Chapter 19: A Dance of Secrets

"Say it, I won't do it again."

"What if I don't?"

"Then you'll have to experience life as a turtle."

Josh wore a small frown, a bead of sweat trickling down his face. He was trudging across their stopover island, Mikita on his back, her weight surpassing a thousand kilos. 

That's what he got for teasing her too much earlier.

"Just a few more days, and I'll handle you," Josh muttered, continuing his walk while scanning his surroundings.

"What? Excuse me, I didn't hear you," Mikita said, her weight gradually increasing, making it nearly impossible for Josh to move.

Josh halted, took a deep breath, and said, "The part responsible for ejaculation is in the spinal cord. Break that, and your boyfriend would be impotent."

"Wait!" Mikita quickly reduced her weight to one kilo. She glanced at Josh. "How do you know that?"

"I read articles about health," Josh replied casually. It was something he had come across in medical magazines in his previous life.

"I'm sorry," Mikita apologised immediately.

"Don't take it too seriously." Josh smiled. She had teased him, but once she realized she was playing with his "future," she backed off.

As they strolled through Whiskey Peak, they encountered many people. Among them was a massive woman, her muscles as large as Mr. 1's, dressed like a priestess. However, it was all an act since this island also belonged to Baroque Works. Next to her stood a man with long blond, curly hair that spiralled downward. Josh vaguely recognised them from the anime but couldn't quite recall their names.

"Well, One Piece is too long to remember every arc," he thought.

Mikita wandered off, saying she'd gather supplies. Meanwhile, Josh noticed how the islanders showed respect toward him as Mr. 7.

"Though, I'd prefer to be 007," Josh mused childishly, but his serious expression discouraged anyone from messing with him.

Sitting alone, waiting, Josh noticed someone approaching.

Turning, he saw a girl about 170 cm tall with light blue hair tied in a long ponytail. She was gazing at him with her big brown eyes.

'Vivi… what's she doing here?'

---

Vivi.

She stared at Mr. 7, who was seated and showing no signs of hostility. In fact, he seemed to be waiting for her to speak, his blue eyes fixed on her.

'Does he know me?' she wondered.

Josh had been watching her for too long at the camp. As the princess of Alabasta, some might recognise her and expose her cover. Even though she was 15 now and had altered her appearance slightly, she needed to ensure Mr. 7 didn't recognize her.

"Are you going to stare at me all day?" Mr. 7 asked.

"Excuse me… May I ask…?"

"Yes."

"Do I know you from somewhere?" Vivi asked softly.

Josh glanced around at the Baroque Works followers before looking directly at her. He placed his hands on his hips and lifted his chin.

Vivi, familiar with body language, could easily tell that Josh knew who she was. He seemed aware that revealing her identity could be dangerous, so he cautiously scanned the surroundings.

"I have no idea," Josh finally said, turning his attention back to her.

"May I sit?" she asked.

Josh raised his hands. "My partner might not like that."

"I'll keep my distance," Vivi said, looking around before grabbing a nearby box and sitting on it, facing the mysterious Mr. 7.

"Do I look familiar to you?" Josh asked.

"No, I was about to ask you the same thing," Vivi replied, shaking her head. She then asked, "Where are you originally from?"

The Grand Line was vast, and people from Alabasta or nearby countries might recognise her, especially since she'd travelled with her father to neighbouring lands as a child. If Josh knew anything, it could jeopardise her mission.

"You really want to ask such a question here?" Josh stared straight ahead.

Vivi swallowed her words. 'He knows me!' she thought, certain now.

But why hadn't he exposed her? After all, she was a spy within Baroque Works. Could it be that Josh believed she had betrayed her home and was now loyal to Alabasta?

No. She had to stay, become an agent, and uncover what Baroque Works was planning in her country.

Taking a deep breath, Vivi decided she needed to flirt, hoping to keep him from acting and maybe draw some information out of him. After all, she had learned a seductive dance technique designed to freeze men in place. It had been her ticket to climbing the ranks.

"Come on. No need to act tough. You need to relax." Vivi offered a seductive half-smile, her hand slowly reaching toward him. "I can teach you how. Just let the tension go," she whispered.

Suddenly, Josh slapped her hand away.

"Ouch!" Vivi exclaimed, pulling her hand back and placing it near her mouth. "Why did you do that?"

"I just saved your life. No need to thank me," Josh replied, turning his head to see Mikita stepping out of a building, followed by some men carrying large boxes toward their boat.

Vivi glanced around, noticing Ms. Valentine walking over with a smirk on her face.

She was about to argue how Josh's actions could be considered saving her life, but then she understood. Ms. Valentine approached Josh, placed her hands on his chest, and kissed him. "I'll make it up to you later," she said.

"Mm… fine," Josh replied, before turning to Vivi. "Well, talk to me later. I need to lift a few things."

"Who is she?" Ms. Valentine asked, turning to Vivi and narrowing her eyes.

Vivi started to sweat. High-ranking agents were known for their strength, and she realised how lucky she had been when Josh slapped her hand. Some women could kill if you messed with their man.

"Just a girl. She thinks she knows me from somewhere," Josh said casually, as he wrapped one arm around Mikita's shoulder and lifted a large box over his head with the other.

"Fine," Mikita said. "But how? You yourself said you don't know where you're from."

"I can't remember," Josh shrugged.

From a distance, Vivi blinked twice upon hearing that. Mr. 7 didn't know where he was from? Did he lose his memory?

"All I need to know is who I'm with," Josh said, smiling at Mikita.

Valentine turned away, smiling slightly as a blush crept onto her face.

---

That night, Josh rested on the deck of their ship, ready to set sail. They had stocked up on supplies: weapons, sleeping potions, poison, and, of course, plenty of whiskey.

Meanwhile, Mikita noticed a familiar blue-haired girl approaching the ship.

"That girl is coming this way," she said to Josh.

"I know. Let me handle it," Josh replied, jumping off the boat.

"What are you doing here?" he asked as Vivi approached.

"I think by now, you know who I am," Vivi said.

"Do you think so?"

"I'm a princess," Vivi admitted, staring at him.

Josh didn't flinch or show any surprise. It was clear he already knew.

"Good for you," he said, turning as if to leave.

"I need your help. Do you know anything about Alabasta… or anything related to the boss of Baroque Works?" Vivi asked, risking her life. She had decided to trust him, at least for now, since he hadn't exposed her.

Josh paused, looking at her thoughtfully. He adjusted his collar and said, "I might have a piece of information or two." He then considered the best way to leverage the situation for his mission—the real one. "But what can you offer in return?"