CHAPTER 54:Bello Betty

"Does a hero always have to be someone else? Ever tried being the hero yourself?"

"You should shape your own destiny!"

"Remember this: no one is born a slave. Everyone deserves the right to resist!"

The young woman in a red waistcoat spoke with powerful conviction. Every member of the troupe—who had suffered various injustices—listened, captivated one by one.

At first, only the men responded. Then, gradually, the women joined in. Finally, even old Randoluff—standing apart and about to be branded a criminal and thrown into Impel Down—showed signs of being moved.

The only one who remained composed was Vivi, leaning silently in the corner.

But as the situation teetered on the edge of disorder, Vivi realized she could no longer stay detached. She forced her way into the swelling crowd, her calm demeanor belying the strength behind her actions.

"Excuse me. Urgent matter, coming through."

"I just need a word with this lady. Just two."

Grabbing the red-waistcoated woman by the arm, Vivi dragged her a dozen steps to the corner of the room.

The rest of the troupe seemed dazed, still lost in thought. None of them reacted strongly to the abrupt departure of their "spiritual guide."

The woman in the red vest, still puffing on a cigarette, gave Vivi a sly, almost streetwise glance. "Hmm? You're not even fazed? That's impressive for someone your age—you've got some real willpower."

Vivi shot her an annoyed look. "Cut the act. You're only, what, two years older than me? Are you insane, openly spouting Revolutionary Army doctrine here at Enies Lobby?"

She didn't beat around the bush. Vivi had already identified the woman's true identity.

To say there was no disguise at all wouldn't be fair—her outfit was clearly different from the bounty posters issued by the World Government. Still, a close look made it obvious: the woman before her was none other than Belo Betty, the Eastern Army Commander of the Revolutionary Army, who would one day carry a bounty of 457 million berries. Currently, she already had 170 million on her head.

"Oh? So you recognize me." Betty exhaled lazily. "You're still young but already out here recruiting giants. You're clearly not from the World Government. Not a pirate either... not Navy... Hmm. So where'd you see my bounty? I get it. You're some big-shot noble from the New World, aren't you? Hah, bloodsucking parasites."

Having seemingly guessed Vivi's identity, Betty's face twisted in clear disdain. Her contempt for the nobility ran deep and personal.

"Enough talk. I'm warning you: don't go around inciting these people," Vivi said sternly. "Or I won't stay polite."

"I'm freeing them from mental chains."

"You're abusing your Devil Fruit, clouding their judgment."

The tension crackled in the air. Though neither moved to strike, both held a restrained alertness.

"Miss Betty, Miss Gianna, what are you two talking about?" Several troupe members finally stirred from their daze. Sensing the tense atmosphere, they hurried over to mediate.

Belo Betty took a deep drag and exhaled. "It's nothing. I just admire the Randoluff Troupe. Your dedication is selfless. The world needs more people like you. I'd love to travel with you all."

"That's wonderful! You're welcome to join, Miss Betty."

"Yes, yes! Let's all travel together!"

Belo Betty's words had lost their earlier fire, her Devil Fruit power no longer active thanks to Vivi's presence. Still, a few dreamy-eyed men remained enthralled by her charm.

Clenching her cigarette tighter, Betty seemed to be considering her next move.

Vivi gave a sharp nod toward the exit, silently telling her to leave.

To Vivi, the Revolutionary Army meant nothing but trouble—from their unpredictable leader to their reckless foot soldiers. She wanted no part of them. She wanted this woman gone—far, far away.

But little did she know, Belo Betty, the firebrand of the Eastern Army, was nothing if not persistent. Vivi hadn't witnessed how Bucky tangled with Crocodile, but now she had her own taste of dealing with someone impossible to shake off.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Randoluff—clearly swayed—agreed on the troupe's behalf to let Belo Betty join.

With brazen confidence and disarming openness, Betty began prying into Vivi's background.

How long had Miss Jaina been with the troupe? Where had she boarded? What roles had she taken on?

In no time, she was flipping open a transponder snail, contacting her intel team to identify Vivi.

Leaning against the wall in the waiting room, they spoke in hushed tones.

"So, the Pearl of Alabasta—Princess of the Nefertari line. I've long admired you."

"Haha, and I've long admired the commander of the Eastern Army."

"Funny how little the outside world knows of your whereabouts. Took a lot to uncover your identity. So tell me, do you need Haki to be a princess now? Not content to be a useless noble, huh? Doesn't seem easy."

Vivi sighed inwardly. First Smoker, now this woman. Why was everyone seeing through her?

Still, her face remained calm. "I hear one of your Revolutionary cadres is a giant. That's why you can negotiate with Oimo and Kashii, right?"

"What are you doing on Enies Lobby? Surely not just for those two giants? There's more to it, isn't there?"

"I should be asking you that. What are your plans here? Recruiting? Breaking into Impel Down? I heard you've got cadres imprisoned there."

Their conversation danced around key details. They said a lot, but revealed nothing of true importance.

"Want one?" Betty offered a cigarette.

"No thanks." Vivi shook her head, grabbing a bag of potato chips from Karoo and munching.

"Tch, still a kid."

"Look who's pretending to be an adult."

Both stayed wary. Betty feared Vivi might call reinforcements. Vivi feared Betty might incite chaos and throw off her schedule. Each monitored the other, exchanging shallow words.

Finally, it was time for Randoluff's hearing.

The dramatic twists the troupe had imagined didn't happen. No high-ranking Marines appeared. No surprise witnesses or grand petitions. None of the fantasy justice they had dreamed of came true.

The door of the waiting room opened, and two Enies Lobby guards escorted the old man to the courtroom.

The trial had begun.