Chapter 213: Long Live Ralph!
The Going Merry lay quietly docked at the port of Tamarisk.
On the deck, the members of the Straw Hat Pirates gathered together, their gazes fixed on the direction of the harbor.
"Why aren't they back yet..."
Usopp craned his neck as if it would help him see farther.
"Don't worry," Nami leaned against the ship's railing, "Lufia will definitely bring Ralph back."
Chopper sat atop Zoro's head, "What if they get lost?"
"Ralph won't get lost," Sanji spoke up, "That guy has a much better sense of direction than someone."
As he said this, everyone's eyes turned toward a certain green-haired swordsman.
"Wanna fight, you damn cook?"
"Bring it on, you think I'm scared?!"
Sanji's provocative behavior was partly an instinctive urge to bicker with Zoro.
But...
He was also feeling a bit anxious.
What if Ralph really stayed behind to become king? Wouldn't that mean...
Sanji's thoughts drifted to Princess Vivi in a wedding dress, to Robin in formal attire, to all sorts of wonderful scenes.
Then—
"No way!"
He shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel those images, "What right does that guy Ralph have?!"
Just then—
"I'm back—!"
A loud voice echoed from the direction of the harbor.
Everyone perked up and looked over.
Three figures were walking toward the Going Merry.
Leading the way was Lufia, one hand tugging at Ralph's sleeve, the other waving high in the air, her face wearing her signature wide grin.
Ralph was being dragged along by her, still wearing that black formal suit, though his hair was slightly tousled by the sea breeze.
Walking behind them—was Nico Robin.
The woman with a 79 million Berry bounty, the former second-in-command of Baroque Works, the one who always wore a mysterious smile.
She carried a small bag on her back, following at a leisurely pace as if out for a stroll.
Sanji's expression shifted from anticipation to shock, then from shock to ecstasy.
"M-Miss Robin?!"
Robin smiled gently at him:
"Hello, Sanji. I look forward to working with you from now on."
"F-From now on?!"
Sanji's brain short-circuited for 0.3 seconds, then—
"Long live Ralph!!"
He leaped into the air, spinning three and a half times before landing in a perfect knight's bow.
"Welcome, Miss Robin, to the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"Your presence brings honor to this ship!"
"Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
"I'll make it right away!"
"What kind of dessert do you prefer?"
"What kind of bedding do you like?"
"Do you like—"
"Sanji," Nami interrupted him, "calm down."
"I'm completely unable to calm down!"
Meanwhile, the reactions of the others were far more complex.
Zoro leaned against the mast, his sharp gaze fixed intently on Robin.
He didn't speak, but the scrutiny in his eyes was unmistakable.
Nami frowned slightly, sizing up this woman who had suddenly joined them.
Usopp and Chopper huddled together, whispering.
"Usopp, that woman is scary..."
"Don't be afraid, Chopper! I'm here! Though I have to admit, she is a bit frightening..."
Lufia remained completely oblivious to the subtle tension. She let go of Ralph's sleeve and plopped down onto the deck.
"I'm exhausted, exhausted! Sanji, is there any food?"
"Yes!"
Sanji instantly switched gears, "I'll prepare something for you right away, Miss Lufia!"
Ralph stepped onto the ship, glanced at everyone's reactions, and smiled.
Then he looked toward Robin.
Robin gave a slight nod and took a step forward.
Her voice was gentle and composed, "My name is Nico Robin."
"From today onward, I will sail with all of you as a member of the Straw Hat Pirates."
Words were unnecessary—actions spoke for Robin's communication skills.
She pulled a pouch from her bag.
"By the way, this is a greeting gift."
The pouch opened—
Clatter!
A pile of colorful gemstones spilled out, shimmering enchantingly under the moonlight.
Nami's eyes instantly turned into the shape of Berries.
"Th-this is..."
"A small collection from Crocodile."
Before Robin could finish, Nami hugged the pouch of gemstones tightly, all traces of wariness vanishing from her face.
"Welcome to the Straw Hat Pirates, Robin-nee!"
Robin smiled, then turned to Lufia.
Crossing her arms—
"Dos Fleur: Grab!"
Suddenly, two hands sprouted from Lufia's head!
The hands extended straight up from either side of her scalp, standing upright—at first glance, they looked just like a pair of antlers.
"Huh?"
Lufia touched the hands on her head.
"What is this?"
Chopper froze for a moment, then—
"Pfft—hahaha!"
He burst into laughter, rolling on the deck.
"Lufia turned into a reindeer! A reindeer just like me!"
Usopp couldn't hold back his laughter either:
"It really does look like it! So funny!"
Lufia blinked, deliberately mimicking Chopper's usual dazed expression, making the scene even more hilarious.
For a moment, the deck was filled with laughter.
The subtle tension from earlier was completely washed away by these few minutes of playful banter.
Ralph stood to the side, watching the scene, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Three sentences to make a new colleague fall in love with me?
No.
There was still one person left.
Zoro.
Sensing Ralph's gaze, he tilted his head slightly, and their eyes met.
Zoro said nothing.
But Ralph understood that look.
Winning my trust isn't something that happens overnight.
Ralph gave a slight nod.
No problem.
With everyone assembled, the Going Merry departed from the port of Tamarisk and slowly sailed into the open sea.
The matter of Vivi was eventually brought up.
Zoro set down his bottle of sake and looked at Ralph:
"Vivi really isn't coming with us?"
The deck fell silent for a moment.
Ralph nodded:
"She made her own decision."
"Um..."
Usopp hesitated, wanting to say more.
"I could tell she really wanted to go on adventures with us."
"Wanting and being able to are two different things," Ralph said.
He gazed at the distant coastline fading into the distance.
"She has things she must protect.
Her country, her people, the responsibility her father entrusted to her.
"Dreams aren't always about going far away,"
Robin said softly.
"Sometimes, protecting everything in front of you is also a dream."
Everyone fell silent.
The ship sailed onward.
Ralph stood at the stern, watching the outline of Alabasta grow farther and fainter.
Until—
His gaze fixed on one spot.
On the shore, atop a protruding reef.
A small figure stood there.
It was Vivi.
She wore her familiar outfit, her hair tousled by the sea breeze. From afar, she was looking in their direction.
Ralph cleared his throat softly.
Everyone turned, following his gaze.
"It's Vivi!"
Chopper was about to shout when Ralph stopped him.
"Don't make a sound," Ralph whispered.
"If the Navy finds out that Alabasta's royalty is connected to Pirates, it will cause trouble for Vivi."
Everyone paused for a second.
Then, they understood.
The deck fell quiet.
No one spoke.
No one waved.
No one shouted.
Lufia was the first to raise her arm.
She forcefully tore off the cloth strip, revealing her arm.
On her arm, a single "X" was drawn.
That was the mark they had agreed upon.
That was proof of comradeship.
That was a symbol of friendship.
Zoro was the second.
Silently, he tore off his cloth strip, revealing the same mark.
Then came Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper.
And finally, Ralph.
Everyone stood at the stern, arms held high.
Sunlight poured over them, over those ten identical "X"s.
Vivi, standing on the shore, saw this scene.
Her body trembled slightly.
Something swirled in the corners of her eyes.
She raised her hand, covering her mouth, desperately holding back any sound.
But tears still streamed down.
They were tears of emotion.
They were tears of reluctance.
They were also tears of happiness.
Because she knew, no matter how far apart they were, no matter how long it might be before they met again—
These people would always be her companions.
Ace leaned against the ship's railing, watching this scene.
He remembered when he first set out to sea, remembered the companions he had gathered.
Remembered the guys from the Whitebeard Pirates.
Remembered them calling him "Captain," calling him "Ace," calling him "Big Brother."
He remembered Marco, remembered Thatch, remembered Teach—
That man who once called him "brother."
Ace's gaze grew profound.