The next day, after some travel, everyone arrived at a ruin.
Looking at the desolate site, once bustling with life but now reduced to crumbling stone, Vivi knelt down and picked up a handful of yellow sand.
Her voice trembled with anger and sorrow.
"What wrong did the people of this city commit? Born in the desert, struggling against nature… and then Crocodile came and completely ruined the lives of those who fought to survive!
Why? What gives that man the right to do this? He uses the title of a Shichibukai, pretends to be a hero, but manipulates people from the shadows—and no one even knows his true face!
Three years ago, places like this were still oases. But because of the Dance Powder used by Crocodile's Baroque Works, only Alubarna receives rain now.
The rest of the kingdom has turned to desert. And that's how the tragedy of Alabasta was born!"
Luffy clenched his fists. "Crocodile…"
"Rumble…" A fragile wall beside him gave way under his punch, collapsing into the sand.
Nami walked up to Vivi and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Vivi, we'll reach Alubarna soon. We'll end this. Don't be sad."
Vivi shook her head softly. "I'm fine… it's just—I can't understand how Crocodile can be this cruel."
After a short rest, Vivi's mood settled a little.
Sanji looked around and whistled. "This place must be ancient, huh?"
Vivi nodded. "Yes. This civilization has existed for thousands of years. Kingdoms rose and fell, some moved to find water, others fell to war. These ruins are scattered all across the desert—some are even shrouded in mystery."
Sanji exhaled. "And after all those changes, it became the Alabasta Kingdom we know today. What a history… Even prosperous nations disappear eventually. Just like Rome."
"Sanji!" Nami hissed, smacking his arm.
"Ah!" Sanji panicked and turned to Vivi. "Sorry! I didn't mean it like that. Bad timing. My wording was… bad!"
Vivi shook her head with a faint smile. "It's okay. Honestly… I've thought the same myself."
She looked out over the ruins, her gaze distant.
"What is a kingdom, really? Even if a king changes, people still live. Culture still exists. Life goes on. If that doesn't change, then maybe a kingdom isn't what truly needs protecting.
What truly matters must be something else. I don't have the answer yet… But I do know what I have to do.
Baroque Works wants to spark meaningless conflict. I must stop them. Even if I'm hated for it later… I won't let Crocodile's plan succeed."
"Clap clap clap…"
Sandy started clapping and smirked. "Wow, Vivi. You've learned how to give speeches. Stir up everyone's emotions and get these idiots to fight for you."
He pointed at the Straw Hats. They froze for a second—he wasn't wrong, but hearing it like that stung. Their faces twisted with shame and irritation.
Sandy didn't care. "Vivi, didn't I tell you before? You're the princess of Alabasta. Protecting this land is your responsibility. Don't overthink. Focus on making sure your people live in peace.
The ruins are the past. You're dealing with the present. And the present means kicking Crocodile's ass and getting proper compensation. Got it, idiots?"
"Who are you calling idiots?!"
"You bastard, Sandy!"
"Vivi, come help us beat him up!"
A minute later, Sandy stood there, bruised but still smug, straightening his clothes.
He wrapped an arm around Vivi's waist and grinned. "You've got potential, princess. Real hero material."
Vivi's cheeks flushed slightly. She wasn't used to such blunt praise. She knew Sandy wasn't lying though—the Straw Hats were the key to stopping Crocodile.
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper all stared at her wide-eyed. "No way. Sandy's telling the truth?"
Luffy grinned. "Vivi, your brain's actually pretty useful!"
Vivi blushed harder. "Y-you think I'm… sinister?"
Sandy rolled his eyes. "I didn't say that. I just wanted everyone to understand the situation. We've got the same goal as Vivi, so who cares how we get there?"
"Ohhh, Sandy's brain works too!" Luffy said admiringly.
Usopp deadpanned. "Hey, does anyone else find it weird traveling with this guy?"
Sanji laughed. "Want me to give you my kitchen knife so you can deal with him?"
Sandy turned a dangerous gaze on Usopp.
"HELP! Sandy's going to kill me!" Usopp yelped.
Chopper believed it immediately, eyes tearing up. He ran over to Sandy, pleading, "Sandy, don't kill Usopp! He's our friend!"
Sandy froze, then facepalmed dramatically. He tilted his head to the sky and yelled, "God, help me…"
Ace nearly doubled over laughing at the sight.
Zoro turned away, embarrassed that he was actually on this ridiculous crew.
Nami kicked Sandy aside and took Vivi's hand with a smile. "We're helping you because you're our friend. That's all."
"Yeah!" Luffy added firmly.
"Ohhh, Vivi-san…" Sanji's eyes turned into hearts as he danced around Vivi and Nami. "Even if I have to go to hell, I'll do it for you."
"Then hurry up and go," Zoro said flatly.
Sanji's eyebrow twitched. "Say that again, you mosshead!"
"If you dare, I'll cut you down, perverted cook."
And just like that, the ruins of an ancient city became the battleground of another Zoro–Sanji fight.
Nami facepalmed, mimicking Sandy. "God, help…"
…
Author's Note:
The fanfic One Piece: My Flirtatious System Adventure is first half completed.
The entire story has been uploaded on Patreon as a dedicated collection:
📚 One Piece (Chapters 1–362)
Carefully organized into multiple posts, with several chapters per post for smooth and easy binge reading.
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continuous support and love for this journey 💙