"Smoker, what's with this rain? Don't tell you used Dance Powder."
On a Marine warship off the coast of Alabasta, a beautiful Marine officer looked suspiciously at the white-haired man smoking heavily in front of her.
She had long pink hair parted down the middle, purple sunglasses, a burgundy suit over a white shirt, and a Marine Justice coat draped over her shoulders. A cigarette rested casually between her fingers.
"Idiot," Smoker replied calmly.
"I still know what counts as a cri."
"The King of Alabasta refused to use that stuff for a reason."
"There's no way I'd violate that principle."
"I see... that was rude of . Hina will reflect on it."
Hina sounded genuinely surprised.
"I didn't expect to hear sothing so considerate from the man known as the White Hunter."
"You seem a little smoother than before."
"You talk too much."
Smoker exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.
"But speaking of which," Hina continued, "don't you think you went a bit too far?"
"You borrowed my entire unit just to search for one ship?"
"We're from the sa class at the academy," Smoker said with half-closed eyes.
"Don't overthink it."
anwhile—
"Why?!"
"The Straw Hat crew must still be nearby!"
A veteran Marine desperately tried to persuade Chief Petty Officer Tashigi.
"They just fought Crocodile! They must be exhausted!"
"Why aren't we searching for them?!"
"This is an order."
Tashigi's tone was firm.
"Bring Crocodile aboard the ship."
At the sa ti—
On a quiet street, the Straw Hat crew sprinted through the city.
Suddenly—
Zoro stopped.
His hand rested on his sword as he stared cautiously at a figure ahead.
"Relax," a calm voice said.
"I only ca to return sothing."
From the shadows erged the elegant figure of Nico Robin.
She tossed the Straw Hat toward Zoro.
Her captivating dark-blue eyes lingered on Luffy, who lay unconscious on Sanji's back.
Her expression grew complicated.
After a long mont—
She turned and walked away.
On the road leading to the palace—
Vivi ran desperately.
She rembered the ssage she had seen after waking up.
"Vivi, we went back to the palace to rest."
"You understand—we're wanderers of the sea."
"We don't want to get tangled up with a country."
—Sanji
"Everyone... please be safe..."
Rain continued to fall across the kingdom.
"It's raining!"
"It's raining!"
"Rain after three years!"
"The rebellion will finally end!"
"My foolish son will co ho!"
The people celebrated wildly.
Adults filled bottles and jars with precious rainwater.
Children opened their mouths toward the sky in delight.
The desert kingdom had finally regained life.
Yuba — Deep in the Desert
An old man continued digging stubbornly in the dry land.
In his mind, he heard Koza's voice from the past.
"How long are you going to keep being stubborn, Dad?"
"Yuba is finished!"
"What's the point of staying here alone?"
"Are you going to die with this city?"
The old man raised his head toward the sky.
"Look, Koza..."
"It's raining."
"It only took... three years."
"That's all."
"Isn't that right... rain?"
Alubarna Palace
"Ha... ha... ha..."
Soft breathing filled the room.
Vivi, dressed in a light blue robe, gently touched Luffy's cheek.
Her eyes sparkled with dependence and tenderness.
"at... at..."
Luffy murmured in his sleep.
"So cute..."
Vivi smiled softly.
Seeing Luffy wrapped in bandages like a mummy, her eyes filled with heartache.
"...I'm sorry."
"Princess Vivi, you're still awake?"
Igaram opened the door and stepped inside.
"Oh! Igaram!"
Vivi hurriedly turned toward the window.
Outside, the rain was still falling.
Her ears turned slightly red.
"I... I'm not sleepy yet."
"I just want to watch the rain a little longer."
"I understand," Igaram said gently.
"Please get so rest soon, Princess."
He quietly left.
Vivi stretched lazily.
Then she looked at the sleeping Luffy.
For so reason—
She found herself unable to look away.
Almost unconsciously—
She climbed onto the bed and hugged the bandaged Luffy tightly.
A faint fragrance drifted into Luffy's nose.
"Slls good... at...?"
Suddenly—
Luffy wrapped his arms around her.
"Ah!"
Vivi gasped, completely unable to break free.
In the end, she could only blush shyly and curl up in his arms.
Her slender legs wrapped around his waist.
Her soft chest pressed against him.
Slowly—
Sleep overtook her as well.
The Next Morning
The sky had cleared.
"Princess Vivi?!"
"My Princess Vivi?!"
A scream shattered the quiet.
"Shut up, curly-brow!"
Zoro began to complain—
Then froze.
Everyone else woke up and stared.
Vivi was lying sideways across Luffy's chest.
Her beautiful blue hair spilled across the pillow.
A faint smile rested on her flawless face.
CRACK.
Sothing inside Sanji's heart shattered.
He collapsed to the floor in disbelief.
"...How...?"
Vivi slowly opened her eyes.
Seeing everyone staring at her—
Her cheeks turned bright red.
She gently removed Luffy's arm and glared at him resentfully.
I planned to wake up early and escape...
But it's all Luffy's fault!
His embrace was too comfortable!
Yes—it's all his fault!
"YOU BASTARD, LUFFY!"
Sanji suddenly transford into a raging demon.
"How dare you touch such a cute Vivi?!"
"Let go! Let go!!"
"I'm going to kick him!"
Alabasta Coast
"Long ti no see, Tashigi," Hina greeted.
"Hello, Miss Hina..."
Tashigi looked exhausted.
"I'm a little tired... I'd like to rest."
She slowly walked past and climbed onto the ship.
"Captain Smoker, I've returned."
Smoker sat on the ship's stairs, looking at her calmly.
"Good work."
"I already heard about Straw Hat Luffy."
"I'm sorry," Tashigi said quietly.
"I helped pirates..."
"And I let those weak pirates escape."
"As a Marine... that's disgraceful."
"Why apologize?"
Smoker looked at her seriously.
"Wasn't that your justice?"
"No..."
"I just did the only thing I could."
Crocodile's words echoed in her mind.
"Stray dogs have no right to talk about justice."
"This sea is just that kind of place."
"Even though I knew the enemy's goal... I couldn't stop it."
"I don't have justice worth protecting."
"Idiot," Smoker said.
"If you're so frustrated that you're crying..."
"Then beco stronger."
"...I will."
Marine Headquarters — Marineford
"Garp! Look at what your grandson has done!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was so angry that his beard practically floated upward.
"Hahahaha! Don't be mad."
"Here, have so rice crackers."
Garp laughed happily.
"Those are MY rice crackers! Give them back!"
The office instantly descended into chaos.
"Honestly..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed helplessly.
"You're both like children."
"Enough."
Sengoku's expression beca serious.
"Crocodile crossed the line."
"He attempted to seize control of a country."
"Straw Hat Luffy did the right thing."
"So what did the Five Elders say?" Tsuru asked.
"What else?"
Sengoku slamd his desk angrily.
"They ordered us to cover up the truth."
"The report will say Crocodile was defeated by Smoker and Tashigi."
"They're both getting promoted."
Sengoku looked furious.
"The Marines shouldn't be like this."
"That's exactly how those old bastards operate," Garp said bluntly.
"Yes..."
Tsuru nodded quietly.
"The Marines... are wearing shackles now."
"Tell ..."
"Can the Marines truly achieve 'Justice that rules the world'?"
Alabasta Coast
"Damn it!!"
Smoker slamd down the Den Den Mushi.
"Go to hell!"
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