One Piece: Chopping Ace Back to Foosha Village at the Start

Back to the present…

"So that's how I joined the boss," Robin finished, eyes soft with the memory. "Those first two years the company had nothing, Wayne's name meant nothing, and we relied on his side gigs as a bounty hunter just to keep the lights on. Then the performances took off, the company grew, and eventually he became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

She smiled half nostalgia, half tenderness. "Seven years ago he said he would protect everyone who matters. He really meant it."

Goliya puffed her cheeks. "Humph, I met the boss only a year after you. No need to rub it in."

The Apocalypse plowed westward. With every mile the deck grew hotter. Wayne carefully split a single fist‑sized block of ice into three parts, handed one to Robin, a second to Goliya, and popped the last thumb‑sized piece into his own mouth.

Kuro stared, parched.

Crunch. Wayne chewed the ice with exaggerated delight. "This heat is brutal. Kuzan's ability would be handy right now cool in summer, warm in winter."

Kuro's eyes filled with tears of envy that no one acknowledged.

"Land ahead," Goliya called, hopping with excitement.

Wayne shaded his eyes. "Alabasta… Been a while." Seven years ago he had first met Robin here. "Let's drop anchor in Rainbase and stretch our legs."

Robin checked the Eternal Pose. "It needs another week to log the next island."

"Perfect," Wayne said. "A few days of shore leave never hurt anyone."

Sandstone streets of Alubarna

The city felt… thinner. Fewer stalls, shuttered shops.

"Seems duller than last time," Wayne muttered. "Crocodile must be stirring the pot."

Kuro frowned. "Crocodile? The national hero? People love him."

Wayne laughed. "Hero on the surface, parasite beneath. He is hunting an ancient weapon that sleeps in this desert, and a certain Poneglyph besides." He glanced at Robin. "We will read it when the time is right. There is another stone on our next route anyway."

Robin's face lit up.

They reached Rainbase's dazzling strip.

"Record­-Pose still has seven days to charge," Wayne told the crew. "Enjoy the casinos, the markets, whatever you like."

He vanished into Rain Dinners. Goliya dragged Robin clothes‑shopping, raving about desert fashion, while Kuro led the others to buy water and provisions.

Rain Dinners Casino

"Place your bets, no more coins after the call."

"Big, big, big!" Wayne cried.

The dice showed one, two, three. Small. Another stack of chips evaporated.

In two hours he burned through one million nine hundred thousand Berries. Only one stack of ten‑thousand chips remained.

He sighed, ignoring Observation Haki on purpose.

"So this is what those old timers enjoy. Rolling dice without cheating is more fun than I thought."

Seven years ago he would have sworn never to abandon Observation. Now he could only admit, "True bliss."

Broke, he left to find Robin and beg a cash infusion.

Alubarna bazaar

"Whoa, careful this one really doesn't fit."

"It will once we adjust the sash."

"No, the chest is way too tight."

Wayne surrendered and let the tailor dress him in a royal‑blue desert robe. Robin emerged in a flowing indigo outfit, veil fluttering. Goliya wore a lively crimson dress.

"These Alabastan tailors know their craft," Wayne said, eyes lingering on Robin. He leaned close. "Your room or mine tonight?"

Robin's eyes sparkled behind the veil. "How about a reenactment of our first meeting, handsome?"

Goliya stamped. "Get a sand dune, you two."

With new clothes and drained wallets, they strolled back toward the entertainment quarter.

A sudden wind howled. Sand erupted, swirling into a human form that blocked their path.