The scorching sun continued to mercilessly bake the desert, and the low roar of the bi luoya's engine carved a straight trail of dust through the sea of sand.
Smoker gripped the handlebars, the cigar clenched in his mouth already a short stub.
White smoke not only spilled from his mouth but also billowed around him, coiling around the motorcycle and rushing under the engine where Luffy sat, providing an endless supply of power.
"A river!! That's a river! Can we still make it?!"
Luffy suddenly sprang up from the engine, pointing ahead.
At the end of the desert before them lay a wide, turbulent river, its waters rushing like a giant python—this was the Sandora River.
"I know without you telling me!" Smoker roared without looking back, but his hand twisted the throttle to its limit.
The bi luoya let out an even wilder roar, its speed increasing yet again, and it plunged down the riverbank without hesitation!
The moment it was about to hit the water, the bi luoya's structure emitted a series of crisp clicking sounds.
Its four huge tires cleverly retracted inward, and pontoons hidden within the vehicle body rapidly popped out, steadily supporting the vehicle, splashing up huge amounts of water, and it began to race across the river surface.
"So cool!! It transforms!"
Watching the bi luoya transform was one of Luffy's favorite things.
Luffy's eyes then turned into stars, and he tightly gripped Smoker's shoulders, shaking him, his voice filled with joy, "Why don't you join my pirate crew! This is just too, too, too, too amazing!!!"
Smoker, who was already somewhat pale from continuously using his Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability while on the vehicle, instantly flushed red with anger.
He bared his teeth and turned his head to roar, "Idiot! I'm a Marine! If you say one more word, I'll really throw you overboard to feed the fish!"
Just then, a huge bulge suddenly appeared on the river surface ahead, and immediately, a colossal creature burst out of the water! It was a giant catfish with rough skin and long whiskers hanging from its mouth.
Luffy looked at this novel creature and asked curiously again, "What! What is that?"
Vivi held onto the vehicle frame, steadying herself, and looked at the catfish before them: "It's a Sandora Catfish! A rare animal of the Sandora River; I can't believe we're seeing one here... It's very uncommon, and! It loves to eat people!"
"Isn't that really bad?!"
Watching the bi luoya continue to charge forward, Luffy yelled, his arms already flailing.
"We just need to go around it!" Tashigi said to Luffy, using her sword sheath to shield him as much as possible.
If she could, she truly didn't want to casually harm the catfish before them.
However, Smoker, who was driving, gritted his teeth, fine beads of sweat seeping from his temples.
For him, continuously using his Devil Fruit ability after being injured was consuming more stamina than expected.
He sharply turned the steering, and the bi luoya carved a dangerous arc on the river surface, "It's not that easy?"
Seeing the catfish adjust its direction, its massive maw once again closing in, Luffy pushed aside the crossguard in front of him, then stretched his arm back, aiming at the catfish.
"Gum-Gum Pistol!"
However, almost at the same time—
"Da da da da!"
A dense and rhythmic series of thuds sounded like raindrops!
A dozen small, round figures leaped out of the water from the side of the catfish.
Their movements were uniform, their punches and kicks swift and powerful, each blow landing on the catfish.
The giant catfish didn't even have time to let out a wail before its massive body flipped over, falling onto the water, the splashing waves making the bi luoya rock.
"It's you guys! You're a big help!" Seeing the figures that suddenly appeared to help, who were the Kung Fu Manatees they had met on their way to Yuba, Luffy shouted excitedly.
Those small figures surfaced, lining up in Combat skills stances—they were the Kung Fu Manatees.
Seeing Luffy, they immediately let out joyful cries.
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, which were wet from the spray, and looked on in confusion: "They are...?"
Vivi looked at these cute little creatures, a smile, her first since leaving Rain Dinners, appearing on her face: "They are Kung Fu Manatees, creatures that inhabit the Sandora River.
They revere Combat skills and love to challenge the strong.
If they are defeated, they will, in accordance with the spirit of Combat skills, pledge allegiance to the victor as their master."
Then she pointed to Luffy, "Luffy easily defeated all of them before, so they consider him their master."
Watching the Kung Fu Manatees surge forward beside him, Luffy burst into laughter, even extending his arm to scoop a Kung Fu Manatee out of the water and directly toss it into Zoro's arms.
"Don't throw it over here!!!"
Zoro fumbled to catch the wet little fellow, who was still striking poses, nearly falling off the still-moving bi luoya, "It's already so crowded! We'll fall off!!"
Smoker turned to glance at the noisy group of lively characters, letting out a long puff of smoke.
"Hold on tight," he said in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the unobstructed river ahead, "It's time for a straight acceleration."
The bi luoya's engine roared again, breaking through the water as it sped towards the opposite bank.
The Kung Fu Manatees formed two lines in the water, swimming swiftly, escorting them all the way.
"See you next time!"
Luffy stood on the vehicle, waving vigorously at them, "When we meet again, you must become even stronger!!!"
Tears of emotion welled up in the eyes of the leading Kung Fu Manatee.
It leaped out of the water with effort, its small fist lightly touching Luffy's extended fist.
With this spirited farewell, the bi luoya surged onto the riverbank, its tires transforming and unfolding again to roll over the desert, leaving its devout disciples far behind... The long drive was finally over.
When the bi luoya screeched to a halt outside the massive west gate of Alubarna, Smoker was the first to disembark.
His steps inadvertently faltered for a moment, but he immediately steadied himself.
Damn it... My body still can't quite hold up... Is continuously using my Devil Fruit ability still too draining?
He silently looked at the capital city before him.
Alubarna's city walls were tall and heavy, and this entrance to what should have been a bustling capital was now filled with a deathly, oppressive silence.
The city gate was half-open, with hardly any merchants or residents coming and going.
Only the wind, carrying sand, blew across the empty roads, raising a sense of desolation.
Luffy, Vivi, and the others successively got out of the vehicle and began to walk towards the city gate step by step.
"Who goes there?!"
Several gate guards nervously surrounded them, looking at this group of strangers.
Given the current battle situation, no situation could be taken lightly.
"It's me."
Vivi took off her hood, which had been shielding her from the sand, revealing her iconic blue hair.
The guards were stunned.
"Vi... Princess Vivi! It's you! You've returned!"