"Eli, how much longer until we reach Alabasta?"
Eli Winters lay sprawled across the bow, half lifeless as he shouted toward Filina. He stared into the endless stretch of blue ahead of them, boredom weighing heavily on his mind.
Back when he watched the anime, he always thought that sailing adventures were full of passion, laughter, and nonstop excitement. Only after experiencing the voyage himself did he finally understand. Traveling across a boundless sea was painfully dull. Especially long journeys like this one, where every hour dragged out like an eternity.
Eli glanced sideways at Mihawk and wondered, "How does this guy put up with such monotonous days? Does the world's greatest swordsman not get bored at all?"
The moment Eli's gaze lingered too long, Mihawk's hawk-like eyes snapped toward him, sharp and icy enough to make Eli shiver.
This brat is getting bolder by the day, Mihawk thought irritably. Every time the boy looked at him, there was always an undertone of mischief, as if Eli was plotting some kind of joke at his expense.
Just then, a cheerful voice floated from the second-floor window of the ship.
"Eli, don't worry. If nothing unexpected happens, we should reach Alabasta by tomorrow!" Filina said with a bright smile, leaning out of the window.
Their journey so far had been anything but smooth. Ever since entering the Grand Line, unexpected events seemed determined to greet them at every turn. The recent weather alone had been brutal. In just a few days, they had already endured three violent storms powerful enough to rattle even seasoned sailors. What should have been a one-week trip had stretched to more than ten days.
"Hey, Mihawk, how about a breath-holding contest? Whoever loses doesn't get to eat today."
Eli perked up with renewed enthusiasm as he tossed the challenge out.
Mihawk's expression stiffened. His brows twitched slightly before he responded with a cool, dismissive voice.
"Pointless."
He did not even bother hiding the disdain in his tone. This kind of childish game was clearly beneath his dignity.
Half an hour later, the so-called pointless game had escalated into a full competition. Eli, Big Pan, and Mihawk were all submerged in a giant wooden barrel filled to the brim with water. On the side, Reiju and Fiona served as referees, watching the three heads bobbing underwater with great interest.
Another thirty minutes passed. Eli was the first to shoot out of the water, gasping and looking thoroughly defeated. Only thirty seconds later, Mihawk slowly surfaced, ending the battle on his end as well.
Eli groaned in frustration. Just thirty seconds short. Victory had been right there.
But then, someone realized something was off.
Big Pan was still underwater.
Everyone turned toward the wooden barrel, curiosity rising. How long could he possibly stay down there?
Reiju's keen eyes suddenly widened.
"Wait... he's not holding his breath. He's sleeping."
The entire deck froze.
Sleeping. Underwater. In a barrel.
No one could decide whether to laugh or cry. Only a creature as bizarrely gifted as Big Pan could fall asleep fully submerged.
By the next morning, they finally saw their destination. As Eli stepped onto the deck, he spotted the faint outline of Alabasta in the distance.
A desert kingdom, he thought. I wonder if it is as harsh as in the anime.
Before noon, the Silver Dragon docked at a remote border town of the Alabasta Kingdom.
The moment they stepped off the ship, a violent gust blasted them head-on, carrying with it a storm of sand so thick it felt like a wall. The dock was packed with travelers, all wrapped from head to toe with scarves and pointed hats, looking more like soldiers preparing for battle than ordinary citizens.
Being newcomers, Eli's group was completely unprepared. Within seconds, everyone except Mihawk was plastered with sand from head to toe. Fine grains mixed with dust slapped against their faces and clothes, making them look utterly miserable.
Eli hurriedly used his spatial ability to form a barrier around them, finally shielding them from the storm. Only then did everyone let out a breath of relief and begin tidying themselves up.
But then they noticed something infuriating.
Mihawk stood there untouched. Perfectly clean. Not a single grain of sand dared lay a finger on him.
Every member of the group, especially the girls, simultaneously turned to glare at him. Their burning eyes practically promised to bury him alive on the spot.
He clearly knew about the environment here. And he absolutely let them walk straight into it just to watch the show.
Noticing the approaching storm of anger, Mihawk's lips curled into the faintest smirk before he quickly straightened his expression. Then, without giving anyone the chance to retaliate, he calmly said, "Until next time," and vanished in a flash.
Leaving behind an entire group of furious companions staring at his retreating figure.
"This guy..."
Eli could not help laughing helplessly. He had never expected Mihawk to have such a petty streak.
Eli soon approached a local and asked about the area. He learned that there was a town not far from here, but a guide was needed to reach it safely.
He began searching around the docks. Eventually, he found a weather-beaten middle-aged man working quietly in a corner. The man carried a calm strength in his eyes, the kind that belonged to someone who knew the desert better than anyone else.
He was one of the only two guides in this region. The other was his son.
Their qualification? They owned two Navigation Camels, rare creatures renowned for never losing their way in the desert.
These camels were large, sturdy, and incredibly resistant to harsh conditions. With years of experience bonding with them, the father-and-son duo had become trusted guides for countless travelers.
Only after Eli paid a significant amount of beli did the man finally agree to lead them.
Their journey across the shifting sands was long and exhausting, but eventually they reached a small, nameless town nestled within the desert.
Following their usual routine, Eli suggested they find a lively bar to gather information. But after searching the entire area, they found only a small, quiet café.
As Eli stood in front of the worn wooden door, he narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile curling at his lips.
He knew this place.
This café had once been one of Crocodile's strongholds, a base for his organization. Whether Crocodile still lurked somewhere nearby, Eli did not yet know.
But he was certain of one thing.
The real adventure in Alabasta was about to begin.