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In the moonlit alley, Nami pulled Wukong along, her footsteps quick and light.
"Nami, why are we leaving already? Aren't we supposed to make them return the money?" Wukong asked, his head tilted in confusion. He had been ready to fight, but the moment those two strangers in the yellow dress and rock-star suit appeared, Nami had seized the distraction to pull him away.
Nami glanced behind her. Seeing no one in pursuit, she slowed down and let go of his hand, a sly, triumphant smile crossing her face. "Didn't you see? Those people are about to start an internal fight. Why stay and get caught in the middle?"
"But the money—"
"Don't worry about the Berries! I saw Igaram going in and out of a small, inconspicuous house earlier today. My gut says that's where he stashed the loot. It's close by, so let's go get it while they're busy blowing each other up."
Wukong grinned, finally catching on. "Oh! So that's the plan. Lead the way!"
They moved swiftly through the backstreets. Soon, they arrived at the suspicious house. With a gentle shove from Wukong, the locked door gave way with a snap. They didn't even have to search; their money box was sitting right on the living room table, gleaming under the moonlight.
"It's really here! My precious Berries!" Nami hugged the box, giving it a loud kiss.
Wukong scratched his cheek. "By the way, Nami... where is Sanji?"
Nami's celebratory smile stiffened. She pouted. "Hmph! That guy is probably still in a dream world!" She remembered the group of women surrounding him at the feast. Knowing Sanji, he had likely accepted every drink offered until he passed out. "He's fine. Igaram and the others only wanted to tie us up, not kill us. He's just sleeping it off."
"Sleeping?" Wukong blinked. He hadn't realized how close they had all come to being captured.
"Yes! Now take this. Let's go wake up that love-struck idiot!" Nami tossed the heavy money box to Wukong and stormed off toward the "guest" house.
Wukong caught the box and followed, but suddenly, he froze. He sharply turned his head toward a distant clock tower. For a split second, he felt a gaze—cold and sharp—watching them from the heights.
"Wukong! What are you standing there for? Move it!" Nami urged from down the street.
Wukong scanned the empty tower one last time. Maybe I imagined it, he thought, before scurrying after her.
After they vanished, a slender, elegant figure emerged from the shadows of a corner. She watched the spot where the boy had stood. "Heh... the little guy is quite sharp," she chuckled softly, before vanishing as if she were made of mist.
The Fall of the Guardians
Back in the alley, the air was thick with the scent of gunpowder.
Boom!
An explosion ripped through the air, sending Igaram flying backward, his clothes charred and smoking.
"Igaram!!" Vivi cried out, her eyes brimming with tears. She wanted to rush to his side, but she knew she was no match for Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine.
"Princess Vivi, go! Run!" Igaram struggled to sit up, his voice raspy. "As long as you live, Alabasta has hope! You cannot fall here!"
Vivi bit her lip until it bled. She understood the weight of her life. She flipped onto Carue (Run Fast), her loyal duck. "Carue! Let's go!"
"Quack!" The duck sprinted away, carrying the princess into the darkness.
"Trying to run? How tedious," Mr. 5 muttered with a cold smirk.
Igaram stood up, blocking the path with shaky legs. "I will never let you harm her!"
"Ya ha ha ha! And what can a dead man do?" Ms. Valentine mocked from beneath her umbrella.
"He won't be alone!" Miss Monday stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Igaram.
"You...?" Igaram was stunned. Miss Monday was a Baroque Works agent; she had no reason to risk her life for a traitor.
"We've been partners for a long time," Monday said, her muscles bulging as she donned her brass knuckles. "I can't just watch you die. Consider it a favor."
"Thank you," Igaram whispered.
"Talk after we win!" Monday roared, charging at Mr. 5. "Mighty Adamantine Fist!"
She was fast, but Mr. 5 was faster. He stepped aside, avoiding her punch, and tapped her lightly on the shoulder. "Explosive Punch," he said tonelessly.
Boom!!!
The contact triggered a localized blast that sent Miss Monday spiraling through the air. She slammed into a wall and slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Miss Monday!" Igaram roared. He pulled the triggers hidden in his hair, and the machine guns concealed in his curls opened fire. But when the smoke cleared, Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine were untouched.
"Pathetic," Mr. 5 said. He picked a booger from his nose and flicked it toward the mayor.
BOOM!!!
The "bomb" booger detonated with the force of a grenade. Igaram was blasted off his feet, disappearing into a cloud of dust. "Let's go," Mr. 5 said, hands in his pockets. "The target is getting away."
The Awakening
Slap! Slap! Slap!
After a dozen brisk slaps to the face, Sanji finally groaned and opened his eyes. He saw Nami glaring at him, her hands on her hips.
"Nami-san~~ How did you get into my room?" he slurred, red hearts instantly replacing his pupils.
"Don't 'Nami-san' me! Do you have any idea how much trouble we're in?!" she hissed.
Sanji sobered up instantly. He looked at the severed ropes on the floor and remembered the "beauties" from the feast. "Wait, did I—"
CRASH!!!
The roof caved in as a charred figure fell through the ceiling, landing in a heap of rubble at their feet. Through the dust, a bloody, trembling arm reached out and grabbed Sanji's ankle.
"Please... please..." Igaram wheezed, his eyes glazed with pain. "Save... Princess Vivi..."