Chapter 29: Going To Alabasta.

"Bastard, what are you doing?!"

Mr. 5's eyes widened in horror, every hair on his body standing on end.

The next moment, the Blood Seal Explosion Array Shirogai had etched into the ground detonated.

BOOM!

A powerful shockwave surged out. Each molecule of blood compressed tightly before violently expanding, releasing an overwhelming blast.

BOOM! BOOM!

A blinding flash lit up the night, overpowering the moonlight and engulfing the entire Whiskey Peak in a deafening explosion.

…

"It's thundering! Bring in the laundry!"

Usopp jolted awake, mumbling in confusion.

"Quiet, Usopp."

Sanji scanned the room, finding no one inside. The dishes had crashed to the floor during the tremor.

"Pee... pee…"

Luffy stumbled out to relieve himself. Once done, he blinked groggily at the bright port nearby.

"Huh? Why's it glowing over there?"

Zoro, who had already handled most of the bounty hunters, calmly sheathed Sandai Kitetsu and walked up to him.

"Must be Shirogai's doing," he said casually. "Who knows what kind of crazy thing he's testing this time."

Luffy glanced around at the unconscious bounty hunters littering the ground.

"What happened to all these guys?"

"I knocked them out."

Suddenly, Zoro sensed an attack from behind and swiftly dodged.

Luffy had thrown a punch at him.

"Zoro! These people treated us so kindly—how could you knock them out?!"

Zoro sighed. "Luffy… did you forget? Vivi said everyone here is a bounty hunter. They ambushed us. I had no choice."

"Oh, right! They're the enemy!"

Luffy scratched his head, laughing awkwardly. "Hehe, they were so nice I forgot."

Zoro rolled his eyes and turned to Usopp and Sanji, who had just stepped outside.

"There's a new development," Zoro said seriously. "The Captain of the Guard believes Crocodile might have discovered Vivi's identity. He's asked us to take her back to Alabasta immediately. They're preparing a ship now."

"I've already packed the treasure!" Nami exclaimed, dragging a chest behind her, panting.

"Where's Shirogai?" Usopp asked.

"I'm here."

Shirogai's voice came from above. A moment later, he dropped down, tossing the unconscious Mr. 5 to the ground like trash. A small parasol fluttered after him, followed by Miss Valentine, equally defeated and foaming at the mouth.

Even though Mr. 5 was immune to explosions, the sheer force of Shirogai's blast had overwhelmed him. Both had been utterly crushed.

Nami looked curiously at the two. "Who are they?"

"Core members of Baroque Works," Shirogai replied. "Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine. Crocodile sent them to kill Vivi."

He smiled faintly at Nami.

Sanji walked over, gawking at Miss Valentine.

"Shirogai, you better not have done anything indecent while she was unconscious!"

Shirogai stretched lazily. "Relax, I just played a little."

…

On a ship near the port, Captain Igaram stared in disbelief at the remains of Cactus Rock, blown apart by Shirogai's earlier attack.

"Princess Vivi, what did you offer that monster—sorry, I mean that... formidable man with a 100 million Berries bounty—to help us take on Crocodile?"

Vivi gazed toward Whiskey Town with a soft smile. "Would you believe me if I said he volunteered?"

"Voluntarily... to fight a Warlord?" Igaram was stunned.

Vivi smiled. "He's a pirate, but a very willful one."

"Quack!"

Karoo echoed her sentiment.

…

At Whiskey Peak's port, Zoro snored against a post while Sanji hovered around Vivi and Nami, completely ignoring Karoo's curious stare.

Upon hearing that Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine had already arrived, Igaram looked around anxiously.

"Where are they?! Did you already fight them?"

"They're unconscious," Nami said casually. "Shirogai handled them—and your former bounty hunter pals too."

"Thank heavens..."

Igaram wiped sweat from his brow. "That man… he really is something else."

Trying to be respectful, he asked, "Where is that... strong adult now?"

"Shirogai, Luffy, and Usopp went to fetch the Going Merry. They'll be here soon."

Igaram nodded, then retrieved a second princess disguise from his cabin.

"Lady Nami, I entrust Princess Vivi to you."

He turned to Vivi. "We'll travel on two separate ships. I'll take the Baroque Works ship and return directly to Alabasta using the Eternal Pose. You'll continue the journey with the Straw Hats through the islands."

"Why split up?" Nami asked.

Igaram's eyes narrowed. "Crocodile will realize something went wrong. He'll send more assassins. I'll draw them away."

Vivi clutched his sleeve. "You don't have to do this! We can rely on Luffy and Shirogai."

"This is my duty," Igaram said. "You'll make faster progress without being hunted every step. Let me be the decoy."

"Be careful, Igaram!" Vivi hugged him tightly, tears brimming.

"You must be careful too, Princess Vivi."

Without waiting for the others to return, Igaram boarded the ship and set sail alone under the moonlight.

…

Nami and Vivi stood on the pier as Igaram's ship faded into the distance.

Vivi wiped her eyes, her voice trembling. "He's been with me since I was born... He followed me into Baroque Works, knowing the danger."

"He'll be fine," Nami reassured her. "He cares deeply about you."

Vivi nodded, just as—

BOOM!

A blinding light flared. The sea exploded in fire. Igaram's ship was gone.

Nami stared, horrified. "What?! Did the enemy already catch up?!"

Vivi stood frozen, lips trembling. She bit down hard, blood staining her mouth, trying not to cry.

Just then, the Going Merry approached.

Luffy stood on the sheep figurehead. "Why's there fire over there?"

"That uncle just left to draw the enemy's attention—and the ship exploded!" Nami snapped.

Shirogai's face darkened. He leapt off the ship, walking straight to Vivi.

"Vivi, get on board. Don't let Igaram's efforts go to waste."

Vivi didn't respond, her eyes still locked on the burning sea.

Shirogai sighed, then gently embraced her.

"Trust me. I promise you—Igaram will be fine."

"Really… Shirogai, is that true?" Vivi sobbed.

Shirogai patted her back gently. "Of course. I wouldn't lie to you."

…

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