Chapter 120: The Fading Green
The sun hung high in the sky, a blazing orb of fire that seemed to scorch the very air itself. The desert stretched endlessly in every direction, a sea of golden sand dunes that shimmered under the relentless heat. The Straw Hat crew trudged forward, their footsteps slow and deliberate, each step sinking slightly into the soft, burning sand. The heat was oppressive, a tangible force that pressed down on them, sapping their energy and leaving their throats dry and parched. The cool morning air they had enjoyed earlier was now a distant memory, replaced by the suffocating embrace of the desert's midday furnace.
Vivi led the way, her steps steady despite the harsh conditions. She was dressed in traditional Alabastan desert attire—a flowing white robe that billowed slightly in the occasional breeze, a wide-brimmed hat to shield her face from the sun, and a scarf wrapped around her neck to protect her from the blowing sand. Her expression was focused, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes, a quiet sorrow that she carried with her as they moved closer to their destination. She had spoken of Erumalu as a green city, a place of life and prosperity amidst the barren desert. But as they drew nearer, the landscape told a different story.
The crew followed behind her, each member struggling in their own way against the heat. Nami adjusted her hat, her brow furrowed as she wiped sweat from her forehead. She wore a light, sleeveless top and loose pants, both designed to keep her cool, but even the best desert attire could only do so much against the relentless sun. She glanced at Vivi, noticing the princess's quiet demeanor, and felt a pang of sympathy. Nami had always been the more empathetic member of the crew, the one who could sense when someone was hurting, even if they tried to hide it.
Usopp lagged slightly behind, his shoulders slumped as he dragged his feet through the sand. His long nose was sunburned, and his usual energetic demeanor had been replaced by a weary exhaustion. "How much farther is this place?" he groaned, his voice hoarse from the dry air. "I feel like my legs are about to fall off."
"Quit complaining, Usopp," Zoro said, though his tone lacked its usual bite. The swordsman was dressed in a simple green robe, his three swords strapped to his side as always. He seemed to be handling the heat better than most, but even he was starting to show signs of fatigue. His forehead glistened with sweat, and his steps were slower than usual. "We've got a mission to complete. No time for whining."
Sanji walked beside Zoro, a cigarette dangling from his lips despite the heat. His suit was replaced by a more practical desert outfit, though he still managed to look somewhat dapper. He exhaled a plume of smoke, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Vivi said Erumalu was a green city, right? So where's all the green? All I see is sand and more sand."
Goku, who had been unusually quiet since they entered the desert, walked at the back of the group, behind even Gin who was the second last of the group. His tail swished lazily behind him, and his straw hat was tilted low over his eyes, shielding them from the sun. He had been deep in thought since they left the Going Merry, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness. He didn't respond to Sanji's comment, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if he were searching for something—or perhaps avoiding something.
Chopper, who had been riding on Usopp's shoulder, perked up at the mention of Erumalu. "Vivi said it was a city full of life, right? With trees and water and everything. But... it doesn't look like that from here." His small voice was filled with concern, and he glanced at Vivi, who remained silent.
As they crested a particularly large dune, the silhouette of Erumalu finally came into view. The city stood in the distance, its outline stark against the pale blue sky. But something was wrong. The city that Vivi had described as a lush, green oasis now looked... barren. The once-vibrant greenery was gone, replaced by dry, cracked earth and withered trees. The city's walls, which had once been a symbol of its prosperity, now looked weathered and worn, their color faded by the relentless sun.
Vivi stopped abruptly, her breath catching in her throat. She stared at the city, her eyes wide with disbelief. "This... this can't be Erumalu," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It was supposed to be green... full of life. What happened here?"
Nami stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Vivi's shoulder. "Vivi... I'm so sorry," she said softly, her voice filled with sympathy. "This... this must be the work of Baroque Works. Crocodile's plan... it's already in motion."
Vivi shook her head, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "But... how? How could they do this? Erumalu was a thriving city. It was supposed to be safe. How could they destroy it like this?"
Goku finally spoke, his voice low and serious. "Crocodile's using Dance Powder," he said, his gaze still fixed on the city. "It's a substance that creates rain in one area by stealing moisture from another. He's using it to turn Alabasta into a desert, piece by piece. Erumalu... it's just the beginning. That's what the contact said to me anyway."
The crew fell silent, the weight of Goku's words sinking in. Usopp's eyes widened in horror. "You mean... he's turning the entire country into a desert? But... why? What's the point of destroying everything?"
"Crocodile doesn't care about the people of Alabasta," Vivi said, her voice filled with anger and sorrow. "All he cares about is Pluton. He's willing to destroy everything—our cities, our people, our way of life—just to get what he wants."
"Not quite," Goku said. "His goal is not just Pluton but the entire kingdom itself. The weapon is just an added bonus. What he is doing by this is creating a rift between the king and the people. As Vivi told us the other day on our way to Alabasta."
Nami tightened her grip on Vivi's shoulder, her expression determined. "We won't let him get away with this, Vivi. We'll stop him. No matter what it takes."
Vivi nodded, though her eyes were still filled with sadness. "I just... I can't believe it's come to this. Erumalu was supposed to be a symbol of hope. Now... it's just another victim of Crocodile's greed."
As they continued their approach, the true extent of the damage became more apparent. The city's once-thriving fields were now barren, the soil cracked and dry. The trees that had once provided shade and sustenance were now little more than skeletal remains, their branches brittle and lifeless. The city's buildings, which had once been vibrant and full of life, now stood silent and empty, their windows dark and their walls crumbling.
The crew walked through the city's outskirts, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. The air was heavy with the scent of decay, a stark contrast to the fresh, earthy aroma Vivi had described. She walked slowly, her eyes scanning the ruins of her once-beloved city. Everywhere she looked, she saw reminders of what had been lost—a child's toy lying abandoned in the sand, a broken cart overturned in the middle of the street, a faded banner fluttering weakly in the breeze.
Nami stayed close to Vivi, her presence a silent source of comfort. She didn't say much, knowing that sometimes, words weren't enough. Instead, she simply walked beside her, offering her support in the only way she could.
Goku remained quiet, his usual exuberance replaced by a somber silence. He had seen destruction before, but this... this was different. This wasn't the result of a battle or a natural disaster. This was deliberate, calculated. It was the work of someone who didn't care about the lives they were destroying, someone who saw the world as nothing more than a means to an end.
As they reached the city's center, Vivi stopped in front of a large, dried-up fountain. The once-beautiful structure was now cracked and empty, its basin filled with sand. She knelt down, her hand brushing against the edge of the fountain as if she could somehow bring it back to life. "This... this was where people used to gather," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Children would play here, and families would come to relax after a long day. It was... it was a place of happiness."
Nami knelt beside her, placing a hand on her back. "It can be again, Vivi. We'll make sure of it. We'll stop Crocodile, and we'll bring life back to Erumalu. I promise."
Vivi looked at Nami, her eyes filled with tears. "Do you really think we can?"
Nami smiled, though her own eyes were glistening. "We have to. For the people of Alabasta. For you."
The crew stood in silence, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. The city of Erumalu, once a symbol of hope and prosperity, now stood as a grim reminder of what was at stake. But as they looked at Vivi, they knew they couldn't give up. They had to keep going, no matter how difficult the road ahead might be.
Goku finally stepped forward, his expression resolute. "We'll make this right, Vivi. Crocodile won't get away with this. Not while we're here."
Vivi nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Thank you, everyone. I... I don't know what I'd do without you."
The crew exchanged determined glances, their resolve stronger than ever. They had a long journey ahead of them, and the challenges they faced would only grow more difficult. But as they stood in the ruins of Erumalu, they knew one thing for certain, they would not let Crocodile win. Not today. Not ever.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the city, the crew prepared to move on. The road to Yuba was still long, and they had no time to waste. But as they left Erumalu behind, they carried with them a renewed sense of purpose. They would stop Crocodile. They would save Alabasta. And they would bring life back to the green city, no matter what it took.
The desert stretched out before them, vast and unforgiving. But as they walked, their footsteps firm and determined, they knew they were not alone. They had each other, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead. The fading green of Erumalu was not the end, it was just the beginning.
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