Alabasta.
The Straw Hat Pirates were the first to land.
This group of pirates collected supplies in the coastal cities of Alabasta, intending to escort Princess Vivi across the desert to Youba to stop the rebellion of 300,000 troops.
The Buggy Pirates followed closely behind.
This circus-like pirate group was also gathering supplies, aiming to go directly into the desert in search of traces of the Golden Underground Palace. No sooner had they disembarked than Mr. 3 slipped away with some intel he had acquired.
The Konoha Pirates arrived a bit later.
After the nine-headed dragon brought the ship to the port, they sunk straight to the seabed to avoid drawing too much attention.
They had a lot planned here.
First was Mr.1 Bonez Danis, a Slash-Slash Fruit User, who had stayed on the Konoha Pirates' ship for a few days and had quite a bit of blood drawn by the Scientific Mechanical Forbidden Technique experimental trio.
However, Daz Bonez was not left without gains; there were subtle changes in his body, including a Curse Seal mark, a forced awakening of rudimentary Armament Haki, and a bizarre white human face on his shoulder.
Even...
A Curse Seal control mark inside his heart.
After all, it wasn't Akihara Kagura who handled the operation; Red Sand Sasori, Senju Tobirama, and Orochimaru had a penchant for more brutal methods.
Comparatively, as a Slash-Slash Fruit User, the Scientific Mechanical Forbidden Technique experimental trio had greater gains, especially Red Sand Sasori, who furthered his own body modification, granting his puppet body the Slash-Slash Fruit ability. His finger turned immediately into five sharp claws that could automatically transform into blades anytime without needing human puppet modification.
"After returning to Baroque Works, inform them that an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters has arrived in Alabasta, seemingly to investigate Seven Warlords of the Sea Crocodile's scheme to usurp Alabasta and the secret of Pluto..."
"I understand."
Mr.1 Daz Bonez nodded with lingering fear.
As an outstanding assassin, Daz Bonez always believed his psychological quality was strong enough to remain calm under any circumstance.
But...
The people on this ship were terrifying beyond imagination!
The Scientific Mechanical Forbidden Technique experimental trio left him with a fearful memory in such a short time, making Daz Bonez dare not face them directly. They actually dissected his arm and forced him to try to convert his cells into blades...
Cells...
What on earth are they?
Yet Mr.1 Daz Bonez had undeniable gains, mastering numerous new applications of the Slash-Slash Fruit abilities, even awakening Armament Haki in just a few sleepless days on the experimental table, matching up to what he learned in over a decade...
"Cultivate your Fruit Ability well."
Orochimaru smiled at Daz Bonez, chuckling as he spoke: "I believe your Fruit Ability might have even greater evolution potential in the future..."
"Yes... Orochimaru-sama."
Mr.1 Daz Bonez's cheeks twitched uncontrollably.
"Train well after you return."
Senju Tobirama was unsatisfied with his weakness and coldly reminded: "If a Devil Fruit User continues to train, perhaps in the future they will even affect the surrounding environment, penetrating an opponent's body without physical contact..."
"Yes..."
Mr.1 Daz Bonez wasn't as resistant towards Senju Tobirama.
"Stay close to Crocodile."
Red Sand Sasori gently said as he watched the spy he installed: "No matter what happens, even if he kills a Heavenly Celestial Dragon, stay by his side."
"He... surely wouldn't do such a thing, right?"
Mr.1 Daz Bonez recalled some terrifying legends about the Heavenly Celestial Dragon from the West Sea and furrowed his brows: "After all, they are World Nobles..."
"Don't worry."
Red Sand Sasori's words eased Daz Bonez's concern and then heightened it: "What Crocodile plans is even more dangerous than killing a Heavenly Celestial Dragon, but don't leave him, stay by his side always..."
"..."
Mr.1 Daz Bonez felt his scalp tingle.
"Hurry along, our guests are about to arrive."
Red Sand Sasori gestured for him to leave quickly, as indeed, the enemies of the Konoha Pirates were fast approaching.
Sure enough.
A Navy battleship swiftly arrived.
Smoker, leading his subordinates, landed at the port city in Alabasta, while incidentally replenishing supplies and casually gathering intel on the Straw Hat Pirates, Clown Buggy's crew, and the Konoha Pirates.
Meanwhile, Akihara Kagura and Karin disembarked under the guise of intelligence gathering, leaving Aokiji alone on the deck, quietly waiting for another colleague's arrival.
A golden beam appeared behind Aokiji, forming a towering figure, specifically Admiral Kizaru.
This Navy Admiral arrived early in Alabasta, waiting there for Aokiji's arrival, without any intent to engage the Konoha Pirates alone.
Conveniently...
Sengoku had ordered him to wait for Aokiji before taking action, aligning well with Kizaru's mindset.