After bidding farewell to Crocus, the Going Merry swiftly ascended, heading toward Whisky Peak.
In an empty room, Vivi sat despairingly, facing the "trial" of Reno and the girls.
After Makino's explanation, Kaya and Nami understood the full story.
"You've got some guts, sneaking onto the Going Merry to steal!"
"Spill it—any other accomplices?!"
Nami stood with her hands on her hips, glaring fiercely at Vivi.
Terrified, Vivi pointed at Reno, her voice trembling. "H-he… he threw him into the sea."
The girls froze, instantly guessing it was a man.
"He was a Baroque Works agent. His death was deserved," Reno said, waving it off casually.
Those scumbags under Crocodile committed countless atrocities—good riddance.
(Note: Adjusted the outline to kill off Crocodile.)
"And who are you?! Another Baroque Works agent?!" Nami pressed, continuing her "interrogation."
Vivi shook her head like a rattle. "N-no… I'm not!"
"I'm Vivi, princess of Alabasta. Please don't kill me."
Her trembling voice carried a hint of tears.
"Princess?! The king's daughter?!"
"Then you must be loaded!"
Nami's mind raced, her sharp tone softening as Vivi's identity sank in.
Money? Now they could talk!
It was just a failed theft attempt—no big deal.
A simple ten million Berries in compensation, and they'd call it even.
Vivi caught Nami's implication and nodded frantically. "I can compensate for your losses."
Wait, losses? They didn't lose anything.
She'd been caught before she could steal.
"Anyway… if you let me go, I'll give you money."
Nami's face lit up with a sweet smile. She rubbed her hands and leaned closer, drawling, "Dear Princess Vivi, how much is your life worth?"
"O-one million Berries?" Vivi ventured softly.
"One million?!" Nami's face turned cold. "A king's daughter is only worth one million?!"
What, am I a beggar?!
"But… that's all I have," Vivi said, her eyes brimming with tears.
Back when Alabasta was prosperous, ten million Berries would've been pocket change. But now…
"Nami, stop scaring her. Vivi seems timid," Tashigi finally interjected, unable to watch.
But she was curious. "If you have a million, why steal food?"
Vivi bit her lip, her gaze shifting to Reno.
She knew he was the captain—the one who truly decided her fate.
"Captain, I'll compensate you. If one million Berries isn't enough… two million. I'll give you two million."
Her voice broke as she mentioned two million, clearly a painful sum.
For Alabasta's current state, scraping together two million after essential expenses was already stretching it thin.
Reno shook his head with a smile.
"Princess Vivi, Alabasta's plagued by internal and external troubles. Can you really afford two million?"
"And I don't recall agreeing to just two million."
"Let's say… five million Berries."
"Five million?!" Vivi's heart sank.
That much would ruin Alabasta.
"Captain, if Vivi can't pay five million, what should we do with her?" Nami chimed in, perfectly playing along.
Reno rubbed his chin, eyeing Vivi up and down, feigning thought. "Sell her. I hear kingdom princesses fetch a high price at slave auctions.
Someone as pretty as Vivi? Easy five million."
"Sounds good to me!" Nami clapped, grinning.
Kaya and the others shook their heads at the duo's antics.
Such bad taste.
What if they scared the poor beauty senseless?
Vivi, taking it seriously, imagined herself locked in a cage, curled up helplessly, covered in scars, as merchants from all races bid on her.
"No… please, don't," she pleaded, shaking her head, her voice quivering.
Reno decided he'd teased her enough—any more, and Vivi's mental state might collapse.
"Vivi, I can forget the five million. But from now on, you're joining my pirate crew.
Once you're part of the Reno Pirates, we're family. Money? That's too vulgar."
"Join your crew?!" Vivi stared at Reno but quickly shook her head firmly.
"No, I have unfinished business. I can't stay."
"How about… I join after I'm done?"
Not daring to outright refuse, Vivi tried to compromise.
"You mean investigating Baroque Works' conspiracy?" Reno said casually. "No need. It's Crocodile's doing. Join my crew, and your problems are mine. I'll deal with Crocodile for you."
Vivi's body trembled, stunned by how easily he revealed the truth. "How do you know all this?!"
"Baroque Works has my informant—Miss All Sunday, the vice president. You know her, right?" Reno said, making it up on the spot.
"Her?!" Vivi's mouth fell open, picturing the mature, sophisticated woman.
"Wait… who's Crocodile?!"
"And since when did you have someone in Baroque Works?!" Nami interjected, confused.
She'd been part of the act, but now she was out of the loop.
Reno answered selectively. "Crocodile, like Hawkeye, is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
But he's far more despicable."