At the foot of the grand palace stairs, King Cobra and his royal ministers had been waiting patiently for their honored guest. The desert sun beat down mercilessly, but protocol demanded they remain in place for the Admiral's arrival.
When Cobra spotted Luffy approaching at the head of the Marine delegation, the aging king's face brightened with a genuine smile. He immediately stepped forward to greet the young man who had once saved his kingdom from civil war and ruin.
The ministers, not wanting to miss an opportunity to curry favor with one of the world's most powerful figures, hurried after their monarch, their ornate robes fluttering in the hot breeze as they jostled for position.
Noticing the royal reception committee, Luffy lowered his hand, ceasing his interaction with the adoring crowd. His expression shifted from casual friendliness to appropriate formal respect as befitted his position.
As the two parties converged, Luffy spoke first, displaying the diplomatic polish he'd developed since assuming his Admiral's role:
"Your Majesty King Cobra, I'm delighted to see you again under peaceful circumstances. I'm deeply honored by your people's warm reception."
Cobra's smile widened at the young man's respectful address. Despite Luffy's elevated status, the king recognized the same straightforward character that had drawn his daughter to this remarkable young man years ago.
"Admiral Luffy, you're far too modest," Cobra replied warmly. "These citizens have gathered of their own accord to express their gratitude for your service to Alabasta. As the hero who saved our kingdom, you deserve no less than such a heartfelt welcome."
Luffy acknowledged the king's words with a respectful nod, then—almost involuntarily—his gaze shifted to the elegant figure standing just behind Cobra.
Princess Vivi stood resplendent in a formal gown befitting her royal status. The elaborate dress, woven with the traditional patterns of Alabasta and accented with golden thread along its cinched waistline, showcased her maturing figure with tasteful elegance.
The years since their last meeting had transformed the girl into a young woman of royal bearing, though her eyes still held that same determined spark he remembered.
What drew Luffy's attention most was her signature cascading blue hair, now adorned with the royal jeweled headband and matching earrings from the palace collection. Her face, naturally beautiful, had been enhanced with subtle cosmetics for the occasion—not that she needed them.
Despite repeatedly reminding himself of her youth and the impropriety of such thoughts, Luffy found himself momentarily transfixed, his usually sharp focus wavering under her captivating presence.
For the briefest moment, the Admiral of the Marines was once again just a young man standing before a beautiful princess, tongue-tied and awkward.
Vivi, for her part, was equally entranced after seeing Luffy up close. His features remained as handsome as when they'd first met—perhaps even more so, enhanced by her prolonged absence and frequent thoughts of him.
Standing at over two meters tall, Luffy's imposing height required Vivi to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. Yet from this perspective, his mountain-like physique conveyed an overwhelming sense of security and strength that stirred something deep within her.
A sudden desert breeze caught his Admiral's coat, causing the white garment emblazoned with "Justice" to billow dramatically behind him. The sight nearly took Vivi's breath away—this uniform, symbol of authority and protection, seemed made for him, as though he'd been destined to wear it all along.
So captivated was she by the sight that she failed to notice her father's complex expression—a mixture of fatherly pride and protective concern.
Watching the young pair's silent exchange, Cobra felt both joy and trepidation. Naturally, he was pleased by the prospect of such an accomplished son-in-law as Luffy. Like his daughter, the king recognized the young man's exceptional qualities.
Unlike Vivi's self-doubting thoughts, however, Cobra—seasoned by decades of royal politics—harbored no concerns about his daughter's worthiness. The Nefertari family's ancient lineage as one of the twenty founding kingdoms of the World Government more than established their standing.
In truth, if anyone might be considered "unworthy" in terms of heritage alone, it would be Luffy—though his personal accomplishments had more than compensated for any lack of noble birth.
As a father who adored his only child, Cobra would never entertain the notion that his precious Vivi wasn't deserving of any man, no matter how accomplished. Had Luffy not defeated Crocodile and saved Alabasta from destruction—and had Vivi not clearly developed genuine feelings for him—Cobra would never have considered arranging a marriage for his daughter at such a young age.
His actual concerns centered on Luffy himself—specifically, the young Admiral's increasingly complicated personal life.
Though Luffy's defeat of a Yonko had cemented his reputation worldwide, fame had brought with it an equal measure of scrutiny and gossip. That infernal troublemaker Morgans, publisher of the World Economic Journal, had somehow obtained sensitive information during Luffy's diplomatic tour.
Over the past month, as Luffy visited various member nations, the self-proclaimed "News King" had published a comprehensive list of the Admiral's female companions. The exposé included well-known figures like Boa Hancock, the Warlord of the Sea; Ain, Luffy's classmate from Marine Academy; her senior Hina from the same institution; Kujaku, his childhood friend known to the elders; and Nami, his navigator.
The list continued with Kalifa, Olivia, Viola, and several others. With the exception of those with sensitive positions like Robin,Koala and Vice Admiral Gion, whose associations remained classified, most of Luffy's female companions had been exposed by Morgans' relentless reporting.
The story had become a sensation worldwide, provoking endless speculation and gossip. Luffy had been so enraged that he'd contacted Fleet Admiral Sengoku directly, demanding Morgans' location with the apparent intention of confronting the journalist personally.
Unfortunately, the cunning reporter had anticipated such a reaction and had already fled in his hot air balloon to parts unknown, beyond even Marine intelligence.
Cobra had taken great pains to keep these salacious newspapers away from Vivi, carefully confiscating each edition before it could reach his daughter's hands.
He was thankful she remained unaware of these rumors. Had Vivi seen those reports, she might well have refused to leave her chambers today, overwhelmed by the apparent competition for Luffy's affections.
As he observed the young pair's continued glances, Cobra reminded himself to have a private word with the Admiral about these matters. For now, however, diplomatic protocol demanded they proceed with the official welcome.