"Poof! Ahahaha! The long-nosed guy can balance that many plates on his nose?! That's amazing!"
"Hey, check it out—Luffy-san just turned into a ball and bounced himself across the lawn!"
"Oh ho ho! Chopper-san, jump through the fire hoop again! That was awesome!"
"Be careful, Princess, it's dangerous over there!"
"Whoa! Chopper-san actually carried Princess Vivi through the flaming hoop! That's incredible!"
"Even the camel jumped through it! Wait—ah! It's on fire! Quick, put it out!"
"Whoa, Shirogai-san just shot flames into the air—and they exploded like fireworks! So pretty!"
"Hahaha! Princess Vivi's friends are all so entertaining!"
Inside the royal bathhouse
"Hmph. A bunch of perverts," Nami muttered, glancing sideways at the shadows peeking from the men's section.
Under Vivi's shocked expression, Nami spun around, smiling seductively at the creeping silhouettes.
"One hundred thousand Berries per head," she said sweetly, pulling open her towel with a wink. "Sweet Impact!"
"Woooahhh!!!"
"Nami-swaaaan, I love you!"
"So much love!"
"Blessed!"
"The whole bathhouse glows!"
A loud collective thud followed as the men collapsed in unison, overwhelmed.
Zoro, who hadn't peeked, snorted in disdain. "Hmph. Idiots. They're gonna pay for that."
Standing beside him, Shirogai coughed into his fist. "Seriously, such disgraceful behavior."
Zoro raised a brow. "Weren't you peeking too, Shirogai?"
With a perfectly blank face, Shirogai grabbed Chopper and leapt into the water. "Bath time! Scrub your back, Chopper?"
"Huh?" Chopper blinked in confusion.
Usopp, now soaked, scowled. "Hey! You splashed me on purpose!"
He dove in, launching water at them. "Take this! Sure-Kill Move: Water Rapid Fire!"
The torrent accidentally hit Zoro.
"Ow! Usopp!"
Sanji smirked and unleashed a powerful kick, creating a massive splash that sent Zoro flying out of the bath.
"Oh dear, my foot slipped," Sanji said with mock innocence. "Sorry, moss head."
"Idiot swirly brows! You're dead!"
Zoro stormed back in. "No-Sword Style: Water Dragon Twister!"
"Hehe! Count me in!" Luffy laughed, leaping high and puffing into a massive sphere. "Gum-Gum Water Balloon!"
"Everyone duck!" Shirogai grinned and activated his [Weight-Weight Fruit], anchoring himself at the bottom.
BOOM!
Water exploded in all directions.
Usopp and Chopper were flung into the air like wet towels.
"Luffy! Watch it! You'll flood the place!" Shirogai shouted.
From the doorway, King Cobra watched the chaos and chuckled to himself.
To defeat Crocodile and still raise such a storm during a bath... Truly worthy of being called pirates.
Later, King Cobra, bare-chested in a towel, knelt in front of Shirogai, Luffy, and the others.
"Thank you for everything you've done for our kingdom," he said solemnly. "On behalf of the citizens of Alabasta, I offer my deepest gratitude."
His words carried the weight of sincerity.
Had it not been for them, Crocodile would have been sitting in this bathhouse, not him.
Meanwhile, in the women's bath
Nami smiled as she overheard Cobra's words from the other side.
"Hey, Vivi."
She lowered her voice. "We'll probably be leaving tonight. If there's something you want to say to Shirogai... now's the time."
"Eh?!"
Vivi's face turned bright red.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about! Hahaha... Nami, stop teasing."
"Wow, your head's literally steaming," Nami giggled, noticing wisps of steam rising from Vivi's hair.
"Ahh! How embarrassing!"
Vivi ducked underwater, submerging her whole body.
Bloop. Bloop. Bloop...
After nearly drowning herself, she surfaced with just her eyes showing.
"Nami... how did you know?"
Nami arched a brow. "Because I have eyes."
She pointed casually. "Every time you see Shirogai, your eyes practically glue themselves to him. You call that subtle?"
Vivi blushed even harder, sinking again. "It... wasn't that obvious, was it?"
"It was very obvious."
Nami, now dressing, spoke gently. "If you want to confess, pull him aside tonight. Otherwise, let this chance go. Maybe we'll pass through Alabasta again."
She paused and smiled. "Or... you could sail with us. You and Karoo."
"Adventure…" Vivi whispered, eyes shining.
But her light dimmed just as quickly. "But... my country…"
Both girls went quiet.
Nami, though not a princess herself, could imagine the weight Vivi carried.
As the kingdom's heir, Vivi didn't have the luxury of freedom.
After a long pause, Nami gave her a warm hug.
"Don't worry," she said, pressing her cheek to Vivi's. "You'll always be our comrade. That won't change."
"Wuwu..."
Vivi sniffled, unable to stop her tears.
She mourned the end of her journey, her crewmates' departure, and her unspoken love.
There was one selfish thought she didn't voice aloud.
If I asked Shirogai-san to stay... would he?
After all, Nami had said he joined midway. He wasn't originally part of Luffy's crew...
Would he stay... for me?
Elsewhere, in a secret chamber of the palace
Igaram, Pell, and Chaka surrounded a table.
Three freshly printed bounty posters lay across it.
Igaram frowned. "Damn. We need to warn them—this island's no longer safe."
Pell scoffed. "The Marines sure moved fast. Shame they weren't that fast when Crocodile was ruling."
Chaka nodded grimly. "These bounty numbers will catch the attention of Marineford."
Igaram sighed. "After what they did, it's unavoidable. There's no turning back now... Shirogai-san, Luffy-san..."
Bounty Poster #1:
A blood-covered Zoro, post-battle, eyes sharp and vigilant.
[Pirate Hunter] Roronoa Zoro
Bounty: 60,000,000 Berries
Reason: Defeated Daz Bones of Baroque Works. Member of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Bounty Poster #2:
Luffy, grinning wildly, waving cheerfully. Usopp's back is visible in the corner of the photo.
[Straw Hat] Monkey D. Luffy
Bounty: 100,000,000 Berries
Reason: Defeated Shichibukai Crocodile. Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Bounty Poster #3:
Shirogai, drenched from rain, pushing his black hair back with both hands. He looked worn but gave the camera a calm, aloof smile.
[The Plunderer] Shirogai Yamikuro
Bounty: 200,000,000 Berries
Reason: Defeated Marine Captain Smoker in Loguetown. Strategist behind the Alabasta incident. Vice-Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. (Extremely Dangerous!)
Dada da—
Igaram burst through the door. "Everyone! We have to warn—"
He stopped.
The room was empty.
The crew who had changed this nation's fate... was gone.
Only Vivi remained.
Back turned to the door, curled in a chair, staring silently out the window.
Igaram hesitated. "Princess Vivi... Shirogai-san, Luffy-san, and the others..."
"They're gone," Vivi said, her voice soft but steady. "They've already set sail. After all... they're pirates."