"So then, Princess Vivi," Ron said, that teasing smile tugging at his lips.
"What should we do with you?"
He leaned back lazily, his tone half-serious, half-amused.
"Sure, you and your friend didn't succeed in stealing anything… but if we just let you go so easily—"
He turned to Nami and Nojiko. "—wouldn't that be a bit unfair?"
The moment Nami heard the words princess and money, her eyes lit up like gold coins under sunlight.
"Of course it's unfair!" she declared immediately, crossing her arms with mock righteousness.
Nojiko nodded sagely beside her. "I agree."
Ron chuckled. "Oh? Then what do you suggest we do?"
His gaze slid back to Vivi, whose face was burning with embarrassment.
The memory of her "tough-girl disguise" and that clumsy perfume dance flashed through his mind — he nearly burst out laughing.
Still, now that her true self had been revealed — radiant, poised, and beautiful — Ron found himself wondering idly…
If she danced again as herself, how different would it feel?
Nami tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, we're not pirates, so kidnapping a princess is definitely off the table."
Then, with a grin that spelled trouble, she added, "But since you did try to rob us, we can't just let that slide either. Let's say… ten million Beli for bail."
"Ten… million?!" Vivi's face turned pale in an instant.
Nami shrugged innocently. "What? You're a princess, aren't you? Ten million should be nothing for royalty."
But to Vivi, that number might as well have been a mountain.
She mentally counted all the money she had on her — fifty thousand Beli. Barely enough for food, let alone ransom.
Her chest tightened as the memory of that treasure-filled room resurfaced. Compared to the Themis, her life of royal austerity seemed almost pitiful.
"I… I really don't have that much," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Couldn't it be… a little less?"
"What?" Nami raised a brow, feigning disbelief. "You mean the princess of Alabasta can't even afford a mere ten million? Don't tell me you're an impostor."
That stung.
Vivi's fists clenched at her sides.
But after a long silence, she took a deep breath and began to speak — her voice low, her eyes heavy with something deeper than pride.
"If you must know… Alabasta is no longer what it once was."
And then, word by word, she laid everything bare.
The drought that had ravaged the land.
The chaos among her people.
The shadowy hand that had turned her beloved kingdom against itself.
And the name whispered behind every rumor
Baroque Works.
She spoke of the fateful day she'd learned the organization's reach extended far beyond the desert.
Of how, two years ago, she had taken the risk of a lifetime — infiltrating Baroque Works under the alias Miss Wednesday.
And how, only recently, she'd finally uncovered the truth that the so-called hero of Alabasta, the "Desert King" himself, Crocodile of the Seven Warlords, was the true mastermind destroying her nation from within.
By the time she finished, her voice was shaking.
"I had no choice," she whispered. "If I didn't act… my people would suffer. My kingdom would fall."
Tears glimmered at the corners of her eyes.
"For others, ten million Beli might mean nothing… but for me, every coin must go to my people — to rebuild, to feed, to give hope again."
Nami fell silent.
The greedy sparkle in her eyes faded, replaced by something softer — understanding.
She saw herself reflected in that trembling princess.
A girl too young to bear so much.
A girl forced to stand alone against the impossible.
Just like me, Nami thought, remembering Arlong Park, the years she spent clawing for freedom.
Nojiko caught her sister's glance. One look was enough.
Nami sighed quietly, crossing her arms. "Alright. Forget the ransom."
Nojiko smiled faintly. "Agreed. No harm done — we'll let it go."
She turned her gaze toward the trembling Mr. 9, still tied up and covered in bruises.
"Since you're her partner, your ransom's forgiven too. But if I ever catch you near our ship again…"
Her tone softened — yet the threat beneath it was unmistakable.
Mr. 9 nodded frantically, his face a mix of fear and relief.
Inwardly, he swore never to cross paths with these two terrifying women again — not even in his nightmares.
He was about to thank them when a thought struck him.
His head snapped toward Vivi — eyes wide, words tumbling out half-formed.
But before he could speak—
"Quiet."
Ron's voice sliced through the air like thunder.
The man froze mid-sentence.
Ron rubbed his temples, sighing. "My head hurts just trying to understand you. Do us all a favor — and keep your noise to yourself."
Then he waved a hand dismissively. "Since Nojiko's decided, you're both free to go."
His tone brooked no argument — calm, but absolute.
He knew better than anyone that once those two sisters made up their minds, not even he could overturn it.
And as for Vivi… well, there'd be other chances to see her again.
Vivi rose slowly, bowing deeply.
"Thank you… all of you," she said, voice trembling with gratitude.
Then, without daring to meet Ron's gaze, she turned away.
Her cheeks still burned with the memory of his teasing — and the embarrassment of that ill-fated "dance."
Nami watched her go in silence.
The royal girl's silhouette grew smaller and smaller until it vanished into the fog — her and Mr. 9's tiny boat drifting toward the horizon.
Perhaps Vivi had shared her story only to seek forgiveness.
But as she spoke, her pain, her conviction, her sacrifice — all of it had struck something in them.
They now knew the truth:
How Alabasta had fallen into chaos.
How Baroque Works had spread its influence like poison.
And how the brave young princess had risked everything — even her dignity — to uncover the truth.
Two years of espionage.
Two years of silence.
Two years of carrying the weight of an entire nation alone.
And now, finally, she had a name — the man behind it all.
Crocodile.
As the waves carried her farther away, her tears were lost to the sea.
Yet in that moment, as the last light faded from the horizon, one thought burned in her heart:
I will return to Alabasta.
And I will save my people — no matter the cost.
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