White Ghost and the others reached Alabasta without any trouble.
White Ghost had no interest in this country made almost entirely of sand. He only replenished their supplies, asked where the Kung Fu Dugongs usually appeared, and then left.
King Nefertari Cobra finally let out a long breath after learning that the group had not done anything excessive.
If that incident had never happened, Cobra might have invited them to tour Alabasta properly.
There were also the Soul King and the Soul Diva. Perhaps he would have even arranged a concert.
Unfortunately, no one knew what was wrong with Alabasta these past few years. Droughts were spreading everywhere, and rain almost never fell.
Meanwhile, the royal capital received rain every few days.
It had given Cobra endless headaches, leaving him in no mood for such things.
Besides, White Ghost and his crew had a record of slaughtering a country. Cobra had to think carefully for the sake of his people.
Although that group had always had a good reputation before, acting friendly and peaceful wherever they went, even the countries White Ghost had visited before could not understand it.
Why had that group done something like that?
The World Government had not released the reason either, so people came up with all kinds of guesses.
Some said they had finally revealed their true nature, and that their previous kindness had all been fake.
Others said White Ghost had taken a fancy to a beauty there, but the king refused because she was his wife, which led to what happened.
Everyone knew White Ghost liked married women because he had admitted it himself.
Still, many people scoffed at that explanation.
Those kings had practically stuffed women into White Ghost's arms. Daughters, wives, mistresses—whatever they could offer, those nobles had tried everything.
That guy had refused to bite.
So that theory was directly overturned.
In the end, people reached a conclusion they could more or less accept.
That country must have done something so excessive that White Ghost's group finally took action.
Rain Dinners, the casino in the desert.
Crocodile's face was dark as he looked at the letter in his hand.
It had been left behind by Nico Robin a few days ago.
"This desert has made my skin darker. It isn't fun.
"Following you around this desert looking for a ship feels like it has no future.
"I think the previous members had good judgment. They chose a promising great figure, and I would like to follow their example.
"I'm already used to betraying people, so I don't feel much about it.
"If you find the Poneglyph, you can contact me. I'm rather interested in that thing too."
Crocodile's face was so gloomy it looked like water might drip from it.
If he chased after her now, it was probably already too late.
Even if he caught up, he had no confidence he could defeat that man.
Crocodile took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed.
"This is Crocodile of the Seven Warlords. I want to report something."
…
"Hey, hey, is this the place?"
Nami and Nojiko looked around at the surrounding waters.
White Ghost sensed movement in the water with Observation Haki, and the corner of his mouth lifted.
"Head for shore."
Under Franky's operation, the Dragon Emperor moved toward the coast.
"Hm?"
Everyone on the ship who knew Observation Haki sensed something beneath the ship.
White Ghost waved his hand, signaling that there was no need to worry.
"These are the pets I came to find this time. No need to be nervous."
After saying that, White Ghost glanced at Jango.
The meaning in his eyes made Jango's spine go cold.
"Captain, I won't do anything stupid again."
Jango quickly raised both hands to show he would behave.
Only then did White Ghost withdraw his gaze.
The others smiled.
This guy deserved it.
He had been the one who led the captain's pet astray.
The moment White Ghost's ship reached the shore, bubbles began rising from the sea.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Black shadows leapt out of the water one after another.
"Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!"
Everyone saw a group of adorable creatures calling out, each with something like a turtle shell on their back.
"So cute!"
Nami and Nojiko grew excited at the sight of the Kung Fu Dugongs.
"They're saying, 'If you want to go ashore, try defeating us first. If you can't, go back to the other shore, cowards.'"
The moment Chopper finished translating, the rough men on the ship looked at the Kung Fu Dugongs with unfriendly eyes.
White Ghost glared at them.
"Put your aura away. Don't scare off my pets. Otherwise, you can jump into the sea and catch them for me."
"Uh…"
Only then did everyone remember the captain had come here to find pets.
White Ghost had overthought it.
When those Kung Fu Dugongs first sensed those terrifying auras, they were only slightly afraid. Immediately after that, they looked at everyone with excitement instead.
White Ghost cracked his knuckles.
Crack, crack, crack.
"Let this great master subdue you little cuties."
White Ghost wore a fierce grin as he jumped onto the shore.
The others watched curiously, wondering what their captain would do next.
White Ghost pointed at the three largest Kung Fu Dugongs.
"You, you, and you. The three of you, come at me together."
White Ghost looked at the Kung Fu Dugongs with an unbelievably arrogant expression.
"Awoo! Awoo!"
The three Kung Fu Dugongs shouted and attacked him.
Pfft.
The women on the shore laughed.
It was the first time they had seen their man wear such an expression.
As for the men, they all held back their laughter, not daring to make a sound in case they got beaten.
The people on the ship watched with smiles as their captain toyed with the Kung Fu Dugongs.
Before long, one of the Kung Fu Dugongs began shouting.
White Ghost did not understand what it meant, so he looked at Chopper.
Chopper answered honestly.
"He said, 'If you've got guts, don't dodge, coward.'"
Pfft.
The moment Chopper finished translating, everyone burst into laughter.
This dugong was too cute.
White Ghost smiled and hooked his finger at the three Kung Fu Dugongs, signaling for them to come over.
The three dugongs did not hesitate. They bent their arms and jumped up, striking at White Ghost.
Bang, bang, bang!
The three dugongs each hit a different part of his body: chest, stomach, and thigh.
White Ghost lowered his head with a smile and looked at them.
Then everyone saw the three dugongs tear up, as if their hands hurt badly.
"Awoo!"
The three Kung Fu Dugongs clutched their hands and cried out in pain.
"Hahahahaha!"
Everyone on the ship laughed nonstop.
These adorable little things actually dared hit the captain's body with all their strength.
White Ghost did not care about anything else.
He knew the nature of these dugongs. Only by defeating them could he take them in.
So—
Bang, bang, bang!
After three hits, the three little ones clutched the big bumps on their heads and stared at White Ghost with blazing eyes.
White Ghost placed his hands on his hips and laughed proudly, pointing at the three of them.
"From now on, you three follow me. I'll make sure you eat and drink the best."
After Chopper translated, the Kung Fu Dugongs behind them also began shouting, wanting to become his disciples and follow White Ghost to eat and drink the best.
White Ghost took out a large pile of food and sent the others off.
There were too many of them. Keeping too many would not be good. Raising two or three was just right—not too many, not too few.
After the three Kung Fu Dugongs finished saying goodbye to their companions, they grabbed White Ghost's leg and shouted.
Chopper translated from the side.
"They're saying, 'Master, Master, teach us your skills.'"
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