Chapter 138: New Crew Members (2)

HQ flew away to the Rainbase to get the sea prism cage. Luffy jumped on top of the tank. "Lets, go," Luffy shouted. 

The rest of them boarded Lexie. BM sat at the front in the driver's seat. Ben and Nami sat together and Marianne sat on Ben`s lap. Nojiko sat on Nami`s lap. Honey sat in between Ben and Nami. The rest of the girls squeezed in the back. 

Alvida and Mikita sat on the seats. Kaya sat on Alvida`s lap and Zala sat on Mikita`s lap. Robin sat in between them.

"This is a tight fit," Ben said.

"Yes, space is an issue here," Kaya complained.

"Why do I join you guys?" Nami sighed. 

"This is meant for 5 people," Mikita said.

"We have 10 in right now, double my love," Alvida said.

"I do like the closeness," Marianne said.

"You get to sit on Ben`s lap," Honey added.

"I want to sit on my love`s lap," Alvida said. Mikita nodded.

"Pervert Captain," Kaya said.

"Hey," Ben said. 

"This is a lively crew," Robin said.

"It sure is," Mikita replied. 

"Ready to move my lord?" BM asked. 

"Yes, let's go," Ben said. BM pressed a button and the gully doors closed. She then started the engine and they moved forward. BM kept going faster.

"This is fast," Zala said.

"It sure is," Kaya said.

"It's going so fast we might tip over and all die," Robin said. 

"What," Marianne and Honey shouted. They both looked in horror.

"She is kidding," Ben said. 

Alvida and Mikita giggled. 

"We have a good driver," Alvida said. 

Nami looked at BM. She saw the face of Bell-mère. "Ben, was this the surprise you were talking about?" Nami asked. Her tone was serious. 

The rest of the girls became silent. 

"Yes," Ben said. 

Nami punched Ben in the shoulder. "Ouch," Ben said.

"Why did you not tell him before my mum came back?" Nami said in tears. She was holding back her emotions. 

Nojiko, who was sitting on Nami`s lap, gave her shoulder. 

"I am sorry, I was going to tell you. You need to know this is not your mum. She is an android like HQ. She resembles your mum but that is about it," Ben said.

"But her face," Nami said in tears.

"Sis," Nojiko said. She looked at Nami. "Mum is gone, however BM is there in her place, to protect us and be our guardian," Nojiko said.

"I will protect you both. I know my face looks like your mum. I will do everything to help you both," BM said.

"She talks like her," Nami muttered.

"Nami, whenever you feel a bit down, you can come to us, talk to your sister or BM," Ben said.

"Ben can also be an emotional support," Mikita said.

"Not now," Alvida scolded.

"Nami, Ben is right we are all there for you. Even your Captain," Nojiko said.

Nami stopped crying. "You are right," Nami said, who had stopped crying. 

"Also you know about it as Sis," Nami said to Nojiko. "And you did not tell me either," Nami added.

"Ben is Ben but you are my Sis," Nami said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ben replied. 

They ignored Ben. "Well," Nojiko tried to say.

"No excuses," Nami said as she shook Nojiko. The girls giggled. 

"Sisterhood is a wonderful thing," Kaya noted.

Alvida hugged Kaya. "Are we not your sister?" Alvida teased.

"Hey, you are," Kaya said. 

"Will I be a sister as well?" Robin asked.

"Yes you are," Alvida replied. 

They made small talk between each other for the next hour.

"We are arriving at Alubarna," BM announced.

"That was quick," Zala remarked.

"Lexie is fast," Alvida said.

"She is a valued crew member," Nojiko added. The girls nodded.

"There is a large crowd near the stairway to the city centre my lord," BM said. 

Ben looked into his screen and saw Luffy had jumped off and started running towards the city. 

"Okay let's get close and park Lexie nearby," Ben said.

"Yes my lord," BM said as she got closer and stopped near the crowd. She turned off the engine and opened the gully doors.

"Wani is gone," Luffy shouted repeatedly. 

Ben and the girls exited Lexie. 

"My legs are dying," Nami said.

"Hey," Nojiko said as she lightly punched Nami. 

"You are heavy," Nami said. Nojiko got annoyed and chased Nami around.

Ben patted Marianne. "I was happy to have such a cute angel on my lap," Ben said. Marianne smiled. Honey looked slightly jealous.

"I thought I was the angel," Kaya said.

"Angel?" Mikita said.

"I mean," Kaya muttered. They girls laughed. 

"Lets see what the rest are up to and check on Vivi," Ben said.

"Another crew member my love," Alvida said.

"We," Ben said, however Alvida cut him off.

"I know but we all wanted her to join us my love," Alvida added.

Ben approached the crowd as Luffy met up with his crew. Zoro looked like he took no damage. Sanji was hurt however he was walking. Usopp and Chopper looked like they had minor injuries. They were near a crowd of soldiers.

"Hi All," Ben said.

They all looked at Ben and the girls.

"Beautiful ladies," Sanji said as he approached the girls. Nami smacked Sanji who went flying back.

"Too close," Nami said.

"So is Crocodile defeated?" Usopp asked.

"Yes he is gone, probably captured by the marines by now," Ben replied.

"Did you hear that?" said a man in the crowd.

"Crocodile, the master mind is gone," said another man. They all cheered. 

"We took out most of the Agents, however a few were not there," Kaya said.

"Mr 1, Mr 4, Miss Christmas, Mr 6 and Miss Mother`s Day and members of the Billions are all defeated," Alvida added.

"We took care of Mr 2, Mr 3, Mr 7 and Miss Father`s Day," Sanji said.

"Mr 3 was back again?" Honey said.

"Yeah, he looked tired," Zoro said. 

"Who beat Mr 7 and Miss Father`s Day?" Ben asked.

"The two brave warriors of the sea, Usopp and Chopper," Chopper said. 

Marianne and Honey clapped. "Yeah me and Chopper found them at the Clock Tower with our detective skills and fought and defeated them. They had a bomb which I was able to disarm without breaking a sweat," Usopp explained. 

"Good job you two," Luffy said.

"BM could you retrieve their weapons for me and put them on the Miss Love Duck?" Ben asked.

"Yes my lord," BM said as she flew towards the City.

"What plans do you have for those?" Robin asked.

"Might be handy in the future," Ben replied.

"He seemed to be collecting," Nojiko said.

"Interesting," Zala added. 

At that moment Vivi came running towards them. "Ben," she shouted. She ran past everyone and into Ben`s arms. She hugged Ben.

"Thank you," Vivi said repeatedly. 

Ben hugged her back and tried to calm her down. He looked up and saw he was getting threatening stares. 

"Vivi calm down, we did it," Ben said.

Vivi stopped crying and looked at Ben. "You did, you saved my country for a tyrant, he was exposed and my father was vindicated," Vivi said. 

Vivi looked at Ben. He did it. She was happy. She saw his lips. Vivi then kissed Ben infront of everyone. Ben was caught by surprise. Her lips were soft. It was a quick kiss. She then let go. She looked red.

"You should meet the King," she said and ran off. 

Ben looked around and saw weapons out now. "We should meet the King," Ben said as he ran after Vivi. The other girls nodded and ran behind him.

"Lucky devil," Usopp said. 

"Ben!" Sanji shouted in anger. 

"Another one," Nami said.

"Shishishi. They are funny," Luffy laughed. 

"They are going to the King," Zoro said.

"King means food," Luffy said as he ran after them. 

"What sort of logic is that?" Zoro said as he ran behind him. Zoro went the opposite direction.

"Wrong way Zoro," Chopper shouted. 

Ben caught up to Vivi who had approached the King or her father. "Father." Vivi said. 

"These are the people who helped me save our country," Vivi said. She was still a bit red.

Cobra looked at her daughter who was red and then he looked at the man and the group of girls behind him.

"Can we go ahead to the Palace, I want to talk to you about something?" Ben requested.

Cobra smiled and nodded. "Okay," Cobra responded. 

King Cobra then addressed his subjects. "Our country has been in great peril. We have been divided and made to fight each other. Countless died due to suffering. However, it was not in vain. The threat has been eliminated. We have now come together and together we will get stronger and rebuild," Cobra said. The crowd cheered. 

Cobra and Vivi then led the Strawhat Pirates and Love Pirates to the Palace. They walked towards the Palace and saw the Clock Tower. They headed into the Palace.

Upon entering the palace gates, they were greeted by a lush oasis of verdant gardens, fragrant with the scent of blooming jasmine and orange blossoms. There were fountains, carved from marble, sending crystal-clear water cascading into turquoise pools.

They entered the massive palace. The building had two floors however it was elongated and looked like a large square from a bird's eye view. 

As they entered the palace they were greeted by servants and guards on either side. In front of them was a throne and a long table. They walked towards the table.

"You must be hungry after everything, the dining hall and kitchen is that way," Cobra said. 

"Meat," Luffy shouted and ran towards the kitchen. 

"Luffy, wait," Zoro said. Sanji, Usopp, Chopper and Nami bowed and ran after Luffy. 

"He sure is interesting," Mikita said.

"Interesting but reliable," Alvida pointed out.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Cobra asked.

"Two things mainly, first I want access to tour the Royal Tomb," Ben said.

"Interesting, there is nothing more than corpses of the royal family there but I can authorise that," Cobra said.

"Thank you," Ben replied, looking at Robin.

"What is your second request?" Cobra asked.

Ben walked to Vivi and held her hand. "Vivi join my crew," Ben said. 

Cobra`s jaw dropped. Vivi was surprised however she knew. "Yes I will join," Vivi said. 

 "Vivi you cannot join," Cobra said.

"Father, I know it is strange, I will leave my position as the princess and go with Ben," Vivi declared. Her eyes had conviction.

Cobra smiled. "I don't think there is anything I can say to convenience you, my daughter. You better take care of her," Cobra said and threatened. 

"I will," Ben said. 

At that moment Pell came in. "Your highness, Crocodile has been defeated," Pell said.

"I know," Cobra said.

"You," Pell said, looking at Nico Robin and grabbing his sword. He was about to strike.

"Stop it Pell, they saved our country," Cobra said.

"Your highness, she was with them," Pell said.

"Robin, Zala, Mikita and Marianne are part of my crew. Anyone who tries to hurt them will deal with me," Ben declared. Robin, Zala and Marianne`s hearts skipped a beat. Mikita looked hungry. 

"They are no threat," Cobra stated. Pell put his sword away.

"I will be watching you," he muttered. Robin smiled and waved. 

Cobra cleared his throat. "You also must be hungry, please get some food," Cobra offered.

They all nod and walk towards the dining hall.