Chapter 32
"My head's spinning."
Arlong shook his head, eyelids growing heavy.
His head lolled—he passed out.
Vivi froze. "Igaram, what are you doing?"
Her tone carried anger.
Arlong had agreed to help, yet Igaram drugged him.
He would be Alabasta's sinner.
Igaram didn't respond immediately. He checked Arlong was unconscious before speaking.
"Princess Vivi, Arlong's intentions are impure. Just now he was peeking…
He'll definitely demand something outrageous. Who knows if he's lying to us."
He would never trade the princess's purity to save Alabasta.
He believed the king wouldn't agree either.
Vivi understood. Her voice was sad.
"For Alabasta… it's worth it."
It was her homeland—the kingdom her ancestors protected.
Her purity seemed the smallest price.
"Princess Vivi, stick to my plan."
Igaram said firmly. "It's riskier, but not hopeless."
"But…"
Vivi wanted to argue.
Arlong stretched, yawned, and woke up.
"Impossible?"
Igaram's eyes bulged. This drug could drop Sea Kings!
Had it expired?
Under Arlong's gaze, Igaram drank the rest.
He set the glass down—then rolled his eyes and collapsed.
"Smart."
Arlong snorted.
"Igaram!"
Vivi cried, rushing over.
"He's not dead."
Arlong said lazily. "So, princess—decided yet?"
"I…"
The words stuck in Vivi's throat.
Tears welled as she looked at Arlong.
"My terms are simple: be my woman."
Seeing Vivi unable to speak, Arlong stated it plainly.
"I don't like forcing people. Fair exchange."
Her pitiful look softened him.
"I can't stand women crying."
"Another tidbit: Alabasta has bigger troubles ahead."
"Few in the world could solve them—and only I, Arlong, would step up!"
His words radiated confidence.
Vivi: ヽ(;′Д｀)?
Reminder or threat?
Current crisis unresolved, Vivi didn't think far ahead.
One person for a kingdom's peace—Arlong's demand wasn't excessive.
But…
"Lord Arlong… can you really defeat Crocodile?"
Vivi hesitated, voicing her worry.
Crocodile's bounty was only 81 million—pre-Shichibukai.
Alabasta was desert—perfect for Crocodile to exceed 120% power, maybe more!!
Arlong was a fishman—strongest in water.
Perfectly countered…
Arlong didn't explain. He "accidentally" let slip,
"Crocodile will soon fire his super cannon and utterly destroy Alabasta."
Hearing this, Vivi's defenses crumbled.
"Lord Arlong, I'll be your woman—please save Alabasta!"
"Don't worry. I never lie to my women."
Arlong promised.
Then, a princess carry—he took Vivi into the room.
A scream and system chime rang out simultaneously.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Successful bonding with Vivi. Reward: 1 Bronze Treasure Chest.]
…
Meanwhile, in the town hall, the banquet was underway.
Hundreds raised cups in cheer—lively as could be.
No sign of Igaram. Mr. 9 grew anxious.
Without the strong sedative, they'd resort to a drinking contest—get as many drunk as possible.
Even if Arlong returned, he couldn't complain—were they wrong to be hospitable?
"I don't usually drink."
Nami waved off the drinking contest.
"Winner gets 100,000 berries!"
Mr. 9 dangled a bag of coins in front of her.
100,000 berries!
Nami's eyes lit up (づ??????)づ. "Let me be clear—I'm not in it for the money. I just want to learn drinking."
She pinched pennies even on newspapers—of course she wouldn't miss easy cash.
Mr. 9: (?_?)ヾ
Nami even egged everyone on to join.
No one dared defy the ship tyrant—they all participated.
Contestants dropped one by one. Nami powered through to the finals.
Her opponent: a burly nun.
Odd, but Nami was focused on the prize.
After the twelfth cup, the nun fell.
"I win."
Nami hugged the money bag, happily drunk (●′?｀●)?.
The "nun" who had just collapsed sat up, sighing in relief.
"Whew, that girl can drink. Even with my tolerance, I almost couldn't keep up."
"Mr. 9, how about keeping these three beauties for the boys and selling the fishmen instead?"
A sleazy man tugged at his tight pants.
"Arlong isn't subdued yet—what's the point of talking?"
Mr. 9 shot him a look. "You'd go for it right now?"
The sleazy man remembered the 880-million pirate and deflated.
"Alright, everyone out!"
The "nun" stood and shed her robe, revealing a muscular frame.
She was Baroque Works' Miss Monday.
After shuffling footsteps, the hall quieted.
The door closed.
Nami sat bolt upright—zero trace of drunkenness.
Carmen sat up too, eyes full of admiration. "Nami, you were right."
Before the banquet, Nami had warned them—she was skeptical.
The townsfolk were so warm, with innocent kids—didn't feel like a trap.
"Child's play."
Nami lifted her chin proudly o(′^｀)o.
She'd been at sea since ten—countless dangers.
Low vigilance? She'd have been shark food or sold into slavery long ago.
Though Arlong had warned her first—her cheeks pinkened at the thought.
Family shouldn't keep score.
"Nojiko, how long are you pretending?"
Nami called.
"She's really out." Carmen checked Nojiko's eyes.
Nami slapped her forehead. "Forgot her tolerance is low. This booze has a strong afterkick—leave her for now."
She stood and headed out.
"Nami, where are you going?" Carmen whispered.
Nami grinned (＾－＾)V.
"They play dirty—don't blame me for playing dirtier."
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