The end of the Alabasta conflict marked a significant turning point for the kingdom, signaling not just the conclusion of a brutal struggle but the dawn of a new era of hope and prosperity. For the people of Alabasta, the victory meant relief from the shadow of Crocodile's tyrannical rule, and the beginning of rebuilding their fractured land.
The desert kingdom, long plagued by drought and deception, now looked toward a future where peace and prosperity could finally take root.
However, while Alabasta celebrated, the ripple effects of this conflict stirred unrest far beyond its borders—especially within the Marine forces and the World Government. The resolution of the conflict brought to light uncomfortable truths that the World Government was far from eager to acknowledge.
Chief among these was the public perception of the Orca Pirates. To the people of Alabasta, the Orcas were heroes. It was their bravery and sacrifice that ended Crocodile's reign of terror. They had risked everything to save the kingdom.
Yet, this posed a problem: pirates were supposed to be enemies of the state, not saviors. The World Government abhorred the idea of pirates being celebrated as heroes. It went against the very narrative they worked so hard to maintain—that pirates were criminals and threats to global order.
Determined to reclaim control over the story, the World Government set about reasserting their authority. As part of this effort, they promoted Marine Captain Smoker to a higher rank, praising him for his role in capturing Crocodile. Smoker himself was reluctant about this sudden elevation—he saw the complexities and shades of gray in the conflict, and knew that the reality on the ground was not so black and white.
But the decision was made, regardless of his personal feelings. The promotion was not only a reward for Smoker but a message to the public that the Marines were the true defenders of justice, not the pirates.
Simultaneously, the World Government issued new bounties on the heads of the Orca Pirates. Many of the crew members—once mere names whispered among the seas—now had wanted posters plastered across ports and towns.
Some of these bounties carried eye-catching amounts, signaling that the World Government saw them as serious threats to the established order. The Orcas' heroism in Alabasta was being overshadowed by their criminal status. They were no longer just pirates; they were now prime targets.
The repercussions did not stop there. Several Marine ships were dispatched to pursue Zino's ship, now a marked vessel sailing under increasing scrutiny. These task forces were placed under the command of Rear Admiral Elara, The Conductor, a formidable Marine officer known for her ruthless efficiency. Her orders were clear: capture Zino and the Orcas at all costs, and bring them to justice under the World Government's law.
This escalation heightened tensions not only between the Marines and the Orcas but also within the broader political landscape. The World Government sought to quash any rising pirate figures that could inspire rebellion or challenge their control.
Yet, among the common people—especially in Alabasta and neighboring territories—the Orcas were viewed as symbols of hope and resilience.
...
Two days later.
The sun cast a golden hue over Alubarna as the Orca Pirates gathered their things, preparing for departure. There were no ships waiting nearby—Alubarna, after all, was an inland capital. Their journey would begin not with sails and wind, but with boots on sand.
They stood just outside the palace, preparing for the long trek across the desert back to Nanohana Port, where their ship awaited. The air was light, but beneath it lingered the quiet weight of parting.
Princess Vivi stood with them, eyes scanning each familiar face. Her heart tugged in two directions—toward the path of her people and the call of the sea. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress as she opened her mouth, then closed it again, struggling to form the words.
"I…" Vivi hesitated, eyes darting between Zino, the crew, and the horizon. "I want to come with you."
Zino looked at her calmly, hands in his pockets. Behind him, some of the crew members paused on their steps, watching the scene unfold. Sanji, in particular, his eyes wide and hopeful.
But Zino shook his head lightly. "You shouldn't."
"What?" Sanji blurted out, along with a few others who looked just as surprised.
"She's the princess of Alabasta," Zino said firmly. "This country needs her more than we do. A princess shouldn't become a pirate."
Disappointment filled Vivi's face for a moment. The tension in the air was thick, the silence even heavier.
But then, Zino smirked. "That said… you're already one of us."
Vivi blinked. "Huh?"
Zino pulled out a folded piece of parchment from his coat and tossed it toward her. She caught it—and gasped. It was a crew registry, hand-written by Zino himself. And there, listed clearly among the names of the Orcas, was hers: Nefertari Vivi.
"You're registered as a member of the Orcas," Zino said casually. "So whether you sail with us or not, you're one of us."
The crew stared in stunned silence.
"Wait, what?! Since when?!" Stev asked, baffled.
"I don't remember any initiation!" Binko added.
Kaya chuckled. "Looks like the captain has his own way of recruiting people."
Vivi's eyes lit up, a smile spreading across her face. "You mean it…? I'm really part of the crew?"
"You are," Zino said, nodding. "Even if your duty keeps you here for now, Alabasta is under our protection. Not just from pirates, but anyone who dares threaten it."
Zino turned to face the vast sand, the wind catching the edge of his coat. "The protection of the future Yonko," he said without hesitation. "The Orcas will be one of the great pirate crews in this world."
Everyone fell silent again.
The word Yonko wasn't something said lightly. It carried the weight of power, territory, and fear. And yet, none of them laughed. Somehow, it didn't seem so far-fetched when Zino was the one saying it.
"Guess we're in for a hell of a ride," Gin muttered, cracking his knuckles.
Sanji glanced back at Vivi and gave a soft smile. "We'll come visit someday."
"I'll be waiting," Vivi replied.
(As they began their trek, the people of Alubarna gathered to see them off. Their group were visibly large, and therefore, it still caught everyone's attention.
"Farewell, heroes! Thank you for helping this country!"
"Please come back and visit one day!"
"You saved all of us—thank you!"
The voices rose like a wave behind them, filled with genuine warmth. Children waved handmade flags, and older citizens bowed respectfully. It was an unfamiliar scene for pirates—to be seen off with joy rather than fear.
The people had good reason for their gratitude. The Orcas hadn't just defeated Baroque Works and ended the shadowy reign of Crocodile. They had done much more in the short time they stayed.
Chloris and Moris, the dryad siblings, left behind something invaluable: hope for the land. Using seeds brought from their homeland, the lush Summer Island, they introduced a strain of desert-adapted plant life. These special plants could do more than survive in the sand—they could help locate underground water sources and even foster greenery in the unforgiving dunes. Forests in the desert—an idea that once felt like fantasy now had roots.
Stev, the eccentric inventor, had also made a lasting contribution. Though prone to explosions and mayhem, this time his invention held real promise. A compact desalination device, refined from a version he used in his native Autumn Island, was gifted to the royal engineers. With it, Alabasta could convert seawater into both clean drinking water and usable salt. Even more generously, he handed Princess Vivi the blueprints, allowing the kingdom to begin mass production.
Such acts—alongside their bravery—left a deep impression on the people. The name "Orca" was no longer whispered with suspicion, but spoken with admiration.
As the final farewells echoed through the crowd, the Orcas gave their own parting wave.
"Goodbye, you desert folk!" Kruz grinned, shouldering his gear.
"Take care of Vivi for us," Gin added with a short nod toward the palace.
"Don't forget to drink water!" Hibari called.
Zino stood at the front of the group. With a glance over his shoulder, he raised one hand and exhaled. A wide path of glittering ice suddenly unfurled across the desert, snaking its way toward the horizon.
The people gasped in amazement.
"Ice… in the desert?!"
"Who is this man?!"
"Is this the power of a Devil Fruit?!"
Zino didn't explain. He simply turned and said to his crew, "Let's skate."
He tapped his foot, and small, sleek skates of ice formed beneath each Orca's boots. Even those without balance were assisted by thin rails of frozen air to keep them upright.
With cheers, laughter, and a burst of cool air, the Orcas took off—gliding swiftly across the desert on their frozen road, like spirits dancing through the heat.
Children chased after them until they couldn't keep up. Merchants stood in awe. Soldiers stood to attention.
From behind the high stone walls of Alubarna, the last shimmering glimpse of the Orca Pirates faded into the golden haze of the desert. Their ice path still gleaming under the desert sun like a silver ribbon, stretched far into the distance.
Standing atop the palace terrace, King Cobra, flanked by Princess Vivi, Pell, and Chaka, observed in contemplative silence.
Finally, the king broke the stillness. "You know… that ice path might be the most efficient route to Nanohana I've ever seen."
"It's a shortcut through the desert like none before," Pell agreed, arms crossed, eyes following the icy trail.
Chaka nodded, though his brow furrowed. "It won't last long in this heat. That path will melt within the hour."
Cobra stroked his chin, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Then perhaps we should use it while it's still here."
Chaka squinted at the king suspiciously. "Your Majesty… is it possible that you just want to try skating?"
"Ahem." Cobra coughed into his fist. "Of course I do. How often does one get a chance to glide across the desert on a path of ice? It would be ungrateful to ignore such a gift."
Pell chuckled under his breath. Vivi, trying not to laugh, pointed toward the start of the path. "Look! I think Zino left extra pairs of those ice skates behind."
Sure enough, neatly arranged in a row at the beginning of the trail were several pairs of sculpted ice skates—shining, cool, and ready to be worn. Some children and even some adults were already trying them on, and a few had already begun skating on the ice path.
"Did he really think of everything?" Cobra said in delighted surprise.
Without waiting another second, the king swept aside his robes and marched toward the edge of the path. "Come, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!"
"Wait, Your Majesty—!" Chaka protested.
But the king was already halfway to the trail, giddy as a child. He slipped his feet into the glimmering skates, wobbling slightly but determined. "Balance… just a matter of balance."
He pushed off.
Clack.
Thud.
"Oof!"
A loud crash echoed through the courtyard as King Cobra toppled forward, arms flailing, and landed flat on the icy surface, his royal cape fanned behind him.
"Your Majesty!" Pell and Chaka shouted in unison, rushing forward.
Vivi burst out laughing, covering her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. "Father, are you alright?!"
"I'm fine… I think…" Cobra groaned, trying to regain his dignity while sprawled like a snow angel in the middle of the desert.
Chaka extended a hand to help him up. "Perhaps skating is better left to the younger generation."
"Don't mock me, Chaka," Cobra grumbled, allowing himself to be helped up. "It was a tactical test of the ice's structural integrity."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Chaka replied with a smirk.
As the sun rose higher, the royal family shared a rare, light-hearted moment—laughter ringing out across the palace grounds. Even in the aftermath of war and political upheaval, joy had returned to Alabasta, as fleeting as a skating path across the desert, but just as magical.
"Let's get inside before I injure my other leg," Cobra said, brushing off sand from his robe.
"Maybe next time, we build a sled instead," Pell suggested.
With a final glance down the icy trail, they returned to the palace—grateful, hopeful, and, above all, smiling.