The morning sun rose over the Alabasta desert and into the kingdom of Alubarna. A few miles outside of the city Crocodile waited with the cannon man Kumama Haharu, the assassin Uzanda Narinobu, and the doctor Onawagi Rinso.
"Where's Psycho? He was supposed to be here already." Crocodile said, taking a puff of his cigar.
"I was thinking the same thing. He's unusually late this morning." Uzanda added.
As they said this a cloud of smoke appeared before them, and when it cleared, Psycho stood before them.
"I apologize for being late, I overslept." Psycho said.
"Already slacking sir! You told us timing is everything." Kumama added.
"Indeed, it is. I apologize for setting a bad example, "Now, to the point." Psycho said.
"The perimeter will likely be heavily guarded, dispose of the guards and take your place a top the sand village gate. It will be hectic once Kumama fires, so be prepared to fight. Once you've confirmed the kill call for a retreat." Psyco explained for the last time.
"When you're done, meet me at these coordinates. I await your success." Psycho finalized.
Psycho removed a scroll from his pocket and opened it on the ground. He bit his thumb and wiped the blood on the open scroll, he then did a series of hand signs with such speed the human eye couldn't follow and slammed his hand on the scroll.
"SUMMONING JUTSU: GREAT SAND SCORPION!" Psycho yelled.
In a giant cloud a huge sand scorpion sat. Along with DEATH members already on board.
"You'll ride this scorpion to the sand. It moves at an incredible speed. It's supposed to take a week to get to the sand from here, but that's on foot." Psycho said.
"Again. I'll be at Arlong Park 2.0 awaiting your success with the other members of this organization. Don't let us down." Psycho said, holding up two fingers and disappearing.
"Alright. Let's not waste anymore time! Let's do this." Crocodile said, boarding the scorpion.
Kumama, Uzanda, and Onawagi followed. The scorpion started off slow but picked up tremendous amounts of speed as it ran further into the desert.
YUBA
The sun rose over Alabasta into the desert town of Yuba, where the straw-hat crew all rest from their night of partying. Many of the people that night had already gotten up and went into the city, be it they had to work, get home to their families, etc. Only the straw-hats remained in the restaurant. Zoro had walked away from the restaurant after last night's event with Robin.
FLASHBACK
"Over the time I've gotten to know you, I've developed a little bit of a crush on you.." Robin said.
"You know…to be honest…I" Zoro said.
Robin very slowly put her hand on Zoro's. They both leaned in, slowly, both closing their eyes even slower. Right before their lips connected, Zoro stopped Robin.
"Stop…. we…. we can't…I…I can't.." Zoro said. "I'm sorry Robin." He added before jumping off the roof.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Why me? What the hell does she see in me?" Zoro asked himself out loud.
His thoughts were interrupted by a kid running up to him asking for an autograph.
"You're Roronoa Zoro! The famous swordsman! Can I please get your autograph?" The kid asked with a huge smile. He handed Zoro a writing utensil and Zoro's wanted poster.
Zoro looked at the wanted poster which featured him in his bandana looking to the left.
Zoro signed it and gave it back to the kid.
"Wow! You're so cool Zoro! What brings you to Yuba?" The kid asked.
"Eh? Just staying for a few days to wait for the princess to get back from her meeting. We've got a couple days to relax since it's a weeks journey." Zoro explained.
"Really? A messenger bird was said to have reached Alubarna kingdom with word that Vivi had settled down a couple days ago. She could be on her way home now!" The kid said.
Zoro's face turned surprised and he sped off towards the restaurant. Meanwhile, Sanji had woken up.
"Ughhh." Sanji groaned while stretching, "Some party last night." Sanji looked around the room at the sleeping crew and stepped outside to have a smoke. He looked up to see Zoro walking towards him, who was staring towards the roof of the restaurant.
"Where did you run off to? You didn't stay the night at the restaurant?" Sanji asked, taking a puff of smoke.
"Yeah..something like that." Zoro said, looking back down at Sanji.
"You alright?" Sanji asked.
"Yeah I'm fine, it's nothing." Zoro said, walking into the building. Sanji followed.
Zoro looked around the room and looked over at Nami. Zoro walked over to the unconscious woman and beat on the table.
"Hey, don't you think it's time to get up? We gotta get to Alubarna."
Nami opened her eyes slowly and looked up at Zoro.
"Good morning Zoro..you're up early. That's new." Nami said weakly.
"Some kid just told me Vivi could be on her way home already, looks like she got to her meeting destination earlier than expected." Zoro said.
Nami shot up and instantly starting shouting orders.
"Everyone up up up! We need to get on the road to Alubarna right now!" Nami shouted.
Slowly one by one, the sleeping pirates got up and stretched.
"I thought we didn't have to leave yet, because Vivi wouldn't be in town for a while.." Usopp said, rubbing his eyes.
"Change of plans nose! We've gotta move!" Nami said.
"Hey! Nose?" Usopp complained.
"Someone help me deflate Luffy so we can carry him out of here!" Zoro said.
"I'm on it." Sanji said, walking over to Luffy's bloated body.
Sanji lifted his left leg in the air and slammed it on Luffy's body causing Luffy to burp. The more he burped the smaller his body got, until eventually, he was his normal size again.
"How does he sleep through something like that?" Zoro picked Luffy up and walking out the building, the rest of the crew followed.
"Hey? Where's Robin?" Nami asked.
"She may have fallen asleep on the roof Nami-san. She went up there last night to talk to Zoro-san." Brook said.
Nami's eyes sparkled with excitement as she ran up to the roof to speak to Robin. On the roof, Robin had just started to awaken. She had a cover on her, someone had placed it there so she wouldn't freeze overnight. Before she could question it, Nami came running on to the roof.
"Girl, you have to tell me everything! Brook told me you came up here to talk to Zoro, so what happened?" Nami asked.
Robin looked up at Nami with a sad expression, then back down towards the town.
"Don't tell me that idiot ran off on you! I swear I'll– "Robin interrupted Nami.
"No..that's not it." Robin said.
Nami looked down at Robin.
"I told him..how I felt. He actually took it really well…" Robin said with a small smile.
Nami smiled, but it soon turned back serious when Robin explained it more.
"I…I sat down next to him and after a pause he started to say something. It sounded like…he was about to say he felt the same, but I don't know. We ended up just…looking at each other. I touched his hand and we almost kissed, but he stopped me and told me we can't…he…he can't." Robin finished.
Nami continued to look at Robin who had started to tear up.
"Why couldn't things have just gone perfectly?" Robin asked, "Everything before that moment had gone so great…"
Nami walked over to Robin, knelt down next to her, and held her.
"Hey hey, don't get sad on me. It's going to be okay. Like I said, that meat head probably doesn't have feelings, he just didn't know what to say or how to act. He knows how you feel now though so that burden is off your back! Now you just have to keep doing what you've been doing, he'll come around eventually." Nami explained.
Robin stood up and hugged Nami.
"Thank you for trying so hard for me…" Robin said softly.
"What're friends for!" Nami said, hugging back, "You deserve some sort of happiness, and if that block head makes you happy then we're gonna get him! Now, let's head to Alubarna." Nami said.
Robin nodded, exited the roof with Nami and made their way towards the running lizards. When Robin and Nami showed up everyone was ready to go.
"Robin let's go! I'm ready for more eats!" Luffy said, who had finally woken up.
"You ate so much! How are you not full?" Usopp asked.
"How are you surprised?" Sanji asked Usopp.
Robin and Nami boarded their running lizards and Robin looked over at Zoro who looked back, when they made eye contact, both turned to look their separate ways.
"VIVI! YOUR FRIENDS ARE ON THEIR WAY!" Luffy yelled.
ALUBARNA
King Nefertari Cobra sat upon his throne with his left- and right-hand men, Chaka and Pell, at his side. A loud knock on his door broke the silence.
"Please enter!" Cobra said.
A soldier walked in sweating and in a terrified state.
"What is wrong good sir?" Cobra asked.
"Your majesty! 5 men were spotted a few miles out from the kingdom! One of the men were reported to be Crocodile!" The soldier said.
Cobra's eyes opened in shock.
"But Crocodile was locked away in Marineford!" Cobra yelled.
"He escaped amidst the confusion in the war there, sir! It looks like he's working with someone else now." The soldier explained.
"Where is he now?" Cobra asked.
"A giant sand scorpion appeared out of no where and took him and an army of men in the direction of the village! The other man with them disappeared in a cloud of smoke!" The soldier said.
Cobra thought about why they might be going that way and instantly concluded they were trying to kill Vivi.
"Get royal guards ready to go to battle! Board your sand boats and make way immediately for the sand village!" Cobra ordered.
"Your highness! The straw-hats were also spotted in Yuba what would you like us to do with them?" The soldier said.
Cobra's panic immediately calmed down upon hearing that name.
"Really, they're in Alabasta? Have a squad go out to the sand and another squad to meet the straw-hats half way and get them up to speed with what's going on!" Cobra ordered.
"Right away your majesty!" The soldier said.
"What would Crocodile care about a meeting like this for?" Chaka asked.
"I do not know my friend…Crocodile is a mysterious man, but he will not make a fool of me again! My straw-hat friends are here this time. They beat him before, they'll do it again.
SAND VILLAGE
Naruto and the others were all asleep in their hotel they had gone to after eating at the BBQ house. After a few moments a man came knocking.
"Leaf shinobi! The time has come for the meeting!" A sand shinobi said.
Naruto and Sasuke slowly woke up and got ready.
"Hey, where's Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asked.
"He's already at the Kazekage mansion! He's waiting for you all right now!" The sand shinobi answered.
"Kakashi is serious about this meeting if HE'S early for once." Sasuke said.
"Yeah I agree, but at least we can finally get this meeting over with." Naruto said.
When Naruto and Sasuke left their room, Sakura was exiting hers. The sand shinobi looked at all of them and smiled.
"Ready to go are we?" The shinobi said.
The four made their way to the Kazekage mansion and walked past the Kazekage's office and entered the meeting room. Garra, Kakashi, and Vivi were all waiting.
"Good morning you all!" Vivi said, "I had a great time last night."
"We did too! Glad to show you a great time." Naruto said.
After a few minutes the sand village elders walked in and sat down in their seats.
"Now that we're all here I can call this meeting into order." Garra said, "As you all know, we have a very special guest with us today, coming all the way from the Alubarna kingdom in Alabasta. Princess Vivi, would you like to have any opening words?" Garra asked.
Vivi stood up and spoke.
"I just want to formally introduce myself. My full name is Nefertari Vivi, but I go by Vivi for short. I can't wait to finally have this meeting!" Vivi said happily.
Garra smiled and nodded.
"This meeting is about opening the shinobi lands to the rest of the world. It will start with Alubarna expanding their land to the sand and giving us the right to enter that land. For centuries, here in the Grand Line, the ninja wold has sat, hidden from the rest of the world. Today though, this all changes! All we need now is to discuss how to handle economics. I believe it wise that the Alubarna expand their kingdom to 100 miles outside of the sand village. It would cut four days off the week it takes to get to Alubarna on foot and would be in the same boat as our agreement with the leaf village." Garra bargained.
One of the elders spoke.
"I believe the sand should get to expand. If this is about opening the door to the outside world for ninja then it's only natural that the sand expands." He spoke.
"Yes, I understand, but if the sand expands there for sure will be other villages who will be looking to expand as well, I'd like to keep everything fair." Garra said.
"The only fair thing here is as the first elder said. These Alabasta people have been a part of OUR land for centuries and flourished, while we stayed in the shadows." The second elder said.
"Excuse me? These Alabasta people? We have names!" Vivi argued, "We didn't have anything to do with your lands being locked away for so long. You can't blame us for something our ancestors did. That's why we want to make this compromise with you all! To get you out of this dark place you're in." Vivi argued.
"Which is more the reason why we should get to expand, and you stay right where you are. You've had all of that land for centuries, I'm sure you have a bunch of other small towns and villages that your king oversees, we have this one small village and a vast desert with nothing in it." The third elder added.
"What is this? It almost sounds like you're telling us to give you land." Vivi said.
"Call it what you will." The first elder added, "Point being, we don't agree with anything that doesn't say we get 80 percent of land between here and Alabasta!"
Vivi's eyes shot open in surprise, and then anger.
"80 percent?! Are you joking? Why should you get that much land when you haven't even done anything with the desert outside of your own village? The land you get wouldn't change even a little bit!" Vivi said.
"Lower your tone!" The third elder ordered.
"No! I'm the princess of Alubarna! You will not order me around!" Vivi argued.
"How about you lower YOUR tone you old bastard?" Naruto blurted.
The whole room looked in Naruto's direction.
"How dare you call an elder of this village a bastard? You must want a lengthy stay in jail!" The third elder yelled.
"You're going to lock me up for speaking my mind, and try to quiet down Vivi when she makes sense? You old coots haven't done anything with the desert out side of this village but have the nerve to ask for even more land? That's foolish!" Naruto said.
"Alright Naruto that's enough." Kakashi said.
"No! Garra and Vivi are right. Either go with Vivi's 50/50 split of the land or Garra's plan of expanding Alubarna within 100 miles of the sand! Either way, Alabasta people will come and make markets, towns, etc to help out the sand economy!" Naruto said.
Vivi looked at Naruo with much surprise.
"Who are you to chime in on a meeting such as this, you little punk?" The second elder said.
"What did you just say to me?" Naruto said angrily.
"This meeting is between the princess, Kazekage, and elders only. You're just escorts who have no say in this. We do NOT agree with what the princess or Kazekage say, and we won't change our mind until we hear what we want to hear. Hate us all you want, but it's for the good of the village." The third elder said.
The room remained silent for a moment. And then Naruto spoke.
"With leaders like you…this village is going to die!" Naruto said.
Kakashi shot up and grabbed Naruto and pulled him out of the room.
"Hey what's the big deal!" Naruto yelled.
"You have no room to speak to them like that." Kakashi said.
"So what! You, Vivi, and Garra all know I'm right." Naruto argued.
"Look, even if you are right, they won't admit it. You have to watch yourself, the wrong words can start a war between us and the sand you understand?" Kakashi said, "I don't agree with them either, not even a little bit, but they have to work this out. We really are only escorts who were invited to the meeting, not actual officials who can do anything."
Naruto looked down towards the ground.
"I can't believe you'd just let yourself be talked down to like this…" Naruto said.
"Huh? Excuse me?" Kakashi said.
"Those old farts are talking as if they have actually been putting in any sort of work for this village! Garra organized this meeting, Garra is the reason this village is doing as good as it is! How can they say what's good for the village when they haven't even paid any attention to it?!" Naruto said.
Kakashi's eyes opened in surprise. He put his arm on Naruto's shoulder.
"Naruto." Kakashi said, "I know Garra appreciates your passion, as well as Vivi, but don't let those elders get you hyped up. Vivi and Garra won't let anything bad happen from this I promise you. Let's just go back in there and wait until the meeting is over."
Naruto looked into Kakashi's eyes and nodded. When they came back into the room, the elders were already looking their way.
"There's the trouble maker. For your disrespect against the elders we're sentencing you to 10yrs in our prison!" The first elder said.
"Hey you can't! - "Garra was interrupted.
"We can and we will. Men are on the way to pick him up." The second elder said.
"Why you!" Naruto growled.
ON TOP OF THE SAND GATE
Four sand shinobi bodies rest under Crocodile and Kumama the cannon man. DEATH members split up into three teams. Onawagi's team would attack from the right, Uzanda's team from the left and Crocodile's team from the center. Crocodile used his binoculars to get a good look for Vivi. After a few minutes he located a small window with a woman that looked like her in a panicked manner.
"That's her." Crocodile said.
"YOU SURE? IF IT'S NOT PSYCHO WILL GIVE US HELL." Kumama said.
"I never forget a face." Crocodile said.
Kumama got ready to fire.
"READY FOR FIRE. AWAITING FURTHER ORDERS!" Kumama yelled.
Crocodile grinned his signature grin with his cigar in his mouth, raised his hook hand, and spoke.
"Fire." Crocodile said.
Kumama held the fuse to his mouth and sparked his teeth to light his cannon arm and aimed.
"CANNON FIRING IN T-MINUS: 5…..4….3…2..1."
The cannon ball was fired from Kumama's cannon arm and went straight for the window of the Kazekage meeting room. A perfect shot.
Vivi turned around to see what the noise was and saw the giant cannon ball coming straight at her.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM!