The scene shifted to Reiner and the others. After Chopper discovered something unusual about the cargo truck, they quietly followed it.
When they reached an alley, Reiner confirmed that no one was around before summoning four Undead Hawks and sending them circling into the sky.
After winding through countless twists and turns, Reiner and the others somehow ended up following them to the edge of the city.
"What's going on? Aren't they this city's underground faction?"
Watching the group leave the city and head into the desert, Reiner stroked his chin in thought before speaking again.
"We still have to go back and meet up with the others later. How about we send the undead in directly, take them down, and question them?"
"Wait, Reiner, look over there." Nami's voice was quiet but urgent as she pointed into the distance.
Another group emerged from the town. It was even larger, and it headed toward the cargo truck they had been following.
"Chopper, can you smell anything unusual?" Reiner shook the two little short legs hanging in front of him.
"No. It's just ordinary food supplies." Chopper sniffed the air and spoke softly.
"Then they're probably the Rebel Army, or people working for them."
If they were a local underground force like a gang, they definitely would not need to haul an entire convoy of food.
After lingering there for a while, Reiner noticed that convoys of varying sizes were gradually leaving the city and heading in the same direction.
Under Chopper's careful sniffing, most of them carried weapons, provisions, and even small amounts of medicine—things Chopper could not have been more familiar with.
"Seems someone spotted us. Are they with the Rebel Army or Baroque Works?"
A hawk swooped down and landed on Reiner's arm, its beak pointing toward an alley on the right.
"Nami, remember the direction. Let's buy a map and head back to meet the others."
"Ah, okay."
Reiner and the others rose from their crouches and turned to leave before the other side arrived.
Rainbase, the secret underground meeting room beneath the casino. An oval table stood in the center of the spacious chamber. Its bluish stone surface was carved with simple yet intricate patterns, while twelve similarly styled chairs surrounded it.
At that moment, six people sat on either side, all their eyes fixed on the man at the head of the table.
"Crocodile... it was actually you."
"I never expected our boss, whom we had never met, to be one of the Shichibukai."
"Wait a second, Mr. 0. Doesn't that mean I've become a pirate's subordinate!?"
It was everyone's first time meeting the true boss behind Baroque Works, and all of them were shocked by his identity.
"I had originally made other arrangements for you, but circumstances have changed."
In a deep voice, Crocodile tossed several wanted posters and photographs onto the table.
"This group consists of members of the Straw Hat Crew. Judging by their pace, they should have reached Alabasta by now."
Crocodile rested his golden hook on the chair's armrest, leaned back, and said,
"Now, aside from Mr. 2, who will proceed according to the original plan, everyone else's mission has changed to eliminating them and Princess Vivi."
Crocodile removed his cigar, slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, and sneered with a dark expression.
"Once the Rebel Army receives these supplies, I'll force them to launch their final assault within the next few days. If those people interfere with my plan—"
"We understand, Boss." Everyone on both sides of the table lowered their heads and answered quietly.
"Hehehehe... then I wish you success." As soon as he finished speaking, Crocodile transformed into flying sand and departed.
"Then I'll be leaving too." A crisp laugh rang out as a voluptuous woman in a white leather jacket and cowboy hat stood up, smiling as she left the meeting room.
Only then did the remaining people finally let out breaths of relief.
"Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai... even now, it still feels unbelievable."
"The Utopia Plan, huh? It sounds interesting."
"I actually became a pirate. I never saw that coming!"
On a secluded shore near the harbor, aboard the Going Merry.
Zoro, Sanji, and Vivi had already returned to the ship, bringing back food for their journey across the desert.
"Hey, everyone, I'm back!"
Luffy's voice came from afar. His straw-sandaled feet took huge, excited strides as he beamed. "Come on, look who I ran into!"
Hearing that, everyone aboard turned their eyes behind him. A man in an orange hat, bare upper body, and black shorts was strolling casually after Luffy.
"Hehe, Reiner and the others aren't back yet?"
Luffy jumped onto the Going Merry, looked around twice, and said with disappointment,
"What a shame. I can't introduce Ace to them."
"How much of a shame?"
A crisp voice rang out as Reiner and the others strolled over from the other side. Chopper sat on his shoulder, swinging his little short legs as he waved and shouted,
"Luffy, we're back!"
After returning to the Going Merry with the others, Reiner finally began sizing up the freckled man.
"Hahaha, great! Ace, look."
Luffy excitedly pointed at Reiner. "That's Reiner. He set sail with me from Foosha Village."
"Really? I never expected that after three years at sea, I'd run into someone from my hometown."
Looking at Reiner in his blue shirt, Ace, who had been crouching atop the railing, could not help but smile. He jumped onto the deck, bowed to everyone, and said softly,
"Hello, everyone. My name is Portgas D. Ace, and I'm Luffy's older brother. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of me."
Aside from Reiner, everyone else was clearly stunned.
"Luffy, you have an older brother!?"
"Hehehe, we're not blood-related."
Luffy grinned, his joy at meeting someone familiar in a foreign place plain on his face. "We're brothers who grew up together. Ace set sail three years before me."
"So that's how it is." Everyone understood at once. No wonder the two brothers did not look alike at all. One was polite and refined, while the other was... well, rather simple-minded.
Luffy then introduced every member of the crew to Ace one by one, as though he were showing them off. It was obvious that Luffy was in an excellent mood.
"Looks like you found a group of very dependable companions."
Ace looked fondly at Luffy before turning to the others. "My idiot little brother doesn't have much manners. He must have caused you a lot of trouble."
With that, Ace bowed again. "But please continue looking after him in the future."
"You don't need to be so polite. This idiot is still our captain, after all." Zoro crossed his arms and chuckled.
"Luffy's brother is so polite."
"I can't believe he's that idiot's brother."
Ace's behavior left everyone sighing in amazement.
"Then, Luffy, catch this." Ace took out a piece of paper and flicked it toward him between two fingers.
"What is this?"
"It can point you toward me."
Ace raised a hand to touch his hat and instructed him, "Keep it safe. You'll be able to use it to find me later."
"I see~ I got it!" Luffy giggled as he folded the paper and clutched it tightly in his hand, afraid of losing it.
"Well then, I'm leaving, Luffy."
Ace turned around, leaving Luffy with only his back and profile. The corner of his mouth lifted as he said lightly,
"The next time we meet, it'll be at the summit of this sea."
Who could have known that those words would come true so soon?
Luffy answered heavily, and Ace jumped off the ship and strode away.
The summit of this sea... Reiner could not help thinking of it. He lit the cigarette in his mouth, raised his head, and stared blankly at the azure sky.
Could you let me mooch a Whitebeard template?
Reiner did not mention Blackbeard at all. Even Luffy would not interfere with Ace's adventure, much less him, since he barely knew Ace.
As for the war at Marineford, if Luffy went, then he would go too. As long as that plan succeeded by then, storming Marineford was not impossible.
Thinking of that, Reiner was filled with motivation. He clicked his tongue. Life just got better again.
Eh? Wait, it seemed like he had forgotten something.
Fuck!
"Wait, Ace! Let me touch you!"
Reiner hurriedly chased after him and had Ace give him a template before returning to the ship.
Before you continue