Luffy's loud shout drew the attention of his crewmates.
"Vivi! It's really her! And Karoo's with her too!"
The Straw Hats burst into cheers, eyes lighting up with joy.
"Turn the ship around! Let's go pick her up!"
"Vivi-swaaan! I love you!"
"She came back! She really came back!"
Shirogai watched his companions celebrating, a soft smile on his face—but deep down, he sighed.
Friendships are like the sea, he thought. The tide flows, but it never stays still.
"Everyone…"
Vivi stood high above on the stone wall, gazing at the ship that had changed her life—the one that carried her dearest friends, the ones who had risked their lives for her and her kingdom. Her eyes glistened with tears as she smiled warmly.
Just a moment ago, her heart had surged. For an instant, she had nearly leapt down to run to them—just like she had in her dreams last night.
But…
Vivi bit her lip, holding back her emotions. With all her strength, she shouted:
"…I came to say goodbye!"
On the Going Merry, the crew froze.
Luffy's gleeful expression slowly faded. His wide smile twisted into disbelief.
"Huh? What… what did she say?"
Shirogai placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder, his tone calm and reassuring.
"She came to say goodbye. Let her finish. Listen quietly."
Sanji's flirtatious grin melted into silence.
Zoro's relaxed demeanor shifted into stoic acceptance.
Nami's hopeful eyes dimmed.
Chopper stopped waving and looked down.
Usopp's nose, once proudly lifted, drooped.
Shirogai watched them all—his smile calm, though tinged with sadness, even though he expected it.
Vivi picked up the Den Den Mushi from Karoo's back and spoke into it, voice trembling with bittersweet joy:
"I can't go with you. But thank you… for everything up to now!"
All across Alabasta, citizens listening to her speech looked around in confusion.
"What's the princess saying?"
"Who is she talking to?"
Out at sea, Marine warships were already closing in.
Some officers, observing through binoculars, began documenting what they saw.
"In the distance… that's Princess Vivi of Alabasta. She appears to be speaking to the Straw Hat Pirates?"
"But… isn't she giving a speech from Alubarna's royal balcony?"
"Record everything. If anyone from the Straw Hats responds, it'll be evidence."
"Yes, sir!"
Unaware of the Marines watching her every move, Vivi shouted with all her heart:
"Even though I want to go on an adventure with you… I can't abandon my wounded country. Not for something so selfish!"
"I love this kingdom! I love it too much!"
Her voice cracked, but she pressed on:
"Because I care so deeply… I'm sorry, Straw Hats! I can't go with you!"
"Vivi…"
Back on the Merry, the Straw Hats didn't cry.
They smiled.
Because this was the Vivi they knew.
The one who had stood against Baroque Works, who had risked everything to protect her people.
The brave princess of Alabasta.
"I've made up my mind," she continued. "I'll stay. But—if we ever meet again, will you still call me a Straw Hat?"
Her tears finally fell, flowing freely down her cheeks.
Farther away, Marines scribbled frantically into logbooks.
"If any of the Straw Hats respond, we'll have proof the princess is consorting with pirates!"
"Is the princess one of them?"
"She might be a pirate too!"
"No way…"
Before Luffy could yell back, "You're always one of us!"—
Shirogai flicked a wax seal over Luffy's mouth.
"Don't," he warned gently. "The Marines are watching. If you reply, she could be charged with aiding pirates."
"Mmph!"
Luffy tore off the mask and clenched his fists.
Nami nodded softly. "Shirogai's right. The World Government won't let her off easy—not even a princess. They'll use any excuse."
Shirogai looked toward the royal capital, his voice steady:
"Then let's respond without a word… silently."
The Straw Hats exchanged glances.
They knew what to do.
Vivi stood still, waiting for a response.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
Nothing.
Had they abandoned her?
Her smile faltered. Her eyes dimmed. Her heart sank.
"…Did I say too much?" she whispered.
Suddenly, Karoo squawked and flapped his wings against her shoulder.
"Huh?"
She looked up.
And there they were.
All the Straw Hats, standing tall on the Merry's deck.
Left arms raised.
Each one marked with a bold, clear X.
Shirogai stood farthest left, leaning casually on the railing, his hand raised.
Zoro had one hand in his pocket, the other high in the air.
Chopper perched on the railing, tiny arm stretched.
Usopp waved his left hand vigorously.
Luffy grinned wide, stepping on a wooden beam as he raised his marked wrist.
Nami stood with hands on hips, arm lifted.
Sanji, cigarette dangling, sleeves rolled, hand raised with style.
They didn't need words.
"Straw Hats…"
Vivi's lips trembled.
She raised her own left hand high, tears flooding her eyes.
Karoo mimicked her, wings flapping proudly.
Shirogai gave a peaceful smile.
"Goodbye, Your Highness."
He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.
Above the Merry, a massive left hand of black smoke formed—an ethereal X shining brightly on the wrist.
It was their silent farewell.
Before departing from Alabasta, this had been their promise: an X on the left wrist, a mark to identify one another beyond disguises.
Now, it was a symbol of something more.
A bond that not even distance, time, or war could erase.
"No matter what happens," they had once said, "this mark means we're always Straw Hats."
In the distance, dozens of Marine warships approached rapidly.
Cannon fire erupted across the sea.
Boom!
Boom!
BOOM!
Shirogai narrowed his eyes and spread his arms.
"Black Smoke: Fist Rain!"
From the sky, countless smoke fists descended, each marked with an X. Like a storm, they collided with the incoming cannonballs—detonating them midair into a shower of explosive sparks.
The sky lit up with farewell fireworks.
Water splashed across the Merry's deck.
Luffy shouted, voice filled with new strength:
"Set sail! Let's go!"
The crew leapt to action, all shouting:
"Setting sail!"
Shirogai stared at the approaching Marine fleet and whispered:
"Don't ruin our farewell, Marine. Black Mist: Maze Sea!"
A dense mist surged across the waters, enveloping the incoming warships.
Even their flares failed to pierce the black haze.
Inside the fog, confusion spread—ships slowed, afraid of crashing.
Aboard one of the undisturbed ships, Hina watched in frustration.
"Hmph! Hina is angry… Hina is very angry!"
The ship pulled away.
The coastline of Alabasta grew smaller behind them.
Vivi and Karoo, left arms raised high, slowly disappeared into the horizon.
Shirogai turned one last time.
His expression didn't change, but his voice was filled with warmth:
"Take care."
The Alabasta Arc ends.