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After their talk, Cobra and Vivi returned to host Shin and his crew.
They stayed in the Alabasta Kingdom for a few days before preparing to leave.
Vivi, now a maid, boarded the ship with them.
"What the hell? Is she here to take our jobs?" Baby-5 looked at Vivi with hostility. She didn't like anyone who threatened her position.
"She's here to take 'your' job. Don't drag into this," Monet said coolly.
"Aren't you a maid too?" Baby-5 asked, confused.
"Hmph. I'm a combatant," Monet said, lifting her chin proudly.
"Heh, I don't need a combatant as weak as you," Shin said with a chuckle.
"..." Monet looked hurt. She wondered if she really appeared that weak to him. After all, she could probably take on a Marine Vice Admiral. But she had no idea that in Shin's eyes, even a Marine Admiral was considered weak.
Vivi stood on the deck, watching her holand grow smaller in the distance, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"If you don't want to stay, we can still send you back," Shin told her.
"No. I've decided to be your maid. I will stay with the Kuja Pirates for the rest of my life," Vivi said with unwavering conviction.
Hancock listened and nodded with satisfaction. If Vivi had really wanted to leave, she wouldn't have let her go so easily.
"Baby-5, you're the senior here. You can teach her," Hancock said.
"? Teach her?" Baby-5's face lit up. She looked at Vivi with excitent and nodded eagerly at Hancock.
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The flag of the Kuja Pirates now flew over the Alabasta Kingdom.
The news spread quickly, even reaching the ears of the Five Elders.
"What are your thoughts on this?" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn asked the others, his face grim.
More than a decade had passed, but the Five Elders looked the sa, their life force still incredibly strong despite their aged appearance.
"The Nefertari family of Alabasta is one of the twenty royal families. If they hadn't refused to move to the Holy Land, they'd be Celestial Dragons now. I never thought they'd align themselves with Shin Uzumaki," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said gravely.
Although Alabasta was still technically part of the World Governnt, the Five Elders knew their first loyalty was now to the Kuja Pirates.
"Shin Uzumaki is getting too bold. It's ti we put him in his place," Saint Marcus Mars said coldly.
To be honest, the Five Elders had been sick of Shin for months.
He'd leveled Enies Lobby and murdered Celestial Dragons, earning them a brutal tongue-lashing from Imu.
Then there was Shin himself—he'd grown too powerful, beco a threat that needed to be eliminated.
But taking him down required serious planning. They were still working out the details.
————
Shin, naturally, had no clue the Five Elders were scheming against him.
Not that he'd give a damn if he knew.
He was strong enough now that a single Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack could probably reduce all of Mary Geoise to rubble.
At the mont, Shin was in Pluton's prison, looking at Hina.
"Feeling lonely all by yourself in here?" Shin asked her.
"Just let Hina out already," Hina said, glaring at him angrily.
She was indeed lonely. Besides the person who brought her food, no one ever ca to see her. The days of her confinent were incredibly dull.
"I can let you out, but how about you join the Kuja Pirates?" Shin asked, his arms crossed.
"In your dreams. I'll never join you," Hina replied stubbornly.
"What's the point? You really think you can escape? If that's what you're thinking, you should give up now."
Escaping from here was harder than breaking out of Impel Down. From Impel Down, there was still a chance. From his ship, it was impossible.
Hina already knew that.
"Even if I can't escape, Hina will never join a pirate crew," she snorted.
"Alright then. Looks like you're not joining. You can just stay here."
Shin turned to leave.
"W-WAIT,"
Hina called out as he was about to go. She had been locked up for half a month and was desperate for soone to talk to. Seeing him about to leave, she couldn't help but call out.
"What, changed your mind?"
"Fine... Hina will join the Kuja Pirates."
After so hesitation, she agreed. Of course, she wasn't really agreeing. She was just pretending so she could find a chance to escape.
If she stayed locked up, she'd never get out.
"Alright." Shin smiled faintly, then drew his sword and cut the Seastone cuffs, releasing her.
Hina looked at him, surprised and a little suspicious.
He was letting her out just like that? Was he serious? She couldn't help but wonder if he had so other sche in mind.
"Let's go." Shin just smiled and motioned for her to follow.
He knew exactly what was going through her head, but he'd already leaked the news that Hina had joined the Kuja Pirates.
She was trapped. Even if she managed to escape, would the Marines believe her story?
Sengoku sure as hell wouldn't. He'd probably assu she was a double agent working for Shin.
"Your strength isn't bad. From now on, you're on floor duty."
After leading her out, Shin patted her shoulder with a look that said—I have high hopes for you.
"..." Hina took a deep breath, trying to control her anger.
Floor duty?? Was he looking down on her?
Whatever... She wasn't planning on staying anyway. Besides, interns on any ship were always given the grunt work. Even Shanks had to do all the hard labor when he was an apprentice on Roger's ship.
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