Nanohana

Ever since I found myself transported to this world, I've never come across a sandy island quite like this one. It's got a certain vibe that takes me back to my old stomping grounds.

The landscape was dominated by yellowish-brown buildings constructed from sand and standing tall against the elements. The locals, wrapped in cloth garments, shielded their faces from the relentless onslaught of flying sanddust. This place offers a plethora of unique experiences that set it apart from other islands.

This place remains bustling despite the occasional sandstorms that sweep through the city. People are busy pitching tents and displaying their merchandise, indicating that the city's economy is thriving. Merchant vessels from distant shores appeared to dock incessantly, their arrivals to the island seemingly unceasing.

"I'm surprised you wore that straw hat. I thought you'd just keep it until it got dusty."

As we strolled through the bustling market, Uta's voice reverberated with a hint of sarcasm. However, I merely raised my eyebrows in response before calmly replying:

"This is a gift from Shanks. Of course, I have to appreciate it. After all, this straw hat is very helpful in this scorching sun."

"Hmph, I can't believe you care about that. Your last reason is more convincing."

Besides Uta, who seems to have an endless supply of sarcastic remarks, I decided to bring Captain Hina along with me. This left Nojiko and Makino in charge of looking after the ship, as Mr. 9, Mr. 3, and Miss Goldenweek are still their captives.

"For one of the famous islands on the Grand Line, I don't see any marine presence here. What happened?" Captain Hina added, injecting a fresh topic into our ongoing conversation.

"You noticed a lot of pirate ships in the harbor earlier?"

"And I don't think they're ordinary pirates. You saw their flag, right?" Captain Hina's face turned more serious.

The majority of pirates possess their own distinctive flag, making it a rather uncommon sight to witness multiple pirate vessels sailing under a shared banner. Such an occurrence typically indicates the existence of an alliance among these seafaring rogues. It is worth noting that pirates, renowned for their pride and arrogance, tend to eschew such collective displays.

"So it's true that this island is the headquarters of Baroque Works?"

Uta's words caught me surprised. Without hesitation, I swiftly retorted, "I thought all this time you didn't care. You were really inconsistent."

"What do you mean! I should be the one surprised, with your perverted behavior, you are still alive until now is a miracle-"

Uta shot me an annoyed glance, but her attention quickly shifted to Captain Hina, whose expression had taken a peculiar turn. Sensing something amiss, she promptly stopped speaking.

"Considering that this island operates under its own government, much like the Arabasta Kingdom, the presence of marines would only serve as an annoyance," I brushed off the recent incident as if it had never occurred and redirected my attention to Captain Hina's previous question.

I shifted my gaze back to the front, where a pair of individuals strolled together, side by side. Clad in worn-out brown robes that concealed their heads. Among them stood a woman, her slender figure unmistakable. Every now and then, her lustrous blue hair peeked through the fabric, leaving no doubt in my mind that it was Vivi.

Beside her stood a towering figure, a man of considerable stature, his head pointed skyward. The person in question happened to be none other than Igaram. Once I had ensured that we had come to an understanding, I allowed him to leave and rendezvous with Vivi. However, I couldn't help but notice his lingering caution as he occasionally glanced back at us.

Captain Hina's voice dripped with scorn as she remarked, "How foolish they are, believing they can withstand these pirates without the world government and marines." Her words snapped me back to reality, and I nodded in agreement.

"I agree with you. Even though this kingdom looks fine from the outside, with their princess secretly running away, the king seems to have failed to control the situation."

'Even if they are one of the twenty royal families credited with founding the World Government, their current situation is truly pathetic.'

After traversing a considerable distance from the port, we eventually reached a spot dedicated to the rental of spot-billed ducks. These avian creatures will serve as our means of transportation during our stay in Arabasta. As they find themselves in the bustling city of Nanohana, their next destination lies in the heart of Alubarna, the capital. To reach this grand city, they must embark on an overland journey.

With its sandy terrain, treacherous weather, and lurking creatures beneath the sand, this island serves as a stern reminder to avoid embarking on this journey by foot. Among the many transportation options at our disposal, spot-billed ducks reign supreme as the epitome of efficiency, renowned for their remarkable speed.

"I miss Karoo. I hope he's okay."

"Fear not, my dear princess. Once we reach the grand palace, I shall make arrangements to summon Miss Monday to care for Karoo. Once the current predicament is resolved, we can proceed with our plans…"

As I approached, Igaram swiftly brought his hand to his mouth, a reflexive gesture. He instinctively positioned himself in front of Vivi, shielding her from view. She tenderly caressed him before gracing me with a heartfelt smile.

"Captain Luffy, is there something amiss?"

"Why are you back to being formal? Just call my name like when we were on the ship."

Despite Vivi's attempt to conceal her wariness towards me, it was evident that Igaram had spoken to her. The shift in her demeanor was palpable as she exuded an air of uncertainty.

"By the way, how long will it take us to reach the capital?"

Despite the cloth obscuring her face, her brown eyes remained fixed on me, exuding a captivating blend of determination and grace. Her voice, though gentle, carried an unmistakable air of strength, "Assuming we don't come across any treacherous sandstorms along the way, we should be able to make it to the capital within a single day."

At that moment, Captain Hina and Uta, who had already made their selection of the spot-billed duck, approached us. Captain Hina, who had caught wind of our conversation, opened her mouth and asked:

"Are we planning on spending the night in the desert, correct? I couldn't help but wonder about our supplies. Rumor had it that the night air in the desert was bone-chillingly cold to the extent that it could kill you. Is that true?"

Vivi's brows knitted ever so slightly, a hint of amusement escaping her lips. "What Captain Hina said is not wrong. However, if we bring enough water and thorough preparation, we will be fine."

Following that, Vivi generously shared some valuable insights and advice regarding Arabasta while also cautioning us about potential dangers that we might come across during our journey. Igaram remained on guard during that period, his gaze unwavering, particularly focused on me.