Chapter 33: Whiskey Peak Aftermath – Vivi's Plea, Robin's Departure, and Haki Training Begins
Seeing that Vivi had made up her mind, Igaram resolutely decided to disguise himself as Vivi, taking the permanent pointer to Alabasta and setting off ahead—hoping to draw away Baroque Works' assassins.
However, shortly after Igaram's ship left the harbor, a massive explosion rang out across the sea. The entire vessel turned into a fireball in a violent blast. Vivi witnessed the scene, biting her lip hard, nails digging deep into her palms without realizing it. Nami quickly stepped forward, gently holding Vivi's trembling shoulders:
"Don't worry—there has to be a way…"
"That guy's fine," Sol suddenly spoke. His sharp gaze pierced through the gradually dispersing smoke. "Before the explosion, my Observation Haki sensed he was knocked unconscious and taken away."
He turned to Luffy: "Hey, Luffy—go wake Usopp and Sanji at the tavern. It's time to leave."
Before long, the crew gathered. After Nami briefly explained the situation, Vivi rode Karoo and returned to the Going Merry with Luffy and the others.
Guided by Vivi, the Straw Hats quickly sailed away from Whiskey Peak. Before dawn, thick white fog blanketed the sea. The Merry's figurehead appeared and disappeared in the mist.
"This area is full of hidden reefs—please be careful with navigation," Robin said elegantly, sitting on the railing of the living quarters. Her long black hair swayed lightly in the morning breeze. "It's reassuring that you managed to escape Baroque Works' pursuit."
"Yeah—and thanks for saving Igaram, beautiful big sister," Sol's voice suddenly sounded right beside her ear.
"Wah!" The usually composed Robin jolted, her body trembling as she lost balance and tilted off the railing. In that split second, Sol stepped forward, his strong arm wrapping securely around her slender waist. The two landed lightly back on deck.
Still shaken, Robin clutched her chest. A hint of reproach flashed in her deep blue eyes:
"Really… what a terrible man, appearing out of nowhere like that."
"Wait!" Nami immediately stepped in front of Sol, orange short hair standing out vividly in the morning mist. "If anyone's appearing out of nowhere, it's you! Who exactly are you?" Her gaze warily sized up this sudden stranger.
Vivi urgently stepped forward. The sea breeze lifted her blue hair: "Miss Thursday! Why are you here? Did you… really save Igaram?"
Robin let out a soft sigh and glanced helplessly at Sol: "Geez… my prepared opening line is completely ruined."
She spread her hands with a mysterious smile: "That's right—I saved Igaram. Though I'm also the one who blew up that ship."
Robin continued: "More precisely—I hope you'll go defeat Crocodile. After all… my partnership with him has recently become quite unpleasant."
With a flick of her fingertip, a permanent pointer arced through the air and landed steadily in Vivi's hand:
"This is the permanent pointer to the island before Alabasta. This route has no assassins tracking you—it's very safe. Don't lose it~"
But Luffy snatched the pointer from Vivi's hand and crushed it without hesitation: "Where this ship goes is decided by me—the captain!" He pressed his straw hat down, eyes firm.
Robin narrowed her eyes slightly, a meaningful smile curving her lips: "What a shame. In that case, you'll have to take the route to Little Garden. That's quite a dangerous island, you know."
"You rubber-brained idiot!" Nami furiously kicked Luffy in the face, deforming his entire head. "She kindly gave us a safe route, and you insist on the most dangerous one!"
"Hehehe…" Luffy rubbed his red, swollen cheek, his grin undiminished: "Even so, I won't change my mind! Adventure is about the unknown—and taking the most interesting path!"
Robin walked to the railing. The sea breeze lifted her black hair. She turned back to the crew with a mysterious smile:
"Hey, straw-hat kid—I actually quite like you. If you're still alive, we'll meet again!" With that, she leaped elegantly. A massive sea turtle appeared on the surface, leisurely blowing smoke rings. Its shell was covered in luxurious velvet cushions and adorned with delicate tassels.
Robin landed gracefully on the turtle's back, reclining lazily like she sat on a throne.
"Let's go, Pappag."
The turtle called "Pappag" slowly blew another smoke ring, giving the Merry a disdainful glance like a mafia boss. It paddled leisurely with its limbs, carrying Robin gradually into the morning fog—leaving behind a trail of rising smoke rings.
Usopp stared in shock: "Th-That turtle… is smoking?!"
Sanji's eyes turned to hearts: "Even the pet has such taste—this lady is too charming~"
Luffy shouted excitedly: "So cool! We gotta get a smoking turtle too!"
Nami punched him on the head: "Stop dreaming! Now the question is—are we really going to that dangerous Little Garden like you said?"
Luffy leaped to the Merry's figurehead in one bound. His straw hat fluttered in the wind. He raised his right arm high and shouted excitedly:
"Of course! Set sail for Little Garden!"
Sol stood frozen on deck, gaze locked on Robin's departing direction. Nami watched her boyfriend's dazed expression, knuckles cracking ominously.
"You bastard—how long are you gonna stare?" she growled through gritted teeth.
With a muffled bang, Sol collapsed on deck, twitching with lumps all over his head. Nami shook her slightly numb fist and let out a long breath:
"Alright—set sail, everyone."
The Going Merry sailed steadily across the blue sea. Sol stood in the center of the deck, arms wrapped in black Armament Haki, staring sharply at the two "punching bags" in front of him—Luffy and Zoro.
"Feel this power yet, Zoro?" Sol barked. His fist slammed like a hammer into Zoro's face. The latter grunted, staggering back several steps, stars bursting in his vision.
"Cough… I felt it a little…" Zoro shook his head, barely steadying himself. A excited grin tugged at his lips.
On the other side, Usopp had already foamed at the mouth and collapsed unconscious at the edge of the deck. Sanji, holding a tray, elegantly turned toward the kitchen, cigarette in mouth, smirking maliciously:
"Ah well—good thing I'm preparing drinks~"
"Sol! Take my punch!" Luffy—face swollen like a pig's head—suddenly shouted. His fist shot out—this time with a thin layer of Haki wrapped around his knuckles!
Bang!
Sol raised his hand to block. A trace of approval flashed in his eyes:
"Not bad—you've finally touched the threshold!"
"Hehehe!" Luffy grinned wide, face battered but beaming brighter than ever: "Again!"
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