The Going??rry sailed forth from within Laboon's belly.
"Woohoo! We're finally out! The real sky!"
Cheers echoed as everyone stepped onto the Red??Line. Crocus began recounting Laboon's full story—but amid the excitent, they failed to notice Miss??Wednesday stirring.
"Miss??Wednesday, this is…?" Mr.??9 whispered.
"Shh! Those pirates didn't even bind us, Mr.??9. Let's slip away before they notice."
They crept toward the stern.
With a splash, Mr.??9 dove into the sea. Miss??Wednesday pressed her hands to the railing, about to follow, when a calm voice spoke from behind her.
"Always performing—doesn't that get tiring, Princess Vivi?"
Vivi froze. How did he—?!
She turned, spotting Shirogai leaning against the wall, a faint smile on his lips. Her mind raced. He knows I'm Vivi... Could he actually suspect? Mr.??9 is already down there, so I must maintain this fa??ade.
Vivi forced a laugh, playing dumb.
"Hahaha, what are you talking about? Next ti, Mr.??9 and I will return for that whale!"
"Relax, Princess."
Shirogai stepped to the railing and pointed to the water below.
"You needn't worry—Mr.??9 is unconscious."
Vivi whipped around. Mr.??9 floated face??up, clearly out cold from his encounter with Shirogai's [Conqueror's Haki].
"He's fine—just knocked out."
Shirogai observed her trembling hand and concerned gaze.
"Princess Vivi, the others are distracted. We have ti—shall we talk?"
This pirate is too composed.
Vivi pressed her lips together, nodded stiffly.
"What do you want to discuss?"
"Don't be tense."
Shirogai's eyes glimred as he activated his Whisper??Whisper Fruit: Fourth Gear — [Mind Weaver].
Vivi's defenses shattered. A calm, joyful warmth filled her chest.
Shirogai said ,
"Princess Vivi, I am not your enemy."
Vivi offered a tentative smile.
"Pirates never admit they're enemies."
"No true enemy would stand here so peacefully."
She peeked at him, curiosity softening her voice.
"How did you know I'm the Princess of Alabasta?"
Shirogai shrugged.
"That's my secret—but I wouldn't lie to you."
Her hope flickered.
"Then... why expose ?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"I'm determined to stop Baroque Works. I wonder—do you share that goal?"
Vivi stiffened.
"Why target them? Did they harm soone close to you?"
Shirogai shook his head, lips curving into a cold smile.
"No. But any group intent on overthrowing nations disgusts ."
"Just... disgust?" Vivi echoed incredulously.
"Are you serious? You're determined to fight them over personal dislike?"
Shirogai's smile broadened.
"Yes, Princess. All powerful people follow their instincts."
"Strong people?"
Doubt clouded her eyes, but she couldn't deny his presence.
A sudden CRACK rang out, followed by Luffy's furious roar from the deck.
Startled, Vivi turned—and gasped, eyes fixed on the deck.
"Mr. Pirate—why is your mast gone?"
Shirogai didn't need to turn. He exhaled, running a hand over his head.
"Hehe—sorry, rry??Go. I forgot our Captain would do sothing reckless. I didn't stop him in ti."
Behind them, Laboon roared in pain. Blood trickled from its head. It leapt from the sea, crashed back into the water—straight toward the rry??Go, which lay directly above it.
"It's over…" Vivi's voice trembled as she stared, horror-stricken.
Then Shirogai spoke coolly.
"Don't worry, Princess."
Black mist billowed above before coalescing into a towering figure crafted from Smoke Fruit · Modified Fourth??Form: [Smoke Giant]. Armant Haki reinforced its shape.
"Luffy, Laboon—enough," rumbled the giant.
It seized the mast and Luffy from Laboon's body, gently tossing them far out to sea. Laboon followed, propelled away by the wave.
Vivi looked up, eyes shining.
"Mr. Pirate… you're incredibly powerful."
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