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Chapter 67: Whiskey Peak
"Your Highness, let us return to the Kingdom now. This news must be delivered to His Majesty in person, no matter what," Igaram urged in a hushed tone.
"No, we can't leave yet," Vivi said, shaking her head as she grabbed a rubber band and began to change her appearance. "Crocodile recently assigned us a whaling mission. If we leave without completing it, it will surely arouse his suspicion."
Her natural appearance was too striking, so before going out, she would tie up her long flowing hair and apply heavy makeup.
Soon, the once fresh and beautiful girl transformed into a heavily made-up delinquent.
For the past two years, her code name in Baroque Works had been—Miss Wednesday.
Looking at the princess's determined face, Igaram nodded and said, "Then let Mr. 9 accompany you. I will have him ensure your safety."
"Igaram, please make preparations for our departure." Vivi smiled gently, a rare, bright, and vibrant look returning to her face. "After the whaling mission is over, we will leave together."
She pushed open the door and summoned her mount—a Spot-Billed Duck as large as a horse, named Carue.
As she rode the duck toward the harbor to meet Mr. 9, the entire island suddenly erupted into commotion.
"We have guests!"
"It's a big fish: 'Straw Hat' at 30 million, 'Frost Arrow' at 16 million, and 'Pirate Hunter' at 15 million!"
"Quickly notify the Mayor to prepare the welcome dinner for guests from afar!"
Excited shouts from bounty hunters echoed from all directions. Many gathered near the wooden house where Vivi and Mr. 9 were, looking for their Mayor—Igaram, who used the alias Maigarai here.
Vivi stopped her duck, turned her head, and looked at Igaram, who had just stepped out the door.
A long silence followed.
"Your Highness," Igaram spoke first, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Our boss might prefer capturing this group of pirates over a whaling mission."
The timing of this pirate crew's arrival was impeccable. Not only could they save Vivi from a dangerous sea mission, but they could also bring in a substantial income.
Since they had to return to Alabasta Kingdom anyway, they might as well let this town provide them with a final burst of funding.
"Let's try it one more time." Vivi thought for a moment and made a decision. "They are just a bunch of murderous pirates anyway. Falling into the hands of bounty hunters is simply their bad luck."
...
Twilight was falling.
A pirate ship flying a Jolly Roger wearing a straw hat sailed into the harbor of Whiskey Peak.
"They are pirates!"
"Welcome to Whiskey Peak!"
"Welcome to the Grand Line!"
"Long live the brave warriors of the sea!"
Before they even reached the shore, they saw the riverbanks crowded with townspeople waving flags and cheering for them.
This scene left the members of the Straw Hat Pirates completely stunned.
"Are pirates really this respected in the Grand Line?" Usopp rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
They had braced themselves, thinking the Grand Line would be full of monsters like Arlong, expecting a battle the moment they landed.
Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the first island, they received a passionate welcome from all the residents.
"Wow! What a beautiful blue-haired lady! She's waving at me!" Vivi, standing at the front of the welcoming crowd, immediately caught Sanji's attention, his eyes instantly turning into hearts.
"Where? Let me see." Luffy approached, stopped when he saw Vivi, and asked in confusion, "Huh? Why is Ganyu on this island?"
"Luffy, look closely. She just has the same hair color as Ganyu." Usopp covered his face helplessly, sneaking a glance at Ganyu beside him.
The blue-haired girl remained expressionless, her gaze fixed on the other blue-haired girl on the island.
We're doomed.
This idiot has no idea that mistaking a woman for someone else is a very serious offense.
"Oh! She doesn't have horns, and she's much taller than Ganyu!" Luffy exclaimed, as if just noticing this detail.
"Idiot, do you really want to die?!" Usopp was terrified and quickly covered Luffy's mouth.
Contrary to Usopp's expectations, Ganyu didn't seem to mind. Her gaze remained on the girl on the shore, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.
Princess Vivi?
Her gaze then fell on the tall man beside Vivi.
She understood immediately.
The plot didn't seem to have deviated much; this was still a feast set up as a trap for them.
"Welcome. My name is Maigarai, the mayor of this town."
After the Straw Hats disembarked, Igaram led Vivi, Mr. 9, several members of Baroque Works, and a group of bounty hunters to greet them.
He warmly guided everyone into town, his tone sincere. "Whiskey Peak is a town with a strong atmosphere of winemaking and music. Hospitality is a proud tradition of ours."
"Why don't we hold a welcome banquet tonight and share your adventure stories as the special event?"
Hearing this...
Sanji, whose eyes had been glued to Vivi, immediately responded enthusiastically. Luffy and Usopp's eyes lit up at the word "banquet," and they jumped up excitedly.
"Of course I will!"
"Banquet, banquet, banquet!"
And so, surrounded by the entire town, a unique welcome banquet began.
A bonfire was lit in the center of the square, the aroma of fine wine filled the air, and cheerful music made everyone sway involuntarily to the rhythm.
Ganyu sat quietly in a corner of the banquet, holding a full glass of wine. Under everyone's watchful eyes, she took a small sip.
There was no poison in the drink, but the alcohol content was far higher than normal.
Surrounded by beautiful women, Sanji, Usopp, and Luffy were treated with immense hospitality. After drinking this wine, they were visibly flushed and hazy with intoxication.
"Don't you find it boring drinking alone?" Zoro appeared beside her without her noticing, holding a bottle of wine and leaning in front of her face.
"You..." Ganyu looked at him in surprise, then turned her head to see a group of townspeople already dead drunk, collapsed on the ground.
She smiled, raised her glass, and gently clinked it against Zoro's bottle.
You got everyone drunk?
"They were too eager; they got themselves drunk before they could get me."
The two chatted while they drank.
Before long, Nami quietly walked over as well.
She whispered to the two of them, "Don't you think the residents of the Grand Line are a little too hospitable than you imagined?"
"Yeah, they are indeed a bit too 'enthusiastic'." Zoro and Ganyu exchanged a glance, then nodded.
He thought for a moment and said, "I think I have some idea about this town and their identities."