The monitor went dark as the break began, and the town's spectators rested. Yet, the tournament's fervor didn't cool easily; the streets buzzed with talk of the matches. Only three remained: the semifinals, then the final.
The spotlight fell on the clash between Ace and the Mr. S pair. Mr. S and Ms. K had proven their prowess in the battle royale, while Kiri, clinging to Ace through the qualifiers, seemed lackluster. Opinions split: some favored the Mr. S pair's strength, others believed Ace alone was enough. The island fixated on the second semifinal, the first round barely mentioned. Their power was that captivating.
At the port, Silk and Chopper rejoined the Straw Hats. Aaron and Hachi, bandaged and battered, were awake. All competitors had returned, but a heavy silence hung over them.
"They're strong," Chopper muttered, his bandaged abdomen aching, his face shadowed by defeat.
"We fought our hardest and got nowhere. How can people like that exist?" "Yeah… there's always someone stronger," Silk nodded.
Their firsthand encounter had left them stunned, the pair's overwhelming presence lingering. No one blamed them.
Zoro, standing, spoke to the seated pair. His expression was stern but familiar, his words gentle. "Feeling shame is enough. Prepare for what's next." "Next?" "We're done with matches…" "Is this island our goal? No, it isn't."
His words sparked realization. This wasn't the time to wallow. Sanji, cigarette in hand, listened quietly. Usopp and Nami pressed their lips tight, absorbing Zoro's words. Silk and Chopper focused. Their crew's purpose wasn't this island.
"The fight hasn't even started. Alabasta's just a stop. Our goal lies far beyond," Zoro said. Luffy was destined to be Pirate King—a distant, daunting dream. "They'll take the championship. Get ready. The next island is our real first battle."
It was a nod to their path to the Pirate King, their first true foe: one of the Seven Warlords. Tension rose, demanding resolve. No time for despair.
As Silk and Chopper rallied, Sanji gazed at the sea. The competitors hadn't returned to town; they were still at sea. Mr. S and Ms. K's abnormal strength seemed insurmountable, yet Sanji felt no panic. Why? Not just because Ace was on their side.
"Luckily, they face Ace first. I doubt even he'd be completely outmatched," Sanji said. "Kiri's his partner, though," Usopp added. "That too. I don't want Vivi hurt, but Luffy'll handle it," Sanji exhaled smoke, murmuring without worry. "If our team faces them in the final, what'll he do…?"
With Luffy absent, the question hung unanswered. For now, they could only watch.
On the competitors' ship, Luffy's crew ate lunch on the deck. Staff had prepared mountains of food, plates piled high. Luffy and Ace devoured their shares, Vivi ate while fretting over Kaloo's stuffed beak, and, oddly, Mr. 2 was among them. Vivi felt conflicted but didn't intervene.
Baby 5, uninvited, fussed over Kiri, offering food with a beaming smile. "Here, darling, say ahh ♡!" "Thanks, but I can eat myself." "But I want to help you!" "Non-competitors aren't allowed on this ship. Why're you here?" "To help you!" "Yeah, figured."
Kiri gave up arguing, chewing the food she'd made. Baby 5 smiled blissfully. The scene was oddly serene, despite the looming semifinals. Vivi, concerned, turned to Kiri. "Kiri-san… about the semifinals…" "It'll be fine, don't worry." "I'm serious!" "Too serious is trouble. Rigid iron breaks; rubber bends and moves forward." "Hm? You call me?" Luffy piped up. "Just saying I respect you," Kiri grinned.
His smile disarmed Vivi, though Baby 5's jealous glance made her sigh and sip water. Kiri's carefree attitude differed from Luffy's, despite their shared nonchalance.
Then Kiri turned to Mr. 2. "Bon-chan, we joined this tournament for Alabasta's Eternal Pose. You've got one, right? Hand it over. We'll let you win." "Oh? But I can't. I was told not to give it to you. There was a mission for it, too." "You collected them?" "Probably. Started around when you left." "Thought so."
Vivi was stunned. Baroque Works had been gathering Alabasta's Eternal Poses long before she met the Straw Hats. The plan's scale sank in—had Crocodile known they'd come? Fear mingled with awe. Kiri's casual involvement hinted at his deeper significance.
"Then forget the Pose. Just tow us there," Kiri said. "No way! You'd sink my ship once you saw the island!" "I wouldn't. Never have." "You would, with that big smile! You grinned like a doll back then—creepy!" "Really? I thought I was charming." "You've changed, Paper-chan. I like this you better." "Thanks. But this one likes me more," Kiri nodded at Baby 5, who clung to him. "Of course, darling!"
Kiri's smile, though unchanged in appearance, felt different. Mr. 2 laughed, too. "So, Bon-chan, why're you here? Orders?" "Just killing time. No orders, so I'm bored. Winning handed to me? No thanks." "That's tricky." "Why Alabasta, anyway?" "You haven't heard? No orders means a bigger plan's coming." "You know too much, Paper-chan." "We'll meet again soon. Take us there." "Nope. You're dangerous."
Their friendly banter belied Mr. 2's wariness. Vivi, confused, watched. Luffy and Ace ate on, unconcerned, though something else caught their attention. "Hey, Ace, where'd those two go? Not eating?" Luffy mumbled through meat. "Dunno. Probably eating inside. Don't wanna show their faces," Ace replied. "Hmm…"
Luffy glanced at the cabin door. Mr. S and Ms. K were absent. Ace shifted topics. "Luffy, semifinals are next. You good?" "Shishishi, I'm fine. Won't lose." "Hahaha! I'm not losing either!" Mr. 2 chimed in. "Baby 5, got any poison?" Kiri asked. "Right away!" "Hey! Don't plot murder where I can hear!" Mr. 2 spun away.
Ace's smile sharpened, testing Luffy's resolve. "Finals next. Probably us. Can you win?" "Yeah. Don't hold back. We'll win."
Luffy's fearless grin showed no bravado—just conviction. Ace nodded. "Got it. Let's both win the semifinals." "Yeah!" "No way! I'm not losing either!" "Bon-chan, take a nap?" Kiri teased. "Instant death!" "You're gonna kill me?!" Mr. 2 yelped, dodging Baby 5's scythe-hand.
Vivi watched, bewildered by the mix of chaos and calm. Everyone carried private worries, except the carefree Luffy and Mr. 2. Ace pondered the semifinals; Kiri looked to the finals.
Far from Blue Square, a navy fleet advanced steadily. Leading was a pink-haired officer, renowned in these waters. "Commodore, a call came through," a marine reported. "Smoker, right?" "Yes. He lost the match and said not to interfere." "Ugh. Ignores orders but keeps promises. Hina's annoyed." "No choice."
The "Black Cage" unit, led by Commodore Hina, spearheaded the ten-ship fleet. Hina smoked, her expression grim, mirrored by the reporting marine. Smoker, her同期, was a wildcard—defying superiors, banished to backwaters, yet honoring deals with tournament organizers. Hina sighed, dreading cleaning up his mess. Old cadet days haunted her. "Despair. Hina's in despair." "We understand. With Smoker gone, you're in command. Proceed as planned?" "No. Delay. Gather more forces." "How many?" "Twenty more warships." "Twenty?!"
The marine balked—war-level numbers. "Even with Vice Admiral Jonathan's support, can we manage? Time and supplies—" "No issue. I prepared for Smoker's absence." "When…?" "His unit's just a fraction of our strength."
The marine fell silent. The navy's guerrilla force had grown notorious, largely due to Smoker's fame, but its true power lay beyond him. Hina's confidence was unshakable. "Understood. I'll arrange it," the marine saluted, turning to leave. "Good." "Also, a message from Commodore Wendy." "Don't wanna hear it. What?" "'You'll probably fail, but good luck.'" "Ugh, typical," Hina shook her head.
As the marine left, two others approached—Fullbody and Jango, skilled fighters despite their menial roles. "Outrage. Hina's outraged," she snapped. "Hina-chan! Feeling down?" "How about our courtship dance?" "No. You're outrageous too."
They began dancing anyway. Hina sighed heavily, exasperated.
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