In the end, it was King Cobra who helped him up: "Lift your head, brave warrior. You were also deceived. This is all Sir Crocodile's fault."
Then, King Cobra made a promise to the Royal Army:
"The Rebel Army was also deceived by Sir Crocodile. They cannot bear all the blame. In my name as King, I pardon them of their crime of rebellion."
Next, King Cobra asked the Straw Hat crew, Hera, and the others: "You have saved the Alabasta Kingdom from civil war. Is there anything you want?"
Luffy said, "Old man, I never thought about saving a country. I just wanted to help Vivi achieve her dream. Just treat us to a big feast."
But seeing Robin hesitating to speak, he added, "Of course, my companion is very interested in the poneglyph. It would be even better if you could let us take a look at it."
King Cobra nodded. "A big feast is certainly no problem; I'll order a banquet to be held immediately. But the poneglyph..."
King Cobra showed a look of difficulty. Hera said, "Let her see it. She's only interested in the history recorded on it, not the weapon."
Then Hera looked at Robin. "Am I right?"
Robin also knew that with Hera there, using force was impossible. She also said, "That's right. I only want to study what was recorded during the Void Century, and I will never reveal the contents to anyone else."
Hearing Robin say this, King Cobra agreed: "Let's have the banquet first. I'll take you to see the poneglyph a bit later."
Then the King disbanded the assembled Royal Army. When the people in the army heard that Sir Crocodile had been defeated by Princess Vivi's companions, they all began to celebrate.
As the peace talks here concluded, the artificial rain ships assembled by Colonel Hina also arrived near the Alabasta Kingdom. Under the influence of the rain ships, rainwater began to gather.
Along with the peace, a heavy rain began to fall. The long-awaited rain nourished the land. In the 'Yuba Oasis', Old Man Toto looked up at the rain, his smile tinged with tears:
"It's only been two years, nothing more. Isn't that right, rain...?"
As the rain fell, Alabasta, this resilient desert nation, finally regained its peace.
At the banquet after the matter was resolved, Luffy and King Cobra danced side by side. Princess Vivi covered her face, as if she didn't want to see that this embarrassing person was her own father.
Hera walked over, swirling the juice in her hand, and said to Vivi, "So, are you going to continue the adventure on the ship?"
Princess Vivi looked at Luffy and shook her head firmly. "I am the Princess of Alabasta and have my own duties. Although I'm very reluctant, my adventure ends here."
Hera sighed, "What a strong girl. Then let me give you a piece of advice: whatever you do, do not go to the Reverie."
Vivi felt it was a bit strange to hear this, but she didn't think too much of it and nodded in agreement.
Hera saw that Vivi hadn't taken her words seriously, but she didn't say anything more. Anyway, the next Reverie was still a long way off, and there would be many opportunities to change her mind.
Luffy, Kuina, and Hera were all gluttons. The speed of serving the dishes couldn't keep up with the speed at which the three of them ate. Zoro was also provoked into a strange competitive spirit and stuffed himself completely.
Later, Cobra took Robin to see the poneglyph they had guarded for generations and then returned to the banquet.
As Luffy ate, he made a decision: "After we finish dinner tonight, we're leaving."
King Cobra said, "Won't you stay for a few more days? I wanted to take you to experience the baths and food here. I haven't been able to entertain you properly yet."
Luffy shook his head and said, "No, old man. We're pirates after all. We can't stay in one place for too long. It's time to leave."
Hera said, "Indeed. Since you've defeated a Shichibukai, your bounties will soon rise. Luffy, your bounty should reach over a hundred million. Leave early; the Marines will be surrounding this place soon."
Usopp saw Hera and said, "Aren't you a Marine too? Is it really appropriate for you to say that?"
Hera said nonchalantly, "There are many types of Marines. Since there are those like Akainu who want to kill every pirate they see, there are naturally those like me who turn a blind eye."
Luffy looked at Princess Vivi, as if asking for her opinion.
Vivi shook her head tremulously, her voice choked with tears: "Because I love this country so much, I cannot leave. I am the princess here and have my own duties."
Then she added, "You guys... when we meet next time, will we still be companions?"
Luffy patted the weeping Princess Vivi and said in a relaxed tone, "Of course. You're our companion. Even if you've left the ship for some reason, you're still our companion. Isn't that obvious?"
Seeing that Luffy and the others were determined to leave, Hera casually split open a portal and said, "Go then. Once your new bounty posters are out, it'll be hard to leave even if you want to."
The other end of the rift was exactly where the going merry was docked. Sanji looked at Hera and the others longingly, while Robin remarked with emotion, "No matter how many times I see it, I still find it outrageous. How can such an ability exist?"
Hera said, "It's not outrageous at all, okay? Mumbling about things like lack of damage, no stats, or spiritual power being weak—all that incomprehensible talk."
Ain rolled her eyes at the muttering Hera; she didn't know how Hera had the nerve to say such things.
Just after seeing Luffy off, Hera's transponder snail rang. Hera answered the call.
Hina said impatiently, "The Straw Hat crew is about to escape. Can you come over and catch them? Hina still needs to escort the artificial rain ships, and other Marines will arrive shortly."
Hera said, "Ah, I only caught Sir Crocodile here. Did the Straw Hat crew escape? I'm still in the Alabasta Royal Palace, so it's probably too late."
Princess Vivi, who was originally feeling a bit sad, chuckled secretly upon hearing this. She had seen with her own eyes Hera sending Luffy and the others away.
Hina didn't suspect Hera, but she punched the deck in anger: "Damned pirates, they run so fast. Hina is very angry."
Hera quickly said, "I still have some business with the King here. You go ahead and get busy." Then she hung up the phone and wiped away some non-existent sweat from her forehead.
Nami said goodbye to her sister and returned to the banquet. Seeing this, Hera quickly closed the rift.
On the ship, Luffy was thinking about where to go next. Nojiko said, "Nami said Hera and the others flew up to Sky Island from this part of the sea. There's a poneglyph there. Shall we go there?"
Hearing that there were actually islands flying in the sky, Luffy shouted excitedly, "I want to fly into the sky too! Towards Sky Island, let's go!"
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