Chapter 211: We Are a Part of Their Play!
Alabasta's eastern port city, Tamarisk.
Sunlight bathed the deck of the Going Merry, and the sea breeze rustled the sails with a soft flapping sound.
The Straw Hat Pirates were about to set sail, but their "vice-captain" was nowhere to be seen on the ship!
Nami seemed to know something, but she hesitated to speak!
Lufia, however, paid no mind to anything else.
If a member of a pirate crew wants to leave the crew, they must obtain the captain's permission.
Even if Ralph wanted to stay, he would have to tell her in person!
"That's right! Ask him face-to-face!"
Lufia leaped down from the bow of the ship and, without another word, charged toward the shore.
"Hey!"
Nami called from behind, "Do you even know the way?!"
"Just keep running west and you'll get there!"
Before the words had fully left her mouth, the figure wearing the straw hat had already disappeared into the crowd at the port.
Nami stood where she was, gazing in that direction, and let out a soft sigh.
"This is all I can do to help you."
From Tamarisk to Alubarna, one had to cross several cities, as well as vast stretches of rocky desert and barren wasteland.
Normally, it would take the better part of a day.
On foot, it would take a full day.
But Lufia—
She did it in just two hours.
She ran all the way, crossing deserts, traversing rocky terrain, bypassing towns, completely unaware of what fatigue meant.
Her face, usually full of smiles, was now incredibly serious.
Only one thought occupied her mind:
Ask him face-to-face.
Why did he want to stay?
Why didn't he tell me?
Didn't we promise to become the Pirate King together?
When the palace of Alubarna came into view, Lufia ran even faster.
She charged into the royal capital, dashed through the streets, leaped across the square, and finally—
Came to a stop in front of the palace gates.
Guarding the palace entrance were two men.
Chaka the Jackal.
Pell the Falcon.
The two guardian deities of the Alabasta Kingdom.
Panting, Lufia looked at them:
"Is Ralph still inside?"
Chaka and Pell exchanged a glance.
Chaka stepped forward, his voice grave:
"Straw Hat Girl Lufia, we thank your pirate crew for saving our country.
However, since you have already decided to leave, you should no longer openly associate with the royal family."
Pell added: "The Navy is still watching this place."
"If they discover that you still have ties with the royal family, it could have negative consequences for Alabasta."
Lufia tilted her head, completely unable to understand what they were saying.
She cared about only one thing.
"Is Ralph inside or not?"
Chaka frowned: "..."
"If you won't tell me, I'll go in and find him myself!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Lufia tried to charge inside.
Chaka's eyes sharpened—
Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Jackal, activate!
His body instantly transformed, taking on a half-human, half-jackal form. His right hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it and block her path.
And then—
Thud!
Chaka's vision went dark as he was sent flying, crashing heavily against a door pillar before sliding limply to the ground.
He hadn't even had time to draw his sword.
"Chaka!"
Pell cried out in alarm and immediately activated his Devil Fruit ability, transforming into a giant falcon. His talons shot toward Lufia.
Without even turning her head, Lufia kicked backward—
Thud!
Pell's abdomen took a heavy blow, forcing him back into human form. He too was sent flying, landing beside Chaka beneath the door pillar.
Both guardian deities, defeated in a single encounter.
Lufia pushed open the palace gates and charged inside without a backward glance.
Only Chaka and Pell remained lying there, groaning.
"Ugh..."
Chaka clutched his chest, struggling to get up.
"The strength of the Straw Hat Girl... is truly beyond belief..."
Pell rubbed his stomach, smiling bitterly:
"Our power is nothing in this vast sea."
"Ralph was right."
Chaka sighed, "To protect Alabasta, we truly need more strength."
"No wonder His Majesty agreed to let those few from Baroque Works stay."
"If only Ralph could stay too."
Pell said.
"I doubt it."
Chaka shook his head, "To keep a real man, only emotions can do it."
"The bond between the Straw Hat Girl and Ralph seems far stronger than we imagined."
Pell fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said:
"Do you think His Majesty and the Princess arranged for us to use force to stop her, knowing full well this would be the outcome?"
Chaka was taken aback for a moment, then his bitter smile deepened.
"You don't understand. This kind of emotional trial is all about the sense of ceremony."
"Sense of ceremony?"
"Right."
Chaka said seriously, "We two are just part of their play."
Pell: "..."
The two guardian deities lay shamelessly at the palace entrance, groaning and complaining while chatting.
Meanwhile, deep within the palace, Lufia had already charged into the second trial.
Before the steps leading to the palace.
A figure blocked her path.
Nico Robin.
"Straw Hat Girl."
Robin crossed her arms, a faint smile on her lips, "This path is closed."
Lufia looked at her: "Is Ralph inside?"
"Yes."
Robin admitted frankly, "But, the boss has decided to stay in Alabasta."
"Please turn back."
"I don't believe it!"
"Whether you believe it or not, that's the truth."
Robin took a step forward, "The boss will become King Cobra's most trusted minister, using his talents in this country."
"That's far better than being a pirate."
"I don't believe it!"
"Princess Vivi will marry Ralph."
Robin continued,
"King Cobra has only one daughter. In the future, with his talents, the boss could even rise to become a noble of the world, the king of Alabasta."
Lufia was briefly stunned.
Marriage?
King?
Noble?
These words spun around in her head. She recognized each one, but strung together, they made no sense at all.
Seeing her bewildered expression, Robin went on:
"What makes you think he would go with you? To become a pirate with no future?"
Lufia was silent for two seconds.
Then—
"I don't believe it!"
Her voice was firmer than before.
Robin's smile stiffened slightly.
Could this girl not understand human speech?
She had said so much, and the girl still responded with three words:
I don't believe it.
Robin began to wonder if this emotional trial the boss had arranged would even work on such a single-minded girl.
Forget it, time to act directly.
"Seis Fleur: Clutch!"
Robin crossed her arms, activating her Hana Hana no Mi ability—
Countless arms instantly sprouted all over Lufia's body.
These arms twisted nimbly, locking her shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles... every joint was firmly clamped.
Thud!
Lufia was pressed down onto the steps, unable to move.
But she didn't give up.
She struggled fiercely, trying to break free from the arms' restraint.
But Robin's joint technique was precise and flawless—the more she struggled, the tighter her joints were locked.
Lufia's face pressed against the cold stone steps, but her eyes remained fixed on the palace doors at the top.
She could feel it.
Ralph was inside.
Right there.
"Ralph—!"
She shouted with all her might.
"I've come for you! Let's get going!"