Alabasta, the Sanda River.
As the mother river of the world's largest kingdom, the Sanda River traverses almost the entire Alabasta.
But the only pity is...
The river's end is blocked by mountains, making its connection almost impossible.
And for the desert people who have lived here for generations.
They had long grown accustomed to the arduous journey of sailing, having to circle the entire island, a path taken by royalty and ships from all over the world.
But now...
Something they had never imagined has come to pass, as if in a dream.
Following the end of the Great Cataclysm, the intervention of the Marines, and the arrival and planning of the surveying team.
The port was temporarily controlled, the original three river entrances were abolished, leaving only one, and a towering military fortress was established.
Before that imposing fortress, no one believed pirates could break in.
And this was only the beginning...
They would never forget that day...
-
Several days ago.
Alabasta, the end of the Sanda River.
On a floating warship.
The scorching heat made one drowsy, and the Sanda River below was calm and undisturbed.
Sounds of discussion and argument occasionally drifted from the cabins.
Vivi, the sole heir to Alabasta and now its Queen.
Stood by the railing of the warship, gazing lost in thought at the Sanda River below, holding several meticulously planned blueprints.
For thousands of years...
This idea, which had flickered in the minds of countless Alabastan kings,
Was now being brought before her by the Marines.
The plan to connect the Sanda River, blocked by mountains, was in her hands.
The designers in the cabins argued over whose plan was superior, constantly stating their reasons.
But the decision-making power rested with her...
"Have you decided which plan to use, Queen Vivi?"
Sote, the Marine Admiral known as 'Purple Lion', wearing the cloak of justice, approached.
"In truth, the plans are all similar."
"Designers always argue, you don't need to pay too much attention."
"The decision rests with you."
Vivi, her head adorned with a crown, turned her head, still with a hint of daze:
"I know."
"It's just..."
"A little hard to believe."
"Connecting the Sanda River has always been something every member of the Alabastan royal family has envisioned."
"But the manpower and resources required were unimaginable."
"Even during its peak 800 years ago, it was merely a proposal that was subsequently abandoned."
"To think it can be realized now, it's truly..."
Vivi placed her right hand over her heart and bowed solemnly, saying:
"Please convey to Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, on behalf of the Alabastan royal family and all our people, our gratitude and respect to the World Federal Government and Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."
Sote returned the bow, his expression solemn.
"I will relay your gratitude and respect to Fleet Admiral Sakazuki as instructed."
Receiving Sote's reply, Vivi smiled and picked up the blueprints.
"These plans are all excellent. I intend to discuss them with the ministers."
"It won't take long."
"I also have some gifts to present to the designers."
Sote nodded and said:
"It's alright, no rush."
"Connecting the Sanda River is just the beginning."
"I will likely be stationed here for a considerable time."
"After all, Alabasta is vast, and it will take decades to complete the renovations with Cherubims alone."
"Then I shall escort you back to the royal palace now."
The warship, speeding through the air, flew towards the Alabastan royal palace.
Vivi stood by the warship's side, gripping the railing tightly. The oncoming airflow brought a hint of coolness, registering in her senses.
All of this was real...
Night.
The Alabastan royal palace was brightly lit.
A faint, noisy clamor could be heard outside the palace walls, causing many residents to look towards the palace with curiosity, wondering what great event had occurred.
"Let's choose this plan, it's more convenient for domestic communication after the connection."
"No, no, it must be this plan."
"This plan is the long-term strategy. Alabasta will become the largest trade hub in the future."
"No, we should prioritize the citizens."
"I think the desertification control plan in this plan is the key."
"This one..."
"No..."
Outside the palace, on the balcony.
Vivi gazed at the starry sky, searching for her father's star.
"Ikalem, do you think Father would be happy to see this plan?"
In her hand was the plan that prioritized desertification control after connecting the Sanda River.
The curly-haired guard captain, Ikalem, said softly:
"No matter which plan is chosen, the late King would be very happy."
"This is the chain that has bound Alabasta for thousands of years, and it is about to be broken."
"The world today is truly getting better."
Vivi suddenly smiled, her tone tinged with emotion.
"Yes..."
"The world today is truly different..."
Unified planning and management, with the port renovated and taken over by the Marines.
The introduction of identification cards drastically minimized the possibility of pirates appearing.
Plans were designed by professionals based on the island's characteristics.
Even for a superpower like Alabasta, the largest in terms of area, if Cherubims were not feasible, individuals at the pinnacle of the world would undertake the renovations.
This was something unthinkable before.
Whether it was pirates, the Marines, or the original World Government,
The cost to request such individuals to act was beyond Alabasta's capacity.
Although it was a mere trifle for those powerhouses, in a world where strength is respected...
No one cared about the opinions of ants; no one would truly change the world.
In the past, even offering all their wealth would likely not have been enough to hire Shiki to connect the Sanda River; they might have even been plundered.
But now, it was different...
"Ikalem, issue a proclamation."
"Notify all citizens that those who wish to witness the connection of the Sanda River are welcome to head to the mountains."
"Yes!"
Seven days later.
On the mountains blocking the Sanda River.
Dense crowds of people surged, having traveled day and night from all corners of Alabasta.
Their travel-worn clothes were coated with sand.
Upon arrival, the people received simple food prepared by the royal family and the World Federal Government, and they eagerly gazed towards the distant great river.
All to witness the moment that would change Alabasta forever.
"Can it really... be connected?"
"It should be true, Her Majesty the Queen has issued a proclamation, and the current government is led by Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."
"His orders will surely be correct."
"That's great, no more detours for sea trade in the future."
"With the direct connection, commerce will flourish, and in the future..."
"Grandpa, why are you crying?"
"Don't worry... Grandpa isn't crying."
"Grandpa is happy..."
As time passed, the sun reached its zenith.
Even though some people had not yet arrived, they could wait no longer. Vivi stood at the highest point of the mountain and announced into the amplified equipment:
"People of Alabasta!"
"We are about to witness a historic moment."
"The connection of the Sanda River, proposed, designed, and executed by the World Federal Government, is about to begin."
"After the connection, the Sanda River will be renamed the Sanda Canal."
"Alabasta will enter a brand new era!"
"Let us anticipate it together!!!"
After a moment of silence, a roar of fervent cheers erupted.
Countless people stood atop the mountains, their faces flushed, their voices seemingly echoing throughout the heavens and earth.
Amidst the excited shouts, Vivi could not remain entirely calm but maintained her composure and said to Sote beside her:
"Kindly assist us, Admiral Sote."
Sote smiled and nodded, then leaped into the air.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, he flew to the upper reaches of the Sanda River's end.
"All residents who have arrived at the mountains, and those who have not yet arrived, remain where you are and grasp onto anything nearby to steady yourselves!"
Sote's voice, imbued with Haki, boomed like a mighty bell, audible to everyone.
Once all the citizens had complied.
Sote took a deep breath and gazed directly at the mountains ahead.
He raised both arms, his muscles bulging.
*Crack—!!!*
He clapped his hands together, a crisp sound echoing through the heavens and earth.
"OPENNNNNNNN!!!!!"
With a roar, the mountains trembled.
Those on the mountaintops felt the peaks beneath their feet shake violently and move in an unbelievable manner.
Those who had not arrived merely saw the figure flying in the sky, and with a single command.
As if divine decree, the obstructing mountains parted, moving to the sides of the Sanda River, the ground trembling madly.
Looking down from the mountaintop, the Sanda River was forcibly torn open.
The sound of rumbling was incessant. A deep rift, expanding as it went, relentlessly surged towards the distant sea.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at this seemingly miraculous sight, rendered speechless.
Until the sea on the other side of the island collided with the water on this side.
The resulting explosion was like a super bomb detonating underwater, sending up a towering mushroom cloud of water, and splashing droplets onto everyone's faces...
"Long liveeeeeee!!!!!"
All the Alabastans, with tears streaming down their faces, gazed at the connected great river.
They looked at the scene that generations of Alabastans had dreamed of, their excitement indescribable, only able to express their feelings with fervent shouts...
On June 5th, Year of the Sea 1523, the Sanda River, which had existed since the birth of the Alabastan Kingdom.
Completely connected, witnessed by countless citizens of Alabasta.
This river, which had remained unchanged for millennia due to various factors, was transformed into a river of gold under the new government's plan.
The connection of the Sanda River greatly reduced the time required for supply and navigation across Alabasta.
No longer would they have to circle the world's largest continental country before proceeding to the next island.
At the same time, it ushered Alabasta into a new era, and thereafter...
August 5th of each year was designated as Sanda Day.
On this day, the people of Alabasta would hold celebrations comparable to New Year's.
-
Time returns to the present.
Following the connection of the Sanda River, the desertification control plan commenced.
After thousands of years of erosion, over ninety percent of Alabasta's landmass was sand. In such conditions, desertification control was an arduous task.
Therefore, the planning team's design proposed that to completely rectify the situation, all the sand would have to be removed from the island, dumped into the sea, and replaced with new soil.
Such a colossal project, even the plan itself, was daunting. But under Sote's abilities, the plan was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
Red soil, comparable in size to Alabasta, floated around the island.
The removed sand was temporarily stored here through manipulation, and later processed for disposal in the Calm Belt.
The lowered ground level after sand removal was then filled with crushed debris from fragmented islands in the New World, brought over.
The eastern continent, now separated by the Sanda Canal, had its sand replaced. Next was the western continent.
Sanda Port, Marine Base.
Sote, who had just begun the sand replacement on the western continent, returned home in the evening.
A familiar aroma wafted from the kitchen. A table laden with steaming hot dishes awaited him. Sote looked at Ain, who was busy cooking, and said with a smile:
"It smells wonderful. Why are you here? Do you have a new mission?"
Ain, while stir-frying, replied:
"What, can't I come if I don't have a mission?"
"Is there something you're hiding?"
"I heard the Queen of Alabasta also has blue hair."
Sote, with a helpless expression, walked into the kitchen and hugged Ain from behind.
"How could that be? I'm overjoyed."
Ain rolled her eyes at him.
"Hmph."
She poured the dishes from the wok onto plates, and they both walked towards the dining table.
"There is indeed a mission."
"The inauguration ceremony of the new government is less than twenty days away. Vice Speaker Carol asked us to wrap things up."
"There's someone from the Revolutionary Army we need to handle."
"Oh? Who?"
"The daughter of Bartholomew Kuma, one of the founders of the Revolutionary Army, and the only surviving member among the Revolutionary Army's elders."
"Jewelry Bonney."