The explosion's shockwave finally settled, leaving the Going Merry gently rocking on the now-calm waters. Smoke still rose from where Bon Clay's ship had been moments before.
Rouge lowered his bow with a satisfied expression. "Well, that was dramatic. Took about 45 percent of my stamina though."
GRUMBLE
His stomach chose that moment to announce its emptiness with a sound that could probably be heard back on Little Garden.
"Yup, now I'm hungry," he said with a sheepish grin.
WHAM!
Nami's fist connected with the back of his head, sending him stumbling forward. "You idiot! Our ship barely survived that explosion, and you're worried about food?! What the hell did you even do?!"
"AMAZIIIIING!" Luffy's eyes sparkled with pure admiration. "That was so cool, Rouge! Can you teach me to do that? Can you? Can you?"
Usopp had gone pale, pointing a trembling finger at the debris floating in the water. "Ahhhh... and he wants to eat next. We're all gonna die!"
Rouge rubbed the back of his head where Nami had hit him. "Sorry, sorry! Though it was pretty amazing, wasn't it?" His grin was completely unrepentant.
WHAM!
Another punch from Nami sent him reeling. "No, it's NOT amazing!"
Rouge immediately snapped to attention and saluted. "Hai! OK, Nami-san!"
Zoro crossed his arms and gave Bon Clay a pointed look. "Now what should we do about that joker?"
Rouge tilted his head curiously. "What do you mean? He knows everything about Baroque Works, right?" His expression brightened considerably. "Then let me show you how to get information out of him."
Vivi stepped forward, looking around the deck with concern. "But wait... where's his partner? From what I know about Baroque Works, everyone has a partner."
Rouge's gaze settled on Bon Clay, who was still sprawled on the deck. "Did you kill your own partner?"
Bon Clay looked up at them, tears beginning to stream down his face. "My crew... WAHHH WAHHH!" He broke down completely, sobbing dramatically.
Rouge sighed and rolled his eyes. "Oh great, now he's crying."
Luffy pointed at Rouge with a horrified expression. "You're a devil!"
"Demon," Nami added with disgust.
"Freak," Sanji contributed, lighting another cigarette.
"Third-rate wizard," Zoro muttered.
"Monster," Usopp whispered.
Rouge felt a tick mark appear on his forehead as he listened to the accusations. "Ohhh, really? I'm a demon? Ohhh, haha!" His laugh had a dangerous edge to it. "That's right! Let me show you what a real Demon King is!" His eyes gleamed with malicious intent. "I'll burn that joker! Heheh..."
Bon Clay's tears flowed even harder as he scrambled behind the others. "WAHHH! He's going to kill me!"
"OK, OK, that's enough melodrama," Rouge said, waving his hand dismissively. "Let's get back to the topic. Where is your partner?"
Chopper had been watching the exchange with growing curiosity. "Rouge, maybe you killed him with the ship?"
Rouge's expression brightened as he looked at the small reindeer. "Huh? Ohhhh, aren't you smart, Tanuki-san!"
Chopper immediately began dancing around in circles, his happiness obvious despite his protests. "I am NOT a tanuki! I'm a reindeer, you idiot! And don't praise me like that! Hehe~"
Bon Clay wiped his tears and looked up at them. "Well, no, you didn't kill her. I just don't have a partner." His voice grew more serious. "I don't like it when someone watches everything I do."
Vivi frowned. "Then tell us - why did you even come here in the first place?"
Usopp pointed at him accusingly. "He's Baroque Works, right?"
Rouge sighed dramatically. "Oi, Princess, use your brain. He's here to spy, obviously."
Bon Clay pushed himself up to his feet and struck a dramatic pose, one hand on his hip. "It's true - I was sent to intercept you! My mission was to infiltrate your crew using my powers and gather information about your plans to reach Alabasta."
"I knew it!" Usopp shouted triumphantly.
"But!" Bon Clay continued, holding up a finger with renewed passion. "That was before I met you wonderful people! The way you fish together, the way you care for your sick nakama, the way you bicker like a real family..." His voice grew emotional again. "It reminds me why I chose the way of the okama in the first place!"
Luffy tilted his head in confusion. "Huh? What does that mean?"
Bon Clay spun around, his movements becoming even more animated. "The way of the okama is the way of the heart, mon capitaine! We live by our emotions, our friendships, our bonds! Not by cold orders from faceless bosses!"
Rouge watched this display with interest, his enhanced senses picking up the subtle changes in Bon Clay's body language and voice. The okama was telling the truth - or at least, his version of it.
"So what are you saying?" Vivi asked cautiously.
"I'm saying..." Bon Clay struck his final pose with a flourish, "that I refuse my mission! I won't betray new friends for an organization that treats people like disposable tools!"
The crew exchanged uncertain glances. Even for the Straw Hats, this was a lot to process.
"Wait, wait, wait," Nami held up her hands, looking skeptical. "You're saying you're just... switching sides? Just like that?"
"The heart wants what the heart wants!" Bon Clay declared passionately.
Rouge's grin turned mischievous. "Well, that saves a lot of time. Now we don't have to crack open his brain for information."
Bon Clay immediately scrambled behind Vivi, pointing a shaking finger at Rouge. "Anyway, Who IS that guy?! There's no information about him anywhere!"
Nami glanced back at Rouge. "Well, he's a new guy."
Chopper looked confused. "What? Rouge, you're also new."
Rouge shrugged casually. "Oh, you didn't know? I just joined before you. Like, a week before you joined."
Nami's eyes immediately transformed into berry symbols as she processed this information. "But hehe, insider information could be very profitable..."
"I can help you reach Alabasta safely!" Bon Clay said eagerly, looking directly at Nami. "I know all the Baroque Works positions and patrol routes! And even where they keep their treasure!"
Vivi stepped forward hesitantly. "You'd really help us save my kingdom?"
Bon Clay took her hands in his, tears streaming down his cheeks again. "Ma princesse, how could I not help such a noble cause? Your passion for your people moved my okama heart!"
"This is getting too emotional," Zoro muttered, but he relaxed his grip on his swords slightly.
Bon Clay looked sadly at the debris still floating in the water. "But my ship..."
Rouge looked genuinely apologetic for the first time. "Ah, right. Sorry about that. I'll make it up to you somehow."
"Wait a second," Rouge said suddenly, holding up a finger.
The crew watched as he walked away toward the ship's storage area. A few minutes later, he returned carrying a length of rope.
Without warning, he walked directly up to Bon Clay and began tying him up efficiently.
"Now it's good! Let's gooo!" Rouge announced cheerfully.
Everyone - including Bon Clay - stared at him in complete bewilderment.
"...Demon," they all said in unison.
In this choas, none of them noticed the small den-den mushi that had been carefully placed near the ship cabin.
Somewhere in the distance, in a casino in Rainbase, Crocodile smiled as he listened to their conversation through the receiver.
"So," he said to the elegant woman sitting across from him, "the Demon King approaches. How interesting."
Nico Robin looked up from her book with mild curiosity. "Shall I prepare a welcome party?"
Crocodile's smile turned predatory. "Oh yes. Let's give our guests the proper Baroque Works hospitality they deserve."
The stage was set for the confrontation that would determine the fate of Alabasta. And tomorrow, the curtain would finally rise on the most dangerous performance of their lives.
***
**Author's Notes:**
My Bad, a little late i guess hehe😅. I know it's a small chapter, but I've been working on something else for a while. Even now, I'm writing its 2 Am. So don't worry, I'll try to write more as even I want to know what to do next.