Chapter 67: Alabasta – The King's Secret, Nami's Reward & the Merry's Escape
"Sol! You better explain yourself clearly! What do you mean 'we kidnapped a country's princess'? Didn't you say everything was already taken care of?!" Nami grabbed Sol's ear and yanked hard, her voice furious.
"Ow ow ow! Easy, Nami!" Sol winced and rubbed his reddened ear frantically. "Think about it—how could a princess openly join a pirate crew? So we had to stage the whole thing!"
"Nami, don't be mad." Vivi gently took Nami's arm, speaking softly. "If Sol hadn't shown up and 'forcefully taken me away' in time, I might really have stayed in Alabasta out of duty…"
At that point, happiness sparkled in Vivi's eyes and a smile unconsciously curved her lips: "Being able to keep adventuring with everyone… I'm so glad." Her thoughts drifted back to the scene not long ago—
Sol had suddenly burst into the bedroom with her father and Karoo in tow. In three swift moves he "knocked out" all the maids.
Then without another word he started stuffing luggage onto Karoo's back, looking exactly like a real kidnapper in his urgency.
"Go, Vivi." King Cobra smiled kindly, then poured tomato sauce over himself and "weakly" collapsed to the floor: "This country… doesn't need you to sacrifice your dreams yet…"
And just like that, before Vivi could even process what was happening, Sol scooped her up and placed her on Karoo's back. In the sunlight they galloped toward the Merry, leaving behind the "gravely injured" king and the too-late-arriving Igaram and others.
The Merry and the Speedy Swan had barely left the St. Dora River when several Navy warships surrounded them. On the lead ship stood a beautiful pink-haired female officer holding a megaphone Den Den Mushi. She shouted coldly:
"Sol! Tashigi was actually happy to see you—but right now Tashigi is very angry! Not only did you resist arrest, you even dared to kidnap Alabasta's princess? Hand over Princess Vivi immediately, or Tashigi won't hold back!"
Nami looked warily at Sol: "You know her?"
Sol gazed at Tashigi in the distance, lips curving slightly: "Yeah. Like Smoker, she's an old friend from before."
"Why do you know so many beautiful women, you bastard!!" Sanji's jealousy exploded. He grabbed Sol's collar and shook him violently.
Sol laughed and easily broke free, waving toward Tashigi: "Yo, Tashigi! Long time no see!"
"Stop grinning like an idiot! Tashigi is being serious right now!" Tashigi clenched her cigarette between her teeth, brows furrowed. Back in Navy training camp, Sol had been too outstanding—Garp dragged him over every few days to show off to Instructor Zephyr, causing her entire class to suffer extra training. She still got angry thinking about it.
"You're still the same as ever." Sol shrugged, then struck an exaggerated JoJo pose, voice firm: "But—Ora ora ora! I'm definitely taking Princess Vivi today. Even if Smoker shows up, it won't matter. I said it!"
"Then don't blame Tashigi for not showing old friendship!" Tashigi shouted angrily and waved her hand: "Prepare the Black Gun Formation!"
Instantly the Navy fleet spread into formation, countless cannon barrels aimed at both ships, sealing off every escape route.
But Sol was already prepared. He clasped both hands and shouted: "Sky Dragon's Gale!"
BOOM! The sea surface suddenly erupted into a violent waterspout. Seawater was drawn into the sky, forming a massive waterspout that directly blocked the warships' pursuit path.
"Damn it…!" Tashigi watched helplessly as the Merry and Speedy Swan used the wind to break free from the encirclement. She stomped in fury. Sol stood at the stern, waving cheerfully goodbye.
…
"Little Bon! See you on the sea!" Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper stood at the railing, waving vigorously at Bon Kurei.
"Mmm~! You guys take care too!" Bon Kurei was so moved he was crying, waving his handkerchief as he watched them go. "Alright, little ones—time to set off and rescue our former comrades! Move out!" Bon Kurei turned the Speedy Swan around to go save his captured Baroque Works colleagues.
…
On the Navy warship, a drenched Tashigi angrily picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed Smoker: "Smoker! Tashigi is furious! That bastard Sol actually dared to resist arrest!"
On the other end came Smoker's gloating voice: "That's only natural, isn't it? With just you alone, how could you possibly stop him?"
"…You sound way too happy about this?" Tashigi narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"Heh, I'm just saying—you finally get to feel what I felt." Smoker—cigar in mouth—exhaled a relaxed smoke ring.
"…" Tashigi was silent for two seconds, then shouted: "Tashigi is even angrier now!!!"
Vivi's return had everyone excited—even the usually calm Robin showed a faint smile. She watched this group of pirates with interest: they had just escaped the Navy, yet now they were partying like nothing happened. Calling it fearless was one thing; calling it outrageously carefree was more accurate.
At that moment Nami suddenly remembered something. She narrowed her eyes at Sol: "Wait—Sol, that Navy captain Smoker, and the female officer earlier—how do they all know you? Smoker even called you his 'close friend'?" Her question instantly ignited everyone's curiosity. Luffy—mouth stuffed with meat—mumbled unclearly: "Sol got captured by the chicken sauce for several years before coming back…" but no one understood him clearly so they ignored it.
Sol took a swig of liquor and shrugged casually: "Oh, didn't I ever mention it? I stayed at Navy Headquarters for a while when I was a kid. If I hadn't punched a Celestial Dragon, I might still be in the Navy right now."
"Navy?!" Usopp and Chopper stared in shock.
"Celestial Dragon?!" Vivi and Robin's expressions shifted slightly—clearly more concerned with the second half.
Zoro frowned: "What's a Celestial Dragon?"
Robin rested her chin on her hand, tone calm but grave: "They are the descendants of the twenty kings who founded the World Government eight hundred years ago. They call themselves 'the bloodline of the creators' and enjoy supreme privileges. If anyone offends them, an Admiral is dispatched immediately."
"Wow! An Admiral! Then Sol, aren't you in super big trouble?!" Chopper hid behind Zoro in fright.
Vivi asked nervously: "Then Sol, how did you escape? Attacking a Celestial Dragon is a serious crime!"
Sol grinned and waved it off: "Actually, Navy HQ wanted to protect me back then. They said if I just changed my name and laid low for a few years until things cooled off, it'd be fine."
"Then why didn't you agree?" Nami raised an eyebrow.
"Ha! Make me change my name and hide like a coward? No way!" Sol scoffed. "I do things my way—never change my name, never hide my deeds. That very night I slipped away."
Usopp suddenly understood: "Oh! So you're actually a fugi—"
Bang! Before he finished, Sol's fist smashed down on his head. Usopp instantly sprouted a huge lump.
"I was still a minor back then—I hadn't even officially joined the Navy. Fugitive my ass!" Sol blew on his fist, looking annoyed.
"Gomene private message!" Usopp clutched the lump on his head, tears streaming as he apologized.
Luffy burst out laughing: "Hahahaha! Stuff like that doesn't matter! Everyone—cheers!"
"Right!" Everyone raised their glasses. Laughter echoed across the Merry once more.
On the rear deck, Zoro and Sanji's fight had escalated into an all-out brawl—punches and kicks flying while they continued trading insults, adding a "lively" touch to the celebration.
Sol pulled two fresh wanted posters from his coat and waved them in front of everyone's expectant eyes: "Fresh off the press—want to see the new bounties?"
"Ooooh! Mine?!" Luffy shot forward, arm stretching instantly to snatch one.
He stared wide-eyed, clumsily counting the zeros: "One… ten… hundred… thousand… 100 million Berries!" His mouth slowly opened wider until his whole face burst into a dazzling grin: "Sol! Look look! My bounty caught up to yours! Next time I'm definitely passing you! Ahahahaha!"
Zoro took the other poster, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips: "60 million Berries, huh? Looks like the Navy's got some taste."
"Damn it!!" Sanji suddenly exploded, kicking the railing. "Why don't I have a bounty?! Are they looking down on me?!"
Zoro deliberately waved his poster in front of Sanji: "Perverted kappa, so desperate for a bounty?" He grinned wickedly. "Out of the kindness of my heart, I'll let you stare at it a little longer. After all, this is a precious 60-million-Berry piece of paper~"
"You wanna fight, moss-head?!" Sanji snatched the poster and tore it to shreds in rage.
"Hey! That's my bounty poster!" Zoro instantly drew his swords.
"Come on! Who's scared?!" Sanji assumed a kicking stance.
Their foreheads pressed together, sparks flying, the surrounding temperature seeming to rise several degrees.
"Hahahaha! Everyone—cheers!" Luffy raised his glass high, completely ignoring the standoff.
He bounced excitedly: "Let's celebrate again! For our new bounties!"
Vivi watched Zoro and Sanji brawling, then looked at the overjoyed Luffy and couldn't help laughing: "It's so lively…"
"Cheers!" Everyone's shouts rang across the Merry.
On the rear deck, Zoro and Sanji's fight had escalated into full chaos—fists and feet flying while they kept trading insults, adding a bit more "liveliness" to the celebration.
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