"Where are we going now? Back to Loguetown?"
As they sailed out of Dressrosa's waters, Kuto asked Smoker on the warship.
"We haven't caught Straw Hat yet, so I'm not going back to the Loguetown base for now," Smoker shook his head. "You two take Vivian back to Loguetown to rest for a while. I'll contact you later with the Den Den Mushi."
He had originally planned to intercept Luffy's crew in the Alabasta Kingdom, but a call from Vivian changed his route to Dressrosa.
However, rescuing so many civilians made the detour worthwhile.
"Are we both taking him back?" Kuto scratched his head. "Actually, I'd rather go with you to catch the Straw Hat crew."
After witnessing Vivian's strength, Kuto felt more inspired than betrayed.
Vivian was incredibly strong.
Much stronger than he had imagined.
Maybe… even stronger than Captain Smoker.
And yet, Vivian still couldn't defeat the Warlord Doflamingo and ended up in this state.
It was time to risk his life and train hard.
So, under everyone's gaze, Kuto suddenly walked up to Vivian, bowed deeply, and said, "Vivian, I will return stronger. Thank you for taking care of me."
Vivian had saved his life multiple times, and Kuto was determined to become stronger.
Otherwise, how could he ever repay Vivian if the gap between them kept widening?
"Oh… okay, whatever makes you happy," Vivian blinked and replied.
At the same time, he thought, "I don't mind you getting stronger, but why do you need to see me afterward? What does your strength have to do with me?"
Feeling increasingly uneasy about Kuto's intense gaze, Vivian instinctively shrank back.
Maybe this guy is a fencing enthusiast…
"And what about Tashigi?" Smoker looked at Tashigi.
"I…"
Tashigi was about to speak when Vivian interrupted, "Let her go with you to catch Straw Hat. I'll go back alone."
"Alone…?" Smoker glanced at Vivian. "You're seriously injured. Can you manage?"
"Why not?"
Vivian sat up from the deck chair and pointed to the sailors holding juice. "Besides, there are plenty of crew members on the ship to take care of me. Having a girl serve me tea and water is just not right."
Girls can be troublesome.
Especially someone like Tashigi, who is overflowing with a sense of justice. If she stayed with him, he couldn't ignore any triggered options, which would be annoying.
Moreover, after the recent murder incident at the naval base, Vivian was still on edge and had no energy to deal with various emergencies.
After the battle in Dressrosa, all he wanted was to rest.
A medical skill, a Clow Card, and a great sword—this trip had been quite fruitful. After all, running around so diligently was not in line with his character…
"I see…" Hearing this, Tashigi lowered her head, looking a bit disappointed.
She knew Vivian probably found her annoying and was trying to get rid of her.
But…
In today's situation, not only did she not help, but she also caused Vivian so much trouble and got him seriously injured…
"I really am a burden…" She thought to herself.
Two years ago, on that pirate ship, Vivian was just a boy who needed her help. Who would have thought that in just two short years, she would be completely left behind by him.
At this rate, would the distance between her and Vivian grow even larger?
So she thought for a moment, then turned to Smoker and said, "Captain Smoker, please take me with you to arrest the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Smoker: (⊙o⊙)
This kid… finally stopped chasing after Vivian?
"Very well, Tashigi, I'm really glad to see you pull yourself together." Smoker patted Tashigi on the shoulder, then looked at Vivian and said, "So, Vivian, after we part this time, don't call me for no reason."
"Got it, got it. No need to say it, I'll get rid of the Den Den Mushi when I get back." Vivian said.
Waving his hand, he turned to board another warship.
But as he reached the edge of the deck, Smoker called out to him.
"Hey."
"Wha… what?" Vivian swallowed.
"About the money for those two boxes of cigars…"
Splash!
"Reporting to Captain Smoker, Officer Vivian… fell into the sea!" a soldier reported loudly.
Smoker: "…"
…
Half a month later.
In the first half of the Grand Line, BBQ Island.
"Finally back again." Vivian stood at the bow of the warship, yawning and Muttering to himself sleepily.
A month had passed since the round trip, and he had gained a few new wounds. This great sword mission was really not easy.
Half an hour later, in the town.
Vivian appeared outside the Lamore family's factory.
As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Lamore standing in front of the furnace, shirtless, rhythmically swinging a large hammer.
Clang—clang—clang—clang—!
Due to the loud noise of the hammering, Lamore didn't notice Vivian's arrival and continued hammering the iron, his muscles trembling slightly, sweat covering his body.
"Hey."
Vivian called out from behind, and Lamore instantly stopped, turning around with a puzzled look. When he saw it was Vivian, who had left a month ago, his eyes lit up.
"You brought the antidote?"
"Of course I did."
Vivian said, taking out a delicate glass bottle from his pocket. "This is the complete antidote for Trance. After drinking it, the toxins in the body will be completely eliminated within a day. What you got from Jack before was missing an ingredient, so it could only temporarily suppress the toxicity. But this one is different."
"Really?"
Lamore's eyes were fixed on the glass bottle containing the blue liquid.
After a while.
"Cough…"
Lamore's grandfather woke up from his bed.
At the same time, a task completion prompt appeared in Vivian's mind…