This is the 39th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Tearful Vow to Put Friends on the Line!
In three years, not a drop of rain has fallen in a desert kingdom of Alabasta, the Land of Oasis. Desperate for rain and prodded by outside forces, the peoples kingdom have taken up weapons, the land is at the brink of war. With nowhere else to turn, people are turning on each other instead. Princess Vivi headed to Yuba in an attempt to prevent the upcoming fight. Once there, however, the rebel army was nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, Baroque Works agents began to put the final stages of the plan into action. The final battle between the royal army and the determined rebel army is drawing ever closer.
Alabasta, Yuba
After the arrival to Yuba and learned that the rebel army is no longer here, Toto escorted the Straw Hat pirates at the inn. Though, one inn won't fit everyone, decided to have Ventus, Ace, Shanise, Ivan, and Anna headed to the other inn so the first inn won't get too crowded. The rest of the Straw Hat pirates were about to get sleep and getting ready to leave by tomorrow when Usopp spoke.
"Well, great job today. Really, we did some good work." Usopp said with a smile, waving his hand, but he only use his stick to keep his balance while being carried by Zoro the rest of the way. "Now, let's all lie down in these comfy beds and get some well-deserve rest, okay? We'll need our strength. Goodnight you guys."
Soon as Usopp quickly get to bed and about to sleep with a smile on his face, Zoro threw the pillow at him which it got him crashed against the wall.
"Please, this whole trip, you've been nothing but lazy." Zoro retorted with annoyance.
"Why you?!" Usopp groans, turn to Zoro with a glare. "Quit comparing me to you and all of the other superhuman freaks!"
Usopp then retaliates, throwing the pillow at Zoro square in the face.
"Now, you're annoying me." Zoro grunts as Usopp throws the other pillow at Chopper, knocking him out.
"I think blue nose here wins todays award for laziest talking animal in the desert." Usopp states, pointing his finger at Chopper.
"You try walking around in a fur coat!?" Chopper shouts with a glare, grabbed Usopp and press the long nose.
"Sanji, I think that's my bed." Vivi said, earned their attention when they saw Sanji in her bed with a goofy grin on his face.
"I know, I thought you might have trouble sleeping here all alone tonight, Vivi." Sanji cooed, but grunts when Usopp threw the pillow at him.
"And the award for biggest perv goes to Sanji." Usopp states with annoyance, pointing his finger at the cook while Chopper snickered.
"Alright, slingshot boy! I'm gonna shove that pillow so far down to your throat, you'll choke on it!" Sanji snarled with a threat, veins popped out of his head.
And with that, Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, and Usopp began the pillow fight by throwing pillows at each other. Vivi was surprised over a scuffle between the four while Nami is very annoying since she couldn't get any sleep at all because of that noise.
"You guys don't seem to understand the concept-"
Nami then got hit in the face by the pillow, causing her to throw the pillow right back at them. Sanji had enough as he charges after them while Vivi got hit in the face by the pillow. They watch the four fight each other which it most annoys Nami, but looking at Vivi, who's smiling with a little laugh.
Whil at the other inn, Ventus and others can hear that loud noise which they couldn't get much sleep.
"Couldn't they be any louder?" Ivan groaned with annoyance. "One minute we were about to rest, and now, they're starting to make a loud racket."
"It's just how they are, Ivan. Nothing we can do about it." Shanise points out, sighed. "With the rebel army in Katorea, we won't have enough time to get to Alubarna since it'll be turned into a warzone."
"And Crocodile is probably somewhere around here." Anna adds with a sigh. "I would ask Vivi, but after what has transpired."
"Yeah...And the option now is going after Crocodile." Shanise agrees, but noticed Ace and Ventus weren't in the inn.
Anna shook her head, knew where Ventus and Ace are at which they decided to leave them be as they get some sleep.
Outside of the inn, Ventus decided to conduct an investigation of the sandstorm Toto just told them. The young Dragoon is looking around Yuba that's been mostly covered in sand because of the sandstorm. He sniffs the air, caught the scent that's faint and mixed of the rebel army and horses, but he caught a scent that's been causing the sandstorm. Ventus then scoops up the sand from his hand as he sniff it, noticed the faint smell and realize that scent belongs to the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile.
"Got something, Ven?" The voice of Ace asks, earned his attention. "And by the look on your face, you seem notice something's off about the sandstorm."
"Yeah, and from what I can tell, this is no ordinary sandstorm." Ventus nods, stood up. "I manage to get a hold of that scent, it's mixed in the rebel army which it just happened years ago. But the only scent I've caught was Crocodile."
Ace and Ventus then looked at Yuba, mostly seeing the city is covered in sand and every faint scent the young Dragoon manage to get a hold has the name of Crocodile all over it.
"And as far as I can tell, he must've eaten a Devil fruit." Ventus states.
"Without a doubt, and that Devil fruit he ate is a Logia-type." Ace confirms with an agreement. "Like my Flame-Flame fruit, Crocodile must've eaten a fruit called-"
"Sand-Sand fruit." Ventus finished his sentence. "And Crocodile uses that power of his to conjure a sandstorm and cause a drought between Yuba and all over in Alabasta."
"Besides the Rain Dance powder, which he and the Baroque Works agents deliver them to Alubarna so the King will use them, but not realizing the side effects and the consequences." Ace said. "For the worst part, Crocodile uses the sandstorm to cause a drought between Erumalu and Yuba. I'm betting there's more about his agenda than just cause a war between the royal army and the rebel army."
"Maybe, but..."
However, they were interrupted when they heard a clanging sound that's coming from Toto digging up the sand and Luffy is watching.
"Hey, old guy!" Luffy called him. "There's still no water, my throat's drying up! How could you stand to live here? It's horrible!"
It got Ventus and Ace sweat dropped of Luffy's comment, mostly annoyed.
"The water will come! The Yuba oasis still has life in it yet!" Toto states, continued digging. "The dream of Yuba can't be beaten by a bunch of lousy sand! The King left this land in my hands and I will keep it alive! I'll dig out the sand as many times as it takes!"
"Huh." Luffy muttered, but getting into a crouching position. "Okay then, let's dig."
And with that, Luffy used his hand to dig up the sand which he's also filling up the whole where Toto was digging. Toto stops digging and turn to Luffy.
"Hey! Would you quit! You're filling up a hole I spent all this time on!" Toto yelled with white eyes and shark-like teeth, earned his attention. "I'll never get done with you filling my holes!?"
"But, I'm digging just like you, old guy." Luffy complains.
"No, I'm digging holes and you're filling them up!" Toto protests, moving his hands. "The sand from the hole you're digging is going into the hole I'm digging! In other words, you're not helping!"
'No matter how much you try to tell him, Luffy just won't listen.' Ventus and Ace mentally thought as they decided to call it a night, heading to the inn.
"Ah...Ah, a mystery hole, huh?" Luffy states with a grin, pressed his fist and his hand together as he then digs the sand up.
"I said knock it off!" Toto yelled, but Luffy just keep on digging the sand. "Oh, I give up."
Few minutes later, Toto continued digging the sand since Luffy kept filling the sand into his hole. Toto then stops as he wipes his eyebrow with a sigh.
"Well, maybe he figured it out now. The sand stopped coming." Toto said, looking at the hole Luffy's been digging which it got him shocked. "He was able to dig that in such a short time?! Even as tired as he must be from the journey?!"
After all the long journey and digging the sand, Luffy is completely exhausted and went straight to sleep. Toto got Luffy out of the hole and carries him at the inn. Then, he placed Luffy in the bed and wrapped him in the blanket.
"Sleep well tonight, you've earned it." Toto quietly said with a smile as he then left the inn, and quietly closes the door behind him.
Alabasta, Rainbase
At the Rainbase, the people are bustling and walking around the city. Some of them were gambling their money at the casinos while some people were talking to each other. However, the Baroque Works were inside of the underground base, waiting for Mr. 0, AKA, Crococdile, to arrive along with Ms. All-Sunday.
"Give me a break! You've gotta be kidding me!" Mr. 2 shouts while complaining, starting to grow impatient. "How long are we gonna have to wait around like this?! Are you implicating to offer some refreshments?! I could be practicing my dance instead of sitting here!?"
Mr. 4 couldn't help but laugh while the others are annoyed of Mr. 2 complaining.
"Mr. 2, just sit still over there and wait quietly." Ms. Double Finger suggests when she Mrs. Merry Christmas rambling. "You calm down to, Mrs. Merry Christmas."
"I guess it isn't too surprising that you don't all get along." Ms. All-Sunday said with a smirk, chuckled when they saw her at the stairs. "Oh well, it isn't necessary that you do anyway."
"Ms. All Sunday." Mr. 1 said in his monotone voice.
"Thank you all for coming so far to attend this gathering of ours at Rainbase." Ms. All-Sunday thanked them, walking down the stairs. "The city where gambling is the only King and every man and woman dreams are going home rich. Welcome to Rain Dinners, the largest casino in the whole city."
"Ms. All-Sunday, could we skip the formalities and get to the point?" Mr. 1 suggests.
"Yes, I was just getting to that, Mr. 1." Ms. All-Sunday said calmly, walk towards the table.
"Let's get this started already! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Start! Start! Start! Now! Now!" Mrs. Merry Christmas demands impatiently.
"Of course, but there's something that needs to be taken cared of." Ms. All-Sunday replied. "It's time to meet our boss whose face you've never seen, I've been acting as his face and his voice for some time now. Delivering orders as he saw fit. There's no longer any need for such secrecy, however."
"Finally, the time has come." Crocodile said, turns the chair around to reveal himself. "For Operation: Utopia."
It got the Baroque Works agents, except Ms. All-Sunday, gasp in shock of Crocodile who's actually the leader of the Baroque Works agents and the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"It's Crocodile?!" Mr. 1 exclaims.
"This will be the greatest and the final operation that Baroque Works carries out." Crocodile said with a smirk.
"It seems you're familiar with our boss or his public identity, anyway." Ms. All-Sunday told them.
"Yes, of course we are, but why is one of the Seven Warlords leading us?" Ms. Double Finger questions.
"Yeah, we didn't expect to have such a big shot guy for our leader!" Mrs. Merry Christmas adds.
"Let me get this straight, we've been working for a pirate since the first day?!" Mr. 2 questions with shock.
"So then, you were actually our boss?" Mr. 1 questions.
"That a problem?" Crocodile questions with a menacing glare, leaving their faces paled.
"It's not a problem, but it is a bit confusing, the Seven Warlords are pirates sanction by the Government." Ms. Double Finger points out. "Why would you need a company like this one?"
"I do not seek money or status." Crocodile told them. "It is something more, military strength."
"Military strength?" Mr. 1 repeats.
"Allow me to explain myself." Crocodile said as he begins explaining, light up his cigar. "Let me tell you my true objective, my goal and the final operation that Baroque Works will be conducting..."
Few minutes later after Crocodile finished his explanation about his true goal to the Baroque Works agents and placed his cigar in the ashtray.
"You mean something like that really exists on this island? And we're going to steal a whole country along with it?" Mr. 2 asks with stunned expression on his face. "This assignment is making me tremble all over!?"
"So, these new orders are the final pieces of one giant plan that Baroque Works has been working towards?" Mr. 1 questions.
"Yes, this is correct." Crocodile replied. "Every assignment performed as an agent, every mission finish since Baroque Works was founded has been part of the single operation. And those letters there...for the final orders that you'll receive. The time has finally come for Alabasta Kingdom to disappeared. Once each of you has completed the assignment you have before you, this desert kingdom will destroy itself from the inside out. The rebel and royal armies will have nowhere to go, nowhere to turn. As a result, they will fall neatly into the hands of Baroque Works. If all goes according to plan in a single night, Alabasta kingdom will become out Utopia. This mission is the final and most important act that the Baroque Works will carry out. Failure is not an option. We begin tomorrow at noon."
Soon as the Baroque Works open the letter, they began reading the final order of the Operation: Utopia. Then, they place the letters next to the candles, burned it and complied to his order.
"I wish you luck." Crocodile said with a smirk.
However, they heard footsteps that was coming from the stairs as they turned and see Mr. 3 coming down, who's face was bandaged and wrapped in a blue and white stripped cloak.
"About this Operation: Utopia, may I ask you to postpone it for a while?" Mr. 3 suggests.
They don't too happy when Mr. 3 made a suggest of putting the Operation: Utopia on hold.
"How did you get here?" Ms. All-Sunday questions with a glare, crossed her arms. "The location of this room is a secret."
"So, what little hidey hole did you crawl out have to get here, Mr. 3?!" Mr. 2 demands, got off the chair and readied his fighting stance. "Now I will finally complete my mission!"
"Hold on, Mr. 2." Crocodile ordered, wanted to hear what Mr. 3 has to say.
"I didn't crawl out from anywhere, thank you very much. I merely followed you all from your little meeting at the Spiders Cafe, it was easy enough to do, I just hitched a ride on the back of Banchi's cart unseen." Mr. 3 explains, then turns to Crocodile while walking down the stairs. "Boss, at last we meet. I have come here to humbly beg for your forgiveness and to ask that I may be giving a second chance. You see, Mr. 2, I know there was only a matter of time before someone was sent to eliminate me after I failed to complete the assignment that I was given. That is why I've made the decision to change my course slightly and head directly for our headquarters at the Spiders Cafe."
"You said you have failed to complete a mission." Crocodile points out. "What are you talking about?"
"Hmm? Well, you know, how I was unfortunately unable to prevent the Straw Hat brats and Princess Vivi from escaping, remember?" Mr. 3 told him, motions his hands.
It got Crocodile snapped when he breaks the teacup handle as he stood up from the chair.
"You're telling me that they got away?! All of them?" Crocodile demands with a snarl, leaving Mr. 3 confused. "You're saying that they're still alive?! What were you talking about on the Transponder Snail?! You said that they were dead! Princess Vivi and her bratty little pirate friends...You did deal with them, did you?!"
"The Transponder Snail? I don't know what you're talking about, I never used a Transponder Snail the entire time I was on Little Garden, not even once." Mr. 3 points out.
"WHAT?!" Crocodile snapped with pure anger, realized that someone else have used a Transponder Snail which happened to be Sanji.
He then sat back down as he lights up the cigar and spoke.
"This isn't good news. Although, it does explain why the Unluckies haven't returned from the Little Garden." Crocodile said. "I assume you at least got rid of one or two of them?"
"No, not exactly." Mr. 3 answered which it got Crocodile even more angry. "Wait! The information I was given wasn't entirely accurate! There were two former Baroque Works, six pirates escorts with Princess Vivi! And then on top of that, there was this really funny looking man with a long nose-"
"DAMMIT?!" Crocodile yelled.
"Please, Boss! Can you explain to the rest of us what's going on with all this insanity?!" Mr. 2 demands, slams his hand at the table. "None of this makes any sense!"
Of course, the atmosphere is growing intense and the rest of the Baroque Works agents wanted to know about this situation since Mr. 3 have failed to apprehend the Straw Hat pirates, mostly because of Ventus beating up Mr. 3 and outwit him. Soon as the images of the Straw Hat pirates were revealed, Mr. 2 spoke.
"All of them! I met all of these people!" Mr. 2 exclaims with shock. "Yes, I ran into them on my way to the Cafe!"
"Really?" Crocodile asks when Mr. 2 use his Devil Fruit to change faces, first Luffy.
"There was this guy."
Then Zoro.
"And this guy."
Then Nami.
"And this girl."
Then Usopp.
"And this guys."
And finally Chopper.
"And this thing too."
He then change his face back to his normal form.
"Plus, five more." Mr. 2 continues, looking at the images. "So, Ms. Wednesday is really Princess posing as an agent! You mean these people are all actually the enemy?!"
"That's correct, these people have uncovered who I really am." Crocodile replied. "They need to be taken care of, or they'll interfere with the plan."
Mr. 2 is now pale white as a sheet of paper, sits on the chair and leans down at the table.
"Mr. 3, you're right about one thing, it does seem like they've added two of our former Baroque Works, a ranger, a Dragoon, a person, and an animal. Their group is increasing the number as they continue to move forward." Crocodile told him. "Setting the pedaside, I think there is something that we can safely assume at the moment. Princess Vivi and her little friends have very likely in Alabasta already. Now to prepare, Mr. 2, make photos of those faces you've displayed."
"But...But Boss, I promise that I'll eliminate Vivi and her friends with my own two hands!" Mr. 3 protests which Crocodile had enough.
"JUST SHUT UP YOU DAMN FOOL!?" Crocodile yelled, grabbed his neck and it left the Baroque Works agents, except Ms. All-Sunday, frightened. "Now, Mr. 3, listen very carefully, do you have any idea why I gave you your rank? Why you're an officer agent, hmm?"
Mr. 3 is trying to struggle his way out, but Crocodile's grip is too strong.
"In terms of fighting skills alone, even Mr. 4 has you beat! Do you understand that?!" Crocodile growled. "I promoted you because of your underhanded tenacity when it comes to completing an assignment! You have greatly disappoint me!"
And then, Mr. 3's body is starting to shrivel up and it left him all skins and bone, completely dehydrated.
"What's happening to him?!" Mrs. Merry Christmas exclaims in shock.
"He's just shriveling up!" Ms. Double Finger guessed.
Mr. 3 then collapses down to the floor.
"Water...I need water...Some water..." Mr. 3 said in a very dry voice, desperate for water.
"You can have all the water you want...down there." Crocodile told him when he pressed the button.
And with that, the hole revealed and Mr. 3 screams as he now fell down below. Mr. 3 grunts and landed hard on the ground. Crocodile then noticed that the giant gator same down.
"It looks to be feeding time." Crocodile muttered.
"Where am I now?" Mr. 3 weakly questions, stood up as he look around. "And a water?"
He then saw a giant gator swimming around underwater which left him shocked.
"It's almost like a giant aquarium." Mr. 3 states, but heard a growl that's coming from behind which happens to be a giant gator. "OH MY GOD THE GATOR!?"
And with that, Mr. 3 screamed while the giant gator ate him with one bite.
"Nothing but trouble, but no longer." Crocodile growled, walk towards the table while the Baroque Works agents kept quiet as he slams the table, showing the photos of the Straw Hat pirates. "Now the rest of you listen up, take a good look at these five. They are determined to stop the rebellion in Alabasta. If we leave them alone, they are bound to come to us."
"I understand that." Mr. 2 said with a ponder. "But Boss, even the girl is the Princess of this country, do you really think that she can prevent the rebellion at the point?"
"Unfortunately, she has the connection that she can take advantage of. Princess Vivi Nefertari and the Rebel Leader, Koza, were apparently friends when they were children." Crocodile explains, tore one of the photos with his golden hook. "The rebels have 700,000, even if the rebellion can't be stopped now, Princess Vivi is certainly capable of bringing real confusion to their ranks. I've already sent many of the Billions to join with Koza's rebel forces. The fact that I haven't heard anything from our men must mean that Vivi and her friends have not yet taken any action, this is good. Whatever the cost, they must be prevented for making contact with the rebel army before the operation is complete, and we have won. Ms. All-Sunday!"
"Sir?" Ms. All-Sunday inquires.
"Given the current circumstances, we should use Transponder Snails. Contact the Billions who're in Nanohana." Crocodile ordered. "Tell them to kill on sight without any hesitation. Do not allow Princess Vivi and the pirates into Katorea! Vivi must not be allowed to meet with the Rebel Leader, Koza!"
"Yes sir." Ms. All-Sunday complies as she left.
"Now the rest of you, get going as well. You don't want to miss the fun, do you?" Crocodile ordered as the Baroque Works agents pulled themselves out of their seats. "We are very close to realizing our utopia. I hate to be disappointed by any of you, you understand?"
"Just leave to us, Boss sir." Ms. Double Finger replied with a smirk.
"And we're off~!" Mr. 2 sang with a smile.
"Go and enjoy yourselves." Crocodile said, puff the smoke out of his mouth.
And with that, the Baroque Works began to leave the Rainbase and begin the operation by tomorrow.
Alabasta, Yuba
The next morning, the Straw Hat pirates about to get ready to leave after a well-deserved rest. Toto stopped them while holding a small keg of water as he spoke.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't have more to offer you, Princess Vivi." Toto apologize.
"No, please, don't worry about it." Vivi assures him. "Well, we should be off now, Toto."
"Oh, Luffy. Here, take this with you." Toto called him, walk towards the rubber Captain and give him the small keg of water.
"Water!" Luffy and Usopp exclaims in unison with a big grin.
"You found some then?" Luffy inquires.
"Yes, it was last night a bit after you fell asleep while digging that huge hole of yours." Toto explains. "I finally reached a moisture layer under the dry stuff. That water there is the moisture that I was able to extract from the damps and-"
"I don't think Luffy will ever the ideas, Toto." Ventus told him, earned his attention. "He's just clueless as ever."
"Hey!" Luffy shouts, resenting that offense.
"Though, we appreciate for what you did, though." Ace said with a smirk, earned a nod from Toto.
"That right there is genuine Yuba water. It's not much, but it's all I was able to get." Toto told him.
"Right, then I'll drink it with care." Luffy said with a smirk.
'Somehow, I doubt that.' Ventus, Anna, Shanise, and Ivan thought in unison with a sweatdrop.
Somewhere in Alabasta
After leaving Yuba and journeying through the desert, Luffy stops while sitting, leaning against the dead tree.
"Huh?" Usopp said when he and the others noticed Luffy isn't following them. "Hey, Luffy, what are you doing over there?!"
Luffy only respond in silence with a scowl as he closed his eye. The Straw Hat pirates approaches Luffy in confusion, wondering why he's not following them.
"Luffy?" Nami called him, got off the camel.
"Um, is everything alright?" Vivi questions.
Though, Anna, Zoro, Ventus, Shanise, and Ace can tell something is off about Luffy which it didn't take long for them to figure it out of the reason why Luffy decided not to follow them.
"I quit!" Luffy said.
"Huh?" The Straw Hat pirates, except Zoro, Ventus, Anna, Shanise, and Ace, said in unison with confusion.
"What do you mean?" Nami asks.
"What's that mean?" Vivi adds with a question. "Quit what, Luffy?"
"Oh, come on! We don't have time to put up with every weird little mood you have right now, Luffy." Usopp retorts, placed his hands against his waist. "Let's go!"
"Yeah, shouldn't we get going?" Chopper asks.
"Yes, we should and fast." Sanji replied with an agreement. "If we don't get back to that Katorea place the way we came and stop the rebellion that's about to begin, then the million Alabasta citizens are gonna start fighting and things are going to get ugly real quick! We're doing this for Vivi, so, let's go!"
Soon as Sanji grabs hold of Luffy, the rubber captain grabs his arm and tossed the cook aside.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Sanji yelled with a tick mark, showing his white eyes and shark-like teeth.
"Luffy, we don't have time for this! We need to get going, like right now!" Ivan shouts with annoyance.
Luffy got respond in silent, turned to Vivi as he spoke.
"Vivi?" Luffy called her, earned her attention. "Right now, all I want to do is kick Crocodile's ass, you understand?! Maybe we can keep the people from starting the rebellion, but that won't stop Crocodile. Besides, we won't be able to accomplish anything in Katorea. We're pirates, everyone knows things are better off without us around."
"You got to admit, he has a way of getting straight to the point when he really wants to." Sanji states seriously, crossed his arms.
"Well, yeah, but not often." Usopp agrees in some ways.
"Yes, and mostly because of his reckless and childish antics." Ivan adds.
"No, that's not true." Vivi denies.
"You wanted to work out so that nobody dies in this fight, isn't that right, Vivi?" Luffy inquires seriously. "None of the citizens, none of us, either. We're up against one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and a million of your own people on top of that, and you still want everyone to end up all safe and sound. You'll never win that way."
Even though Luffy makes a valid point, but Vivi didn't want to admit which it got her tensed up.
"Come on, Luffy! Can't you at least try showing Vivi a little sympathy?!" Nami protests.
"Wait, hold on, Nami." Sanji said, stops her by raise his arm.
"It's best we stay out of it." Ace suggests.
"For what?!" Nami demands.
"And what's wrong with that, huh?!" Vivi shouts with anger. "What is so wrong about not wanting to see people die or get hurt?!"
"Cuz' people die, that's why." Luffy answered simply.
It got Vivi even more angry as she slaps Luffy in the face hard, sent him fly against the ground.
"Stop talking like that, I won't listen to it!" Vivi shouts, refuse to listen. "Say that again and I will really hurt you! That's the whole point of what we're doing here, don't you understand?! No one here in Alabasta, not the rebel army, the royal army, or the people is to blame for this! None of them have done anything wrong! Why should any of them have to pay for what's happened...When every last bit of it is Crocodile's fault?!"
Luffy then pulls himself up with a grunt, decided to retaliate as he charges after Vivi and punched her in the face.
"So, you're saying it's only alright for you to diiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeee?!" Luffy yelled.
It got both Usopp and Chopper shocked with their jaws dropped, but Sanji is really angry.
"No, Luffy! You've gone too far!" Usopp said, flabbergasted.
"Dammit, Luffy!" Sanji cursed him.
"That's enough, you three!" Ventus shouts, earned their attention. "This is their battle, stay out of it!"
Vivi grunts from that impact, but she pulls herself and then lunges at Luffy.
"Just being in this country one day and taking a look around, even I can tell!" Luffy states when Vivi raises her fist.
"Tell what?!" Vivi demands, punches and slaps in Luffy's face repeatedly.
"What this country needs more than anything?!" Luffy shouts.
Then they remembered Toto, who's been digging up the sand at the canal in Yuba years ago ever since Crocodile uses the Devil Fruit to conjure the sandstorm, which she didn't even realize it. However, Toto didn't give up hope on either Yuba or King Cobra.
"Do you think that putting just your life on the line is enough to stop this from happening?!" Luffy shouts with a question while getting punched and slapped.
"Well, what else exactly should I be putting on the line with it, Luffy?!" Vivi demands, remembered when she and Igaram left Alabasta for going undercover. "What, Luffy?!"
Luffy then stopped her when he grabbed both of her wrist which it got her in teary eyes.
"I don't have anything else I can put on the line, just...just me..." Vivi said sadly which Luffy just tossed her to the ground.
"Will you can at least try putting our lives on the line together?!" Luffy shouts seriously. "Aren't we friends?!"
It now got Vivi in tears with a gasp, left her stunned.
"Well, aren't we friends?" Luffy asks again, grabbed his straw hat while Vivi cried. "There, now you see...Now you understand. Hey, you can cry."
Vivi then remembered the promise to Toto that they'll succeed to stop the rebellion.
"I know how much you hate this, you want to get Crocodile the most." Luffy said, dust the sand off the straw hat.
Nami then approaches Vivi, hugged her with a smile on her face. But it got the Straw Hat pirates scowled since the plans have changed as Luffy placed his straw hat on his head.
"So tell me, where can I find Crocodile?" Luffy questions with a serious glare.
That's it for the 39th chapter.