"You... you can read the script on it?!"
Cobra, holding the torch, stared wide-eyed, looking at Sakura with disbelief.
Although the Ohara incident a decade ago caused many scholars who understood the ancient language to flee to the seas, they had all gone into hiding under the World Government's pursuit.
For the people of the world, the mysterious ancient script remained a red line forbidden by the government.
"I studied under the scholars of Ohara before."
Sakura lowered her hand, turning her head towards Cobra. "It records the location of one of the Ancient Weapons, Pluton. It's hidden in Wano Country!"
Although he had long known the text contained information about Pluton, Cobra still sighed in relief upon confirming Pluton wasn't in Alabasta. "Then no one will covet Alabasta anymore."
"Wrong. There are still those who covet it."
Sakura mercilessly shattered his illusion, then fully explained Crocodile's plans to Cobra.
Clutching his forehead in pain, Cobra exclaimed, "One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?!!"
"He's not in Alabasta right now, and I can't stay to protect you. You'll have to be careful yourselves." Sakura shrugged.
"That's alright. Being forewarned of the plot is enough."
Cobra stood up, bowing to Sakura for the second time. "Thank you once again. Alabasta will remember your kindness!"
Leaving the tomb chamber, Sakura followed Cobra back to the palace.
For these benefactors of the Nefertari Family, Cobra wanted to host them further, inviting them to experience the palace baths.
However, Sakura declined, citing the need to depart soon. Under his enthusiastic insistence, she finally accepted a copy of the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia collected by the royal family.
The Leviathan raised its sails, beginning its journey outward from Alabasta's inland river.
"Goodbye, Vivi! I'll come back to see you someday!"
Kuina leaned over the gunwale, waving to Vivi who had come to see them off on the shore.
"Don't bother! When I grow up, I'll definitely set sail to find you! Then we can be... mmph!"
Vivi waved both hands high, shouting her farewell to Kuina, only to be cut off again mid-sentence.
This time, her mouth was covered by the two vice-captains of the guard, Chaka and Pell. "That is absolutely not allowed!"
"Hahaha, what an interesting kid."
Sakura, sitting at the ship's bow, watched the lively farewell scene with a light chuckle.
"The Log Pose magnetism is fully charged. Continue following its direction?"
Not far away, Tiger, holding the helm, frowned as he looked at the direction indicated by the pose on his arm.
Because the needle on his arm was now tilted, pointing diagonally towards the sky.
"The next island..."
Sakura jumped down, taking the nautical chart Leviathan handed her and spreading it out.
Departing from Alabasta, according to the route she had chosen, the next island should have been Jaya.
However, due to the Knock Up Stream four hundred years ago, which blasted the magnetically rich region of Shandora into the sky, subsequent travelers on this route would find their Log Pose pointing upward.
Still, Sky Island was a good place. She just wondered if Leviathan could handle it.
"A ten-thousand-meter-high Knock Up Stream... can you withstand it?"
Sakura reached out, pulling the ship spirit beside her into her arms and ruffling her head.
"Underestimating me? I could carry you into outer space!"
Leviathan pushed Sakura away, planting her hands on her hips and puffing out her chest.
"Good! Then I'm counting on you!"
The captain gave the order. The Leviathan immediately adjusted its bow, sailing full speed in the direction the Log Pose indicated.
During the subsequent voyage, Sakura found time to share the Chakra Seed with Tiger and Kuina.
As a Fish-Man, Tiger unsurprisingly possessed the Water Attribute Chakra. Kuina, unexpectedly, possessed Lightning Attribute.
Deeply sensing this little one's limitless potential, Sakura intensified Kuina's training regimen.
With her Wood Release and superb Medical Ninjutsu, no matter how intense the training, it wouldn't leave any hidden injuries on Kuina.
Time passed amidst Kuina's daily cries of pain, until a week later, the island with a skeletal silhouette appeared before them.
"Sakura-nee, we're here, we're here!"
A flash of lightning crossed the Leviathan's deck. Kuina's figure instantly appeared at the top of the mast!
Tiger, being an adult, could still endure the tedious study of Chakra theory.
But Kuina, only twelve, was at an active age. Add to that she had followed Sakura to sea as a pirate.
This week of dull study had nearly bored her to death. Now, all she wanted was to go ashore and go wild to her heart's content.
"Go on!"
At Sakura's command as she closed her book, Kuina immediately jumped from the ship into the sea, dashing across the undulating waves towards the island ahead.
"Just let her run wild like that?"
After securing the helm to ensure the course stayed true, Tiger walked over to Sakura's side.
"Relax. She'll come back. I didn't give her any money, after all."
Tilting her head, Sakura wore a mischievous smile. "If she's full of energy, let her run back and forth. It'll train her Chakra Control too."
Tiger cast a pitying glance at Kuina, running faster and faster in the distance, silently praying for her.
'Poor child.'
On the western side of the island, Mock Town.
It was a lawless pirate gathering spot. Many pirates who made it here lived in debauchery, enjoying the various 'services' the town provided.
Inside the town's only bar, a panicked figure crashed through the swinging doors.
A young punk with blond hair and sunglasses rushed in, prostrating himself before a man draped in a pink feathered coat.
"Doflamingo-sama! The... the Higanbana's ship is coming in!"
The man being served drinks by two women sat up straight from the couch. A pair of purple sunglasses reflected the image of the punk before him.
"Fufufufufu. An old friend has arrived. Let's go meet her."
Invisible threads surged through the air. The bar's windows opened. By the time everyone's gaze returned to the couch, the esteemed figure who had been sitting there had vanished.
At the port outside Mock Town, Sakura, accompanied by a sulking Kuina who had made a wasted trip, stepped onto the dock.
In the distant sky, a red coat fluttered, making a flapping sound. A man, his hands manipulating threads connected to the clouds, rapidly approached them.
Tiger took a stance, stepping in front of the group, assuming a Fish-Man Karate posture.
"Look who it is. The Liberator of Slaves, the Sacred Hand of Healing, the Future Emperor candidate… Lady Higanbana."
Hands in his pockets, Doflamingo descended from the sky with an arrogant gait.
"Made quite a name for yourself, Flamingo. Your reputation in the underworld is thunderous now."
Sakura raised a hand, patting Tiger's side to signal him to step back behind her.
The two met face-to-face at the dock. In an instant, dark lightning crackled and surged, causing the sea and surrounding vegetation to sway violently.
Bang!
The clash of Conqueror's Haki shattered. Veins bulged on Doflamingo's forehead. He looked down with a grimace at the marks where his feet had been pushed backward by the opposing Haki.
He lost!
'To have reached this level already... truly a monster.'
Doflamingo, who had harbored lingering resentment and believed himself to be evenly matched, had to admit the girl before him no longer occupied the same tier.
"Fufufufufufu, don't be so cold. Old friends meeting… how about a drink?"
A smile spread across Doflamingo's face. He made a virtual toasting gesture in the air with a loosely clenched hand.
Sakura glanced back at her companions behind her, then smiled.
"Alright!"