Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

The crew now waited as Chopper said his farewell to the doctor.

"Awfully noisy in there." Zoro remarked, eyeing the castle.

"What a bunch of troublemakers. Can't they control themselves?" Nami muttered.

Ryomen, hearing the distant screams, mumbled to himself, "What's going on in there?"

Suddenly, they saw Chopper running toward them in his reindeer form, pulling a sleigh behind him.

"Is that him!?" Zoro asked in surprise.

"Someone's chasing him!" Vivi exclaimed, noticing Kureha running after Chopper while throwing knives at him.

"Everyone! Get in the sleigh! We're heading down the mountain!" Chopper shouted.

"Hold it!!" Kureha yelled angrily, still hurling her knives.

"Whaaa!?" The crew looked on in shock.

…

Down in the village, the locals looked up at the sky, spotting a sleigh rapidly descending from the mountain.

"Isn't that the witch's sleigh!?" One of them exclaimed.

"And those pirates are in it!" Another added, wide-eyed.

"What happened? Is Dalton alright? Did Wapol win!?" Someone asked in concern.

…

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Dalton asked Kureha as they stood at the mountain's edge, watching the sleigh disappear from sight.

"Heh…He was just a stray I picked up. And, I don't like…tearful farewells." Kureha replied, doing her best to keep from crying.

"Everything set, doctor?" One of the villagers asked.

"Yes," Kureha responded.

"Then fire!"

The villagers shot the cannons they had prepared, sending blasts into the sky.

"What is this?" Dalton asked, confused.

"Just watch." Kureha said quietly.

…

The crew gazed up at the sky in amazement as pink snow began to fall gently around them.

"Waaah! Waaah!" Chopper sobbed, tears streaming down his face. 'Doctor…Doctor Kureha...'

Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Chopper's wails echoed as tears burst from his eyes. "Waaaaah!!"

…

"Now then…go on, you foolish boy." Kureha muttered, glancing at the moon.

"They've probably set sail by now." Dalton said softly beside her.

"I suppose so…Kah Kah Kah. He thinks he's a man now…" Kureha chuckled to herself, before sitting down and taking a swig of her drink.

"Dalton!" A villager ran up to them, holding two bounty posters. "I'm sorry! I just remembered something important!"

Dalton looked down at the posters in shock. "There's a bounty…of a hundred million on those two boys' heads!?"

"Impressive. Kah Kah Kah…" Kureha chuckled.

"Where did you get these?" Dalton asked the villager.

The man spoke of a traveler by the name of Ace who had appeared in Robelu town, searching for a pirate named Blackbeard. After learning Blackbeard was long gone, Ace asked about a pirate with a straw hat, leaving a message that he would wait for him in Alabasta for ten days.

"I see…Well, there's no need to pass on that message. I have a feeling they'll be heading there either way." Dalton said, remembering Vivi.

Meanwhile, Kureha stared thoughtfully at Luffy's bounty poster. "So, the Will of D. lives on." She whispered to herself.

…

Out at sea, the crew celebrated their new crewmate's arrival.

"To Chopper!" Usopp declared, raising his drink.

"This…this is the most fun I've ever had!" Chopper shouted, his voice brimming with happiness.

"To our new shipmate!"

"Hooray!!" Everyone cheered in unison, their voices echoing across the sea as they continued to party well into the night.

The Going Merry sailed toward Alabasta, unaware that their first true threat awaited them.

…

It was now a sunny day as the crew continued their journey.

"I don't know anything." Luffy mumbled to Sanji, looking guilty.

"Then look me in the eye and answer me!" Sanji demanded, grabbing Luffy's face. "How did all the food disappear in one night? And don't try to fool me, your face doesn't lie."

"Oh? What's that in your mouth?" Sanji then asked, noticing something suspicious.

"It's food!" Luffy blurted out.

"So it was you!!" Sanji kicked Luffy away, and sent him flying.

Meanwhile, Usopp, Chopper, and Karoo were fishing, each with a piece of meat stuffed in their mouths, trying to look innocent.

"Nami! See what I'm dealing with? I need a refrigerator with a lock!" Sanji begged Nami, desperate.

"Alright, I'll think about it. Our lives may depend on it." Nami sighed.

"Yeah, we can't let this continue." Ryomen added, trying to chew discreetly.

"Don't talk when you're part of the problem!!" Nami snapped, knocking Ryomen down.

"I'd better do some fishing." Usopp mumbled. …

Later, Vivi told them about the Seven Warlords of the Sea and their connection with the Navy.

"So, he pretends to be a hero while trying to take over the country." Sanji muttered angrily.

"Doesn't matter! I'll just have to kick his butt!" Luffy said confidently.

"It won't be that easy, Luffy." Ryomen said.

"Why not?" Zoro asked, intrigued.

"You're still new to the Grand Line. There's a lot you don't know."

"Like…?" Nami asked, her interest piqued.

"Haki and Logias, for example." Ryomen replied, drawing everyone's attention.

"I think I've heard you mention those before." Sanji said, while the others nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, we've encountered these powers before. Remember Captain Smoker? And Mihawk?"

Zoro's interest grew. "What are you waiting for? Spill it."

Ryomen sighed, slightly annoyed. "I was getting to that."

He then sat on a barrel, and the others gathered around him like they were about to hear a campfire story.

"Logias are a type of Devil Fruit, one of the rarest kinds. They're composed of natural elements—fire, ice, smoke, you name it. What makes them special is that the user can not only create these elements but also become them, making them immune to physical attacks."

The crew's eyes widened in shock.

"So how do we fight someone like that?" Zoro asked, worried.

"That's where Haki comes into play." Ryomen said with a smile. "There are three types: Armament, Observation, and a third one I don't have much information on. I'll focus on the other two."

"How useless…" Luffy muttered, pouting.

"What did you say!?" Ryomen shot him a dangerous look.

"N-Nothing!" Luffy quickly looked away.

"Anyway…Haki is related to the soul. Everyone has it, some are just more aware of it. First, Armament Haki acts like invisible armor. It can be used for both defense and offense, and it's the only way to hurt a Logia user."

"So how do I learn it?" Zoro asked eagerly.

"Let me finish first." Ryomen said, exasperated. "Second, Observation Haki lets you sense everything around you, even with your eyes closed."

"Both types have advanced forms that enhance their strength, but the only ones to achieve it are the ones at the top, like 'Black Arm' Zephyr or the 'Marine Hero' Garp. That's all I know."

Luffy looked at Ryomen with surprise, but quickly recovered.

"Alright! So how do we learn them!?" Luffy asked excitedly.

"I already told you—that's all I know." Ryomen said, looking a little embarrassed.

"So, you don't know how to use Haki." Sanji said, sounding disappointed.

"Sorry. It's just what I've pieced together over the years."

"Hey, leave him alone. Knowing about it is already a huge help." Nami defended him.

"Well, it's not like I care that much. I probably wouldn't use it anyway." Usopp said nonchalantly.

"You shouldn't underestimate yourself, Usopp. I bet you'd be good at Observation Haki." Ryomen encouraged him.

"R-Really?" Usopp asked, surprised.

"I'm sure of it. And don't worry. We'll find out more from one of the Warlords." Ryomen reassured them.

"Yeah! Just more reason to beat him!" Luffy shouted excitedly.

…

As they continued sailing, they reached an underwater volcano, the area thick with steam. Usopp and Luffy, using Karoo as bait, managed to reel in something—only to find a man, strangely dressed and wearing makeup.

"That's a weird fish!" Luffy exclaimed.

"Oh dear…how did I end up getting caught by a duck!?" The man wondered aloud.

…

The man sat on the deck, taking a deep breath before speaking to the Straw Hat crew. "To be saved by pirates I've never met…I'll never forget this."

"So you can't swim, huh?" Luffy asked, his curiosity piqued.

"That's right. I've eaten a Devil Fruit." The man replied, a small smile playing at his lips.

"Really? Which one?" Usopp leaned in, eyes wide.

"Well, I can treat you to a show. Behold my power!" Without warning, the man slapped Luffy across the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Luffy!" The crew shouted in alarm, rushing forward.

"Hold your horses! Didn't I say I'd treat you to a show!?" The man laughed, standing tall as the crew stared, eyes widening in shock.

"What!?" Luffy, now looking up from the floor, was the first to realize. "It's me!"

The man smiled, now the spitting image of Luffy. "This is the power of the Mane Mane no Mi! Of course, there was no need to hit you, though." His voice carried a mischievous edge.

"If I use my right hand–" He reached out, transforming into Usopp in the blink of an eye.

"And touch someone's face–" His appearance morphed again, this time into Zoro.

"Then, as you can see–" In a moment, he shifted into Chopper.

"I can copy their faces–" He was now Ryomen.

"As well as their bodies!" He boasted. But as he began to lift his shirt, having taken Nami's form, Ryomen's fist shot out, knocking him back before he could proceed.

"The hell do you think you're doing?" Ryomen asked, glaring down at him with cold irritation.

The man stumbled back, rubbing his jaw, but quickly resumed his playful demeanor. At the request of Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp, he continued to change into different forms, each transformation drawing laughter and amazement from the trio.

However, amidst the fun, one particular face caught both Vivi's and Ryomen's attention. They exchanged a quick, serious glance, ready to confront the man. But before they could speak, the man abruptly jumped onto a ship that had come for him, much to the surprise of the crew.

The "idiot trio" as Nami often referred to them, looked on in sadness as the man prepared to leave.

"Don't cry, my silly billies!" He called out, waving flamboyantly. "Farewells are an inevitable thing when you sail the seas! But remember, the length of time spent together has no bearing on true friendship!"

"We'll meet again someday!" The trio shouted, their spirits momentarily lifted.

"Let us be off!" The man declared, boarding the ship that awaited him.

"Yes, Mr. 2!" Came the unified response from his crew, shocking the Straw Hats.

"Mr. 2!" Usopp repeated in disbelief, eyes wide.

"That was…Bon Clay!?" Vivi remained frozen in place, her mind racing.

"Didn't you know what he looked like?" Luffy asked, his head cocked in confusion.

"I've never met him. I only heard rumors that he talks and acts flamboyantly, and that he wears a cape that reads 'Okama way' on the back." Vivi admitted, still processing the situation.

"You really should've realized it sooner." The rest of the crew remarked bluntly, unimpressed by her delay in recognizing the notorious Baroque Works agent.

Ryomen's face darkened. "He transformed into her father. Who knows what he's been doing in secret."

"If he knows we're his enemies…he could make us distrust each other with such an ability." Nami added, a worried frown crossing her features.

"Really?" Luffy asked, sounding surprised but not particularly concerned.

…

After considering the potential dangers of Bon Clay's abilities, the crew decided to take precautions. They gathered in a circle, each drawing an 'X' on their left arms, hiding it under a bandage.

As the ship drew closer to Alabasta's harbor, the crew finished preparing for whatever awaited them.

"No matter what happens…our left arms will bear the sign of our fellowship!" Luffy declared, raising his arm triumphantly.

"Now, let's go ashore! To eat! Then to Alabasta!" He added, his priorities as chaotic as ever.

"Alabasta's an afterthought!?" The crew shouted in disbelief, shaking their heads at their captain's carefree attitude.

…

The group soon found a local clothing shop and quickly picked out outfits that would help them blend in better with the people of Alabasta.

"These are beautiful! I love these clothes!" Nami twirled around in happiness, admiring her new outfit. She struck a playful pose and looked at Ryomen. "What do you think, Ryomen?"

"Huh? You're really pretty." Ryomen responded with a small smile, already used to this kind of question from Nami.

Nami's face lit up at the compliment, while Vivi, standing nearby, shifted in embarrassment before speaking up. "W-What about me?" She asked shyly.

Ryomen seemed momentarily caught off guard but quickly recovered. "It suits you. Though, that makes sense, considering they're clothes specific to your kingdom.."

Vivi giggled, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. "Really? But…it won't really help us blend in, since these are dancers' outfits."

"Letting Sanji choose wasn't the brightest idea." Ryomen remarked dryly.

"I know, but he was really eager about it." Vivi sighed.

"What's done is done." Nami chimed in. "Let's go grab the supplies we need."

…

After wandering around Nanohana for a while, the crew was ready to head out and cross the desert.

"Alright, where are we headed now?" Nami asked, hands on her hips as she surveyed the town.

Vivi began explaining, "We need to stop the rebels, so we're going to an oasis called Yuba to find their leader. And to get to Yuba, we have to—"

Before she could finish, Ryomen suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her behind a building, startling her.

"Huh? What's going on?" Vivi asked in confusion.

"It's the Navy." Zoro muttered, his eyes narrowing as he glanced in the direction of approaching footsteps.

The crew watched cautiously as Navy officers sprinted past, chasing after someone all too familiar.

"Hey! Guys!" Luffy shouted as he ran toward them, waving energetically.

"Don't lead them to us, you idiot!" Zoro growled, glaring at Luffy.

"I won't let you get away!" Smoker's deep voice echoed across the street as he appeared, hot on Luffy's heels.

"What have you been doing, Luffy?!" Ryomen yelled, clearly frustrated.

"White Fist!!" Smoker launched a surge of smoke toward Luffy.

"Sun Flare!!" A voice suddenly cut through the air as a fiery figure appeared, blocking Smoker's attack with a burst of flames. "Give it up. You might be smoke, but I'm fire. We're too evenly matched to settle this now." The man said calmly, staring down at the Navy officer.

"Who's that?" Usopp asked, wide-eyed with curiosity.

Luffy blinked in surprise, recognition dawning on his face. "Ace!?"

Ace turned with a wide grin, flashing Luffy a thumbs-up. "Long time no see, Luffy."