Alice threw a huge snowball at Luffy who yelped as he fell back on the snow-covered ground. She and Zoro laughed at him. Watching their captain lose after he tortured them with snowballs which he threw using his devil fruit was so damn satisfying. That really hurt and both of 'em were sure they had bruises on their backs as a proof.

"How does it taste, captain?" He asked, smirking at him while Usopp made yet another snowman and namd it Kaya for some reason. Alice didn't understand but Zoro deadpanned and ignored him, causing him to snap at him. Vivi still hadn't returned, so was Nami and Sanji.

"Does your body hurts now? Luffy went exaggerating how badly you were hurt," Zoro asked Alice, making her chuckle. "Yes, I'm fine now. I was probably just tired is all."

"Could be."

"What did you do back at the ship?" She asked, looking back at him from her snow woman. It was pretty nice, looked her but older. He huffed. "Some training. Got hit by snow, fought some people, stole this jacket and came up here."

She laughed shamelessly at him making him go red in embarrassment. "Got hit by snow? Who hit you, Zolo? A kid?" She mocked which made him irk and start throwing multiple snowballs at her which she avoided but Usopp became his unfortunate victim.

Nami and Vivi came back, dragging Sanji with them.

"Nami! Vivi!" Alice exclaimed cheerfully before sprinting towards them. While they smiled, Alice lifted Sanji up like a princess and made him lean against a rock and started building snow graves beside him.

Usopp snickered and joined her evil idea.

By the time Sanji gained consciousness, he was surrounded by snow gravestones, snow flowers, and even a note on the ground saying 'Such a wonderful soul, you will be missed Sanji' and another note, 'End of simp's story'. None of them were on him, Alice warned Usopp not to, saying he could fall ill.

His face turned red. Screaming, he went to look for Alice, knowing well she was one of them to do this.

"Oi! Alice!" He yelled, running towards her. Alice and Usopp turned to look at the 'dead man' and smirked at eachother. They laughed before running away.

"HOW DARE YOU KILL ME!? I'LL SHOW YOU THE REAL GRAVE!!"

Vivi watched the commotion and giggled.

"It's nice to see Sanji like this. He is usually very calm unless someone gets him worked up. Alice seems to have natural trait for this," she spoke making Nami nod. "Though Zoro comes first when it comes to annoying Sanji. Alice loves him too much see him like this."

"I guess so, hehe." Vivi giggled and warned her hands but blowing warm air out of her mouth.

There were loud yelling and thuds coming from inside the castle, leaving the crew confused and judging them.

"Awful noise in there." Zoro stated from his seat on a random rock he found. Nami nodded in agreement. "What a bunch of rowdies. Can't they control themselves?"

Alice grinned from her position on Sanji's back, who was too much of a softie to be mad at her. "Seems like family to me. Plus, aren't we the same?" She questioned and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Well, as long as they don't destroy the castle, I guess," Sanji commented, agreeing with Alice.

Nami smiled at the two before turning towards Luffy, keeping an eye on him.

"They say there is treasure more valuable then gold and diamond. They say they have seen miracle. They say they have achieved the world's greatest treasure..." Alice mumbled to Sanji with her eyes closed. It was so random that it left Sanji wondering what she wanted to say.

"Who are 'they'?" He asked, smiling none the less because there was a content smile on her face. She smooches her face against his, hugging him tightly. "Me!"

Before he could question her further, they heard Chopper.

"The doctor's research has completed!!!" He yelled running towards them.

"Is that him!?" Zoro exclaimed as if he hadn't seen him before. Oh, maybe he hadn't seen him in all fours. It was pretty cool. Usopp moved towards the cartage they came in, in process, knocking Sanji and Alice. This caused Sanji to sprain his back again, letting out string of curses at Usopp.

"Hey, the rope-way's ready!" Usopp said excitedly, holding onto the cartage. Luffy staring from behind him.

"EVERYBODY, GET IN THE SLEIGH!! WE ARE GOING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN!!"

Or, seems like chopper had different plans.

"HOLD IT!!"

And behind him came Dr Kureha with knives in her hands, looking at chopper and then murderously. They all yelled out in surprise, completely stunned by her opposition.

Zoro and Alice took a hold of Sanji and flung him on the cart before Zoro jumped in, helping Alice in as well. Luffy spread his arms around and collected others and came hurling in. For one, Zoro was gald he has already jumped in, escaping the fate of face planting in the sleigh.

Alice and Luffy came forward to sew the view upfront and were completely in awe. The view from such height and the wind blowing their hairs, the sleigh being in the air. It was so mesmerizing to them.

"It feels like I'm flying!!" Alice exclaimed happily before looking at her arms, realising that her sweater isn't on her but Dr Kureha's sweater was on. The pink sleeveless ones, it was nice but she liked the bright orange sweater a lot. It was a lot comfortable.

Once they reached the ground, chopper stopped and discounted the sleigh. They got off and immediately heard a blast, like someone launched a bomb. They all looked up at the mountain and saw bright light, almost blinding them.

Alice and chopper walked a little ahead in anticipation and soon the view was one of the best she'd ever seen.

From the top of the mountain, Pink petals were falling, millons at that.

Alice soaked in the view as her eyes twinkled as she gasped softly at the pink sky as chopper started wailing. Looks like he was touched by doctors kind act.

The older crew members smiled at the two youngest of the crew, loving how happy they looked.

As Chopper's cries got louder, Alice couldn't bare it. She crounched down before kneeling down and placed her hands on his shoulder gently. He immediately turned around and lunches himself at her, crying into her shoulders.

"I have seen snow snowing only once in my life but this is truly surreal..." Alice muttered, still looking at the mountain. Nami and Vivi chuckled at her wordings. They have agree with her though, it was truly surreal

After that heartfelt goodbye, the crew left the island. But not without welcoming Chopper into the crew with a drink.

"Dalton-san said that he likes Chestnut rice." Alice said smugly to Nami who just filled in on how Alice almost slept off the whole fiasco. So to show that she indeed had learnt something in this journey she said that she knew what Dalton liked to eat.

"That.....is that even going to help us ahead?" Nami mumbled, not even questioning how she knew it. "Well, maybe Sanji will learn how to make chestnut rice on a speed run." She replied giving Nami a wink, who just signed.

In time, the tale of 'Hiriluk's cherry blossom' shining in the night would become a symbol of this nameless nation's hard won freedom.

But the birth of a new country with its unusual flag is a story for another time.

Chopper had a huge journey ahead, and with strawhat crew, he would surely witness the most amazing and horrific events in his life.

.・゜゜・益 ・゜゜・．

Alice went inside and took off the sweater she had on and saw she had a tank top inside. She had flat chest which worked in her favour since she thought it would've gotten in her way if she had them. She stuffed the sweater inside the closet where Nami keeps her clothes. She had few of her clothes in there as well, not like she had many clothes to begin with. Her backpack was small and had other unnecessary, strange things rather then clothes, as Nami framed it. She had two pants, one black and other blue.

She had one mint green sweater, which she usually wears as it's her favourite and bright orange one which she doesn't have anymore. Though she has a lot of skin tight black tops for some reason. Turtleneck, sleeveless, full sleeve and normal tshirt. Other then these she had nothing else.

She had an obsession with collecting stones or something related to the place she liked. She had bought some melted piece of candle and flowers, which have been dried out by now, from little garden and had a chunk of rock from Chopper's homeland, without anyone knowing. Or so she thought.

Though she had stones and a snack skin from Fusha village and the mountains. Yea, snake skin. What a child she was.

Changing into full sleeved black top, blue jeans and a white scarf Nami had, she walked out to see Zoro drinking booze.

"Zoro! Let me try!" She exclaimed excitedly, running upto him making them turn their heads at her.

"No!!" Everyone except Luffy and Chopper snapped at her.

"Huh? But why!?" She asked while frowning. Oh not the age restriction again. She hated whenever they bought that up. It's always 'You aren't old enough' 'You are too young' 'You should grow up first'. Oh, but does a young girl her ages knows how to handle deadly weapons like she can?

"You aren't old enough yet Alice," Nami said while bending down to her, which wasn't that much but she did if anyway. To show who's older. "But Usopp drinks too! And he's not old enough yet!"

"If you are 17, you can drink, alright?" Vivi asked gently, as if she's a baby which worked as she solemnly nodded and looked away puffing her cheeks.

"I drank booze when I was 5 anyway..."

"YOU WHAT!?!"

No one except Luffy laughed as he was there to see it. She doesn't like the taste of booze or wine. Confirmed of Luffy and Sanji respectively. Zoro surprisingly didn't let her drink booze when they were travelling together which suprised Nami and Sanji but came to an agreement that Zoro can be tiny bittie bit responsible when it comes to kids.

They sailed forward, while enjoying their time with Chopper, who seemed to be slightly drunk for some reason but Alice didn't question it. She was too jealous of that damn reindeer, who could drink booze and no one would bat an eye.

As the time flew by, and the strawhat crew moved forward in their destination to Alabasta, Alice grew restless and very impatient.

"Alice, quiet down, will you?" Nami asked nicely to Alice who just pouted at her. She had been asking multiple questions to the older girl about her sickness and how it felt like. She had already heard it from Nami back in Dr kureha's patient room but she still wanted to hear it again.

Afterall, she wasn't all familiar with being sick and all that.

"But I'm bored~!"

"Hey, what's Zoro doing?" Nami tried to divert her mind off her but only received narrowed eyes in reply, causing her to sign. "Alright, fine.....How about you ask Vivi about Alabasta? It's still a mystery to you, isn't it?"

"I guess..." She mumbled to herself, thinking of vast desert and a lone fort in the middle with people living off sides, away from the castle. She understood that Nami was still trying to get off of her, so as to spare her this once she decided to leave her be.

She jumped up and ran inside to find Vivi making Nami sign in relief.

As much as she enjoyed Alice's joyful and hyper personality, she still struggled with keeping up the talks with her. Sanji and Luffy seemed to be the only one who could keep up with those.

She saw Vivi in Kitchen, about to finish her breakfast, which was a bowl of mashed banana's and few other fruits.

Vivi looked up upon Alice's entry and smiled at her.

"Vivi! I need you tell me about Alabasta!" Alice exclaimed happily, taking a seat beside her criss-crossed. Vivi only giggled before holding a spoon infront of her mouth. Alice not knowing what to do, opened her mouth and took a spoonful in.

"I suppose I could tell you if you are excited about it. But how about I tell everyone too," Vivi suggested while wiggling her spoon in the air. Alice blinked before grinning widely.

"Is it a storytelling?!"

"I guess..?"

"Yes!! Nami! Guys! Vivi is telling us a story!!"

"Oh, Vivi-chan! I'll forever listen to your stories~"

.・・ᕦ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ᕤ・・．

"Hero?" Nami questioned, leaning against the mast, confused. "Crocodile is the hero of Alabasta?"

Indeed, that was very confusing. Vivi only said bad and worse news of Crocodile, he wasn't man of heroic quality or anything. He was very greedy as Vivi said.

"Basically. Shichibukai are pirates working for the world government. Whether Shichi Bukai crush pirates for treasure or marines crush pirates in the name of justice...." Said Vivi.

They were in front of the storage room in the lower deck, right behind the mast. Vivi sat beside the storage room door, left to the staircase. Zoro was sprawled between them, completely knocked out. Sanji sat on a barrel in a very cool position. Alice in an attempt to copy Sanji, sat just like him, and faked the cigar in her hand.

Luffy sat leaning against the barrel his sister sat on, inspecting the contents of her locket which she lent without any hesitation.

Alice was confused at this point. She hadn't heard of Shichi Bukai because back in East blue, none of the articles ever covered something other then events on east blue, probably except the king of the pirates stories and legends and her friends who infact had travelled quite a bit outside the east blue hadn't filled her in, claiming she was very young for it. But these Shichi bukai's, they didn't really sit right in her guts, so she choose to be on guard when around them. Especially this Crocodile. She pulled her legs up, sitting criss-crossed, and leaned forward with her hands tugged between her legs.

She didn't understand the point of letting a pirate off hock, just because they were helping the Navy. Because if her assumption were right, then she couldn't imagine the destruction a Shichi Bukai would caused and the World government would ignore them, because in their eyes it's 'justice'.

"The people's gratitude doesn't change. After all, their town's attackers are driven away." Vivi continued. Now she gets some things. It's all a play of what people see and it effects everybody here. The innocent being the main victims.

"I get it now.....so the people would never even dream, that the hero of Alabasta is actually trying to take control of their country." Sanji commented making Alice realise that she should be focusing on Alabasta first. Luffy stood up, clutching his sister's locket tightly in his hands

"So look out, crocodile!!" He exclaimed all of sudden, standing up. All of them craned their heads at him while he turned around to look at Vivi. "I just need to kick his ass, right?!!"

"Yes," She let out a breathy chuckle, "First we'll have to stop the rebellion. If we can drive the baroque works out of Alabasta, my country will be safe."

Alice blinked before turning to Sanji.

"What's a rebellion again?" She whispered to him making his lips curl up a bit. There were times like these that Alice acted her age, curious, and very invested, as she was, he was happy there were things she still didn't know because no matter her brilliant knowledge, to him she would always be his adorable little girl. He turned to her explaining it while Usopp asked Vivi to explain about how Baroque works system worked. He was quite confused about the whole 'Mr' and 'Miss' ordeal.

"The system is simple. At the top is Crocodile...'Mr. 0'. There are 13 'agents' who take orders directly from the boss, 12 men and 1 animal. They are paired with a female agent who compliment their particular power. Mr 13 and Miss Friday are special in these. They punish the agents who fail to complete the mission. All the agents from Mr. 5 up are called 'officer agents'. Most of them have devil fruit powers. They don't act unless the business is extremely important. Below them are the frontier agents. They command the basic units-"

"You were one of 'em, right? The frontier agents?" Alice interrupted with a proud smile. While Sanji lightly hit her head for interrupting, Vivi smiled at her innocent intentions. "Yes, that's right, I was one of them. Their job is to raise funds for the company around the entrance of the grandline. That is the secret criminal organization 'Baroque world' in a nutshell."

"Ahahaa! Not a secret Vivi," Alice exclaimed, grinning at Vivi, who let out a confused yelp.

"Nothing is a secret for the Limestones, remember?" She stated smugly, staring intently at Vivi. A bead of nervous sweat rolled down her temple.

"I GET IT NOW!! LOOK OUT NOW CROCODILE! I just need to kick his ass right!?" Luffy exclaimed once again. Sanji turned to look at him annoyed.

"You didn't understand a thing she said, right?"

"Your Limestone was quiet a threat for us then, huh? We always brushed them off thinking you would never cross East blue, but somehow, you have information on us," Said Vivi while looking at Alice who only laughed at her. Nami, Sanji and Zoro could make hundreds of theories based on just the two lines Vivi shared. None of them, except Nami had heard of Limestone.

"Then that means, if takeover of Alabasta is Baroque works final plan," Sanji muttered, the cigar half way gone.

"Then," Nami spoke.

"'The officer agents'," spoke Vivi.

"Should all...."

"Yes..." Vivi looked ahead with her narrowed eyes.

"They will be meeting up in Alabasta very soon."

Everyone pumped up on the fact of bringing the country to safely but Alice had different plans. She decided to be a smart git and ruin the atmosphere.

"Vivi, confirm for me again but the rebellion are against your father, correct?" Alice questioned with all seriousness, which made Luffy quiet down and others listen to her. They noted how her expression looked very similar to Luffy when his face gets all blank and such.

Vivi nodded her head, slightly wondering if she said something wrong just by looking in her eyes.

"Then, do you suppose, we skip off the 'stopping of rebellion', is a good idea?" She blurted out. Vivi's eyes widened along with Nami. Sanji stared at her in wonder, slightly narrowing his eyes, wondering her what she had planned in her head. Luffy stared at her.

"Why is that?" He asked.

"Will that do anything? Stopping them, I mean. Just think about it. If you do stop the rebellion, will that stop Crocodile?" She replied with asking a question to Vivi, who slowly put her head down in thinking. She knew the answer. It was plain freaking NO. Crocodile won't stop. Alice learnt few things during her time in Limestone. It was interrogation should be stone-hearted at times and at major times, act accordingly to the 'brain-co-ordination formation', which just translates to think with your brain, in normal words.

Vivi was quiet for few seconds and Luffy, too, seemed to be thinking as his face turned red from thinking too hard.

"Gah!!! Thinking is hurting my head!!" He yelled, harshly ruffling his hair which earned laugh from Usopp and a smile from Alice. "That's why, leave the thinking to me, Luffy." Said Alice making Nami stifle a laugh, both siblings were too innocent to actually have a taunting tone in their words. Luffy grinned widely at her, happy and proud of her.

"You are so cool." He stated making her blush a bit before looking away, successfully hiding her 'happy jitters'.

"But what about the people?" Vivi spoke up after a while. Alice looked up at her.

"Rebellion are going to go against my father, I'm worried that innocent will be involved in this ordeal. They have nothing to do with this!"

It was Alice's turn to think.

Well, she had a point. Innocent citizens might get hurt. But it is unclear as to what Crocodile wishes for.

"What is Crocodile's motive? What does he want to achieve?" She asked. Others felt like it was Vivi and Alice who planning put a whole ass war tactics at this point.

"Other than taking over Alabasta....If I think about about all the missions and given that he wanted to keep his identity a secret from me, not wanting it to reach my father or Navy.........nothing good. But...what? I have no idea." Vivi replied helplessly. Alice crossed her arms and closed her eyes, slightly pouting.

"My best guess would be cold extraction."

Their eyes widened.

"A theory. What I mean, is that Crocodile is greedy, that was the first thing you you told me about him, Vivi. Alabasta holds many valuable assets in it. It wouldn't be surprising if wanted something from within Alabasta."

"What does Alabasta hold?" Usopp asked Vivi, all eyes now trained on her.

Luffy was confused at the word Cold extraction.

"Gold......Many minerals. And it has one of the biggest library in Grand line. And..... let's see...."

She poundered and gasped lightly. "Oh! It also has poneglyph! I heard it from one of the baroque workers. I'm not 100% sure about it being located in Alabasta or not but there is slight possibility because it is one of the oldest country after Magento Kingdom."

"But won't the Navy do anything about this?" Usopp asked. Alice shook her head.
"Crocodile will make it seem like he was the one at the right. Probably will make it seem like he was saving the country, you know?" She replied making Vivi sigh in frustration.

"What do we do?"

Nami looked at Vivi solemnly, casting a glance at Alice who looked troubled herself. Luffy stood up, gently placing the locket back in Alice's neck, repositioning his hat.

"I'm tired of this already! Stop the rebel and kick crocodile's ass, I already got it!!"

Alice fidgeted with her locket, agreeing with Luffy as well.

"Okay, I'm not saying we shouldn't stop the rebels but if they don't listen, I don't want you to waste your time, Vivi-san."

Vivi nodded in understanding.

During the lazy afternoon, as the ship glided through calm seas, Alice decided to organize a special gathering. With Luffy's help, she hauled out a canvas, paints, and brushes, and invited the entire crew to join them on the deck.

"Come on, everyone!" Alice exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's make a piece together!!"

At first, the crew was hesitant. Zoro, with a permanent scowl, grumbled about wasting time on such frivolities. Sanji along with Usopp were the first to sit down on the deck, their hands itching to draw.

But Alice's infectious enthusiasm and Luffy's unwavering support gradually melted away their resistance. With laughter, they gathered around Alice, each eager to contribute their own unique touch to the masterpiece.

Zoro's brushstrokes were bold and quick, capturing the essence of his fierce swordsmanship. Usopp's creations were whimsical and imaginative, depicting fantastical animals and far-off lands. Vivi's were soft and smooth, adding her own characteristics into the painting. Chopper tried his best and made a soloistic painting of himself, additionally adding innocence and simplicity in the view. Nami's strokes were elegant and precise, showcasing her keen eye for detail. Luffy's idea were illogical and rough, his strokes were as explosive and unpredictable as his combat style.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the ship, the painting was complete. It was a vibrant tapestry of their shared adventures, filled with laughter, bravery, and the unwavering bonds that united them. Alice completed the drawing, adding details and highlights, making sure the painting was perfect.

Alice stood back, cheeks glowing under the setting sun. The crew had gone back to their own work to let Alice finish it. "Look, Luffy!" she cried. "It's beautiful!"

Luffy jumped down from his spot on the figurehead , walking towards the canvas. His eyes widened in amazement. "ITS SO COOL!!!" he said, his voice thick with pride.

Hearing the captain's loud voice, the crew emerged from the rooms, looking at the painting in awe.

Usopp clapped her back repeatedly, amazed by how she turned the weird strokes into figures. "You really are an amazing artist!!"

Nami and Vivi shared a happy grin, chuckling to themselves, satisfied with how it turned out.

From that day forward, the painting hung proudly above the ship's grand dining hall, a constant reminder of the unbreakable bonds they had forged through their incredible journey. With the strawhat's + Vivi's artwork along with Alice's vibrant act served as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding them that even in the darkest of times, the sunshine of their love and laughter would always illuminate their path.

Sanji who had stayed late in the kitchen to have a bit of time alone, stared at the painting they made altogether, made him smile at it.

It was a green sky, thanks to Zoro. A huge tree filled with oranges and antlers, a very messy strawhat on the bottom of the tree. A yellow smoke filled the green sky giving it a colorful mix, which was his deed as he tried to hide the green sky. A stick figure in the middle which had a hoof print instead of hands. And all around the painting was stars and red strings connecting all the pieces together. And lastly a very random brush stroke on top of everything with a red colour, Luffy's work.

He let out a puff and relaxed on the chair, content with everything happening in his life.