"What? Doesn't it seem like it?"
Caesar glanced sideways at Vivi, his handsome face appearing no older than eighteen. Saying nineteen would already be stretching it.
The Vampire Fruit preserved eternal youth. As long as Caesar had enough stored life force, his appearance would forever remain frozen at the moment he ate the fruit, with all bodily functions maintained at their peak condition.
"It's just that your way of doing things doesn't seem very youthful."
Vivi stuck out her little tongue, somewhat embarrassed.
She had witnessed Caesar's decisive and swift methods—charging straight into the palace to recruit the Alabasta royal family without wasting a single word.
Although he had forcibly taken control of Alabasta's royal family, Vivi didn't feel much resistance in her heart.
Especially after learning about the Celestial Dragons' behavior, she began questioning herself.
Should a class like nobility even exist?
She could confidently say that Cobra was a wise ruler, and she herself could love her people with a clear conscience. But what about the future? Her descendants? Could their bloodline forever guarantee virtue?
Rumors said the old king of Drum Kingdom was a benevolent ruler who loved his people, but what kind of person Wapol was—Vivi knew all too well.
If one day, Alabasta's royal family became as cruel and tyrannical as the Celestial Dragons, it would be better to be ruled by Caesar instead.
But could Caesar guarantee his descendants wouldn't become like the Celestial Dragons?
Vivi tilted her head slightly. "Is overthrowing the Celestial Dragons really your only goal?"
"Not entirely. Ideals play a bigger role."
Caesar glanced at the girl. "What? Want to join?"
Vivi sighed helplessly. "Haven't I already joined? You barged into our palace so aggressively—you didn't leave us any room to refuse."
"I mean, joining me willingly, out of shared ideals."
Caesar didn't deny his forceful approach. Being forceful was still better than bloodshed.
Conquering the world inevitably involved conflict. Keeping that conflict within controllable limits was already quite merciful.
Vivi understood his meaning. "You want me to join your crew?"
"You have potential, but I wouldn't recommend it. I'd prefer you help me manage Alabasta well."
Caesar shook his head. "As the beloved princess, you're the best candidate to govern Alabasta. I just hope you'll assist me sincerely."
"Even without assisting you, I'd still protect this country." Vivi said earnestly.
"Fair point."
Caesar nodded. "Then would you be willing... to make our alliance a bit stronger?"
"Stronger?"
Vivi was puzzled. "How?"
With a faint smile, Caesar suddenly lifted his leg and lightly kicked behind Vivi's ankle. She gasped as she lost balance, falling backward.
Suddenly, a strong arm caught her, and Caesar smoothly lifted her into a princess carry.
"You—"
Looking up at his handsome, smiling face, Vivi flushed red, her heart racing—whether from shock or embarrassment, she couldn't tell.
"Let's go treasure hunting first. Those guys are probably getting impatient."
The massive black wings slowly spread open as Caesar exerted a slight force with his legs, shooting straight into the sky with a whoosh.
"Ah!!"
Vivi gasped in surprise, clutching Caesar's collar in panic as she glanced down at the capital below. "We're... we're flying!"
Whoosh—
With a single powerful flap of his wings, they covered hundreds of meters in an instant.
Vivi gently smoothed her wind-tousled hair, her delicate face flushing red.
"When I was little, Pell used to take me flying often. But he's a Bird-Bird Fruit, Falcon Form user—he transforms into a giant falcon."
"So this is your first time being carried while flying?"
"That's not what I meant!"
Vivi turned her head away, her face growing even redder. She had merely wanted to share a childhood memory with Caesar, but the words felt too embarrassing to say aloud.
Suddenly, a sensation of weightlessness struck as Caesar folded his wings, sending them plummeting downward. Vivi let out a shriek and immediately wrapped her arms tightly around Caesar's neck.
Whoosh—
The massive wings snapped open again, halting their rapid descent.
Vivi buried her face against Caesar's chest, only daring to peek downward once she confirmed they hadn't crashed.
"There was a bird—almost hit it."
Caesar grinned at the girl's flustered mix of alarm and indignation. "Didn't scare you, did it?"
"N-no, I'm fine."
The overwhelming masculine presence only deepened the blush on Vivi's face.
Though she hadn't seen any bird, she could sense the mischief in his heart.
Realizing she was still clinging to his neck, Vivi instinctively tried to pull back, only for Caesar to suddenly support the nape of her neck, leaving her no choice but to loop her arms around him again, her forehead pressed against his cheek.
This guy definitely has ulterior motives!
Yet despite her inner turmoil, Vivi found herself surprisingly unresistant.
"I... I read in the papers—aren't you Kaidou's son-in-law?" she stammered in her flustered state.
"Is that a problem?"
Caesar feigned confusion. "I'm more than just his son-in-law. Wano Country's customs are traditional—men can take many concubines."
"You want me to be your concubine?" Vivi pressed her lips together, her tone tinged with irritation.
"Did I say that?" Caesar smirked. "I treat all my women equally."
"How many women do you have, then?"
"Three."
"Playboy..." Vivi gritted her teeth. "Including me, three?"
"Hey, you're the one who told me to count you in!"
With that, Caesar leaned down and sealed her lips with his own.
Vivi's beautiful eyes widened abruptly—filled more with shyness than panic.
As his bold, invasive tongue explored her mouth, her breathing grew ragged. She wanted to push him away but suddenly remembered they were midair, leaving her no choice but to relent.
After what felt like an eternity, Caesar finally released her glistening lips.
Vivi took a deep breath, her face flushed and oxygen-deprived.
A silvery strand still connected their lips, glinting transparently under the sunlight, making the girl blush furiously.
"Counting you, that makes four!"
"Bastard!"
Hearing Caesar's sudden remark, Vivi's face darkened before she sighed helplessly.
As a princess raised under the adoration of her people, how could she possibly be the type to give herself away so easily?
However, in the face of someone like Caesar, even her father had no choice but to relinquish his rule.
Though an agreement had been reached between the two parties, their relationship was far from stable.
As the princess of Alabasta, enjoying the support and devotion of her people, it was only natural that she fulfill her royal duties—one of which was to strengthen ties with Caesar. This was something she had long contemplated.
After all, whether it was the Sand-Sand Fruit or the subordinates Caesar had brought, they had all benefited her as a princess.
From this perspective, regardless of whether Caesar had any ulterior motives, at the very least, he likely harbored no ill will toward her.
Yet, as it turned out, this man indeed had no good intentions toward her.
This left her feeling somewhat flustered, though not without a tinge of pride and delight at the recognition of her own charm.
Thus, when Caesar launched his sudden advance, she didn't actually resent it. On the contrary, she found it inexplicably... pleasing.
To be honest, Vivi felt that even if Caesar hadn't resorted to such forceful tactics, she might not have been able to resist his pursuit.
After all, his qualifications were simply too outstanding!
Young, wealthy, extraordinarily handsome, rational and composed, with grand ambitions—he was even one of the strongest figures on the seas, practically embodying the template of every romance novel's male lead!
The only flaw was his slight promiscuity, but given Caesar's status, she could tolerate him having a few more women.
Her father, Cobra, as a king, had remained devoted solely to her mother even after her passing, living a solitary life. But in truth, as a king, he could have taken multiple consorts. This was why she could accept Caesar's other women without much hesitation.
Still, acceptance didn't mean she was entirely free from a sour feeling in her heart.
But before she could dwell on her melancholy, Caesar greedily closed the distance again.
"Mmm…"
Wrapping her arms tightly around Caesar's neck, this time—unlike the previous flustered daze—Vivi, having mentally prepared herself, chose to take the initiative.
"Hah…"
After a long while, their lips parted again.
Vivi gasped for breath. "Did you really have to do this in midair?"
Caesar smirked proudly. "I can do even more!"
"That's not what I meant!" Vivi roared with a shark-like expression, then suddenly burst into laughter. "You're not as cold and unapproachable as you seemed before…"
"Well, you're one of my own now."
Caesar lightly pecked the tip of her reddened ear. "A simple pledge of loyalty isn't solid enough. How about I give you a child to elevate our friendship further?"
Vivi's face instantly burned crimson.
The young princess lowered her head, biting her lip lightly, her gaze fixed on Caesar's collar—too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
"Isn't it... too soon?" Vivi whispered, her voice barely audible.
Caesar descended swiftly into a weathered cave but didn't set Vivi down.
Thanks to his rapid descent, her sandals had been lost somewhere along the way, leaving her barefoot and clinging to him, her toes resting atop his shoes.
With a lift of his hand, he pulled her closer.
Vivi's slender legs instinctively wrapped around Caesar's waist, and the intimate position made her entire body heat up like a boiled crab.
"Your hair is beautiful—like the sea…"
Caesar ran his fingers through her ocean-blue tresses, gradually trailing downward along the strands.
Vivi bit her lip lightly, lifting her gaze in a daze, her delicate neck emitting faint, uneven breaths.
Above them, dark clouds gathered in the sky.
Drip, drip...
The drizzling rain moistened the sandy soil, blessing countless creatures living there.
A sand python raised its head from the sandy layers, silently gazing at the drizzling deep sky.
It flicked its tongue lightly, sensing the moist raindrops falling from above.
Only when the rain had completely soaked its scales did the python leisurely dig out a sand pit.
Water was severely scarce in Alabasta's desert, so it had to excavate a water-storage pit before the rain stopped.
Thunder rumbled across the sky, like the impassioned cries of a goddess.
From gentle drizzles to torrential downpours.
This was the first major rainstorm this desert had ever experienced!
Under a rocky cave, a tent had been pitched at some point. Inside, Caesar held Vivi close, listening to the desert rain together.
The natural scenery of the desert inspired endless imagination.
"You big jerk!"
The young girl bit Caesar's shoulder indignantly—she'd been thoroughly frightened when he took her flying earlier.
"Seems you still need more education!"
Caesar sneered, gripping both of Vivi's wrists with one hand as she struggled frantically.
Though born in a desert nation, Vivi's skin was unexpectedly delicate.
Her bare feet, flushed with healthy redness, pressed firmly against Caesar's chest, refusing to let him advance further.
Seeing this, Caesar sneered again. Did this mere bowl of plain congee think it could stop his army of millions?
"Ah! Pervert!!"
Vivi's startled cry echoed from the tent, but across the endless desert, no one knew what was happening inside.
Caesar taught Vivi how to utilize the Sand-Sand Fruit, such as absorbing all moisture from the desert...
Perhaps due to the shift in their relationship, Vivi obediently accepted all of Caesar's teachings, her movements now carrying a newfound grace.
After a long while, the two finally resumed their treasure-hunting journey.
Moon over the dunes, deep in the desert.
Caesar finally brought Vivi to their destination—a wind-sheltered rocky cave where Yamato and the others were gathered around a campfire feast.
"Ha! It's Caesar! Caesar's back!"
Spotting the two approaching through the desert, Yamato sprang up excitedly and rushed into Caesar's arms.
"Pretty fast, huh? When did you guys get here?"
Caesar caught the leaping Yamato, spinning her twice before setting her down.
Vivi curiously observed the beautiful girl with gradient white hair, amazed by her height while also unable to help feeling envious of her ample bosom.
"We arrived this afternoon!"
Yamato looked at Vivi beside them: "Is this your new woman?"
"Pleased to meet you."
Vivi lifted the hem of her skirt in a graceful curtsy: "I am Nefertari D. Vivi, princess of Alabasta. I look forward to your kindness in the future."
"Princess?!"
Deuce and Ace whipped their heads around to stare at Caesar.
"Fourth girlfriend!"
Caesar wrapped his arm around the slender waist of the young girl and nodded lightly.
"Haha... really?"
Yamato looked at Vivi enthusiastically: "A princess? So beautiful! I'm Yamato, also Caesar's girlfriend!"
Vivi felt somewhat embarrassed, as if she'd taken advantage of the other girl.
Deuce watched the scene expressionlessly: "Damn enviable, you bastard captain..."
Ace also questioned his life choices: "This guy spends all his time with women—does he even train seriously?"
Compared to the two's envy, the others remained quite composed. Robin and Baby 5 appeared unfazed, as if this was nothing unusual. Nami's expression held curiosity mixed with an indescribable emotion, while Kuma and Bonney, the father-daughter duo, were simply enjoying the show as spectators. As for the rest, they stayed guarding the ship and didn't follow along.
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