A cool breeze, seemingly not yet fully released from Nami's control, passed by, drying the tears on Vivi's cheeks, leaving only two streaks of mess behind.
"Why?"
The arrogant question, sounding almost ethereal, pierced Vivi's small heart like a sharp blade.
Because she truly had no reason to persuade the person before her.
Yet Nami showed no mercy, staring at the kneeling, beautiful blue-haired girl and continued her questioning:
"Why should we help you?"
"And what right do you have to ask us?"
Vivi's voice rose in protest:
"No! This isn't asking, it's a request!!!"
But Nami's response remained uninterested:
"Then what right do you have… to request anything from us?"
Having spent so much time alongside Luffy, Nami had long learned his way of thinking.
She viewed the world with detached calm, unconcerned by external matters. Others' misfortune meant nothing to her.
And partly because… in all these years, she had never met a truly good person.
The air suddenly grew heavy, as if Nami controlled it again.
The oppressive atmosphere made breathing painfully difficult for Vivi.
Tears streamed down Vivi's face again, dripping into the soft sand.
Nami's cold words pierced her body, and she shivered.
Her sharp fingernails dug into the soil.
Weak and powerless, her expression darkened completely.
It was the veil of despair after hope had faded, covering the last glimmer of light in her heart.
"Money…"
A faint whisper escaped her lips.
"What?"
Nami looked at Vivi, who had suddenly stopped crying, seeming not to care much, her tone indifferent.
...…
Vivi's hands clenched tighter, then slowly opened as if surrendering.
Her entire body collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by grief but unable to speak.
A princess of a nation, bowing in the posture of a servant, discarding all her dignity.
Only her clenched teeth and streaming tears revealed her humble heart.
Her anguished face pressed against the ground, unwilling for anyone to see.
But thinking of those who had sacrificed themselves for her, including allies who had no obligation but chose to stand by her, and Icarum, the kingdom's guard who had watched her grow up…
She had no choice!
Through clenched teeth, hating her own weakness, Vivi poured all her hope into her words:
"I have money! I have a lot of money!!!"
"I am the princess of Arabasta! As long as I can save my people! No matter how much it costs, I will give it…!!! Wuu… wuu…"
With her despair voiced, the suppressed sobs could no longer be held back.
Low, mournful cries, pleading helplessly.
"I… I can pay a billion Berries!!!"
Vivi, powerless in her situation, felt her tears of frustration and hatred continue to flood out.
She hated the Seven Warlords who had disrupted her nation, those who killed blindly, and…
She hated her own weakness! Facing danger, she could do nothing!
Yet, Nami, indifferent to money, once again refused:
"Money… we don't need it…"
This time, though, her tone softened somewhat, no longer so distant and aloof.
Still, even these words chilled Princess Vivi's heart.
The air fell silent again.
Only little Merry stared, curiosity wide in her eyes, holding Nami's hand and glancing between Vivi and Nami, completely bewildered.
For some reason, Nami, who usually despised weakness, felt an unfamiliar stirring of empathy seeing the girl kneeling, tears flowing in utter helplessness.
A girl around her own age, forced to endure such pain.
Unconsciously, Vivi's situation reminded Nami of herself.
If that day…
If Luffy hadn't suddenly appeared and rescued her from the Fish-Man pirates…
Where would she have gone?
She might have suffered even more than this girl.
Fortunately!
That "if" had never happened.
Still…
Nami looked down at Vivi, still crying on the ground, and a rare flicker of compassion crossed her heart.
…
Vivi, rejected again, was utterly despondent.
Even having her life saved by suddenly appearing powerful strangers couldn't ease her anxious heart.
Truly, as a princess, Vivi was devoted to her people, a ruler concerned for her nation.
In peaceful times, she could have built a prosperous kingdom.
But in an era dominated by power, the royal family's strength must always be supreme to maintain stability.
Otherwise, even slight weakness could bring disaster.
Arabasta was the perfect example.
Because of royal weakness, the entire country was manipulated by a deadly organization.
Had Crocodile not feared exposure of his ancient weapon plans, he could have taken over the palace and destroyed the Nefertari family outright.
There would have been no need to secretly foster rebellion or manipulate public opinion.
But all of this… meant nothing to Nami.
Time slowly passed.
The sun rose, breaking the coastal calm.
Golden rays penetrated the waters, drawing fish to the air-water boundary, breathing in the fresh sunlight.
Unaware, the fish lured back the seagulls that Nami's earlier attack had scared off.
A lucky seagull snatched a meal during the commotion, flying toward the shore to enjoy it.
Then…
Flap!
An unexpected flurry of wings sounded.
"Nami! Nami! Look!!"
Excited Merry laughed, breaking the solemn mood.
"I caught a big chicken! Sanji can cook it later!"
Merry raised a struggling seagull high, her mouth watering.
The bird's cries drew Nami and Vivi from their silence.
Just as Vivi was about to give up and look for another way, Nami spoke, unexpectedly gentle yet firm:
"You… you're going to Arabasta, right?"
Her tone retained its usual pride but carried a hint of unusual warmth.
Little Merry, seeing this side of Nami for the first time, blinked her big eyes, curious.
Slightly embarrassed by Merry's gaze, Nami lifted her head, revealing her fair neck.
Vivi's heart skipped a beat.
Her dull eyes brightened, and she raised her head slowly, barely believing her ears:
"You… you… what did you just say…!?"
Tsundere Nami's expression shifted again, indifferent yet deliberate:
"Our route passes through Arabasta too. If Luffy agrees, we can take you part of the way…"
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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