The Prosperous Desert Kingdom. A few days later, under the blazing sun, the Going Merry split through billowing waves of heat and finally sailed into a stretch of sea surrounded by a long golden coastline.
On the horizon ahead, an enormous desert port city shimmered in and out of sight amid the rolling heat haze.
"Ah... it's so hot... I'm dying..."
On the Going Merry's deck, Luffy sprawled over the ship's rail like a salted fish that had been dragged ashore, sticking out his tongue as he complained loudly.
"What the hell is with this weather? I feel like even my spit's about to dry up! If I don't get some juicy roast meat soon, I'm gonna turn into Gum-Gum jerky! Can a dump like this really make me Pirate King?"
"Shut up, you idiot. Put your straw hat on properly. This is a desert country."
Beside him, Zoro wiped the sweat from his forehead. Though he was complaining too, he still kept a wary eye on the surrounding waters.
This was a member nation of the World Government, and a superpower that ranked in the top five among all its member nations.
It was completely incomparable to a small place like East Blue.
There were probably a lot of strong people here.
"Heh heh heh. Welcome to my territory, you ignorant Straw Hat brat."
Crocodile, whose injuries had completely healed and who had changed into his signature black coat, was standing at the highest point of the bow with a cigar pinched in one hand.
He took a deep breath of the dry, hot sea wind tinged with dust, his eyes filled with the arrogance and confidence of a man returning to his home turf.
"This is Alabasta, the oldest desert kingdom on the Grand Line."
"The sand here