After Alex's net was bitten by the giant bird, he didn't manage to let go in time and was dragged into the sky—net and all—by the creature, soaring rapidly through the air.

The howling wind whipped past his ears. He glanced down at the vast ocean and gripped the fishing net tightly, beginning to climb upward.

The bird's erratic flight path made things worse—it would veer and dip midair, causing Alex to swing dangerously from side to side. Several times while climbing, he nearly lost his grip and fell.

If he could just make it to the top of the net, he might be able to climb onto the bird's back. That, at least, would be safer than dangling helplessly over the sea.

Clenching his teeth, Alex climbed upward, blood seeping from his palms as the coarse net tore at his hands. He didn't dare let go for even a second.

Though both he and Luffy had been dragged into the sky, Alex was having a much tougher time. Luffy had been clamped by the head and swung around for a bit, but now he was lagging behind.

Zoro, meanwhile, was desperately rowing the tiny boat below, but there was no competing with the speed of the birds. All he could do was watch helplessly as his two crewmates drifted further and further away.

Eventually, just as Alex reached the top of the net, he spotted land in the distance—a town, from the looks of it. His heart lifted for a moment…

But then it hit him. Even if they flew over the town… how was he supposed to get down?

The birds were still flying a good 40 to 50 meters above ground. If he fell from that height, he'd be lucky to survive, let alone walk away unscathed.

He wasn't Luffy, after all—no rubber body, no fall resistance. He was flesh and bone.

Just as Alex was considering mounting the bird and figuring it out from there—

Boom!

A cannonball suddenly came flying from a distance.

Alex's eyes widened.

"What the hell?! I haven't even figured out how to get down, and now someone's shooting at me?! Are you kidding me?!"

The cannonball was flying right toward him. Within seconds, it was inches from his face.

He let go just in time, falling to the bottom of the net and grabbing on again to avoid plummeting. The coarse net tore at his hands, the pain sharp and immediate, like his palms had been skinned.

BOOM!

The cannonball exploded just as Alex stabilized himself.

In that split-second before the blast, he noticed something on the shell—a big red nose printed on the side.

Oh no. That was a Bugi Bomb—specialty of Buggy the Clown, the so-called "immortal" pirate.

"Damn it!" Alex cursed. "It's that damn clown throwing bombs at me? I swear, I'll kill that red-nosed freak!"

The explosion enveloped the sky in fire and unbearable heat. Waves of searing air roared toward him, drying his mouth instantly and scorching his skin. Though he avoided a direct hit, the bird that had been carrying him was not so lucky.

It exploded into feathers.

Alex began to plummet.

Worse still, the blast wave blew him off course—his freefall turned into a diagonal tumble.

His clothes were torn, charred in several places, and his skin burned from the heat. He winced in pain.

"Damn it… my back was just starting to heal," he grumbled. "Now it's wrecked again."

Falling fast, Alex panicked. He was now less than 30 meters from the ground.

He wasn't afraid of death anymore—not since the fight with Morgan. But just because he could face it didn't mean he'd roll over and welcome it.

And then—an idea.

Below him, he spotted the chimney of a nearby house.

If he could time it just right, he might be able to hook the chimney with his fishing net and slow the fall.

Gripping the tattered net tightly, he waited for the right moment.

As he neared the rooftop, he hurled the net.

It wrapped around the chimney.

"AHHHH!"

He grabbed on with both hands, but the net yanked violently as it caught. The friction dug deep into his already-bloodied palms. It felt like his arms were being torn from their sockets. He screamed in agony.

Though the maneuver saved his life, he still swung and slammed painfully into the roof a few times before finally coming to a stop.

Alex lay sprawled across the tiles, battered, burned, and gasping for breath.

But he was alive.

Staring at the sky, a mix of relief and disbelief washed over him. He'd survived.

Wait… a Bugi Bomb? That must mean this place is Orange Town.

After catching his breath, he dragged himself upright and cursed under his breath:

"That clown bastard actually opened fire… I'll end him one day."

"Who dares insult Captain Buggy?!"

"Come out here right now! You think you can badmouth our captain and get away with it?!"

Rough voices echoed from the street below.

Alex, already in a terrible mood, now had goons picking a fight with him over his insult? No way he was letting that slide.

"I said it. I insulted Buggy. Got a problem with that?"

He walked to the edge of the rooftop and looked down.

Three fierce-looking pirates were glaring up at him—each with a clown emblem on their clothes. Buggy's men, clearly.

No wonder they reacted the moment he mentioned Buggy's name.

But something else caught his eye.

Nami.

It had only been a week since they'd parted ways, and yet there she was, staring up at him in shock.

Alex was beaten up, scorched, with bloody hands and blackened skin. Even his hair was frazzled from the blast.

Nami stared, stunned.

What the hell happened to him?

His hands were bright red and covered in blood. She never imagined their second meeting would look like this. Her heart twisted unexpectedly.

Alex noticed the nautical chart in her hands and forced a weak grin.

"So, you did it, huh? Got the Grand Line map?"

Nami's eyes burned with mixed emotion—anger, concern, disbelief.

Yes, she had stolen Buggy's map successfully. She'd only been chased by his men ever since. She'd heard the explosion overhead during her escape… and never imagined Alex was the one getting hit.

"You know she stole our Grand Line map?! So you're her boss, huh?!"

"Must be! Look at 'em—both thieves! Let's nab 'em and hand 'em over to Captain Buggy!"

The pirates immediately drew their weapons, assuming Alex and Nami were in cahoots.

"Hey, punk! Get your ass down here!"

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