"So… you want us to help you save your country?"
Inside the Going Merry, amidst the golden splendor of the ship's main hall, Luffy sat in his designated chair, glancing up slightly at Nami. She had just stepped out and returned with the stranded, beautiful princess.
Vivi stood before the Starry Sky crew, her posture stiff and hands awkwardly fidgeting.
She never imagined that this tiny sailing ship could hold such incredible wonders.
Instantly, the crew's image in Vivi's mind became even more mysterious.
A quirky little boy, a powerful and beautiful girl, and a group of members who looked extraordinarily strong.
A team of true warriors, no way could a small kingdom princess hope to measure up.
Having spent so long undercover at Baroque Works, Vivi already knew that in the Grand Line, status was utterly useless.
Only strength offered real security.
Startled by Luffy's question, Vivi quickly replied:
"Your Honor, it's not about saving my country.
I am only pleading for you to prevent this unnecessary war…"
In truth, Vivi already felt some regret.
She had never been able to fathom the minds of the powerful.
Even if she understood them, she lacked the ability to change anything.
She couldn't comprehend why the mighty Shichibukai, Crocodile, would stir chaos in her kingdom.
Right now, she feared that Arabasta might escape one danger only to fall straight into another.
And in her desperation for a strong ally, she had completely overlooked the meaning behind Nami's earlier words.
Outside the Going Merry, Nami had said that they too were heading to Arabasta.
Whether they were merely passing through or had a purpose, Vivi did not know.
At this moment, utterly at the bottom of the food chain, she had no ability to change anything.
With no other options, Vivi could only grasp at straws.
After all, if she abandoned even this hope, it would not be long before she became not a princess in peril, but a true princess of a fallen kingdom.
Glancing at Luffy, still unmoved on the sofa, Vivi pressed her lips together and continued:
"Arabasta was once a rare peaceful country on the Grand Line.
Though the environment was harsh, its people were united and life was relatively prosperous.
But a few years ago, a mysterious group quietly infiltrated this wealthy kingdom.
Outwardly, they posed as respectable figures and gained some support among the people. Behind the scenes, however, they manipulated public opinion and illegally produced prohibited goods.
Because of these villains, the people of Arabasta have begun to fracture.
Some of the citizens, already living under hardship, have started a rebellion, forming private armed forces to overthrow the monarchy.
And I…"
"Wait! Wait! Wait!!!"
Seeing Vivi getting carried away, on the verge of delivering a heart-stirring speech, Luffy hurriedly interrupted.
Vivi, a noble educated in the highest standards, certainly knew how to stir emotions.
Even this prelude, before reaching its climax, was enough to captivate her audience.
Luffy glanced at Usopp and Koby, already absorbed in her story.
Sanji's gaze, too, was locked, but Luffy knew he was drawn only to Vivi's beauty, not her tale.
Noticing Koby hesitating as if he wanted to speak, Luffy shook his head silently.
Too young.
Usopp and Koby, these dreamers unexposed to true darkness, were easily moved by the misfortunes of others.
Still, Luffy didn't mind their innocence.
…
Understanding what Koby wanted to say, Luffy simply gave him a look, signaling patience.
The slightly dashing Koby immediately understood and stepped aside, remaining silent.
Arabasta, Luffy and his crew were definitely going there.
Crocodile was someone Luffy wanted to meet.
After all, he was a legend in the pirate world.
Luffy had other ideas about Crocodile, not for his head.
Crocodile's power might max out at 300–500 million Berries, and after encountering the absurd power of Moria, Luffy didn't care much about him.
But Crocodile's Devil Fruit ability was worth investigating.
There are many Logia fruits, but few that can produce tangible objects.
The Sand Fruit counted, the Magma Fruit counted, and even the Swamp Fruit of a future Supernova, those counted too.
Ice-based Logias, while tangible, weren't as practical as these three.
Whether Crocodile would cooperate or be stubborn would depend on whether he got beaten first or scared into submission.
If Arabasta weren't a desert kingdom, the natural domain of the Sand Fruit, Luffy might even have been able to defeat Crocodile with the Going Merry itself, provided he learned to use Armament Haki.
Strangely, even Luffy didn't fully understand his own feelings.
Seeing Merry's adorable face, he simply didn't want her to suffer, not even through training.
Perhaps this was the sign that the forty-year-old in him was entering the "controlling lolis" stage.
…
Interrupting Vivi, Luffy asked plainly:
"So, basically, your country is weak and got invaded.
Because of internal problems, the people started a rebellion to overthrow your family's rule.
The secret organization backed the rebels, and you want a strong ally to help the monarchy resist them.
Am I understanding this right?"
...
Vivi fell silent, unsure how to respond.
From her perspective as Arabasta's princess, Crocodile's actions were vile theft.
But from Luffy's objective view, it was merely two forces vying for a nation's control.
The former ruler was simply about to lose.
Analyzing both sides equally, Luffy left Vivi momentarily speechless.
Her plea for sympathy based on weakness no longer positioned her as "right."
After all, justice is always written by the victors.
Seeing Vivi's despair, Luffy leaned back slightly, a faint smile on his face.
Noticing her eyes lose hope again, he said softly:
"We'll take care of this for you."
"Huh?"
Vivi's head shot up, confused:
"W-What!?"
Though she knew Luffy's strength meant he had no need to deceive her, she still struggled to believe it.
Luffy smiled enigmatically at her puzzled gaze:
"Don't get me wrong. We're not 'good guys'…
Originally, we planned to cause a little trouble in Arabasta ourselves.
But… our interests just happen to not conflict with yours. That's all."