"I heard you have something you want to say to us!?"
Not long after the Going Merry sailed away from Twin Cape, Princess Vivi—still dressed in her assassin disguise—approached Luffy and Red under Smoker's introduction.
Because Red had already guessed that Vivi might be planning to come clean and possibly influence their future actions…
He deliberately summoned the Straw Hat crew, who had been training, into the ship's cabin. Even Smoker—that so-called "outsider"—was forcibly dragged in along with them.
At that moment, the deck of the Going Merry was left with only a confused-looking Mr. 9, temporarily filling in as the lookout.
…
…
Inside the ship's dining cabin.
Sanji listened in with curiosity while preparing handmade drinks for everyone.
Seated across from the Straw Hats, a trace of hesitation flickered through Vivi's eyes. In the end, as if steeling herself, she suddenly removed the ribbon tying her hair.
"May I ask… have you heard of the country called Alabasta?"
Vivi lifted her head as she spoke.
In that instant, her entire aura changed completely—as though she had become a different person altogether.
The slightly cunning impression she once gave vanished the moment her hair fell loose, replaced by an air of dignity and solemnity. A heavy gravity now lingered in her gaze.
"Alabasta?!"
Naturally, the Straw Hats from the East Blue knew nothing about this nation located on the Grand Line.
Every one of them looked puzzled.
Just as they subconsciously prepared to turn toward the ever-reliable Red—
Smoker, standing at the edge with his arms crossed, suddenly spoke up.
"The Kingdom of Alabasta—an enormous nation famous for its culture and trade, with a territory exceeding ten million square kilometers."
"Whether in industrial output or military power, it ranks among the top of the World Government's member nations."
"It's considered one of the rare peaceful countries on the Grand Line."
"That's the country you're referring to, isn't it?"
Smoker fixed his gaze on Vivi.
Vivi nodded. "Yes."
But in the very next second, overwhelming sorrow welled up in her eyes. Lowering her head, she murmured:
"But… that's the Alabasta of the past…"
"The past?" Nami asked curiously. "Then what about now?"
"Now…" Vivi's voice grew desolate. "Now the entire nation is trapped in severe internal turmoil."
"Several years ago, a mysterious organization secretly infiltrated the kingdom and began stirring revolutionary movements throughout the land. Uprisings broke out one after another, and the country descended further into chaos."
"Countless citizens have been displaced—some so desperate they can barely survive."
"How did it come to this!?"
Driven by his sense of justice, Smoker immediately frowned and questioned her.
"That mysterious organization you mentioned… could it be—"
"Yes! That's right!"
Before Smoker could finish, Vivi suddenly looked up, her eyes burning with hatred and frustration.
"Through my investigation, I discovered that the organization responsible for throwing Alabasta into chaos is—Baroque Works, the very organization I'm currently a part of!"
"Wait, hold on…" Usopp frowned in confusion. "Isn't Baroque Works just an assassination group!?"
"How could they possibly have that much power!?"
"If it were merely an ordinary assassination group, of course it wouldn't," Vivi replied.
"But after joining Baroque Works and investigating deeper with my companions, we discovered the true mastermind controlling that organization is actually—"
"One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile—right?"
Red cut in calmly, seizing the conversation before Vivi could finish.
Under Vivi's shocked gaze, he continued steadily:
"Using the privilege granted to the Seven Warlords—which exempts them from investigation by the Marines and the World Government—Crocodile built the largest casino in the kingdom, located in the city of Rainbase."
"And whenever pirates caused trouble in Rainbase, he would personally step in and eliminate them."
"Over time, Crocodile became Rainbase's 'hero,' and his reputation began spreading to nearby cities."
"That reputation allowed all of his actions in Rainbase to proceed smoothly, while he secretly directed Baroque Works to use the prohibited Dance Powder throughout the kingdom—deliberately driving the nation toward division."
"Am I right, Princess Vivi?"
"!!!"
Bang!
Vivi shot to her feet. The force was so great that the chair beneath her toppled over.
Her eyes widened as she stared at Red in terror.
"Why do you know all of this!? Why… do you know who I really am!?"
Suddenly, Vivi recalled the amused look Red had given her the day before.
That look hadn't been one of condescension toward someone weak.
It was more like someone who already knew everything about her—yet had chosen to play along, quietly cooperating in a tacit game.
Only… she hadn't realized it at all.
Vivi had thought this would be her moment of confession.
Instead, it instantly turned into a nightmare.
Even Smoker wore a look of disbelief as he stared at Red in shock.
Though the thought was wildly out of place—
He genuinely felt that the more he tried to understand Red, the more he became drawn into Red's mystery, sinking deeper with every step.
If this were a romance novel, Smoker would already be blushing, realizing he'd fallen in love.
But this was a shōnen story.
And all he felt now… was fear.
Fear of the unknown.
Fear of mystery.
The same fear gripping Vivi at this very moment.
"Relax, Princess Vivi." Red smiled gently.
Sanji stepped forward elegantly, placing a drink before both Vivi and Nami.
"Please, enjoy."
Then he turned toward the men.
"Yours are on the counter—go get them yourselves."
"Traitor to friendship!""Womanizer!"
Luffy and Usopp immediately stuck out their tongues at Sanji before obediently grabbing drinks—bringing some back for everyone else as well.
Clearly, the Straw Hats were already accustomed to Red's occasional displays of shocking competence.
With Sanji's help, Vivi sat back down. Her gaze, however, remained locked onto Red and the Straw Hat crew.
In truth, she hadn't intended to reveal her identity as a princess from the beginning.
After all, she hadn't truly trusted the Straw Hats.
She spoke up only because she had seen that they were different from other pirates.
They weren't afraid of the Seven Warlords—and they even vowed to go after them.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Moreover, Vivi had personally witnessed Smoker's Logia powers.
In her understanding, Crocodile = Logia = Invincible.
So she subconsciously believed Smoker must be just as powerful.
If they targeted Crocodile—and combined that with the military might of Alabasta—perhaps they really could resolve the kingdom's crisis.
That was Vivi's original plan.
But before she could act on it—
Red's perfectly timed revelation struck straight through her defenses, shattering her composure and rendering her unable to think.
And that… was exactly what Red wanted.
"Princess Vivi," Red said with a calm smile,"Let's talk."
"I'll be honest with you—I have at least three different ways to resolve your kingdom's crisis."
"Each method requires a different price, and each would result in a different level of support for Alabasta afterward."
"And naturally, the support we would require in return would also differ."
"So which plan to choose…"
"That decision, Princess Vivi, will have to be yours."
"Of course—"
Red paused, looked up at her, and flashed her a bright, sunny smile.
"That's assuming… you're actually able to make that decision."
Thank you all for your support!!!
(End of Chapter)