Despite a 'minor hiccup' caused by Mock, the banquet went off without a hitch.
In fact, with Mock leading the charge as the self-appointed master of festivities, everyone had a wonderful time. Even King Cobra, who started the night with a thousand questions, was soon swept up in the cheer, drinking so heartily that he ended up with his arm slung around Mock's shoulders, laughing like an old friend.
Seeing her father so undignified brought an exasperated smile to Vivi's face, but watching the genuine joy on his face, she couldn't help but smile too. It felt as if a tremendous weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders.
The kingdom of Alabasta had finally found its peace.
Of course, the fallout from the incident wasn't over. Crocodile had been dealt with, but it would take time for the scarred and chaotic nation to truly heal. As a princess of Alabasta and one of its saviors, Vivi still had to stand before her people and explain what had happened, to win back their trust and help them move forward.
So, even though the banquet ran late into the night, Vivi was up at dawn, preparing for the speech she had to give.
Also arriving that morning was Igaram, the captain of the royal guard, who had accompanied her on the dangerous mission to infiltrate Baroque Works. They had, embarrassingly enough, almost forgotten about him entirely, Vivi included. If Cobra, deep in his cups at the banquet, hadn't confusedly asked where Igaram was, he might still be serving as the mayor of Whisky Peak.
Early that morning, the citizens of Alabasta began to gather. They filled the plazas of the royal capital, Alubarna, and clustered around broadcast Den Den Mushi's in cities all across the kingdom.
Vivi didn't keep them waiting long. Dressed by her maids in formal Alabastan royal attire, she finally emerged. She shared a quick, apologetic word with Igaram, who had rushed back overnight, then, with a reassuring nod from her father, she walked toward the prepared podium, the eyes of the nation upon her.
Looking out at the sea of faces, a jolt of panic shot through her. This was just Alubarna, and she was about to speak to the entire country. But then she thought of everything she'd fought for, and of the friends who had fought beside her.
She glanced over her shoulder at the people standing behind her: Nami, Robin, Kuina, Mock, Kuma, her father... and Marine Captain Dante, who was watching her with an encouraging look.
Her racing heart began to steady.
Taking a deep breath, Vivi turned back to her people. After a simple introduction, a small, genuine smile touched her lips.
"This has been a wonderful and incredible adventure..." she began.
She couldn't tell them the whole truth, couldn't have her people thank her friends by name, but she would carry the memory of their deeds in her heart forever.
As she spoke, the citizens of Alabasta finally began to understand. It wasn't the complete story, but it was enough. Their king had not failed them. It had all been the conspiracy of a despicable pirate who had masqueraded as a hero.
Watching his daughter, who seemed to shine under the gazes of her people, King Cobra was moved to tears. "Vivi," he murmured, his voice thick with pride and relief. "She's truly grown up."
"Princess Vivi is so brave," Igaram sniffled beside him, his own face streaked with tears. "I never thought... she actually did it. She saved Alabasta."
Nearby, Dante nodded in agreement. "She is indeed quite brave," he said. 'And this trip was definitely worth it,' he thought with satisfaction.
"Isn't she beautiful? My daughter!" Cobra beamed, hearing his daughter praised. He chuckled, turning to Dante with a sly look. "So, Captain, don't think I've forgotten. You still need to explain what happened last night."
The king may have been drunk, but his memory was perfectly intact.
--**--**
Soon, the speech was over.
Stepping down from the podium, Vivi let out a long, heavy sigh, feeling as if a week's worth of tension had just drained out of her. "It's finally over."
Then, her expression shifted to one of confusion. She looked up to see Dante with his arm casually slung over her father's shoulders, the two of them chatting like old friends. "Can someone tell me what's going on?"
Yesterday, her father had been scowling at him. Did he drink so much he forgot?
"It's nothing," Dante said, clearing his throat. He looked down at Vivi. "That was an excellent speech."
She had written it herself, carefully navigating the truth while successfully winning back the hearts of her people.
"It really was!" Nami added with a wide grin. "Vivi, I'm telling you, you were practically glowing up there!"
Even Robin and Kuina offered nods of approval, "Perfect!"
"Dante was saying great things about you to your father."
"Oh, no, not at all," Vivi said, her cheeks flushing at the praise. She looked at all of them and gave a deep, serious bow. "Thank you. For everything."
For a moment, her friends were caught off guard, but then warm smiles spread across their faces as they accepted her gratitude.
"Well, since that's all settled," Dante said, looking at the happy group. He cleared his throat again. "I suppose it's time for us to head back."
The joyful atmosphere evaporated.
A heavy silence fell over the group.
Nami and the others looked reluctant. This journey had forged a powerful bond between them all, especially Nami and Vivi. The thought of leaving already felt like a weight in their chests, but the 16th Branch was their home. Vivi knew they couldn't stay forever, and as much as she wanted to, she didn't ask them to.
Just as the silence stretched, thick with unspoken farewells, Dante, having just given Mock some instructions, turned back to the group.
"What's wrong?" he asked, looking genuinely confused. "Why the long faces? Let's get ready to go."
"Can't you read the room?" Nami huffed, raising an eyebrow. "We're leaving, you idiot. Of course we're sad to go."
Was he really rushing them at a time like this?
"Yeah, it's time to leave," Dante said, completely missing the point. "What's there to be sad about?"
Everyone, who had been lost in their melancholy, snapped their heads toward him.
"You moron! We're leaving! We're saying goodbye to Vivi! The East Blue is a long way from here!"
"You're terrible, Dante Senpai!"
Aside from Robin, who maintained her elegant smile, even Vivi was glaring at him. "Are you in that much of a hurry?"
Cobra, standing nearby, shot him an angry look. "Do you have a problem with my daughter?"
Dante frowned as he stared back at the accusing crowd. "The East Blue is indeed far from Alabasta," he retorted irritably. "But in case you've all forgotten, we have Kuma. If you want to see each other, just have him send you over. It'll take what, a day? What's there to be so dramatic about?"
As the words sank in, everyone seemed to remember at once. They all turned to look at Kuma, who was standing quietly nearby with a wooden box on his back.
Being the center of attention, Kuma offered a simple, honest smile. "If you need anything, just tell me."
In an instant, the mood shattered.
"Hahaha, I totally forgot!"
"Me too! I forgot, too!"
"Sorry, Senpai!"
The heartfelt reluctance was replaced by a wave of awkward laughter.
--**--**
After arranging everything, Dante and his crew arrived at the port. Cobra and Vivi came to see them off. Even with the "Kuma Express" on call, the suddenness of the departure still carried a hint of sadness.
"Vivi, remember to come visit when you have time!"
"You all have to come back to Alabasta, too! I promise I'll treat you to a grand feast!"
Just as they were exchanging reluctant farewells, a voice cut in from the side of the docks.
"Captain Dante. Did you forget about me?"
A lone figure emerged.
"You told me to wait for you here," Daz Bonez said, his face calm but his tone laced with displeasure. "What took you so long?"
Both parties, still reeling from their awkward farewells, whipped their heads toward the source of the voice. They seemed to realize something. Robin, Nami, Kuina, and Vivi all fell silent. The atmosphere grew thick with a awkward tension as everyone looked at Daz.
Daz blinked, utterly confused.
Before he could figure out what was happening, his eyes landed on the man standing next to Vivi, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. "King Cobra? What are you doing here?"
Then, another, more boisterous voice rang out.
"Boss! Kuma and I are all done. Everything's been moved."
That voice...
Daz's head snapped around as if he'd heard a ghost. He saw two familiar, burly figures walking toward them.
He stared blankly, his voice a low, grim rumble. "Mock, the 'Overlord of the East Blue'? And Bartholomew Kuma, the 'Tyrant'? What are *you* doing here?"
The pieces began to click into place with terrifying speed.
"Boss?"
He looked up, his gaze darting between the figures now surrounding him.
He was trapped.
A low, playful chuckle echoed across the dock.
Daz saw Captain Dante watching him, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "Well now," Dante said, his voice deceptively light. "Looks like you've been discovered. What should we do with you?"
'Boss,' Daz Bonez thought, a cold dread washing over him as he swallowed hard. 'Looks like I won't be coming back.'
They had been played. Tricked by this damned corrupt Marine.
===============
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