The moment Luffy turned toward her, Princess Vivi instinctively stepped back.
Her hand tightened around her weapon, breath shallow, eyes wide—not with defiance, but with the fear of someone who had spent too long pretending to be strong.
"Don't worry," Luffy said calmly. "I'm not here to hurt you."
That only confused her more.
"Then… why are you here?" she asked, voice trembling despite her effort to stay composed.
Luffy scratched his cheek and answered with irritating casualness.
"To make a contract."
"…A contract?"
"Yes," he said simply. "Igaram asked me to protect you and return you safely to Alabasta. In exchange—"
He paused just long enough for tension to bloom.
"—I want Alabasta to become my territory."
Silence slammed into the street.
"What!?" Vivi screamed, her composure shattering instantly.
Zoro raised an eyebrow.
Johnny and Yosaku froze.
Even Nami, listening from the shadows, nearly dropped what she was holding.
"Igaram couldn't promise something like that," Luffy continued as if he were discussing the weather. "So he told me to negotiate with you instead. That's why I'm here."
He walked over, sat on a crate, elbows resting casually on his knees.
"And before you misunderstand," he added, "I'm not asking for money."
That made it worse.
"…Then what do you want?" Vivi asked cautiously.
"Nothing," Luffy replied.
Now everyone stared.
"The reputation is enough," he explained. "A major kingdom like Alabasta under my protection? That alone shakes the world."
Zoro frowned slightly.
Johnny whispered, "He didn't even ask for tribute…"
Vivi narrowed her eyes. "That can't be all."
Luffy smiled faintly. "You're right."
He glanced toward the rooftops, toward alleys too quiet, shadows too still.
"But that's not a conversation to have out in the open."
The implication hit hard.
After a moment, Luffy changed the subject.
"So," he said, looking directly at her, "why was a princess working for Baroque Works in the first place?"
Vivi lowered her gaze.
"…Because I had no choice."
She took a breath and spoke, the weight of an entire nation pressing into her words.
"Alabasta is tearing itself apart. Rebels, droughts, riots—people are dying. And through all of it, I discovered whispers of a secret organization manipulating everything from the shadows. Baroque Works."
She clenched her fists.
"I couldn't expose them from the outside. So I infiltrated them. Igaram helped me."
Nami stepped out from the alley, arms crossed. "That's reckless… but impressive."
Vivi nodded. "I learned their structure, their code names—but never the boss. Everything about him is buried."
Johnny swallowed. "Then what did you find out?"
"That their so-called dream of an 'ideal country' is a lie," Vivi said sharply. "Their real goal is Alabasta itself."
Luffy nodded slowly. "That makes more sense."
"I have to go back," Vivi said desperately. "I have to warn my people. If I don't—"
She broke.
Luffy stood and looked up at the sky, clouds slowly gathering as if listening.
"If you agree to my terms," he said, "I'll help you stop the war."
Then he asked casually, almost lazily:
"By the way… you did find out who the boss is, didn't you?"
Vivi's panic was immediate.
"No—don't ask that!" she shouted. "If you know, you'll be in danger too!"
Luffy laughed.
Nami paled. "I don't want to know! I really don't!"
Vivi swallowed hard.
"It's Crocodile," she said.
"One of the Seven Shichibukai."
Silence.
Then—
"AAAAHHHH!!"
Vivi and Nami screamed in perfect harmony.
Luffy blinked.
"…You know," he said, amused, "for a princess, you're not very careful with classified information."
He suddenly turned, sensing something.
On a nearby rooftop stood a vulture and a strange otter.
They stared.
Then flew off.
"…That's new," Luffy muttered.
Moments later, the otter returned—dropping five detailed sketches of the crew.
Nami collapsed into a corner, soul visibly leaving her body.
"We're dead," she whispered.
Zoro smirked. "Looks like we're officially on Baroque Works' hit list."
Luffy grinned. "Perfect."
He turned back to Vivi.
"So. Do we have a deal?"
She hesitated—then bowed deeply.
"Yes," she said. "Please… help me save Alabasta."
Nami immediately screamed again.
At that moment—
"Needn't worry!" came a familiar, hoarse voice.
Everyone turned.
Regret followed instantly.
Igaram stood there—dressed exactly like Princess Vivi.
Full wig. Dress. Makeup.
Luffy shielded his eyes. "My vision… it's failing…"
"I have a plan," Igaram declared proudly, holding up five dolls.
Vivi stared. "…What kind of nightmare is this?"
"I'll act as the decoy," Igaram said seriously. "Baroque Works will chase me. You'll travel another route."
Luffy nodded. "Solid plan."
Minutes later, Igaram's ship departed.
They watched it sail.
Then—
BOOM.
A massive explosion tore it apart.
"EVERYONE—MOVE!" Luffy roared.
Chaos erupted.
Luffy grabbed Vivi in one swift motion, lifting her effortlessly.
"Hold on," he said.
Lightning flashed.
They vanished—just as the Grand Line showed its teeth.
The adventure had officially crossed the point of no return.