When Tomioka returned to the humble shack in a remote corner of Alubarna, the sky was already growing dim.
"Big Brother Tomioka! You're back!"
Batu, like a little monkey who had been waiting for a long time, immediately rushed over when he heard the door, his face beaming with a smile, "I was afraid you wouldn't find your way and almost went out to look for you!"
Tomioka looked at him, paused for a moment, then raised his hand and somewhat awkwardly patted Batu's head.
All the way back, his mind replayed the brief conversation with Ms. All Sunday.
That woman was unfathomable to him.
Although Tomioka had never really fathomed anyone.
At Whiskey Peak, she was a high-ranking officer of Baroque Works who had kidnapped Igaram; at Small Garden, she provided us with a Log Pose pointing to the doctor's island.
And just now, she actually told him Crocodile's weakness and even specified tomorrow's operational location.
According to her, tomorrow at noon, she and Crocodile would appear at the Alabasta royal palace, and they would eventually stand on opposing sides.
This also meant that tomorrow in Alubarna, a conflict that would determine the fate of this country was bound to erupt.
Luffy and his crew… if they really went to Rainbase as he thought, would they be able to handle Crocodile successfully? But this enemy is indeed more powerful than ever before… Thinking of this, Tomioka composed himself and walked towards Dash, who was waiting in the corner.
"Dash."
"If you reach Katorea today, will you still have the energy to rush back to Alubarna tomorrow?" He knew that to reach the royal palace for tomorrow's battle, Dash would be needed.
Upon hearing this, Dash quickly spun around a few times in place, then raised one webbed foot high and stomped, letting out loud "Gah! Gah!" cries.
Seeing its spirited appearance, a smile flashed across Tomioka's face; he straightened up and looked at Batu.
"Once your grandpa returns," he said, "I should be leaving too."
"Ah? Big Brother Tomioka, are you leaving?" Batu was visibly a little disappointed.
"Yes, to Katorea."
"Katorea!!" Batu's disappointment was instantly replaced; he jumped up, "Big Brother Tomioka! Are you going to Katorea? Grandpa and I usually live there! That's great!"
Just then, before Batu finished speaking, the wooden door was pushed open again, and Matar appeared in the doorway with his camel, looking somewhat weary.
"Ah… hahaha, I'm back."
Matar's voice carried some hesitation, and his expression was more haggard than when he left; his face even had a few bruises, and his robe was covered in dust.
"Grandpa! You're back!"
Batu excitedly ran over and hugged him, also noticing the empty camel behind his grandpa, "Did you sell everything today? So smoothly!"
Matar's eyes twitched slightly, and he unnaturally avoided his grandson's gaze, instinctively clutching a bulging pocket inside his robe, vaguely responding:
"Y-yes, today… was very smooth."
His movements were quick, but that momentary tension did not escape Tomioka's eyes; in that pocket, there seemed to be something that couldn't be seen by others.
Batu didn't notice, he just tugged at his grandpa's sleeve and excitedly pointed at Tomioka: "Grandpa! Today! Today Big Brother Tomioka took me to the royal palace! We went inside, and the King even received us! It was so beautiful in there!"
"Th-that so? That's really… wonderful."
Matar looked at his grandson's flushed, excited face, then at Tomioka, who stood silently to the side, his eyes complex; he was relieved that his grandson could actually enter the royal palace, what incredible luck.
Then, Batu changed the subject, his tone pleading: "Big Brother Tomioka is leaving soon! He's going to Katorea! Grandpa, let's go back with him!"
Matar looked extremely startled at this, a flicker of panic crossing his face:
"I-is that so? How about, little Batu, you stay here tonight. Grandpa… Grandpa has some things to take care of back home… Tomorrow, I'll come back for you tomorrow."
His tone was hesitant, his expression unnatural, and his hand never left that bulging pocket.
Upon hearing this, Batu immediately pouted, his face filled with displeasure: "I don't want to! I want to go back together! I want to stay with Grandpa! And I want to go with Big Brother Tomioka!"
"Th-this…"
Matar looked at his grandson's eager eyes, then glanced at Tomioka, struggling internally.
He still couldn't leave his grandson alone, nor did he want to arouse any suspicion at this time. Finally, he sighed and conceded: "All right, all right… Hmm… we'll go back together."
"Yay!"
Batu cheered, immediately turned and rushed towards Dash, his eyes shining as he clenched his small fists and shouted to it: "Dash! I heard them say in the royal palace! You're the captain!! Can you… can you carry all three of us at once?!"
"Gah?!"
"Gah!?????"
Dash was clearly stunned; it first looked at Tomioka's tall figure, then at the small, dark-skinned Batu, and finally its gaze fell on the aging Matar.
One strong, one old, one small… It was only used to carrying Princess Vivi; it had never tried such a heavy load before!
Dash looked at Tomioka as if seeking help, but at the same time, it saw Tomioka looking back at it, with a gaze that seemed to be evaluating whether it could truly do it.
No! It absolutely couldn't be underestimated!
Especially not in front of Vivi's companion! Its dignity as the captain of the Alabasta Kingdom's fastest corps was inviolable!
Moreover, this was a mission! It must complete it!!
"Gah!!!!"
Dash suddenly let out a cry that echoed through the entire district, as if declaring its determination!
Immediately after, a fierce flame of fighting spirit ignited in its eyes, and it spread its wings, striking a pose that invited them to mount.
"Gah! Gah!"
If Chopper were here, he would definitely know what it meant—Let's go! Let's go now!
Batu cheered, "Yay! Dash! You're amazing!"
This encouragement made it even more excited; it gestured for Batu to climb onto its back first. Then it walked in front of Tomioka, head held high, eyes resolute.
Tomioka looked at the flames about to burst from its eyes; he extended his fist and gently bumped it against Dash's raised wing.
"Mm."
Then, he too deftly swung himself onto its back; Dash's body only sagged slightly, as it could still manage one large and one small person.
Finally, only Matar remained, standing dumbfounded; he looked at the duck carrying two people, his face filled with disbelief: "C-can it really do it? Or, should I just ride my camel and follow slowly?"
But Batu, on Dash's back, confidently shouted: "Absolutely no problem! Grandpa, you have to believe in the captain's strength! Captain!"
"Gah!!"
Seeing the strangely ignited fighting spirit of his grandson and this duck combined, Matar sighed helplessly.
He walked to the corner, tied up his old companion, patted it soothingly, and whispered: "You rest here for the night; I'll come back for you tomorrow."
After doing all this, he then somewhat clumsily climbed onto Dash's back, but even amidst the bumpy ascent, he still clutched his bulging pocket.
"Let's go! We're off to Katorea!"
Batu, sitting at the very front, excitedly raised his small hands and shouted.
Dash let out a long cry, its strong, powerful legs began to push off the ground, carrying the three people on its back, rushing out of the house, breaking the silence of Alubarna, and beginning its burdened sprint towards Katorea.
"Gah!!!!"
(Chopper once again moonlights as a translator: Charge!!!!)
("Even if you praise me for being a good translator, I won't be happy~") (Wiggle wiggle wiggle)