There were only eight minutes left. Ha Shiro had already begun his preparations.
"Giant Form—manifest!"
This time, Ha Shiro didn't hold anything back. A colossal figure more than ten meters tall rose up behind him, formed entirely from his hair.
"Drink it. All of it. Until you're full."
He controlled the hollow giant, making it kneel down and press its face against the freshwater pool. The giant opened its cavernous mouth and began gulping down water at an incredible pace.
That much hair should be able to carry enough water…
Ha Shiro manipulated the giant, making it take one enormous, heavy step after another. Each footprint carved a deep crater into the ground.
"Damn… the physical strain is insane. But this should do it."
He pushed the giant forward, step by step, while the seconds bled away.
BOOM—
A massive explosion erupted over all of Alubarna. The guardian spirit of the city sacrificed itself to protect the people.
But the fighting on the ground raged on, and Vivi's cries couldn't reach anyone.
And then—
Rain began to fall.
Countless droplets poured from the sky, washing away the sand and dust choking the air. The battlefield fell silent all at once. Soldiers on both sides froze, staring upward.
"Everyone, please—stop fighting! All of this was Crocodile's conspiracy! Please, I'm begging you—stop!"
Vivi's voice finally reached them, carried clearly through the falling rain.
And then the people of Alubarna saw it—a massive black giant standing outside the city, towering over everything.
"Ha Shiro… is that you? Did you save everyone? Did you save the city…?"
Vivi gazed up at the enormous figure that blocked out the sky. Tears streamed from her eyes.
And then the giant shattered—breaking apart into scattered strands of hair that vanished in the rain.
A single figure plummeted from its collapsing form.
The falling shape was Ha Shiro.
At the same time, another figure rose from the ground—Crocodile—knocked into the air by Luffy as he burst upward with a violent uppercut. Everyone watched the scene unfold in stunned silence.
"Luffy… Ha Shiro… everyone… thank you…"
Vivi ran toward Ha Shiro with everything she had.
The war finally quieted. Dusty arrived with the Navy, helping restore order. With Luffy's help, the king was freed, and the rebellion came to an end.
"Go bring Robin to the ship."
Robin, who had been injured by Crocodile, was struggling to stay hidden from the chaos.
Just then, a tiny black hair-figure—only the size of a hand—appeared before her.
"Is this that man's ability?" Robin's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
The black puppet suddenly opened its mouth, letting out a silent scream before dissolving into threads of black hair that wrapped around her wound and stopped the bleeding.
"Huh? It's… helping me?"
Before she could process it, a larger black hair-form appeared behind her. Without hesitation, it lifted her up and began running toward the Going Merry.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Robin tried struggling at first, but when she realized it wasn't going to let her go, she stopped fighting and allowed herself to rest.
Meanwhile, Ha Shiro lay half-submerged in a puddle, utterly drained.
This rain project had almost killed him. Once everything was finished, he collapsed straight into unconsciousness.
—
"Ha Shiro! Ha Shiro—don't scare me! Wake up!"
He didn't know how much time had passed when Vivi's trembling voice pulled him back. When he opened his eyes slightly, he found himself lying in Vivi's private room. A middle-aged female doctor stood beside her.
Ha Shiro almost spoke—but then remembered his act, and quickly closed his eyes again.
"Princess Vivi, his injuries are extremely serious. Do not remove those bandages. If you loosen them even slightly, he'll start bleeding again. I've already given him a strong stimulant. The rest depends on his will to survive."
Why so much blood for so few real injuries?Because Ha Shiro had prepared beast blood beneath the bandages. It was supposed to trick Chopper if he tried to re-examine the wounds, but unexpectedly it was now fooling Vivi and the doctor instead.
"No… Ha Shiro… you're going to be okay, right…? Wake up… please…"
Vivi's tears had almost run dry. She stared at Ha Shiro, who seemed to be breathing only faintly.
"Ahem… Vivi… I'm glad… you're safe…"
Ha Shiro weakly raised a hand, brushing Vivi's cheek before letting his arm fall limp.
"Ha Shiro! Thank goodness… you're still conscious!"
Vivi finally let out a trembling smile.
That night, she stayed beside him the entire time, eventually falling asleep slumped gently against his side.
For the next three days, both Nami and Vivi hardly left his bedside until the bandages finally came off.
To be honest, Ha Shiro thoroughly enjoyed the treatment—fed by beautiful women during the day and nestled between them at night. Truly, he was living a blessed life.
That afternoon, once Luffy finally woke up, everyone received the king's hospitality.
When they reached the luxurious bathhouse, Ha Shiro slipped into the next room over.
He had to be cautious—Nami wouldn't tolerate certain "accidents" happening.
To make absolutely sure the two women didn't drift off again, Ha Shiro wrapped their delicate bodies securely with his hair.
"Ha Shiro, you're being way too paranoid! As if they would peek—hey! You three idiots, get out of here!"
Nami roared, flinging objects at Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper.
"The tigress is terrifying… I'll hide for a bit."
Ha Shiro dove straight into the bathwater like a startled fish.
—
That night, Ha Shiro found Vivi alone.
"Vivi… let me take care of you again."
He intended to collect her "experience" one last time—after this, it would be difficult to raise Vivi's bond for a while. So he tended to her with extra care.
『Stamina +1999. Hair toughness increased.』
"We're leaving tonight," Ha Shiro whispered afterward. "You'll have a chance to board the ship tomorrow at midnight. But… I don't recommend you come."
His words shocked Vivi. She stared at him in disbelief.
"Your family is here. If you leave, they'll be heartbroken. And the people who love you… they would never want you to abandon everything. So stay. Take care of your country. I'll come back to see you."
He kissed her deeply, and then dozens of black hair-threads slipped into Vivi's body.
"They'll protect you in my place. And Vivi… I'll never forget you."
She clung to him tightly, sobbing.
"Ha Shiro… 555…"
Ha Shiro walked her back gently.
"Alright, Vivi. We're leaving now. Remember to come see us."
The group slipped out the window to meet Mr. BON, ready to reclaim the Going Merry.
Everything proceeded as in the story. BON Clay was captured by Captain Tina after helping Luffy escape the Navy.
"That guy… he's really a good man. If only he weren't so ugly."
Ha Shiro sighed.
"Thank you… thank you… all of you…"
With Vivi's tearful farewell, the first half of the Grand Line came to a quiet conclusion.
Now then… isn't it time to fleece some wool off this Tina woman? Rare chance—I don't know when I'll meet her again.
After all, she attacked the Merry. There was no way she was getting off without paying a price.
Having made up his mind, Ha Shiro slipped away immediately.