The Den Den Mushi blinked in eerie silence.
Its beady snail eyes rotated toward Luffy. The image of his shadow-coated figure, standing amid the ruins of the wax dome, transmitted in real time. Beside the snail, a small receiver hummed, pulsing with quiet static.
Mr. 3 coughed out a broken laugh. "Even if I lost… it's too late."
Luffy stepped forward, his foot pressing harder against Mr. 3's chest. "You were feeding him this whole time?"
Mr. 3's voice trembled. "Baroque Works doesn't gamble. Crocodile always watches."
Vivi's face turned pale. "No…"
Nami clutched her arm. "That means—"
Usopp's voice cracked. "He knows… who we are?"
The Den Den Mushi clicked again.
Then cut off.
Dead silence.
Then the wind changed.
Far across the Grand Line, deep in the hidden fortress of Rainbase, a much larger Den Den Mushi snapped its eyes shut.
The figure standing in the dimly lit chamber pulled back his gloved hand from the transmitter.
Long golden hook gleaming in the low light.
"Straw Hat Luffy…"
Crocodile's voice was cold. Deliberate.
His cloak rustled as he turned from the desk. On the wall behind him, a massive map of Alabasta showed red pins marking the locations of rebel hotspots.
His eyes narrowed at the center of it all—Alubarna.
"Looks like the princess has found herself new protection."
Miss All Sunday stepped from the shadows, her expression unreadable. "Shall I send the agents to intercept?"
Crocodile didn't answer immediately.
He exhaled a breath of cigar smoke and looked back to the now-dormant Den Den Mushi.
"No. Let them come."
He smiled faintly.
"I want to meet them myself."
Back on Little Garden, the tension hung like fog over the clearing.
Sanji walked forward, inspecting the transmitter. "We should've crushed this first."
"I didn't expect him to be broadcasting," Luffy admitted. "But now we know who's watching."
Vivi took a shaky breath. "Crocodile's going to come after us now. We're not in the shadows anymore."
Nami turned toward her. "Then we get ahead of him. The sooner we reach Alabasta, the better."
Brogy and Dorry stepped into the clearing, their massive feet shaking the ground.
"Warriors!" Brogy bellowed. "We heard the voice of freedom again!"
Dorry smiled beneath his beard. "You honored our duel with pride. For that, we give thanks."
Zoro nodded. "You're welcome."
Brogy placed a huge hand on the trunk of a nearby tree and pulled. The entire tree ripped from the earth like a weed.
"For warriors like you… you'll need a strong ship to cross the sea ahead."
Dorry and Brogy carried the tree down to the shore with thunderous steps.
"Come," Dorry called. "We will send you off in style!"
Hours later, the Going Merry was fixed, reinforced with the help of the giants. A makeshift sail stitched with pieces of giant cloth now waved proudly in the wind.
Sanji packed the last of the food. "We're ready."
Luffy stood at the bow, arms crossed. His shadow had dimmed again—calm, controlled.
The Log Pose pulsed on Nami's wrist.
"It's finally set."
The needle pointed east.
Straight toward Alabasta.
Vivi clenched her fists. "We're coming home."
Zoro stepped up beside Luffy. "And this time, no detours."
Usopp gripped the rail. "Let's hope the rebellion hasn't exploded yet."
Sanji lit a cigarette and exhaled. "If it has—we fight."
The Going Merry began to drift slowly from shore, the giants waving from the cliff as the sails caught wind.
"Farewell, warriors!" Brogy roared.
"May your courage bring peace!" Dorry bellowed.
Luffy raised a hand in farewell. "Thanks for everything!"
The ship turned toward the sea.
Far beyond the waves, the kingdom of Alabasta waited.
And in its shadow…
Crocodile did too.
[End of Chapter 118]
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