This is gonna be an extra long chapter, so have fun :D

After the little episode that Alice had gone through, Luffy couldn’t contain his concern. Bombarding her with questions.

"But still, that doesn’t explain why you fainted!" His voice held an edge of frustration, not directed at her—as it was clear, seeing he was carrying her on his back—but rather at her Devil Fruit powers, which she had just explained weren’t under her full control.

Sighing softly, Alice leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on Luffy’s cheek, instantly silencing his outburst.

She understood his worry; it was more than just about her abilities. As an older brother, he was deeply concerned for his little sister, especially when she had collapsed behind him without any explanation.

Alice had fainted before—it was something she was used to and knew how to handle. But that didn’t ease Luffy’s anxiety, nor that of their fellow crew members. He would worry over her no matter how small the incident, and for that, Alice felt a pang of guilt.

"I’m sorry, Luffy," she murmured, hoping to reassure him. Her apology seemed to work wonders, calming his racing heart.

"Well…" Luffy fumbled for words, a blush creeping across his cheeks as he processed her sudden affection in front of everyone. Realizing what was happening, Alice couldn’t help but chuckle before planting another kiss on his other cheek.

"STOP IT!" he protested, his face turning an even deeper shade of red.

"Why? You shouldn’t be embarrassed! I’m just showing my love," she replied playfully.

"I know that!" he retorted, flustered yet amused.

"I kissed Ace too! He allowed me, you know?" Alice waved her hand dismissively, defending her actions.

The crew watched in amusement as Alice continued to tease Luffy, while he tried to regain his composure, fidgeting slightly.

"But you kissed me too! Back in Little Garden!" Alice chimed, catching him off guard again.

Puffing out his cheeks, Luffy realized he was losing the argument. In frustration, he mumbled something she couldn’t quite catch.

"Could you say that louder?" Alice teased, cupping her hand behind her ear.

With an exasperated sigh, Luffy leaned over and smashed his lips against her cheek. Alice’s face broke into a radiant smile as she flung her arms around him in a warm embrace.

"Happy?" he asked, his voice softer now.

"Very," she grinned back, beaming with joy.

"You should sleep until we reach Crocodile. Chopper said you need to recharge yourself," Luffy suggested, concern creeping back into his tone.

"Aye, aye, captain!" she replied playfully, ready to take his advice.

Meanwhile, Zoro, watching the whole exchange, shook his head with an incredulous expression. The camaraderie was touching, yet he felt a bit out of place. Looking back at the rest of the crew, he was taken aback to see them all smiling and a few even teary-eyed.

"The sibling bond is so precious!" Usopp exclaimed, wiping his eyes dramatically. Chopper, perched on Usopp's back, nodded in agreement, tears of joy streaming down his furry cheeks. Vivi chuckled at the scene with a fond expression, while Nami smiled warmly, reminiscing about her own sibling experiences.

Sanji, though often the one to melt under Alice's adorable moments, watched with a mix of admiration and solemnity. He grinned, happy for the two siblings who shared such a tender connection amidst their adventurous lives.

Luffy trudged along the sandy path, the midday sun beating down relentlessly. He lagged behind the crew, a heavy burden on his back—his sister Alice, fast asleep and oblivious to the sweltering heat. In front of him, both his and Alice's bags swung like pendulums, shifting his balance. Fatigue tugged at his limbs, but he pushed on, determination etched on his face.

Usopp, noticing Luffy's struggle, felt a pang of sympathy. "Hey, Luffy! Let me take Alice’s bag for a bit!" he called out. Grateful for the assistance, Luffy nodded, handing over the bag with a sigh of relief.

Together, they fell behind, their pace slower but their spirits slightly lifted.

As they moved, Usopp adjusted the hood on Alice's head, ensuring that the sun wouldn't disturb her peaceful slumber. She snored lightly, a sound that almost drowned out the other crew members ahead. The heat was exhausting, and soon enough, groans escaped from both Luffy and Usopp.

"Stop groaning, you two!" Nami shouted from a distance, her voice sharp enough to cut through the hazy heat.

"Shut up! You get to ride the camel!!" Luffy shot back, puffing his cheeks out in frustration.

"Yeah! Why can’t we take a turn?" Usopp chimed in, faux indignation coloring his tone. "Camel hog!"

"Namihog," Luffy retorted, a cheeky grin breaking through his fatigue.

"OH, SHUT UP!" Nami's exasperated shout echoed in response, but beneath her annoyance, a hint of amusement lingered.

Meanwhile, Zoro, ever the observer, chuckled at the dynamic. "You’re doing better today, Chopper," he noted, his eyes glinting with mischief. Chopper, in his reindeer form, was valiantly trying to keep pace, determination radiating from him.

"I’m hanging in there!" Chopper replied, his little antlers bobbing with each determined step, earning a proud smile from Sanji.

As the Straw Hat crew journeyed through the desert, they knew danger was looming ahead. The Rebels were planning to attack the royal army at Alubarna, while the royal army planned  over to Rainbase to take down Crocodile. The crew aimed to confront Crocodile at Rainbase as well. Time was running short, with only 17 hours until Baroque Works' Operation Utopia was set to unfold.

What exactly was Operation Utopia? Only by taking down Crocodile would they get the answers they needed.

Just as the realization hung in the air, the atmosphere shifted ominously. A sudden gust of wind howled like a banshee from the east, conjuring waves of sand that danced like spirits in the twilight. "What—" Luffy began, but before he could finish, the heavens unleashed a sandstorm upon them, swirling ferociously and enveloping the crew in a whirl of chaos.

As visibility dropped to near nothing, the crew got swept away in the gale, their voices drowned out by the roaring wind. When the storm finally settled, they found themselves in two distinct groups, separated by a vast expanse of shifting dunes.

In one group stood Luffy, Alice, and Zoro, hearts pounding but determined to regroup. In the other lay the remaining crew, along with Vivi, their faces set in grim resolve as they prepared for the brewing storm of conflict ahead.

The sun blazed brightly in a clear blue sky, making the desert feel hot and exhausting. Alice felt uncomfortable riding on her brother Luffy's back. The rough fabric of his shirt rubbed against her legs, as her pants bunched up. They were lost in the sandy dunes, tired from wandering under the scorching sun for the last two hours. Plus her fatigue hit harder now that it was noon.

"You know, Luffy, if we keep going like this, I might just slip off and become a lizard snack," she said, trying to suppress a wave of irritation as she squinted against the glare.

Luffy, oblivious to her irritation, paused dramatically, tilting his head in exaggerated thought. "But, Alice, don’t lizards in the desert eat, like, crabs we saw yesterday? I think they’d prefer a bigger snack like Zoro instead!"

Zoro, trudging behind them, rolled his eyes. "I’m not a crab, you idiot," he grunted. "And besides, if I’m a snack, I’m at least a three-course meal."

Alice laughed, despite their perilous situation. "A three-course meal? Only if the first course is just you being sleeping it off, the second is a side of muscle flexing, and the third… well, we’ll have to get creative," she quipped, trying to keep the mood light.

Luffy giggled, oblivious to her sarcasm. "I do think Zoro could be a side dish. Maybe with some hot sauce? Right, Zoro?"

"Can you two please stop discussing lunch like we’re not in the middle of nowhere?" Zoro growled, adjusting his sword on his back. "We’ve been wandering for hours. I’d settle for just finding water before I turn into a human jerky stick."

"What if I gnaw your arm off?" Luffy suggested, his eyes wide with an innocent curiosity as he looked back at Zoro. "What do you think that would taste like?"

"Ugh! You’d better not try that, or I swear…" Zoro began, threatening to draw one of his swords.

"Come on, guys! We’re lost in the desert, and this is our time to really bond as a team!" Alice cut in, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Right now, we sound like a bunch of idiots debating flavors."

"Team bonding?" Luffy echoed with childlike glee. "Should I sing a song? I know this is a really good one!"

"Please don’t," Zoro said, shaking his head. He paused for a moment, before considering, "I might just let you gnaw my arm off if you do."

Alice chuckled. "With our luck, we’d end up in a lizard’s belly before we’d find out crew. Or worse, I’d have to roll you two to the nearest shantytown all the way over there," she said, pointing vaguely toward a cluster of distant palm trees that looked no more promising than a mirage. "Yea, no, it might just be a mirage."

"But think of the journey!" Luffy shouted, his enthusiasm undeterred. "But I'm so hungry!!"

And his enthusiasm deflated making Alice fall off with a yelp. "Luffy!!"

"Here, I'll take over." Zoro offered making Alice wonder if she should just walk now.

"I guess I'll be fine now. I've rested enough." She said, grinning at Zoro childishly earning a hit on her head. "Don't be stubborn!"

"Do you think the clothes are edible once you chew them enough?" Luffy pondered aloud, his eyes darting back and forth like he was laying out a genuine plan.

"Hey! No eating your clothes! We don’t have replacements!" Alice lectured, trying to steer the comic chaos into more sensible territory while Zoro adjusted his sword so it wouldn't poke her later. "And if we can’t find our crew, we might as well turn Zoro into the main course, but he’s not the right flavor profile. He’s more like....a sight for sore eyes."

"Hey!" Zoro objected, poking his sword towards Alice, albeit half-heartedly. "I’ll have you know I bring plenty of flavor to the table! Have you seen this!"

He exclaimed, flexing his biceps.

"I can get them too, right! I just need to eat more meat and I'll be able to get ten times bigger than yours" Luffy chimed in, laughter bubbling out of him as he stretched his back earning a few cracks.

"Why don’t you just tell the sun to shut up while you’re at it?" Zoro deadpanned, the corner of his mouth quirking into a smile, revealing some camaraderie behind the irritation. "I don’t think I’d be able to last at this buffet for much longer."

"Okay!" Luffy chirped cheerfully, as if the very word would ignite a burst of inspiration. "Let’s turn this adventure into a mission! A mission to find an oasis, snacks, and the treasures that Vivi told us about!"

"I'm surprised you even remember but sure, why not," Alice said, grinning before jumping on Zoro's back and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly when he didn't even catch her, causing her to accidentally chock him.

"Are you trying to kill me!? Give me a warning first!!"

"But you had already crouched down." She pouted slightly, as he hoisted her into a more comfortable position and held her legs.

"Lead the way, Captain Strawhat!" She yelled pointing at the direction they are supposed to head towards.

"Zoro, you are turning back!"

"Then why did you give me the wrong directions!"

"Poor Zoro, it's this way."

"Don't 'poor' me!!"

Three friends were wandering through the desert, feeling hot and tired, but instead of being scared, they chose to laugh and enjoy their adventure. The sun beat down on them as they imagined it was all part of a fun story they were creating together. They joked about what they might find next: maybe their lost group, a refreshing oasis, or even a funny little lizard. Whatever happened, they knew they would face it together and create more silly memories along the way.

As twilight enveloped the vast desert, Alice, Zoro, and Luffy huddled together beneath the rocks. The chill of the night bit at their skin, causing them to shiver. Zoro noticed that Alice was significantly colder than he and Luffy were. Without hesitation, he pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and tucking her beneath his coat. Instinctively, she huddled closer to him and smiled in content.

“Thank you, Zoro." She was deeply appreciating this gesture as she could finally sleep without waking up in the middle of the night from the cold.

Luffy, who never could resist the warmth and comfort of his friends, soon followed suit. He threw an arm around Zoro, nuzzling in like a sleepy puppy, and before long, he was out cold. The small fire they had managed to start crackled feebly, providing little relief against the biting cold that had settled over them, colder than the night before.

“Good night, guys,” Alice mumbled, her voice barely rising above the gentle whisper of the wind.

“Good night, Alice. Good night, Zoro,” Luffy sleepily replied.

“Yeah, good night,” Zoro added, his voice gruff but warm.

The soft sounds of night wrapped around them, and as the stars twinkled overhead, the three of them drifted into a deep sleep, safe from the harsh desert winds.

After being able to fall asleep, Alice's devil fruit acted up whenever there was a cold breeze passing by. The warmth of her body provided comfort for both Zoro and Luffy making them hug the girl closer to them.

┐⁠(⁠￣⁠ヘ⁠￣⁠)⁠┌

As dawn broke, Alice’s sleepy eyes fluttered open to the sound of snores coming from both Zoro and Luffy. The three of them were tightly huddled together, making it a little difficult to get away from. She felt surprisingly refreshed and pulled away from their warm embrace, carefully standing up. The rustle stirred Zoro, who yawned widely, blinking against the brightening sky.

“I think I see our crew way up ahead,” Alice said, her voice raspy with sleep, though it's usually raspy anyway. “But I might be wrong too.”

“Let’s follow what you see,” Zoro replied, stretching his limbs and walking over to join her.

“The sun isn’t even up yet, so it can’t be a mirage,” she said with a sigh. A sense of calm washed over her as she reassured herself. “Alright, let’s get moving!”

With a swift kick, Zoro nudged Luffy awake, informing that Alice had spotted their crew. That was all Luffy needed to spring up. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and a grin split his face as he scanned the landscape.

“They are ahead! We should start running!” he exclaimed.

After a few moments of hurried walking, with Alice guiding them forward, they finally spotted the rest of their crew, a wave of relief flooding over them. They hadn’t gotten lost in the vast desert.

“ALICE! ARE YOU ALRIGHT, LITTLE ONE?!” Sanji dashed toward them, eyes wide with concern as he scooped Alice into a warm embrace, pushing Zoro aside to reach her.

“I knew you would bring those two troublemakers! You’re so reliable, I’m so proud of you!” he gushed, his words causing Alice to blush, her cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. Happy from the affection she was getting, she hugged him back and grinned happily.

“WHY DID YOU PUSH ME, YOU SWIRLY BROWS?!” Zoro protested, glowering at Sanji.

“YOU WERE IN THE WAY!” Sanji shot back, a scowl on his face.

“NO, I WASN’T!” Zoro argued. It wasn't long before they both started to fight back and forth.

“Are you three alright? Nothing happened, right?” Vivi chimed in, smiling brightly as she approached.

“Nope, nothing happened!” Alice replied, her heart warmed by the affection from her crewmates.

┐⁠(⁠￣⁠ヘ⁠￣⁠)⁠┌

As the sun fully rose, the shimmering outline of Rainbase came into view, and excitement sparked among the crew.

“I see it!” Alice shouted, pointing. “That’s Rainbase!”

“Finally!” Luffy cheered, tears of joy rolling down his cheeks at the thought of food and water after being stuck in the desert for so long. “Let’s kick Crocodile’s butt!”

“Yeah!!” Alice cheered, her brows furrowed in determination, her fist raised triumphantly in the air.

“Not so loud, you two,” Zoro grumbled, but a small smile crept onto his face despite his protests.

“Wadder! (Water!)” Usopp and Chopper cried in unison, both exhausted from the events of the last few days.

“Usopp, is that thing I asked you for ready?” Nami called from her perch atop one of the camels. Sanji, ears perking at the question, looked up.

“That thing?” he echoed, curious yet protective.

“It’s stupendous!” Usopp exclaimed, pulling three metal pipes from his bag. He looked smug, his eyes gleaming with pride. “Have a look! I call it… the Climate Baton!”

“Climate Baton?” Nami questioned, her curiosity piqued as she inspected the pipes.

“That’s right! At first glance, they look like ordinary pipes, but you can combine them in different ways for different attacks!” Usopp explained animatedly.

As they engaged in a deep conversation about the Baton’s potential, Sanji watched over Nami with an admiring smile, silently vowing to protect her and the other girls.

“Hey, don’t give Nami that dangerous weapon! Nami, Vivi, and Alice don’t have to fight! Just call me Prince Charming and I’ll protect them!” He declared dramatically.

“Move it, Prince,” Zoro replied without looking back, his face stoic.

“Watch it, Zolo!” Sanji shot back, a spark of competitiveness igniting.

“Do you think Baroque Works knows we’re here?” Zoro asked Vivi, who shrugged and replied, “Probably.”

“We know that Mr. 2 and Mr. 3 are here. So we can assume they know we’re in Alabasta,” she explained.

“So what?” Luffy said, shrugging off the concern. It didn’t matter to him if they knew; they would just kick everyone’s butt anyway.

“They know what we look like. We’d better be careful,” Usopp warned, but the assurance of their strength rang true in his heart.

As the crew continued to bicker and joke, Alice adjusted the ear monitors, fiddling with the clock chain Ace had given her, adding her own charms design she had crafted with clay in her free time. She was focused on adding her own unique touch when Luffy glanced back to see what she was doing, a smile spreading across his face before he looked ahead again.

Noticing the little moment of silence in the banter, Sanji turned to see Alice’s concentration. “What are you doing, Alice?” he asked, but when she didn’t reply, he shrugged and turned back. The distraction of her ear monitors had captured her full attention.

When Alice noticed the quiet and felt they weren’t with her, she paused, looking back in confusion. “Huh?”

This made the group laugh, delighting in how adorable she was.

Location: Rainbase, the City of Dreams

Alice was removing the white cloth from her feet while resting against Zoro’s side, who was preoccupied trying to annoy the sleepy Eyelashes awake with a small stick. Luffy and Usopp had gone off to fetch water from a nearby bar.

“You think it was a good idea to send them?” Sanji wondered, glancing toward the street where Luffy and Usopp had left.

Nami, leaning against a wooden rail, reassured him. “It’s just a simple errand. They’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know,” Zoro remarked, not taking his eyes off the camel they had been bringing along with them. “Those two are magnets for trouble. Be ready to run.”

And with that thought lingering, they let out a sigh.

"I gotta pee." Chopper announced suddenly, and without hesitation, he walked away from the crew, leaving Zoro to push Alice along.

"You should go too, or you’ll complain during a battle," Zoro said firmly, making Alice pout but ultimately follow after Chopper, finally feeling brave enough to walk with her feet on the ground.

"Chopper! Wait for me!" she called.

While Chopper searched for some bushes and trees, Alice decided to make a stop at a nearby restaurant to find a bathroom. Unbeknownst to both of them, their crew had already left for Rainbase to escape the Marines that were chasing them.

"Ah! That feels so nice!" Alice sighed in relief, satisfied after using the restroom. She walked out of the restaurant and spotted Chopper waiting for her.

"You waited!" she exclaimed, surprised. "I thought you might leave me!"

"What do you take me for?!" Chopper replied indignantly.

"I didn’t expect them to ditch us," Alice said, her eyes narrowing at the empty space where their crew had been.

Chopper nodded, looking around. "Where do you think they went?"

She followed his gaze to a big building in the plaza, topped with a flashy golden crocodile. "That’s definitely the most eye-catching place. Let’s go check it out!" she said and started walking toward the noise coming from that direction. "Knowing our crew, we just gotta follow the commotion!"

A couple of minutes later, they reached the building, and Alice spotted someone she recognized. Without thinking, she sprinted forward, and Chopper, seeing the same person, joined her.

"Sanji!" they shouted in unison.

Sanji paused and turned, his face lighting up when he saw them. He had a sense they would catch up soon.

"Alice! Chopper!" he greeted them with a smile.

"Why did you guys leave us? What happened?" Chopper asked, out of breath as they reached him.

"Luffy and Usopp got chased by Marines," Sanji explained, "They’re probably inside, considering how many Marines are swarming the entrance."

Sanji glanced at the crowd of Marines outside. "We have to get past them first."

"Let me help with that!" Alice declared, cracking her knuckles. "I’m tired of just walking for the last two days. It's time for some action!"

She took off towards the entrance, grinning at the confused man standing guard.

"What’s wrong, miss?" he asked.

"You," Alice replied with a smirk.

"Huh?" he said, bewildered.

In one swift motion, Alice kicked him in the gut, sending him flying backward. The other Marines turned quickly, some recognizing her immediately.

"That’s... that's Gentle Jet Alice!" one of them shouted, eyes wide.

"She’s the girl with the highest bounty in the East Blue!" another added, surprised.

"Honored," she said, placing her hands on her hips. "But I really need to get inside, so… mind letting me through?"

"Like hell we will!" one Marine barked.

"Yeah! Just because you're a small girl doesn’t mean we'll let you pass!" another shouted.

"GET HER!!" their leader yelled.

As they charged at her, Alice grinned and braced herself for the challenge ahead. She didn’t flinch. She launched herself into a spinning kick, her leg connecting with the Marine's side, sending him staggering to the ground. Without missing a beat, she wove through the chaos, throwing punches and kicks, attacking with a fluidity that mesmerized onlookers.

But the goons were trained, and soon, they began to swarm her, attempting to restrain her. Alice ducked and weaved between their limbs, lashing out to keep them at bay

But was that enough to stop her?

Of course, not!

She turned around and smiled at Sanji and Chopper who were watching her fight. She had taken them out by max 2 minutes.

One of them was crawling away holding a den den mushi in his hand. Noticing this Sanji narrowed his eyes at him before walking over and standing in front of him. The man looked up in fear and let out a shriek at the glare directed at him.

“What’s going on?” Alice demanded, catching her breath while watching Sanji manhandle the unfortunate man.

Sanji shoved the man against the wall, his eyes blazing with intensity. “You want to be a hero, try talking,” he said, his voice low and dangerous making Alice make a ooo sound to add dramatic effects.

“W-we were just following orders!” the man stammered, hands raised defensively. “Crocodile ordered us to stop anyone trying to break in, and told us to call him if there were intruders.”

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the gritty streets of the desert town. Dust swirled in the air as Sanji held the man by his collar, his brow furrowed with worry and urgency. He glanced over at Alice, who was busy calling Chopper, her face a mixture of determination and concern.

“And? What happened to our crew?” he asked, his voice tense.

Alice looked up, her eyes brimming with urgency. "They fell for Sir Crocodile's trap! They’re stuck in some underground room, but we don't know anything else," she sighed.

Sanji ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling inside him. "We need to create a bait for him," he murmured, an idea sparking in his mind.

"Hey, Alice! Pass me the transponder snail mushi!" He extended his hand. Confused but willing to help, Alice fished it out of her pocket and handed it over.

“You’re going to call Crocodile?” she asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

“Yep,” Sanji said, determination setting in.

"I trust you," she replied, a smile lighting up her face. Her confidence in him gave him encouragement, and he smiled back, ruffling her hair playfully.

With a nod, he turned to Chopper, who was anxiously waiting nearby. “Alright, listen up,” Sanji said, sharing his plan. The little reindeer, despite being fretful, agreed to go along with it as he often did, ready to support his friends.

Sanji brought the baby transponder snail closer, the snail looking like it was sleeping until the person from the other end picked up, causing it to open its eyes. After a few rings, a voice emerged from the other end. “Yes?”

"Hello? Hello?” Sanji started but received only silence in response. He waited a moment before repeating himself. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can hear you. Is that you, Millions?” the voice responded, confusion tinging its tone. Sanji stalled them by pretending he wasn't able to hear them and that it's his first time using the transponder snail.

Sanji took a deep breath. He knew he had to play it cool. "Hurry up and state your business! What's going on!?" the voice grumbled impatiently.

"This is," Sanji said, a smirk forming on his lips, "Restaurant Le Crap."

“Restaurant Le Crap!?” The voice faltered, clearly unsettled, remembering the last time this name was mentioned. Sanji could almost picture the unease crawling through Crocodile. Seems like he caught one to who Sanji was, yet his identity was safely hidden.

“Glad you remember. I was hoping you'd recall,” he replied, his heart racing slightly, savoring his small victory.

"Who are you?!" the voice demanded, suspicion creeping in.

“Me? I’m... Mr. Prince.” Sanji glanced at Alice, who was practically bouncing in place, her fists pumped in excitement. The stars in her eyes gave him the confidence to push forward.

“I see. Where are you right now, Mr. Prince?” Crocodile's voice was cold, calculating.

“I can't tell you that. If I did, you'd come and kill me,” Sanji retorted, glancing at the sweat-soaked man standing nervously beside him. “Well, whether you can kill me or not is debatable, but I’m not foolish enough to give away information for free—unlike you, Mr. Zero.”

Alice beamed and gave him two enthusiastic thumbs up. Chopper glanced nervously at the pile of knocked-out thugs, then suddenly dashed over to retrieve a weapon—a gun he hoped he wouldn’t have to use.

“Prince! Save us!! We’ve been captured!! There’s not much time!!!” came the frantic cries of their crewmates from the den den mushi.

Alice looked up at Sanji, her expression mixed with determination and guilt as they realized they had to hurry; their friends were in trouble. Sanji's grin grew broader, excitement coursing through him as he relished the challenge.

“Haha! Sounds like my shipmates are with you. Well, I think I’ll just—” Sanji interrupted himself as Alice shot a round into the air, creating a noise that startled everyone.

In the midst of their act, Alice  to slam the man against the wall to maintain the game. “What!?” came the distant voice, sounding a lot like Luffy’s, filled with confusion.

The man Sanji was holding gasped for air, “That’ll teach you!”

“Hello?” the man croaked, still reeling from the rough handling. Sanji  moved just in time to hold the transponder snail closer to the man, curious to see what they would say next.

“I’ve got him. What should I do now?” he questioned as per the plan, closing his eyes tightly under the firm hold of Alice.

“Where are you? Tell me!” came Crocodile’s urgent tone, now laden with frustration.

“At the front of Rain Dinners!” The man shot back, his mind racing with possibilities.

The frantic cries of their crew echoed through the speaker, filling Alice and Chopper with regret. Their friends were worried, and every shout tugged at their hearts. Sanji clenched his fist, fueled by a desire to save them, and he realized he was more determined than ever. They were going to turn the tables on Crocodile and bring their crew back together.

Chopper transformed into his human form, his heart racing as he dashed toward a nearby building. He carefully slipped behind it, though he was quite visible anyway. He wore Sanji’s coat to make a solid decoy. The tension in the air was palpable as he waited, hoping Crocodile wouldn’t see through their ruse.

So far, so good. The plan had worked flawlessly, luring Crocodile right where they wanted him.

Meanwhile, Alice and Sanji made their way up the staircase, ready to enter the lavish casino. Just as they reached the heavy double doors, a deafening crash echoed behind them—the bridge connecting the outdoor area shattered, sending planks flying. Panic erupted inside the casino as people rushed toward the exits, desperate to escape the chaotic scene.

Alice stole a glance over her shoulder, spotting Crocodile and Mrs. Suday, or Nico Robin trailing behind. She saw Crocodile pursuing the fake Mr. Prince, his intentions clear and dangerous.

“Come on, love!” Sanji called, glancing back to ensure Alice was still with him. She nodded and hurried into the casino, quickly finding a spot at one of the gaming counters. There, she perched herself, waiting for the chaos to fade.

Inside, the casino was a marvel. Alice’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she took pictures of the opulent ceilings, the winding corridors, and the ornate pillars. Suddenly, she spotted a familiar face in the crowd. Shaking Sanji’s arm, she pointed toward Vivi, who was anxiously scanning for an escape route.

“Maybe we can’t get out, but now Baroque Works can’t get in either,” Sanji replied to Vivi’s unspoken worry, his voice laced with confidence. She turned, surprise flashing across her face before breaking into a relieved grin.

“All according to plan!” Alice chimed, her spirits brightening as she walked over and enveloped the injured princess in a gentle hug. Vivi returned the embrace, gratitude evident in her eyes.

“Sanji! Alice! Thank goodness you’re here!” Vivi exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and urgency.

“Chopper’s leading Crocodile on a wild goose chase. We have to move quickly. The rebellion’s begun!” Sanji announced, his grin widening as he pulled back to look at Vivi. “So, show us the way, princess.”

Vivi’s eyes gleamed with determination, ready to take charge, but then Alice’s curiosity bubbled over. “Where’d you get the glasses, though?” she asked innocently, causing Sanji to dramatically raise his hands to his face, pretending she had ruined the moment.

“Oh, come on!” he exclaimed, half-smiling despite himself. “I was trying to be dashing!”

But the lighthearted banter was short-lived. The sounds of chaos from outside reminded them that time was of the essence. Nothing could hold them back; not Crocodile, not rebellions, not anyone.

┐⁠(⁠￣⁠ヘ⁠￣⁠)⁠┌

Alice, Sanji, and Vivi stepped through the creaking door. There was an astonishing sight: a colossal crocodile lounging right in the middle, its massive body glistening with moisture, his preying eyes on their crew inside a cage. Alice stared, her mind racing to comprehend how such a creature ended up in this hidden chamber.

“It's not polite to roar at the dinner table,” Sanji remarked dryly, eyeing the beast. Without waiting for a response, he leaped off the broken stairs and delivered a swift, powerful kick to the crocodile's belly. “BAD MANNERS KICK COURSE!!” he shouted, the impact causing the creature to flip backward, releasing a series of pained groans that echoed through the room. Rocks flew from its mouth in a surprising shower, and Sanji took advantage of the chaos, landing atop the crocodile with all the grace of a seasoned fighter.

Alice couldn’t help but clap her hands in excitement. “THAT WAS SO COOL!” she cheered, her eyes sparkling. With a self-satisfied grin, Sanji hopped off the crocodile and landed squarely in the shallow water below. The girls exchanged glances before they too jumped down with Alice helping Vivi.

As they navigated around the flailing crocodile, a familiar voice broke the moment. “Hi,” Sanji greeted casually, as if they were at a café instead of facing a reptile that could snap them in half. “Been waiting long?”

“PRINCE!!!” Luffy and Usopp cried out in unison, their faces streaked with tears. Their joy was overwhelming yet laced with a hint of desperation. “What did you do to get here?” Alice mumbled, her heart aching at the sight of her friends in distress.

"Stop wasting time and find the key!!" Zoro barked, his urgency palpable. His eyes then landed on Alice, and a brief flash of surprise crossed his face as she rushed toward them, arms extended.

“Guys!!” she greeted, a beaming smile lighting up her features. Luffy’s frown quickly transformed into a mix of relief and happiness, and he lunged toward her. The tension in the air dissipated as Nami stepped forward, drawing Alice into a tight embrace.

“Alice!! You’re alright!” she exclaimed, holding her tightly as if afraid to let go.

“Of course I am,” Alice replied, her voice soft with warmth.

Usopp joined the hug, their enthusiasm nearly crushing her against the cold metal bars of the cage behind them. Luffy leaned heavily against the bars, fatigue evident on his face. Concern knitting her brow, Alice knelt beside him.

“Is this sea prism stone?” she asked, brushing a hand over his head tenderly, her worry deepening. Smoker, shadowed in the background with narrowed eyes, observed the scene,  baffled by the sight of Alice seemingly unaffected by the sea prism stone, unlike him or the straw-hat.

Luffy managed a weak hug back, a flicker of his usual spirited self. His grin, though strained, reassured Alice.