Rainbase
The city of Rainbase was a contrast of vibrant lights and deep shadows. The glow of oil lamps reflected on the damp ground, where hurried footsteps echoed against the stone streets. The casinos lured visitors with promises of fortune, but what truly filled the air was tension.
Then, in an instant—
FWOOSH!
A fiery vortex erupted in the middle of the city. The heat burned the air, distorting the vision around it. The ground trembled, windows vibrated. The lights flickered.
And then… the Going Merry appeared.
The ship's hull materialized in the center of the main square, its structure casting a colossal shadow over the passersby. Ropes swayed, sails flapped against the hot desert wind. Sand rose in a dense spiral, blinding the curious onlookers who dared to approach.
BOOM!
The final impact resonated like thunder, and silence fell over Rainbase.
The citizens froze. Casino guards reached for their weapons. The murmur of the city ceased. Everyone stared in disbelief at the pirate ship that had just appeared in the middle of town.
Vivi blinked rapidly, her mind struggling to process.
'This… This isn't possible…'
A moment ago, she had been discussing the war with Riser. Now, the Going Merry stood before Rain Dinners, Crocodile's casino.
The sails fluttered, shaken by the hot desert breeze.
Alvida laughed, crossing her arms as she surveyed the city around her.
"Ahahah! Now that is a pirate-worthy entrance!"
Sanji staggered slightly, his eyes wide.
"What the hell just happened?!"
Luffy jumped onto the deck, laughing loudly.
"Shishishishi! That was amazing!"
Zoro narrowed his eyes, his swordsman's instinct on high alert.
"That wasn't natural…"
Nami climbed down from the mast slowly, her movements fluid and elegant. Her golden eyes gleamed as she took in every detail of the place.
"The desert city. Crocodile is here."
Vivi swallowed hard, her heart racing.
"Riser… You…"
The blond remained still, gazing at the casino ahead. His golden eyes glowed under the city's dim lights.
"Now we're at the center of the board."
The princess clenched her fists.
"This is madness! You brought us directly into the enemy's den!"
He tilted his head slightly, a lazy smile forming on his lips.
"Yes."
Her blood ran cold.
Sanji gritted his teeth.
"You arrogant bastard! You didn't even prepare us for this!"
Alvida let out a low chuckle.
"Ahahaha! Relax, blondie. If it weren't for him, you'd still be sailing in despair."
Zoro slightly unsheathed one of his swords, his sharp gaze unwavering.
"And now? Do you plan to attack head-on?"
Riser's eyes swept over the casino ahead. The golden glow shimmered in the dim light.
"Yes."
Vivi took a deep breath. Fear gripped her throat, but the opportunity was real.
'If he's this willing to face Crocodile, then… I can't waste this.'
Alvida spun her mace over her shoulder, a cruel smile playing on her lips.
"Finally, some fun."
Luffy stretched his arms, excited.
"Shishishi! So we're fighting already?!"
Zoro adjusted his swords at his waist.
"If we're doing this, we'd better do it fast."
Sanji scoffed, crossing his arms.
"Tch. I don't like this at all."
Riser ignored him, moving slowly toward the ship's railing. The desert wind whipped through his golden hair, his cape billowing slightly.
"We split up."
The tension thickened.
"Luffy, Zoro, Alvida, with me. We're going to the casino."
The captain's grin widened.
"This is gonna be fun!"
Zoro nodded without hesitation.
Alvida cracked her neck, her mace resting casually on her shoulder.
"And the rest?"
Riser's gaze slowly drifted toward Vivi.
"Take the others to the king."
Her heart wavered.
'He's giving us a chance to act… but why?'
Nami, leaning against the mast, watched everything with quiet devotion in her eyes.
"This feels right."
Sanji raised an eyebrow, processing the plan.
"So I stay with Vivi-chan?!"
His mood shifted instantly.
"Perfect! I will protect your life with my own, Vivi-chan!"
Vivi looked at him, unsure whether to feel relieved or annoyed.
Usopp let out a deep sigh, relaxing his shoulders.
"So… I don't have to fight a Warlord? What a relief!"
Karoo, now in his velociraptor form, let out a low growl, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
Igaram adjusted his collar, casting a calculating glance at the city.
"If we truly have this opportunity, then we must act fast."
Time wouldn't wait for them.
Then…
Heavy footsteps approached.
The casino guards formed a semicircle around the Going Merry. Their light metal armor reflected the glow of the city's lanterns. Swords were drawn. Hostile glares.
One of them, a tall and burly man, stepped forward.
"Pirates."
The word rang out like an accusation.
"This territory belongs to Lord Crocodile. What are you doing here?"
Riser tilted his head, assessing the soldiers.
"Where is he?"
The guard tightened his grip on his sword.
"That's none of your concern."
Riser's lazy smile widened.
"I disagree."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then—
FWOOSH!
The guard was sent flying backward, crashing into a distant wall. Dust rose from the impact. The rest of the soldiers instinctively stepped back.
Luffy blinked, surprised.
"Hey, I wanted to do that!"
Alvida let out a low chuckle.
"Looks like he's more impatient than he seems."
The leader of the guards struggled to stand, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
"You've made a mistake… A mistake that will cost you dearly."
Swords were raised.
Zoro slid his hand toward his katana.
"If they want to start, we'll finish."
Sanji sighed, rolling his cigarette between his lips.
"Well, at least I'm not on the suicide squad."
Riser looked at Vivi.
"Go."
She hesitated for a second.
But then, she nodded.
"Come with me!"
Sanji, Usopp, Nami, and the others followed her lead, moving quickly through the city.
The guards didn't have time to react—
Luffy charged first.
"Shishishishi! Time to play!"
Chaos erupted.
Swords gleamed under the city's lanterns. The first soldier tried to strike, but—
BANG!
Alvida swung her mace, smashing him into the ground with a dull thud. The sound echoed through the square, dust and sand rising into the air.
"Ahahaha! That was easy!"
Another guard lunged forward, sword raised.
ZAS!
Zoro appeared beside him, slicing through the air with a single motion. The metal gleamed before the enemy's blade shattered. His body collapsed before he even realized what had happened.
"Weak."
Luffy jumped, his grin widening.
"Gomu Gomu no… PISTOL!"
His fist stretched, striking three guards at once. The impact sent them flying, spinning like ragdolls before they crashed, unconscious.
"Shishishi! This is fun!"
Riser remained on the Going Merry's deck, watching calmly. His golden eyes absorbed every detail, like a player before a chessboard.
The pawns fell easily.
His gaze slid to the corner of the deck.
Mr. 3 was there, tied up, his head slumped to the side.
But then—
"Ugh…"
His fingers twitched slightly. His eyes slowly opened, still hazy from unconsciousness.
He blinked several times, trying to focus on the scene before him.
The ship.
The city.
The guards falling like flies.
The blood drained from his face.
Riser approached, the lazy smile playing on his lips.
"Finally awake."
Mr. 3 blinked rapidly, his heart pounding.
"W-what—?! Where…?! How—?!"
Riser crossed his arms, leaning slightly.
"You were useful, you know?"
The voice was calm, but edged with something sharp.
Mr. 3 swallowed hard.
"Useful…? What are you talking about?"
The blond chuckled softly.
"I wonder how Mr. 0 will react when he finds out you brought us here."
Mr. 3's face turned ghostly pale.
His blood ran cold.
"I… I didn't…!"
Riser didn't move, his smile unwavering.
"Didn't what? Didn't bring us here? Didn't help us invade Rainbase?"
Sweat dripped down the agent's forehead.
"I… I would never do that! I'm loyal to Baroque Works! I—"
Riser's golden eyes glowed faintly.
"Then why are we here?"
Silence fell.
Mr. 3 opened his mouth, but no words came out.
His body trembled.
He knew what happened to traitors.
And Crocodile… didn't forgive betrayal.
'This… This is a trick! He's lying! Manipulating me!'
But…
What if Crocodile believed it?
What if he thought it was his fault?
Mr. 3's hand clenched into a trembling fist.
He was dead.
Riser leaned in a little closer, his piercing gaze cutting into the agent's mind like blades.
"It's a strange feeling, isn't it?"
His voice whispered like poison.
"The uncertainty. The fear. The fact that, no matter what you say… the doubt has already been planted."
Mr. 3's heart pounded against his ribs.
'No… I can't die like this… Not now…!'
But then, something even worse hit him.
'If Crocodile suspects me… He won't just kill me. He'll make me suffer first.'
His eyes trembled.
The despair deepened.
And Riser… just smiled.
---
Outside, the last guards fell.
Zoro wiped his blade, his eyes impassive.
"That was pathetic."
Alvida swung her mace over her shoulder, her eyes amused.
"I hope something more interesting comes next."
Luffy stretched his arms, yawning.
"We still haven't found Crocodile?"
Riser stepped down from the ship, his golden eyes gleaming under the city lights.
"Don't worry."
He looked at the casino ahead.
"They've already noticed we're here."
The doors of Rain Dinners creaked open.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
A heavy presence fell over the square.
Someone was coming out.
Zoro placed a hand on his sword's hilt.
Alvida narrowed her eyes.
Luffy grinned, his fists clenched.
Riser simply watched, curious.
The game was just beginning.
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Also, don't forget to check out my other fanfic:
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