"Vivi! You're here! We've been waiting for you for so long..."
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, everyone!"
Vivi interrupted Luffy's words, her eyes glistening with tears. "I can't join you on your adventure. As a princess, I still have my own mission to fulfill. I'm sorry, everyone."
The Straw Hats fell silent for a moment.
Luffy adjusted his straw hat. "That's right. Take care of yourself, Vivi."
Vivi burst into tears. "If—if we meet again someday, would you still call me your nakama?"
"Of course! Vivi will always be our nakama!"
Without Marine interference like in the original storyline, everyone could speak freely and loudly.
The crew ran directly to the shore to gather with Vivi, their faces showing reluctance to part. They were sad to leave not only Vivi but also Karoo—though not just because they were losing a potential emergency food supply... just kidding.
Finally, Carl asked Law to help take a group photo of the Straw Hats with Vivi.
After giving Vivi a copy of the picture, they parted ways reluctantly. The Going Merry sailed down the river, leaving Vivi and Karoo waving from the shore.
A group of Kung-Fu Dugongs also lined the shore, waving handkerchiefs to say goodbye.
As soon as they reached the open sea, Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Nami, Jango, Chopper, and Richie suddenly became dejected.
Those who had grown attached to Alabasta sighed collectively. "It's so boring! Vivi isn't coming with us!"
Their reaction made Tashigi cover her mouth and smile.
Zoro immediately scolded them: "If you're so reluctant to leave her behind, why didn't you force her to stay?"
"Barbarian!"
"Insensitive jerk!"
"Moss-head!"
"Three-sword style!"
"Hey, Luffy, 'three-sword style' isn't an insult!"
"Four-sword style!"
"Adding more swords doesn't make it worse!"
This exchange left everyone else dumbfounded, but the crew quickly regained their spirits.
Though their stay on the shore had been brief, it felt like they'd been away from the sea for ages. The refreshing sea breeze blowing across the deck was a welcome sensation.
Nami commanded the crew to steer in the direction indicated by the Log Pose.
But before they could fully leave Alabasta's waters, a Marine warship appeared ahead.
"What's going on? Didn't they agree that the Marines wouldn't interfere with us in Alabasta? Could it be that the Marines don't respect their own word?" Jango pushed up his glasses as he spoke.
"No, we've already left Alabasta's territory," Zoro replied, subconsciously glancing at Tashigi.
Tashigi also seemed confused because she recognized a familiar figure on the warship.
Sanji's eyes were already shining. "Pink hair, tall and graceful figure, crimson lips with a thin cigarette—is this the Captain Tina that Mr. Carl mentioned? She really is a beauty! She exudes the aura of a queen. I would gladly be stepped on by her! That lucky Smoker!"
"Perverted cook!"
The others rolled their eyes and silently moved away from Sanji.
What an embarrassment to the Straw Hats!
But they had to admit that Tina was indeed beautiful, though apparently not Carl's type. Otherwise, he might have joined the Marines directly with Garp instead of becoming a pirate.
At that moment, another figure appeared on the warship's deck.
This person wore a gray suit with a matching gray cap. Though his expression wasn't clearly visible from a distance, he gave off a sharp, dangerous aura.
As soon as this person appeared, both Zoro and Law instinctively straightened their postures, their fighting spirits awakening.
"Mr. Carl, who is that person?" Zoro asked eagerly, his hand already reaching for his swords.
"Oh, the one who brought you the scabbards," Carl replied casually.
Sure enough, the man tossed two scabbards from a considerable distance. They landed perfectly in Zoro's hands, demonstrating remarkable strength and accuracy.
Zoro examined the scabbards, immediately replacing the makeshift ones for Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri. He instantly felt more at ease.
Indeed, it was better for quality swords to have matching scabbards—not only for convenience but also for protection. Previously, when using his Flying Dragon Slash technique, he'd had concerns about damaging his blades.
"That person is Vice Admiral Garp's adjutant, Bogart. His swordsmanship is extraordinary, perhaps even surpassing Hatchan's," Carl explained.
"Grandpa's lieutenant?" Luffy tilted his head.
Having rarely seen the members of Garp's crew during his childhood, it was natural for Luffy not to recognize him.
"The Marine Hero's lieutenant?!"
The others couldn't help being shocked.
Although it wasn't Garp himself who had come, anyone serving as Garp's adjutant was certainly not an ordinary Marine. Carl's assessment alone was enough to draw everyone's attention.
Zoro, Law, and Tashigi's fighting spirits intensified.
Though it was strange—Law was clearly on his own ship, so how could he hear their conversation from so far away?
And Tashigi—it was admirable that she showed fighting spirit, but rather presumptuous to direct it toward Bogart!
This lieutenant had always been mysterious, rarely taking action. Carl remembered that when Garp had pursued the Roger Pirates, this lieutenant had accompanied him, facing off against Silvers Rayleigh.
It was conceivable that anyone who could stand against the Dark King Rayleigh would be formidable indeed.
Bogart seemed to glance at Luffy, then at Carl, before turning back toward the cabin.
"...Fire!" Tina suddenly shouted.
The guns on the warship immediately aimed at the Going Merry, causing everyone in the Straw Hat crew to become alert, thinking the Marines were about to attack. However, in the next second, they heard only the sound of cannons firing—without any cannonballs.
They were firing blanks!
Presumably, the Marines felt uncomfortable letting the Straw Hats leave so easily, so they provided this symbolic gesture.
Tashigi's eyes reddened. In her mind, Tina was sending her off with a formal salute.
"Tina-san! I'll be fine, don't worry!"
"Tina-san! When you marry Smoker-san, please remember to invite me!"
Tashigi shouted emotionally, unable to hold back her tears.
Tina was touched at first, but when she heard Tashigi's last words, she immediately bit through her cigarette.
Marry Smoker?!
Where had this rumor come from?!
At that moment, all the sailors on the warship looked at Tina, many of them heartbroken. A beautiful captain like Tina was admired by every male sailor on board—they couldn't believe that Smoker had won her heart!
Although everyone knew Tina and Smoker had a good relationship, hearing Tashigi shout this statement was truly disheartening.
Gritting her teeth, Tina roared, "Fire! Sink the Straw Hats' ship! Use the Black Spears! Tina is angry!"
The sailors on the warship were taken aback but quickly prepared for battle.
Then, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
This time there wasn't just the sound of cannons—actual projectiles launched toward them. They were enormous black spears that looked surprisingly deadly.
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