Chapter 340

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

"Oh, my. Vivi's presence is becoming more and more regal. She truly is fit to be a queen." Nami wrapped an arm around Vivi's shoulders, a proud smile on her face.

Robin, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "And soon, she will be the queen to many, many more people."

Luffy adjusted his straw hat, his expression unusually serious as he looked at Vivi. "This... 'Honorary' adventure group... Does this mean I'll get a huge bounty?"

For Luffy, the bounty was always the true measure of a pirate's worth, far more important than any fancy title.

Vivi just stared for a moment before laughing. "Somehow, coming from you, that question doesn't feel out of place at all."

Bai Ye chuckled, stuffing a piece of barbecue into Luffy's mouth. "Don't mind him. He's not exactly reliable when it comes to the finer details." He then offered a piece to Vivi, a mischievous glint in his eye. "As Vice-Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, I formally accept the goodwill expressed by the Spark Alliance."

He was perfectly mimicking Vivi's formal tone, which made her cheeks flush with a mix of amusement and embarrassment. She shot him a playful glare, and then they both burst into laughter. It was a simple moment, but it reaffirmed what Vivi already knew: with the Straw Hats, being your true, unguarded self was always the most comfortable way to be.

Across the campfire, Sanji shot Bai Ye a look of pure indignation. That sly Priest... using my barbecue to make his grand gestures. If my legs weren't still recovering, I'd be the one charming the princesses! Fuming, he began serving the food with renewed, aggressive vigor.

Suddenly, Chopper shouted, "Sanji, stop! You're choking Zoro!"

In his fit of pique, Sanji had been mindlessly feeding the arm-impaired swordsman. Lost in his frustration over Bai Ye's suave move, he'd shoved an entire skewer of meat down Zoro's throat.

Sanji looked down to see Zoro's eyes rolled back in his head, his legs twitching.

A moment later, after a healthy gulp of sake washed the offending meat down, Zoro was revived, with Chopper frantically patting his back.

"You damn love-cook," Zoro rasped, glaring murderously at Sanji. "The second I can use my arms, I'm cutting you in half."

No one paid their daily squabble any mind.

Usopp planted his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest. "Hahaha! It has all gone according to my grand design!"

Merry stood beside him, her eyes sparkling "Really? Usopp, you're amazing!"

It was Bai Ye's greatest fear realized: by spending so much time with Luffy and Usopp, the innocent ship spirit was adopting their... unique brand of intelligence.

"Yohohoho!" Brook let out a hearty laugh. "Not only did we stand against the World Government, but we also inspired the birth of a second power on these seas! It truly makes my heart pound... ah, but I have no heart, for I am a skeleton! Yohohoho!"

"Stand against the World Government?" Franky chimed in, striking a pose. "Of course we did! Our captain is going to be the King of the Pirates! That's just how we roll!" He thrust his arms together. "This is how a suuuuuper pirate crew does things!"

And just like that, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the party was back on, all in celebration of their friend Vivi's brief but welcome return.

After the feast, a more sober mood settled in. Vivi turned to Luffy. "Your next destination is the New World, isn't it?"

Luffy patted his full belly and nodded. "Yep. With Ace safe, we're continuing the voyage. "He took off his hat and carefully pulled out the two Vivre Cards tucked inside the band. "I made a promise to my brothers, after all."

Vivi hesitated. "Luffy... have you considered resting for a while before you set off? Say, for about three months?"

The question silenced the crew. Everyone turned to look at her. Since setting sail, the Straw Hats had rarely stayed in one place for long. Once on Skypiea, while waiting for the ship to be repaired, and a second time here, in the Rainbow Mist. They had spent five months training there—though only one month had passed in the outside world—all to prepare for Ace's rescue. For them, once a problem was solved, it was time to set sail.

"The New World... it's not a safe place for you to go right now," Vivi explained, her expression grim. "Because of Morgans' broadcast, the whole world associates you with the Spark Alliance."

"What does that have to do with the pirates in the New World?" Nami asked.

"Because," Robin interjected before Vivi could answer, "the existence of the Alliance and their army has squeezed the living space of every other pirate crew."

Seeing Vivi's surprised look, Robin elaborated. "It's not a difficult inference. In all Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line, pirates thrive in non-affiliated nations, outside the World Government's reach. Now, with the Spark Alliance newly established, they will undoubtedly conduct a massive purge of pirates in their territories. Meanwhile, the World Government, despite its losses, will hunt pirates even more fiercely to save face. That leaves only one place for them to run."

"The New World," Robin concluded, a dark, almost pleased smile on her face. "And its terrors have likely frightened them into desperation."

"Robin, you're incredible!" Chopper looked up at her in awe. "To figure all of that out!"

"Not really," Robin said, suddenly changing her tone. "I just used my abilities to listen in on conversations around the island. I overheard some fleeing pirates complaining about it."

Chopper's jaw dropped.

"So, these cowards are pointing their fingers at us?" Zoro said with a disdainful smirk.

"That's right," Vivi confirmed. "The pirates who can't survive in the New World on their own have banded together. They've formed an alliance, and they're waiting for you on the other side of the Red Line."

She took a deep breath. "And that's not all. According to my intelligence, they have backing. From the World Government... and from more than one of the Four Emperors." Vivi looked at each of her friends. "Your journey so far has been too spectacular. You've made too many powerful enemies."