74 Chapter 74 Vivi's Farewell, Shichibukai Is Robbing The Princess! !

After having lunch in the palace, Vivi took on the role of a guide, leading everyone on a tour of the capital city.

The Straw Hat Crew was filled with joy, but a few members chose to remain behind.

Zoro, Bartolomeo, and Robin stayed in the palace while the others ventured out for the tour.

As the crew enjoyed their day out...

"Hey, Luffy," Zoro asked with genuine curiosity at the table, "Why did you suddenly become a Shichibukai? It doesn't really match your personality, does it?"

Luffy chuckled to himself, impressed by moss head's observation.

Bartolomeo had an expression of admiration on his face, "Indeed, Luffy-sama, being a Shichibukai is nothing worth mentioning!"

Robin chuckled lightly, "Is it because of Ace?"

The others didn't know, but she was there at the scene and had some guesses about it.

"Sort of. The situation is a bit complicated, and you guys wouldn't be able to comprehend it. You'll know in the future."

Luffy smiled and said, "You guys, since you've come all the way to Alabasta, why not go sightseeing together?"

Upon hearing this, Zoro grinned and said, as long as there's alcohol, it's enough.

The few of them weren't interested.

"Luffy-sama, how should we deal with those prisoners?" Bartolomeo asked, "Should we send them to the Marines for a reward?"

"Now that things have settled down, we do need to take care of those prisoners. You guys bring them out first. Robin, I'll leave it to you."

"Yes, Luffy."

Immediately, the three of them got up and left the banquet hall.

Luffy turned to look at King Cobra.

Now Luffy truly is his son in law.

"King Cobra..."

"Luffy, no need to be polite."

King Cobra smiled.

As the king, how could he possibly not know what happened in the palace roof.

Regarding Luffy and Vivi's matter, he wouldn't stop it or interfere. Everything should go with the flow.

After all, it was his daughter's own choice, and he respected Vivi's personal will.

After pondering for a moment, Luffy directly asked,

"The Nefertari family, they are the descendants of the 20 royal families who established the World Government 800 years ago."

King Cobra was taken aback.

"Not many people know about this."

Considering that Luffy comes from a prestigious family, it doesn't seem too strange that he knows about this.

He waits quietly for the continuation.

Luffy nods and says, "What I'm about to tell you might surprise you, and if it spreads to the outside world, it could bring about a serious crisis."

"Please go on!" Kobra's expression becomes serious.

"Among the 20 kings of the past, there was a person named 'Nerona Imu.' It might be him, or it might not be."

Luffy says with a tone of uncertainty, "This person has been alive for 800 years and is still the true ruler of the World Government."

Although Cobra was somewhat mentally prepared, he still shows a shocked expression.

For a moment, he doesn't know what to say.

"At the headquarters of the World Government, there is a vacant throne that symbolizes the unattainable. It represents the 'equality' among the 20 kings internally, but that is just a facade. In reality, Imu, the king of the Celestial Dragons, has always been the owner of the throne, and the Five Elders obey his commands."

"800 years ago, there was indeed a king named Nerona Imu.." Kobra takes a deep breath and is astonished by what Luffy has said.

If this information were to leak to the outside world, it would definitely cause a global shock.

"Luffy, how did you find out about these things? Was it Garp?"

"My father is Monkey D. Dragon."

Luffy decided to use his background.

Kobra:

He is dumbfounded.

Monkey D. Dragon!?

Is it that Dragon?

The leader of the Revolutionary Army, listed by the World Government as the "world's most dangerous criminal"!

What's the deal with this family?

Grandfather is a Marine hero, son is the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and grandson is a pirate.

Is it really okay to be related to this family?

"What I said earlier was all background information, just setting the stage."

Luffy reassures his father-in-law and says, "Actually, what I want to say is, your Nefertari family was once part of the D clan, right?"

The D clan, also known as the natural enemies of the gods, and the so-called gods refer to the group of world nobles, the Celestial Dragons.

Of course, Imu.

Cobra remains silent for a moment and nods.

"This is something Vivi doesn't know either. Luffy, what exactly do you want to ask?"

"I want to ask..."

Luffy wanted to ask if he could take a look at the letter left by Queen Nefertari D. Lili.

Nefertari D. Lili, one of the 20 kings from 800 years ago.

Back then, she chose not to go to Mariejois and become a Celestial Dragon.

Instead, she returned to her homeland, Alabasta.

But the strange thing is, the person who later inherited the throne was her younger brother.

And she herself, as if in a "blank hundred years," disappeared.

She only left behind a letter.

Luffy was quite curious about the contents of this letter.

But upon careful consideration, it doesn't seem appropriate to ask Cobra directly now.

It might make his father-in-law overthink things.

After all, only Cobra himself knows about the letter. Besides him, there is no one else.

"No, there's nothing I want to ask."

Luffy shook his head, got up, and smiled, "Cobra, if you ever have the chance to meet the Five Elders, don't ask anything about the blank hundred years. It will bring disaster upon you."

Saying that, he left the banquet hall.

When he reached the door, he paused for a moment.

"As for history, I will know everything when I reach Raftel. At that time, I will let...tell you."

["Let your daughter tell you in person."]

["This father in law is really bold to ask the Five Elders himself..."]

["You're very brave! Father in law"]

["But if you continue you'll die without any value."]

Cobra watched Luffy leave in a daze, lost in thought.

["So that was a reminder!"]

Imu?

Cobra furrowed his brows deeply.

He was indeed searching for the truth about his ancestor, Queen Nefertari D. Lili

If it weren't for Luffy's words, he would have really gone to ask the Five Elders.

...

"Karoo."

After leaving the banquet hall, Luffy saw Karoo outside.

This big duck was drinking water with a straw, it's really amazing that a duck can use a straw.

"Quack! Quack!" Karoo saw Luffy approaching and immediately called out to him twice.

Luffy smiled and touched its feathers, "Are you offering me a drink? Who wants to drink what you've already drunk? Karoo, do you want to come with me on an adventure?"

"Quack?"

"Your owner really wants to go on an adventure, but also loves this country too much to leave. I'll take her away, do you want to come with me?"

"Quack?!!"

Karoo was startled.

Karoo: (*•Δ•)["Quack you! Actually wants to quack my princess! And quack me to join too?"]

Karu took three seconds to think, then nodded vigorously.

Wherever its owner goes, it will go!

At this moment, Robin and the others came over with the prisoners.

"Luffy."

Luffy turned around and looked at the prisoners for a moment.

Mr.1, Miss Doublefinger.

Mr.2.

Mr.3, Miss Goldenweek.

Mr.5, Miss Valentine.

Mr.9.

A total of eight people, five men and three women.

When the eight people saw Luffy, they all looked somewhat fearful.

They had read the newspaper and knew that this person in front of them was already one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

When they first received the mission, they never expected that their target would turn out to be such a formidable character.

Luffy calmly said, "Your Baroque Works' Mr.0, also known as the former Shichibukai Crocodile, has already been sent to prison by me."

"How do you plan to deal with us, Straw Hat Luffy!" Mr.1 remained very calm.

His loyal subordinate, Bartolomeo, immediately punched him and said, "Watch your tone, prisoner, show some respect to Luffy-sama!"

Mr.3 smirked and said, "Lord Luffy, you don't plan to send us to prison too, do you?"

"What's the benefit of sending you all to prison? It's just a small bounty."

"The Marines won't kill you, since each of you is a Devil Fruit user."

The ultimate result will definitely be imprisonment in Impel Down, and who knows, maybe two months later, Blackbeard will cause chaos in Impel Down and they will all come out again.

"I'll give you two choices."

Luffy chuckled lightly and held up two fingers.

"The first option is to be thrown into the sea and fed to the fish."

"The second option is to seek forgiveness from Vivi, join the Straw Hat crew, and become a member of the second team."

No one would consider the first option.

As for the second one, seeking forgiveness from Princess Vivi?

Is that even possible?

These people have done countless bad things in the past. If they can be forgiven, Vivi must be a saint!

"What if we're not forgiven?" Miss. Valentine trembled.

"Then, of course, I'll send you to the bottom of the sea to feed the fish," Luffy said matter-of-factly.

This is not a threat.

He doesn't lack a few more fighters. He's just giving Vivi the decision-making power.

If Vivi can truly forgive this group of people, then she will take on the position of the second team captain.

If she can't forgive them, then they will be thrown into the sea.

Giving them to the Marines for a bounty exchange is completely out of the question. If they were sent over, these people wouldn't die, and they might even cause trouble in the future.

In short, there are only two choices.

Either kill them or recruit them.

The decision lies with Vivi!

Time flies, and a week passes in the blink of an eye.

The palace, dressing room.

"Princess Vivi, you've grown up. You look exactly like Lady Titi from back then."

"Is that so? I've only seen my mother's appearance in photos."

"It's almost time for your coming-of-age ceremony. The Queen would be very happy to see you now."

The head maid in charge of taking care of Vivi said with a smile on her face.

She has watched Vivi grow up, almost like a half-daughter.

"Actually, the coming-of-age ceremony should have been held when you were 14, but it was delayed for a while..."

"Don't worry, Alabasta will recover soon!"

"We have to thank Mr. Luffy. Without him, I really don't know what would have happened to this country."

"Yes, Mr. Luffy is a very gentle person," Vivi said with a bright smile when Luffy's name was mentioned.

As someone who has the experience, the head maid could naturally understood and laughed along.

At this moment, the voice of Igaram came from outside the door.

The captain of the guard had returned to Alabasta five days ago, and when he came back, everything had already settled.

At this moment, he stood outside the dressing room.

"Princess Vivi, the speech will begin at 10 o'clock. A large number of people have already gathered in front of the palace square."

"I understand, Igaram, I'll be there soon."

"No need to rush, this is your coming-of-age ceremony. You must present your best to the people."

"Yes!"

In front of the palace square, tens of thousands of people crowded the place.

Countless people eagerly looked towards the entrance of the palace.

Above the entrance, a platform was built on the city wall. In a few minutes, the princess of Alabasta would appear.

Everyone was very excited.

And on the best viewing platform.

At the top of a building directly facing the podium.

The members of the Straw Hat Crew stood or sat, waiting for Vivi with smiles on their faces.

"Ah! Vivi is coming out!" Usopp exclaimed.

They saw a girl with long sea-blue hair, wearing a simple dress, exuding a youthful aura, slowly appearing in their sight.

Vivi, who appeared on the podium, scanned the crowd with her eyes and finally spotted the Straw Hat Crew directly opposite.

She saw Luffy, smiled slightly, and her eyes turned into crescents.

"Princess Vivi! Princess Vivi! The jewel of Alabasta!"

The crowd in the square cheered.

Vivi took hold of the microphone, and her melodious voice, akin to a lark's song, resonated and enveloped the entire country through the Den Den Mushi device.

"Recently, I embarked on a great adventure!"

The moment she uttered the first sentence, silence descended across the land.

"It was a journey across the shadowed seas, navigating through days of despair."

"Upon leaving our homeland,"

"I came to realize the vastness of the ocean!"

"It's home to countless wondrous, bustling islands!"

"Teeming with unseen creatures,"

"And adorned with surreal landscapes!"

"The ocean's melodies,"

"Occasionally soothing and harmonious,"

"Embracing my minor troubles,"

"Gracefully transforming them into flowing tides!"

"At times tempestuous and surging,"

"Shattering my delicate soul,"

"Mocking my timidity!"

Vivi's voice bore the hues of her memories, her speech devoid of scripts and technique, flowing purely from her heart.

"During a tempestuous storm,"

"On a day of desperate hunger,"

"I encountered two humble boats,"

"Manned by those who rode the winds and conquered the waves."

"They gently laid their hands on my shoulder and spoke,"

"Do you see that glimmer?"

"This is the unsinkable little boat that steers through even the darkest of nights,"

"Dancing over one colossal wave after another."

"They harbor no fear of the sea,"

"Even when faced with opposing winds,"

"Their bows ever pointing resolutely ahead."

"Later, one of them gestured towards the horizon and told me,"

"Too much gentleness isn't fitting for a princess."

"All I could muster was an apologetic smile."

"He grinned and tousled my hair once more,"

"See, that is hope."

Though history may label it a mirage,"

"For me,"

"This is the undeniable truth."

Vivi smiled, her eyes shimmering with tears, fixed upon the Straw Hat crew seated opposite her.

"Today, I must still say, I'm sorry..."

She couldn't continue with the words that followed.

For at that moment, a figure interrupted this deeply moving speech.

Luffy appeared on the stage.

Vivi had a stunned expression and instinctively shouted,

"Luffy?"

There was a commotion in the square below.

Luffy pulled Vivi over and snatched the microphone from her hand with a smile.

"Hey hey, people of Alabasta, good morning. I am Monkey D. Luffy, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and also the new 'hero' who helped you defeat that old man Crocodile."

"To be honest, all of you are a bunch of idiots, being played around by Crocodile."

"Everything that happened in this country was planned by him. Dance Powder? Rebel Army? Assassinations? War?"

"Don't doubt it, he did it all."

"Of course, you don't need to thank me, and I don't need your thanks either."

"I just want to teach you all a lesson, pirates are pirates. Before, a despicable Shichibukai came here, wanting to take away your country."

"Today, another Shichibukai has come, and he wants to take away your princess!"

"Hahaha ha ha ha ha ha ha~."

Luffy laughed and threw away the microphone, carrying Vivi as he leaped over the heads of the people in the square.

"Goodbye, people of Alabasta."

"Goodbye, King Cobra."

"I've taken your daughter!"

Everything happened so shockingly.

To the point where everyone's brains were still in a state of shutdown.

Vivi was the same, being held with a bewildered expression.

"W-Wait, Luffy!"

"I can't wait any longer, guys, it's time to set sail!"

Luffy shouted to his companions.

"Oh!"