Chapter 124: Rainbase

Nami and Nojiko were on the deck of the shop. They both looked at the sky and noticed something strange. The wind was changing. They looked at each other and ran towards the helm. Ben, Kaya, Alvida, Mikita, Honey, and Marianne were together as a group standing near the helm of the ship. 

Vivi, Rasa, Zoro, Luffy, Sanji, Chopper, Usopp and Barbarossa were together on the deck below. Luffy was hungry and went to get food. 

"What's going on?" Ben asked, seeing Nojiko and Nami look worried. 

"Sandstorm," Nojiko yelled. 

The sky, which was once a serene blue, darkened to an ominous shade of tan, and the air crackled with an electrifying tension. A massive wall of swirling dust and sand, like a monstrous wave frozen in time, advanced towards the ship. The winds were unforgiving and relentless, howled like vengeful spirits. 

Ben transformed into his hybrid form while Kaya transformed into her beast form. They held onto each other. Alvida, Mikita, Honey held onto Ben while Marianne, Nojiko and Nami held onto Kaya. Ben and Kaya held onto each other. However the wind was too strong and they were blown off the ship. 

Inside the ship the rattling and the wind being below was crazy. The walls looked like they were about to break. 

"It's a freak sandstorm," Vivi said.

"Everyone, hold on, we have faced worse," Barbarossa said. 

"Nami and Nojiko were monitoring," Rasa said with concern. 

The sand storm passed through. The ship had sustained minimal damage. Vivi, Rasa, Zoro, Luffy, Sanji, Chopper, Usopp and Barbarossa headed up to the deck. They saw sand everywhere however the crew managed to strap themselves or go below deck. 

"Everyone alright," Barbarossa said. The crew cheered and confirmed they were. 

"This ship is durable," Zoro said. 

"Where is Nami-swan?" Sanji asked. 

"Where is Ben and the girls?" Usopp added.

"They were on the deck of the ship," said a random pirate on the Barber crew.

"They got caught up in the initial sand storm and were flown away," Zaba said. Usopp and Chopper looked horrified. 

"Luffy," Usopp was about to say when he was interpreted. 

"We are approaching Rainbase," said another pirate on the lookout of the ship. 

"Let's head to Rainbase," Luffy said. 

"But Nami," Chopper said. 

Luffy smiled. "Ben is with them, they will be fine," Luffy stated. 

"That demon, if he hurts Nami, I will kill him," Sanji shouted. 

As they approached the Rainbase, there was a split in the group. Luffy and his crew with Vivi will go to the Rainbase. Barbarossa and his crew will be parked a bit further away from the city. 

Vivi led Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Chopper and Usopp towards the Rainbase. The town was a bustling market town. Streets teemed with people wearing their clothing, a vibrant blend of earthy tones and vibrant hues. Traders and visitors haggle and converse in a harmonious cacophony of voices. The aromas of exotic spices, roasting meats, and freshly baked breads intermingle, filled the air. 

Market stalls and booths, laden with wares, stretch as far as the eye can see. Colorful fabrics billowed in the breeze, their intricate patterns and designs an invitation to explore the artistry of the region. Towering stacks of pottery and gleaming brassware glisten under the relentless sun, while jewelry adorned with precious stones glimmers in the light. Fruit vendors peddled their harvests, with pyramids of oranges, pomegranates, and dates forming tempting displays.

"Meat," Luffy said. 

"You just ate," Zoro replied.

"The town is busy," Usopp said.

"This is Crocodile territory so we should be careful," Vivi said. 

"There are beautiful ladies here," Sanji said. 

They were walking through the market when suddenly they heard, "Strawhat."

Luffy and the crew looked behind and saw Smoker and Tashigi behind them and a group of Marines. 

"Run," Luffy said. Luffy knew Smokey was going to be in a pain and he wanted to fight Wani instead. They started running through the market. 

"Get them," Smoker ordered. The Marines nodded and chased. They ran through the markets dodging people and objects like barrels. They approached an intersection with three paths. Luffy, Usopp, Zoro were pursued by Tashigi and Smoker on the first path. "Tashigi with me, let's capture them," Smoker added. 

"The rest go after the pet, girl and that blonde man," Smoker ordered. The marines nodded. 

Vivi and Chopper split to the second path and they were chased by half a dozen marines. Sanji split on to the third path and he was chased by the other half dozen marines. 

Luffy`s group kept running. Onlookers saw the pursuit. "It's the people from the pictures," said a man. The man wore a shirt with the word "Billions" written. 

"Get them," another man said. A group of a dozen men started chasing the Strawhat group. 

"Them again," Luffy said, noticing the word "Billions" on the shirt.

"The Billions," Zoro remarked. 

"We also got the Marines as well," Usopp cried. 

They ran until they reached a casino and they ran in. "It's a dead end," Usopp said.

The entrance to the casino was a grand and awe-inspiring portal, a harmonious fusion of contemporary luxury and traditional opulence. Towering brass-framed doors, adorned with geometric patterns. Beyond the threshold, a vast atrium bathed in the warm glow of crystal chandeliers and ornate lanterns. Intricately woven Persian rugs guided visitors across the gleaming marble floors. 

"Why did we follow you?" Zoro said. 

"Give up Strawhats," Smoker said as he chased the Strawhat. Smoker knew there was something more that was going on here. He wondered what the link between a warlord, a member of the yonko crew and these two pirate groups were. "You cannot escape from us," Smoker added.

"Smoker their friends must be nearby," Tashigi said. Tashigi was shaken by Ben and Alvida. She was angry yet not at the same time. That man was something. She was determined to capture him for answers. 

"Look behind you," Usopp said, warning Tashigi and Smoker. They looked around and saw they were surrounded by pirates with swords. Smoker was about to attack when the floor opened up and they all slid down into a basement. 

"Ouch," Usopp said.

"Luffy get off me," Zoro yelled.

"Shishishi," Luffy laughed. 

"Strawhat," Smoker said as he grabbed Luffy. Tashigi and Zoro looked at each other. 

"Welcome to my humble operations," said Crocodile. 

Luffy approached the cage. He looked serious. He stared at Crocodile. Crocodile stared back. 

"So what is your plan Strawhat?" Smoker muttered to himself. 

Zoro and Usopp also looked at the man smoking a cigarette, wearing a coat and had a golden hook on his hand. It has to be him. 

Tashigi put her hand on the hilt of her sword. 

"Who are you?" Luffy asked.