" Finally. " Cried Neni. " Here we are. "

" Alabasta. " Nami cried, as the boat stopped in front of an island.

" My country ! " Vivi rejoices.

" We got there. " Luffy remarked. " To celebrate, let's go visit the island. "

Gin and him immediately left the boat, screaming.

" We will find a restaurant. "

" Hey ! Come back! " Nami ordered them.

Seeing Luffy leave, Bruno sighed.

'' And is that supposed to be the captain ? "

" Bruno, maybe it is better that you stop seeing only the bad sides of Luffy. " Lucy remarked.

" He should stop taking this for a game. " Bruno retorted.

" None of us play pirate. " Zoro replied. " Everyone knows how dangerous our next battle will be, Luffy first ! Defeating Crocodile has become his main objective. "

" Tsss. " Simply said Bruno. " All I see is a kid. "

Breathing in some smoke, Sanji questioned him.

" Do you doubt our victory ? "

" It's not that I doubt your strength ! What I'm afraid is Luffy will choose bad decisions. "

Looking at the rest of the crew, Bruno wanted to know.

" Why do you trust Luffy so much ? What makes it so unique ? So charismatic in your eyes ? What did that jerk manage to do to earn your respect ? "

" None of us can answer your questions. " Raynare said, leaving the boat. " You won't be able to get an answer until you see Luffy fighting to protect us. "

" What ? "

" Luffy is destined to be the pirate king. " Finished Nami.

Being in the company of Sanji and Chopper, Lucy was looking at the market in Nanohana Town. No matter where her gaze fell, she only saw people with broad smiles on their faces. As Vivi had noticed earlier, the people of Alabasta seemed to be happy with their lives.

" Who could believe that the country is at war ? "

" It's true that no one seems to be afraid. " Sanji approved. " And all this food seems to me to be first rate and plentiful. "

" Why buy food when Lucy's spirits can bring us some ? " Chopper asked him.

" Any cook prefers to buy the food himself that he then uses to cook. " Sanji explained to him. " And then, let's try to find outfits for our trip to the desert. "

Starting to walk away from Sanji and Chopper, Lucy cried out.

" This market seems to be very large ! Let's go our separate ways and find ourselves where others are expecting us. "

" Hum ? Alright, Lucy-chan! Don't worry, your handsome Sanji is going to find you some delicious food and a great outfit. "

"As long as I find a clothing store before him. " Lucy thought, looking for a store.

However, the first thing that caught her attention was hearing an argument between a salesman and… Gin. Holding a fish in his hand, the pirate roared.

" 5000 berrys for a mackerel ? It's theft, crook. "

" My fish are top quality ! Only an amateur like you could claim otherwise. "

" Sorry ? "

" Gin ? " Lucy wondered. " What are you doing here ? And where is Luffy ? "

" Hum ? Lucy ? "

" What ? " Lucy wondered, as she and Gin left the market.

Eating a fruit, Gin repeated.

" When we ran out of the boat, Luffy and I rushed to this market ! Nonetheless, I ended up tripping and by the time I stood up, Luffy was already gone ! I do not know where he is. "

With a long sigh, Lucy asserted.

" In the end, I wonder if Bruno-san is not wrong, regarding Luffy's behavior. "

Suddenly sniffing the air, Bruno cried out.

" There's a restaurant. "

Indeed, in front of them was a tavern, where a crowd of people had gathered.

" A place where there is food and where everyone gathers to watch a scene. " Lucy remarked.

" Luffy is here. " Including Gin.

Sneaking through the crowd, the duo eventually walk into the restaurant, screaming.

" LUFFY ! "

However, they fell silent when they saw a man sitting at a restaurant counter with his head buried in the food on his plate. Surprisingly, his hand was still holding his fork, which was piercing a piece of meat. Neither pirates knew who he was. However, it wasn't Luffy.

" Who is he ? " Gin asked.

" No idea, but I would like to know what is going on ! How does this man sleep with his head on his plate ? "

" He is not asleep. " Retorted a man near her. " He is dead. "

" What ? "

" He died suddenly, talking with the owner of the restaurant ! From what we know, this is a traveler ! It looks like he's eaten a " desert strawberry ". "

" Desert strawberry " ? Lucy wondered.

" You don't know ? It's actually a spider that lives in the deserts of Alabasta ! This poisonous spider that looks like a strawberry ! Travelers who get lost in deserts are so hungry or thirsty that some of them eat one ! And then they suddenly die a few days later ! After a few hours, a contagious poison escapes from his body and spreads around ! That's why no one comes near him! And look at the way his arm stays still and holds his fork! He died so quickly that his muscles didn't even have time to retract. "

Gin then swallowed, while declaring.

" The sun will not be our only enemy in the desert. "

" A spider that looks like a strawberry ? We'll have to watch over Luffy. "

At that moment, a snoring sound was heard.

" Hum ? "

Then suddenly the deceased man lifted his head off his plate and straightened up, startling everyone, including Gin and Lucy.

" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ! "

" He resuscitated ? "

Having rice and gravy covering his face, the stranger seemed to be trying to come to his senses.

" You ... Are you okay? " A woman asked him, approaching him.

Grabbing her long robe, the stranger used it to wipe his face.

" KYAA ! " Cried the poor woman, running away at once.

" Very gentleman. " Lucy remarked.

" I don't understand what is happening. " Gin confessed. " Is he alive or is he an undead ? "

In response, the man began to eat again, while affirming.

" It seems that I fell asleep. "

" WHAT? " Shouted all the people in the crowd behind him. " Was he asleep ? "

" It's impossible. "

" Nobody can fall asleep in the middle of a meal, and while talking with someone. "

Noticing their presence, the man wanted to know.

" What is happening here ? Why are there so many people? "

" We worried about you, asshole. " Three men roared.

" These guys are there for the atmosphere ? " Wanted to know the stranger, to the owner of the restaurant.

" Uh ... I ... no! But whatever ! All that matters is that you are alive and… "

He didn't even have time to finish his sentence when the stranger's face fell back on his plate.

" Don't go back to sleep, asshole. "

" To think that Nami often complains that Zoro sleeps too much, this man is of a another level. " Lucy remarked.

Remaining silent, Gin was staring at the man's back. Then, finally, he opened his mouth, while starting to back away.

" Im… Impossible. "

" What ? "

" This man ... his tattoo ... this face ... it's Portgas D. Ace. "

" Who is he? "

" Come quickly. " Gin ordered her, taking her arm. " Now is not the time to be in trouble with this guy. "

However, no sooner did Lucy turn around than she saw someone walking towards the restaurant. This time it was she who stopped before pulling Gin back. So the duo went to a corner of the restaurant so as not to be seen.

" What are you doing ? " Wanted to know Gin.

" Chut. " Lucy ordered him.

At that moment, Gin and Lucy saw Smoker enter in the restaurant.

" What … ? " Gin wondered. " He's the guy from Loguetown. "

" Yes ! It's Smoker-san. "

Not looking in their direction, Smoker only stared at one person: Ace.

" You really don't lack the nerve to come and eat here, without being afraid of being arrested ! Commander of Whitebeard's Second Fleet… Portgas D. Ace. "

" WHITEBEARD ? " Several people were surprised.

" Who is Whitebeard ? " Wanted to know Lucy.

" A Yonko. " Gin told her, while feeling a bead of sweat running down his forehead. " The man who has the greatest chance of becoming the Pirate King. "

" What ? "

Smiling, Ace turned his stool around and stared at Smoker with an amused smile.

" Here then ? So like that, you recognized me. "

" You have to be an idiot to not recognize the tattoo on your back ! What can attract such an infamous pirate like you to this country ? "

" Oh, not much ! I'm just looking for ... my little brother. "

The two men stared at each other for long seconds. Ace still displayed his amused gaze, while Smoker stared at him seriously.

" Stop looking at me meanly ! Until proven otherwise, I did nothing wrong ! Why are you here ? "

" To be honest, I didn't go to this country to meet you. "

" Great ! In that case, let me go. "

" You know perfectly well that I cannot let a pirate like you escape me ! So just sit back and let yourself be captured. "

" Rejected ! " Retorted Ace. " I don't want. "

" I suspected it. " Smoker asserted, turning his arm into smoke. " Well, in that case, I think I'll have to postpone Mugiwara's capture until later. "

" Luffy ? " Gin and Lucy were surprised.

Listening to the name, Smoker turned his gaze towards them. He immediately recognized the blonde from the duo. The only pirate he met, who congratulated him on his work and who then criticized the corruption of some members of the Navy.

" Heartfilia ? "

Not being focused then, the man did not even hear the cry behind him.

" GOMU GOMU NO ROCKET ! "

In an instant, Luffy propelled himself inside the restaurant and his head hit Smoker's back, making him scream in pain. As surprised as the Colonel, Ace couldn't react in time and felt the man's body hit him so hard that the duo pulverized the wall of the restaurant.

Still frozen, Lucy and Gin finally saw Luffy in the middle of the restaurant. Smiling, he rejoices.

" Great , a restaurant ! I found a restaurant. "

" But what an asshole. " Roared the duo.

Eating from various plates, Luffy rejoices.

" This is delicious ! We eat really well in this restaurant. "

" Uh ... thank you ! Could only say the owner of the restaurant! But you know, if I were you, I'd run away from here. "

" What ? Why ? "

"Didn't you notice that you knocked out two people when you entered here?" Lucy questioned him, sitting next to him.

" I knocked out two guys ? " Luffy wondered. " Where are they ? "

Gin, Lucy and the boss then pointed to the huge hole in the wall.

" It's a strange decoration. "

" You're the one who made that. " Roared the trio.

" Ah ? And who did I knock out ? "

" Smoker-san. " Lucy told him.

Continuing to eat, Luffy made his brain work its best. Then, finally, he cried out.

" The smoker ? What is he doing here ? "

" Not matter. " Gin retorted. " We better get out ! Smoker is not the most dangerous! If you want my opinion, Portgas is much more dangerous. "

Swallowing a whole loaf of bread, Luffy nearly choked. Managing to swallow his food, he turned to Gin before asking.

" ACE IS HERE ? "

" What ? You know him ? "

A crashing noise was heard.

" MUGIWARA ! "

Everyone turned towards the hole in the wall, to see Smoker there.

" The smoker ? "

" Mugiwara! I've been looking for you for a very long time ! You are under arrest. "

Then, staring at Lucy, he added.

" And you too Heartfilia. "

Seeing him then remain silent, Gin roared.

" And me, am I invisible ? "

" Who are you ? " Smoker simply asked him.

" I'm going to kill you, asshole. "

However, he saw Lucy put her arm in front of him to stop him. Staring at Smoker, Lucy was thinking. Then, finally, she asked.

" Smoker-san… before you start fighting ! May I tell you something ? "

" What ? "

" If we tell you that we are here to stop a pirate from taking over Alabasta, will you let us go. "

" Huh ? What are you saying ? What pirate would like to take over this country? "

" Crocodile ! "

" Hum ? "

Fixing Lucy's gaze, Smoker tried to spot a lie. Yet he was sure he saw nothing but sincerity. A shichibukai who wanted to control a country ? It wouldn't surprise him. Mostly from a guy like Crocodile.

" Interesting story. " He affirmed. " We will talk about it very quietly… in prison. "

" A moment. " Luffy cried.

Getting up, he gulped down all his food in one mouthful, before bowing.

" Thank you for this meal. "

Then, while Gin threw Lucy on his shoulder, the two pirates ran away from the restaurant.

" Come back here. " Smoker roared, chasing them.

Seeing them leave, the owner of the restaurant cried out.

" Hey, who's going to pay for the damage? "

Suddenly getting up, Ace put a coin on the counter, before leaving.

" Hold, and keep the change! Luffy, wait for me. "

" The… The change? " The man wondered, looking around the coin.

Running at full speed, Gin asked.

" Hey, Luffy! What are you waiting for to beat this guy ? "

" My attacks do not work against him! My fists are going through his body. "

" What ? "

'' From what he said, Smoker-san is a logia. " Lucy taught him. " He is untouchable. "

" Shit ! He had to chase us. "

Suddenly the trio saw a group of soldiers right in front of them.

Being hidden under a huge cloak, Noscula was surrounded by two men who protected him from the sun with two parasols. Despite this, the vice-admiral complained.

" I hate this country! There is too much light. "

" You must die of heat, Noscula-san. " Tashigi remarked, bringing him a wet towel.

" I don't care about the heat ! What I can't stand is light. "

" Tashigi ! Noscula ! "

" Hum ? " The duo wondered.

At that moment, they saw Luffy and his friends ran towards them, pursued by Smoker.

" Catch them. "

" It's Monkey D. Luffy. " Cried Tashigi. " And Gin, the demon! It's the Mugiwara crew. "

" Mugiwara ? " Noscula wondered.

" It's impossible ! Crocodile told me that Mr 3 killed this guy, as well as Princess Vivi ! But then, in this case, if Mugiwara is alive… "

Lost in thought, he barely saw the trio pass him. Standing in front of Luffy, Tashigi tried to slice him with her sword. Jumping into the air, Luffy and Gin avoided him before continuing on their way.

" Quick, to the boat. " Luffy shouted, running left.

" No, over there. " Gin retorted, running to the right.

" It's all right, you idiots. "Roared Lucy. " Gin, put me down. "

" Yeah ! Either way, you're too heavy. "

" Asshole. "

Continuing to run, Gin finally saw some familiar heads, hidden behind a small wall.

" Hey, the others are over there. "

Looking behind her, Lucy cried out.

" It is necessary to sow the Navy before joining them ! Then we'll leave Nanohana. "

At that moment, the duo felt Luffy's arms grip them, before pulling them towards him, to take them towards their friends.

" There is Zoro! ZOOOOOORRRRRRROOOOOO! "

" Fool. " Cried all of his crew.

" The Mugiwara crew is here. " Cried a soldier.

" Catch them. "

" Let's run away. " Nami shouted.

Immediately everyone took the supplies Sanji had bought and started running, followed by Luffy. Seeing them flee, Smoker turned into smoke before soaring into the air.

" You will not escape me, Mugiwara. "

However, a figure passed him. Still hidden under his enormous coat, Noscula now had two enormous bat wings. Managing to fly faster than Smoker, the man flew over Luffy's crew. Looking one by one, each of the pirates, he finally saw the person he was looking for: Princess Vivi.

" She is alive ! I think Crocodile is not going to be happy ! Unless I take care of this problem right away. "

Rummaging under his clothes, Noscula then took out a machine gun, which he pointed at Princess Vivi.

"I'll kill her quickly."

Aiming at Vivi's skull, he put a finger on the trigger, while whispering.

" Slowly … ! Slowly … ! Now ! "

But the instant he fired, he saw a wall of flame build up in front of him.

" KAGEROU ! "

" What ? "

As surprised as he was, the pirates stopped and saw the flames behind them.

" What is happening ? "

Suddenly, the flames began to move strangely before taking on human form. Arriving next to Noscula, Smoker began to growl.

" You had to get involved, Portgas D. Ace. "

" What ? " Noscula wondered. " Hey, you never told me we were going to fight the Whitebeard crew. "

For his part, Luffy began to stare at the man protecting them. It only took a moment for him to recognize his amused and mocking smile.

" ACE ! "

" Who is this guy ? " Wanted to know Neni.

" No idea ! But in any case, he has the powers of a devil fruit. " Zoro remarked.

" Is this guy our enemy or our ally? " Wanted to know Usopp.

In response, Ace turned to the pirates, before noticing.

" You really haven't changed, Luffy ! Always have someone watching you. "

" Ace ? What are you doing here ? Did you eat devil fruit ? "

" Yes ! The Mera-Mera no mi. "

Staring at Noscula and Smoker, the pirate asserted.

" Go to your boat ! Me, I will try to slow them down. "

Nodding, Luffy asserted.

" Ok, I'm counting on you ! See you again later. "

The next Bruno wanted to know.

" You finally decided to recruit an ally, Luffy-san ? "

" An ally ? No, Ace is my brother. "

" Brother ? " His crew wondered.

Seeing Vivi flee, Moscula used his wings to rush towards them. However, he was again blocked by Ace's flames.

" Grrr, get out of my way ! This case doesn't concern you. "

" Of course yes. " Retorted Ace. " I would protect Luffy from the Navy! Because it's a big brother's job to protect his little brother. "

" Brother ? " Smoker and Noscula were surprised.

Who will join Luffy's crew?

Before Shells Town: Raynare - 9 million - (Highschool DxD) / Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)

Arc Shells Town: Roronoa Zoro

Kuro Arc: Usopp

Arc Baratie: Sanji / Gin - 13 million -

Arlong Arc: Nami / Johnny / Yosaku

Bow Drum: Chopper

Alabasta Arc: Nico Robin /? /? /? /?

Skypiea Arc:?

Arc Enies Lobby: Franky

Arc Post Enies-Lobby :?

Thriller Bark Arc: Brook

Punk Hazard Arc:?

Tesoro Arc :?

Dressrosa Bow :? /?

Wano Kuni Arc: Jinbei /?

Post Wano Kuni Arc:?

Arc Battle Teach :?

With other characters:

Buggy: Magi (OC), Bull (OC), Kuro, Morgan, Megumim -23 million- (Konosuba)

Arlong: Syra (OC)

Milhawk: Alice (OC)

Wapol: Musshuru

Crocodile: Noscula (OC), Mr 6 (OC), Miss Halloween (OC)

Garp: Sakura (Zombieland Saga)

Gold D. Roger: Igneel - 1.380 billion - (Fairy Tail), Acacia (Toriko), Bardock (Dragon ball Z)

Individual: Bruno (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure); Shinichi Kudo (Detective Conan); Menma (Anohana); Neni (Mr 9), Reiner ( Shingeki no kyojin ), Eevee (Pokemon)