Arc beats:
Heaven's Embrace enters Nanohana disguised in sail mode to avoid attention, while Baroque Works agents already have orders to intercept them.
Crew first encounters the desert climate, cue comedic scenes with Nami, Nojiko, and Chopper struggling with the heat while Sora's cravings turn into a running gag.
Princess Vivi starts showing her leadership and tactical side, working with Vegito to plan the route to the capital while hiding from Crocodile's spies.
Nico Robin begins quietly feeding Vegito extra intel on Baroque Works operations.
Introduction of Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger — a short clash that's mostly Vegito trolling them instead of killing them right away.
Water shortage scenes showing the people's suffering — gives Kaya, Reiju, and Chopper moments to shine as they help locals medically.
First hints of the rebel army's growing impatience — setting up later tensions.
Ends with a dramatic sunset shot of Rainbase in the distance, Crocodile's "casino palace" glowing like a mirage.
Question is —Do you want me to have the crew officially meet Zala (Miss Doublefinger) and Mikita (Miss Valentine) in this first half and already start building waifu potential for their later recruitment,or should I save their defection to Vegito for the second half of the Alabasta arc after Crocodile's defeat?
You said:have the crew officially meet Zala (Miss Doublefinger) and Mikita (Miss Valentine) in this first half and already start building waifu potential
ChatGPT said:
Alright — here's the full 5k+ drop for
Chapter 10 – Sand, Schemes, and the Desert's First Smile Sand in the Shoes, Heat on the Back
Nanohana was a sprawl of sand-colored buildings and sun-bleached streets, the kind of place where the heat came not just from above but seemed to radiate from the very ground. Even Heaven's Embrace looked oddly subdued in its sail-ship mode, the runes dimmed to avoid drawing attention.
Nami stepped onto the dock and immediately groaned."It's like walking into an oven."
Nojiko fanned herself with her hand. "Correction — an oven where someone left the steam on."
Chopper waddled forward, his tongue lolling. "My fur is soaked! This is torture!"
Meanwhile, Sora was calmly walking in the middle of the group, holding a mango in one hand and a pickle in the other. She took a bite of mango, then a bite of pickle.
Kuina, walking behind her, paused mid-step. "Wait… is that—?"
"Don't question it," Bell-mère whispered. "She's pregnant. Cravings happen."
Sora smiled serenely. "You're all just jealous you didn't think of it first."
Vegito smirked. "I can think of a few better combinations."
"Oh?" Sora's eyes sparkled. "Care to suggest one tonight?"
Kuina almost tripped. Nami muttered something about "living soap operas" under her breath.
Vivi's Focus
While the others sweated and complained, Vivi kept her hood low and her eyes sharp, scanning every alley and rooftop.
"Crocodile's people have eyes everywhere here," she murmured to Vegito.
"I noticed," Vegito said, his tail flicking lazily. "Three on the rooftops, one pretending to fix a cart, and two trailing us. Amateur hour."
Vivi smiled faintly. "Then you won't mind showing off a little?"
Vegito grinned. "Always."
Baroque Works Makes Their Move
The attack came at midday, when the heat shimmered in the air and the streets had thinned.
A shadow fell across the group as a tall man stepped from a side street — muscular, bald, and dressed in black. His arms… were blades. Not blades attached to arms, but actual arms made of blades.
"Mr. 1," Vivi whispered tensely.
Beside him, a woman stepped forward with a graceful sway — dark blue hair, stylish sunglasses, and a confident smile. She was dressed in a way that made the desert heat feel almost deliberate, her every movement calculated to draw attention.
"Zala," Robin murmured. "Miss Doublefinger."
Trailing them came a third figure, floating lazily a few inches above the ground — a blonde in a frilly pink dress holding an umbrella against the sun. She looked utterly unfazed by the heat.
"Mikita," Robin added. "Miss Valentine."
First Impressions
Zala's gaze swept the crew and settled on Vegito. "So you're the man Crocodile's heard rumors about."
Vegito smiled back. "And you're the woman making me reconsider what side I'm supposed to be on."
Her sunglasses hid her eyes, but her lips twitched in the faintest hint of amusement.
Mikita tilted her head at Vegito. "You're cute. Be a dear and stand still so I can drop a few tons on your head."
Kuina stepped forward, hand on her sword. "You'll find that's harder than it sounds."
The Clash — or What Passed for It
Mr. 1 charged first, his blade-arms slicing the air. Vegito didn't move until the man was close enough to feel his breath — then he sidestepped, tapped Mr. 1's shoulder, and sent him spinning into a wall so hard it left a man-shaped crater.
Mikita floated higher. "Ten thousand kilograms—" She dropped toward Vegito like a meteor… and stopped cold, dangling in the air as his tail wrapped casually around her ankle.
"Cute trick," Vegito said. "But you'd be more dangerous if you were on my crew."
Her eyes widened — then she grinned. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
Zala, meanwhile, hadn't moved. She watched him with cool detachment, but there was no hostility in it — more like she was measuring him.
"You're not afraid of us," she said finally.
"Should I be?" Vegito asked.
"That depends," she said, tilting her head, "on whether you're as dangerous as you claim."
He leaned in just slightly. "Want me to prove it?"
For the first time, she smiled — slow and sharp. "Maybe later."
Seeds of Defection
Rather than pressing the fight, Zala raised a hand to Mr. 1 — who was staggering back into the street — and Mikita. "We're done here."
Mr. 1 looked baffled. "But—"
"We're done," she repeated, not taking her eyes off Vegito.
As they turned to leave, Mikita called over her shoulder. "Don't get yourself killed before I get to test you again, handsome."
Bell-mère raised a brow. "Well… that's new."
Vegito just smiled. "Give it time."
The Desert's Suffering
They pressed on toward the interior, Vivi leading them through smaller villages. Here, the reality of Alabasta hit hard — cracked wells, dust blowing through empty streets, mothers carrying water in chipped pots from miles away.
Kaya, Reiju, and Chopper spent hours tending to the sick and injured — closing infected wounds, hydrating the weak, and distributing herbal mixes Vegito pulled from the ship's stores. In every village, children ran after Heaven's Embrace when it left, waving until the sails disappeared.
Robin's Intel
That night, camped just outside the rebel stronghold's path, Robin sat beside Vegito.
"Zala doesn't follow Crocodile out of loyalty," she said. "It's survival. Mikita's the same. Both could be persuaded… if the right seeds are planted."
"Then consider them planted," Vegito said, glancing toward the flickering campfire where Vivi was speaking to the others. "When Crocodile falls, they'll have somewhere else to stand."
Destination: Rainbase
The next day, as the sun dipped low, they crested a dune and saw it — Rainbase, Crocodile's city of casinos and control. In the desert light, it shimmered like a dream, promising wealth and relief… and hiding the heart of Baroque Works' operations.
Vivi's hand clenched at her side. "That's where it ends."
Vegito's smile was pure steel. "That's where it starts."
[Crew Roster]
Vegito (Captain)
Bell-mère (Crew Mother / Fighter)
Nami (Navigator)
Nojiko (Support Fighter)
Kaya (Doctor – Heal-Heal Fruit User)
Kuina (Swordswoman)
Reiju (Combat Medic / Poison Specialist)
Nico Robin (Archaeologist / Poneglyph Reader)
Vivi (Princess of Alabasta)
Next Destination: Rain Dinners — Crocodile's Lair.