Chapter 96: Whiskey Peak – Princess Nefertari Vivi
The street lay quiet, shadows pooling under the dim lamplight as Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine stepped forward, exchanging glances and taking turns to speak. Their expressions remained icy, undeterred by the carnage Zoro had left in his wake.
"A certain royal from a powerful Grand Line nation has infiltrated Baroque Works," Mr. 5 began, his tone dripping with disdain as he looked down at the agents sprawled before him, still recovering from their earlier defeat.
Miss Valentine's voice followed his seamlessly, her tone light but biting, "This royal came here with a purpose, seeking the true identity of our illustrious Mr. 0. You were all too caught up in your roles to notice."
From the ground, Mr. 9 groaned, lifting his battered head and protesting with what little energy he had, "Hey! I'm not really a king, alright? The crown's just for fashion."
Miss Wednesday, who was still sprawled nearby, rolled her eyes and muttered, "Yes, yes, we know that already."
But as her words lingered, Miss Valentine's smirk twisted, and she continued, "The one we're speaking of isn't some fake prince playing dress-up. This royal is none other than Princess Nefertari Vivi of Alabasta Kingdom."
Mr. 8's face hardened, the realization igniting a look of desperation in his eyes. Without hesitation, he tugged at his necktie, triggering the gun barrels hidden in his curly white hair. He fired a flurry of bullets toward the two agents, the shots blazing through the dust and striking with precision. Then, without sparing a glance back, he darted to Miss Wednesday's side, her true identity now exposed.
"Princess Vivi," he said in a low, urgent voice, kneeling down beside her, "you need to leave, now! Get away from here before it's too late."
Miss Monday and Mr. 9 stared, their eyes wide with shock and dawning comprehension.
"Wait… you're really a princess?" Mr. 9 asked, his tone disbelieving as he struggled to stand. "From Alabasta Kingdom?!"
Vivi didn't respond, but the conflicted look on her face said everything. Her gaze dropped, unable to meet the stunned expressions of her companions.
Mr. 9 and Miss Monday exchanged glances, their shock morphing into a strange sort of pity. They had fought alongside her, but now, knowing her true identity, the weight of her mission settled over them.
Back in the alleyway, Zoro joined Luffy, Nami, Johnny, and Yosaku, his swords still drawn. Nami glanced at him, her brow furrowing as she processed what she'd overheard.
"Didn't expect that twist, to be honest," she muttered.
Johnny scratched his head, chuckling, "A princess joining an organization of bounty hunters. I guess royalty can get into shady business too."
Yosaku folded his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "I could tell something was off. When I fought them, there was no real killing intent. Nothing that felt truly dangerous. I thought maybe they wanted me alive, but… it makes sense now."
Luffy, leaning against the wall, watched the scene unfold in silence. An odd sense of familiarity tugged at him, as if some unseen force had led him straight to this point. The reveal of Vivi's status only confirmed what he'd felt brewing in the back of his mind.
He already knew all of this. About Mr. 0 being Crocodile. About Nico Robin working with him to find Pluton hidden in Alabasta. He knew all of it. He was just surprised it was here. Even after all the changes he had made to the canon of the story, it was still progressing as he remembered it back on Earth.
So why not change a few things to make himself enjoy it more?
The thought made him grin, a spark of excitement lighting up his face. He straightened as Mr. 8, now fully revealed as Igaram, the Chief of Staff to the Alabasta Royal Palace, stepped forward, a commanding air overtaking his usually quirky demeanor.
"I am Igaram," he announced, gesturing to Vivi, who was now perched atop a rather unique-looking mount. A large duck with bright brown feathers, enormous blue eyes, and a blue-striped scarf around its neck, exuding a mix of loyalty and comical charm. This was Karoo, her steadfast steed.
Igaram turned his gaze to Luffy, desperation flaring in his eyes. "Please, help us escort Princess Vivi back to Alabasta. If you do, you will be rewarded handsomely."
Nami arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Funny. You were ready to kill us a minute ago, and now you're asking for our help?"
Dropping to his knees, Igaram clasped his hands, his voice wavering. "I beg you. Princess Vivi's safety is paramount. Please, help us. You would be rewarded beyond your imagination!"
Luffy's gaze slid over to Vivi, who was barely awake, still recovering from her injuries after her bout with Zoro. Her eyes fluttered, half-lidded, but her face held an unspoken plea.
Nami's eyes gleamed as she interrupted, "Well… when you say handsomely, just how much are we talking?"
Igaram brightened slightly at her interest, hope rekindling in his gaze. "Enough to keep you and your entire crew well-provisioned for a long journey."
Johnny glanced at Luffy. "What do you want to do, Captain?"
Luffy remained silent, his gaze fixed on Vivi. If these so-called gods were trying to manipulate his path, he wouldn't just go along with their plan blindly. If he couldn't escape this road they'd set him on, he would at least carve his own terms into the journey.
His eyes glinted, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He looked down at Igaram. "If you want my help," he said, his voice low and commanding, "then I want the princess to ask me herself."
Igaram nodded eagerly, grateful for any hope of a lifeline. He turned to Vivi, gently giving her water to revive her from the overwhelming fear of being exposed. As she regained her senses, she glanced up at Luffy, a mixture of vulnerability and determination in her eyes.
"Please," she whispered, her voice soft but sincere. "Help me get away from here. I'll do anything. I will ensure you're all rewarded handsomely if you can just get me safely out of this place."
Luffy's gaze held steady, his expression unreadable. "I have little interest in money." He gestured to Nami. "She handles the treasure on our ship."
Before anyone could react, he added, his tone direct and unyielding, "But I'll take it a step further. I'll get you to Alabasta safely… if you give me your body and join my crew. Not only will I take you to Alabasta, but I will take care of these jokers as well. Even Mr. Zero won't stand up to me."
The air went still, and all eyes turned to him, expressions frozen in shock.
Igaram's face twisted in anger, his hands balling into fists. "How dare you say such things to the princess! She is royalty!"
Luffy shrugged, his voice calm. "I'm not forcing her. You asked me for my help. My terms are my own. Take it or leave it, but without accepting, you won't get my crew's help."
Before anyone could respond, a loud explosion echoed across the street, and Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine emerged from the haze, dust swirling around them as they stepped forward, unscathed.
"It's useless to negotiate," Mr. 5 sneered, his voice as cold as ever. "We're professionals. We get the job done."
Igaram, Miss Monday, and Mr. 9 exchanged desperate glances, each understanding the gravity of the situation. With a silent nod, they turned to Luffy and his crew.
"Please," Mr. 9 said, his voice resolute, "we'll buy you the time you need to escape with the princess."
Luffy glanced at Johnny and Yosaku, giving them a simple nod.