[Nami: @Zhu Zhuqing, bad news! Something big has happened!]
[Zhu Zhuqing: What happened?]
[Sakata Gintoki: Masaka… Nami-chan, has your body already been toyed with by that bastard Su Xiaoqi? How outrageous! Gin-san already said he'd come over right away.]
[Nami: @Sakata Gintoki, I don't have time to deal with you right now. @Zhu Zhuqing, your love rival has appeared. Do you want to come over and beat up Su Xiaoqi?]
[Sakata Gintoki: Nani? That damn Su Xiaoqi actually toyed with Princess Vivi? That's even worse than toying with Nami-chan.]
[Lu Linglong: So in your heart, Princess Vivi is more important than Nami-chan?]
[Sakata Gintoki: No, Linglong-chan, you're the most important.]
[Lu Linglong: Hah, your silver tongue really is unbeatable.]
[Nami: You two, enough already! Is this the time to be talking about that? Zhuqing, if you agree, I can help you do the beating for you.]
[Kaito Kuroba: I think there's a little personal grudge mixed in here.]
[Nami: Shut up. Believe it or not, I'll send you a few fish right now.]
[Zhu Zhuqing: I believe in Xiaoqi. @Su Xiaoqi, everything is going well over here, no need to worry.]
[Su Xiaoqi: *Heart gesture.jpg*]
"Damn it."
Nami closed the group chat and bit her lip as she looked at Su Xiaoqi, who was chatting happily with Vivi.
*Just what kind of bewitching potion did this guy feed Zhu Zhuqing for her to trust him so completely?*
Meanwhile, after finishing gathering information about the situation in Alabasta from Vivi, Su Xiaoqi turned to Nami and raised his eyebrows, his face full of mockery.
The voyage back to Drum Island went without incident. During this time, Su Xiaoqi asked Nami about the current situation on her end.
The biggest difference from the original story was that they had not encountered Nico Robin along the way. Nami guessed this was probably because Luffy did not yet have a bounty.
However, Nami also made it clear that Robin *must* board their ship eventually. Not only that, but any characters who had regrets in the original storyline should be brought aboard this time — and that included Vivi.
As for Vivi, she still didn't know about the group chat. Originally, Nami had planned to tell everyone during the voyage to Alabasta after Chopper joined, but she hadn't expected this whole incident to happen first.
When they arrived back at Drum Island, another surprise awaited them: Luffy and the others were missing.
From Dalton, Nami learned that Luffy and his group had set sail hours ago to search for them. She nearly exploded with rage on the spot.
As for where Luffy got a ship — they had Walpole, the man who ate the Munch-Munch Fruit, to thank for that.
That unlucky fool, for some unknown reason, had returned to the island early and provoked the Straw Hats. The already-irritated crew beat him to a pulp, and in the end, no one knew where he'd been sent flying to.
Su Xiaoqi could actually understand Luffy's actions. This situation was very similar to when the Straw Hats were scattered by Kuma at Sabaody Archipelago in the original story — once again, they had been forced to watch an important comrade get taken away in front of them due to their own lack of strength.
However, looking at Nami cursing up a storm now, he couldn't help but mock her:
"You don't act like a woman at all. No wonder you're single and nobody wants you."
Vivi, surprised, asked:
"Eh? Isn't Mr. Su Xiaoqi and Nami… a couple?"
Su Xiaoqi said with clear disdain:
"Please. I can't get along with her at all. With her kind of savage, violent, greedy personality, I really can't stand it."
Vivi covered her mouth and smiled, then asked:
"Then what kind of girl do you like?"
Su Xiaoqi's mind immediately pictured Zhu Zhuqing, and he smiled:
"Gentle, sensible, obedient… and big."
Vivi understood the first three requirements, but the last "big"… what did that mean?
At that moment, Nami, having finished cursing Luffy, walked up to Su Xiaoqi.
"Su Xiaoqi, why don't you fly out and look for them?"
Su Xiaoqi looked at her speechlessly:
"Has the cold frozen your brain? This is the Grand Line. Luffy and the others left hours ago — where am I supposed to find them?"
"If you don't want to, fine. No need to snap at me."
She had just spoken out of frustration anyway — she wouldn't actually make him go.
Vivi then said to Su Xiaoqi:
"Do you think it's possible that Luffy and the others went straight to Alabasta? If Miss Kaya couldn't stop them, I think that's what they'd do."
"I think that's very likely." Su Xiaoqi nodded, then looked at Nami with contempt:
"See? Same woman, such a huge difference. Learn from Princess Vivi and use your brain more."
"Hoo… hoo…" Nami worked to calm herself down, silently reminding herself that she couldn't get angry — she needed something from this hateful man.
"Su Xiaoqi, things have gotten complicated now. Can you stay here and go to Alabasta with me and Vivi? Once it's all over, I can give you part of the reward."
Vivi's eyes lit up at that and she quickly added:
"If you need money, I can also pay you."
Su Xiaoqi thought it over. Nami and Vivi alone was indeed not very safe.
As for the "Shrek Academy" plotline in Douluo Dalu, there wouldn't be any major events for now — Zhu Zhuqing could handle it herself.
With that decided, Su Xiaoqi nodded:
"Alright, fine. I don't have anything important going on over there anyway, so I can stay a few extra days.
"As for the payment… Vivi's share is waived, but Nami, I'll be sure to settle yours carefully."
Nami knew exactly what he meant, and it annoyed her even more. Why was she always treated differently?
If she knew that, over in the Douluo world, a girl named Ning Rongrong was experiencing the exact same treatment, she would surely team up with her to form an anti–Su Xiaoqi alliance.
Vivi, on the other hand, felt a little secret joy. What girl didn't like being doted on, especially by someone who was not only handsome but also her savior?
Neither Su Xiaoqi nor Nami noticed Vivi's little thoughts. The two of them were already arguing again.
"Nami, I just told you to use your brain more. This is Drum Island — you don't want adorable Chopper?"
"Su Xiaoqi, I just forgot in the heat of the moment! Can't you talk nicely to me for once? Forget about the others — why do you treat Vivi so well?"
"Can you really compare yourself to Princess Vivi? Look at how she speaks, and then look at how you speak."
"Fine, fine. I'm just getting in the way of you two, right? Then I'll leave?"
Vivi instantly panicked and turned to Nami:
"Nami, that's not what Su Xiaoqi means. Please don't be angry."
"I'm not his girlfriend, why would I be angry?" Nami snorted and looked at Vivi:
"Vivi, if you have any ideas about this man, I advise you to give up early. He already has a girlfriend. He's not from our world — and he's not even a normal person."
Su Xiaoqi immediately protested:
"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean I'm not a normal person? Can you be a little clearer when you speak?"