Time had always passed swiftly. Though Luffy had gone through countless experiences since setting sail, they still made up only a small part of his life.
This year, he would face many more adventures and meet even more precious companions.
But none of that... had anything to do with Shin.
In the Alabasta Kingdom, the Straw Hat Pirates, who had arrived with Vivi, were especially curious about the place.
Within just a few days, the rebels, Baroque Works, the royal guard, and even the Straw Hat Pirates all took the stage.
This was also Luffy's first time facing a pirate at the level of the Seven Warlords of the Sea head-on.
As for Crocodile, the pirate known as the Desert King had ambitions of his own. Just like in the original story, he had been defeated by Whitebeard in the New World many years ago.
That was why, after returning to the first half of the Grand Line, he accepted the World Government's offer and became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
He had never thought much of an island nation like the Alabasta Kingdom. The only reason he had come here was because there were rumors that an Ancient Weapon could be found here.
As long as he obtained that ancient weapon, neither the World Government nor Whitebeard would be worth fearing.
With that thought in mind, he turned his gaze toward someone beside him in a dark, deep underground chamber. "Are you certain that the Poneglyph in the Alabasta Kingdom contains the whereabouts of an Ancient Weapon? I don't want to put in all that effort only to end up with a useless slab of stone."
"Of course." A woman's soft laugh rang out as a tall woman with slightly dark skin appeared beside him. "I