Everyone else present was also stunned.
Usopp's mouth hung wide open, large enough to fit an ostrich egg: "A... a Log Pose that goes directly to Alabasta?! Then... then we've been taking a detour?!"
Amid the commotion, Zoro finally opened his eyes. Hearing what Vivi said, his brow furrowed slightly as he looked at her, then glanced toward the door, understanding why Sanji hadn't said a word at the time.
Giyu, standing at the doorway, was equally stirred inside. His gaze fell on the small Log Pose in Vivi's hand, then moved to her face, which was holding back tears.
So... the shortcut to Alabasta had been in their hands all along. But these past few days, their course hadn't changed at all, and she had never mentioned it.
Sanji had returned to the doorway at some point, leaning against the doorframe as he silently lit a cigarette, the swirling smoke obscuring his current expression.
He didn't enter, just listened quietly.
"Everyone..."
Vivi's voice rose slightly, cutting through everyone's shock and confusion.
She looked around at each of her companions, tears finally slipping free, but her eyes held unprecedented determination. "You've already let me board this ship... I... I'm really, truly grateful!"
She took a deep breath, wiping away her tears forcefully.
"I don't want you to face the painful choice of who to save first because of my country's crisis... So, as the princess of Alabasta, I made this decision on my own!"
Her gaze swept over the ailing Nami and the injured Giyu, before finally settling on everyone.
"I believe we must first go to an island with doctors! To completely cure our most important navigator, Nami! And to let Mr. Giyu, who protected us and got injured, fully recover! Only then can we head to Alabasta at full speed in our best condition! This is... this is the fastest! The best way!"
She practically shouted those last few words, her chest heaving as if she had unburdened herself, yet taken on an even heavier responsibility.
After a brief silence.
"Shishishishishi..." Luffy was the first to laugh, his laughter particularly bright. He pressed down on his straw hat, revealing his signature radiant smile. "Vivi! Well said!"
Watching Vivi make her decision, Usopp looked utterly amazed, muttering to himself, "A million people are waiting... As expected of a princess."
Outside the door, Sanji blew out a long stream of smoke, his voice carrying sincere admiration: "Well said, Miss Vivi! It's decided then! After we reach the next island and cure Miss Nami and Giyu, we'll set off immediately for Alabasta and kick those troublemakers flying!"
After speaking, the sound of him turning and slowly walking back to the kitchen could be heard.
On the bed, tears streamed from the corners of Nami's eyes. She reached out with a weak arm, tightly embracing Vivi, her voice choked: "Idiot... Vivi, you big idiot..."
"When the time comes... I'll definitely! Get you back to Alabasta at the fastest speed! Definitely!"
Giyu stood at the doorway, remaining silent for a long time.
He watched the two girls crying in each other's arms, looked at Luffy grinning foolishly yet with determined eyes, and observed the deeply moved Usopp and the understanding Zoro.
"Is this... the burden of a princess?"
On one side were her shipmates, whom she hadn't known for long, and on the other were millions of her own people suffering in her nation.
Even so... she chose to prioritize her companions' safety, bearing the weight and potential risks of this decision alone.
He remained silent for a moment, then spoke slowly in an unusually calm and assured tone. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone clearly:
"Alabasta... would never be that fragile."
Everyone's gaze turned to him.
Giyu's blue eyes contained a conviction tempered through battles and despair as he continued, "The people there, their willpower—they would never be easily broken. You're not fighting alone. Your people must be steadfastly protecting their nation too."
His gaze settled on Vivi.
"They'll hold on. They will definitely hold on until the moment you return."
Vivi turned to look at Giyu, drawing from his firm words a strength called confidence. She nodded vigorously, a smile like clearing skies appearing on her face:
"Yes! I believe in them too! I believe in everyone!"
"Great!" Luffy suddenly jumped up, brimming with fighting spirit.
"Then let's set off! First, we'll find a doctor on the island!" he declared, about to dash toward the deck while still wearing only his thin red vest.
Seeing this, Giyu instinctively reminded him with concern, "It's very cold outside. Shouldn't you put on more clothes?"
Stopping in his tracks, Luffy tilted his large head to look at Giyu, then touched his own arm as if realizing something: "Oh? That's right! Okay!"
He immediately rummaged through cabinets and pulled out a thick yellow-and-white checkered long-sleeved coat, putting it on haphazardly.
Then, except for Nami who still needed to rest in bed, everyone else followed onto the deck.
In just that short time, the island had become incredibly clear and close. It was an island covered in thick snow, with several towering peaks resembling giant white barrels.
Zoro watched the approaching island and asked, "So, who's going ashore after we dock?"
"Me!" Luffy immediately raised his hand, hopping excitedly.
"I'm going too!" Sanji's voice came from nearby, "I must ensure Miss Nami's safety!"
Giyu also raised his hand: "I'll go take a look as well." Usopp, watching the snow-covered island that seemed full of unknown dangers nearby, began trembling: "Ahh... th-this... there couldn't be some huge Snow Monster hiding in there, could there?! Vivi! For safety's sake, you should stay..."
Vivi's tone was unusually firm, without the slightest hesitation: "I'm going up too."
Only Usopp remained, clutching his head and wailing on the ground: "Aaaaaah! No way! Is everyone going?!"
Zoro picked his ear, looking disgusted as he said, "You're way too noisy. I'm not going up—I'll stay and guard the ship." Karoo beside him quacked in agreement.
"Then I guess I'll go up too..."
The Merry slowly sailed into what appeared to be a harbor area along the island's shore. Giyu stood by the ship's rail, his sharp gaze scanning the scenery along the coast. His brows gradually furrowed.
This feeling...
On both banks of the dock, dense crowds had unknowingly gathered! Most wore thick winter clothing, holding old-fashioned long guns in their hands!
Countless dark muzzles were now uniformly and hostilely aimed at the gradually approaching Merry!
...Again? Why does this keep happening with guns pointed at us...
Giyu's hand instinctively lifted slightly, moving toward the hilt at his waist. This scene of being targeted by countless weapons felt both familiar and irritating.
Just then, a deep, resonant roar erupted from the front of the crowd onshore, shattering the eerie silence:
"Pirates!! Don't move!!"
"Get away from this place!! Leave immediately!!"
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