Chapter 407: Farewell in Alabasta

“Luffy!”

Nami’s voice rang out. Everyone looked up at the city wall where she was standing, watching them.

“Nami!” Sanji’s eyes turned to hearts the moment he saw Nami in her revealing outfit.

“Nami!”

“Everyone, come with me!”

They followed Nami, twisting and turning through the palace corridors into its depths.

As they talked along the way, they learned Nami’s mission had gone smoothly. Right now, Koza was inside the palace talking with the king. Their own mission, it seemed, was complete.

Since their conversation wasn’t suitable for Nami to hear, she brought Johnny and Yosaku to wait at the city gate for Luffy and the others.

Nami led everyone to a side hall. Just as she pushed open the door, a voice came from inside.

“You made it! Luffy.” Vivi saw their group and quickly got up from her seat to greet them.

News of Crocodile’s defeat and capture had already reached them.

After all, he was a king. He’d know about the big events on the island, especially anything as intense as that battle.

It’d been hours since the incident. As the kingdom’s princess, it was no surprise Vivi got word of it quickly.

“Barbecue!”

Luffy dashed straight for the banquet table, plopping onto a bench and grabbing a hunk of roasted meat to cram into his mouth.

After the intense fight, he was starving. Since Ye Fan hadn’t brought much food, Luffy ignored Vivi’s words completely, focused only on eating.

“Ahahaha, our captain’s always like this. Please forgive him.” Sanji bowed politely to Vivi.

Vivi quickly answered, “No, really, I should be the one thanking you. If not for you, Crocodile might still be running wild here.”

“Don’t mind them, Vivi. But…” Nami suddenly slipped in between Vivi and Sanji, pulling Vivi aside with one hand, while her other hand rubbed her fingers together.

Now that everything was settled, it was time to talk payment—which was five hundred million Berries. Definitely not a small amount.

With that money, her little treasury would be overflowing.

“Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. Come with me,” Vivi said with a quiet laugh, covering her mouth, and led Nami out the door to get their reward.

Once Vivi left, the others crowded around the table, joining in on the food fest.

Whenever a dish was finished, a maid would whisk it away and soon replace it with a steaming new one through the side door.

Vivi knew better than anyone how much Luffy and his crew could eat, so she’d made sure everything was ready.

They ate with such gusto that no one even noticed when Nami returned. Before long, though, the main hall doors slammed open.

Nefeltari D. Cobra entered with Koza right beside him.

“Father!”

Vivi ran over and stood by Cobra’s side.

“That must be Luffy, our kingdom’s savior.”

Cobra noticed Luffy’s straw hat right away, and he’d seen the wanted posters before coming. Recognizing Luffy was only natural.

“So you’re the king of this country?”

“That’s right, I am Nefeltari D. Cobra, King of Alabasta. Thank you all for saving our kingdom.”

“It was nothing, just lending a hand.”

But Cobra knew better. With the kingdom so weak, if not for Luffy and his crew, he wouldn’t have lasted much longer as king.

With a smile, he sat down next to Luffy and began chatting with the crew.

Koza, joined by Vivi, took a seat beside the king.

Their conversation revealed plans for the tens of thousands of rebel soldiers outside: some would be integrated into a new army, others would be sent home without harsh punishment.

This outcome was exactly what Ye Fan had expected. With so many people, any harsher policy could spark another uprising.

Now that he’d eaten and drunk his fill, Luffy was itching to get going. He turned to Cobra and said—

“Ahh, I’m stuffed!”

“Thank you for the wonderful feast, but it’s time for me to continue my journey.”

Luffy was never one to stay put—his adventure called him back to the sea.

Luffy led the way, followed by Ye Fan, Zoro, Sanji, and the others as they headed for the shore. Behind them, Gin, Johnny, and Yosaku each lugged two giant crates stuffed with Berries.

As they stood on deck waving from the ship, Vivi’s eyes brimmed with farewell tears.

“Goodbye!”

She’d tasted the bond between companions during her time with Luffy’s crew, but as the kingdom’s only heir, she couldn’t just sail away with them and become a pirate.

“They’re a good bunch. Come on, I’m sure we’ll hear plenty of tales about them from now on,” Cobra consoled her.

Cobra stood by, offering comfort.

“Yeah, they’re the best friends I’ve ever had.”

…

“Nami, how long till we reach the next island?” As soon as he boarded, Luffy was already excited for their next destination.

Each island had its own weather, landscape, and people. The unknown tugged at his curiosity.

That’s what adventure is all about—thrills and surprises!

“Next up is Jaya Island. The voyage should take about two days.”

“Finally, we’re leaving that island behind.”

A gentle voice, accompanied by light footsteps, drifted out from the cabin.

It was Nico Robin. With Crocodile arrested, she’d immediately set her sights on Luffy’s crew. She wasn’t joining for friendship, but because she needed a place to lay low for now.

“Who’s there?”

“Shing!”

“She looks like Baroque Works’ vice president, Crocodile’s right hand,” Nami said, brow furrowed.

Vivi had described every Baroque Works member to her in detail, so the face was familiar.

All eyes turned to the cabin door. Out stepped a tall woman in a tight purple outfit, her hair a striking shade of violet.

“Did you come here for revenge on behalf of your organization?” Zoro bent his knees, right hand resting on his sword hilt.

“What’s a Baroque Works member doing here?”

“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!” Usopp grabbed a megaphone from somewhere, shouting from the deck.

“Ah! Who is it!” Chopper, the most timid member of the crew, shrieked, then slithered down the stair railing to peek at Robin.

“Does it matter who she is?”

“Wow… what a gorgeous lady!” Sanji dropped his guard instantly, his eyes turning into little hearts as he clung to the railing, replying to Chopper.

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Nico Robin. You’ve destroyed Baroque Works and defeated Crocodile, so I’ve got nowhere else to go. Let me stay on this ship.”