On the Way to Alabasta
The Going Merry sailed across the waters of the Grand Line, heading toward Alabasta.
Vivi stood at the bow, her hands gripping the railing tightly. Anxiety was written all over her face.
"My country… will it last a few more days…?"
I walked up to her calmly."Don't worry. As long as Crocodile doesn't have Robin with him, he can't do anything."
She looked at me, confused."Robin? But who…?"
"An archaeologist. The key to his plan. Without her, he's stuck."
What I didn't tell her was that Robin was currently locked away in my Foundation as a Class-D. Crocodile would never find her. His plan was already doomed to fail.
Vivi seemed slightly reassured."You… you're sure?"
"Absolutely. Your kingdom will hold. You'll see when you return."
She slowly nodded.
"Besides," I added, "the Drum Kingdom is nearby. But it'll take us at least five days to reach Alabasta. I've got time to take care of the Foundation."
A Question for Walter
But before leaving, there was something I had always wanted to know.
I found Walter asleep in a pile of clothes belonging to Nami and Vivi. The rabbit purred peacefully, buried in the soft fabrics.
"Walter," I whispered as I gently picked him up. "Come with me."
He squeaked happily and climbed onto my shoulder.
I went up on deck where Chopper was organizing his brand-new infirmary.
"Chopper!"
The little reindeer turned around."Yes, Marc?"
"Can you translate what Walter says?"
Chopper blinked."Huh? But… he's a rabbit. He doesn't really talk…"
"Just try. Please."
Chopper shrugged."Alright…"
I looked at Walter seriously."Walter. What is your origin? Where do you come from?"
Walter stared at me with his big innocent eyes.
Then he squeaked. Several times.
"Sqeee. Sqeee. Sqeee-sqeee."
I turned to Chopper."What did he say?"
Chopper frowned, listening carefully. Then he looked at me with a perfectly serious expression.
"He said… M.E.O.W."
Silence fell.
"…What?"
"M.E.O.W. Like a cat."
I stared at Walter. Walter stared back.
Then the rabbit… giggled.
A small mocking laugh.
"Sqeee-hee-hee-hee!"
"ARE YOU MOCKING ME?!"
I grabbed Walter and held him in front of me."Are you happy? You think this is funny?"
Walter kept giggling, his little paws kicking happily.
"…"
I let out a deep sigh and put him back on the deck."This is pointless."
Chopper laughed."He's cute!"
"Cute, but useless when it comes to answering my questions…"
SCP-999 and Nami
Before heading into the Foundation, I took a look around to see where SCP-999 was.
I found him sitting on Nami's lap.
The navigator had taken out colored pencils and paper. She was trying to teach him how to draw.
"No, look. You do it like this. One straight line. Then another."
"Squiii!"
SCP-999 held a pencil with his gelatinous pseudopods and drew… something.
A sun. Or maybe a flower. Or maybe just a colorful scribble.
But it was joyful. Vibrant. Full of life.
"That's good!" Nami encouraged him with a smile. "Keep going!"
SCP-999 chirped happily and continued drawing.
Luffy, sitting nearby, was also trying to draw. But his drawings looked like… nothing recognizable.
"LOOK! I DREW A DINOSAUR!"
"Luffy, that looks like a potato…" Nami sighed.
"IT'S A POTATO-DINOSAUR!"
I smiled. The crew had accepted SCP-999 with joy. He was already part of the family.
Alright. Time to work.
I summoned the door and entered the Foundation.
Class-D Evaluation
I headed to the control room and sat down in front of the screens.
Dozens of monitors displayed the training data of the Class-D personnel.
CLASS-D: TRAINING RESULTS
FISH-MEN
ARLONGCombat simulation: Grade B+Mechanics: Grade D (breaks too many parts)Survival: Grade AReading/Writing: IN PROGRESS (75%)Basic Mathematics: IN PROGRESS (68%)
KUROOBICombat simulation: Grade C (prefers close combat)Mechanics: Grade CSurvival: Grade B+Reading/Writing: IN PROGRESS (70%)Basic Mathematics: IN PROGRESS (72%)
CHEWCombat simulation: Grade BMechanics: Grade BSurvival: Grade A-Reading/Writing: IN PROGRESS (65%)Basic Mathematics: IN PROGRESS (60%)
HATCHANCombat simulation: Grade B-Mechanics: Grade A+ (TEAM RECORD)Survival: Grade AReading/Writing: IN PROGRESS (80%)Basic Mathematics: IN PROGRESS (85%)
BAROQUE WORKS AGENTS
ROBINPhysical training: IN PROGRESSPartial clone: SUCCESSFUL (maintained 30 seconds)Library access: UPPER LEVEL GRANTEDBehavior: COOPERATIVE
MR. 1Raw strength: EXCELLENTAttempts to cut iron: FAILURE (46 attempts)Weight bearing: 24/7 (100kg per limb)Behavior: STOIC
MR. 3Wax production: IMPROVED (+45%)Containment speed: IMPROVED (+30%)Endurance: LOW (2h max)Behavior: CONSTANTLY COMPLAINS
ZALASpike length: +0.5m (total 1.7m)Deployment speed: 1.8 secondsAccuracy: 78%Behavior: COMPETITIVE (rivalry with Mr. 3)
MARIANNEPaint production: 47 works in 5 daysHypnotic efficiency: 65% on adhesive paperBehavior: HAPPY
I nodded, satisfied.
"They're ready."
[POV: ARLONG] Morning at the Cafeteria
After a fairly pleasant morning—aside from remedial classes—we were all in the cafeteria.
Hatchan, Kuroobi, Chew, and I were sitting at our usual table.
But this time, someone else was with us.
Robin.
The archaeologist calmly read a book while eating. She rarely spoke to us, except when—
"Hatchan," she said without looking up. "The word 'chaîne' is written with a circumflex accent on the 'i,' not a diaeresis."
Hatchan, hunched over his workbook, grumbled."Why is this so complicated…?"
"Because French is a difficult language," she replied with a faint smile.
French? What's that?
A few days ago, Hatchan had gone to ask her for help. Since then, she had been helping us regularly with our homework.
I didn't want to admit it, but…
We had almost finished learning how to read, write, and even some basic math.
It was… satisfying.
Kuroobi sipped an energy soda."One more month and we'll be literate like real humans."
"Don't talk like that's a good thing," I growled.
But deep down, I was proud.
That's when the alarms blared.
WEEEEEE! WEEEEEE!
The mysterious voice echoed throughout the cafeteria.
ALERT: THE DIRECTOR IS PASSING THROUGH.ALL CLASS-D MUST BE RESTRAINED AND IN POSITION.
Guards poured in.
We were quickly handcuffed and restrained to our tables.
Then the doors opened.
The Director entered.
Marc.
The Announcement
He climbed onto the raised platform and activated the microphone.
"My dear Class-D. I've reviewed your training results. Especially the fish-men. You've done good work."
He paused.
"So I have an announcement to make."
He signaled the guards.
And to our shock…
They removed our restraints.
In the presence of the Director.
It was… unthinkable.
"What the…?" Kuroobi whispered.
The guards then brought us suits. Black. Tactical. With protective plating.
To the touch, they felt like the outfits we wore in simulations—but real. Physical.
The Director continued.
"You've passed the basic requirements to become members of the Intervention Forces. Now, I give you a choice."
He looked at each of us, one by one.
"Either you remain Class-D. Disposable assets for experiments. Or you become an Intervention Force."
He paused.
"But know this. Every member of the Intervention Forces is implanted so we know where they are. And if, in serious cases, they break Foundation rules… the system can kill them remotely."
A chill ran down my spine.
"Now, choose your side."
The Choice
Hatchan, Kuroobi, and Chew turned toward me.
Waiting for my decision.
I looked at the suit in my hands.
Tailor-made. For me.
We had worked so hard.
Hours of simulations. Hours of training. Hours of school.
And now… we were being offered a chance.
Not freedom. But something better than being lab rats.
"I accept," I said firmly.
My companions nodded."So do we."
A guard stepped up behind me and injected something into my neck.
ZAP!
It burned. Badly. For a few seconds.
Then the pain faded.
The others received the same treatment.
[IMPLANT INSTALLED: ARLONG, KUROOBI, CHEW, HATCHAN][STATUS: INTERVENTION FORCES LEVEL 1]
The Director smiled."Welcome to the Intervention Forces. Follow me."
[POV: MARC] New Quarters
The fish-men followed me through the corridors.
This time, no guards between them and me.
Just me in front. Them behind.
Strangely, I could feel their posture change. Straighter. Prouder.
They saw themselves as equals now. Or almost.
We left the Class-D quarters.
And arrived at the staff housing area.
I stopped in front of a door with a security card scanner.
I pulled out a magnetic card and handed it to Arlong.
"Level 1 Clearance – Confidential. It grants access to certain controlled areas. It also opens your new quarters."
Arlong took the card.
His hands trembled slightly.
He swiped it.
BEEP. CLICK.
The door opened.
The Setup
Arlong stepped inside. Then froze.
His eyes widened.
It wasn't a cell.
It was… an apartment.
Small, sure. But comfortable.
A small television in the corner played recorded sports programs.
In front of it, a small coffee table.
And a couch. Modified for his massive size (2.63 meters).
Further inside, a double bed. Made of materials far softer and lighter than cell beds.
And a door opposite the bed.
Arlong opened it.
A large bath. Deep enough for him to fully submerge.
"This is… for me?" he murmured, incredulous.
"Yes."
I turned to the others.
"Hatchan, Kuroobi, Chew. You have identical rooms right next to Arlong's."
I handed them their Level 1 security cards.
They accepted them reverently.
Salary
"After each mission, or monthly, you'll receive a salary from the Foundation for working with us."
I pulled out bills. Not Berries. Internal Foundation currency.
"This money is unique to the Foundation. With it, you can buy alcohol, or for Kuroobi, martial recordings to watch on TV. Or for Hatchan, cooking or fishing courses."
I handed them an initial amount. Not huge, but sufficient.
"There. Your first paycheck."
They took the money, speechless.
"You have three free hours before you're called to the simulation room for tougher training. No guards will come get you. But be on time."
I turned to leave.
"Director," Arlong called.
I stopped."Yes?"
"Why… why are you doing this? We're prisoners. Enemies."
I looked at him calmly."You were enemies. Now you're resources. And resources must be treated properly to be effective."
I paused.
"But if you want the real reason… it's because everyone deserves a second chance. Even you."
Arlong stared at me for a long moment.
Then he slowly nodded.
"Thank you."
I smiled."Enjoy your three hours."
And I left.
[END OF CHAPTER 34]
[FISH-MEN: PROMOTED TO INTERVENTION FORCES LEVEL 1][IMPLANTS INSTALLED: ARLONG, KUROOBI, CHEW, HATCHAN][PERSONAL QUARTERS ASSIGNED][MONTHLY SALARY IMPLEMENTED][MOTIVATION SYSTEM: OPERATIONAL][MORALE: VERY HIGH][ROBIN: HELPING FISH-MEN WITH HOMEWORK][SCP-999: INTEGRATED INTO THE MERRY'S CREW][WALTER: STILL AS MYSTERIOUS AS EVER][DESTINATION: ALABASTA (5 DAYS)][NEXT STEP: ADVANCED TRAINING]