Skipping through episode 111's opening, recap, and title was a silent act, and once they saw Toto had found water in Yuba, their stomaches dropped. Not because of the act itself, but because they know that happiness will be gone once the tornado hits.
That reminder of cruel reality continued to come once they saw the silhouette again against the setting sun.
Crocodile felt no remorse for the country, the people, nor Luffy. He told the limp rubber man that he should had abandoned his worthless feelings so he could had lived longer.
Then he noticed the water dripping down his hook. He used it to taunt him, but Luffy managed to reach out for Crocodile's arm, and squeezed hard enough to hurt him.
"What?" Eyes grew wide at the act. It was mostly because of the fact that Luffy's alive after being skewered, but also...
Water. That's Crocodile's weakness! Izuku felt a spark of hope within him, and with a glance around, he could see others, like Momo and Todoroki, had noticed this as well, but for now, they need to continue to watch.
Crocodile was shock to see Luffy was still alive, but after throwing him down the sand pit, he wasn't too worried, watching him sink.
"Straw Hat didn't die." Katsuki said in a harsh and yet relieved whisper, and everyone is glad to know that to be true.
On the giant crab, Zoro was weightlifting with his sword as the camel sat on it, as Usopp told a lie to Chopper about how crabs became bowlegged. Nami told Zoro that he's wasting energy doing that, but Sanji reassured that they need something to focus on, especially Zoro. He must be worried that maybe Luffy might lose.
"He's sadly correct." Tokoyami bowed his head, petting Chopper plushie's head.
Before the two could fight, Nami hit them. Usopp thought he should act as the vice captain-
"You were never vice captain, Long Nose." Katsuki glared.
-but Vivi tried to calm everyone down, saying that Luffy won't lose. They'll be waiting for him in Alubarna, but even Usopp could tell she's more worried about this.
With hitting a little bonk on her head, Nami told her to worry about the rebellion. In fact, they all should focus on Alubarna as Pincers the crab traveled on.
"So, who's going to tell them?" Hizashi tried to pass it off as a joke, but they know that the Straw Hats will have to realize Luffy has lost, right?
In Rainbase, Smoker told Tashigi to go to Alubarna. She asked if they're chasing after the Straw Hats or reinforcing the royal army, but Smoker decided to let her make that choice, much to her confusion. He just wants her to follow her sense of justice, and whatever happens, he'll accept responsibility.
"Will you be able to handle that?' Aizawa asked as Iida stared her down.
Tashigi asked where he's going, and Smoker claimed that something sudden came up, so he's heading out to sea, but she should he prepared to receive communication from her at any time, and also, he wants het to keep a close watch on where this country ends up. Whether it falls or survives, it'll be the mark of a new age.
Smoker drove off, and a solder asked for Tashigi's orders. She remembers Smoker's words, and decided to go after the Straw Hats.
"Ah, no..." Toru whined.
"But maybe, she'll change her mind." Iida hoped.
Back with Pincers, the Straw Hats were met with the situation of that they can't cross the river with the crab since Moving Crabs are creatures of the desert, so they can't take it to the water.
Usopp showed that on the map that they won't make it in time if they swam across, and since they can't take the crab onto the other side, they have to walk the rest of the desert.
"Shit, that's a big problem." Jiro gritted her teeth.
"And there's no way they'll just happen to find a boat for all of them." Izuku tried to figure this out, but nothing came to mind.
Sanji could see that they're nearing the river. Nami begged Pincers to do something, and Chopper remembered that Pincers loves dancing girls, so Nami took off her coat, which all the pervs happily took the chance to ogle at her. Seeing her, Pincers started to accelerate.
"Oh my god, do they really think that he can run across the water?" Ochako asked in disbelief as Mineta and Denki cheered on Pincers.
"Well... what other choice do they have?" Mina shrugged.
Somehow, Pincers was able to run across the water...
"Pervy powers go!" Mineta and Denki cheered.
...then he started to sink.
"I knew it." Jiro sighed.
"But at least they made some distance," Kirishima sweatdropped as Koda hoped the giant crab is okay.
As they trod throught the river, Usopp asked Vivi there's any boats, but Vivi claimed that they have 50 kilos to go through.
Chopper waved goodbye to Pincers, who's on the shore.
Koda let out a sigh of relief.
All of a sudden, a giant catfish popped out of the waters, and after the eyecatches, it tried to eat them since human is its favorite food.
"Of course it is!" Jiro complained.
The crew tried to swim away, but from under the water, a group of familiar looking seals beat the giant catfish up. As the catfish was sent flying into the air, the crew realized they were saved by Kung Fu Dugones.
"The dugongs rescued them!" Mina cheered.
"Hey, I guess it was a good thing Luffy befriended them before." Kirishimsa grinned.
The dugongs rescued them because they won't neglect their 'senior pupils,' as they used the giant catfish to take them to share.
When they gotten to shore, they said their goodbyes to the dugongs, but Zoro asked if they'll make it on time.
Vivi isn't sure they will. Even with Eyelashes carrying two of them, there's still a chance that Baroque Works will attack them. There isn't a way for all of them to act together.
"That is another predicament." Momo agreed.
Nami noticed something in the distance. Usopp thought it could be the enemy, but Vivi could see it's Karoo and the Supersonic Duck Squadron.
"The what?" Katsuki said in disbelief as the girls and Koda thought the duck squadron were cute.
"At least they have a ride now." Izuku smiled.
"But how did they know where to get to them?!"
Just outside of Rainbase, Luffy struggled to get out of the quicksand as he shouts out for one thing: "MEAT!"
"Really?" Jiro deadpanned.
"He's alive, and that's all that matters." Kirishima said.
"That, and he needs to get out of there." Ochako added on.
He remembers what Crocodile had said to him before, which fueled his desire to get out, but all that struggled only caused sand to bury his head.
"Luffy!" Several studients cried out in worry.
He would had suffocate if Robin have't used her powers to push him out.
"What?" Baffled eyes stared at her.
"...Why are you helping him?" Iida asked, confused. Not that he isn't grateful for it, but her actions just... confused all of them when she was clearly on the other side.
Luffy managed to say his thanks to her, but Robin asked why does he fight as someone who has the name of D, much to Luffy's confusion. In her mind, Robin wondered who these people are.
"D?" Several people repeated, bewildered by all of this.
"...Kureha did mentioned that there's a Will of D," Izuku said, remembering the end of the Drum Arc.
"I'm still saying that Roger, Luffy, and Ace must be blood related in some way." Todoroki said.
Izuku decide to argue that this time. Not because he fully believes it, but rather, it's because there isn't much information on the whole 'D' thing. Sadly enough, it just sounds almost plausible.
She does realize it's a pointless question.
Just as she got Luffy's hat from the sand, Pell arrived, still injured, but he's determined to find Vivi. He's certain he can handle Robin now, but the woman could see that he's gravely injured. She directed him to Luffy instead, telling him that Vivi is safe as well and is on her way to Alabasta.
"What's your deal, lady?" Jiro raised an eyebrow at all of this.
"I mean, this isn't the first time she've helped either." Momo pointed out, remembering how Robin acted during their first meeting.
"Is she... good now?" Denki asked in confusion.
"She's still working for Crocodile! She killed that curly haired, singing extra with a fucking explosion!" Katsuki reminded him.
"But she've been looking back in them multiply times when they were trapped." Izuku said. "It must mean something... but we don't know what that 'something' is."
"She's so... mysterious." Tokoyami put it simply.
As Robin disappeared on the bananagator taxi, Pell collapsed onto his knees, worried for Vivi's safety until Luffy grabbed onto his sleeve and shouted, "MEAT!"
"Of course." Mina sighed.
In the desert, on horseback and camels, the rebel army raced to Alubarna, as the royal army were setting up their defense and weaponry.
Chaka was told of the enemy's increased number, and he asked the soldier about his thoughts on the attack on Nanohana. They both agreed that they don't believe Cobra did it, that something must have happened to the king. That's more reason to not lose this fight. They're going to defend this country!
The citizens were told to take shelter outside the city by the soldiers as they cannot warrant their lives, and from above, Miss Merry Christmas and Mr. 4 could see the chaos happening, just wanting them to fight already. Miss Merry Christmas is sick of guarding the king, though for them, slipping pass the palace guards and kidnapping the king is a mission that only they could carry out.
"How the hell were you two able to do that?" Katsuki asked in disbelief.
"Maybe some kind of... silent fruit? An invisibility fruit?" Iida suggested.
"It must have made them good at sneaking around somehow." Toru said.
Cobra could only pray for Chaka and Pell to not fight.
Many things were set into place for this war. Then a familiar curly haired man arrived at the port town of Nanohana, and he could see that Vivi and the others has arrived safely, so he must hurry.
"To Be Continued."
"Igaram?!" Eyes went wide at the reveal.
"Bullshit! Utter bullshit!" Katsuki cursed. "He shouldn't be alive! He should be dead. Death by explosions!"
"...Maybe it'll be explained in the future?" Mina shrugged.
Onto episode 112, they skipped the opening, recap, and title, they could see Luffy begging for meat. Pell wanted to take him to a doctor first, but the rubber man told him that he'll make Crocodile pay for this because he made fun of Vivi and the old man.
Pell wanted to know who he is, and Luffy only answered with, "Meat."
"Can he really be recovered enough for the war?" Momo asked, but no one could answer her.
The sun rosed as the rebel army could see Alubarna in their sights while the royal army gets ready for them. Meanwhile, the Straw Hats, dressed in white coats, rode on the Supersonic Duck Squadron.
At Alubarna's west gate, Bon Clay could see the rebel army, wondering if the princess is coming. Miss Merry Christmas wondered about that too, but Miss Doublefinger believes she and the crew won't make it on time.
"Hey, you won't know that!" Kirishima argued.
"I mean, we don't know that either." Ochako frowned.
Bon Clay asked what they'll do if the rebellion starts first. Miss Doublefinger told him that they don't since not even the princess could stop this. Mr. 1 just said that they just need to get rid of whoever they're told to get rid of. Just as Miss Merry Christmas wanted another back massage, Mr. 4 told them that the crew is coming.
"See, I told you!" Kirishima grinned.
From the binoculars, she could see there's six of them riding on ducks. She knows there's suppose to be four, but Miss Doublefinger reminded her that there's also Mr. Prince, and there's more than one of him. Still, their target is Vivi... but they can't tell which one is Vivi!
"Ha!" Hizashi barked.
"That would mean the Straw Hats has to fight the Baroque Works agents if one of them don't go after Vivi that is." Iida said.
"I'm sure they can handle them one on one." Sero said.
"Honestly, I'm a little worried for Nami in that case."Ysuyu admitted. "She's tough with the guys, but she's not really meant for fighting like them."
Hurt appeared in Momo's eyes. "I'm sure she'll figure something out."
"Hopefully."
Mr. 4 shoot at them with a giant gun, and though it was a baseball, the crew knew to dodge it. Like that, the baseball exploded.
"An exploding baseball?" Toshinori said in disbelief.
Miss Merry Christmas saw two of them broke off to the south towards the rebel army. Maybe one of them is Vivi, so Miss Merry Christmas and Mr. 4 went after them.
"Kaen Boshi!" Usopp launched his flame pellet at Mr. 1, which he managed to stop with his hand.
"Seriously, what's your quirk, man?" Kirishima said, impressed.
Bon Clay ordered him to get the other two breaking off to the west gate.
As he and Miss Doublefinger went after them, Bon Clay was attacked as one of the riders claimed they're going to them southwest gate.
Miss Doublefinger could see the crew's trying for three of Alubarna's five gates from the west, so the agents will do the same and wipe them out inside.
The guards noticed some people getting inside, but since they're part of the Supersonic Duck Squadron, it's okay.
"Oh my god, it's actually a thing." Katsuki complained.
"It's cute!" Mina pouted.
The agents chased after the crew from different parts of the city, and the crew revealed themselves to them, much to the agents' shock.
"Too bad, you guessed wrong!"
"Eyelashes' with them!" Denki grinned widely, letting out a laugh.
"I honestly didn't expect that." Iida said.
"And that means Vivi's safe." Ochako let out a sigh of relief.
Vivi thanked the crew, and she has to hurry with Karoo.
After the eyecatches, Bon Clay was shock to see that it was Usopp and a camel. Meanwhile, the ducks and Nami cheered Zoro on his fight with Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger. As for Miss Merry Christmas and Mr. 4, they got Sanji and Chopper.
"Well, this is going to be an interesting fight." Aizawa commented.
Vivi is desperate to stop the battle, remembering Igaram and Toto.
The rebel army was getting close to Alubarna, enough to make the cannonballs rattle. Chaka could see their enemy is a force of two million angry men, but they must not shrink back.
In the middle of the sandy field stood Vivi and Karoo. Karoo was afraid, but even when Vivi told him that he doesn't need to be there, he still stood by her side.
"You brave duck." Kirishima said as Koda became teary eyed for him.
The rebel army gotten closer as Vivi hoped the leader would hear her.
Koza brought his men up into an uproar, but even then, Vivi spread her arms out, yelling for them to stop, that this fight is a set up.
Koza's eyes widen when he thought he saw a familiar figure in the sand, but an explosion blocked his view.
"NO!" Frustrated cried came out, horrified with what just happened.
Af first, Koza wanted to know if there was a person there, but he was reminded that someone shot them first.
In Alubarna, Chaka chastise a soldier for acting on his own. The soldier apologized for his 'slip up,' but he has a tattoo of the Baroque Works jolly roger.
Students let out annoyed groans as they saw Crocodile cackling at this.
In the cloud of sand, Vivi desperately tried to have everyone stop, but no one would. For a moment, Koza heard her scream. He tried to push it off as just his imagination... as he happened to pass by Vivi.
Anguish appeared on the students' faces.
So close...They were so close. Toshinori gritted his teeth.
Vivi noticed him, screaming for him, but she was knocked over by one of the horses, and would had been trampled by more.
"Vivi!" The students cried out, seeing this as another sign of everything about the plan failing more and more.
Soon, Karoo swooped in with a loud squawk.
As the rebel army neared, the royal army soon set fire on them.
The audience stared, seeing the bloodshed happen between the two groups. Cannons and blades had already caused so much blood for both sides. It was quick, but it gave enough detail to show the harsh reality of war to them.
In the deserted battlefield left a damaged Karoo, who shielded Vivi from the stampeding horses and camels.
"Karoo!" Teary eyes stared, bodies shaking at the sight of him.
"You saved her." Koda softly said, hugging the Chopper plushie.
Vivi apologized to him. They've done so much, but the rebellion started. Still, she's determined to stop it no matter what, something she've learned on the ship.
Then Usopp appeared on horseback, certain they can make it on time.
There was a couple of sighs of relief, glad for something good to happen to Vivi after all of that, but there were others who noticed that this doesn't seem to be right.
Where's Karoo's friend? Koda thought, feeling a little nervous.
Vivi was so happy until Usopp told her 'that bird' is done for and they need to hurry.
"Wait a minute." Mina's eyes widen.
She knows he and Karoo are suppose to be friends, so she wants Usopp to prove himself. The instant he showed just the bandages, Vivi knew it's not him.
"They were hiding something under the bandages!" Ochako gasped, remembering the beginnings of the arc.
In Alubarna, Sanji discovered Usopp and Eyelashes were beaten up in two seconds.
"Goddamn it, Long Nose and Pervy Camel! You couldn't be more useful!?" Katsuki cursed at them.
"I mean, he's Mr. 2." Iida pointed out.
Usopp asked why Sanji's here, and the cook claimed that their ducks came to him to get help. He could see the two let Mr. 2 get away.
Luckily, they already have a solution to this in the past, which is when they think one of them is suspicious, they would have to take off their wrapping, and show each other their X marks.
"Oh, that's genius!" Denki grinned.
"But that means Vivi's alone with Mr. 2." Momo reminded them.
To Vivi's horror, she could tell he's not Usopp as Bon Clay turned back to normal. In all honesty, the agents were told by 'Zero-chan' that they all wore the same white bandages on their arms.
Soon, Sanji realized Vivi is in danger!
"To Be Continued."
"Shit!" "No!" "Is he going to make it on time?!"
"We'll just have to figure that out in the next episode." Aizawa sighed.
AN: And so, the fights will begin next chapter. Can't wait to write them out, which is why this chapter is shorter than the others.
By the way, which Alabasta Straw Hat fight is your favorite? Mine's Nami's.
