Arrival in Alabasta

On the second day after leaving Drum Island, the Going Merry sailed across the calm sea as usual.

After leaving Winter Island's climate zone, the weather began to clear up. Chopper adapted to life aboard the ship quickly. Besides being cared for by the two girls, he got along well with Luffy and Usopp, and was currently chatting with Karoo.

On the stern deck, Vivi and Nami sat in lounge chairs with a newspaper in hand. It seemed to contain some shocking news, and neither of them looked very happy.

"Is this... is this real?"

"What happened?"

"Look." Nami sat up from her lounge chair and unfolded the newspaper after turning it around.

Seeing this, Reiner set down his barbell and walked over. He took the newspaper, sat cross-legged on the deck, lit a cigarette, and began reading it slowly.

In the most eye-catching spot in the upper left corner was a photo of a battle. Judging by its scale, there were likely several hundred people on each side. The headline read: Battlefield Vanguard: Latest Intelligence on the Alabasta Civil War.

As Reiner read further, his brow gradually furrowed.

"How did more than three hundred thousand Royal Army soldiers defect in just one month?"

The Royal Army had originally numbered six hundred thousand against the Rebel Army's four hundred thousand, yet in the blink of an eye, it had become seven hundred thousand rebels against three hundred thousand royal soldiers.

Reiner had never seen, nor could he imagine, a war on the scale of a million people. The number was so immense that it far exceeded his imagination.

He could not help glancing up at Vivi. She was probably frantic with worry by now.

"This news is already a few days old. The decisive battle in Alabasta probably isn't far off."

"Reiner, could you say something nicer? Vivi is already having a hard time." Nami shot him a glare and said irritably.

It was not as if saying nice things could solve this. Reiner waved a hand and said,

"Still, Sanji spoke with Crocodile over the Den Den Mushi before. Based on his intelligence, we should be able to reach Alabasta before the final battle breaks out."

"Exactly. Vivi, don't panic too much."

"Mm. Sorry for making you worry."

Vivi raised a hand to wipe her face, forcing out a smile. "Everyone has already been doing their best to help me make up time. Even if I panic, the ship can't go any faster.

"I'll go wash my face." With that, Vivi stood and headed toward the bow.

"That girl still won't ask us for help."

Nami looked in the direction Vivi had left, her face full of concern. Then she turned back to Reiner. "We'll help her when the time comes, right?"

"Wasn't that something everyone had already silently agreed on?"

Reiner picked up the barbell from the ground. Although Vivi's request had only been to escort her to Alabasta, everyone had already accepted her as one of the crew.

"So it's just some Shichibukai problem, right? We'll cut him down when we get there." Zoro, who had been training nearby, chimed in.

"Don't make it sound so simple, idiot! That's a Shichibukai!" Nami snapped, hands on her hips.

After a while, Usopp and Sanji came over to the back of the ship. "Reiner, Zoro, can we start?"

"You came at the right time." Reiner set down his barbell and pulled off the towel around his neck to wipe away his sweat.

Ever since Little Garden, Reiner had begun training in Haki according to the methods taught by the two giants. As for his progress...

It was practically nonexistent. In any case, there was no way he would master it in time for the fight in Alabasta.

Still, this was not something that could be learned overnight. Reiner, Sanji, Zoro, and Luffy all had the physical ability needed to begin Haki training, so the earlier they started, the sooner they would learn it.

The method was simple, exactly like how Rayleigh had taught Luffy in the original story. It was the training method used by nearly all pirates: getting beaten while blindfolded.

They would train both Observation Haki and Armament Haki at once, sensing the opponent's presence during the process while imagining an invisible suit of armor covering their bodies.

It sounded vague when explained, but once they actually tried it, they understood what it meant.

Usopp pulled out three black cloth strips and blindfolded Reiner, Zoro, and Sanji as they sat cross-legged on the deck.

"Ready? I'm starting!"

As he spoke, Usopp took out a wooden stick and swung it twice. The whooshing sound through the air made Nami shudder.

"You guys go train. I'm going to find Vivi." With that, Nami hurried away.

"I'm ready."

"Bring it on, Usopp!"

The reason they had Usopp do it was because, according to the giant uncles, if the attacks were not serious, amateurs like them would never be able to sense their opponent's presence.

But if the attacks were serious, the only ones they could withstand continuously were Usopp and the two girls, Nami and Vivi.

Obviously, neither girl had any interest in this. As for Reiner's undead, that was impossible too. The undead had no presence to sense.

Thunk—

"Ow!"

"Ahhh, sorry, Reiner."

"It's fine. Keep going, Usopp."

Soon, repeated thudding blows and miserable cries rang out from the back of the ship.

Luffy, who had the best physical abilities, could not train for the time being. The blows posed no threat to him, so he could not raise his guard. They could not exactly slash at him with real blades.

"Huff... huff... I can't keep going."

After quite a while, Usopp was exhausted. Reiner and the other two had also been beaten so dizzy that they could no longer concentrate, so the training ended.

"Tsk... that hurts. It's about time. I'll go cook first." Rubbing his head, Sanji shook himself and got up to leave.

The remaining three simply lay down where they were, each staring lifelessly up at the sky.

"You guys are monsters. Compared to you, I'm barely any different from an ordinary person."

"What are you talking about? Don't go saying that out there. I'm weak as hell."

"Keep pretending." Usopp looked at him disdainfully, then paused before speaking again.

"Reiner, Zoro, can you teach me how to get stronger?"

Hearing that, Reiner could not help looking at Usopp. "Why the sudden interest?"

He had never thought about forcing the others to train. Whether it was exercising or learning from someone else, the most important thing in becoming stronger was having the determination to do so. Otherwise, it was better not to waste everyone's time.

Even Luffy, who usually acted so carefree, had trained hard ever since he was little.

"Our opponent this time is a Shichibukai. I want to be able to help too."

Usopp spoke casually as he stared at the sky, but a trace of determination flashed in his eyes. Being the weakest member of the crew did not feel good, though only he himself knew that.

Besides, he was the ship's sniper and had joined as a combatant, yet he was weaker than even a support member—a support member who did nothing but legitimate odd jobs.

"Still, even if you say that, everyone's path is different in the end." Reiner spoke calmly.

"I don't know of any way to make you stronger in a short time. Or... have you considered a Devil Fruit?"

"A Devil Fruit..." Usopp turned to look at him and thought for a moment before saying,

"Forget it. If there are too many Devil Fruit users on the ship, we won't be able to save everyone if we fall into the water."

"Is that so? Then let's start with strengthening your body." Reiner chuckled and sat up.

"No matter which path you choose, strong physical ability is an indispensable foundation."

"Yeah. Let me join your training from now on too."

"Sure."

"Welcome aboard."

And so, time passed amid day after day of training.

The fifth day after leaving Drum Island.

"Island ahead, everyone!"

From the Going Merry's lookout, Reiner called down to the others, then turned to look ahead.

Saintine Island, home to a massive nation with a population in the tens of millions—

—the location of Alabasta.

From afar, the entire island was an endless stretch of red earth, scorched beneath the blazing sun. The moment they entered the nearby waters, the air gradually became heavy and stifling, making them irritable without realizing it.

Hearing his shout, everyone came out of the cabin. Vivi, in particular, ran impatiently to the bow and leaned against the railing to look out.

"Where should we dock, Vivi?" Reiner jumped down from the lookout and came to her side.

"Nanohana. It's a port city, and the Going Merry can dock there." Vivi pointed in a direction.

"Got it."

The undead began operating the helm and sails. The Going Merry gradually shifted course and sailed in the direction Vivi had pointed.