Through Igaram's tearful explanation and Vivi's additions, Nami and Zoro finally got the full picture.
Vivi was the princess of Alabasta.
She'd gone undercover in Baroque Works and found out that one of the Seven Warlords, Crocodile, was plotting to destroy her country.
Then, Miss Valentine, who had woken up and was now writhing in pain on the ground, filled them in on the latest news: Crocodile knew Vivi was onto him.
He'd sent Mr. 5 and Valentine to kill her before she could expose everything.
After laying it all out, Vivi and Igaram took a huge gamble and begged the Straw Hats to take them back to Alabasta, promising a generous reward.
Zoro just looked bored, while Nami's eyes immediately lit up with Berry signs.
She looked over at Ray, who was chilling nearby, admiring the moon.
"Ray," she asked, "can you handle that Crocodile guy right now?"
(She knew Ray was strong, and the title "Warlord" didn't really scare her anymore when he was around.)
Ray turned and considered it.
"Not sure if I can beat him," he replied honestly, "but I can definitely hold him off."
(Crocodile was weirdly inconsistent in the original story, so Ray wasn't sure exactly how strong he was.)
Hearing that was enough for Nami.
Her mind started racing.
'Okay, Ray keeps Crocodile busy. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji can take out the Baroque Works officers. Usopp and Chouchou handle any soldiers. That leaves me free to... raid the national treasury! Perfect plan!'
Vivi and Igaram heard this and instantly felt like they'd jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.
'This woman is truly a devil!'
Zoro just gave Nami a disgusted look.
'She's really not doing this to help, is she?'
After getting punched by Nami for the look, she turned to Ray for his opinion.
Ray just shrugged.
He didn't mind.
A trip to the desert sounded okay.
Hearing that, Nami got super excited and walked over to Vivi with a very strange, slightly evil smile.
"Hehehehe," she purred, "just remember to have the money ready. If the price is right, we might even help you save your country. Hahaha."
(Her smile was pure evil.)
After wrapping up the discussion, Ray had Zoro and Nami tie up Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, planning to toss them in the storage room in the morning
. Mr. 9 and Miss Monday were deemed useless and just left with the other wounded bounty hunters.
(Why didn't Luffy wake up and fight Zoro over cutting people down? Because he was drugged and sleeping like a log.)
…
The next morning, the Straw Hats woke up one by one.
The moment Luffy stepped outside, he saw the town square littered with wounded bounty hunters, almost all with sword cuts.
He grabbed one, found out Zoro did it, and immediately stormed off to confront him.
But did they fight? Nope.
An enraged Luffy was promptly knocked flat by two quick punches from Ray.
Then, everyone got the full story about Vivi, Alabasta, and Crocodile.
Learning the truth, Luffy and Sanji immediately declared they were going to kick that bastard Warlord's ass for bullying Vivi.
Ray had expected this.
Luffy wouldn't help unless he knew the story, but the second he heard someone was being bullied, he was all in.
Sanji, of course, was purely motivated by the damsel in distress.
Zoro and Nami had already decided last night.
And Usopp, terrified as he was, had no choice but to follow along (figuring Ray would keep them safe anyway).
So, they scavenged all the food and money left in the town and headed back to the Going Merry.
Just as they got there, they realized Igaram was missing.
Vivi panicked, instantly guessing he'd gone off to sacrifice himself.
Ray just snorted.
He'd already sensed Igaram sailing away earlier.
'He's terrified of Baroque Works and doesn't trust our strength. So he's disguising himself as Vivi to draw out the assassins. His choice.'
Ray knew Igaram wouldn't die, and he wasn't about to waste energy trying to talk a stranger out of their noble sacrifice plan.
Ray only went the extra mile for his own people.
Just then, Ray's nose twitched.
'Gunpowder?'
'BOOM'
Immediately after, a massive explosion erupted out on the sea.
Everyone saw it was a ship.
Vivi recognized the small boat she usually used.
Understanding Igaram's loyalty, she knew instantly what had happened.
Tears streamed down her face.
"No wonder you kept telling me Alabasta needed me," she sobbed.
"You were planning this all along! Igaram, you big fool! Wuwu~"
Nami, seeing Vivi's pain, immediately understood.
Igaram's sacrifice was just like Bellemere's.
Feeling Vivi's grief, she walked over and hugged her comfortingly.
Sanji, unable to stand seeing a beautiful woman cry, started bustling around, bringing her water and desserts.
Zoro explained the situation to Luffy.
Luffy instantly flew into a rage, shouting at the sea, "You bastard Crocodile! I'm definitely going to punch you!"
At that moment, Chouchou walked up to Ray.
"Master, Luffy is really angry. Why?"
Ray, surprisingly patient now that Chouchou could talk, explained, "Because Luffy has a kind heart. He can't stand seeing people bullied."
Chouchou tilted his head.
"Then why is he a pirate? Why not join the Marines?"
"Perhaps," Ray replied calmly, "for the sake of living freely."
Chouchou looked even more confused.
"Huh? Wanting freedom and wanting to do good deeds—isn't that contradictory?"
"You'll understand in the future," Ray said simply, turning and heading for the ship.
Chouchou stopped overthinking it and trotted after him.
Being a dog was simple: eat, drink, follow master's orders.
…
A few minutes later, Vivi composed herself.
She knew she couldn't waste Igaram's sacrifice.
She asked them to set sail as soon as possible.
And so, the Going Merry left Whisky Peak behind, heading towards the next island indicated by the Log Pose Vivi carried.
Just as everyone was getting excited about their next adventure...
Ray's gaze shifted to the side.
He sensed someone else had just boarded the ship.
At the same time, an enchanting voice rang out.
"As expected of the Straw Hat Pirates, you're quite courageous~"