Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
As the Straw Hat crew prepared to leave the port of Alabasta, Nami stood on the deck of the Golden Merry, reflecting on their recent adventures. She couldn't help but express her gratitude, "You know, we really owe a lot to Bai Ye's internal world. If he hadn't hidden the Merry in there, we'd probably be facing a fleet of navy warships right now."
Luffy, ever the enthusiastic one, quickly chimed in agreement. "Yeah, Bai Ye's awesome!" he exclaimed with his characteristic grin.
Nami then shifted the topic to something that had been on everyone's mind. "I wonder, will Vivi really join us on the ship?" Her voice carried a hint of hope mixed with uncertainty.
It was then that Sanji, leaning against the railing, interjected thoughtfully. "Today's the day Vivi is supposed to inherit the kingdom. Do you think she'd really choose to come with us instead?"
A silence fell over the crew at Sanji's words. Each member seemed lost in their own thoughts, pondering the possibility. Even Luffy, usually brimming with energy and carefree spirit, stared off towards the port, a rare look of nervous anticipation in his eyes. The question hung in the air, unanswered, as they all waited for Vivi's decision.
-----
In the Alabasta Royal Palace, within the confines of Vivi's room, an air of solemnity and anticipation filled the space. Vivi, the princess of Alabasta, stood before a large mirror, being assisted by a robust woman with curly blonde hair. This woman was none other than Igaram's wife, Terracotta, known for her caring demeanor and skillful hands.
As Terracotta carefully helped Vivi into her regal attire, Vivi couldn't help but express a slight discomfort. Looking at her reflection, she spoke with a hint of helplessness in her voice, "Hmm... Terracotta, don't you think this is a bit too tight?"
Terracotta, with a motherly tone, responded reassuringly, "Please bear with it, Your Royal Highness. Today is the day you ascend as the Queen of Alabasta. Such attire, though a bit constricting, is fitting for the grandeur of the occasion."
As she spoke, Terracotta delicately placed a crown, adorned with sparkling precious stones, atop Vivi's head. The crown, symbolic of her impending role, seemed to weigh heavily, both physically and metaphorically.
Vivi, gazing at her transformed image in the mirror, clad in royal garb and crowned, murmured to herself with a mix of awe and uncertainty, "Queen...?"
-----
Outside Vivi's room, in the palace corridor, Igaram stood at attention, saluting King Cobra with a sense of deep respect. "Your Majesty, I see you're here as well," he remarked, a hint of concern in his voice. "Could it be that you're also worried about Princess Vivi..." Igaram trailed off, leaving his sentence hanging in the air. The implication was clear to both men: the concern that Vivi might leave her royal duties behind to join her pirate friends.
Cobra's response carried the weight of a ruler who had seen much in his time. "Igaram, I am not the perfect king," he admitted with a hint of regret. "But I have no doubts about Vivi. She will make a remarkable queen. I've always believed in that." His voice carried a conviction, a father's confidence in his daughter's capabilities.
Cobra continued, his voice laced with wisdom. "Vivi understands that sometimes, to help friends, one doesn't need to join their path directly." He glanced at Igaram, whose eyes sparkled with a newfound understanding.
"Your Majesty the King..." Igaram began, about to express his thoughts when a voice interrupted them from behind.
"Father, Igaram," Vivi called out, her voice steady and resolute. Both men turned to see her, dressed in full royal regalia, a vision of a queen ready to embrace her destiny. Her gaze met theirs, full of unwavering resolve.
"I have something very important to tell you..."
-----
In front of the royal palace of Alabasta, a sea of people had gathered, their faces brimming with anticipation. "Why come all the way here when Princess Vivi's enthronement speech will be broadcasted nationally through Den Den Mushi?" someone asked, his voice carrying above the buzz of the crowd.
"It's different being here in person," another voice chimed in. "This is a historic day! Who wouldn't want to witness the birth of a Queen with their own eyes?"
The banter continued, with someone accusing another of having ulterior motives for attending. "I bet you're just here to ogle the Princess!"
"Watch your mouth! That's our future Queen you're talking about!" The words were playful yet stern, reflecting the people's deep respect and affection for their princess.
The chatter and teasing came to an abrupt halt as a figure in regal attire stepped into view, silencing the crowd. Simultaneously, Princess Vivi's voice began to emanate from the transponders around the square.
"I embarked on a journey," Vivi's voice resonated, "a journey through darkness, seeking the light of hope amidst our despair." Her voice, soothing and melodious, captivated the crowd. They hung on to her every word, so much so that they failed to notice that something about the figure standing on the podium seemed slightly amiss.
On the Golden Merry, the Straw Hat crew gathered around a Den Den Mushi, attentively listening to the broadcast. Chopper, with his eyes wide open, exclaimed, "Hey, Luffy, that sounds like Vivi, doesn't it?"
Nami, with a hint of melancholy in her voice, remarked, "This must be Vivi's coronation speech. It seems she has made her choice."
However, Luffy, with a hint of uncertainty, interjected, "No, it sounds like Vivi, but something's off!"
As Vivi's voice continued from the Den Den Mushi, her words didn't seem to align with a typical coronation speech. "In my darkest hour, a ship found me," she narrated. "Its crew spoke of light, just beyond the horizon."
Back in the palace, King Cobra sat by a window, surrounded by Den Den Mushi, through which Vivi's voice emanated. He gazed towards the podium, murmuring a silent wish for everything to go smoothly. He let out a sigh, his gaze shifting away.
Vivi's story unfolded over the airwaves. "That ship, braving winds and waves, seemed unerring in its path, leading me onwards." Her tale was a tribute to her journey with the Straw Hats, whose actions against Crocodile had reshaped public perception.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted among the gathered crowd. The people realized that the figure on the podium wasn't Vivi, but rather Igaram, the captain of the Royal Guard, dressed in women's clothing. Angry shouts filled the air, "Hey! Where's Princess Vivi? What have you done with her?"
Sweat dripped down Igaram's face, his disguise now exposed to the bewildered and agitated crowd.
In the midst of the commotion at the Alabasta Royal Palace, Igaram, dressed unconvincingly in women's clothing, recalled Princess Vivi's earnest request: "Please help me this time, Igaram!" Her eyes, imploring and sincere, reminded him of the time when she had bravely chosen to be an undercover agent. Bolstered by this memory, Igaram mustered up his courage.
Under the watchful eyes of the bewildered crowd, he began to dance awkwardly, his movements oddly captivating. The initially stunned audience quickly transformed their shock into vocal displeasure, with someone shouting, "My eyes are bleeding, aghh! This is unbearable!"
Despite the chaos and uproar, this momentary distraction was all part of Vivi's plan. Meanwhile, at the port, the Straw Hat crew was eagerly awaiting her arrival. Luffy stood at the ship's bow, his voice booming across the waters as he called out and waved to Vivi, who was rapidly approaching on Karoo.
"Vivi!" he shouted with excitement.
The crew members' faces lit up with smiles at the sight of their friend. However, as Vivi drew closer, her expression was a mix of joy and deep sadness, a testament to the difficult choice she
had made. As Vivi approached, her eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions – joy at seeing her friends, but also a profound sense of loss. It was a bittersweet reunion; the joy of seeing each other again was tempered by the knowledge that their paths might soon diverge.
Luffy's voice, full of enthusiasm and warmth, cut through the air, reaching Vivi. She managed a small smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes, which shimmered with unshed tears. The rest of the Straw Hats, sensing the gravity of the moment, watched quietly, their own expressions a mixture of happiness and understanding.
Vivi, atop her loyal companion Karoo, came to a halt near the ship. The wind carried her words to them, tinged with both fondness and sorrow. "Luffy, everyone...," she began, her voice trembling slightly.
As Vivi held the Den Den Mushi close, her voice resonated throughout Alabasta once more, tinged with both determination and sorrow:
"I'm so sorry, everyone. I cannot join your crew. I wish I could continue our adventure together, but I love my country deeply, and it needs me now."
Her heartfelt words silenced the Straw Hats crew. Chopper's eyes brimmed with tears, reflecting the sadness they all felt. Vivi, wiping her own tears, shouted with a strength that belied her emotional turmoil:
"I have to stay here in Alabasta! Thank you, all of you, for everything you've given me."
Then, looking towards Luffy, she called out, her voice resonant and clear:
"Luffy, you're aiming to be the Pirate King, right? Well, I'll be the queen of this country and do my best to support you in your quest!"
King Cobra, hearing his daughter's ambitious promise, couldn't help but smile and mutter to himself, a mixture of pride and amusement in his voice:
"Such grand goals, Vivi... But you are indeed our queen already."
Vivi's voice then wavered slightly as she posed a heartfelt question:
"If, just if, we meet again someday... would you still consider me a friend?"
At this, the entire Straw Hats crew gathered at the bow of their ship, their faces a tapestry of emotions. They didn't need words to respond. Instead, each of them took out a talisman and, with a shared understanding, released them into the sky.
[Talisman – Fireworks!]
With a loud BOOM, the talismans exploded in unison, creating a breathtaking display of fireworks. The sky was illuminated with vibrant colors, forming an image of the Straw Hats, Vivi, and Karoo. As the dazzling lights reflected in their eyes, tears streamed down both Vivi's and Karoo's faces.