After three days of sailing, the massive fleet led by Setsuna finally arrived at the port city of Nanohana in the desert kingdom of Alabasta.
The azure sea reflected the prosperity of this desert nation. The docks bustled with people… merchant ships and fishing boats were moored side by side.
However, when this enormous fleet slowly sailed into the harbor, all the noise seemed to pause.
"What kind of fleet is that? They have so many ships!"
"Is it some great figure from a kingdom?"
The crowd whispered, eyeing the fleet with a mix of wariness and curiosity.
Even on the Grand Line, a fleet of this scale was rare, not to mention the occasional low beastly roars emanating from the ships' holds.
Since the Log Pose needed several days to charge, Setsuna arranged for the pirates to take shifts on watch, free to do as they pleased the rest of the time.
Not long after he disembarked, another fleet arrived at the harbor's outer waters.
The crowd grew restless again, some even falling to the ground in fear.
"Look, that flag... It's a Warlord!"
"It's [King of Lizards] Hanafuda! Why is he here? His reputation isn't very good."
"No need to worry. Our Alabasta has the hero Sir Crocodile to protect us."
The pirate ship docked at the pier, its figurehead a menacing lizard's head.
Hearing the people call Crocodile's name, one of Hanafuda's officers sneered. "These fools don't know, but it was Crocodile who invited us here."
Another officer asked quietly, "Boss, is Crocodile really willing to trade a Devil Fruit for Dance Powder? With his status as a Warlord, getting that contraband shouldn't be hard, right?"
Hanafuda sneered, his crimson tongue licking his lips. "Who knows what he's thinking? A Warlord playing hero in this country... utterly boring."
He paused, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "However, an ordinary Zoan-type Devil Fruit truly is useless to him... Perhaps he wants to use this chance to build a connection with Kaido-san."
A short while later, a subordinate hurried over to report. "Captain, I discovered the fleet next door is raising many gigantic beasts. If we offered them to Kaido-san..."
Hanafuda narrowed his eyes, looking towards the nearby fleet. With just one glance, his pupils contracted slightly.
A massive rhinoceros strolled leisurely on the deck. He was on good terms with Queen and wasn't some illiterate pirate… he immediately recognized the peculiarity of this rhino.
'Traces of gigantification research...' Hanafuda quickly realized the value of these animals… but not for Kaido, rather for Big Mom.
Kaido had always only been interested in Zoan-type Devil Fruits, not strange creatures.
As for Big Mom, given his status, he'd naturally heard of her desire for giants. Unfortunately, the giants seemed to harbor deep hatred for Big Mom for some reason.
If he could transfer this gigantification research to humans, allowing Big Mom to 'manufacture' giants, she would surely be grateful.
Then, having two Emperors indebted to him... wouldn't that be a grand fortune?
Hanafuda's heart burned with excitement, but he calmly asked, "Which pirate crew is that?"
The subordinate hurriedly answered, "I inquired. That fleet calls itself the [Gourmet Navigation Group]. They aren't even pirates."
Hearing such a lowly name, Hanafuda completely relaxed, a wide, excited grin spreading across his face.
"Excellent... In that case, I have nothing to worry about."
He waved a hand, grinning cruelly. "Men! Go seize that fleet for me!"
…
On the bustling streets of Nanohana's port, Setsuna strolled through an exotic marketplace.
The scents of spices and leather intertwined in the air, vendors' calls rising and falling.
Suddenly, a commotion caught his attention. The crowd surged like a tide towards a particular spot.
"Oh, something interesting?" Setsuna moved towards the gathering crowd.
Nanohana was famous for perfume trade. In front of a large perfume shop...
A handsome man with flowing golden hair and a cowboy hat tossed a newly purchased perfume to a flag-waving subordinate behind him, lightly stroking his sword hilt. "Well? Not planning to make a move?"
The cold-faced man he confronted remained expressionless. "I simply dislike pointless actions. Do not interfere with me."
The handsome man smiled. "Your purpose is to become a stepping stone for this great pirate… the bounty hunter, Daz Bones, with a 75 million Berry bounty."
Hearing his name, Daz Bones's expression finally showed a slight change. "A swordsman, knowing my name, still dares to challenge me. You have nerve."
The handsome man laughed. "It is you who has nerve. Relying on some Supa Supa no Mi ability, you dare call yourself the [Swordsman Killer]. How laughable. Today, let Cavendish, Captain of the Beautiful Pirates, teach you a lesson."
"And let those fools at Marine Headquarters know how ridiculous it is to give me only a 42 million Berry bounty."
"So it's for something as pointless as raising your bounty," Daz Bones completely lost patience. "Since you wish to die, I will grant it."
The battle erupted instantly. An elegant rapier clashed fiercely against sharp blade-hands, the sound of metal ringing continuously.
The onlookers quickly retreated, clearing a large area.
Setsuna stood his ground, thinking with surprise, 'Cavendish? Didn't he enter the New World two years after Ace?'
But he quickly realized: 'Entering the New World two years later doesn't mean he set sail two years later. Just like Whitebeard thought Ace was too hasty, a normal crew might spend a year or two in Paradise before entering the New World.'
As Setsuna pondered this, the battle had already become one-sided.
Cavendish had potential, but he had just set sail and hadn't yet reached the level of cutting steel.
Against Daz Bones, who had eaten the Supa Supa no Mi, failing to reach that level meant he couldn't even breach his defense.
"Heh, is that all you've got?" Daz Bones sneered. He had thought the other was someone formidable.
Suddenly, Cavendish revealed an eerie smile. "I'll use that move now. Men, run away quickly!"
Hearing his warning, Cavendish's crew turned pale, scrambling to flee the scene. "Captain, wait! Not here...!"
The crowd hadn't yet grasped what was happening when Cavendish's aura changed abruptly.
His originally azure eyes turned white. His elegant golden hair stirred without wind.
His sword speed suddenly exploded. Before Daz Bones could see the movement, a bloody gash burst open on his chest.
"Impossible!" Daz Bones staggered back, face full of shock.
'How could someone's swordsmanship improve so drastically in such a short time?'
Cavendish, in his [Hakuba] state, let out a low laugh, leaving numerous wounds on Daz Bones like a scythe-wielding whirlwind.