Chapter 40 – War Approaches
"Great, we're saved!"
Usopp and Chopper hugged each other, bawling their eyes out.
"Haha, Dante Voss, thank goodness for you!"
Luffy just laughed without a care in the world.
The rest of them thanked Dante Voss one by one.
If Dante Voss hadn't arrived at that crucial moment, they really would have died.
"Alright! I just saw Crocodile heading for Alubarna—let's move!"
Dante Voss reminded them.
The moment Crocodile's name came up, Luffy's anger flared; he clenched both fists.
"That bastard nearly drowned us all—I'll punch him into next week!"
"Then let's hurry to Alubarna! Who knows what's happening there now!"
Vivi's eyes were full of worry.
The group left the basement and dashed out of Rainbase.
Thanks to Chopper, they soon found a Moving Crab that raced toward Alubarna.
The route from Rainbase to Alubarna was all desert, but the Moving Crab was still fast on sand.
Yellow sand stretched everywhere beneath a sky of crimson clouds.
The scorching heat baked the earth, and the wind carried endless dunes into view.
While Dante Voss and the others sped across the desert on the Moving Crab,
a golden hook suddenly flew from afar, aiming straight at Vivi.
The maneuver couldn't escape Dante Voss's senses.
Shhk!
Dante Voss whipped out his bloodthirsty sword and slashed the hook—and the sand behind it—apart.
Yet he paid the attack no mind, focusing instead on a figure forming from sand up ahead.
The Straw Hats spotted Crocodile too; tension gripped them.
"It's that guy!"
Luffy's fists tightened at the sight of him.
Crocodile ignored Luffy's fury, turning instead to Dante Voss who'd blocked his strike.
"So the Straw Hats have another ally. You're the one who saved them?"
Behind Crocodile, a stunning figure strolled forward, also noticing Dante Voss.
"It's him!"
Robin widened her beautiful eyes, studying Dante Voss's face.
Ten days earlier, Dante Voss's bounty had caught her eye; the World Government labeled him The Crimson Shura—rather like her title of Devil Child.
The papers claimed he'd merely killed a high-ranking official, but she didn't buy it.
After all, she herself had once been falsely accused of sinking several warships.
Dante Voss nodded.
"That's right—they're alive because of me."
"So you're the one who slew a Government big-shot? Join my Baroque Works instead of this little crew."
Crocodile recognized Dante Voss and made his pitch.
From that casual strike, Dante Voss was clearly strong—only a handful of his senior officers could match it.
Such strength...
...was rare even within Baroque Works.
Though Dante Voss carried a hundred-million bounty, Crocodile chalked it up to angering the Government, not real power.
"Not interested."
Dante Voss refused outright.
To him Crocodile was just prey about to die—hardly qualified to give him orders.
"What a shame—then be buried beneath this desert!"
Crocodile's expression darkened.
His grand plan was almost complete; these pests would serve as a mere appetizer.
Dante Voss narrowed his eyes. He'd rather not fight a Shichibukai in the desert, but if it couldn't be avoided, so be it.
He'd exploit the man's weakness to water and finish him in one surprise strike.
With his backpack, he just might pull it off.
If Crocodile became wary and unleashed a massive sandstorm, Dante Voss would have no chance to kill him—
escaping would be the best outcome.
"Dante Voss, leave him to me!"
As blades were about to clash, Luffy stepped forward, deadly serious.
"Luffy, you can't take him alone—let's all fight together!"
Nami urged in panic.
"Yeah, Luffy, it's a Shichibukai—team up!"
Usopp quavered.
"No—I'll handle him. Escort Vivi safely to the capital."
Luffy refused any teamwork against Crocodile.
Vivi had to reach Alubarna in time to stop a war of millions.
Besides, if he couldn't defeat a single Shichibukai, how could he ever become Pirate King?
"Fine—we'll wait for you in Alubarna."
Zoro respected Luffy's choice; he understood him best.
The others worried but likewise accepted Luffy's decision.
Dante Voss wasn't concerned; with Robin here, Luffy would be fine.
Everything was still following the plot.
At Chopper's command, the Moving Crab sped on toward Alubarna.
Crocodile paid no heed to the fleeing ants; pirates of the first half of the Grand Line were too weak.
No matter their antics, they couldn't derail his plan—only prolong their death throes.
Crocodile puffed his cigar, his black cloak billowing as he regarded Luffy with cold eyes.
"Straw Hat, you're making too much noise."
...As Dante Voss's group headed for Alubarna, Karoo—who'd left earlier—returned with the Super Spot-Billed Duck Squad to meet them.
Meanwhile Alubarna stood on the eve of war.
Two million rebels were already in sight, while Baroque agents lurked within both armies, ready to act.
On the only road to Alubarna, five senior officers had waited long under Crocodile's orders.
Their mission: stop Vivi and prevent her from disrupting the plan.
No one believed a single princess could halt a war of millions, yet Crocodile wouldn't gamble on it.
"Look—there are the rebels! Such numbers!"
"Trying to stop them? The princess is a mad clown."
Mr. 2 exclaimed.
Distant figures swarmed, dust clouds billowing skyward.
The other senior officers stared, shaken by the sight.
Though strong, they felt tiny before an army of a million.
"Once she arrives, we simply kill her."
Mr. 1 said calmly.
"Here they come!"
Mr. 4 spotted several duck-riding figures through his telescope.
The officers looked over and saw silhouettes racing toward them.
With Dante Voss present, Vivi saw no need to hide her face.
The agents instantly locked onto her.
"Mr. 4, attack—kill Princess Vivi!"
Miss Merry Christmas ordered.
Bang!
Mr. 4 fired a shot from his gun that had eaten the Mutt-Mutt Fruit.
But mid-air a crimson sword flash struck the shell, detonating it.
The blade aura didn't fade; after blasting the shell it still shot toward them.
The senior officers sensed danger, their faces grave as they instinctively activated their powers.
Boom!