One day later,
As the Going Merry slowly docked at Alabasta's port, the scorching desert heat wave swept over them.
Vivi stood at the bow, gazing at the familiar land, her eyes shimmering with determination.
"Everyone, I must go ahead," Vivi turned to her companions, her sea-blue hair fluttering in the hot wind, "I must find the rebel leader Koza as soon as possible and tell him the truth."
Ron nodded, his gaze reassuring: "We'll split into two groups. You go appease the rebels and win the people's hearts, which will both prevent civil war and quickly accumulate faith points. We'll go directly to Crocodile."
Luffy pulled down his straw hat, a grin spreading across his face: "Don't worry, Vivi! Once we punch that sand Crocodile, your country will be safe!"
"Wait!" Chopper suddenly pulled out a pile of medicines from his medical bag, "These are new heatstroke remedies and emergency wound medicines I developed. Vivi, take them!"
Nami stepped forward and gave Vivi a big hug, worried: "You must be careful, Vivi."
Vivi accepted the gifts from her companions, too moved to speak.
She took a deep breath, her beautiful eyes sparkling: "I swear by the name of the Nefertari family, I will stop this meaningless war!"
"Hey, hey, why so formal?" Sanji puffed out a smoke ring, his eyes full of concern, "Remember to protect yourself, Princess Vivi."
Zoro, holding his three swords, uncharacteristically cautioned: "If you run into trouble, send a signal, and we'll be there immediately."
Usopp patted his chest: "That's right! If you're in danger, just announce my name, Sniper King!"
Vivi's tears turned to laughter. She took one last look at her companions' faces, then turned and leaped off the ship's side, riding Carue away in a cloud of dust, departing quickly.
Soon,
Just as Vivi's figure disappeared into the desert heat, everyone was preparing to discuss their next move.
Luffy was scratching his head, troubled: "The desert is so big, where could that Crocodile be hiding?" Usopp had already pulled out a crumpled map and was studying it with Nami, heads together.
Just as Ron was about to speak, he suddenly frowned, his gaze shooting like lightning towards the sand dune ahead. A cold smile played on his lips: "No need to search, they've already come to us."
Everyone immediately became alert. Zoro's hand was already on his sword hilt, and Sanji's cigarette rotated halfway in his mouth.
On the sand dune ahead, two figures slowly emerged.
The man walking in front had an exaggerated afro and sunglasses on his nose. It was Mr.5 of Baroque Works. The blonde woman floating beside him held a parasol; it was Miss Valentine, who could manipulate weight.
"We've searched high and low, and here you are~" Mr.5 dragged out his words in an unpleasant tone, "We were ordered by the President to hunt down that runaway princess, and we didn't expect you pirates to dare meddle in our Baroque Works' affairs~"
Miss Valentine elegantly spun in the air, her parasol gently swaying: "Today, you'll learn the price of ruining our good work~"
A brief silence fell on the deck. Chopper hid behind Sanji's leg, whispering: "They look so scary..."
Ron, however, frowned: "These two guys are so confident?"
Just as Ron was about to speak, Luffy's exaggerated cry of surprise suddenly rang out on the deck: "Waaah! My special ability quest is complete!"
Everyone was startled by the sudden shout and turned to look at Luffy in unison.
Luffy's eyes were wide, his face filled with an expression of disbelief, his hands still in an exaggerated pose of holding his head, listening carefully to the ability's voice.
"Ding!" A crisp ability prompt sounded in Luffy's mind:
[Special ability quest complete!]
[Reward: Conqueror's Haki Awakening (Beginner)]
In an instant,
An unprecedented power surged into Luffy's body like a tide.
His pupils contracted slightly, and a vast amount of knowledge about the use of Conqueror's Haki suddenly appeared in his mind: how to release it, how to control it, how to target opponents...
"This... this is Conqueror's Haki?" Luffy looked down at his hands, his voice trembling with shock, "It can even be used like this?"
Zoro keenly noticed the change in Luffy's body and frowned, asking: "Hey, Luffy, are you alright?"
Luffy suddenly looked up, his eyes sparkling with excitement: "I awakened Conqueror's Haki! Although it's only Beginner level, but..." He gesticulated wildly, "I can directly knock out those with weak will just by using Haki!"
"Or weaker guys, but those with some strength can't be knocked out."
The deck immediately fell silent.
Everyone's eyes widened, even the usually composed Ron showed a surprised expression.
"Wh-what?!" Usopp's jaw almost dropped to the ground, "Just by 'will'? That's too much of a cheat!"
Nami covered her mouth: "One in a million Conqueror's Haki... Luffy, you actually awakened it?"
Chopper's little hooves trembled non-stop: "So, so amazing! As expected of Luffy!"
Sanji's cigarette almost fell out of his mouth: "Hey, hey, doesn't this mean we won't even need to fight in mob battles anymore?"
Ron also received a special reward and also awakened Conqueror's Haki!
But it wasn't Beginner level, it was Intermediate!
Ron quickly familiarized himself and knew the extent of his current Haki, also mastering techniques like Haoshoku coating.
"Conqueror's Haki... it truly befits the Captain's status," Ron thoughtfully added, "However, at the Beginner stage, it probably can't precisely control the range and targets."
Luffy scratched his head and laughed heartily: "Haha, Ron, you're the Captain, but the ability says it can only knock out some weaker guys for now."
He suddenly clenched his fists, fighting spirit burning in his eyes, "But I will definitely become stronger!"
Mr.5 and Miss Valentine's faces were grim, staring straight at this group of people excitedly discussing something called "Conqueror's Haki."
Veins bulged on their foreheads, and their expressions grew increasingly ugly.
"Hey... you bastards..." Mr.5's afro trembled with anger, his eyes behind his sunglasses bloodshot, "How dare you completely ignore the elites of our Baroque Works?!"
....
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