Ep 124. The Nightmare Draws Near! This Is the Sand-Sand Clan's Secret Base!

The Nightmare Draws Near! This Is the Sand-Sand Clan's Secret Base! is the 124th episode of the second season of One Piece. The episode starts with the Straw Hat Pirates and Vivi reaching the outskirts of Alubarna, the capital city of Alabasta, to stop Baroque Works from carrying out their plan of overthrowing the kingdom. However, Crocodile, the mastermind behind the plot, has already made his move and unleashed a sandstorm on the city to stir chaos and confusion.

While trying to navigate through the storm, the crew comes across a young boy named Ace, who claims to be Luffy's brother and is also in search of the same man they are, Blackbeard. The group continues their journey and eventually stumbles upon a secret base belonging to the Sand-Sand Clan, a powerful group of warriors who worship the desert and its spirits.

Inside the base, the Straw Hats encounter several traps and challenges, including an arena battle against a member of the Sand-Sand Clan, who has the ability to control sand with his bare hands. Meanwhile, Baroque Works sends their agents to infiltrate the base and gather information about the Straw Hats' whereabouts.

As the episode progresses, the crew discovers the real motive behind the Sand-Sand Clan's loyalty to Crocodile and how they are being manipulated to serve his agenda. With the help of Ace, Luffy and the others come up with a plan to escape the base and continue their mission to save Alabasta.

Overall, The Nightmare Draws Near! This Is the Sand-Sand Clan's Secret Base! offers a thrilling and action-packed episode filled with adventure, suspense, and unexpected plot twists. The episode also introduces new characters, expands on the world-building and sets the stage for the upcoming battles and conflicts.