Chapter 382: Laying Down Your Blade Before Me Is No Shame.

Rainbase, hailed as the City of Dreams of Alabasta, was also Crocodile's headquarters.

Blessed with abundant water resources, it was a veritable oasis.

The Straw Hat crew had just arrived in Rainbase. After parting ways with Ace, they couldn't wait to rush into the streets.

"So lively..."

The bustling sounds of the crowded streets filled their ears.

Such prosperity seemed completely unaffected by the turmoil engulfing the kingdom.

Staring at the vibrant scene before them, the Straw Hats couldn't help but recall Yuba, now reduced to ruins.

The difference between the two places was like heaven and earth.

Maude did not accompany the Straw Hat crew. Leading Perona and Bailey, he walked straight toward the casino standing at the center of the lake.

The lavishly decorated casino was none other than Rain Dinners, one of Crocodile's properties.

By the time the Straw Hats noticed Maude's absence, he was already gone.

"Where did Maude go?"

"I'm so hungry and thirsty!!!"

"Weird, he was just here."

"I want food!!!"

"Did he go to the casino?!"

"I want water!!!"

"Shut up!"

Wham—

Nami knocked Luffy down with a punch and swept her gaze over the group, saying seriously, "First things first—we need to replenish supplies, especially fresh water."

"Agreed."

Vivi and the others nodded firmly.

If not for meeting Maude on the way, they might have died of thirst halfway here.

It was clear that having a glutton in the crew meant they should carry extra supplies, even at the cost of slowing down their journey.

"Whoa, Luffy-senpai, come look! There's a super cool vehicle here!!!"

Bartolomeo had somehow run to the entrance of a restaurant a hundred meters away, waving frantically at the distant Luffy and the others.

Beside him was a sleek, customized motorcycle with a metallic sheen.

"Oh!!!"

Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper were instantly drawn to the bike, ignoring Nami's instructions as they sprinted toward Bartolomeo.

"So cool!"

Usopp's eyes sparkled as he admired the heavily modified bike.

Luffy and Chopper were even more straightforward, touching every part of the machine.

"But... I feel like I've seen this bike before."

Usopp's initial excitement faded as he stroked his chin, tilting his head in thought.

"Now that you mention it, I feel the same way."

Bartolomeo mirrored Usopp's posture, furrowing his brow.

"Yeah... where have I seen this before?"

Luffy retracted his hand, rubbing his chin as well.

"Where was it...?"

The three of them muttered in unison.

Only Chopper remained oblivious, bouncing excitedly on the seat.

Inside the restaurant.

"Captain Smoker, it's noisy outside... They're talking about some kind of vehicle."

Tashigi adjusted her glasses, glancing curiously toward the door.

Smoker, seated nearby, silently watched the entrance.

That motorcycle was his.

Without it—customized for desert terrain and powered by his Moku Moku no Mi (Smoke-Smoke Fruit) abilities—he and Tashigi wouldn't have reached Rainbase so quickly.

Unfortunately, the bike could only carry one person, leaving the rest of the Marines to follow on foot.

"I'll take a look."

Smoker stood abruptly and strode to the door.

Pushing it open, he saw Luffy, Usopp, and Bartolomeo standing by his motorcycle, heads tilted in confusion.

His gaze shifted to the tanuki bouncing merrily on the seat.

Smoker fell silent.

Hearing the door open, the trio turned simultaneously.

Upon seeing Smoker, they froze.

"Wow, Luffy, Usopp, Bartolomeo! This seat is so soft and springy—do you want to try... try... try..."

Chopper trailed off as he noticed the change in atmosphere.

His eyes widened at the sight of Smoker, whose forehead veins were visibly twitching.

"Straw. Hat. Pirates."

Smoker's glare was fierce as he pronounced each word slowly.

Meanwhile.

Maude arrived at the entrance of Rain Dinners.

He looked up at the towering pyramid-shaped building.

At its peak stood a golden banana-gator statue, conspicuous and grotesque.

"What tasteless decor..."

Maude eyed the statue.

Perona, standing beside him, shaded her eyes with her hand and whispered, "It's huge."

"Let's go in."

Maude smirked and ascended the steps.

Though the casino belonged to Crocodile, since he'd come this far, he might as well take a look inside.

Perona said nothing, silently following him.

The two climbed the stairs one after the other.

Around the casino.

Several Billionaire Agents from Baroque Works stared in shock at Maude and Perona approaching the entrance.

"Warlord Maude?! What's he doing here?!"

Hurriedly, they pulled out their Transponder Snails to relay the information to Robin inside the casino.

As Maude and Perona stepped onto the stairs, a distant explosion echoed through the streets.

"Hmm?"

Maude, Perona, and the surrounding residents instinctively turned toward the sound.

A thick column of white smoke billowed into the sky.

"A fire?!"

The townsfolk gawked at the rising smoke.

Maude's brows furrowed.

"Smoker...? Looks like... my warning was ignored."

Muttering softly to himself, Maude's foot pressed against the ground, propelling him toward the billowing white smoke in the distance.

"Hey! Seriously!!!"

Perona stared blankly as Maude's figure vanished in an instant, letting out a faint sigh.

On the street—

A building collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Usopp and Bartolomeo scrambled out of the rubble, their expressions tense as they fixed their gaze on the continuous waves of white smoke ahead.

"Luffy! Chopper!"

"Luffy-senpai!"

In front of the restaurant's entrance, thick white smoke poured out from Smoker's hands, surging through the street like an unending tide.

Luffy and Chopper were tightly bound by smoke-formed chains. They could breathe but were completely immobilized.

"Damn smoke man!!!"

No matter how much Luffy and Chopper struggled, they couldn't break free from the tangible smoke chains.

Without the knowledge of Armament Haki, they were utterly powerless before Smoker's Smoke-Smoke Fruit abilities.

"Captain Smoker!"

Tashigi rushed out of the restaurant, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of Luffy and Chopper caught in Smoker's grasp.

Her gaze quickly shifted, spotting Usopp and Bartolomeo standing amidst the rubble, along with Zoro and others approaching from the opposite side of the street.

Shing—!

Tashigi's expression hardened as she decisively drew her sword.

Smoker coldly observed Luffy struggling within the smoke, his voice indifferent. "Straw Hat... this time, no one will save you."

"That's not certain."

A calm, icy voice suddenly echoed by Smoker's ear.

Before he could react, a heavy blow struck his shoulder.

His entire body shot through the air like a cannonball, crashing into a nearby building with a violent impact, sending debris and dust flying.

It was Maude—appearing without warning—delivering a powerful kick that sent Smoker hurtling away.

With Smoker's departure, the smoke dissipated.

Freed from the chains, Luffy and Chopper fell from mid-air, panting with lingering fear.

"Idol!!!"

"Master!!!"

Usopp and Bartolomeo, who had been preparing to rescue Luffy, were overcome with excitement at Maude's arrival.

"How dare you..."

Tashigi, stunned by Maude's sudden attack on Smoker, gripped her sword tightly, the sharp blade aimed directly at him.

Move your feet!

Just take one step forward!

Swing your arm like in practice, and deliver the blade to your enemy.

Move!

Why...

Why won't my body obey...?

Tashigi's wide eyes locked onto Maude, her trembling sword barely steady in her hands.

The moment her gaze met his...

Such terrifying pressure!

Her shoulders felt unbearably heavy—like a mountain was pressing down on her.

I can't swing... I can't strike!

A suffocating fear gripped her heart, crushing her fighting spirit under the overwhelming aura emanating from Maude.

Maude tilted his head, expressionless as he stared at Tashigi, whose will was on the verge of collapse.

"Now that you've tasted my strength... discard your sword."

"To throw down your blade before me... is no shame."

Tashigi's body trembled, as if struck by lightning.

It felt as if an immense shadow had swallowed her whole, stripping away all her pride and dignity in an instant.

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