The moment they appeared in front of the bar, Vivi tore herself out of Luffy's arms as if burned.
"Where is he?!" she shouted, spinning in circles, eyes frantic. "Where is he?!"
Luffy blinked. "Where is who?"
Before Vivi could answer, the bar doors burst open. Sanji, Usopp, and Nojiko were dragged outside by bounty hunters, all three screaming creative threats and promises of revenge.
"My duck!" Vivi yelled, panic cresting into hysteria. "Karoo! Where is Karoo?!"
Luffy pinched the bridge of his nose.
"We do not have time for this," he said flatly.
He scooped Vivi up again without warning. Lightning snapped around his body and—crack—they vanished.
They reappeared on the docks.
Vivi jumped down instantly.
"I can't leave him behind!" she cried.
"ANCHOR UP!" Zoro shouted from the ship. "We're moving!"
Zoro glanced over. "What's wrong with her?"
"She lost her duck," Luffy replied, deadpan.
Zoro stared. Then slowly pointed.
"You mean… that duck?"
Standing calmly beside the ship was a massive yellow duck, wearing a blue cap, blinking innocently.
Silence.
"…HE'S ALREADY HERE?!"
"HE GOT HERE BEFORE ME?!"
Zoro shrugged. "He ran past me. Fast."
No one questioned it. The Grand Line had already taught them better.
They boarded immediately. Sails snapped open. The ship surged forward, racing through the waterway toward open sea.
Fog swallowed them again.
Thick. Heavy. Sound-dampening.
"Finally," Nami sighed as sunlight broke through the mist. "We're out."
"I'm just glad we escaped those people," a woman's voice added casually.
Nami nodded. "Yeah, with that fog—wait."
She froze.
"…Did you say something?"
Luffy stared at her.
"You are impressive," he said loudly. "You detected an intruder only after holding a full conversation with them."
Nami's blood ran cold.
Everyone turned.
Perched on the upper railing, legs crossed, arms relaxed, sat a tall woman with long black hair and calm, knowing eyes. She smiled faintly.
"Nice ship," she said.
Weapons snapped up instantly.
Vivi screamed. "Y–YOU!"
The woman laughed softly.
"I met the Mr. 8 you care about," she said lightly. "He didn't look very well."
Vivi's face drained of color. "You… killed Igaram."
Luffy stepped forward.
"You're on my ship," he said quietly. "Explain."
Vivi clenched her fists. "Ms. All Sunday."
That name hit like a thunderclap.
Nami turned pale. "Who?"
"She's Mr. 0's partner," Vivi said bitterly.
"…Crocodile's?" Nami shrieked.
Ms. All Sunday tilted her head. "More accurately, I allowed you to follow me."
Luffy raised his pistol, barrel aimed squarely at her forehead. Usopp's slingshot followed. Sanji took one step forward.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't point weapons at me," she said calmly.
THUD.
Sanji and Usopp were suddenly hurled off the upper deck, smashing into the main deck below.
The sky darkened.
"You just attacked my crew," Luffy said, voice low. "That was a mistake."
"No need to get emotional," she replied. "I'm not here to fight."
Something tugged at Luffy's head.
His straw hat lifted gently into the air, floating toward her. She caught it between two fingers and twirled it casually.
"So," she said, amused. "You're Monkey D. Luffy."
The sea exploded with thunder.
Lightning slammed into the water around the ship.
Every crew member stepped back instinctively.
No one touched the hat.
Luffy raised his hand.
The hat vanished from her fingers and settled back onto his head.
Ms. All Sunday's eyes widened.
She hadn't seen him move.
"…or afraid," Luffy continued evenly, "that someone like you knows my name."
He stared at her.
"Touch my hat again," he said softly, "and I'll finish what the World Government failed to do years ago."
For the first time—
Ms. All Sunday felt fear.
She tossed something toward him. Luffy caught it: an Eternal Pose.
"Skip Little Garden," she said quickly. "Go straight to Alabasta."
Luffy looked at it. Then crushed it in his hand.
"I decide where we go."
She swallowed, masking it with a smile.
"Then I hope we meet again."
"I'm sure we will," Luffy replied. "Tell Crocodile I'm coming."
She jumped from the ship, landing on a massive turtle below and disappearing into the fog.
Luffy turned to Nami.
"Set course for Little Garden."
Nami grinned nervously. "Aye, Captain."
The Grand Line churned ahead—hungry, ancient, and waiting.