There is a large, fast-moving creature called the "Hikkoshi Crab."
This is a rare species in Alabasta, so difficult to find that it's even called a "phantom creature."
Currently, the Straw Hat Pirates were riding on the head of one of these Hikkoshi Crabs, heading for Alubarna.
They had entered the desert a little before the King's speech began in Nanohana, before any voices could be heard.
This was all thanks to having met up with Mr. 9 and Miss Monday, who had arrived earlier, immediately upon reaching Alabasta.
They seemed to have captured the Hikkoshi Crab, and without time for detailed explanations, the crew had climbed onto its head and set off faster than anyone else.
After a short while, contact came from Nanohana.
Kiri, finishing the Baby Den Den Mushi call, frowned with a troubled expression.
"They got us. Mr. 7 and his partner, then. I didn't expect to lure those two away from town."
"Igaram..."
"He'll be fine. If he wasn't instantly killed by a headshot, he won't die. He was wearing a bulletproof vest in case of any attack."
He must have heard the worry in the voice.
He told Vivi, who looked concerned, to reassure her.
However, it wasn't just Igaram's condition after being shot that bothered him.
Usopp hesitantly asked Kiri a question.
"Hey Kiri, Mr. 7 and his partner, they were, uh..."
"A sniper pair. Their chances of being on the front lines were low due to an important mission in Alubarna. My mistake for not reading that."
"Could it be bad?"
"No, their appearance should leave one of the unstable elements wide open. That's not something to tell a lot of people. Since we're ahead of them, I don't think we'll arrive later than them. So, for now, one unstable element should be eliminated..."
"What's that unstable element?"
"I'll handle that. Everyone else focus on eliminating the agents."
Without saying much more, Kiri concluded.
Should he ask further, or let it go?
Usopp hesitated but nodded obediently.
He trusted Kiri as a nakama.
If he said to leave it to him, then it should be fine.
Conversely, asking too many questions would be an act of distrust.
The road to Alubarna was long.
By camel, it would take about 8 hours.
The Hikkoshi Crab was faster.
They absolutely had to prevent contact between the Royal Army and the Rebel Army.
They wouldn't have much time to prepare for that.
No matter how much time they bought, the Rebel Army would inevitably come.
On top of that, Baroque Works would definitely interfere.
Time was never enough.
Kiri said that irregularities would always occur.
Everyone was tense.
Even without conscious effort, their minds wandered with thoughts, and they couldn't rest their hearts at all during the journey.
Would they continue this journey for several hours with this tension?
Usopp exhaled deeply through his nose.
"Everyone's so tense... Alright! This calls for the uplifting 'Usopp's Cheer Song'!"
"Stop it. You'll waste energy unnecessarily."
"Besides, has your song ever actually cheered anyone up?"
"What?! I thought I was doing something good...!"
"Alright, alright, I get it, so don't shout. It's hot enough as it is, you'll get tired. The real fight is still to come, so try to stay still as much as possible."
Nami brushed aside Sanji and Zoro's banter, speaking to tighten the atmosphere.
Everyone was wearing cloaks to endure the UV rays.
Still, that didn't mean they could withstand the heat.
Chopper, with his fur, seemed particularly miserable.
They had brought plenty of water, so he frequently quenched his thirst with it, while Silk fanned him and worried.
"The desert is hot... I'm bad with hot places."
"Are you okay, Chopper? It's a long way to Alubarna, so hang in there."
"Yeah. I'll do my best. It's for Vivi, after all."
Slumped and with his tongue lolling out, Chopper said so, not giving up.
Hearing his voice, Vivi looked down, her expression changing slightly.
Kiri glanced at Mr. 9 and Miss Monday.
They too were wearing cloaks to endure the desert crossing.
Still, Mr. 9 was wearing his perpetually shiny crown and a hot-looking suit.
Normally, there might be some banter, but they seemed to have no such余裕 now.
Kiri, looking at the two seriously, spoke without a smile.
"You two are Vivi's guards. Always act with her and protect her."
"Understood. That's fine, but we don't know your plan, do we?"
"We'll handle the details here. Just protect Vivi, that's all that matters. If she dies, everything will be for naught. It'll be our defeat."
"Understood. We'll protect her with our lives."
"N-no, don't!"
When Miss Monday said with determination, Vivi instinctively stopped her.
Because her voice was loud, everyone's attention turned to her.
"Everyone, win this fight alive. And after that, we'll all have a big banquet and make a ruckus, right? Don't say 'with our lives'."
"A banquet?"
"Yes. A big party where we don't think about anything. Pirate banquets are fun, you know. You two aren't pirates, but you're helping us. I'd be lonely if you didn't join."
Vivi smiled, and though it felt a little forced, she tried to say it brightly.
Surely her heart was full of anxiety.
There must be an uncontrollable fear.
A friend, a citizen, family, someone might die.
Facing such fear, she was forcing herself to push it deep down and smile.
She was trying to fight.
Miss Monday and Mr. 9 looked at her, sensing something different from when they were with her before.
"You've... changed."
"Oh? Have I?"
"Okay, I get it, Miss Wednesday. No, Princess Vivi now, I suppose. I'm not a pirate, but I'm not royalty either. I have absolutely no qualms about making a vulgar ruckus."
"Miss Wednesday is fine, Mr. 9. Being called 'Princess' now feels ticklish."
This time, the stiffness disappeared from Vivi's smile.
Her comrades also looked relieved, watching the conversation between the three who were once companions.
Seizing the moment, Kiri spoke to Luffy.
Luffy turned, facing him directly.
Both wore unusually serious expressions, speaking in not-so-loud voices.
"Luffy, this."
"Hm?"
What he handed over was a small, barrel-shaped canteen.
It was designed to be hung around the neck, and Luffy received it curiously.
"What is this? Water? We brought water in a barrel already."
"It's not for drinking. It's for emergencies, just in case."
"Hmm... okay. I'll take it."
Receiving a simple explanation, Luffy didn't ask further, putting the strap around his neck and hanging the canteen.
"Luffy."
"What is it?"
"Once we enter Alubarna, I won't always be by your side. In fact, I probably won't be by your side most of the time. Crocodile is up to you."
"I know. Find him and punch him, right?"
"And also."
"Yeah."
Kiri closed his eyes once, pausing his words.
After a few seconds, he opened his eyes.
"I promise. No matter what happens, I'll survive. So you don't need to worry."
"Shi shi shi, of course. I'll do the same."
"After this is over, I can finally proudly say I'm your nakama."
Kiri extended his right arm, raising a fist towards Luffy.
"Let's meet alive. I'm looking forward to the banquet."
"Alright!"
Luffy also raised his fist and lightly bumped it against Kiri's.
The promise was exchanged.
He said he would absolutely not die.
But conversely, that implied the gravity of his resolve, serious enough to require explicit words, indicating just how dangerous the battle would be.
For the listening comrades, these weren't words to be taken lightly either.
A period of silence followed.
The tension only increased, and the closer they got to Alubarna, the more palpably the atmosphere changed.
The Hikkoshi Crab sped towards Alubarna at full speed.
When they arrived, they might temporarily part ways with their comrades and not see them until the battle was over.
Understanding this, and without doubting that their comrades might die, they pressed forward.
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