Still in Alabasta, Crocodile stared in disbelief. "What's going on? Why is the sand running wild? Is this what makes a desert truly terrifying? Looks like I've barely begun to develop the Sand-Sand Fruit!"
Even as Crocodile spoke, worry gnawed at him. He knew only Ren and Ace could have caused a change across all of Alabasta. Earthquakes almost never struck here; one happening just as Ren arrived could hardly be a coincidence.
Ace wasn't free of blame either. As for why Crocodile worried about him, that was another matter. Even Crocodile couldn't make sense of it. A woman's heart was a mystery.
Now sandstorms rose across the desert, and a terrifying tidal wave of sand swept toward the rest of Alabasta!
Vivi, princess of Alabasta, looked at them pleadingly. "Everyone... please save this country!"
The wave of sand was monstrous. If it crashed down, it would bury all of Alabasta!
Number Six reached into the air. A massive doorway a kilometer wide appeared, swallowed the wave, and sent it into the distant sea!
Kuina drew her sword and slashed. A surge of bitter cold froze the desert before her!
The other members of the Zero Division joined in. Alabasta was Ren Pirates territory now, and they would not let their own turf be destroyed!
Attack after attack struck the wave, until Shiryu's Sword Aura finally reduced it to dust!
Suddenly, a fierce wind rose from the heart of the desert!
It shot into the sky, swallowing the airborne sand. Dark clouds blotted out the blazing sun, and amid flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder, rain poured down!
Kuina stared at the strange sight. "That must be Brother Ren's technique! What's he doing in the middle of the desert?"
While Kuina puzzled over it, Shiryu said, "Who knows? The