Rainbase shimmered in the distance like a mirage made real — domed rooftops and spiked towers glinting beneath the desert sun. Palm trees swayed in the oasis winds, and canals trickled through the sandstone streets. But beneath the beauty, something sinister waited.
They called it the City of Dreams.
But for the Straw Hats, it was a city of traps.
The crew stood atop a ridge overlooking the entrance gate, where Marines and Baroque Works agents worked in eerie cooperation — not chasing pirates, but protecting Crocodile's fortress.
Nami pulled down her scarf. "So that's Rain Dinners?"
"Crocodile's stronghold," Vivi confirmed. "His casino… his operations… everything's run from there."
Usopp gulped. "How do we get in without getting shot?"
Sanji cracked his knuckles. "We fight our way in."
"No," Rex said. "We don't charge."
Zoro glanced over. "You've got a better idea?"
Rex didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he crouched near the sand and began drawing in it — lines, paths, a crude layout of the city, based on the brief intelligence they'd gathered from scouts and observation.
[…Activating infiltration matrix. Scanning guard pattern density. Thermal markers: twenty-seven. Probability of frontal assault failure: 89%. Passive approach: 41%. Deceptive entry: 12%. Unconventional pattern: 71%. Recommend path.]
Rex tapped a hidden route behind the west canal.
"There. Service tunnels. Only used during late shifts to move waste and water."
Usopp's face twisted. "You want us to crawl through sewer water?!"
Rex smirked. "Smell like a winner. Move like a rat."
Even Luffy paused. "Ehhhhh…"
"We either sneak in," Rex said, "or we end up in the same prison we're trying to avoid."
Nami gave him a sharp look. "You've done this before."
Rex stood, brushing sand from his gloves.
"Enough times to know when the front door isn't worth knocking on."
Later – Rainbase Sewers
The tunnel was dark and damp, filled with trickling water and the stench of decay. Echoes rang as the Straw Hats moved carefully beneath the streets.
"Why is it always sewers?" Usopp muttered, plugging his nose.
"Because no one guards them," Rex replied.
Vivi moved beside him. "How did you learn to think like this?"
He glanced over, a faint smile returning to his face.
"You can't fight every battle with fists," he said. "Some wins come from the right step… not the hardest hit."
Then he paused.
His hand shot out, stopping Sanji mid-step.
A thin wire glinted in the lantern light — barely visible.
"Tripwire," Rex said. "Pressure-activated."
[…Explosive node detected. Trip circuit linked to adjacent ceiling. Shrapnel radius: 5 meters. Estimated fatality chance: 63%.]
Rex knelt and flicked a stone toward the edge.
Nothing.
Then flicked another.
Click.
BOOM—!!
A portion of the ceiling caved in behind them.
Usopp hit the ground screaming.
Even Zoro braced for impact.
When the dust cleared, Rex stood slowly and turned around.
"That was a reset trap. If we'd gone forward first… we'd be buried."
Luffy blinked. "How'd you know?"
"Just a guess," Rex said.
Sanji muttered, "I'm starting to believe you actually like this stuff."
Rex gave a small shrug. "Let's just say I get bored easily. Ambushes keep things interesting."
Moments Later – Rain Dinners (Interior Courtyard)
They emerged through a maintenance hatch and found themselves within the courtyard of Rain Dinners — the legendary casino.
The air was thick with perfume, music, and heat. Patrons in silk moved between tables. Guards in suits watched every step.
Crocodile's shadow stretched over all of it.
Rex pulled his hood lower.
"Stay calm," he murmured.
But the moment they moved, alarms rang.
Too late.
A dozen agents appeared from hidden panels.
Rain poured through vents.
Trap engaged.
The floor beneath them vanished.
They dropped.
Rain Dinners Prison Cell
Stone. Steel. Silence.
The crew hit the floor of a caged cell inside Crocodile's lair.
Water surrounded the bars. Sea-Prism Stone locked the doors. And the air was dry despite the dripping ceilings.
"Dammit—!" Zoro growled.
"They knew we were coming!" Nami shouted.
"It's my fault," Vivi whispered. "They were waiting for me."
"No," Rex said, scanning the walls. "This was always the plan."
Sanji clenched his jaw. "What are you talking about?"
Rex turned to the wall and tapped four times — pause — two more.
[…Response pattern received. External contact confirmed.]
A faint vibration echoed in the wall. Then a lock clinked once.
Rex smiled.
"They didn't know I knew this place."
Zoro stared. "You mean—"
"I wasn't planning to stay in this cage," Rex said. "I was planning to rebuild it."
[…Michael systems engaged. Map overlay of Rain Dinners prison active. Exit route: southwest drainage gate. Estimated guard arrival: 4 minutes.]
"Time to go," Rex said. "We've got a war to end."