Vivi rushed past the last street corner, not daring to look back.
The street she had just crossed was steadily being engulfed by thick smoke.
Sharp noises and sporadic explosions continuously echoed, and Vivi knew that Captain Smoker and Ms. Tashigi were both buying her time, holding back the enemies of Baroque Works.
This heavy entrustment made even a moment of hesitation a luxury for her.
"I must… I must get there…"
Just as her heart was filled with anxiety and responsibility, almost to the point of suffocating, a familiar and vibrant sound cut through the surrounding clamor.
"Gah!"
Immediately after, a yellow figure burst out from a side alley, skidding to a halt in front of her, kicking up a cloud of dust.
With those iconic feathers, those sparkling big eyes, and that excited large duck face, who else could it be but Dash?
"Dash!"
Vivi's voice was filled with incredible surprise and a choke, as if an entire century had passed in just one day of separation.
That day held the despondency in Yuba, the warmth of her unwavering companions, the despair facing Crocodile at Rain Dinners, and now, the heavy burden on her shoulders.
What made her heart tremble even more was the figure riding steadily on Dash's back.
The black robe fluttered slightly in the wind, and the hood was pulled low, but the calm, ice-blue eyes beneath the shadow of the brim were unmistakable.
"Mr. Giyuu!"
Dash affectionately rubbed its head against Vivi's arm and body, letting out urgent quacks, as if expressing its worry from separation and joy of reunion.
Tomioka dismounted from the duck with practiced ease, his feet firmly on the ground, the hem of his robe gently swaying.
He stood still, his gaze sweeping over Vivi's somewhat disheveled but still resolute face.
Almost the moment Tomioka stood firm, Vivi stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
This hug was sudden, carrying all of Vivi's current reliance and her indescribable pressure.
"It's so good that you're alright."
Vivi buried her face in his somewhat worn black robe, her voice muffled, with a barely perceptible tremor.
After the separation in Nanohana, with him going alone to Alabasta to find Igaram, it was truly wonderful to see him appear safely before her now.
Dash tilted its head to the side, watching this sudden scene, its eyes filled with great confusion.
Tomioka's body stiffened slightly the moment he was hugged.
He wasn't used to such physical contact, so he pushed her away a little, allowing her to look directly into his eyes.
His gaze went past Vivi, towards the outline of the royal palace in the city center, "It's not time yet."
"Igaram hasn't been rescued yet," he paused, his gaze returning to Vivi's face, "I still need to go to the palace and defeat Crocodile.
Only then will they release him."
"You mean," Vivi processed the information, momentarily not reacting, "defeat Crocodile, and only then will they release Igaram?"
Tomioka nodded, offering no further explanation: "It's a long story, but that's how it is."
Vivi's thoughts raced.
Igaram was alive—that in itself was good news.
As for why defeating Crocodile was necessary to exchange him… was it Ms. All Sunday's condition?
That woman was always inscrutable; it was she who had given her the opportunity to uncover the true mastermind behind this organization.
But at this moment, dwelling on these things was meaningless.
She chose to trust Tomioka's judgment, to trust her companion.
"I understand."
Vivi asked no more questions.
She took a deep breath and looked at Dash.
"Now, I must rush to the South Gate immediately!
I might… need to rely on Dash's speed."
[Interpersonal Communication Manual (Trial Version)]
[Subject: Vivi]
[Hobbies: Kingdom, Curry, Pudding]
[Status: Worried, Anxious]
[Suggestion: Give her some encouragement]
The moment her words fell, the text in Tomioka's vision also appeared.
Tomioka looked at the princess, who was bearing such a heavy responsibility, and then at the suggestion in the text.
In the past, with his personality, he might have just nodded, but at this moment, he felt he should do something.
Tomioka took a step forward and raised his left hand.
This time, instead of pushing her away, he firmly patted Vivi's shoulder.
His movement, as always, lacked gentleness and was somewhat stiff.
"Keep it up."
Vivi froze.
She felt the steady pressure of his palm on her shoulder and heard his dry encouragement.
She could feel that behind those simple two words, the concern was genuine.
A warmth surged through her heart, dispelling her earlier nervousness and unease.
During these days on the ship, she had realized how dull and inarticulate he was.
Often, she didn't quite grasp his meaning, and his own expressions also seemed a bit strange.
But he must also need it, the encouragement of others.
Vivi also raised her left hand and pressed it firmly on Tomioka's shoulder, smiling.
"Keep it up."
She looked at him, a brighter light rekindling in her eyes, "You too."
Tomioka was slightly startled, not expecting the same response.
The lines on his perpetually icy face softened inadvertently, and a slight curve appeared at the corners of his lips.
"Mm."
"The gates of Alabasta."
Tomioka's gaze also turned towards the South Gate, "There are others who are also trying to stop this war."
He recalled the blond youth who had come with him, who, upon arriving in Alabasta and sensing the unreasonableness of Koza's actions, decided to act separately.
Vivi followed his gaze.
As if to brace herself, she nodded vigorously, her eyes becoming incredibly resolute.
"Yes!
Everyone is trying to stop this war from happening!"
"Then I'm off!"
She swiftly swung her leg over and mounted Dash.
Once settled, she pointed in the direction she had come from, "Tomioka, if you can, head that way, in the direction I came from!
Captain Smoker and Ms. Tashigi are fighting members of Baroque Works there!
Go help them!"
With that, she wasted no more time, leaning low, her cheek close to Dash, "Time to move!
Dash!
Everyone is waiting for me!"
"Gah!!"
Dash let out a loud, clear response, its strong legs pushing off the ground, carrying the princess on its back like a golden flash towards the South Gate, leaving only a trail of flying dust behind.
Tomioka watched the figures of the girl and the duck disappear around the street corner, until the stirred dust gradually settled.
He turned around and began walking in the direction Vivi had indicated, where the sounds of fighting were coming from.