The scorching midday sun of the desert instantly poured down, creating a stark contrast with the artificial air conditioning and clamor inside the casino.
He squinted slightly, adjusting to the light, and his usual lazy demeanor seemed to evaporate a bit under the sun.
Shikamaru, holding the gold card worth over 300 million like a piece of scrap paper, slowly strolled out of the casino.
With a snap of his fingers, Shikamaru vanished from the spot, and about ten minutes later, he arrived at a tavern in the port of Alabasta's Nanohana.
.........
His Observation Haki had long since acted like an invisible radar, precisely locking onto the direction of the port.
That noisy, vibrant, and slightly foolish unique aura was clearly discernible even from several blocks away.
Especially two exceptionally powerful flames of life within it—one as hot and reckless as the rising sun (Luffy), and the other like a steadily burning bonfire, warm yet containing the power of a volcano (Ace).
"Tsk, it seems both 'trouble' brothers are here," Shikamaru muttered under his breath, yet a smile involuntarily curled at the corner of his lips.
Ace's appearance was an unexpected variable, but also within reason.
The insidious Teach was indeed in Alabasta.
Shikamaru seemingly casually took steps, his direction pointing straight to the port.
At the port, the Straw Hat's "Kung Fu Manatee Instant Karate Class" was still in session.
"No, no! Your waist needs to sink! Like this!" Luffy shouted instructions while performing exaggerated and anatomically incorrect movements.
The Kung Fu Manatees learned with extreme seriousness, their movements uniform and orderly; though still comical, they exuded a strong momentum.
"Owooh!!" (Yes, Master!)
Ace, standing by, laughed so hard tears almost came to his eyes: "Hahaha! Luffy, you're such a terrible teacher! Ah, no, you're a terrible 'manatee' teacher!"
Zoro, arms crossed, looked on with disdain: "Idiot Captain, we're not here to Teach manatees how to punch! Princess Vivi is still waiting!"
"Exactly! Crocodile might already know we've arrived!" Usopp nervously glanced around, as if the Sand Crocodile would descend from the sky at any moment.
Nami, hands on her hips, sighed helplessly: "Forget it, let him play for a while. Big Brother Ace, what are your plans next? Will you be joining us?"
Ace's smile faded, and he said seriously: "No, Miss Nami. I'm here to track Teach.
According to intelligence, he's likely operating near Alabasta as well, and might even have contact with Crocodile.
I need to investigate.
However,"
He looked at Luffy, who was still "sparring" with the manatees, and showed the warm smile unique to an older brother.
"Until I find Teach, I'll keep an eye on this idiotic younger brother of mine.
I've had plenty of experience with his knack for getting into trouble."
Just then, a slightly lazy but clear voice cut through the clamor of the port:
"Oh? It seems you're not the only one who wants to keep an eye on this 'trouble-maker,' 'Fire Fist' Ace."
The Straw Hat instantly became alert, their gazes uniformly turning towards the source of the voice.
They saw a blue-haired young man wearing a dark, simple kimono, who had appeared beside a pile of cargo not far from them at some unknown point.
He was tall and slender, his posture so relaxed it was almost casual.
His hands were tucked into his wide sleeves, a sword hung at his waist, and his face wore an expression of "this is a hassle but I have to be here."
The sunlight shone on him, as if even the heat was somewhat dispelled by a strange sense of "Silence" emanating from him.
What made Zoro's pupils constrict was that this person was standing right there, yet his presence was abnormally faint; had he not spoken, Zoro would have barely noticed him!
This was a master!
Ace's smile also vanished, his eyes becoming sharp as he recognized the newcomer: "Shimotsuki Shikamaru?"
His tone carried obvious surprise and a hint of imperceptible gravity.
There were many rumors about this man within the Whitebeard Pirates; his strength was unfathomable, and his actions unpredictable.
More importantly, he had a close relationship with the Revolutionary Army.
Why was he here?
"You know him? Ace?" Luffy finally stopped teaching, looking curiously at Shikamaru, his rubber neck stretched long. "Who are you? You look so idle."
"Luffy, be careful!" Zoro's hand was already on wado ichimonji, his body leaning slightly forward, entering a battle-ready stance.
This man gave him an extremely dangerous feeling, more restrained than any enemy he had encountered before, yet also more unfathomable.
Sanji exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes also serious: "Hey, hey, this young man doesn't look like a tourist here to welcome us."
Nami and Usopp instinctively hid behind Zoro and Sanji, while Chopper was so scared he hid in Usopp's backpack.
Vivi, on the other hand, was full of vigilance and worry; was this mysterious strong person appearing at such a critical moment an enemy or a friend?
"Don't be so nervous, Green Algae Head Swordsman, Curly Brow Chef." Shikamaru waved his hand, his tone still even. "I mean you no harm. At least not now."
His gaze swept over the wary crowd, finally resting on Luffy, with a hint of scrutiny and... imperceptible amusement?
"Monkey D. Luffy? I am Shimotsuki Shikamaru, as Ace said."
"You know Ace?" Luffy's priorities were always so unique.
Shimotsuki Shikamaru: "......"
He inwardly grumbled: What kind of thought process is this?
"You could say I do." Shikamaru vaguely replied, his gaze turning to Ace: "However, I'm currently on an important mission, performing field duty.
I came to Alabasta mainly to handle some matters, and of course, I'll also resolve Alabasta's internal strife problem along the way."
A slight smile played on his lips as he deliberately emphasized the words "internal strife," as if highlighting the importance and urgency of the matter.
Upon hearing this, Vivi's eyes widened, her face filled with an expression of disbelief, and she exclaimed in a lost voice: "You... you're from the Revolutionary Army?"
"Quell internal strife?" Nami keenly caught the key information.
"Why should we trust you? Are you with Baroque Works?" She gripped her Clima-Tact.
"Baroque Works?" Shikamaru scoffed, with undisguised contempt.
"That kind of childish organization isn't worthy of my service."
His gaze swept over Vivi, "I'm here to tell you that Crocodile's target is the ancient weapon 'Pluton' buried in Alabasta."
"What!" Vivi was struck as if by lightning, her face instantly paling. The ancient weapon Pluton!
This was even more terrifying than usurping the country!
Zoro, Sanji, and the others were also shocked.
They had all heard legends of the ancient weapons, powers capable of destroying the world!
"You... how do you know?" Vivi's voice trembled.
"I know far more than you imagine, Princess." Shikamaru's gaze deepened.
"Including Crocodile's weakness, and his entire plan of using Dance Powder to create drought and incite rebellion."
These words exploded like a bombshell among the Straw Hat.
"Weakness?" Luffy's eyes instantly lit up, his previous wariness thrown to the winds. "You know how to defeat that Sand Crocodile?"
"Dance Powder? So that's it!" Nami suddenly understood, many mysteries instantly connecting.
"Hey! Are you telling the truth?" Usopp was both surprised and doubtful.
Ace's brows furrowed: "Shimotsuki Shikamaru, what exactly do you want to do? Is the Revolutionary Army also interested in ancient weapons?"
"Interested?" Shikamaru looked at Ace, his eyes holding a calm that seemed to see through everything.
"Ace, do you think the Revolutionary Army needs such a thing? Mr. Dragon pursues the awakening of ideas, not weapons of destruction."
He paused, his gaze turning back to Luffy, with a peculiar, almost certain meaning.
"As for why I'm telling you all this..."
He took a small step forward, and that invisible sense of "Silence" seemed to spread, instantly quieting the clamor of the port—the wind, the waves, the distant hawkers' cries—as if isolated by an invisible barrier.
The Straw Hat all clearly felt this change, their hearts growing even colder.
"Because the one who can truly end this 'trouble' in Alabasta, and punch away Crocodile, that 'bigger trouble,'" Shikamaru looked at Luffy, speaking each word distinctly, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears, "only you, this 'trouble incarnate,' can do it."
"Monkey D. Luffy."
Luffy was stunned for a moment, then broke into a wide smile, full of confidence and fighting spirit: "Of course! I'm the man who will become the Pirate King! The Sand Crocodile, I'll definitely punch him away!"
Zoro stared intently at Shikamaru, his hand on the sword hilt not relaxing: "Even if what you say is true, why should we trust you? And why do you want to help us?"
"Whether to trust or not is your choice." Shikamaru shrugged indifferently, "As for why I'm helping you..."
His gaze lingered for a moment on the three swords at Zoro's waist, especially wado ichimonji, the masterpiece belonging to Shimotsuki Kozaburo, a flicker of extremely complex emotion—nostalgia and responsibility—passing through the depths of his eyes.
"Firstly, I don't like the tricks of Crocodile and certain people behind him. Secondly..."
His gaze met Zoro's sharp eyes again, "Zoro, you have half of the Shimozuki family's blood flowing in your veins.
Guiding a lost junior in swordsmanship, I suppose, is barely my responsibility as an uncle? Even if it's a hassle."
"Shimozuki? Uncle?" Zoro's body trembled violently, his pupils suddenly contracting!
This surname was closely linked to the secret of his origins!
The hot wind of the port seemed to freeze at this moment.
The Straw Hat looked at Zoro in shock, then at Shikamaru, who had uttered such startling words.
Ace, however, showed a knowing expression; he had been to Wano Country, and it seemed the intelligence within the Revolutionary Army was indeed detailed.
A fated encounter unfolded in the scorching desert port in the most unexpected way.
The Silent Guide, the Burning Brother, the Straw Hat pursuing his dream, the Princess burdened by national and familial hatred, and the Swordsman whose origins were revealed... Alabasta's storm center gained another unfathomable player.
And Shimotsuki Shikamaru's troublesome declaration about "guiding swordsmanship" also foreshadowed a trial for Zoro far beyond his imagination.