Chapter 395: Arrival in Alabasta: Splitting Up for the Mission

“Alright, I need to get this mixed into the bullets as soon as possible.” Usopp, clutching the seastone like it was treasure, dashed off onto the deck, eager to get to work.

Well, they were nearly at Alabasta anyway. If Usopp didn’t act fast, he might not even get a piece of the action when the fighting began.

…

Two days later, after a mostly boring voyage, Chopper’s eyes suddenly lit up as the silhouette of an island appeared on the horizon. Bursting with excitement, Chopper bolted from the deck into the cabin, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Everyone! We’ve reached Alabasta!”

Inside the ship’s meeting room, Ye Fan and the others were in the middle of a poker game. As soon as they heard Chopper’s shout, Usopp was the first to slam his cards down and head for the door.

“Hmph, that guy,” Zoro said, shaking his head in resignation. Among everyone here, Usopp had lost the most. He’d probably been waiting for this moment.

“Alright, since we’ve arrived, it’s time for everyone to get moving.” Sanji stepped out of the kitchen, pulling off his apron.

Once everyone made it onto the deck, the sights of Alabasta spread out before them.

Each person wore a white cloth band on their arm—a simple precaution to avoid imposters and unnecessary trouble.

Meanwhile, on the island, Crocodile was hosting a banquet for Jiang Yifei, not aware that Luffy and his crew had arrived.

“I didn’t expect you to come in person. Is there some advice from the family?”

Jiang Yifei, Karl’s twenty-sixth son, was now twenty-five. He’d been granted the Broken Army template and commanded the power of the earth element.

“Of course. Something interesting is about to happen.”

“And this time, it’s aimed right at you.”

Karl’s plan was only known to members of the family. Outsiders hadn’t a clue. Only that way could the surprises hit their mark.

“Oh? So it’s about to start, then?”

Crocodile didn’t know what the family had been plotting behind the scenes all these years, but with Jiang Yifei right here, the wheels were clearly turning.

He just didn’t know what role he was supposed to play; hiding this much power for so many years couldn’t have been easy.

“Luffy. Have you heard that name before?” Jiang Yifei swirled his wine glass and gave Crocodile a mischievous look.

For Crocodile to lose to Luffy—it really wouldn’t be easy for him to swallow that.

“Ha, Luffy… Rings a bell. They’re a rookie pirate crew.” Crocodile still had the air to make small talk with Jiang Yifei, not realizing what was headed his way.

“Alright, enough suspense. Let me explain why I’m here…”

…

On the shore, just as Luffy and the others landed, a seemingly endless number of… turtles? leapt over from the side.

“Kung Fu Dugongs are actually really cute. They’re martial arts fanatics and love sparring, only respecting those stronger than themselves.” Vivi explained to everyone, standing to the side as she filled them in on the turtles’ origins.

“Skooi!”

“Hey, are you trying to challenge me?” Luffy asked, watching the Kung Fu Dugong wave its fist and beckon him over.

The Kung Fu Dugong nodded, confirming Luffy’s guess.

“Alright, bring it on!”

Boom!

As soon as Luffy finished talking, the Kung Fu Dugong’s tiny fist was already coated in top-grade Armament Haki.

In a flash, it used Shave to dart forward and punch Luffy square in the face, sending him flying.

“What? No way! That’s Luffy!”

Everyone stared in shock, drawing a collective gasp—they’d seen Luffy’s true strength before.

Back on Little Garden, if Luffy’s fist had landed on the island, he could’ve destroyed the whole place with a single blow. For a tiny Kung Fu Dugong to send Luffy flying with one punch was unbelievable.

Granted, Luffy hadn’t been fighting seriously—but still, it spoke volumes about the Dugong’s power.

“Chuuu chuuu chuu!!!”

After realizing it’d knocked out Luffy in one hit, the Kung Fu Dugong jumped onto a big rock and began waving its fists triumphantly for its fellow dugongs to see.

“Ahahaha—what a funny little guy.”

Despite being knocked back, Luffy didn’t look the least bit mad. Instead, Armament Haki glimmered on his fists as he walked over, ready for a rematch.

“Never thought the Grand Line had so many amazing creatures.”

“Yeah, crazy, right? Even a turtle can use Armament Haki. Does that mean in the New World everyone’s got it?”

Usopp had a point. If even the animals here could use Armament Haki, maybe in the New World it really was everywhere.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Before everyone’s eyes, Luffy started fighting the Kung Fu Dugong for real. Ten minutes in, the Dugong lay sprawled at Luffy’s feet, three giant bumps on its head.

The other Kung Fu Dugongs crowded around Luffy, bowing in salute.

“They said you defeated their leader, and now they want you to be their teacher,” Chopper helpfully translated.

As an animal himself, Chopper was naturally able to understand other creatures. You could even call him a beast-language expert.

“Alright, let’s do it!”

Luffy started demonstrating Navy martial arts and taught the dugongs his moves—something he’d picked up from his grandpa.

“Alright, guys, it’s time we split up.”

While Luffy was teaching the Kung Fu Dugongs, Nami spread out the map, marking several spots with a red X.

“You three are in charge of this area—this is Crocodile’s main base.” As she spoke, Nami pointed at Zoro, Luffy, and Sanji.

Another X marked the royal palace. Nami and Vivi would head there, taking Johnny and Yosaku along.

Ye Fan and Gin had the task of seeking out the rebel army and delivering Vivi’s message to their leader.

The rebel army’s leader was one of Vivi’s childhood friends. But thanks to Crocodile’s lies, the rebels believed the kingdom had betrayed them, and were prepping for all-out war.

With the evidence Vivi had gathered, she hoped they could either disband the army or at least open a real dialogue—and maybe avoid a full-scale war.

With the plan finalized, Nami handed out two identical blueprints—one for Ye Fan, one for Sanji.

And why give one to Sanji? Well, everyone knew Zoro had no sense of direction and Luffy couldn’t care less about the rules, so if either of them got the blueprints, there’d be a good chance they’d lose them before even getting where they were supposed to go.

No need to say anything about Chopper, of course—he’d definitely be tagging along with Luffy’s group.

Luffy and his team were the main fighting force. That meant injuries were likely, so Chopper, as their doctor, could patch them up on the spot.

Once the assignments were set, Vivi let out a sharp whistle, and Karoo the Super Spot-Billed Duck came racing over.

She’d kept Karoo hidden in the room all this time, worried Luffy might kidnap and try to stew her brave little bird.

“Good luck, everyone!”

Nami and Vivi, with Johnny and Yosaku, rode off atop Karoo, leading the way.

Ye Fan checked his map before dashing off into the distance with Gin at his side.

Soon, only Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Chopper remained behind.