Xiaoqi kept glancing at Nami. Strangely, ever since their reunion, she had been eerily calm—no violent outbursts, no beatings. Instead, she had been smiling at him the entire time.
*Who would believe this?*
Knowing Nami, this could only mean one thing: she was plotting something. He had to stay on guard.
Back at the royal palace, Vivi immediately began a nationwide address. The gist was that the Yorozuya Pirates and Crocodile's Baroque Works had clashed fiercely, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.
The Alabasta Royal Army later discovered the Yorozuya Pirates' hidden ship. After a battle, they managed to rescue her and drive off the pirates.
Though some treasure had been lost, Alabasta was now free from war and rebellion. She and her father would work hard to rebuild the country.
Meanwhile, the Straw Hat crew met their new crewmate, Nico Robin. Sakata Gintoki and Sanji immediately flocked to the elegant archaeologist, showering her with attention.
"Beautiful lady, I've prepared some desserts for you. Please enjoy."
"Robin-chan, you're Gin-san's favorite character in this world! Though, if possible, Gin-san would prefer if you switched to your post-timeskip look."
Su Xiaoqi, munching on Sanji's pastries, chimed in, "Gin-san, I thought your favorites were Nami and Hancock. Since when did Robin take the top spot?"
"You bastard! Gin-san never said that! Gin-san loves every beautiful woman in this world!"
"Damn it! Those were for the ladies! Who said you could eat them, you Saiyan?! Spit them out right now!"
In an instant, the "Anti-Su Xiaoqi Alliance" was reforged.
However, Robin seemed intrigued by Sanji's mention of "Saiyan." "Sanji-kun, what does 'Saiyan' mean?"
Sanji pointed at Su Xiaoqi. "See that tail moving behind him? That's the most obvious trait of a Saiyan."
Gintoki added, "Robin-chan, Saiyans can turn into man-eating monsters. You should stay away from him. By the way… he didn't do anything *indescribable* to you, did he?"
Robin chuckled. "Well, this Saiyan *did* do something quite rough to me. He tied me up rather forcefully when bringing me here."
"WHAT?!" x2
Gintoki and Sanji's eyes burned with fury as they unleashed a torrent of accusations at Su Xiaoqi.
*BAM! BAM! BAM!*
Nami, having dealt with the two idiots, turned to Robin. "Robin, how much do you know about us now?"
Robin smiled. "Thanks to *someone*, I have a general idea… *Captain Nami*."
"Don't call me that!!"
Nami shot Su Xiaoqi a murderous glare. He raised his hands innocently. "Why look at me? *I* didn't call you that. Don't blame me for everything."
Nami scoffed. She'd add this to the list of grievances to settle with him later.
Just then, Vivi, dressed in a pink gown, approached. "Everyone, dinner is ready. Please follow me."
When they arrived, they found Luffy—covered in bandages—already stuffing his face. King Cobra, seated at the head of the table, was sweating bullets.
He hadn't expected *another* bottomless pit like Su Xiaoqi. If these guys stayed any longer, they'd eat the kingdom into bankruptcy.
Once everyone was seated, Cobra stood. "Everyone, I'd like to thank—"
"Hold it!" Gintoki slammed the table, pointing at Su Xiaoqi. "Why does *he* get to sit with the girls?! Gin-san demands a seat change!"
Sanji nodded. "Exactly! Either we sit with the ladies, or *he* moves over here!"
Su Xiaoqi grinned. "Oh right, Sanji. I forgot to mention—I have a Clear-Clear Fruit. I was torn between giving it to you or Gin-san, but since you two get along so well now, I'll just give it to someone else."
Sanji's demeanor instantly flipped. "Ah, no need to be so formal! I barely know that perm-head! Want me to cook something special for you?"
"Who the hell are you?! Gin-san doesn't know you!" Gintoki shot Sanji a disgusted look before turning to Su Xiaoqi with a grin.
"Big bro! Gin-san has always been on your side! If you want, I'll even sleep over there with you!"
Zoro sneered. "Pathetic. Real men don't rely on Devil Fruits."
"You moss-headed idiot! Do you even understand the Clear-Clear Fruit's greatness?!"
"Gin-san's right! It's every man's ultimate dream! A sword-obsessed moron like you wouldn't get it!"
Cobra, still awkwardly standing, cleared his throat. "Ahem… Could I perhaps finish speaking?"
Sanji waved him off. "Shut it, old man. No one wants to hear you ramble."
Gintoki nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Just sit down and eat. Good for your digestion."
Vivi stood with a gentle smile. "Everyone… May I say something?"
The room fell silent—even Luffy paused mid-bite. All eyes turned to Vivi. They knew her next words would decide whether she'd join the Straw Hat Pirates.
After thanking everyone (except Su Xiaoqi), Vivi looked at Luffy. "Luffy… I'm sorry, but I can't join your crew."
"Eh?! Why not?!"
The Straw Hats' faces fell. Even Nami was stunned—she'd never considered the possibility of Vivi *not* joining.
Su Xiaoqi, though surprised, understood her reasoning. Still, he couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness. They'd see each other far less now.
Then, Vivi turned to him. "Could you stand up for a moment?"
"Hm?" Su Xiaoqi rose, confused.
Under everyone's gaze, Vivi took his hand. "Su Xiaoqi… will you invite me to join the *Yorozuya Pirates*?"
"Wait, what?!"
The Straw Hats were baffled. Wasn't the Yorozuya Pirates just a joke Su Xiaoqi used to mess with Nami? How was this different from joining *them*?
But Nami understood. *So this was her plan all along.*
The smarter ones quickly realized Vivi's true motive—she was finding a way to earn Su Xiaoqi more points.
Su Xiaoqi, now grasping her intent, shook his head. "You don't need to do this for my sake. If the Marines find out, it could endanger Alabasta."
Vivi smiled. "If that happens… my hero will come save my country again, won't he?"
Su Xiaoqi grinned. "Of course."
Just as everyone thought the matter settled, Vivi dropped another bombshell.
"Su Xiaoqi… Can you be my hero forever?"
"I love you."
Su Xiaoqi froze for a second before gently squeezing her hand. "Vivi… I love you too."
Then, almost reflexively, he glanced at Zhu Qing. He hadn't even discussed this with her yet.
Zhu Qing rolled her eyes. "Why are you looking at me? I *told* you yesterday that Vivi's a good person. You just didn't get the hint."
Vivi giggled. "I already talked with Zhu Qing. I was so afraid you'd reject me… Hearing you say this makes me so happy."
"From now on, Zhu Qing and I will take care of you together—and help you earn more points."
Nami watched, her heart souring. *Why does he spoil her while tormenting me?!*
Gintoki and Sanji were green with envy. *What's so great about being a Saiyan?!*
The others, however, offered their blessings. Lu Linglong teased that Su Xiaoqi was doomed to be henpecked forever.
Amid the celebration, a soldier rushed in with a stack of bounty posters.
Su Xiaoqi smirked at his own face on the top poster. "The Marines work fast this time."
Cobra's eye twitched. *You had me call the World Government directly. Of course they're fast.*