A week had passed since Alabasta's climate regulation was successfully completed.
With the country stabilized and the threat of drought gone, Luffy and his crew were once again ready to set sail.
Before their departure, Vivi approached the group, holding a stack of freshly printed bounty posters. Because of the war and the chaos caused, the bounties of Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats had increased significantly.
Luffy's bounty had skyrocketed from 30 million to 100 million berries.
Zoro's was raised to 60 million.
But what stood out was Leo's bounty—or rather, the lack of change in it. Strangely, it hadn't increased much at all. It was as if the World Government didn't consider him a major threat—or didn't understand what he had done during the battle.
And the matter involving Yuyan attacking Smoker? It was mysteriously buried, with no public consequences.
Sanji's bounty remained non-existent. Apparently, the Marines still hadn't managed to get a photograph of him.
Usopp, unexpectedly, had earned a bounty of 10 million berries. As for Chopper, since he was seen as nothing more than the ship's pet, he received no bounty either.
Nami, on the other hand, was credited with manipulating the weather that brought rain to Alabasta. The bounty poster even dubbed her the "Weather Goddess," and her reward rose dramatically from 20 million to 80 million berries.
"Hahaha! 100 million berries, baby!" Luffy shouted triumphantly, raising his wanted poster in the air. "Let's have a party—I want MEAT!"
Zoro, standing nearby, glanced at his own poster. He dropped it casually next to Sanji and said with his usual stoic tone, "Sixty million. Not bad."
Sanji clenched his teeth, the cigarette in his mouth twitching in frustration as he stared daggers at the swordsman. One of these days, I'm going to knock that smug look off your face.
Meanwhile, Chopper watched the celebration from the side, eyes wide with admiration. I wonder when I'll get my own bounty… he thought wistfully.
Vivi looked around at their joyful faces, and despite everything, a smile formed on her lips. They weren't scared of high bounties—they welcomed them. It was just part of the pirate life.
"All right, Alabasta's taken care of," Nami said, stepping up to Vivi and lightly bumping her with her wrist. "Have you packed your things? We're heading out."
"I…"
Vivi's smile froze. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Their journey together—through Little Garden, Drum Island, and Alabasta—had filled her with joy. She had never felt so free, so alive. She truly wanted to stay with the Straw Hats, to keep adventuring with them.
But she wasn't just a traveler.
She was Princess Nefertari Vivi, heir to the throne of Alabasta. Her people needed her. Kosa and the rebels needed her. The kingdom needed someone to lead them into a brighter future.
Words formed in her throat… but they wouldn't come out.
Leo stepped forward quietly and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He gave her a calm look, then turned to the others.
"It's up to her whether to stay or leave," he said. "We'll wait at the port—for five minutes."
Then, without another word, the group began walking toward the Santa Dora River.
Although the Marines had surrounded the city after Crocodile's defeat, this was still Alabasta. With the help of local citizens and the royal army, the Straw Hats managed to reach the Merry's docking point without incident.
As they neared the port, a familiar figure came into view—sitting on the Merry's deck with legs crossed and arms wide open.
Docked nearby was another ship, bearing the emblem of Mr. 2 Bentham.
"Everyone! You made it!" Mr. 2 cried out with sparkling eyes and jazz hands, rushing to greet them.
Luffy and the others stared in disbelief.
Mr. 2 Bentham quickly explained the situation: after Crocodile's defeat and the dissolution of Baroque Works, he had been left without a home or purpose. He planned to set sail, but Marine scouts had discovered his ship.
To protect the Merry in their absence, Mr. 2 stood his ground and fought off the search team.
"I'm no longer part of Baroque Works," he said, striking a flamboyant pose. "So… let's just be friends, okay?"
Luffy grinned and grabbed his hands. "Of course!"
And just like that, the two of them, along with Usopp and Chopper, broke into a spontaneous dance.
Nami stood nearby, her face darkening with each passing second. Her fists clenched. Idiots… she thought, ready to knock some sense into all three of them.
But before she could act, dozens of dark spears suddenly materialized in the sky, hurtling toward the Merry.
"Look out!" someone shouted.
Leo reacted instantly. He raised his right hand, and a massive magic circle shimmered into existence above the ship. The spears struck the barrier one after another, creating blinding ripples of energy—but none made it through.
Everyone on the deck stood frozen, eyes wide with awe.
More trouble came swiftly.
Warships were approaching—fast.
On the lead vessel stood a woman wearing a white and blue Marine coat with the word "Justice" emblazoned on the back. She had long, light pink hair parted in the middle, sleek sunglasses with purple lenses, a cigarette dangling from her lips, and a striped dress that gave her a commanding presence.
Those deadly black spears had been hers.
"Marine Captain Hina—Black Cage Hina!" Mr. 2 cried in panic. "This is bad! Her Black Spear Formation is famous—unstoppable on the sea!"
Hina stepped into the moonlight, exhaling smoke lazily from the corner of her mouth.
"Hina is surprised," she said. "The pirates specifically marked by HQ as do not engage… actually blocked my black spears."
Her voice turned sharp. "Hina is angry now. If you don't want to sink into the sea, surrender immediately. Hina will show no mercy."
Leo gave a calm smile and raised his wand once more.
"Too bad," he said. "You missed your only chance."
He flicked the wand upward.
The sea began to rise.
Waves upon waves surged into existence, massive and violent. In a matter of seconds, the entire Marine fleet was overwhelmed by a wall of water, crashing like a god's wrath upon their ships.
"Boom—!"
In less than ten seconds, every warship disappeared beneath the tide, swallowed by the sea like they had never been there.
From a cliff in the distance, Smoker watched everything unfold. His mouth twitched in frustration.
"Forget it," he muttered. "We're not catching them today."
Mr. 2 stared at Leo, completely stunned. His jaw dropped, and he began trembling.
"Terrifying… just terrifying… Every time I see him fight, I feel like I'm going to faint."
Zoro, ever calm, narrowed his eyes. Despite his growing strength, he could sense how vast the gap between himself and Leo still was.
"Let's go," Leo said, snapping everyone back to reality. "Vivi's waiting."
As they returned to the Merry, admiring gazes fell on Leo. He tried not to let it get to him, but his lips curled into a small, smug smile.
Calm down. Breathe. You're a mysterious and elegant magician. You must maintain your aura. Stay cool... Stay cool...
Nami noticed his forced composure and chuckled to herself as she steered the Merry toward the rendezvous point.
At the port, a single figure waited silently.
It was Vivi.
She stood there, blue hair fluttering in the wind, hands clasped tightly as her eyes searched the horizon.
Then, through the mist, the Going Merry appeared.
Her eyes widened. Her heart raced.
A wave of emotion washed over her—joy, sorrow, hesitation, excitement—all at once.
"You're alive!" Usopp shouted from the deck.
He had been peering through a telescope since they left and had spotted her the moment she appeared.
Beside Vivi, the swift-footed Karoo flapped his wings excitedly and quacked with joy.
Their adventure was at an end—at least for now—but the memories they shared were carved into their hearts.
And though their paths were diverging, for this moment… they were still together.
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