Chapter 128: Regrouping in Rainbase
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the bustling streets of Rainbase. The city was alive with activity, its casinos and bars filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the occasional roar of a crowd. But for the Straw Hat crew, the vibrant atmosphere was a stark contrast to the tension they felt as they regrouped in a quiet alleyway away from prying eyes.
Goku and Usopp arrived first, their arms laden with bottles of water and a few snacks they'd managed to grab from the bar. The rest of the crew was already there, looking worse for wear after their trek through the desert. Nami was fanning herself with a map, her face flushed from the heat. Zoro leaned against a wall, his arms crossed and his expression as stoic as ever. Sanji was pacing back and forth, muttering something about the lack of decent restaurants in the area. Vivi sat on a crate, her face pale and her hands trembling slightly. Chopper was busy tending to a small cut on Gin's arm, his medical bag open beside him.
Goku grinned as he approached, holding up the bottles of water like trophies. "Hey, everyone! We brought water! And snacks! Well, mostly water, but still!"
Usopp stumbled after him, his arms full of more bottles. "Yeah, and we almost got arrested by Smoker, but hey, we're here now!"
The crew's eyes widened at the mention of Smoker, and Nami was the first to speak, her voice filled with alarm. "Smoker?! What do you mean you almost got arrested by Smoker?!"
Goku waved a hand dismissively, his tail swishing lazily behind him. "Relax, Nami. It was no big deal. He tried to arrest us, but I convinced him to back off. No harm done."
Zoro raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You *convinced* him? Smoker doesn't exactly strike me as the type to back down from a fight." After the events of Logue Town and Nanohana, Smoker seemed obsessed with Goku. Zoro just wouldn't buy it that the Marine Captain would let him go scot free.
Goku shrugged, his grin widening. "Let's just say I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Anyway, here's some water. Drink up!"
The crew didn't need to be told twice. They grabbed the bottles and began gulping down the water, their relief palpable. Even Zoro, who usually tried to maintain his tough-guy image, couldn't hide his gratitude as he drained an entire bottle in one go.
Once everyone had quenched their thirst, Nami turned to Goku, her expression serious. "Alright, Goku. What's the plan? We're in Rainbase, but we're not exactly blending in. If Smoker knows we're here, then Crocodile probably does too."
Goku's grin faded, replaced by a rare seriousness. "Yeah, that's the thing. If Smoker knows we're here, then Crocodile definitely knows. And you can bet he's already sent his Baroque Works goons after us. We're not exactly low-profile, you know?"
Usopp, who had been nervously fidgeting, let out a groan. "Great. So we've got Smoker and Crocodile after us. This day just keeps getting better and better."
Sanji exhaled a plume of smoke, his brow furrowed. "So what do we do? We can't just sit here and wait for them to find us. We need a plan."
"A plan with the highest chance of success," Gin added. Taking a drink of the water as well. Having been feeling the relentless onslaught of the sun he needed it more than he was showing to the rest of the crew.
Goku crossed his arms, his expression resolute. "We don't need a plan. We've got something better—me. Crocodile's here, and he knows we're coming. There's no point in playing it safe anymore. We march straight to Rain Dinners, his casino, and take him down."
The crew stared at him in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of disbelief and concern. Vivi was the first to speak, her voice trembling slightly. "Goku, that's... that's insane. Crocodile's a Warlord of the Sea. He's not someone you can just walk up to and punch in the face. We need to be smart about this."
Goku's grin returned, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. "There are times to be smart and cautious, think before you act. There are other times when the best option is the most direct option. Sometimes you just gotta go in swinging. Besides, we've got something Crocodile doesn't—me. Trust me, we've got this."
Zoro smirked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I like the way you think, Goku. Straight to the point. No messing around."
Nami, however, wasn't convinced. She stepped forward, her hands on her hips, her voice filled with frustration. "Goku, this isn't one of your usual reckless stunts. Crocodile's dangerous. He's got an entire army of Baroque Works agents, and they're not going to just let us waltz into his casino. We need a plan, not a death wish."
Goku's expression softened, and he placed a hand on Nami's shoulder. "I get it, Nami. You're worried. But trust me, we don't have time to play it safe. Crocodile's already expecting us, and the longer we wait, the more time he has to prepare. We need to hit him hard and fast, before he can react."
Sanji flicked the ash off his cigarette, his expression thoughtful. "Goku's got a point. If we try to sneak around, we're just giving Crocodile more time to set traps. But if we go in guns blazing, we might catch him off guard."
Vivi's hands clenched into fists, her voice filled with desperation. "But what if we're walking into a trap? What if that is exactly what he is counting on us?"
Goku's grin widened, and he patted Vivi on the back. "Then we'll just have to punch our way out. Don't worry, Vivi. We've got this. We're the Saiyan Pirates, remember? We don't back down from a fight."
The crew exchanged glances, their resolve hardening. They knew Goku was right—they didn't have time to play it safe. Crocodile was the real enemy, and they needed to take him down before he could cause any more damage.
Nami sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Alright, fine. We'll do it your way, Goku. But if this goes south, I'm blaming you."
Goku laughed, his usual carefree demeanor returning. "Deal. Now, let's get moving. Rain Dinners is just up the street. Let's show Crocodile what happens when you mess with us."
The crew nodded, their determination renewed. They gathered their supplies and prepared to move out, their footsteps firm and steady. The road ahead would be dangerous, but they knew they had to keep going. The fate of Alabasta depended on it.
As they stepped out of the alleyway and into the bustling streets of Rainbase, Goku turned to the crew, his grin widening. "Alright, everyone. Let's go crash a casino."
The crew erupted into laughter, their spirits lifted by Goku's infectious confidence. They knew the stakes were high, but with Goku leading the way, they felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The storm was coming, and the Saiyan Pirates were ready to meet it head-on.
[A/N: So I finally decided to change the name of the crew. The deviation from the canon of the story will be more prominent from now on based on plot and new characters introduced. Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]