Towards Alabasta

A snowy landscape is shown with Drum Castle towering on the drum-shaped mountains in the background. The Going Merry sails away from the island on the dark sea. Narration boxes read: "AFTERWARDS, 'HILULUK'S CHERRY BLOSSOMS' THAT FELL ON THAT FATEFUL NIGHT, BECAME KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS THE VOICE THAT SIGNALED THE BIRTH OF FREEDOM IN A COUNTRY YET WITHOUT A NAME." Below, a pirate flag with a skull and crossbones surrounded by cherry blossom petals flutters in the wind. A final narration box states: "THAT THIS COUNTRY WOULD ADOPT A MOST UNUSUAL FLAG AS THEIR NATIONAL SYMBOL, IS A STORY FOR LATER."

Outside Drum Castle, Dalton and Dr. Kureha sit in the snow. Dalton remarks, "THEY MUST'VE LEFT THE ISLAND BY NOW..." Kureha simply replies, "HMM..." Dalton continues, "IF HILULUK'S 'CHERRY BLOSSOMS' REALLY DID CAUSE A MIRACLE, THEN IT'S THE FACT THAT A TIMID LITTLE REINDEER LIKE HIM DECIDED TO VENTURE THE SEAS..." Kureha adds, "THE REINDEER THAT INHERITED BOTH THE BEST MEDICAL SKILLS AND THE HEART REQUIRED FOR A DOCTOR..." Suddenly, Dalton notices someone approaching. "HM? DALTON!" a voice calls out. Dalton smiles warmly, saying, "I'M SURE THIS COUNTRY WILL CHANGE, JUST LIKE HIM..." Kureha laughs, "HE WAS ACTING ALL TOUGH LIKE A MAN FOR A MOMENT THERE... HEE HEE HEE..."

A man runs up to Dalton, holding up a wanted poster of Monkey D. Luffy. "THAT'S HIM! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! THIS! LOOK!" he exclaims. Dalton asks, "SHOW ME WHAT?" The man explains, "WE JUST REMEMBERED THAT WE OUGHT TO SHOW YOU THIS! LOOK!" Dalton looks at the poster with a "HM?" Kureha also looks at it and chuckles, "OH? WELL ISN'T HE QUITE THE NOTORIOUS VILLAIN? HEE HEE HEE..." The man points out, "A WANTED PIRATE, WITH A BOUNTY OF 30 MILLION BERI..." Dalton asks, "WHERE DID YOU GET THIS?" The man hesitates, "WELL, THAT'S..." Another man joins in, explaining, "WE SHOULD'VE SHOWED THIS TO YOU EARLIER BUT WE FORGOT. AROUND A WEEK AGO, A LONE TRAVELLER SUDDENLY SHOWED UP IN ROBELLE. FOR SOME REASON, IT DIDN'T SNOW AT ALL THAT DAY."

The men continue their story to Dalton and Kureha. "WE DON'T KNOW WHERE HE CAME FROM, BUT HE SAID HE WAS LOOKING FOR 'BLACKBEARD,' THE SAME PIRATE THAT ATTACKED OUR COUNTRY. BUT WHEN WE TOLD HIM BLACKBEARD HAD ALREADY LEFT THIS COUNTRY..." A flashback shows a silhouette of a man wearing a hat. He asks, "THEN LET ME ASK YOU ONE MORE THING. HAS A PIRATE WEARING A STRAW-HAT COME HERE BY ANY CHANCE?" The men recount, "WE SAID WE'VE NEVER HEARD OF HIM, AND THAT'S WHEN HE HANDED US THIS WANTED POSTER." The silhouette clicks his tongue, "TSK TSK." Turning away, he says, "IF HE HAPPENS TO COME TO THIS ISLAND, PLEASE TELL HIM I'LL BE WAITING IN ALABASTA FOR 10 DAYS. THAT'LL BE ALL..."

The flashback continues, revealing the man's face as Portgas D. Ace, smiling confidently. "TELL HIM THAT IF LUFFY COMES HERE. THE NAME'S ACE." He starts to walk away, then turns back, "OH THAT'S RIGHT, I ALMOST FORGOT. WAIT! WHAT'S YOUR NAME!?" Suddenly, he is seen running away from a restaurant in the snowy town. "CRAP! BE SURE TO PASS ON THE MESSAGE!" he yells. An angry chef chases him, shouting, "SOMEONE CATCH THAT MAN! HE DIDN'T PAY FOR HIS MEAL!" The men watch in confusion, "HUH!?" Back in the present, the man finishes his story. "I SEE... WELL, I DON'T THINK THERE WAS A NEED TO TELL HIM." Dalton asks, "HUH? WHY?" The man replies, "BECAUSE THOSE PIRATES ARE HEADING TOWARDS ALABASTA NEXT. AND I'VE GOT A HUNCH ABOUT WHY THAT IS..." Kureha remains silent, staring intently.

Dalton looks at Kureha, remembering Vivi. "I GET THE FEELING WE'VE MET SOMEWHERE BEFORE. I-IT MUST BE YOUR IMAGINATION, I'M SURE OF IT! I MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE TRAVELLING WITH THOSE PIRATES BUT I'M SURE YOU HAVE YOUR REASONS... YOU'VE GROWN UP TO BE A WONDERFUL LADY...!" He then notices Kureha staring at the wanted poster. "DR. KUREHA... WHAT'RE YOU STARING SO INTENTLY AT THAT POSTER FOR?" Kureha asks, "DO YOU KNOW OF GOL 'D.' ROGER...?" Dalton is confused, "D...? YOU MEAN GOLD ROGER? WELL YEAH, WHO DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT HIM?" Kureha smiles knowingly, "...SO IS THAT WHAT THE PEOPLE CALL HIM THESE DAYS? SEEMS MY REINDEER HAS GONE OFF WITH A VERY DANGEROUS MAN INDEED..." Dalton looks puzzled with a "?".

A close-up of Dr. Kureha shows her smiling broadly. "IT SEEMS THE WILL OF 'D,' IS STILL ALIVE..." she says. The scene shifts to the Going Merry sailing on the calm sea under a starry night sky. On the deck, Luffy is running around excitedly, laughing, "AHA HA HA! THE FULL MOON IS OUT, AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS ARE IN BLOOM! WHAT A NIGHT!" Usopp is also running around with him, enjoying the festive atmosphere.

The Going Merry continues its journey. Someone yells, "CHOPPER! HEY CHOPPER! HOW LONG ARE YA GONNA SIT THERE MOPING!?" On the deck, the crew is celebrating. Sanji holds up a mug, "COME AND DRINK WITH US!" Usopp adds, "THOSE CHERRY BLOSSOMS WERE SURE PRETTY THOUGH. DIDN'T THINK I'D GET TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN A SNOW COUNTRY!" Sanji agrees, "YOU SAID IT! AND WHAT BETTER TIME THAN NOW IS THERE FOR A DRINK?" Nami angrily yells, "GUYS!" Luffy, with chopsticks stuck in his nose and mouth, says, "YO NAMI, LOOK! I LEARNED THIS FROM YOSAKU!" Nami points furiously at Zoro and Carue, who are completely frozen solid in blocks of ice. "WOULD IT KILL YOU TO PAY SOME ATTENTION OVER HERE TOO!? CARUE! WHAT WERE YOU DOING OUT FROZEN IN THE RIVER!?" Luffy casually remarks, "WHAT, THOSE TWO LOOK ALIVE TO ME." Carue shivers, "QUACK..." Nami screams, "CARUUEEE!"

Carue shivers violently, "QUACK QUACK QUACK... QUACK QUACK..." Sanji laughs, "MAYBE HE SLIPPED AND FELL IN? HAHA, CLUMSY LIL' GUY." Zoro, also shivering, snaps, "YOU STAY QUIET, MR. BUSHIDO!" Chopper translates for Carue, "HE SAID HE SAW SOMEONE CALLED ZORO DISAPPEAR IN THE RIVER, SO HE JUMPED INSIDE TO RESCUE HIM BUT ENDED UP BECOMING FROZEN." Sanji kicks the frozen Zoro, yelling, "SO THIS WAS YOUR FAULT!" Nami is amazed, "YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT CARUE IS SAYING, TONY?" Chopper explains, "WELL, I WAS ORIGINALLY A NORMAL ANIMAL SO I CAN COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER ANIMALS." Nami smiles brightly, "THAT'S AMAZING, CHOPPER! YOU'RE NOT ONLY WELL VERSED IN MEDICAL SKILLS, BUT YOU CAN TALK TO ANIMALS TOO!?" Sanji is confused, "WAIT NAMI, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY 'MEDICAL SKILLS?'" Chopper does his happy dance, blushing and wiggling. "S-SHUT UP! THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME HAPPY ONE BIT, YOU IDIOT!" Usopp deadpans, "YOU SEEM PLENTY HAPPY TO ME..."

Nami yells at Sanji and Luffy, "WHAAT!? CHOPPER, YOU'RE A DOCTOR!? IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT, THEN WHY ON EARTH DID YOU INVITE HIM ONBOARD?" Sanji casually replies, "HE'S A COOL REINDEER THAT CAN TRANSFORM INTO 7 DIFFERENT FORMS, DUH." Luffy adds, "EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLY." Chopper looks shocked. Suddenly, Chopper realizes something and panics, "AH- OH NO! I FORGOT TO BRING MY SURGICAL TOOLS, BECAUSE I WAS TOO BUSY TRYING TO ESCAPE!" Nami holds up Chopper's backpack, "THEN WHAT'S THIS? IT WAS ALREADY INSIDE THE SLEIGH." Chopper is surprised, "MY BACKPACK! BUT HOW!?" Nami says, "HOW? I THOUGHT IT WAS YOU, NO?"

Nami smiles warmly, realizing what happened. "SO IT WAS THE DOCTRESS... SHE KNEW ALL ALONG ABOUT WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO, IT SEEMS. SHE'S A WONDERFUL PERSON, ISN'T SHE..." Chopper sits in the snow, crying tears of joy. Meanwhile, Luffy and Usopp are doing the chopstick dance, laughing loudly, "AHA HAHA HAHA!" Nami yells at them, "KEEP IT DOWN OVER THERE!" Luffy calls out to Chopper, "HEY, HYAHER, UANNA RY HOO? (HEY CHOPPER, YOU WANNA TRY TOO?)" Nami tries to stop him, "DON'T FOLLOW THEM!" but Chopper joins in the dance. Sanji stands on a barrel, holding up a large mug of beer. "ALRIIIGHT! ATTENTION, EVERYBODY!"

Sanji continues his speech, "AHEM. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR NEW FRIEND, CARUE, YOU DRANK TOO MUCH! HEY, CHEF! BRING SOME SNACKS TO GO ALONG WITH THE DRINKS! WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME!? I'M NOT YOUR SERVANT, PAL! SANJI! DO WE HAVE ANY MORE DINO MEAT!? WE PACKED A WHOLE BUNCH, DIDN'T WE!? AND DOCTOR, TONY TONY CHOPPER-" The crew is gathered around, eating and drinking. Sanji raises his glass, "AND SO, I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE A TOAST ON THIS OCCASION!" Chopper is shown crying profusely, overwhelmed with emotion. "THIS IS... THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN SO HAPPY!"

Usopp yells enthusiastically, "TO OUR NEW FRIEND!" The entire crew, including Chopper and Carue, raise their mugs high and clink them together in a massive toast. "CHEERS!" they all shout in unison. A narration box at the bottom reads: "THEIR SHIP, NOW SAILS AT THE FASTEST SPEED TOWARDS THE KINGDOM OF SAND, ALABASTA..."

A narration box reads: "GOING BACK JUST A LITTLE IN TIME... ON THE ISLAND OF GIANTS, LITTLE GARDEN." A seagull flies over the jungle island. Voices ring out from a flamboyant ship docked at the shore. "I'M SORRY, SIR! FORGIVE ME, MR. 2 BON KUREI!" Sounds of a beating are heard. "UN! DEUX! KRUAHHH! YOU DIMWITS! GYAAAA! UN! DEUX! ORAAAA! NITWITS! GAHHHH!"

A full-page shot reveals Mr. 2 Bon Kurei striking a dramatic pose. He wears a swan-themed outfit with heavy makeup. He shouts angrily, "THIS IS NOOOOO JOOOKE! I'M AN OKAMA! ONE WHO FOLLOWS THE 'PATH OF THE OKAMA!' WHO DO YOU SILLY BILLIES THINK I AM!?" A text box identifies him: "BAROQUE WORKS (OFFICER AGENT) MR. 2 BON KUREI".

Mr. 2 Bon Kurei continues to berate his subordinates, who are lying beaten on the shore. "REPEAT TO ME WHAT MR. 0'S ORDERS WERE! TERMINATE MR. 3 WHO'S TRAVELLING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ALABASTA AND LITTLE GARDEN..." A subordinate replies, "YES INDEEDIO! AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I CAME TO THIS ISLAND STRAIGHT FROM ALABASTA. BUT NOW WHAT!? WE'VE ALREADY REACHED LITTLE GARDEN AND NOT ONCE DURING OUR VOYAGE DID WE SPOT MR. 3!" Mr. 2 points an accusing finger, "YOU SURE IT'S NOT YOU BUMBLING FOOLS WHO ACCIDENTALLY MISSED HIS SHIP!?" The subordinate stammers, "N-NO... I'M SUR..." Mr. 2 gets in his face, "IF YOU'RE SURE OF IT, THEN HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN OUR CURRENT SITUATION! DOESN'T THAT MAKE ME THE SILLY BILLY? MR. SILLY BILLY OR MS. SILLY BILLY? WHICH DO YOU PREFER!?" The subordinate cries, "UMM... M-MISTER!" Mr. 2 yells, "SHUT YOUR TRAP! WHAT WAS THAT?"

Mr. 2 Bon Kurei looks deadly serious. "I CAN'T FAIL SOME TRIVIAL MISSION LIKE HUNTING DOWN MR. 3 DURING A MOST CRITICAL TIME LIKE NOW! FAILURE IS UNFORGIVABLE! IF I FAIL HERE, MR. 1 AND HIS PARTNER'S SURE TO COME HUNT ME DOWN! IT'S NOOOOOO JOOOOKE!" He spins around rapidly, preparing to leave. "DO YOU IDIOT'S UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF OUR SITUATION!? IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BECOME A PRACTICE DUMMY FOR MY OKAMA KEMPO, YOU'LL FIND MR. 3 NO MATTER WHAT!" His swan-themed ship, the Swanda Express, sails away from Little Garden. "HAVE SWANDA EXPRESS HEAD BACK TO ALABASTA AT FULL SPEED! AND DON'T YOU DARE MISS SPOTTING EVEN THE TINIEST ROWBOAT!" His subordinates salute from the shore, "YES SIR, MR. 2 BON KUREI!"

A narration box reads: "SANDY ISLAND (ALABASTA KINGDOM)". A view of the desert landscape is shown. A voice says, "HMM? ANOTHER PIRATE RAID?" Nico Robin is sitting on a balcony overlooking a courtyard. "DO THEY NOT REALIZE I'M HERE IN THIS KINGDOM...? WHO KNOWS... BUT A COUNTRY IN TURMOIL IS AN IDEAL PREY FOR PIRATES. WILL YOU GO...?" Crocodile stands nearby, looking out. "OF COURSE. I HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH SURFACE APPEARANCES, AFTER ALL. A 'ROYAL SHICHIBUKAI' IS A PIRATE THAT HUNTS OTHER PIRATES! A SAVIOR OF THE PEOPLE."

No description for this page.