Not far into the next stretch of desert, they encountered a suspicious crew of rugged men with goggles and sand-dusted cloaks.
"We are the Sand Pirates," one announced, trying to sound intimidating, "hand over your valuables!"
Before Usopp could start crying or Zoro could unsheathe his swords, Vihaan casually conjured mirror blades, and Luffy cracked his knuckles.
"You sure about that?" Luffy asked with a toothy grin.
The Sand Pirates faltered and quickly dropped their act, offering instead to help them cross the desert. As a token of truce, they presented the crew with Hasami, a massive but dopey-looking desert crab used for travel.
Hasami, however, seemed reluctant to move.
"He hasn't moved in years," one Sand Pirate shrugged.
"Let's try something different," Vivi smirked, pulling Nami by the wrist.
They disappeared behind a sand dune and emerged moments later in dazzling Alabastan dancer outfits, shimmering under the sun.
Vihaan's jaw dropped.Sanji fainted.Zoro groaned.Usopp got a nosebleed.Luffy laughed.And Hasami... took off like a rocket.
Sprinting at record speed through the sand, Hasami blushed furiously while galloping like a beast. Vihaan, amused and slightly flustered, leaned forward and whispered to the girls:
"You should really wear those again tonight. For... tactical morale."
WHACK!Nami's fan met his face.Vivi giggled. "You never stop, do you?"
With Hasami tearing across the dunes, the Straw Hats experienced the fastest and most chaotic desert travel of their lives.
Sanji tried frying eggs on sun-heated rocks—until one exploded in his face.
Usopp built a makeshift sandboard, only to be buried nose-first.
Vihaan crafted mirror paddles to deflect sunlight, until Luffy redirected the heat beam to roast meat.
Zoro, true to form, used the bumpy ride as core training—hanging from the crab's shell to balance with one arm.
At night, Vihaan erected a glimmering mirror dome above their camp, refracting moonlight into thousands of dancing patterns. Inspired, Nami and Vivi wore their dancer outfits again, this time with extra glitter.
Sanji's heart stopped.Vihaan? He simply leaned back on a dune and whispered, "This might be the best desert ever."
To conserve time, Vihaan created mirror sleds that glided over sand when Hasami needed rest. They used them to transport luggage, supplies, and even a sleeping Luffy once.
In the stillness of one evening, Vihaan privately handed Nami and Vivi mirror-forged anklets, enchanted to shimmer faintly under moonlight.
"For my two favorite desert roses," he said with a wink.
Nami blushed. Vivi smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.Sanji: "I'M GOING TO COMMIT A CRIME!"
Zoro responded by shoving him face-first into the sand.
Thanks to Hasami's love-fueled sprinting and Vihaan's mirror-enhanced logistics, the Straw Hats crossed the harsh desert in record time. As Rainbase's silhouette shimmered on the horizon, their bond was stronger than ever.
They prepared for war—not with fear, but with friendship, laughter, and ridiculous memories.
The last night before Rainbase, Vihaan laid beside the campfire, flanked by Nami and Vivi, both dozing on his shoulders. He looked up at the moon, his mind focused, his resolve unwavering.
Tomorrow, they faced Crocodile.
But tonight… they were still free.