Night fell, and the moon generously poured its light down as always, illuminating this barren land.
Most of the palace had already gone dark, only one room still glowing brightly—and inside, it was lively.
A group of people were gathered around, watching three in the center about to settle the outcome of their card game.
"Big Joker! Last pair, double A! Hehe, I win!" Vivi smiled radiantly, pressing down her cards and reaching out for money.
"What the hell, Zoro—you actually let the landlord win!"
Luffy grumbled as he unwillingly handed over money. "When I was the landlord, I always lost!"
"You think about who was on your team, idiot!"
"Hahahaha~~!"
Zoro yelled back, digging coins from his pouch and tossing them to Vivi, while everyone else burst into laughter.
Nami added fuel to the fire, mocking Luffy: "A guy who only relies on dumb luck to play cards—it's normal for you to lose."
"What are you talking about? I've won plenty of times, too!"
"Fufufu, thanks everyone." Vivi giggled as she collected her winnings, stacked the cards neatly, then tucked a strand of her sky-blue hair behind her pale ear. Straightening her dress, she stood up and smiled:
"That's enough for tonight. Tomorrow you're setting sail, so you should all rest early."
As soon as her words fell, the room went silent. One by one, everyone lowered their heads, their faces showing different emotions, but all tinged with sadness.
The cheerful atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
After a long silence, Zoro finally couldn't take it. He stood up and walked out. "I'm thirsty. Going to find some booze."
His calm voice faded with his footsteps, leaving the room heavy with unspoken feelings.
"What's wrong with everyone?" Vivi asked at last, a little helplessly.
"You're not usually like this. Tomorrow you're sailing away—you should be happy."
Still, no one answered. They were waiting for someone else to break the ice.
Even Sanji, who would usually be buzzing around Vivi, was just leaning quietly at the window, cigarette in hand, staring at the moon.
"Please, don't be like this anymore… Otherwise, I'll—"
Vivi's voice grew weaker and weaker. Halfway through, she clutched at her dress and suddenly ran out.
Reiner could only rub his messy blond hair helplessly.
They had already invited Vivi earlier over dinner: would she like to join them at sea? After all, they'd sailed together from Whiskey Peak to now, nearly half a month.
The idea had terrified Igaram and Pell, worried Vivi might really abandon her duty to become a pirate.
King Cobra, however, had kept silent. He didn't want to influence his daughter's choice, so he simply left it up to her.
In the end, Vivi had refused. After three years of war, Alabasta was finally entering an era of rebuilding. As one of the kingdom's pillars, she felt she had to stay and take responsibility.
Even though deep down, she longed desperately to keep sailing with them.
She still said no. Despite often being teased by Reiner for being a crybaby, Vivi was strong and responsible at heart.
The crew understood—but facing the parting for real still left them disheartened.
"Will Vivi come see us off tomorrow?" Chopper's eyes brimmed with tears as he tugged on Luffy's hand.
"Don't know." Luffy's face was calm. Unlike when he tried to recruit others, he didn't cling to Vivi.
She had her reasons to stay. To lead her people in rebuilding Alabasta—that was Vivi's own adventure.
"Crying isn't the way to say goodbye," Reiner said, standing up and heading for his room.
"Even if she isn't on the ship, she's still our comrade. If we sail away like this, won't it only make her feel worse?"
"Reiner's right—we have to pull ourselves together."
Nami stood and ran after Vivi. "I'm going to give her a proper farewell."
The rest followed her out, leaving the room empty.
—
In a simply furnished chamber—just a desk, bed, and a tall bookshelf—Vivi sat curled up on the balcony, hugging her knees.
Her long sky-blue hair fell over her pale shoulders, and the silver moonlight draped her in loneliness. For a princess beloved by so many, she looked heartbreakingly fragile.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Vivi, it's us."
Hearing the familiar voices, Vivi quickly wiped her tears, forced a smile onto her face, and rushed to open the door—afraid they'd leave if she hesitated.
Creak—
The door opened, and there stood Luffy and the others, crowded together in the hall, grinning widely.
"Everyone…"
Vivi's hand covered her mouth. She'd told herself not to cry, but seeing them come to comfort her broke the last of her restraint.
Nami hugged her tight, crying herself, followed by Chopper, Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji.
Even Reiner, standing behind them, felt his nose sting as he scratched at his hair.
Really, this crew—just minutes ago, they had promised to stay strong, and now they were all bawling together.
After a while, they sat on the floor, talking about everything under the dim lamp:
The giant uncles and dinosaurs of Little Garden.
The hiking contest with Lapins on Drum Island.
The desert's burning days and freezing nights.
They talked about the next island, Holiday Island. About the future of Alabasta.
They talked all night, until the oil lamp sputtered out and the sky grew pale.
"In short, do your best, Vivi."
"You'll definitely become an excellent princess."
"Princess Vivi, allow me to give you one last kiss farewell~"
THUD!
"Take care of your health, don't get sick, Vivi."
"Next time we meet, let's go shopping again!"
"Do your best, little tomboy."
"Mm, I will!" Vivi clutched her chest and nodded firmly.
"And all of you—may your voyage be smooth. Luffy, I believe you'll become the Pirate King."
"Fufufu, of course I will!"
"Hey, where's Zoro?"
"That idiot must be lost in the palace again."
"Damn mosshead, can't even come say goodbye to Vivi!"
Outside the room, Zoro's face was pitch-black with rage, veins bulging on his forehead.
Sitting cross-legged against the wall with empty bottles at his side, he muttered:
…Yes, he had gotten lost. But wasn't it a coincidence he ended up right here?
Those bastards. One day, he'd cut them all down!
—
After their farewell, the crew packed their things and left the palace.
Carrying bags, they rode across the desert on Reiner's undead creation—the "Super Spot-Billed Duck Squad," Alabasta's fastest beasts, now part of his templates.
With his awakened powers boosting his stamina, hauling both people and supplies was easy.
Too bad the undead falcons weren't strong enough to carry everything in flight—otherwise, they'd have flown.
Vivi didn't come to see them off. That morning, she had to appear at the palace ceremony.
There was no need for drawn-out goodbyes.
Time moves on. They'd meet again.
They hadn't run into Mr. 2 Bon Clay on their way here, so they didn't leave marks on their hands.
But the bonds in their hearts were already etched deep enough.
Maybe it was better this way. Impel Down should never be Bon Clay's grave. A true okama, who carried both the romance of a man and the gentleness of a woman, deserved a brighter ending.
By noon, the crew reached Nanohana, ate lunch, and then headed to the coast.
Seven or eight kilometers west of the port, they finally spotted the Going Merry.
Reiner summoned the Blue Ogre and scanned the ship with Observation Haki—someone was already aboard.
He didn't reveal it yet. Better to let the others enjoy a surprise.
When he left before, he had stationed only twenty undead guards on the ship. Now it was time to recall them.
"The Merry's filthy!" Usopp yelled as he stepped onto the sand-covered deck.
"Probably the desert winds," Reiner replied, frowning as well.
He summoned the undead back out, ordering them to give the ship a full scrub-down.
Stepping onto the familiar deck, he couldn't help but sigh. "Haven't been home in a few days. Feels nostalgic."
Back to the chores of logistics again. …Not that they ever really fell on him, anyway.
As the undead carried supplies aboard, Reiner sorted them into categories and gave orders.
Meanwhile, back in the Alabasta palace, the morning ceremony had just ended. King Cobra and Vivi walked the long hall, with Pell and Chaka following behind.
"You did very well today, Vivi," Cobra said kindly.
Vivi walked one step behind him, smiling modestly. "Compared to you, Father, I'm still far behind."
"Seeing how much you've grown… I don't know whether to be happy or sad. You've suffered a lot, haven't you?"
"Not at all. I learned so much with the Straw Hats." Vivi's lips curled into a small smile, dimples showing.
Later, in her room, Vivi untied her hairband, letting her long hair spill over her shoulders. Looking in the mirror, she tilted her head.
"Karoo, does my hair look better down like this?"
"Quack?"
"Huh? What's this?" Vivi noticed something poking out of Karoo's pouch.
She pulled it out—it was a photo.
She has a high ponytail, wearing the Baroque Works-style tight outfit, standing on Karoo with arms waving in dance.
"Pfft!"
"That idiot Reiner…" Vivi covered her mouth, half angry, half amused.
Normally, she would've wanted to burn it. But for the first time, she didn't hate it.
"…I'll keep it."
She opened a drawer to put it away, then hesitated, flipped the photo over—sure enough, there was neat handwriting on the back:
[To the Straw Hats' Friend A, You'll always be one of us.]