The sun blazed down on Nanohana, sending dust swirling through the streets like an angry ghost. Portgas D. Ace, the flame-wielding commander of Whitebeard's crew, walked through the market with his signature swagger—hat low, confidence high. That is, until a fast-talking salesman with a twirly mustache popped out of nowhere, waving a golden apple like he'd just won the lottery.
"Hey, sir! A magical apple! Eternal youth, power beyond your wildest dreams—yours for a steal!" the salesman chirped, practically dancing in place.
Ace raised an eyebrow, flicking his hat casually. "I set stuff on fire with my pinky. Pass." With that, he strutted off, leaving the salesman standing there, utterly deflated.
Behind a crate, Chopper's antlers twitched. "A magic apple?!"
Usopp's eyes nearly popped out. "We'd be rich—or invincible!"
Nami yanked Usopp by the collar, while Zoro shot Chopper a warning glare. "Scam," Zoro grunted, nodding toward a shady figure painting apples gold in an alley. "Caught red-handed."
Nami smirked. "Rule number two of treasure hunting: If it's shiny, it's shady."
Nearby, Zoro overheard a man mumbling, "Seen Monkey D. Luffy?" A tattoo of three claw marks peeked from under his shirt. "No bounty ink. Suspicious."
At the other end of town, Tashigi was in the middle of a showdown with a shopkeeper. "Fifteen thousand beli for THIS dull stick? Highway robbery!" she yelled, swinging her sword.
Smoker stomped up with a net of captured pirates. "Tashigi, focus. The Straw Hats are about to cause chaos here."
Meanwhile, out in the desert, Luffy was trudging along, his stomach growling louder than a thunderstorm. "FOOOOOD!" he screamed, spotting Nanohana in the distance. "Jackpot!"
Back at Spice Bean, Ace had face-planted into a massive curry tower, snoring as rice spilled everywhere. The waiter freaked out, "HE'S DEAD!"
And then—BAM!—the door exploded open, and in came Raja, a chaotic figure in a doctor's coat, stethoscope swinging like a lasso.
"FEAR NOT! DR. RUDRA, KING OF WIZARDS AND MEDICINE, IS HERE!" he declared dramatically, kneeling next to Ace. He pressed his stethoscope to Ace's curry-smeared forehead. "No pulse! No breath! Diagnosis: DECEASED BY DELICIOUSNESS!"
Without missing a beat, Raja conjured a clipboard with a dramatic wave of his wand. "Time of death: five seconds ago!"
Ace blinked, looking up confused. "Huh?" But then he just shoveled more curry into his mouth, unfazed.
Raja, gasping dramatically, clutched his chest. "A MIRACLE! HE RISES!" He twirled, and suddenly, he was wearing a pastor's robe and holding a Bible. "And lo, the Lamb of Spice Bean said, 'Let there be rice!'—John 3:16, remix edition!" He waved his wand again, and doves exploded out of nowhere, flapping around chaotically.
The waiter fainted, and Ace just chuckled. "Weird guy. You seen Luffy around?"
Smoker stormed in, a cigar hanging from his mouth. "Portgas D. Ace, Whitebeard's hotshot. What's your business here?"
Before Ace could answer, the wall behind Smoker exploded—CRASH!—and Luffy flew through it like a rocket, slamming Smoker into the opposite wall. "FOOD! NOW!" Luffy shouted, landing in a heap.
Raja clapped excitedly. "ENTER THE RUBBER REBEL! Five stars for style!" He snapped his fingers—and—POOF! A huge meat buffet appeared. "Eat, Captain!"
Smoker peeled himself from the wall, growling, "Straw Hat! Loguetown teleport freak!"
Raja bowed, glitter falling from his robe. "That's me, Smokey! Miss my sparkle?"
Luffy scarfed down food as fast as he could, then bolted—Smoker right behind him—Raja cartwheeling after them. "RUNNING MONTAGE, GO!" he yelled, dodging smoke tendrils while doing a perfect pirouette.
Luffy puffed, "Can't beat him—Haki's rusty!"
Smoker barked, "Tashigi! Find his crew!"
Smoker cornered them in an alley, looking serious. "What's your purpose in Arabasta, Straw Hat?"
Luffy grinned. "Gonna smash Crocodile!"
Before he could continue, Raja popped up again, twirling his cape like a pro. "AND recruit a new crewmate—spoiler alert!" He tossed a smoke bomb, and—POOF!—they vanished in a glittery cloud.
Back in the town square, the Straw Hats regrouped. Zoro was napping, Nami was counting loot, and Luffy crashed in with Smoker hot on his heels. "GUYS! MOVE!" he yelled.
Smoker's jitte swung—WHOOSH!—but Ace stepped in front, smirking. "Back off, Smokey. That's my little bro."
Nami's jaw dropped. "BROTHER?!"
Sanji choked. "Explains the insanity!"
Raja appeared out of nowhere, wearing a disco ball on his head. "SIBLING REVEAL! Cue the gasps!" He waved a kazoo—and it played a painfully off-key tune. "Close enough!"
Ace grinned. "Luffy, scram. I've got this."
The crew bolted, Raja moonwalking alongside them. "TO THE MERRY, MY CHAOS CRONIES!"
Nami grabbed Luffy's vest. "He's REALLY your brother?!"
Luffy nodded, grinning. "Yup! Ace! Awesome, right?"
Raja gasped, pulling out a megaphone. "PORTGAS D. ACE! FLAME PRINCE! I NEED HIS ACTION FIGURE!" He tripped and face-planted. "Ow."
They reached a fork in the road. Nami pointed right. "This way!"
Luffy veered left. "Gotta see Ace fight!"
Zoro groaned. "Moron."
Finally, the crew made it to the Merry. Chopper sniffed the air. "Luffy's gone?!"
In an alley, Luffy was sitting on a barrel, scratching his head. "Where'd they go?"
Ace strolled over, chuckling. "Lost again? Arm wrestle me!"
Raja popped up—POOF!—now wearing a referee hat. "ROUND TWO: BROTHERLY BRAWL!" He blew a whistle. TWEEET! The two brothers locked hands, and the barrel cracked under the pressure. Raja smirked, knowing Luffy had held back.
Ace laughed. "Even match!"
Luffy pouted. "Next time, I win!"
Ace smirked. "Join Whitebeard's crew, you and your lunatics."
Luffy crossed his arms. "Nope! Pirate King or bust!"
Raja swooned dramatically. "THE DEFIANCE! THE DRAMA! I'M ALIVE!"
On Smoker's ship, Mr. 11 squirmed in his restraints. "Untie me!"
BANG! A bullet shot him down. "Ace is our ticket up!"
In town, Luffy and Ace wandered, until Billions surrounded them. "You're ours!" their leader sneered.
Luffy grinned. "Gomu Gomu no Bazooka!" He blasted their leader away.
Raja zoomed in—POOF!—on a hoverboard, yelling, "DANCE FLOOR DOOM!" He zapped the Billions with some magic, making them slip on grease, flopping like fish.
Ace smirked, flames roaring—"Hiken!"—and five ships exploded in a fiery burst. KABOOM!
Luffy stretched. "Gomu Gomu no Rocket!" He crashed into Sanji and Chopper on the Merry. "FOUND YA!"
Sanji yelped, "WATCH IT, RUBBER IDIOT!"
Raja zoomed by, his hoverboard screeching. "THE KING RETURNS! Any snacks left?"
Smoker puffed on his cigar, glaring at Tashigi. "Straw Hat's after Crocodile. Vivi's in deep. Big trouble's coming."
Aboard the Merry, Usopp, Luffy, and Chopper raised rice balls in a toast. "To Ace joining!"
Ace took a sip of juice. "Nah, I'm hunting Blackbeard. He killed my crewmate. Off to Yuba—same as you."
Vivi nodded. "Here's the route!"
They clinked—CLINK!—and Raja leapt up—POOF!—wearing a tragic mask. "BETRAYAL! The Lamb falls to the dark wolf's jaws!" he wailed, clutching his chest.
Ace blinked, confused. "What? I'm not losing to Blackbeard."
Raja cackled, throwing off his tragic mask. "Oh, your innocence! I won't spoil your headstrong death wish, Fire Fist!" He spun around dramatically—POOF!—and was back to his usual, chaotic self.
Ace just snorted. "Weirdo." He shook his head and let it slide.
Meanwhile, in Alubarna, King Cobra was facing a massive crowd, sweat dripping down his face. "I'll hear you out—kingdom first, even if I croak! But where's Vivi?"
Back on the Merry, Luffy and Usopp were having too much fun with their rice balls—flinging them around like a food fight in a school cafeteria. SPLAT! Rice hit the walls, earning them an immediate shout from Sanji. "DISHES, NOW!"
They sulked, resorting to using mop water—SPLASH!—and got scolded again. "NOT THAT, YOU DUMMIES!"
Zoro, in the meantime, was training in his usual grumpy way. Chopper, on the other hand, was basking in the sun like a lazy lizard. Vivi tugged at Nami's sleeve. "Stop? Karoo's got a Baroque Works letter."
Nami nodded, "Go for it."
Karoo saluted and waddled off on his mission.
Meanwhile, Ace leaned in closer to Raja. "Crocodile's got bigger fish to fry than just the throne."
Raja smirked. "Oh, I'll fry 'em all."
Over in Rainbase, Crocodile was scowling as Miss All Sunday entered, looking seriously unimpressed. "Billions' ships? Gone. One guy."
Crocodile's eyes narrowed. "Crush 'em. Send the Runners."
Back on the Merry, the crew was battling the desert heat as they approached the next town. Chopper groaned, "TOO HOT!"
Nami, equally miserable, waved her hand in front of her face. "50°C plus…"
Sanji swooned as he ogled Nami and Vivi's desert gear swap. "My queens, suffering gracefully…" he sighed, dramatically.
Zoro squinted at the horizon. "Water's going to be an issue."
Then, WHAM!—Kung-Fu Dugongs erupted from the sand, kicking air like they were ready for a fight.
Luffy's face lit up. "SEALS!"
Vivi sighed, facepalming. "Dugongs. Fighters."
Usopp swung his slingshot—POW!—and immediately ate dirt.
Luffy, not to be outdone, punched one of the Dugongs—BAM!—and the creature bowed.
Vivi grinned. "Win, they're yours."
Luffy excitedly trained them, swinging his arms around like a madman—WHACK!
Vivi, however, wasn't impressed. "No desert crossing with those."
Chopper, not to be left out, tossed food to the Dugongs—SPLAT!—and they swarmed him like a herd of hungry animals. They started drumming on the ground—BOOM-BOOM!—and Sanji yelled in horror, "MY STOCK!"
Meanwhile, in Erumalu, Vivi gazed solemnly at the ruins around her. "Dance Powder wrecked this place—framed the king."
Luffy, ever the optimist, smashed his fist into a nearby wall—CRACK! "This stinks! Let's end it, Vivi!"
At that moment, Raja swooped in on his hoverboard, screeching to a stop. "THE WIZARD KING SECONDS THAT FURY! To Yuba, my sandy saviors—FOR GLORY AND GUTS!"
To be continued…