One Piece:100% Hashirama's Template At The Start.

With Chopper joining the Straw Hat Pirates, under Nami's command, the Going Merry finally continued its voyage toward Alabasta.

To welcome Chopper, Sanji prepared a lavish feast during the journey. Everyone celebrated heartily, and Shin'ya even coaxed Chopper into downing several bottles of alcohol. The banquet carried on well into the night before everyone finally turned in.

The night passed peacefully.

By noon the next day, after more than a day of sailing, the Going Merry reached the coast of Alabasta.

Princess Vivi was overjoyed to finally return to her homeland, believing that salvation was at hand for her people.

However, what none of them realized was that the rebel army had already disbanded. The kingdom appeared calm, with no visible signs of rebellion.

A group of powerful figures had been keeping Crocodile suppressed for 20 days straight, leaving him with no opportunity to stir up trouble, much to his own frustration.

Meanwhile, with Luffy's group…

As soon as they landed, the harshness of Alabasta's climate struck them — a blistering, unrelenting summer.

Their eyes were met with swirling yellow sand, and the dry, hot wind made it hard to keep them open.

The scorching ground seemed to burn their feet through their shoes.

Luffy looked around, already bored. "Why's there nothing here? Just sand and more sand."

Vivi's face was grim, and she sighed softly. "This used to be an oasis. Not long ago, it was a lively, thriving city."

Zoro cast Vivi a doubtful look. "You sure you're not mistaken? This place looks like it's been in ruins for years. The change's too extreme."

Vivi nodded gravely. "It didn't rain much here before, so people carefully stored every drop of water they could. But for some reason, it hasn't rained at all for three years."

Sanji's hand, holding a cigarette, paused slightly. The smoke drifted away in the hot air as he frowned. "Three years? That long?"

"This has never happened in Alabasta's history. The only exception is the capital, Alubarna — where it's been raining even more than before," Vivi said through gritted teeth.

"During my undercover investigation, I discovered it's all because of the Shichibukai, Crocodile, who's been secretly using Dance Powder."

Zoro and Sanji both frowned. "What's that? Never heard of it. Best not to say anything, lest we look ignorant."

Nami spoke up, "Dance Powder is also called Rain-Calling Powder. It gathers moisture from the surrounding air, making it rain in one place. It's what people call artificial rain."

Sanji raised a brow. "Wait — that sounds like a good thing. How could it cause a disaster?"

"Sigh… it started out that way, yeah. The country that invented Dance Powder was so happy to get rain that people danced with joy, which is why it's called Dance Powder. But… it has a fatal flaw," Nami explained.

Everyone turned to Nami expectantly.

Seeing the group's curious faces, she continued, "Dance Powder doesn't create rain out of nothing. It pulls moisture from nearby areas. Wherever it gathers rain, the surrounding places dry up."

Shin'ya clicked his tongue. "So… it's a double-edged sword."

Vivi gave a bitter, helpless smile. Her expression grew even heavier. "When word spread that a large amount of Dance Powder was being secretly delivered to the royal palace, the people across the kingdom lost hope."

Her voice carried the weight of a nation's sorrow. "Everyone believed the King was using Dance Powder to steal the rain for himself, turning the rest of the country into a desert."

Vivi's words hung heavy in the air, heartbreak in every syllable.

Luffy furrowed his brows, anger flashing in his eyes. He pointed at Vivi and shouted, "What?! Vivi, this is your dad's fault!"

Before he could finish, a foot lashed out like lightning and slammed into his head.

The kick packed a punch, sending Luffy stumbling, nearly falling.

"Bastard! What nonsense are you spouting, you idiot?!" Sanji's furious roar rang in Luffy's ears, his face ablaze with anger.

"How could Miss Vivi's father do such a thing!" Nami followed up with a punch to Luffy's head.

Vivi smiled bitterly. "Of course not. My father didn't even know how the Dance Powder got into the palace. Which means… there's a traitor on the inside."

Zoro crossed his arms and said in a deep voice, "It's all Crocodile's doing. But for what? Even if he steals your country, what's the point? This place'll be nothing but dead land."

Vivi shook her head, helpless. "I don't know. I can't imagine what he's after."

The group left the area and continued toward the capital.

When they reached another city, Usopp pointed at a crumbling wall and cried out, "Look — someone's there!"

They all turned, and sure enough, there was a figure. They rushed over, only to find a mummified corpse, shriveled like a skeleton, as though it had been buried in the sand for years.

"What did we do wrong? Why are my people being made to suffer like this? We already live in a desert, struggling to survive… why this too?" Vivi finally broke down, sobbing with heartbreak.

Luffy clenched his fists and said with determination, "Vivi, let's go. I can't wait to smash that Crocodile."

---

One day later —

Sunlight streamed down on the streets of Nanohana, Alabasta's port city. Princess Vivi led the group slowly through the bustling city. Shops lined both sides of the streets, lively and crowded, completely unlike the ruined towns they'd seen before.

Thanks to Shin'ya's careful instructions, Luffy didn't wander off this time, staying close to the group.

They strolled through Nanohana, admiring the city while asking around about the rebel army.

But no matter whom they asked, the answer was the same — the rebel army had abandoned their rebellion against the King days ago, and everything in the city was steadily improving.

The news left everyone shocked, especially Shin'ya, whose reaction was strongest. "The butterfly effect's this huge? Is Crocodile not after Pluton anymore? Why would he stop instigating rebellion all of a sudden?"

The group exchanged confused glances, unable to make sense of it.

They debated the matter in a corner for a while, but as usual, Luffy started grumbling about being hungry.

"Ahh~~ I'm starving. Let's eat first! Once we're full, we can head to the palace and ask them ourselves!" Luffy complained, rubbing his stomach.

Princess Vivi, visibly relieved by the news, chuckled. "Alright. There's a great tavern nearby. Let's go."

Vivi led the way, followed by the crew. Before long, they arrived at a tavern and began ordering food.

---

Meanwhile…

On the same street where Luffy's group had been moments before, a man wearing an orange cowboy hat with "Smile" and "Sad" badges on the brim, a skull plate dangling from it, a red bead necklace, an "ASCE" tattoo on his left arm with the "S" crossed out, the Whitebeard Pirates' symbol on his back, a dagger at his waist, and a backpack on his back, was being cornered by a fruit vendor.

"Hey, handsome~ I haven't seen you around here before~ Is this your first time in Alabasta?" The vendor greeted Ace with a sly merchant's smile.

He held up a golden apple. "See this? I'll let you in on a secret: I found this treasure in ancient ruins. One bite, and you'll live for ten thousand years! It's a legendary golden apple. Want one?"

Ace gave the man a deadpan look, a black line forming on his forehead. "No thanks. I'm not interested in living ten thousand years. I live for today."

Ignoring the vendor, Ace looked around.

"Hmm? I swear I heard Luffy's voice. Where is that idiot? Am I imagining things?" Ace muttered.

He turned and headed toward the tavern where Luffy and the others were eating.

No sooner had Ace left than two more figures appeared before the fruit stand.

One was a burly man with short silver hair, a cigar in each corner of his mouth, and a Jitte on his back. The other was a woman with long purple hair, glasses, a red short-sleeved shirt, and a sword at her waist.

It was Smoker and Tashigi.

The vendor gave them the same sales pitch he'd given Ace.

"Do we look like idiots to you?" Smoker scowled, then spotted Ace's retreating figure. His expression sharpened, and he barked to Tashigi, "Let's go."

---

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