Nanohana, a coastal city in Alabasta.
This place wasn't doing too bad, considering the three-year drought.
Being near the sea meant they got some rain.
Vendors were still calling out, shops were open.
Before they landed, Chouchou, Nami, and Vivi stopped everyone.
Disguises were mandatory.
Why? Chouchou explained: The Straw Hats were too famous, and the people here loved Crocodile.
If they were recognized, Crocodile could easily paint them as enemies of the kingdom.
Too much hassle.
So, the crew members with bounties (plus Mikita and Gem) threw on hooded cloaks.
And thus, 4 humans, 3 monsters (Ray, Chouchou, Chopper), 1 duck (Karoo), and 2 "tools" headed into town.
(Luffy was already gone, having bolted the second they docked because he was starving.)
…
On the streets, the crew looked for a quiet spot to plan.
Nami glanced at Ray, who was draped in what looked like a burlap sack plus his mask, and sighed.
Alabasta fashion was unique; they had to blend in.
The pink suit she'd bought him would have to wait.
'Hmph, there'll be chances later,' she thought, eyeing him slyly.
Ray wasn't paying attention.
He was scanning the city.
It felt... too peaceful.
Unnaturally peaceful.
According to the original story, there should have been an arms deal happening here soon.
The rebel army was supposed to be in the next town over, Katorea.
But Ray, using his super-senses, couldn't detect anything suspicious – no gunpowder smell, no strong auras, no whispers about weapons.
Something was definitely wrong.
He turned to Vivi. "Has the news mentioned any unrest in your country lately?"
Vivi shook her head.
The last newspaper said nothing.
"Let's ask around about the rebels," Ray suggested.
Hearing that, Vivi froze.
'Ray's senses are superhuman. Did he pick something up? Are the rebels nearby?' She covered her face and cautiously approached a fruit stall.
"Excuse me, ma'am," she whispered, "we came from Katorea... things are tough. We want to join the rebel army. Have you heard anything?"
The middle-aged stall owner looked Vivi up and down – fair skin, rosy cheeks, clearly not starving – but replied warmly.
"Katorea? Yeah, heard it's rough there. Tell you what, buy 25 of my desert watermelons, and I'll tell you what I know." She winked, thinking.
'Anyone from Katorea would know where the rebels are. They were there yesterday! Oh well, gotta feed my grandson.'
Just as Vivi was about to pay, a tall, thin man appeared behind the owner.
"We don't know anything! Get lost! No watermelons for you!"
After Vivi walked away, defeated, the man whispered to his wife.
Ray and Chouchou, with their super-hearing, caught every word.
"The rebels are fighting for us!" the man hissed.
"How could you betray Koza for money?!"
"We need food!" the woman retorted. "Besides, I was just gonna tell her they went west to buy horses. I wouldn't tell her the truth – that the main force secretly marched east towards the capital yesterday!"
"Oh... I'm sorry, wife."
"Then go change our grandson's diaper."
"Yes, dear..."
…
Hearing this, Ray went into deep thought.
'The rebels marching on the capital... secretly? A 500,000-strong army moving covertly? They must have split up to avoid detection. Why go through all that trouble when they outnumber the royal army? The only reason... King Cobra must have agreed to negotiate with Koza. They're trying to resolve this peacefully.'
'Approaching peacefully means not showing up with overwhelming force. But the other rebel commanders probably insisted on having troops hidden nearby, just in case the talks go bad. And who would orchestrate fake peace talks...? Crocodile.' Ray sighed.
'That damn Crocodile is truly cunning.'
…
In Rainbase, the City of Dreams...
Deep underground beneath a casino, Crocodile sneered at a report.
"So, the rebel army has split into over a dozen small squads."
Robin, standing nearby, looked puzzled. "Why divide them?"
Crocodile let out a cold laugh.
"The royal army doesn't know their routes... but we do. Let them fight – 300,000 vs. 300,000 is enough. The other 200,000 rebels? They'll be our leverage against Cobra... and the Straw Hat Pirates." He smirked.
"Blame the Straw Hats for showing up early. Always good to have multiple backup plans, right, Miss All Sunday?"
Robin felt a chill run down her spine.
'This is a plan to kill two birds with one stone. If he beats the Straw Hats, fine. If he loses, he uses the hidden rebel troops to threaten them. He knows their type – they wouldn't let civilians get hurt.'
'What a terrifying man.'
...
Out in the desert, several units of ten thousand rebel soldiers marched on, completely unaware that the very sands beneath their feet were beginning to shift against them.