## One Piece Chapter 179, pages 8-9: Showdown at Alubarna - Chapter: 179 - Pages: 8-9 - Characters: Monkey D. Luffy, Crocodile, Smoker, Tashigi ### Summary Page 8: Luffy lies at the bottom of the quicksand pit, his body slowly being swallowed by the shifting sands. He is completely silent, marked by ".......!!" as he sinks deeper. He weakly raises his bloodied hand towards the sky, letting out a faint "UGH..." Crocodile's voice calls out a dismissive "Farewell." Luffy's hand slowly disappears beneath the surface of the sand with a "SINK..." sound, leaving only a small disturbance on the dune. Crocodile turns his back and walks away from the pit, his large coat trailing behind him. He mutters to himself, "That was a complete waste of my time..." leaving Luffy buried in the desert. Page 9: Smoker is smoking two cigars, looking sternly at Tashigi. "You decide on your own what the right thing to do is," he tells her. Tashigi is shocked, asking, "You want me to go to Alubarna!? Am I to pursue the Straw-Hats there!? Or are you telling me to help the royalists quell the uprising...!?" Smoker simply replies, "I'll leave that to you!" Tashigi stammers, "Pardon!?" Smoker is then seen sitting on his Billower Bike, revving the engine. Tashigi runs up to him, demanding, "Just what on Earth is going on, Captain!? And where are you going, Capt. Smoker!?" Smoker looks back over his shoulder and says, "Follow your own sense of justice. That'll be good enough. Whatever happens, I'll take responsibility." He adds, "I need to go back out to sea on urgent business. Be ready to receive further orders from me at all times." As he prepares to drive off, he calls out, "Tashigi." She responds, "Yes!?" Smoker gives his final instruction: "Keep a close eye on the impending conclusion to this kingdom's crisis. Whether Alabasta falls or survives..."