Chapter 17: The Sloppy Beginning and End
"Are you coming too?" Alvida asked Kuya Mi.
The girl had social anxiety, but after days of traveling together, she seemed more relaxed.
At least she didn't look timid anymore.
Whether it was the good food or the magical properties of MC fruit, Kuya Mi's pale, dry appearance had improved significantly.
"Cheng Lang said we might meet someone who knows where Coby went."
Alvida glanced at Cheng Lang in surprise—
But didn't ask further.
The three climbed the slope and saw the town ahead.
"Let's check it out," Cheng Lang said, taking the lead.
Alvida smiled and followed.
The island was peaceful—birds chirping, flowers blooming.
Farmers worked in the fields.
It felt almost modern.
Cheng Lang remembered something:
The landing spot had only two entry paths.
In the original story, Usopp had misled the crew with props and traps.
But now, nothing.
Had the plot not started yet?
As they entered town, fate intervened.
They ran into Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp.
Judging by their condition, the Kuro incident hadn't happened yet—
Or had already ended.
They looked unharmed.
Before Cheng Lang could speak, Alvida stepped forward.
"Cheng Lang."
"Got it."
He opened his inventory and tossed her mace.
"Straw Hat! I didn't expect you to show up here!"
Her murderous tone stunned everyone—
Luffy's crew and Kuya Mi.
Kuya Mi didn't understand.
Alvida had always been gentle—she even helped scrub her back.
"Who… are you?" Luffy frowned, confused.
Usopp stared at Alvida, then at Luffy.
Nami's eyes narrowed at the mace.
She could tell—this woman was strong.
She teased Luffy:
"Old friend of yours?"
Zoro watched with interest—
But his attention was on Cheng Lang.
Pulling a mace from thin air?
Definitely a Devil Fruit user.
Alvida smiled brightly.
"It's normal you don't recognize me. I've lost a little weight.
After all, you knocked me away with that punch.
I've been thinking about you ever since."
Nami's expression twisted.
Luffy was still confused.
"Kome… who's the most beautiful woman in the world?"
Familiar phrase.
Unfamiliar name.
Luffy paused.
Kuya Mi flinched at being named—
But looked at Alvida and said, "It should be… Miss Alvida."
Familiar phrase.
Familiar name.
Luffy's memory clicked.
"Oh! You're that fat lady Alvida!"
Boom.
Landmine stepped on.
Cheng Lang was impressed.
---
Luffy was the only one who'd seen Alvida's old form.
The others were stunned.
Nami looked him up and down, suspicious.
Zoro was surprised.
Luffy wasn't the type to insult appearances.
Usopp, who'd been admiring Alvida's beauty, couldn't even imagine her as fat.
"Hey, hey, Luffy—this lady doesn't look fat at all!" Usopp protested.
Nami nodded.
Luffy panicked.
"No, she used to be like this!"
He puffed up his stomach to demonstrate.
Alvida touched her waistline.
"Yeah, I was a bit round back then."
She wasn't angry—she admitted it.
Luffy was stunned.
He'd expected rage.
"But you're really beautiful now," he said.
Alvida smiled, satisfied.
She raised her mace.
"That's not important.
After you knocked me away, I've wanted revenge ever since."
Luffy grimaced.
Alvida laughed.
"Now you can't refuse."
She swung the mace.
Luffy dodged.
The ground shattered—gravel flew.
Nami, Usopp, and Zoro backed off.
It was clearly a personal grudge.
Cheng Lang watched with interest.
In the original story, Alvida never got a rematch.
Her Slippery Fruit made her immune to physical attacks.
Without Haki, how would Luffy handle it?
Kuya Mi tugged Cheng Lang's sleeve.
"Why is Miss Alvida fighting him? Was she just… punched and left behind? It feels like she was wronged."
Fair point.
Kuya Mi had only seen Alvida's strong, kind side.
The others leaned in—curious.
Luffy gossip was always entertaining.
Cheng Lang stroked his chin.
"In a way, yeah."
Luffy had barged into her ship, insulted her, punched her, and left.
Now he didn't even recognize her.
Hearing that, Nami, Zoro, and Usopp smirked.
"Wait! You started it! You mocked Coby's dream!" Luffy shouted, dodging again.
"You broke my heart first!" Alvida snapped, swinging faster.
But Luffy kept dodging—always one step ahead.
Frustrated, Alvida stopped holding back.
She charged.
Luffy stopped dodging.
The mace struck—
But it felt like hitting cotton.
The force vanished instantly.
---