Reborn as Luffy The Pirate King's Return

As the Going Merry sailed further into the horizon, the crew was left to process the unexpected encounter with Nico Robin. The night was quiet, the only sounds being the gentle lapping of waves against the ship's hull and the occasional creak of the wooden deck. The crew was on edge, their minds racing with questions about Robin's sudden appearance and Luffy's decision to let her go. But for now, they had a destination: **Little Garden**.

As the Straw Hat Pirates' ship disappeared into the distance, **Nico Robin** stood on the shore, her expression unreadable. She watched the ship vanish into the horizon, her thoughts a whirlwind of curiosity and caution. She had expected many things from Monkey D. Luffy, but his offer to join his crew and his knowledge of the **Void Century** had caught her completely off guard.

With a graceful motion, Robin raised her hand and whistled softly. From the depths of the ocean, a massive shadow emerged. It was **Banchi**, her giant turtle companion, its shell glistening under the moonlight. Robin stepped onto Banchi's back, her coat billowing in the sea breeze as the turtle began to glide through the water.

Just as she was about to leave, her **Den Den Mushi** began to ring. The snail's face morphed into a stern, menacing expression—a clear sign of who was on the other end. Robin picked up the receiver, her voice calm and composed.

"Yes, Mr. 0?" she answered.

On the other end of the line, **Crocodile's** deep, gravelly voice filled the air. His tone was cold and measured, but there was an undercurrent of impatience.

"Miss All Sunday," Crocodile began, "what is the status of Princess Vivi? Has she been dealt with?"

Robin's expression remained neutral, but her mind was already calculating her response. She knew Crocodile well enough to understand that any misstep could arouse his suspicion.

"Princess Vivi is currently traveling with the **Straw Hat Pirates**," Robin replied, her voice steady. "They are a formidable crew, led by a man named **Monkey D. Luffy**. He has declared his intention to fight you, Mr. 0."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. Then, Crocodile's voice returned, this time laced with barely contained anger.

"Straw Hat Pirates? Monkey D. Luffy?" Crocodile growled, his voice rising. "Who does this brat think he is, challenging me?!"

Robin could almost feel the tension radiating through the Den Den Mushi. She remained silent, allowing Crocodile to vent his frustration.

"Listen carefully, Miss All Sunday," Crocodile continued, his voice now icy and commanding. "Monitor their every move. I want to know where they are headed and what they are planning. And send agents to deal with them immediately. I will not tolerate any interference in my plans."

Robin nodded, though Crocodile couldn't see her. "Understood, Mr. 0. I will ensure that the Straw Hats are dealt with before they reach Alabasta."

"Good," Crocodile snapped. "Do not fail me."

The line went dead, and Robin set the Den Den Mushi down. She stared at it for a moment, her mind racing. Crocodile's anger was expected, but his underestimation of Luffy and his crew could prove to be a fatal mistake. Robin had seen firsthand the determination and strength of the Straw Hat Pirates, and she knew they were not to be taken lightly.

With a sigh, Robin turned her attention to the horizon. She had her orders, but her thoughts were already elsewhere. Luffy's offer to join his crew and his knowledge of the Void Century had planted a seed of curiosity in her mind. For now, she would follow Crocodile's orders, but she couldn't shake the feeling that her path was about to change.

"Banchi," Robin said softly, patting the giant turtle's shell. "Let's head to Alabasta. There's much to prepare."

With that, Banchi began to swim, carrying Robin toward her next destination.

As the sun rose over the horizon, the Straw Hat Pirates were already hard at work. Luffy had decided that the journey to Little Garden would be the perfect opportunity to intensify their training. The crew had faced powerful enemies in Whiskey Peak, and Luffy knew that the challenges ahead would only grow more difficult. If they were going to defeat Crocodile and save Alabasta, they needed to be stronger than ever.

Luffy stood at the center of the deck, his arms crossed and a determined look on his face. The crew gathered around him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"Alright, everyone!" Luffy announced. "From now on, we're going to train harder than ever. We've got a Warlord to defeat, and I'm not letting any of you fall behind!"

The crew nodded, their determination matching Luffy's. They had already seen the benefits of their training in Whiskey Peak, and they were eager to improve even further.

Luffy's training plan was simple but effective. He divided the crew into groups based on their strengths and weaknesses, tailoring the exercises to each member's needs.

- **Usopp and Nami**: Both had already awakened their **Observation Haki** during the battle with Baroque Works, but Luffy wanted them to refine their skills. He had them practice dodging attacks while blindfolded, relying solely on their instincts to sense incoming threats.

- **Zoro**: The swordsman was already a formidable fighter, but Luffy wanted him to master Observation Haki as well. Zoro took to the training with his usual intensity, wearing a blindfold and sparring with Luffy to sharpen his senses.

- **Sanji**: The cook was frustrated that Usopp and Nami had awakened Observation Haki before him, and he was determined to catch up. He doubled his efforts, wearing a blindfold and practicing his kicks against moving targets.

- **Vivi**: Luffy had decided to include Vivi in the training, treating her as a full member of the crew. He taught her the basics of the **Marine Six Styles**, focusing on **Soru** (high-speed movement) and **Tekkai** (body hardening). He also began training her in Observation Haki, knowing that it would be crucial for her survival in the battles to come.

Over the next three weeks, the crew made significant progress. Usopp and Nami became more adept at using Observation Haki, their movements becoming fluid and precise. Zoro, ever the perfectionist, quickly mastered the basics of Observation Haki and began incorporating it into his swordsmanship. His ability to sense attacks before they happened made him even more dangerous in combat.

Sanji, however, was struggling. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't quite grasp Observation Haki. His frustration grew with each passing day, but he refused to give up. Finally, as the fourth week approached, Sanji had a breakthrough. During a sparring session with Luffy, he managed to dodge an attack without seeing it, his instincts kicking in at the last moment.

"I did it!" Sanji exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I finally got it!"

Luffy laughed, clapping Sanji on the back. "Told you you'd get there! Now you're ready for whatever comes next."

Vivi, though not a natural fighter, proved to be a quick learner. Under Luffy's guidance, she began to master the basics of the Marine Six Styles. Her agility and speed improved significantly, and she even managed to catch a glimpse of Observation Haki during one of her training sessions.

"I can't believe I'm actually doing this," Vivi said, panting after a particularly intense session. "I never thought I'd be able to fight like this."

Luffy grinned. "You're doing great, Vivi. Just keep at it, and you'll be ready to take on Crocodile in no time."

As the fourth week came to an end, the crew finally arrived at their destination: **Little Garden**. The island was unlike anything they had ever seen. Towering trees and dense jungle covered the landscape, and the air was filled with the sounds of exotic birds and wild animals. But what caught their attention most were the massive creatures roaming the island—dinosaurs.

"Whoa!" Usopp exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe. "This place is amazing!"

"Yeah," Luffy said, his grin widening. "This is going to be fun!"

As the Going Merry approached the shore, the crew prepared to disembark. They knew that Little Garden would be full of dangers, but they were ready. Their training had prepared them for whatever challenges lay ahead, and they were determined to face them head-on.

But as they stepped onto the island, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Somewhere in the shadows, agents of Baroque Works were already lying in wait, ready to carry out Crocodile's orders.