"What in the world is that ridiculous outfit?"
Ron frowned, his voice thick with disdain.
Before Vivi could react, he reached out and pulled the elastic band from her hair.
Her long, ocean-blue hair cascaded down like a shimmering waterfall.
And in that instant, the clumsy street girl was gone — replaced by someone regal, elegant, and breathtaking.
"Aha," Ron murmured, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Now that looks more fitting for your identity."
Vivi pressed herself back against the wall, heart pounding.
Ron's presence was overwhelming — his calm gaze, his measured steps, the teasing edge in his smile.
Cornered, she looked every bit the part of a frightened lamb, trapped in a narrow den with a cunning wolf.
Ron leaned closer, inhaling the faint fragrance that lingered around her.
Each breath of hers trembled against his chest, quick and unsteady.
For a brief moment, a dangerous heat flickered behind his eyes.
He sighed softly to himself.
"Well, this isn't because I lack self-control," he muttered under his breath. "It's just… hard to resist when the lady in question is this beautiful."
His grin widened.
"So, tell me, Princess Vivi — if a meal this tempting was placed before you… what would you do?"
"Wh—What?"
Her cheeks flushed bright red, her wide eyes trembling.
"H-How do you know my name?"
Before Ron could answer, footsteps echoed from the deck outside.
Nojiko had just returned from playing near Laboon.
She glanced around — Nami was off speaking with Crocus about the Log Pose — and decided it was time to start preparing dinner.
She stepped aboard the Themis, humming lightly.
But the moment she entered the kitchen—
She froze.
Something bright green darted between the cabinets, cramming handfuls of food into his mouth like a starving raccoon.
"...A thief?"
Nojiko's eyes narrowed.
Grabbing a wooden staff from the wall, she crept closer.
And then—
Thwack!
The stick came down hard on the green-suited intruder's head.
"Thief! Ron! Nami! Come quick — we've got a thief on board!"
"Mercy! Mercy!!"
The man — Mr. 9 — scrambled frantically across the kitchen, sporting two enormous lumps on his head.
He tried to duck behind the counter, but Nojiko was relentless.
Her strikes were swift and merciless.
By the time Nami rushed in, followed by Crocus, Mr. 9 was already cornered.
"So it's you, huh?" Crocus snapped, his voice dripping with anger. His mustache practically bristled.
"You know him?" Nami asked sharply, glaring at the cowering man.
Crocus nodded grimly.
"That scoundrel and his partner have been trying to harm Laboon for weeks. I've chased them off every time — yet here they are again!"
"What?!"
Nami's eyes burned with fury.
"How dare you lay a finger on Laboon!"
Her aura flared — the air around her seemed to darken as she clenched her fists.
Moments later, Nojiko joined in.
And then the storm began.
Thud! Bam! Thwack! Pow!
The sounds of retribution filled the kitchen.
Crocus winced with every impact, watching as the two girls unleashed their wrath.
He couldn't help but pity the man — though, in truth, he deserved every blow.
Who would've guessed those two sweet-looking girls could be this ferocious?
The chaos halted only when Ron emerged from below deck, calmly carrying a certain blue-haired girl over his shoulder.
He set Vivi gently onto the floor, his expression amused.
"Found another one sneaking around," he said lightly.
His gaze flicked toward her — teasing, knowing.
Vivi's face turned scarlet.
She stood frozen, still reeling from both the shock of exposure and the humiliation of earlier.
Once the sisters finished tying up Mr. 9, Ron leaned back into a deck chair, stretching lazily.
"Well then," he said, smiling faintly. "What do we do with the two of you?"
"...Nefeltari D. Vivi."
The name slipped from his mouth deliberately, slow and clear.
Crocus's eyes widened.
"Nefeltari?" he repeated, stunned.
"That name… how do you know it?"
Ron began, "Ah, that's from Haw—"
"Don't you dare say Mihawk again," Crocus interrupted with an exasperated groan, rolling his eyes.
"Not that excuse again."
Earlier, while explaining the Log Pose to Nami, Crocus had casually asked about Ron's supposed connection with Mihawk — only for Nami to accidentally reveal that Mihawk had never mentioned half the things Ron claimed he did.
And so, the legend of "Ron's Mihawk excuse" had died a swift death.
Caught red-handed, Ron coughed awkwardly and shot Nami a sharp look.
"You'll pay for that later," his glare promised.
But Nami only smiled sweetly at him.
Nojiko stifled a laugh beside her.
"Ahem."
Ron cleared his throat and decided to change the subject.
"Anyway, Princess Vivi," he said smoothly, "why don't we hear your opinion instead? What do you think of my earlier theory?"
Vivi's heart twisted.
She wanted to speak — to defend herself — but shame tied her tongue.
She was Princess Vivi of Alabasta, and yet…
She had disguised herself as a petty thief.
Had danced before a man she barely knew.
And worst of all — she'd fallen completely into his rhythm.
If word ever spread, her reputation would never recover.
But now she and Mr. 9 were caught red-handed.
There was no hiding, no running.
And though she tried not to admit it, the people before her were far from ordinary.
Even their teasing carried a strange weight — a strength she could feel but not measure.
Her only hope now was that they'd show mercy once they learned who she was.
Finally, she lowered her head and murmured softly, "Yes… it's true."
Crocus's eyes widened further.
"Nefeltari… the royal family of Alabasta?"
He stared at her in disbelief.
"You mean… you're a princess?"
"What?!"
Nami and Nojiko gasped in unison, staring at Vivi in shock.
The blue-haired girl flushed even deeper, unable to meet their eyes.
A princess — sneaking aboard their ship to steal food and money?
It sounded absurd.
And yet, standing before them, her poise and beauty left no doubt.
She really was a princess.
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