"A Fiery Bet and the Road to Yuba"

The air was thick with smoke and the scent of panic as the Puppu Pirates invaded Nanohana. They stormed through the streets, pillaging stores and spreading chaos, their Jolly Roger flapping ominously over the docks. Screams filled the air as civilians scrambled to flee, their belongings left behind in the Pirates' wake.

On the horizon, a group of soldiers was racing toward the town. Pell and Chaka led the charge, their horses pounding through the desert sand. The two warriors, protectors of Alabasta, were determined to stop the invasion before it reached further into the kingdom.

Just as they reached the outskirts, a shadow appeared atop a nearby building, looming over the chaos below. Every eye turned to see none other than Crocodile himself, standing silently with a gaze that could pierce through steel. Whispers spread through the crowd, and even a woman watching from the shadows gasped at the sight of the Warlord of the Sea.

"Crocodile!" someone shouted, and Puppu's eyes widened in recognition.

"Oh, so it's the World Government's lapdog," Puppu sneered, trying to cover his fear with a mocking grin. "What are you doing here, Crocodile?"

But Crocodile simply glared down at him, his voice cold. "I'm here to take your head."

The mocking laughter from Puppu's crew quickly died as Crocodile raised an arm, his fingers curling in a commanding gesture. "If you don't want to die, lie down on the ground now," he warned. Then, with a swift movement, he leapt from the building, landing smoothly in the street below.

Puppu and his men rushed him, weapons drawn, but the instant their blades touched him, they stuck fast, as if trapped. Crocodile's lips curled into a dangerous smirk as he raised his other hand, summoning a swirling, upside-down twister that engulfed his enemies. When the sandstorm cleared, Puppu's men lay scattered on the ground, their bodies desiccated and covered in sand.

As the soldiers finally arrived, they saw the aftermath of Crocodile's attack. Before they could act, Crocodile was already leaving, as if the destruction he'd caused was nothing more than a minor distraction.

In Alubarna Palace, Chaka delivered a report to King Cobra on the recent invasion by Puppu's pirates. King Cobra listened, his expression hardening as he realized the extent of the threat his kingdom faced. Even with Crocodile's intervention, he knew they were in for difficult times.

Meanwhile, on the Going Merry, the crew found themselves sailing through a dense fog, caused by an underwater volcano's eruptions. Amidst the mist, they spotted a figure flailing in the water. Luffy immediately called for a rescue, and the crew managed to pull the drowning man aboard. As he sputtered and coughed, the rescued stranger introduced himself as Mr. 2 Bon Kurei.

To the crew's surprise, Mr. 2 revealed an unusual Devil Fruit ability: the Mane Mane no Mi, allowing him to take on the face and voice of anyone whose face he touched with his right hand. Mr. 2 entertained the crew by transforming into various members, including Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper, much to their delight.

Vivi, however, noticed something alarming. When Mr. 2 transformed, she saw her father's face—King Cobra. The crew quickly realized that Mr. 2 was part of Baroque Works, an organization they were up against. With a new sense of caution, the crew decided to take precautions in case Mr. 2 attempted to impersonate any of them in the future. They wrapped bandages around their arms as a mark to identify each other.

When they finally docked in Arabasta, Nami reminded everyone to stay low-profile. But Luffy, true to form, darted off in search of food, quickly separating from the group.

As they wandered the streets, Vivi noticed a familiar ship—the unmistakable vessel of Mr. 3, one of Baroque Works' agents. Knowing they'd need to avoid detection, Raja offered a solution, casting a "Notice Me Not" spell that allowed the crew to pass through the streets without drawing attention. With a bit of makeup for disguise, they blended seamlessly into the bustling marketplace.

Vivi outlined their plan to reach Yuba, the rebel base, but the journey would require them to cross the desert, so they needed supplies. Sanji and Chopper, whom Mr. 3 had not seen before, volunteered to gather what they needed.

Meanwhile, Luffy, lost in the vast desert, spotted a plume of smoke rising in the distance. Thinking it must be a restaurant, he rushed toward it with excitement, only to find himself in an unfamiliar building filled with strange green bags.

Curious as always, Luffy sniffed one of the bags, tasted the powder, and immediately spat it out in disgust. Assuming the bags contained poison, he dumped them into an incinerator. As they burned, the smoke turned a faded green, and dark clouds formed in the sky. Rain began to pour down, just as a frantic man burst into the room, horrified at the sight of his burning bags.

"What did you do?! That's Dance Powder! It's used to create artificial rain!" the man shouted, explaining that the World Government had banned the powder due to its harmful effects on neighboring areas. Luffy scratched his head, realizing he'd just destroyed the man's illegal contraband.

While Luffy was busy causing trouble, Chopper had climbed into the shade of a truck for a quick rest. Unbeknownst to him, the truck started moving, carrying him deeper into Arabasta. When he woke up, Chopper panicked, scrambling to get out. A kind camel named Matsuge helped him escape, and Chopper soon found himself face-to-face with Koza, a leader of the rebel army who spoke passionately about changing Alabasta.

Chopper listened, feeling a mixture of awe and intimidation. Koza's resolve to bring peace to Alabasta stirred something within him, reminding him of his own commitment to helping others.

As fate would have it, Chopper managed to find his way back to Nanohana, following the familiar scent of perfume. Nearby, Luffy sat talking with a man named Kamonegi, who explained the troubles Dance Powder had caused in Alabasta. Luffy, now somewhat understanding the powder's consequences, apologized for his earlier actions.

Sanji and Chopper soon returned with supplies, preparing for the difficult journey ahead. But just as they were ready to depart, they realized Luffy was still missing.

Meanwhile, back in town, a young man whom the Straw Hats had seen briefly in Drum Kingdom walked through Nanohana, ignoring a salesman offering a "magical golden apple." Chopper and Usopp, ever curious, tried to get a closer look, but Nami and Zoro pulled them away, wary of being scammed.

As they continued through town, Zoro noticed a man showing Luffy's wanted poster to various people. He tailed him discreetly, realizing the man was no mere bounty hunter. Just then, Tashigi, a Marine officer, chastised a shopkeeper for overpricing swords nearby. Smoker, her superior, walked through the street with a group of captured pirates, certain that Luffy would eventually appear in Arabasta.

Elsewhere in town, Luffy had finally sniffed his way to a restaurant, only to burst in and find Smoker and a familiar face—his older brother, Portgas D. Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Recognizing his brother immediately, Luffy let out an excited shout, sending both Smoker and Ace crashing through several walls.

While Luffy sat down to eat, oblivious to the chaos around him, Smoker and Ace dusted themselves off. Smoker, annoyed, recognized Luffy and chased him down as he tried to flee with food stuffed in his mouth.

Meanwhile, Ace, now serious, intercepted Smoker's pursuit, stopping him with a fiery attack that left the Marines stunned. "A big brother has to look out for his little brother," he said with a grin.

The Straw Hats were in shock. Luffy had a brother? The news was as surprising as the sight of the giant firestorm Ace had summoned to protect him.

After the dust settled, the crew regrouped on the Going Merry. Luffy introduced Ace to the crew, who were both awestruck and slightly wary of their powerful new ally. As they shared stories, Ace invited Luffy to join the Whitebeard Pirates, but Luffy declined with a laugh, determined to carve his own path to becoming Pirate King.

Then, Raja couldn't hold back a chuckle, drawing Ace's attention. "What's so funny?" Ace demanded, a glint of challenge in his eyes.

Raja's smile grew. "Do you really think you can take down Blackbeard on your own?"

Ace bristled. "Of course! I'll capture him with my own hands and deliver him to Whitebeard for judgment!"

Raja smirked. "That 'lighter fruit' of yours may not be enough, Ace. Let's make a bet. If you capture Blackbeard, I'll give Whitebeard a ton of gold. But if you fail and survive, you'll owe me a favor."

Ace, ever the hothead, accepted without hesitation, unaware of the consequences that could follow.

The Threat of Baroque Works and Crocodile's Plan

As they sailed toward Yuba, Vivi detailed the structure of Baroque Works, describing Crocodile's control over his crime syndicate. Crocodile's influence had mobilized thousands of men for a coup, threatening the very stability of Alabasta. With Crocodile's power and resources, he was a daunting opponent, but the crew was determined to stand by Vivi.

As they toasted to their shared mission and new friendships, the Going Merry sailed onward, bearing the Straw Hats—and their fiery new ally—toward the sands of Yuba, where their toughest challenges yet awaited.