, taking this into account, had brought Koala to Alabasta. Kanata had requested reinforcements, and Sabo himself would have intervened if Luffy was in danger.
"While it's… problematic for us to cooperate with the Marines, those two pirate crews are particularly… aggressive. There's a chance they'll slip through the net, reach Alabasta, search for Nico Robin, and destroy the country in the process."
"That's… insane!" Vivi exclaimed.
"That's just how they operate," Sabo replied grimly.
"So, should we beat them up too?" Luffy asked, cracking his knuckles.
"Depending on who it is, but no, you can't," Gem replied.
"What?!"
While Luffy eagerly prepared for a fight, Gem tried to dissuade him. These were New World pirates, far more experienced than Luffy and his crew. There was even the possibility of encountering a Yonko commander. Even Gem wasn't sure he could defeat them. Luffy and his crew stood no chance.
"Forget about them. Focus on Crocodile. He's not an opponent you can defeat while distracted."
"But Kanata said he wasn't that strong on the Den Den Mushi."
"Don't trust Kanata's assessments. She tends to categorize most people as 'not strong.'"
Gem's words were tinged with bitterness, perhaps recalling a past experience. Sabo, having witnessed Kanata's overwhelming strength firsthand, knew her assessments were skewed.
"Anyway, that's the situation. I'll be waiting near the eastern port. The Marine base is too close here. Luffy, can I leave Crocodile to you?"
"Yeah! I've gotten stronger! I'll beat Crocodile and show you how strong I've become!"
"Haha! I'm looking forward to it!"
Sabo had heard that Twilight's elite forces were also mobilizing. While concerned for Luffy, as an older brother, he felt it was important to let him handle this. He decided to end the conversation here. He had left a note for Koala, telling her he was going to find Luffy, and he didn't want to keep her waiting too long. He handed Luffy a piece of paper.
"What's this? A blank piece of paper?" Luffy asked, confused.
"Just a piece of paper. But it will lead us back to each other."
"Huh?"
"Don't you want it?"
"No… I want it."
Luffy carefully folded the seemingly insignificant piece of paper and tucked it away. There was no reason to discard something given to him by his brother, whom he thought had died. Gem and Pedro recognized the paper's significance but remained silent.
"Having a troublesome younger brother makes an older brother worry… I'm sure you all have your hands full with him… I'm counting on you."
Sabo addressed Luffy's crew, then, turning to Luffy, he said, "See you later, Luffy. Let's meet again after this is over."
"Yeah, see ya!"
Sabo turned and walked back towards town. Luffy waved until he disappeared from view. The Straw Hats, surprised by Sabo's surprisingly normal demeanor, exchanged glances. With Sabo gone, they reviewed their objectives.
"So, we just have to beat Crocodile, right?" Luffy asked.
"And to do that, we need to go to Rainbase," Vivi added.
"Are we going back to Nanohana first?" Sanji asked.
While any route would take time, returning to the ship and sailing up the Sandora River was the fastest. The rebel army, having agreed to a temporary truce, wouldn't attack for a few days. While defeating Crocodile within that timeframe was ideal, the sooner the better.
"Yes, I think it's best to return to the Merry Go and travel from there," Vivi agreed.
"How long will it take?" Luffy asked.
"If we return to Nanohana now… and travel up the Sandora River, we should rest once we reach the upper reaches."
It was already past noon. Travelling from here would mean reaching the upper reaches of the Sandora River by nightfall. They would rest there and depart for Rainbase at dawn. Having contacted the rebel army, they had averted a bloody conflict between them and the royal army. Vivi, thinking this, looked at everyone's faces.
"We're close to saving Alabasta… So, please… I need your help!"
Having learned from Luffy, she knew it was acceptable to rely on others when facing insurmountable odds. She bowed her head and pleaded.
Of course, the answer was unspoken. They were nakama.