This is the 38th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Spiders Cafe at 8 o'clock!
In three years, not a drop of rain has fallen in the desert kingdom of Alabasta, the Land of Oasis. Desperate for rain and prodded by outside forces, the kingdoms people have taken up weapons. The land is at the brink of war. With nowhere else to turn, the people are turning on each other instead. And in attempt to hold the pending rebellion that threatens her country, Princess Vivi has decided to speak with the rebel leader. The ruined Erumalu behind them, Vivi and the Straw Hat crew now head for Yuba, where they hope to meet a rebel camp in time.
Somewhere in Alabasta
The Straw Hat pirates continued to make their way toward Yuba, in order to meet a rebel leader Koza, and having them to stop a conflict since the Baroque Works had started the plan years ago. They pass through Usopp, who kept panting with his tongue out and holding the long stick to keep his balance.
"Hey, Ventus." Usopp called him.
"What?" Ventus asks.
"How come you don't get sunburned?" Usopp asks. "You were exposed in the sun too long and your arms and your face should be sunburned by now."
"Usopp, I've already told you, my body is covered in scales and in case you forget, I'm keeping my body temperature in check." Ventus told him with annoyance. "Dragons can either be warm-blooded or cold-blooded, it only depends on which climate we're in."
"That's easy for you to say, you're not the one who's exhausted from this heat." Usopp complains.
"We're only a couple of miles to get to Yuba. So, shut up and keep moving." Ventus said.
Just as they continue to journey through Yuba, Sanji breaks the silence.
"So, Ventus, how long until you reach 18?" Sanji inquires. "For being a dragon, I mean."
"I've only got 4 years away, Sanji. I'm still a juvenile in this state." Ventus told him.
"But you don't look like a juvenile." Nami states. "Mostly because of you being half-dragon."
"Yes, but Nami, dragons can age into an adults at the age of 20s, but they can outlive humans for around thousand years of age." Ventus explains.
"Thousand years?!" Usopp exclaims with shock. "That sounds like a very long time ago!"
"Well, Ven still had a long ways to go before he turns into an adult." Ace states with a smirk. "But, he grows up fast after what he's been through."
"Yeah, all of that crap he's been into." Zoro agrees. "Sooner we get done in Alabasta, the better chance we head out to sea and find those bastards."
The Straw Hat pirates are getting the idea of what Ace means and who Zoro is talking about, Vivi stopped when she saw those rocks which it got her smile as she turns her head to them.
"You guys! We're close now, Yuba is pass those rocks there." Vivi informed them. "One last push, and I'm sure we'll make."
And that got the Straw Hat pirates excited after hearing the information as they continued to head for Yuba. Usopp even complains while pleading Zoro and Ventus to carry him, but they refuse. Luffy even ask them to carry him, but Anna just bonks him in the head with annoyance.
While somewhere in the underwater, Mrs. All-Sunday and Crocodile were having a serious discussion about the plan.
"The operation will begin at the stroke of noon two days from now." Crocodile said. "Have you completed the arrangements?"
"Yes, everything's in place." Mrs. All-Sunday confirms. "We have a 150 billions who are standing by at Nanohana. I've also called Mr. 2 back here, it appears that he failed utterly in his assignment to capture and kill Mr. 3. The officer agents have been instructed to gather tonight at 8 o'clock. They're meeting at the Spiders Cafe."
"Hmm...Yes, very good." Crocodile nods with a smirk.
"It's already past 5 o'clock, I would imagine that the officer agents will begin gathering at the cafe any minute now." Mrs. All-Sunday said.
Alabasta, Spiders Cafe
At a place called Spiders Cafe, a woman named Ms. Double Finger is alone reading a book while enjoy listen the Classical Sonata.
She's a slim woman of above-average height with curly dark-blue hair, thick lips, dark green eyes, and pale shin with curvaceous figure. She donned a yellow crystal square glasses and a diamond-patterned bandanna that combines a pink, turquoise, white, and purple tones. She wore a purple tank-top with pink embroideries drawn across it and green ornaments that resemble some kind of bushes representations, a dark brown low riding pants, platform sandals, and had her hair tied into a ponytail.
Until, the door opens when the bell rings, meaning one of the Baroque Works agents arrived which happen to be none other than Mr. 4 and Mrs. Merry Christmas.
Mrs. Merry Christmas is a stout middle-aged woman with red hair, thick purple lips, purple-lensed sunglasses, and a dark green headband. She wears a necktie that resembles a Christmas Tree, which goes as her codename. She also wore a white shirt, purple pants with green flower patterns, and sandals. She carries a basket on her back.
Mr. 4 is rather tall and fat with big lips and blond short hair. He wore a green shirt that covers most of his body with a '4' design on it, an orange scarf around his neck, black pants, and gray running shoes. He carries between a cannon and a baseball bat on his back.
"Well, well, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, that was an exhausting trip. My back is really killing me here!" Mrs. Mery Christmas states, pats her back with her fist. "This is your fault, Mr. 4! You're so slow! If we gotten here quicker, my back wouldn't hurt right now!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOh...IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'mmmmmm...Soooooooorrrrrrrryyyyy..." Mr. 4 apologizes very slowly.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, how's business these days Paula?" Ms. Merry Christmas asks, quickly looking at the cafe. "Your place sure is empty today. It's an empty place! Place! Empty Place! Empty Plenty!"
"Well, it is certainly good to see you again, Mrs. Merry Christmas and you, Mr. 4." Ms. Double Finger said with a chuckle. "You will have the shop all to yourselves for a while. I can go ahead and brew some tea for you, if you don't mind waiting a few minutes for it to steep. Is it Cama-mella as usual, Mr. 4?"
"No! I don't want to wait for tea! I want something I can drink, right now! Something fast! Right away! Right away! No waiting! Right now! Okay?! Got it?!" Mrs. Merry Christmas told her rudely and impatiently, repeatedly beating the table with her hand.
"You seem to be in good spirits." Ms. Double Finger states when she grabs the teapot as she pours the hot water at the cups.
"Am I late of work if you don't do well, you die!? So obviously, it's going well, you stupid woman! Stupid woman! Stuman! Stuman!" Mrs. Merry Christmas told her rudely when Ms. Double Finger placed the cups on the table.
"Of course, how forgetful of me, I'm sorry." Ms. Double Finger apologizes.
They then heard that voice which it was none other than Mr. 2 instructing his crew to dance, earned their attention and it got them confused.
"What is that noise?!" Mrs. Merry Christmas demands. "What kind of crazy singers are you using in this place these days, anyhow?!"
"Singers?" Ms. Double Finger repeats. "No, I have a Classical Sonata playing right now. There are no words, there shouldn't be any singing."
Though, they kept hearing Mr. 2 and his crew from outside of the Spiders Cafe which they didn't know about it.
"How's strange." Ms. Double Finger said.
Outside of the Spiders Cafe, Mr. 2 is teaching his crew a new ballet techniques in the middle of the desert.
"Un, deux..."
"Trois!"
"Head in the clouds and feet on the ground." Mr. 2 said, tippy toed and leaps. "Un, deux..."
His crew did the same thing.
"Trois!"
"Fly like a fish in a stream." Mr. 2 said, switch legs by placing his foot down and raise his other leg up.
His crew did the same as Mr. 2 did.
"Trois!"
"Spin...Just remember...Spin." Mr. 2 told them, motions his finger. "Spin."
He then raise his feet up, doing the tippy toes.
"Pretty shoes...And Mascara..." Mr. 2 said, tippy toed. "Pretty shoes...And Mascara!"
And with that, Mr. 2 and his crew move their arms, using the fifth position.
"I'm such a lovely dancing boy!"
"Now, we say 'switch foot.'" Mr. 2 told them, switching his feet while his crew does the same.
"Switch foot!"
"And up." Mr. 2 adds, raise his foot up while his crew does the same.
"And up!"
"And now, leap away." Mr. 2 said, using the jete while his crew does the same. "Let's hear you boys sing it!"
And with that, his crew were singing and Mr. 2 joins in as they sing. Soon as they dance all the way to the Spiders Cafe, Mr. 2 enters inside and spoke.
"Hello to all and how tu, today?" Mr. 2 greets, bows to the Baroque Works agents.
"You're a freak." Ms. Double Finger comments with annoyance, unamused.
"I am not a freak, Paula! I am merely a talented dancer practicing my craft!" Mr. 2 remarked, approaches the table. "I will take one sparkling water, please?"
"Don't have any." Ms. Double Finger told him.
"'Don't have any'?! Give me a break! That's what all the high-class ballerinas drink!" Mr. 2 complains, but lets out a haughty laugh when he noticed his crew is still here. "Oh, you're still here? You guys can leave now."
"Right!"
"And don't to practice those new dance moves like we've talked about." Mr. 2 suggests.
"Right!"
And with that, his crew left the cafe while practicing the new dance moves. Mr. 2 noticed Mrs. Merry Christmas lying on the table, getting her back massaged by Mr. 4 which it annoys him.
"How nice. The fatty and the old hag are here with us." Mr. 2 said sarcastically.
"Why don't you shut your fat mouth, you weirdo ballet dancing swan man freak of nature!?" Mrs. Merry Christman retorted with a scowl.
"Well, nice to see you." Mr. 2 said, turns to Ms. Double Finger while ignoring Mrs. Mery Christmas. "Did you hear? It seems like even Mr. 1's team has been mobilized for this assignment. I've never actually had the pleasure of meeting him and his partner. I'm really very excited."
Unknown to the Baroque Works agents, Mr. 3 overhears their discussion about the gathering and he manage to get out of Little Garden while made it to Alabasta without getting caught or killed from his fellow agents.
Few hours later, the Baroque Works agents are still waiting for Mr. 1 and Mr. 2 is starting to grow impatient as he keeps himself busy by spinning around.
"Moment by moment, the grows later. We are nearing 8 o'clock the appointed time." Mr. 2 states, looking at the grandfather clock.
However, one Baroque Works agent named Mr. 1 is making his way toward the Spider Cafe, dragging something along with him.
Mr. 1 is a tanned tall man with a muscular appearance and shaven hair. His most striking feature is the black unibrow right over his round eyes, big lips, and archaic symbol of the number '1' tattooed on his torso. He wore a sleeveless dark coat with golden edges and white motifs on the front, over very loose beige pants held up by a white sash around his waist, with some light brown fur sprouting it. His pants were tucked inside some bandages wrapped around his calves and in part around his shoes.
"Oh, I'm so bored." Mr. 2 said in his bored tone, spins. "Time to practice spinning."
It got Mr. 4 laughing, watching Mr. 2 spins like a ballerina, but it got Mrs. Merry Christmas even more annoyed.
"Quit it! Just looking at you hurts!" Mrs. Merry Christmas yells with a tick mark on her head, showing her shark-like teeth which it got Mr. 2 stop spinning.
"OOOOOHHH!? What's your problem, you old hag?! Do you want to fight?!" Mr. 2 yelled back.
"Do you really think you can handle me?!" Mrs. Merry Christmas retorted.
"Calm now, why don't you two cut it out?" Ms. Double Finger suggests, tried to stop them. "Stop fighting!"
Soon as Mr. 1 made his way at the Spiders Cafe and Mr. 2 and Mrs. Merry Christmas were about to fight, Mr. 1 threw them at the wall, causing the wall to break and dust to appear which it got the rest of the Baroque Works agents attention. Just the dust clears, revealed Mr. 2's crew were all beaten and bloodied.
"Hey, what happen to you?! Why are lying there on the ground instead of practicing like you're supposed to be doing?!" Mr. 2 demands with his hands on his hips, showing his budging eyes and shark-like teeth.
"We were until then-"
Mr. 2 then saw someone out of the Spiders Cafe when the dust clears.
"Oh, so these men are acquaintances of yours." Mr. 1 said when Mr. 2 growls. "You see, I found them acting suspicious out in the desert. Don't worry, I doubt they'll die. You seem unnecessarily concerned about them. Fostering friendships will only make you weaker."
"THOSE MEN ARE MINE, THEY DON'T BELONG TO YOU!?" Mr. 2 yelled as he charges after Mr. 1.
"You better stop, Mr. 2!" Mrs. Merry Christmas warns him.
But it's too late, the fight starts when Mr. 2 leaps and starts kicking, but Mr. 1 dodges and about to throw a punch. Mr. 2 twirls his body around after dodging, leaps and kicks when Mr. 1 ducks. Mr. 1 was about to retaliate by throwing the punch, but Mr. 2 dodges and counter by throwing a kick. Mr. 1 dodges, but Mr. 2 unleashes a flurry of finger jab and kicks after twirl his body around. Mr. 2 then switch his feet and kicks him in the sternum, sent Mr. 1 flying towards the wall, but what got them shocked is the wall was instantly cut off, like it's never there.
"What the hell!? He flew straight to the wall!" Mrs. Merry Christmas exclaims. "He barely seemed to notice it was happening!"
Mr. 1 then lands on the ground with a harden scowl on his eyes.
"Do you want to die that badly?!" Mr. 1 snarled.
Mr. 1 was about to go after Mr. 2 when Ms. Double Finger intervenes, raise her hand to stop him.
"Hold it! That's enough playing around, Mr. 1!" Ms. Double Finger ordered.
"I'm not done! Move, Ms. Double Finger!" Mr. 1 snarled. "I still haven't killed him yet!"
Though, Mr. 4 manage to grab hold of Mr. 2 and pinned him to ground. Mr. 2 told him to get off, but the weight of Mr. 4 is very heavy.
"Mr. 2, it's time for you to calm down as well! It's 8 o'clock." Ms. Double Finger told him, earned their attention. "All of the agents that should be here are here. What's more, a letter containing the orders has arrived at the Spiders Cafe."
Ms. Double Finger took off her glasses, bandanna, and her attire, revealing her short long-sleeved jacket with beige colored fur brims, a bikini top describing an unusual spider web-like pattern across her abdominal area, low-riding pants, and platform sandals.
"So, we're instructed to head to Rain Base, the City of Dreams." Ms. Double Finger explains. "And that city, we'll meet someone, a man we know, but who's face we have never seen."
It got Mr. 2, Mr. 4, and Mrs. Merry Christmas shocked.
"We're heading to meet the boss." Ms. Double Finger told them.
And with that, they're riding inside of the cart as the turtle pulls the carts, heading to Rain Base.
Alabasta, Rain Base
Meanwhile inside of the underwater base, after hearing the word that their fellow agents are on their way, Ms. All-Sunday spoke to Crocodile.
"I've sent Banchi to get them, I expect them to arrive some time or later tonight." Ms. All-Sunday explains.
"The billions we've lost in Nanohana, have you been able to find replacements?" Crocodile questions.
"I've made the assignments for the replacements. As far as contacting the new billions, I've dispatched the Lizard Runners to see to that."
"Good to hear." Crocodile said. "Things are almost ready."
Alabasta, Yuba
While outside of the desert, the wind is picking up and the sand were blowing, blocking the scene which it causes the Straw Hat pirates to cover themselves up. However, Vivi noticed the light ahead as she spoke.
"Look up ahead! I see a light!" Vivi states, pointing at that direction.
"Does that mean we made it to Yuba?" Luffy asks. "I can't see with all this sand blowing everywhere."
"Vivi, this better not be wild goose chase." Shanise warns her.
However, they were able to see Yuba when the sandstorm is clear, but something is terribly wrong when Zoro, Anna, Ace, Ventus, Luffy, Chopper, Shanise, Ivan, Sanji, and Nami scowled while Vivi widen her eyes with shock.
"Something here doesn't feel right." Vivi states, pulls the mask off. "There's something wrong down there, I can tell."
Soon as the sandstorm is clear, the Straw Hat pirates enter to Yuba, which the sandstorm struck the city and it's now covered in sand.
"Oh no!" Vivi exclaims with shock, watching the sandstorm hits Yuba. "The entire city is being struck by a sandstorm!"
Soon as the sandstorm is cleared, they're looking at what's left of Yuba that's mostly covered in sand.
"Can't be..." Vivi muttered in horror, looking at the city.
"It doesn't look good." Zoro states. "This place doesn't look much different from that Erumalu town from before."
"And by the looks of it, this must've happened after the rebels left." Ventus adds.
"This means we're in the middle of a wild goose chase." Anna states.
"Water..." Luffy whines with his tongue stuck out.
"Vivi, I thought this city was supposed to be some sort of oasis." Sanji told her.
"It looks like the oasis had disappeared. It's been swallowed up by all this sand." Vivi said.
Until, they heard a clanging sound as they noticed an old man digging the sand out of the canal.
"I'm assuming that you're travelers. You must be exhausted from all the times spend in that heat." The old man said with exhaustion. "Sorry, but this town is a bit dried up too, it doesn't have much relief to offer. But still, you're free to rest here for a while."
Vivi covered her face and Ventus sniff the air, noticed that the scent of the sand is faint. The young Dragoon knew that this is no ordinary sandstorm, meaning that someone must've controlling the sand and cause a sandstorm in between Erumalu and Yuba.
"We may not have much water, but there are plenty on inns hear in the town. It's what we prided ourselves so much on after all." The old man offered, keep digging the sand.
"Thank you." Vivi thanked him. "But we came here because we thought the rebel army was in this town."
That got the old man glaring at the Straw Hat pirates when he heard that sentence.
"What business do you have with the rebel army?!" The old man growled as he threw wooden barrels and buckets at them. "CURSE ALL OF YOU! IF YOU'RE HERE TO JOIN THE REBEL ARMY, YOU CAN JUST GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!"
"Calm down, we didn't come here to join, we need to know where the rebel army are at." Anna assures him.
"And we wanted to know how did all this happen three years ago." Ivan adds.
After the old man calms down after they reason with him, he started to speak.
"If you're looking for those fools, look elsewhere! They're no longer in this town." The old man told them, leaving the Straw Hat pirates, except Ace and Ventus, shocked.
"Wait, they're gone!" Luffy yelled.
"They left!?" Vivi exclaims with shock.
"How did this happen?" Shanise questions.
"I'm sure you noticed, a town was just hit by a sandstorm, but that one certainly wasn't the first. After three years of no rain, the land has become increasingly dry." The old man explains. "The sandstorms became regular occurrence here. Little-by-little, the oasis that we knew was swallowed up. Until, the town became what you see now, a dying wasteland. With the flow of supplies to the town ended, the rebel army couldn't maintain their drawn out struggle. So they packed up, they've moved on, the rebel base is now located in Katorea."
Vivi then widen her eyes with shock, now understands why the rebel army were never in Yuba.
"Katorea!?" Vivi exclaims.
"Um, where's that? Is Katorea close to here, Vivi?" Luffy asks.
"It's near Nanohana, back the way we came from." Vivi told him.
"And it's on the other side where were at now." Anna adds with sigh.
Then, the camel starts speaking which Chopper can only understands him.
"He says, 'That's where I use to have the rebel army gather weapons in Nanohana and deliver them at Katorea. And after that, I left Katorea and wander in the desert.'" Chopper said, translating.
And with that, Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp beat up the camel, stopped when the camel speaks.
"'Whatever.'" Chopper translates.
Then, Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp beat up the camel.
"Well great, coming all this way was just a waste of time." Zoro scoffs.
The old man then approached the Straw Hat pirates, mostly Vivi which it got their attention.
"Vivi. Wait, your names-"
"Hold on! She's definitely not a princess!" Luffy protests, waving his hands.
"Nice one, Luffy!" Zoro and Anna scolds with annoyance, bonked Luffy in the head.
"Princess Vivi, is that really you?" The old man asks, placed his hands on her shoulders. "You're alive! I can't believe it, thank goodness! It's me, Vivi, don't you recognize me? I look different, I lost some weight, I suppose."
Vivi then realize who that old man really is.
"Toto, is it really you?" Vivi asks with a gasp.
"That's right." Toto answered in teary eyes.
Vivi then remembered Toto long ago back in Alubarna and remembered about the time when Toto told her of building Yuba, even Koza promised Vivi of given her a tour.
"Toto? That's this guy?" Luffy asks surprisingly.
"Yeah." Anna answered with a confirm.
"Whatever its worth, Vivi, dear, I have faith in you and the King." Toto told her sadly. "He's a good man, a true King who never betray his country. I know it."
Toto then collapses down to his knees, crying while Vivi kneels down. The Straw Hat pirates couldn't help but feel sorry for Toto, after the incident years ago and the rebel army left after the sandstorm hit Yuba. Even Vivi knew that Toto tried everything to convince the rebel army to stop a pointless conflict which the Baroque Works were the ones behind the entire scene and cause a drought because of the Dance Powder they've delivered to Alubarna years ago.
"This rebellion is ridiculous!? A bunch of faithless fools!" Toto cursed them. "True, our country hasn't seen so much as a drop of rain in three years, but I still put my trust in the King as I always have! Most of the country has still faith in him, actually. So many times, I tried to stop them so many times, but they won't listen to anything I say. The rebellion isn't stopping. Their strengths, supplies, and men have reached the limit however, their intention is to settle everything once and for all with the next attack. Their backs are against the wall, this stuck in the corner. Prepared for death!"
That got Vivi react in shock, heard of the last part of what Toto have told them.
"Please, Vivi, you have to stop these fools for tearing our country apart!" Toto pleads.
Vivi then extends the cloth to Toto with a smile on her face, earned his attention.
"Toto, old friend. Please, don't be worried." Vivi assures him.
"Vivi dear." Toto muttered with shock.
"We'll succeed, we're going to stop this." Vivi told him.
"Thank you, Vivi." Toto thanked her with a smile on his face.
Though, the Straw Hat pirates have made all this way to Yuba to stop the rebel army, but they were too late because they already left for Katorea and they're about to start a conflict in Alubarna which that's what the Baroque Works and Crocodile wanted. So by tomorrow, they'll have to come up with another way to get to Alubarna to stop the conflict and thwart Crocodile's plan.
That's it for the 38th chapter.