Off the coast of Alabasta, at dawn.
News of Crocodile's defeat swept through the country like a desert storm. As the first rays of sunlight lit the spires of Alubarna's palace, tens of thousands of people gathered spontaneously in the square. They gazed at the vast glass plain formed when the "Double D Great Flame Emperor" vaporized ten li of desert, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude.
The Flame Emperor lay anchored in Nanohana's harbor, but the ship was unusually quiet.
Inside the ship, in the infirmary.
Chopper carefully removed Ace's last bandage. Pale blue flames flowed over Ace's body, accelerating the healing of his wounds-this was the new ability he had gained after his Flame-Flame Fruit awakened further during his life-and-death battle with Crocodile: "Blue Flame Self-Healing."
"Incredible..." Chopper examined Ace's internal organs with a stethoscope. "Yesterday, you had multiple fractured bones and internal bleeding, and today you've completely recovered! Is this the 'living flame' the captain talked about?"
Ace grinned, a flickering cluster of pale blue flames igniting on his fist. "My brother said the Flame-Flame Fruit only truly gets started when its flames stop being just destructive and can sense life and heal it."
He looked at the next bed-Robin lay there quietly, her face still pale. She had overdrawn her ability at the Empty Throne and damaged her foundations, so she was recovering far more slowly than Ace.
"How is Miss Robin doing?" Ace asked.
Chopper's little face fell. "It's complicated... Overdrawing her Flower-Flower Fruit ability caused varying degrees of atrophy in the nerves and muscles throughout her body. My medicine can only ease the symptoms. She'll need at least a month of rest to recover completely, and..."
"And what?"
"And she might never be able to control a thousand arms at once like she used to," Chopper said sadly. "The aftereffects of overusing her ability are permanent."
Just then, Robin slowly opened her eyes.
"That's all right." Her voice was soft, but carried acceptance. "Those arms I used for killing and running away... perhaps it's better without them."
Ace and Chopper both froze.
Robin propped herself up and looked at the rising sun outside the porthole. "For twenty years... I've used those arms to protect myself, and to imprison myself. Now, I'd like to try... doing something else with these two hands."
She raised her own hands, fair and slender, their joints clearly defined.
"Like translating Poneglyphs for someone worthy."
On deck, outside the captain's cabin.
Tashigi stood in a crisp Marine uniform. A new crimson-gold flame pattern marked Shigure's scabbard-an inscription Lin Yan had reforged for her using his Genesis Furnace ability. Called the "Flame-Infused Inscription," it could briefly summon protective flames in a crisis.
Vice Admiral Hina stood before her.
"Petty Officer Tashigi." Hina held a slim cigarette between her lips, her expression complicated. "Official orders from Marine Headquarters: all your duties in Loguetown are revoked, and you are transferred to the 'special observer' roster, designation S-07. Your new assignment is... to continue accompanying the Flame Emperor Pirates, record their movements, assess their threat, and provide 'humanitarian coordination' when necessary."
Special observer was a gray-area position few within the Marines knew existed. It meant you were neither a spy nor an undercover agent, but neither were you an ordinary Marine. You could cooperate with your "observation target" to a certain extent, provided the ultimate goal aligned with "justice."
"Vice Admiral Hina." Tashigi saluted. "May I ask why?"
Hina exhaled a smoke ring. "Because Fleet Admiral Sengoku said that Flame Emperor... might be the greatest wildcard of this era. We need a pair of eyes to watch whether he heads toward destruction or... creates a miracle."
She handed Tashigi an encrypted document. "This contains your new authorizations-you may draw on certain resources from the Marines' G-series branches and request assistance from officers below vice admiral in emergencies. But remember, you are a Marine first, always."
"Yes." Tashigi accepted the document, then paused. "Vice Admiral, do you trust the captain?"
Hina fell silent for a long time before finally turning toward the gangway.
"Hina only trusts facts. And the fact is... he saved a country without asking for anything in return."
"That's enough."
Inside the captain's cabin.
Lin Yan stood before the chart table, where three items lay spread out: the golden badge obtained from the Funeral Temple, the gold-and-red pendant obtained from the Empty Throne, and the "Alabasta Royal Family Secret Records: Pluton Chapter," which Robin had just finished translating.
Robin sat opposite him with a blanket around her shoulders. Though weak, her eyes were bright.
"According to the records, Pluton is not a 'weapon' in the traditional sense, but a 'mobile ancient city'-it can travel over land, across the sea, and even through the air. It stores all the technology and culture of the D Clan from before the Void Century."
She pointed to a spot on the chart. "The three 'key fragments' needed to activate it correspond to 'earth,' 'sky,' and 'ocean.' The one in Alabasta is the 'earth fragment,' which we already have. The 'sky fragment' is on..."
"Sky Island," Lin Yan finished, pointing to a mark ten thousand meters above Jaya Island. "More precisely, at the border between Angel Island and Shandora on Sky Island, guarded for generations by a warrior people called the Shandia."
Robin nodded. "As for the last piece, the 'ocean fragment,' the records offer only a vague clue: 'The mermaid princess's song shall guide the way to the fragment.' This is very likely connected to the Ancient Weapon Poseidon."
Lin Yan put away the chart and looked at Robin. "Can your body handle the journey to Sky Island?"
"Give me three days," Robin said earnestly. "Doctor Chopper's medicine is very effective, and... I have a reason I must go, too."
She took out a yellowed rubbing, showing a corner of the mural she had "copied" with her Flower-Flower Fruit ability just before briefly losing consciousness at the Empty Throne.
On the mural, beneath Sky Island's Golden Bell, a line of Ancient Script was carved:
[The Sun God once rang the bell of dawn here, showing the lost D Clan the way home. Wherever its toll reaches, the mist disperses and truth appears.-Left by Nika during the Void Century]
"Is this... a message left by the Sun God Nika himself?" Lin Yan's pupils contracted slightly.
"Yes." Robin's voice trembled with excitement. "Captain, Sky Island doesn't just have a key fragment. It very likely also has records of the complete Sun God Fruit inheritance! That's more important than Pluton-because the records suggest that only the Sun God's true successor can fully control Pluton rather than suffer its backlash."
Lin Yan sank into thought.
On the system interface, the fragmentary information for [Location of the Ancient Weapon Poseidon] had activated, pointing to Fish-Man Island. The unlock progress for [Sun God Fruit] had also jumped from 1/5 to 3/5 with the appearance of his mother's inheritance and the information about Nika.
Three clues intertwined: Pluton, Poseidon, and the Sun God.
And the next stop for all of them was Sky Island.
"All right," Lin Yan finally decided. "In three days, we set out for Jaya Island to find the Knock Up Stream. Our destination-Sky Island!"
That evening, at the full crew meeting.
All the crew gathered on deck. The sunset dyed the Double D Flag gold and red, and the figurehead's flaming fist seemed to burn in the lingering light.
Lin Yan stood before everyone, his voice steady.
"Our business in Alabasta is settled for now. We fulfilled our promise to King Cobra, exposed Crocodile's plot, and obtained what we wanted."
He looked at Robin. "Now, I formally invite Nico Robin to become the Flame Emperor Pirates' 'historical adviser'-not a temporary collaborator, but a permanent crewmate. Any objections?"
Silence.
Isuka raised her hand first. "I agree! Miss Robin saved the captain. We owe her!"
"Agreed!"
"Welcome aboard!"
The crew voiced their support one after another. Chopper even jumped up. "Robin knows so much! She taught me lots of ancient medical knowledge!"
Robin stood and bowed slightly to everyone. "Thank you. Then..."
She took out the pact she had prepared-not paper and pen, but a palm-sized black stone tablet with an oath inscribed in Ancient Script.
"In the name of Nico Robin, researcher of the Void Century, survivor of Ohara, and Devil Child." She cut her finger and dripped blood onto the tablet. "I pledge to Monkey D. Yan, captain of the Flame Emperor Pirates: to follow him in this life and seek the truth together, until death."
The tablet glowed faintly. Her blood seeped into the writing, sealing the pact.
[Ding-] [Nico Robin's bond level increased to Lv.4 (Oath)] [Ability unlocked: Knowledge Sharing (Historical materials researched by Robin will automatically sync to the system database)] [Combination technique unlocked: Thousand-Armed Flame Buddha Rashomon (Currently unavailable; requires Robin's full recovery)]
Lin Yan clasped Robin's hand. "Welcome aboard, Robin."
Then he turned to Tashigi. "Tashigi, I respect your status as an 'observer.' But aboard this ship, you're our crewmate first. The flame inscription on Shigure is proof."
Tashigi tightened her grip on her sword's hilt and nodded firmly. "...Yes, Captain."
Finally, Lin Yan looked at Ace. "Ace, what I'm about to say concerns our father and mother, and the D Clan's mission."
He gave everyone a concise account of the truths he had learned at the Empty Throne-Imu, the origin of Devil Fruits, the Sun God Nika's inheritance, and the war of the Void Century.
The deck was utterly silent.
"So..." Ace processed the information. "We're going to Sky Island to get the second fragment and find some Sun God inheritance?"
"Yes." Lin Yan nodded. "But more importantly, we need to establish something: why did the D Clan fail eight hundred years ago? What 'contingency' did the Sun God Nika leave behind? Those answers may well lie beneath Sky Island's Golden Bell."
He spread out the chart and pointed to Jaya Island.
"We leave in three days. But before that, there's one more thing to do-"
Before he could finish, a shout came from the lookout.
"Captain! A ship's approaching! It's... the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Everyone looked out to sea.
Sure enough, a small sheep-headed ship was cutting through the waves. The rubber boy in a straw hat stood at its bow, waving excitedly at them.
"Ace! Brother Yan! I saw the flames over in the desert! Did you guys do something incredible again?!"
Late that night, the brothers spoke in private.
The Going Merry and the Flame Emperor lay anchored side by side, with a plank connecting them. Luffy was pestering Ace for the details of the fight, while Zoro and Sanji were itching to test themselves against the Flame Emperor's fighters-especially after seeing Tashigi's Shigure with its flame inscription.
Lin Yan and Luffy sat alone at the stern.
"Brother Yan, you're going to Sky Island?" Luffy asked indistinctly, his mouth stuffed with meat.
"Yes." Lin Yan handed Luffy a handwritten notebook. "These are my ideas for developing the Gum-Gum Fruit, including the principles and training methods for 'Gear Second' and 'Gear Third.' You can use them as a reference, but don't copy them exactly-your rubber should have its own character."
Luffy accepted the notebook and leafed through it with rare seriousness. His eyes lit up when he read, "Gear Second: use the rubber body's properties to accelerate blood circulation, greatly increasing speed and strength for a short time."
"This! I think I've got a feel for it!"
He tried pressing down on his legs. His skin reddened slightly, and steam rose from it-though still faint, it was indeed the beginnings of Gear Second.
Lin Yan nodded with satisfaction. In the original story, Luffy had only awakened Gear Second at Enies Lobby. Thanks to his intervention, it had happened at least two years early.
"Luffy, remember," he said solemnly. "The Gum-Gum Fruit's true power isn't stretching or elasticity, but 'freedom'-imagine a body without limits, imagine resilience that can withstand any impact. When you're no longer bound by 'common sense,' you can do anything."
Luffy only half understood, but still nodded hard. "I get it! I'm going to be the freest Pirate King!"
Lin Yan smiled and took out a Vivre Card-not an ordinary one, but a "Double D Vivre Card" forged from his flames and Ace's together, capable of sensing both their conditions at once.
"This is for you. If you encounter a crisis you can't handle, burn it, and Ace and I will get there as fast as we can."
Luffy carefully put it away, then suddenly asked, "Brother Yan, Sabo... is he really still alive?"
Lin Yan fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "He's alive. He's the Revolutionary Army's chief of staff now, and he's doing well. When the time is right, I'll arrange for you to meet."
Luffy's eyes reddened, but he grinned. "That's great... I knew Sabo wouldn't die!"
He jumped up and hugged Lin Yan tightly. "Thanks, Brother Yan! I'll get stronger! Strong enough to protect all my friends! Strong enough... to help you and Ace!"
Lin Yan patted his back. "Yes. I believe in you."
Three days later, early in the morning.
The Flame Emperor had finished resupplying and was ready to sail. King Cobra came in person to see them off, giving them a large quantity of fresh water and food, along with a "permanent friendship agreement" bearing the royal seal.
"Whatever the World Government thinks of you, Alabasta will always be a friend to the Flame Emperor Pirates," Cobra solemnly promised.
Princess Vivi handed Robin a brocade box. "These are copies of some ancient documents preserved by the royal family. I hope they'll help with your research."
Robin bowed deeply. "Thank you."
Meanwhile, the Straw Hat Pirates were also continuing their journey-their destination was "the end of the Grand Line." But after hearing there were adventures on Sky Island, Luffy almost decided to follow along, only for Nami to drag him back by the ear.
"Don't cause trouble for other people, you idiot captain!"
The two ships parted in the morning sun.
The Flame Emperor sailed toward Jaya Island to find the Knock Up Stream. The Straw Hat ship headed for the next island.
On deck, Lin Yan opened the system interface to carry out this volume's final settlement.
[Volume Two: Grand Line Arc (Alabasta stage) completion: 100%] [Achievements obtained: Shichibukai Nemesis, Desert Savior, History Decipherer] [Template collection progress updated:] Sand-Sand Fruit template (40% complete) → Integrated into the Furnace-Furnace Fruit Flower-Flower Fruit template (60% complete) → Bond Lv.4; in-depth development available Rumble-Rumble Fruit template (30% complete) → Highly compatible target detected on Sky Island; completion possible New fragments: Giant Strength (Little Garden), Fish-Man Physique (Arlong), Chop-Chop (Buggy), etc. [Furnace-Furnace Fruit evolution path confirmed:] Current: Genesis Furnace (flames + iron sand + lightning) Next stage: Requires integration of a "light" or "space" attribute template Suggested targets: Sky Island-Enel (complete Rumble-Rumble Fruit), Shichibukai-Bartholomew Kuma (Paw-Paw Fruit's spatial attribute) [Bond System new feature preview:] Next installment will unlock "Trinity" mode: when Lin Yan, Ace, and Luffy are all present and all bonds reach Lv.4, a special resonance can trigger, temporarily granting a portion of "Sun God Nika's" power (requires all three key fragments) [World quest updated:] Main quest: The truth of the D Clan (2/7) Current objective: Travel to Sky Island, obtain the "sky fragment," and decipher the information left by the Sun God Nika Warning: Unusual movements detected among the Blackbeard Pirates; suspected to be heading toward Jaya Island
At the last entry, Lin Yan's gaze sharpened.
Blackbeard... is he interested in Sky Island too? Or is his target also the Poneglyph, or... an Ancient Weapon?
"Isuka!" Lin Yan ordered. "Full speed ahead! We need to reach Jaya Island before anyone else!"
"Yes!"
The Flame Emperor raised its sails. Crimson-gold flames surged beneath its hull, driving the ship through the waves at a speed far beyond the norm.
Inside the cabin, Robin was leafing through Alabasta's documents when she suddenly pointed to a line.
"Captain, it says here that the Knock Up Stream doesn't just send ships up to Sky Island. It's also a 'trial'-only ships 'recognized by the sun' can pass safely. Otherwise, they'll be shattered by the 'thunderstorm layer' within the current."
"Recognized by the sun?" Ace leaned over.
"It most likely refers to... flames," Robin speculated. "Ships with powerful flame abilities might find it easier to pass."
Lin Yan walked to the window and looked toward the distant horizon.
The thunderstorm layer... Enel's Rumble-Rumble Fruit...
"Interesting." His lips curled. "Then let's see whether his lightning is stronger..."
"Or my fire comes out on top."
P.S. Three days earlier, in the ruins of Rainbase.
Before the Marines escorted Crocodile aboard a warship, a tall man in a black clerical robe and a crown silently appeared before him.
"Crocodile." The man's voice sounded like metal scraping. "How does it feel to lose to the D Clan?"
"...Doflamingo." Crocodile sneered. "Did you come to laugh at me?"
"Fufufu... no, I came to offer you an opportunity." Doflamingo grinned. "The World Government has already decided to strip you of your Shichibukai title. You're facing life imprisonment. But if you're willing to join 'a certain plan'... I can give you your freedom back."
"What plan?"
"A plan for a 'new era.'" Doflamingo's sunglasses reflected a dangerous gleam. "And that Flame Emperor... will be the most crucial part of it."
Crocodile remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.
"...I'm in."
"A wise choice." Doflamingo turned to leave. "Then spend some time in Impel Down first. Soon... someone will come to 'rescue' you."
He vanished into the shadows.
Crocodile looked at the Seastone Handcuffs on his wrists, a crazed light flashing in his eyes.
"Flame Emperor... I lost this time."
"But next time... I'll make you pay it all back with interest."
Before you continue