https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-83-Thunder-and-Rain-Come-and-Collect-the-Rainwater-4k-/12608601/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-85-The-Weak-Have-No-Right-to-Talk-About-Justice-4k-/12608605/
Chapter 84: Damn You, Crocodile! (4k)
Chapter 84: Damn You, Crocodile! (4k)
The storm drew closer to the desert, and the rain that fell from the dark clouds soaked into the sandy ground.
The massive black clouds gradually enveloped the city, mirroring the colossal black ship that docked at the shore as the tempest enveloped everything.
Mute Mr. 3 held an umbrella tall enough to shelter Sogeking, standing behind him, while their crew had already gathered behind.
Sogeking addressed the crew assembled on the deck as the gangplank was lowered:
"Leave half the crew to guard the ship, taking turns. The rest of you, take the wounded to see a doctor, and then go enjoy yourselves! It's been a long voyage."
After sailing on the high seas for over half a month, with nothing but the endless horizon and the occasional storm for company, some relaxation was well-deserved.
Pirates weren't known for their frugality—with each member of the crew carrying hundreds of thousands of beri, it was time to spend lavishly.
However, someone still needed to keep watch over the ship, hence the rotation system—each crew member would take a day's shift and return the next day for their turn.
"Ah, being in a desert, there should be some good ingredients around here," Marika said, caressing her face with a smile.
"I need to buy some materials," Robin added, remembering Sogeking's request for modifications.
Lili, standing by Sogeking's side under the umbrella, her hand on her sword hilt, gazed toward the city ahead and, in a rare display, smiled: "Shopping? It's time to get some things."
"Exactly! Why be gloomy all the time? Girls, let's go shopping and have some fun. Don't worry about money; our captain here is feeling generous!"
Sogeking laughed heartily and descended the gangplank, making his way toward the city.
The city was not built right on the shore, so there was some distance to cover before reaching it.
As he approached, the storm that shrouded the city seemed to intensify.
The crew members left behind on the ship watched Sogeking depart, then glanced at the sky, where the storm seemed to be weakening slightly, and asked their companion with a puzzled look:
"Hey, do you think the storm is following our captain? We didn't encounter this many storms on our previous voyages."
His companion stroked his chin thoughtfully and replied, "But Sogeking is a 'natural disaster.' Isn't it normal for there to be storms wherever he goes?"
"That's true," the first crew member nodded in agreement.
It only took Sogeking about ten minutes to reach Rainbase.
"What's going on here?" Robin asked, puzzled by the scene before them.
The residents had raised their water-collecting tools high in the air, cheering and jumping for joy. Even the merchants who were usually busy selling their wares had stopped to bring out all sorts of containers from their homes to collect the rainwater.
Even the civilians who had come to shop joined in, buying clay pots and contributing to the rainwater collection efforts.
Being a port city, it naturally attracted traders and shoppers from the surrounding areas.
"Desert regions are typically water-scarce, so it's understandable that they would take advantage of this rare opportunity to collect water. Captain, it seems your presence has an unexpected side effect here," Marika remarked with a smile.
"Let me make this clear again," Sogeking said, lifting his head to glance at the storm raging around him. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. "This is the weather out at sea; it has nothing to do with me. And I'm not happy about it either."
Who in their right mind would enjoy being caught in a storm?
As they ventured deeper into the city, the group naturally split up—those who needed to see a doctor went their way, those seeking a drink headed for the taverns, and Lili and her companions went off shopping.
As for Sogeking, he, too, was in the mood for some entertainment. After being at sea for so long, he craved some excitement. And when it came to spending money, he intended to do it in style.
"Hey, you lot," he called to the crew members trailing behind him. "Go find a decent entertainment venue, get us a good spot, the finest alcohol, women, and dancers. Since we're in the desert, there should be desert dancers, right? Choose a suitable location and inform the rest of the crew. I plan to hold a two-day banquet here."
"Aye, aye, Captain!"
The excited crew members scattered to carry out their task, including Mr. 3, who was jumping up and down, hooting and hollering.
There was no need for Sogeking to run such errands himself. Instead, he decided to take a stroll down the street, but as he turned, he paused, a vein popping out on his temple.
"Where did everyone go? The street is suddenly so empty!" Sogeking exclaimed.
The entire street had cleared out. The residents who had been celebrating the rain just moments ago had vanished, and only a handful of shops remained open. The rest had closed their doors, some even boarding up their windows.
It wasn't because they had recognized Sogeking, but simply because of the storm—not just the rain but also the howling wind.
Most of the shops were open-air stalls, and whether it was a sandstorm or a gale, they needed to take cover.
"The rain is getting heavier," Usopp remarked, holding his hands over his head as if to shield himself from the rain indoors. "I hope Sanji brings some umbrellas. Do they even have umbrellas in a place like this?"
"There are sun umbrellas," Vivi offered.
Her eyes remained fixed on the intensifying storm, and the perplexity in her gaze only deepened.
"Why is there a storm? Alabasta never has storms. Is this Crocodile's new scheme?" she murmured.
A new type of Dance Powder?
"With this amount of rainfall, it's likely to attract rainfall from across the country," her eyes clouded with worry as she bit her lip. "Damn you, Crocodile!"
"Vivi, don't worry. We'll help you."
Nami patted Vivi on the shoulder and looked at the gradually deserted street, saying, "At least now it's favorable for us. With fewer people around, no one will notice us. Once we've bought the supplies, we're off to Yuba!"
Vivi turned and saw that the others were smiling and nodding, and she couldn't help but feel touched. "Everyone..."
"Hey, look at that guy!"
Usopp was peering out from behind the wall at that moment and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
The few people present looked forward, and there was a three-meter-tall burly man holding an umbrella and walking carefully, as if he were following someone rather than walking freely.
As their gazes shifted, a white-haired man appeared in front of the umbrella.
He wore a white shirt with ruffled edges open at the collar, loose-fitting pants, and snug black boots that wrapped around the pant legs. A fluffy cape fluttered slightly with his movements.
The sudden appearance of such a person amidst the downpour was indeed eye-catching.
"He's so rich!"
Nami's eyes lit up with the signs of money, as she noticed the man's fingers adorned with gold and jewel-encrusted rings, a red jade bead necklace around his neck, and even shirt buttons that sparkled with gem-studded opulence.
With her discerning eye, she could tell that these items were not cheap imitations but rather pure and valuable treasures.
"He looks so familiar," Usopp murmured.
Nami also recognized that face and paused for a moment. "This guy..."
"Do you know him?" Vivi asked, puzzled.
"No,"
Zoro shook his head, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword as he fixed his gaze on the figure of Sark in the distance. "He's a pirate from the East Blue Sea. We've seen his bounty poster, but has he also come to the Grand Line? Norton Sark."
"The one with a 70 million berry bounty?!?" Usopp exclaimed.
"70 million? Only 1,000 million less than Crocodile?" Vivi also paused in surprise.
"I'm back! This storm is getting bigger and bigger. Luckily, I bought everything early, and a lot of people have started to take shelter."
Just then, Sanji returned, carrying a small mountain of supplies. After putting down the items, he first twisted his body and moved closer to Nami and Vivi.
"Ah! Miss Nami, Miss Vivi, even this fierce storm can't extinguish the flame of passion I have for you two. The flame of love can evaporate the storm! Fortunately, I have bought back what we need!"
"Idiot." Zoro scoffed.
"You've got a problem with that, green-hair?!"
Sanji shouted angrily and then suddenly paused, looking around. "Where's Chopper?"
"He wasn't with you?" Nami asked.
"We got separated along the way. Strange, where could he have gone? Did he get lost?"
...
"Can't you cure him?"
In a medical clinic in Rohara, Akin grabbed the doctor by his collar, his face fierce as he demanded, "We provided the drugs, and now I'm just asking you to treat the wounds. Are you saying you can't cure them?"
"I, I don't know what to do."
The doctor was so scared by Akin's fierce face that he shuddered and stammered, "Their injuries are too severe. In my eyes, it's a miracle they've survived this long. Although we have the drugs, I'm just an ordinary doctor and don't have such exquisite medical skills to bring them back."
"Quack!"
Akin pushed the doctor away and casually threw out his cane, the iron ball at the end smashing a hole in the wall. He coldly harrumphed and walked out of the clinic.
Outside, all the wounded were being supported by their men.
Paul came forward and asked, "Captain, what should we do now?"
"Find another clinic. This city is so big; I don't believe there's no way to cure them! If we still can't cure them, then we'll go to the royal capital. Captain Sark will agree, too!" Akin said solemnly.
"Um, do you need a doctor?"
Suddenly, a weak voice sounded from beside them.
Akin frowned and looked over, only to pause in surprise.
It seemed to be an animal wearing a pink top hat, standing strangely upright like a
"Tanuki?" Paul blurted out.
"He's a reindeer, you idiot!" Chopper shouted angrily.
"A talking tanuki!" Paul took a step back in shock. "A monster?!"
"You!" Chopper's teeth itched with anger as he turned to leave.
"Paul!"
Akin glared at him and said, "Have you still got no common sense even after reaching the Grand Line? As Captain Sark said, anything that can't be explained is the work of a Devil Fruit user."
He looked at Chopper, "You're a Devil Fruit user, too, right? Tanuki Reindeer, do you know where there's a doctor?"
"Hmph!"
Chopper proudly turned his head, but as he looked at the wounded, his eyes blinked, and he said, "I'm a doctor. Their injuries are severe, and they need quick treatment. We can't delay."
"You can cure them?!?" Akin's eyes lit up, and he bowed to Chopper, "Please help us! Please cure them!"
Paul also followed Akin's lead and bowed to Chopper, saying, "Please help us, Mr. Tanuki!"
"I'm a reindeer!"
Chopper's eyes rolled back, and he shouted, "And I have a name! My name is Chopper!"
He took a deep breath, glanced at Paul again, and then trotted over with his small hoof steps to a wounded man. He removed the bandage, revealing a deep wound that exposed the bone.
"The basic treatment is good, but just basic treatment won't do. We need to go inside the clinic. Can you buy medicine?
"We have the medicine!"
Akin's men opened the cloth bags they were carrying, revealing a plethora of medical supplies. Then, they witnessed a reindeer standing upright and skillfully unwrapping the bandages of the wounded, mixing various medicines, and applying them both externally and internally. He then skillfully rebandaged the wounds.
The weak breaths of over a hundred men began to stabilize.
"Alright, follow the combinations I've made here. Also, this is a mixture made using your drugs; change the bandages and apply this mixture once a day, and the wounds will heal.
Chopper wiped the sweat that had formed on his forehead and pointed to the array of medicines on the ground. "This medicine is excellent for external wounds; in the future, you can use this medicine for similar injuries."
"Wow, Doctor Chopper, your medical skills are truly superb!"
Akin's eyes widened as he squatted down and grabbed Chopper's hoof. "Compared to those incompetent doctors who give up easily, you are a doctor with integrity!"
Chopper's face turned red, and his body twisted like a wave. "I'm not happy at all with your praise, jerk!"
Wasn't he very happy?
"Doctor Chopper, please come with me to see the captain. The captain will definitely be happy to hear this news, too!" Akin said solemnly.
"No, I have to go back; my companions are waiting for me."
Chopper pulled his hoof out of Akin's grip, thought for a moment, and then struck a pose with his hoof, baring his teeth as he smiled:
"I'm a doctor, and saving people is my duty; you don't need to thank me too much."
"Oh! What a noble statement!"
Akin exclaimed, "Then let your companions come along, too. The captain is holding a banquet, and you will definitely be allowed to join. We will thank you properly then. Now, I'll come with you to find your companions and personally invite them!"
...
In a store, Sark opened a bottle of wine, took a whiff, and nodded. "Not bad; as expected of the desert region, the quality of this wine is excellent."
He waved his hand, and Miot, standing behind him, took out a bag of gold coins and placed it on the counter, causing the shop owner's eyes to widen.
"I'm buying out all the wine in this store. This is a deposit, and someone will notify you later about where to deliver it."
"Yes, sir! Rest assured, customer, I will deliver it on time!" The shop owner quickly appeased him.
Sark walked out of the store and looked at the stormy sky, which was still filled with dark clouds and pouring rain. He shook his head and was about to continue on with Miot when—
"My glasses! This rain is too heavy; my glasses blew away!"
A woman knelt in front of them, frantically feeling around with her hands. Right in front of her were a pair of glasses.
"One meter ahead." Sark casually remarked.
The woman reached out and grabbed her glasses, wiped them, and put them on. She bowed apologetically with a smile:
"Thank you so much! My eyesight isn't very good, and I can't see without my glasses, Norton Sark!"
The pupils of her eyes, which had just regained their vision, suddenly contracted. The woman subconsciously gripped the hilt of her sword, swiftly drew it, and slashed it forward with both hands.
Bang!
A massive blade struck the woman's sword, sending her body flying backward and falling to the ground.
"Hmm!"
Miot held an umbrella in one hand and drew his sword with the other, guarding in front of Sark. He glared at the woman menacingly.
"Do you recognize me?"
Sark curiously observed her, "Are you a bounty hunter, or..."
"Capture the Straw Hat boy!"
A group of Navy soldiers rushed out from the front, charging straight toward Sark. Behind him, a figure resembling a gibbon suddenly darted past.
"Dasqi, Straw Hat..."
A tall man standing behind the group of Navy soldiers abruptly stopped mid-sentence, remaining frozen behind Dasqi, who was lying on the ground. He stared fixedly at Sark, who was standing under the umbrella, with the two cigars clenched between his teeth.
The man exhaled a puff of smoke from his mouth and slowly said, "Today is truly a great day. Not only did we find the Straw Hat boy, but we also discovered you. I've always been wondering when you would come to the Grand Line, and now we've finally met."
"Norton Sark!" The man suddenly roared.
Boom!
The dark clouds in the sky erupted with a clap of thunder, illuminating the figure standing under the umbrella with a flash of lightning amidst the stormy sky.
The dark clouds gradually dissipated, along with the diminishing rain, until it finally ceased, revealing the brilliant sun, which gradually heated up the city.
The dry wind blowing in from the desert swept down the street, rustling Sark's fur cape and causing his white hair to dance in the wind. A sinister smile slowly spread across his face.
"So it's the Navy."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
