Smoker stood at the edge of the desert, looking up at the city of Alubarna. It wasn't like any other city he had seen before.
The entire city was built atop a giant rock, like a stone platform rising out of the desert. Buildings were built on top of the rock.
Multiple stairs rose from the desert floor to the city above. Some were well maintained, others old and cracked.
Smoker chose one of the cleaner stairways.
Around him, people went up and down. A man dragged clay pots. A group of children ran past, laughing. A woman balanced a basket on her head. The city felt alive.
After reaching the top, Smoker took in the view.
'The show didn't do this place justice,' he thought. 'It's more beautiful in real life.'
At the top of the stairs, the city opened up before him. Bright colors and busy streets greeted him.
Shops were selling clothes, fruit, and jewelry. Music rang, and the smell of grilled meat made him smile.
But what caught his attention the most, was the clock tower at the center of the city.
"That is tall," he muttered. "Very tall."
The clock tower rose above every other building in Alubarna.
It was made of white stone, with red lines painted along its sides. Large clock faces stared out in all four directions.
At the top was a balcony, surrounded by a railing—an ideal place to observe the entire city.
"Let me take a closer look."
As Smoker approached the tower, a woman appeared him and blocked his path.
She had short blonde hair and wore a tight yellow dress. Her steps were light, and she smiled broadly when she saw him.
"You're interested in the clock tower, aren't you?" she asked.
Smoker looked at her, confused. "Maybe."
She pointed toward the base of the tower. "If you want to reach the top, you need to use a special set of stairs that start there."
"If you take any other stairs, you'll never reach the top. That's how the tower works."
Smoker raised an eyebrow. "That's a strange design. I hope I can find the right path."
Her smile shrank slightly. "I don't recommend climbing it. Some people tried recently, and they never came back."
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "They disappeared somewhere inside."
Smoker glanced back at the tower. "I understand. Thanks for the warning. Guess I won't climb it."
The woman smiled again—wider this time—then turned and walked towards the tower.
She stepped through the gate, locked it behind her, and disappeared down the stairwell.
Smoker stared, speechless, as she entered the tower after warning him how dangerous the place was.
Then he chuckled. "Hypocrite much? Whatever. I don't need stairs—I can fly," he muttered.
White smoke rose from his body. Within seconds, he transformed into smoke and rose into the air.
Thick smoke spiraled up the tower, drifting past windows, balconies, and statues, until it reached the top.
The smoke condensed, and Smoker stepped onto the rooftop.
The view was incredible.
From here, he could see all of Alubarna—the curved edges of the massive rock, the desert beyond, and people below moving like ants.
"What a great spot," he said quietly. "You can see everything from here."
Then he heard footsteps.
Behind him, the rooftop door creaked open, and the scent of lemon and chocolate drifted through the air.
Smoker turned around, confused. When he saw who it was, his eyes narrowed.
"You?!"
He stared at her face, realization dawning.
'I knew she looked familiar…'
---
Meanwhile, far away in the city of Nanohana, Tashigi walked through a busy street.
She wiped sweat from her forehead. The heat was unbearable, and she had been walking all morning.
As she passed a clothing stall, a voice called out, "Miss! You look like you're about to melt!"
Tashigi blinked. An elderly woman with crafty eyes waved her over from behind a rack of colorful clothes.
"Alabasta isn't kind to travelers like you," the woman said with a smile. "Come with me. I have something cooler."
"I'm fine," Tashigi replied, though sweat trickled down her neck and her shirt clung uncomfortably to her chest.
The woman held up a blue two-piece dancer's outfit made of translucent silk.
"Nonsense. Take this. You'll breathe easier and move freely. This is what desert women wear when the heat strikes."
Tashigi's face turned red. "That's too revealing."
The woman winked. "The desert doesn't care about modesty. Neither should you."
Tashigi hesitated, then sighed. Minutes later, she stepped behind a curtain to change.
She emerged wearing a backless top and a long slit skirt. She now looked more like a local than a Marine.
Unaccustomed to clothes like these, she blushed. "This is temporary," she muttered. "Just until I'm out of this sun."
The woman laughed and handed her a small container of powder. "Rub a little on your forehead. It'll keep the sun away."
Tashigi nodded and pressed a few coins into the woman's hand. "Thank you."
Back on the street, the difference was clear. The breeze brushed against her skin, and her steps felt lighter.
Moments later, a cheerful man waved at her. "Miss! Come here! Try Alabasta's finest perfumes!"
Tashigi blinked. "Perfumes?"
He pushed her toward a small shop filled with glass bottles of every shape and color.
"This one's made from desert flowers!" he said. "Very rare. Smells just like Alabasta!"
She sprayed a little on her wrist. "Ugh. That's too strong."
"You'll get used to it!" he laughed.
She smiled politely. "Maybe. By the way, I'm looking for information. Have you heard of Baroque Works?"
The man's expression shifted—but before he could answer—
**WHAM!**
Something struck Tashigi on the head. She stumbled forward and collapsed onto the ground.
Two shadows appeared behind her.
Gasping, Tashigi pushed herself up and turned to face them.
A man with black hair wearing a crown stood beside a woman with blue hair and a cold smile.
"You're a Marine, aren't you?" the blue-haired woman sneered.
Tashigi frowned. "Who are you?"
"We're Baroque Works," the woman replied. "You shouldn't have come to Alabasta."
Tashigi reached for her sword, but the woman was faster, snapping a metal whip into the air.
"We have orders to kill you."