(Blue_Dragoon) I will see what I can Do for Baby 5.
(Benka and Samot_Sempai) WHY HELL ARE YOU AFTER POOR INNOCENT VIVI?! LEAVE HER ALONE!! and (Samot_Sempai) WHY ARE YOU PLAYING TIC TAC TOE ON HER FOREHEAD?!
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Thought of the Day:
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
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Attendance Please:
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"A—a billion…!? Ahem! Ma-ma-ma-ma~~!" Igaram choked on his words, the sound caught between a gasp and a strangled cough. His eyes bulged so wide they looked as if they might pop out of his head.
Vivi's eyes widened too, but not in shock. Instead, they reflected something heavier, something closer to despair.
Nami smiled sweetly, tilting her head with practiced innocence. "Well? Will you pay us a billion or not, princess? Because without our help…" She let the silence stretch, allowing the threat to hang in the air. "…it seems you have no way out."
Vivi stammered, her royal composure faltering. "B—but that's too much! My kingdom is currently facing a severe crisis. Our resources are nearly depleted." She wrung her hands together. "If things continue like this, it could lead to civil war."
"Y—Yeah, we can't possibly promise you that much!" Igaram stepped forward, as if his size alone could shield her from Nami's demands. "Please try to understand. Let's negotiate differently."
Nami blinked once, twice, then her expression shifted from sweet to genuinely confused. "Wait, what? You're telling me a big kingdom like yours can't even afford a billion berries? Isn't your kingdom part of the World Government? Why aren't you asking them for help?"
The night air around them seemed to grow heavier.
"It's because of Baroque Works," Vivi said, her voice dropping, each word filled with anger. "Or more specifically, the man behind my kingdom's suffering, Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea." Her fist clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white, nails digging into her palm. "That man is destroying my home. He created Baroque Works, a secret criminal organization involved in spying, assassination, theft, and bounty hunting. Crocodile gives orders to every agent." She paused, and when she spoke again, her voice trembled with fury. "But more than that, his real goal is to create some kind of fake Utopia by destroying my kingdom. And I can't let that happen."
Igaram placed a firm hand on Vivi's shoulder. The simple gesture appeared to calm her.
"Alabasta was once the most peaceful nation on the Grand Line," he said, his voice heavy with history. "But in recent years, the citizens grew restless. Riots and uprisings plunged the kingdom into chaos. Then we learned about Baroque Works." He sighed, a deep, weary sound. "Rumors said their agents had been stirring up the people. But no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't find enough information to fight back. So, at the princess's request…" He gently squeezed her shoulder. "…we went undercover inside the organization. We learned everything about it. And now they're hunting us. We'll be lucky to make it home alive."
Then, to everyone's shock, the tall, broad-shouldered man dropped to his knees and bowed deeply before them, his forehead nearly touching the ground.
"Please, I beg you… at least take Princess Vivi with you. She is our only hope to save the kingdom."
The words hung in the air, raw and desperate.
"Igaram…" Vivi covered her mouth, her eyes glistening. She had never seen her guardian bow to anyone like that before.
Nami rubbed the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on. She turned to her crew, searching for any sign of common sense. "What do you all think? Should we really do this? If we say yes, we'll be going up against a Warlord."
Yuji just scratched his head. "I don't have a problem with it. Things were getting boring anyway."
'Boring.' Vivi stared at him. 'Facing a Warlord of the Sea, and he calls his life boring?'
"If it means fighting a Warlord, count me in," Zoro smirked, sharp as a blade.
"Uh… I don't have an issue with it either," Usopp said, rubbing the back of his neck and trying to sound casual.
"I'm not backing down when a lady needs help," Sanji declared like a knight swearing an oath, hearts practically shining in his eyes.
"Shishishishi… I don't mind," Luffy said simply.
Nami sighed. Of course, this was their answer. She looked at Vivi and Igaram, feeling the weight of the decision settle on her shoulders.
"Well… looks like we're in."
Both Igaram's and Vivi's eyes widened, hope flickering in the darkness.
"…but after everything is over," Nami added, raising a finger, "I still need some kind of reward for our hard work."
"O—Of course! I promise I'll talk to my father about it," Vivi said, her voice breaking with relief.
Then Igaram turned to Vivi, and his expression changed. The relief vanished, replaced by something far more serious. "Princess… I want you to leave immediately with them."
Vivi's world tilted. "Wait, what? Aren't you coming with me?"
He shook his head. "No. Someone needs to stay behind to distract them if they send more agents after you."
"But—"
Igaram pulled her into a hug before she could finish speaking. "Don't worry about me, princess. I promise that by the time you reach Alabasta, I'll already be there." He gently pushed her toward the Straw Hats. "Now go. We don't have much time."
He looked at the Straw Hats, meeting each of their eyes in turn. An unspoken understanding passed between them.
"Please take care of the princess."
With that, he turned and ran, his footsteps echoing against the cobblestones and fading into the shadows.
Luffy and the others watched until the darkness completely swallowed him.
"Be safe, Igaram…" Vivi whispered, barely more than a breath. Somewhere in the night, she hoped he heard her.
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The Straw Hats, now accompanied by Vivi, boarded the Going Merry immediately.
"The Log Pose is set for the next island!" Nami shouted over the noise of departure. "Usopp, steer us toward open water!"
"On it." Usopp's hands found the rudder with practiced ease. The ship turned like a living creature, her bow pointing toward the open sea.
Zoro and Yuji worked together, pulling the ropes. The sails unfurled with a snap, catching the breeze.
"LET'S GO AND SAVE VIVI'S HOME!" Luffy's voice boomed from his usual spot on the Merry's head, his figure outlined against the starry sky.
The Going Merry glided out of the river and into the open sea. The water stretched before them, endless and dark, with only the fading stars to guide their path.
"It's still a few hours before sunrise," Yuji said, glancing between Vivi and Nami. The princess's shoulders were tense, her face pale even in the dim light. "You two should get some rest. We'll talk about our next move—"
But he was cut off by Usopp, who had drawn his repaired pistols and was aiming at the upper deck at the back.
"Oh my~~ I've been found out already~~"
The voice was smooth and musical, a woman's voice that seemed to curl through the air like smoke.
Everyone turned, and there she was.
She sat on the railing of the upper back deck as if she had always been there. Moonlight traced the curves of her silhouette, casting her in silver and shadow. One leg crossed over the other with deliberate grace. Her posture was relaxed, almost lazy.
But her eyes, her eyes were anything but ordinary.
Zoro's hand moved to his swords before his brain even registered the threat. The familiar weight of Sandai Kitetsu's hilt against his palm was comforting.
Sanji dropped into a fighting stance, tense like a coiled spring.
Luffy jumped down from Merry's head, landing softly on the deck, his eyes filled with curiosity as he stared at the woman.
Vivi's face turned even paler than before. Her eyes widened with immediate recognition.
And Nami… Nami's gaze darted between the mysterious woman and Yuji. "H—Hey… isn't she from…"
She didn't finish because everyone on the ship could feel it.
There was like an electric charge in the air between this woman and Yuji.
"Olivia… I didn't expect to see you again," Yuji said first, his face calm. But inside, his mind was racing. 'What is she doing here? Is she Robin? She doesn't look anything like what I remember from the manga! What the hell is going on? I'm totally confused!'
The woman, Olivia, smiled. It was the kind of smile that held secrets within secrets. "I can say the same, Itadori Yuji. It seems some kind of cosmic force is trying to bring us together." She tilted her head, studying him like a fascinating book. "Truly interesting, isn't it?"
"Maybe… or maybe not." Yuji's voice remained steady, but his pulse quickened. "So tell me, Olivia… what are you doing here? If you're just after me, then I have to say… you're quite persistent."
Olivia chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "Fufufufufu~~ Oh, I'm more than just persistent, love. And if you want, I can show you~~"
The double meaning lingered in the air.
"That's quite an offer…" Yuji rubbed his chin, playing along. "…but I have to decline. As you can see, you're an intruder on our ship."
"Oh, how sad…" Olivia sighed, pressing a hand to her chest in mock disappointment. "I would have really liked to explore you."
Explore you. The word choice was deliberate.
"I'll take that as a compliment from a beautiful woman like you."
Meanwhile, the rest of the crew watched the exchange with expressions ranging from confusion to jealousy.
Sanji's eyebrow twitched with every sweet word the woman directed at Yuji. His teeth ground together. 'This bastard… what kind of luck does he have to attract such a goddess?!'
The others were equally stunned, none more so than Vivi. Here she was, terrified of this woman who embodied everything she had been running from, and now she was watching her flirt with Yuji as if they were old lovers. The contradiction made her head spin.
She couldn't take it any longer.
"ARGH!"
Vivi's yell cut through the banter like a knife, causing every head to turn toward her.
She pointed a shaky finger at the woman, her arm trembling with fear and anger. "Wh—What are you doing here, Ms. All Sunday?"
Silence.
Olivia blinked, genuine surprise on her face, and then she laughed, a real laugh, soft and warm. "Fufufufufu~~ I was so caught up talking with you that I forgot why I came here! You really are a huge distraction, Yuji-kun~~"
Yuji simply shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Olivia turned to the fuming princess, her expression returning to that unreadable smile. "Well, if it isn't our little runaway princess, Ms. Wednesday." She examined her fingernails casually. "You know… I ran into Mr. 8 on my way here."
The blood drained from Vivi's face.
"No…"
"He was a very loyal man." Olivia's voice held no malice, which somehow made it even more chilling. "Sadly… I had to kill him."
"No, no, no, no…" Vivi stumbled backward, her hands flying to her head. "You're lying… y-you're lying…"
Olivia shook her head, and for a brief moment, something resembling pity crossed her face. "Reality is harsh, isn't it, princess?"
"YOU'RE LYING!" Vivi screamed as she rushed forward, grief and fury overriding all reason.
The crew moved as one.
Nami extended her bow staff with a click. Zoro drew Sandai Kitetsu, the blade singing as it slid from its sheath. Luffy and Sanji tensed, ready to attack.
But then—
Usopp rolled to the side, dodging an attack before it even appeared. He pivoted and rose to one knee, both pistols still aimed at his target.
At that very moment, chaos erupted across the deck.
A hand emerged from the wooden planks beneath Nami's feet and grabbed her ankle. She cried out as she fell, her staff clattering to the ground.
Another hand suddenly emerged from Zoro's back. Before he could react, it twisted his right arm behind him. Sandai Kitetsu slipped from his grip, embedding itself point-first into the deck.
Two more hands shot up near Luffy and Sanji, grabbing their legs. With a violent yank, both men were lifted and slammed onto the deck.
Thud. Thud.
Usopp's eyes flicked to his left. A hand had appeared exactly where he had been standing a moment before, its fingers closing on empty air. Without hesitation, he aimed and fired.
BANG.
The shot rang out across the water.
Olivia hissed, a sharp intake of breath, half pain, half surprise. Her eyes met Usopp's, and for the first time that night, her expression revealed something beyond amusement.
'This one… this one is dangerous.'
Usopp didn't flinch. He adjusted his aim, ready to fire again.
"No."
Yuji's hand closed around Usopp's wrist, gently but firmly pushing the barrel downward.
Usopp glanced at him from the corner of his eye. Yuji remained untouched; no hands had appeared near him. It seemed Olivia had deliberately left him alone.
Usopp relented but kept his aim fixed on her. He wouldn't fire unless Yuji gave the order. However, if he did, he wouldn't miss.
"What was that?" Nami gasped, pushing herself up on trembling arms. The hand that had grabbed her had vanished without a trace.
"She must have a Devil Fruit power!" Vivi exclaimed, her voice still raw.
The crew grew even tenser.
But Olivia simply cradled her stinging hand, her expression calm once more. "Don't get excited," she said, flexing her fingers. "I'm not on an assignment, so I have no reason to fight you."
Her gaze shifted to Luffy, and something in her eyes grew sharper.
"So… you must be the captain, Monkey D Luffy." She said his full name with a strange emphasis on the 'D.' "What rotten luck. By helping the princess, you've marked yourself and your crew." She paused, letting the words sink in. "But the worst luck is where your Log Pose is sending you."
From within her coat, she pulled out a small object that gleamed in the moonlight, an Eternal Pose, its needle fixed and steady.
"Anyone can stand around and yell. But to sail knowingly into death…" Her lips curved. "…that's just stupid."
She tossed the Eternal Pose through the air. It spun end over end before landing neatly in Yuji's palm.
"That's an Eternal Pose. It will help you avoid trouble. It points to Nanimonai Island, one stop before Alabasta. This is a route even our agents don't know about, so no one will be able to follow you."
Everyone stared at the Eternal Pose in Yuji's hand. The needle pointed steadily in a single direction.
Luffy walked toward it, his steps slow and deliberate. He reached out to take it—
But Yuji pulled his hand away.
"Nope," Yuji said, his voice calm but firm. "I'm not giving it to you. I know what you'll do."
"She's not deciding our course!" Luffy said, his jaw set with his usual stubbornness.
"Of course she won't. We'll follow our regular route, but that doesn't mean we should throw this away." Yuji held up the Eternal Pose, its glass catching the starlight. "If we get lost, this can help us find our way."
Luffy pouted and looked away like a child who had been denied candy. "Fine."
Olivia watched with growing interest. The first mate overruling the captain? No, not overruling, but guiding. These Straw Hats were far more intriguing than any report had suggested.
"I see… that's too bad." She rose gracefully from the railing, her movements as smooth as water. "I don't mind a forceful man." She walked along the railing toward the edge of the ship, maintaining her balance despite the gentle rocking of the waves.
She was ready to jump, to vanish into the night just as mysteriously as she had appeared.
"Wait."
Yuji's voice stopped her.
"Before you leave… I want to ask you something." His eyes met hers, intense in a way they hadn't been during their earlier banter. "Is Olivia even your real name?"
She turned, and for just a heartbeat, something genuine flickered in her expression.
"I'm sorry, love," her voice softened. "But in my line of work, we can't just give our real names, can we?"
She winked and then jumped.
A giant turtle, which had been waiting beside the ship, caught her with practiced ease, and she sailed away into the darkness. Her figure grew smaller and smaller until it vanished into the night.
Everyone watched her leave.
Then—
"You scoundrel!"
Sanji grabbed Yuji's collar with both hands, his face contorted with jealous anguish. "How the hell do you know such a beautiful woman? How? Tell me your secrets!"
Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Vivi all turned toward Yuji with curiosity, while Nami simply shook her head.
"She was at the Baratie…" Nami said, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Sanji froze. "What?"
"Yeah, Nami's right. I met her at the Baratie." Yuji gently pried Sanji's fingers from his collar. "We talked for a bit. That's where she told me her fake name, Olivia."
Sanji released Yuji's collar as if it had burned him. He stumbled backward, his expression shifting from shock to disbelief, and finally to despair. He fell to his knees, raised his fists to the sky, and screamed.
"A BEAUTY LIKE THAT WAS AT THE BARATIE, AND I DIDN'T KNOW?!" His anguished howl echoed across the empty sea. "IT SHOULD'VE BEEN MEEEEE!"
Zoro clicked his tongue and looked away in disgust. "Did she mention anything work-related?"
Yuji shook his head. "No, we just had a normal chat. I had no idea she was an agent."
Then Vivi fell to her knees. Her legs simply gave out, the weight of everything was finally too much to bear.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't asked for your help, Baroque Works would never have targeted you."
Nami crouched beside her, her expression surprisingly gentle. "It's not your fault, Vivi. Knowing these idiots…" She gestured at Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, the latter still crying dramatically at the sky. "…they would have picked a fight with Baroque Works sooner or later. Don't blame yourself. We're in this together now."
"Shishishishi… Nami's right," Luffy laughed, his tone as carefree as ever, as if the night's events were just another adventure.
Nami's eye twitched. "That's not a compliment, you idiot!"
But Luffy just laughed again, his warm laughter chasing away the lingering chill.
The Going Merry sailed onward, her bow cutting through the dark waters of the Grand Line. Behind them, the island faded into mist and memory. Ahead lay their next destination, and whatever dangers it might hold.
Their next stop was an island that the Log Pose called Little Garden.
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See you in next chapter...