Sabaody! The Supernovas Gather!
Sabo suddenly grabbed the newspaper, his eyes quickly scanning the page, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
"Vegapunk's research facility was really attacked?!"
He looked up, his gaze serious. "Why did Red-Hair do this?!"
Robin tapped the table lightly with her fingertips, her eyes deep, and said in a low voice, "Vegapunk's research field can't possibly be ordinary technology."
"I'm afraid it involves certain... taboos."
Koala bit her lip, her brows furrowed. "Could it... be related to Ancient Weapons?"
The air suddenly became tense.
Ace gently put down the sizzling Barbecue from his hands, the flames flickering between his fingertips.
Luffy also stopped chewing, which was unusual for him. He looked up at Sabo and Robin with a look of confusion and doubt in his eyes.
Just then, Robin gently pushed aside the newspaper, his voice calm yet meaningful:
"Actually... I have another purpose for coming to Alabasta."
All eyes turned to her.
Robin narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly and continued, "Intelligence indicates that Crocodile seems to be operating in the shadows."
"After Mr. Roy disappeared, he may have had another idea."
As soon as she finished speaking, Nami frowned, her hand instinctively tightening its grip on the cup. "That guy... he really is restless."
Sabo paused, then continued, "In addition, the Revolutionary Army also hopes to hold talks with King Nefertari Cobra of Alabasta."
A light shone in Nami's eyes. "King Cobra? I've heard of him... He's a truly good king."
Nojiko nodded thoughtfully. "So... you've come seeking an alliance?"
Sabo smiled slightly, reached for his glass, but didn't answer directly, "Well... that's a secret for now."
The atmosphere at the dinner table was tense, as if it could be pushed into a new storm at any moment, but just then—
"That--!"
Luffy raised his hand, his face extremely serious. "Can I... order ten more plates of Barbecue?"
"Puff--"
Ace nearly spat out his drink, then gave him a sharp rap on the head. "Idiot! You've already eaten twenty plates!!"
Luffy covered his head, tears welling in his eyes, and cried out, "But I'm still hungry!!"
Sabo paused for a moment, then burst into laughter and waved to the waiter. "Waiter! Twenty more plates, please!!"
"Yay!!"
Luffy immediately raised his hands and jumped up, his face breaking into a silly grin again.
The tense atmosphere at the dining table was finally dispelled by laughter.
Even with undercurrents swirling outside, at least for this moment—brothers and comrades are still sitting around the same table, enjoying themselves immensely.
Alabasta Harbor
The setting sun dyed the sea a golden-red hue, making it shimmer and sparkle.
Ace, Luffy, Nami, and Nojiko stood at the dock, waving goodbye to the small boat that was about to set sail.
See you next time, Sabo!!
Luffy waved his arms frantically, his face full of a silly grin and reluctance.
Sabo adjusted his hat and replied with a smile, "We'll contact you again after we've finished dealing with this."
"Stop causing trouble, Luffy!"
Robin stood gracefully at the side of the ship, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said softly, "Everyone... proceed with caution."
Nami smiled slyly and playfully gave an OK sign, "Don't worry~ We're the Marines!"
Koala, hands on her hips, feigning seriousness, said, "If you run into trouble, remember to contact us immediately!"
Ace laughed heartily and raised his hand at them, "Don't worry! We'll drink again next time we meet!"
The small boat gradually sailed away, but the laughter of the three brothers still lingered in the sea breeze.
Half an hour later, Ace and his three companions arrived at the rendezvous point as Promise.
Smoker and Tashigi had been waiting for a long time. Smoke swirled around Smoker, who stood with his arms crossed and his brows furrowed.
"Too slow!" Smoker said coldly, Cigar dangling from his lips.
Ace shrugged and smiled, "Sorry, sorry, I took a slightly longer route."
Luffy, however, scratched his head and grinned, "We went and ate some more Barbecue!"
"Snort."
Smoker snorted and then tossed a piece of intelligence into their hands.
Tashigi pushed up her Glasses, her tone grave. "Headquarters has issued a new mission."
Recently, many Pirate Supernovas have been gathering at the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Our mission is to go and defend the Sabaody Archipelago to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control."
"Pirate Supernovas?"
Luffy's eyes lit up, and he jumped up. "Wow! That sounds amazing! Are they really that strong?!"
Nojiko explained, "The term 'Supernovas' refers to a rookie Pirate who rises rapidly in a short period of time and has a bounty exceeding 100 million Beli. They are indeed very strong."
Nami crossed her arms and smiled, "But with your strength... I guess it shouldn't be a problem."
Ace laughed, a flame igniting in his fist. "Since I have nothing better to do, let's go check out these guys!"
"Yay!!"
Luffy excitedly raised his hands and shouted, "Let's go beat them up!!"
Nami's eyes gleamed. "Hmph! Perfect timing to test my new move."
Nojiko looked at her with some concern. "Nami, be careful."
Luffy thumped his chest, beaming, "Don't worry! Anyone who dares to touch my navigator... I'll send them flying!"
Nami blushed and quickly turned her head away. "Who, who needs your protection!"
Smoker interrupted their banter, "Don't let your guard down! Some of these Supernovas are truly formidable."
He spread out the arrest warrants one by one:
Eustace Kid, bounty 315 million.
"Basil Hawkins, bounty of $249 million."
"Skulachman Ap, 198 million..."
As night fell, the Warships cut through the waves and sped toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
Smoker stood at the bow, Smoke billowing around him, his eyes sharp as knives. "Sabaody, the gateway to the New World."
If all these Supernovas manage to get through... the situation will only become more chaotic.
Tashigi gripped her sword tightly, her voice firm. "We must stop them!"
Ace leaned against the ship's railing, a smile playing on his lips, "I hope they won't disappoint me too much."
Luffy lay back atop the mast, his arms behind his head, gazing at the starry night sky with a simple smile.
Hehehe... I can't wait!
Meanwhile, the Florian Triangle
Thick fog hung in the air, and waves crashed against the wreckage of an old, decaying Pirate ship—the remains of the Rumbar Pirates.
On the deck, Brook leaned on his canes, his empty eye sockets staring at the group of "strange" people in front of him, feeling a dull ache in his empty head.
"200 times the effort!!"
The group of Pirates opposite them were shouting slogans in unison, their momentum seemingly capable of Heaven Breaker.
Especially the captain, who looked to be just over 1.6 meters tall, wore thick Glasses, and whose legs were trembling so badly he could barely stand, actually stretched out his hand with a pious expression:
"Great Mr. Brook! Please join our 'Effort Pirates'!!"
Brook: "..."
He slowly turned the skull head to look at the two female crew members behind the captain.
There was a short woman with a large, angular face;
The other woman was heavily pregnant, had a wide face, short hair, and was wearing a polka-dot top that revealed her round belly, a lavender skirt, and black high heels.
It was so ugly that Brook swallowed back her signature line, "Can I see your panties?"
"Oh dear..."
Brook gazed at the scene before him, lost in thought.