Author's Note: Sabaody, everyone. Just. Sabaody. I remember this arc being the most terrifying thing when I first watched it. From the horror of auctioning people off to that heart stopping moment when I thought Kizaru was actually going to kill Zoro to the terror of watching Luffy lose his crewmates, one by one. Sabaody is just terrible. And I will be traumatized by bubbles forever because of it. That being said, the most horrible part of me hopes that I achieved the same kind of tone with this chapter. I have mixed feelings on how this chapter came out and it was actually one of the hardest chapters for me to write. I hope you guys end up enjoying it!
Vivi hates telling the story. Thinking about what happened makes her want to cry. Having to voice to her nakama what happened - having to tell them that she abandoned them and they died without her there - makes it impossible to to speak without struggling not to throw up. Sanji and Robin sit on either side of her, Robin's arm wrapped around her shoulders. Luffy at the head of the table with his arms crossed firmly over his chest as he glares at the table.
"We-we died?" Usopp squeaks once she's finished.
Vivi hugs herself a little tighter, Robin giving her a small squeeze. Across the table, Nami shakes her head slowly.
"That's not possible," Nami says. "It's not. Time travel, Vivi. It's insane. It's not possible. Are you sure that Enel didn't do something to you while-"
"Nami," Luffy interrupts, voice firm. "It started at Alabasta."
"What started at Alabasta?" Chopper asks, voice small.
"Zoro started acting different. Scared."
"Maybe it was something else," Nami says. "Maybe it was-"
"Nami-san," Vivi forces herself to whisper. "I know what happened."
"We're in the Grand Line, Nami-sis." Franky shifts in his seat. "Anything's possible around here."
"But time travel?"
"All myths are often based in facts," Robin pipes up. "If someone started to speak about time travel, it's because they experienced something like it."
"Robin."
"Nami-san," Sanji sighs. "Denying something doesn't make it any less real."
"No," Nami says. Her eyes water as she turns to look at Vivi, shaking her head. "No. Because. Because that's not possible. This was just a bad dream, Vivi."
Luffy's gaze settles on their navigator. "Nami."
"No!" Nami stands, slamming her hands on the table. Luffy's frown deepens. "No! This isn't possible. This isn't happening, Luffy."
"Nami-san."
"No, Sanji-kun! It wouldn't. This doesn't happen. Zoro would never let that happen to us."
"Nami, enough," Luffy growls. "Zoro didn't let anything happen. It isn't his job to take care of us. And you shouldn't tell him it is."
"I never said it was," Nami snaps. Lies. "But, it's true, Luffy. You know that Zoro would never let this happen to us."
That's why he's been killing himself to make sure it doesn't. Because you died and he thinks its his fault. He blames himself. Just like he thought you would.
The room turns ice cold. Sanji and Luffy snap straight, both of their eyes searching the room. Robin's hand tightens on Vivi's shoulder as Usopp shudders, shifting a little closer to Chopper. Brook hums, looking down at his tea.
Sanji sits up a little straight. "Oi, Luffy?"
Luffy's brow furrows, eyes gaze searching the room. "I feel it too."
"Feel what?" Usopp asks, voice quaking as though he doesn't really want to know.
He doesn't. At the first mention of ghosts, Usopp and Chopper will probably jump off of the ship. Vivi lets out a long breath, feeling the cold begin to settle in around her again. For the first time in her life, the cold is far more comforting than warmth.
"There's someone here," Sanji enters, moving as though to stand.
"What?" Usopp and Chopper shoot to their feet as well.
Franky tenses, looking up and around. Nami inches closer to Usopp.
"That invisible guy?" Franky asks. "Could he have snuck on board?"
"And hid out all this time?" Sanji scoffs. "Luffy and I would have noticed the cat guy by now."
Luffy shakes his head. "Somebody else. He's been in with Zoro all day. Now, he's here."
"Who is he?" Chopper asks, body trembling with fear.
"If we can't see him, there's only one explaination! A ghost followed us from Thriller Bark!" Usopp shouts.
The two of them begin to run back and forth, shouting about ghosts and monsters. Sighing, Vivi rolls her eyes, leaning into Robin a little more.
"Oi, oi!" Franky shouts when Usopp steps on his feet.
"Will you idiots cut it out?" Sanji snaps. "This isn't a circus."
"Sanji!" Chopper cries. "There's a ghost on the ship."
"A ghost is about as likely as time travel," Nami snarls. "Stop putting ideas in his head, Usopp."
"We're all going to-"
"Yameru!"
The room freezes, all eyes moving to their captain. Luffy stares back, eyes wide with confusion. Because, despite the fact that Luffy's voice had shouted for them all to stop, it isn't Luffy who'd spoken. Brook lets out another hum, setting down his tea.
"Perhaps," the musician says, interlocking his fingers and staring at a spot over Vivi's head. "You should go back into the infirmary with Zoro-san. I'm afraid you haven't done much more than cause panic here."
The cold vanishes. Vivi's question is answered before she even asks it.
"B-Brook?" Usopp whimpers. "Who are you talking to?"
"Me," Luffy answers before Brook can. He eyes the skeleton closely. "Right?"
After a long pause, Brook nods.
Luffy smiles slightly, only fading when he looks back at Nami. "Vivi's telling the truth. She wouldn't lie. Nami needs to accept that. Everybody does. Zoro isn't supposed to protect us. We're supposed to protect each other. N' when he wakes up, Nami's gonna tell him that." Luffy's tone leaves no room for argument as he stands. "Sanji, lemme know when dinner's ready?"
Sanji nods calmly. "Of course, Sencho."
"Yosh."
Their captain vanishes without another word, leaving them in silence. Robin's hand runs up and down Vivi's arm in a comforting gesture. Vivi rests her head on Robin's shoulder, watching the rest of the crew. Nami lowers herself back into a chair. Chopper and Usopp hug each other, pressing into the couch. Sanji pushes himself to his feet, crossing the kitchen to light a cigarette.
"Vivi?" Usopp asks, haltingly.
Vivi raises her gaze to him, not trusting her voice.
"We really died?"
Jaw trembling, Vivi nods. Tears trickle down her cheeks, even though she should have run out of them ages ago.
"How could you not tell us?" Nami whispers, voice numb.
"Because he trusted me, Nami-san." Vivi wipes her cheeks and sits up again. "He lost everyone. I didn't want him to lose me too."
Nami drops her gaze.
"So, what comes next, little sis?" Franky asks,
"She doesn't know," Sanji says firmly. "And it does matter. If it did, Luffy would have asked her. If we spend too much time panicking over what might happen, we'll get ourselves killed before we even reach that island."
"He's right," Robin says. "Worrying about the future means we lose focus on the present. Death has always been a possibility. Why dread it now?"
The others don't look entirely convinced, biting their tongues and refusing to look in Vivi's direction. Brushing her hair away from her face, Vivi pushes her chair back and stands.
"I'm going to see how Luffy-san and Zoro are," she says. "I think you all need a chance to talk without me here."
"Vivi-chan."
"It's alright. It's a lot to take in, I know. Just, please remember, it was never our intention to hurt any of you."
Luffy glances at her curiously as she slips into the infirmary, but doesn't ask her to leave. Vivi takes it as permission to stay, slipping into the office chair. Her captain has Zoro's hand in his, playing with the swordsman's hair, with his hat sitting on Zoro's chest still.
Most of the bruises still shine dully against his skin, ugly and painful colors. The color has returned to his skin, making some of the darker marks harder to see and the bandages stand out in a blinding whte. Strange white marks litter the unbandaged parts of his arms, as though his skin had been stretched past its limits and torn. She wonders if they'll fade in time. Wonders if he'd had those same marks at twenty-one.
"Ne, Vivi?" Luffy's soft voice breaks the quiet.
Vivi hums, pulling her gaze from the slow rise and fall of Zoro's chest to look at him.
"If I don't turn out to be like him, you think Zoro's still gonna love me?"
She blinks, brow furrowing for a moment before it dawns on her. Crossing the room, Vivi perches herself on the side of Zoro's bed to smile at her captain. "Luffy-san, I think that Zoro fell in love with you before you and him were different. I think that love will never waver. No matter what happens or what changes, you are you. And Zoro will always love you."
Lips twisting in thought, Luffy brushes back Zoro's hair slowly. "I'm always gonna love Zoro too," he whispers, as though Vivi isn't even there. "No matter what. Think he knows that?"
Vivi's gaze finds the katana leaning against Chopper's desk, eyes lingering on the splash of red against his white sword. "I have no doubt."
"We're looking for a safe place," Luffy tells Camie and Hachi as he finishes another plate of takoyaki.
Everyone's head shot up, looking toward their captain. Luffy frowns down at the bar in front of him, obvious displeasure on his face. Whatever's on his mind, the captain's doesn't like what he's going to say. Vivi's stomach churns, watching Hachi, Camie, and Pappag blink back at him. After rescuing all three of them from Duval and the sea king, they all - crew included - expected Camie to lead them to Fishman Island. Just like Nami had asked her to when they'd agreed to fight Duval.
But, at the first mention of finding someone to coat their ship, Luffy's face had fallen.
"Somewhere safe?" Pappag's face contorts in confusion, the paranoid starfish already a bundle of nerves and suspicion. "Why?"
"Our nakama - Zoro - is hurt. He's been asleep for a really long time and we don't know when he's gonna wake up. My brother's in big trouble and I gotta go help him. But, I can't bring Zoro."
Shock seems to course through the Strawhat crew.
"Luffy, hold on a minute." Nami slips off the railing beside Vivi, her stoney silence finally broken after the crew helped one of Arlong's old crew. "Without Zoro, we wouldn't ever know where we're going."
"Vivi knows." Luffy's eyes find Vivi. "Right?"
All eyes move to Vivi and she shifts under the critical looks. Everyone's gazes seem to be trying to tell her something different. Nami wants her to lie. Sanji wants her to tell the truth. Usopp thinks she should avoid getting them into trouble. Luffy's eyes, though, hold a challenge. Luffy dares her to hold another truth from him. To keep him from helping someone he cares about.
Swallowing hard, Vivi nods. "I do. But, Luffy-san, Zoro-"
"Don't care," Luffy says firmly. "Ace promised me he'd never die. I'm gonna make him keep that promise. And Zoro can't come. Even if he was awake, he's hurt too bad." He turns back to Camie and Hachi. "We need some place for Zoro to sleep while I go rescue Ace."
"Luffy, wait just a second," Sanji protests. "Think this over."
"I'm not gonna let Ace die."
"I'm not asking you to. But, I am asking you to think. Zoro's already a mess, Luffy. What do you think is going to happen if he wakes up, knowing what's coming next, and we aren't there? Nami-san on the ship when he thought she shouldn't have been was enough to send him into a full fledged panic attack."
"He won't be alone. Chopper's gonna stay here and take care of him."
Sanji shakes his head slowly. "Luffy."
It won't be enough. Just Chopper there won't be enough to keep Zoro from panic. From hurting himself.
"I can't," Luffy interrupts firmly. "Be in two places at once. And I can't wait for Zoro to wake up. Ace is in trouble now. Nobody has to come with me. But, I can't let Ace die. And I've waited long enough for Zoro to wake up. So, I'm gonna trust my nakama to take care of Zoro while I take care of Ace."
"Luffy-san. If something happens to you," Vivi trails off.
It will kill what little sense of self Zoro has left. Vivi shudders at the thought of it. The only thing that's brought Zoro out of his head, helped him escape that island, has been his nakama. Without Luffy, Zoro will never be Zoro again.
"Nothing's gonna happen to me."
He can't know that. "Luffy-san."
"It won't. I decided." The thin line of Luffy's lips and the determination flaring in his eyes steals Vivi's breath. "Me and him are different. You said so. Just because he couldn't save Ace doesn't mean I can't." Luffy shakes his head at her. "You and Zoro spent too much time being scared of the future. I'm not gonna be. I'm gonna save Ace and be back before Zoro wakes up. Then, Zoro's gonna be fine." He turns back to Hachi and Camie again. "Do you know a safe place for Zoro to sleep?"
"Well, we could bring him home with us," Camie offers. "To Fishman Island."
"No," Nami protests firmly. "We haven't found it without someone to guide us. We aren't sending an injured crewmate somewhere we can't find him without help."
"Yeah, but Nami," Usopp says slowly. "If we can't find it, that means no one else will be able to either. Zoro would be safe there."
"No." Nami's hands clench. Her tone leaves no room for argument. "Think of another option."
"Well." Hachi speaks hesitantly. "I do have a friend on Sabaody, a nearby island. He might be willing to help."
Luffy smiles. "Yosh. To Sabaody!"
Every part of Vivi's body trembles with rage. The auction house is stuffed so full, the air turns thick with body heat and an overabundance of carbon dioxide. One by one, people are led onto that stage, shackled and collared, and then they're bid on. Other people pay money to decide their fate. Vivi knows the horrors of the world. Not too long ago, she and Rebecca had stood side by side, protesting Shirahoshi's attempted enslavement because a Celestial decided on a whim that he wanted her. A princess, beloved by so many. Just because someone thought they were special enough to decide another person's fate.
Her stomach twists in knots. Instinct screams at her to just go to the back and sneak Camie out with her Devil Fruit. But, that won't do them any good. Not with that collar on. Nami's plan is better. Safer in theory. It will keep them from blowing Cami up. But, Vivi isn't entirely certain that buying their friend will save her. Despite the hoard of people shoved into the building, there is a gap in the front of the crowd, as though a barrier separates the crowd from someone else. And, if she squints, Vivi thinks she can see the tops of bubbles.
Because breathing the air of commoners is unacceptable.
"Sanj-san," Vivi says, unable to pull her gaze from the crowd. "I think I know why Luffy-san hits a Celestial."
Sanji's eyes move down to her before he lets out a long breath, chewing on the cigarette in his mouth. "That sounds about right."
"Zoro isn't awake yet." Vivi's voice trembles.
"Don't worry, Vivi-chan. We'll figure something out. If the idiot wanted everything to go according to his plan, he should have told you what it was."
"It's not entirely Zoro's fault," Vivi admits. "I didn't want him to think too far ahead. It made him panic. And, I think he must have been awake last time. He told me it would only be three days. As long as he's awake, he thought everything would go the same."
"That's because he's an idiot," Sanji sighs. "He changed things the moment you left Alabasta with us, Vivi-chan. He can't honestly expect things to stay the same."
"What are you two whispering about?" Usopp asks from Sanji's other side.
"Mind your business, Usopp," Sanji snaps.
The man on stage collapses suddenly, red spilling from his mouth. A few startled shouts ring out from the crowd around them and Vivi turns her head away, hoping the suicide hasn't caused him too much suffering. Vaguely, she hears Sanji gently explain to Nami what's happened. She ignores the words, gaze searching the crows again and wishes desperately for Zoro's steady presence at her side.
Cold black eyes meet hers, sizing her up lazily. The face of the man, slumped in one of the seats beside a polar bear in a startlingly orange jumpsuit, feels so familiar. Vivi knows she's seen him before. Committed his face to memory for some reason. He stares back, eyebrow quirking in silent question. Vivi nibbles on her bottom lip, refusing to turn away until she places his face. Because he's important. Somewhere in the future, this man is important.
An ally. One of Luffy's allies.
"Vivi-chan?" Sanji says.
Vivi pulls her gaze from Trafalgar Law to look back up at him. Concern fills Sanji's eyes, gaze moving from Vivi to Law and back again.
"What is it?"
"That's Trafalgar Law," Vivi tells him in a low whisper. The heat of Law's gaze remains on her. "He's one of your allies. You defeated one of the Shichibukai at Dressrosa with his help."
When?"
"In two years. It was in all the papers. And I've met Rebecca, the princess that they helped free from Doflamingo. She's spoken very highly of both Luffy-san and Trafalgar. He's with you all when you fight Kaido as well."
"The Yonko?"
Vivi nods, shoving the thoughts to the back of her mind. That's too far ahead. They don't need to worry about that now.
"So, friend, not foe," Sanji mutters. "Don't kill him. Got it. The rest of these bastards are up for debate."
"There she is," Nami breathes.
Viv's attention snaps back to the stage. The dead man's mess has been cleaned and now Camie sits in an oversized fishbowl, slamming her hands against the glass. Terror fills Camie's eyes, her terror slamming into Vivi and Vivi finds herself clasping Sanji's suit coat to keep from marching onto the stage.
"It's alright, Vivi-chan," Sanji tells her. "Zoro said everything would be fine, right?"
"He said it had to happen," Vivi replies, voice trembling. "But, I think he meant with him here."
"We'll just have to pick up the slack then, won't we?" A forced smile fills Sanji's face. "Nami-san's plan is a good one. Maybe-"
"FIve hundred million beli!"
The shout silences the entire auction house. Vivi feels sick. In the first row, one of the Celestials rises, shouting about his bid and how he's always wanted a mermaid. No other bidders rise up. Nami hits her knees, eyes full of shock and despair. Vivi's eyes move back to Camie, pounding against the glass, lips moving. Calling for help.
Vivi's feet step forward of her own accord. She can't do this anymore. Sit by knowing a friend needs help and do nothing. She absolutely refuses to let anyone else be hurt in front of her without at least trying to do something about it. Sanji's arm wraps around her waist, halting her before she can go further. He traps her against him, the sling of his injured arm digging into her back. "Vivi-chan, stop."
"We need to help her."
"There's nothing we can do right now. Wait for Sencho."
There has to be something they can do. They brought Camie to this island. She'd set out with them to help find this mysterious Rayleigh, the man who can protect Zoro while they're away. And slavers had taken her. Because of them.
"I'm not letting them take her." Fierce anger wraps around her chest.
"We'll figure something out, Vivi-chan. Wait for Luffy."
"I'm not letting someone else get hurt."
The gavel bangs down to signal the end of bidding and Sanji's grip tightens, lifting Vivi up to spin her away from the stage with a small grunt. Anger and confusion bubble beneath her skin. The Strawhats have never backed away from protecting a friend before. Celestial or no Celestial, they shouldn't be starting to back down now.
The ceiling explodes and Luffy spills into the auction house with a flying fish rider, somehow managing to land on his feet. He pats a hand to his head, as though to adjust his hat, but freezes when he realizes his treasure isn't present. He blinks, relaxing after a moment, probably realizing that he left it sitting on Zoro's chest in the infirmary. Luffy's gaze searching the house, squinting through the settling dust.
"Oi, Camie!" Luffy's eyes find the stage. "We've been looking for you. You scared us!"
Without a second's hesitation, Luffy bolts toward the stage. Sanji's arm remains around Vivi's waist, holding her close. The rest of the Strawhats freeze in shock as Luffy races toward the stage. Toward their friend.
"It's the only place that can compare to that island." Zoro had told her. Warned her.
The reality of it slams into Vivi all at once as she watches Hachi try to stop Luffy. It steals her breath and leaves her frozen. Sabaody isn't finding an aftermath. It's having to live through the cause. Sabaody is watching people she cares for hurt and knowing there is nothing she can do to stop it.
Luffy finally shakes Hachi off, angrily announcing that Camie is not for sale. Around them, the crowd begins to shout out in disgust and anger as Hachi's disguise falls away. Vivi's heart clenches, anger grinding in her bones. Hachi has never done them any wrong. He only wants to help his friend. His heart so pure that even Nami - who he had done wrong to - has forgiven him.
A flash of gold catches Viv's eye as the Celestial that tried to buy Camie moves forward. His pistol steadies, pointing at Hachi's unsuspecting back.
"It's the only place that can compare to that island."
Vivi takes advantage of Sanji's lingering shock and flings his hand from her waist. Her Devil Fruit moves her to Hachi's side in the nick of time. The gunshot rings out and Vivi shoves Hachi hard. Blinding, burning agony wraps around her abdomen and Vivi's leg gives out. She hits the steps hard, biting down on her lower lip until she tastes blood.
This monster doesn't get to hear her scream.
"You!" The Celestial shouts above her. "How dare you get in the way of my shot. I was going to get to shoot the fishman."
Clenching her fists, Vivi glares up at him. "That was the point," she tells him through gritted teeth. "I wasn't going to let you hurt my friend."
Everything her father taught her screams for Vivi to stop talking. After accidentally insulting a Celestial, the best - only - thing to do is apologize and wait for them to decide your fate. But, this wasn't an accident. And Vivi's heart pounds with so much rage, she isn't sure how to contain it anymore. For years, she's done her best. Tucked away any resentment or anger for the good of others. Let people walk all over her, step on her, push her around. All in order to make her father proud and ensure that Alabasta has allies and trade partners.
But, Vivi isn't the princess of Alabasta anymore. Now, she's a pirate. And pirates are free. To go where they want and to do as they please.
To feel as they please. Now, Vivi is free to feel for herself.
And, right now, Vivi feels angry.
She isn't the only one.
From the corner of her eye, Vivi watches Luffy stalk back toward them with a terrifyingly quiet calm. The Celestial doesn't seem to notice, too busy leveling his pistol with Vivi's head. Clenching her teeth, she refuses to blink, staring up at him without flinching. The anger flooding her veins leaves no room for fear.
Pain drums dully against her bleeding side as she glares up at him.
Then, a smug smile crosses his lps. "You are quite a beautiful girl. I want this one as well! Once we've removed her nuisance of a tongue, she will look perfect feeding me. Don't you think so, Father? A new slave for free and a mermaid as well. This is my day!"
The slap of Luffy's sandals on the stairs is deafening. Even as she feels blood slipping down her side, soaking her clothing and the surrounding floor, Vivi can't help but give the disgusting man before her a small smirk.
"I don't think that plan is going to work out for you." Vivi forces sincerity into her voice. "My deepest apologies."
There's something oddly satisfying about watching Luffy's fist connect with someone's face. Especially when it's someone so arrogant and unsuspecting. It's a strangely primal gratification that spreads to the core of Vivi's body. In the blink of an eye, the Celestial is replaced by Luffy, fiery rage filling her captain's eyes. The wall crumbles from where the Celestial hits it. The entire auction house falls silent around them for a moment, all stunned.
"Wha-what did you do?" Pappag whines.
"Strawhat," Hachi says in a small voice. "You promised, even if you saw someone shot in front of you."
"But it wasn't someone," Sanji says.
Within seconds, Vivi's crew surrounds her. Chopper gently takes her hand from the bullet wound to access the damage. Everyone else turns angry eyes to the auction house security pouring in.
"It was nakama," Nami finishes, twirling her clima tact.
"It can't be helped," Franky tells them with a shrug. "Especially when we're following Mugiwara around."
Most of the crowd around them run for the exits, screaming in terror. Scanning the nearly empty seats, Vivi spots familiar dark eyes, watching with surprising amusement. Finding it funny that their crew has brought an Admiral to the island because Luffy has a short temper. No wonder Trafalgar Law teams up with Luffy. He must be as insane as her captain is.
Her side burns as Chopper begins to clean the wound and Vivi hisses in pain. Beneath the sounds of their crew going to battle with those dumb enough to charge, Chopper's soft apology for causing her pain is nearly inaudible.
"It looks like the bullet went straight through. And, I think it missed any vital organs. You were really lucky, Vivi."
A member of the auction house security flies over their heads. Vivi smiles down at the young doctor, fighting to hold back a grimace as he presses a bandage to her bleeding side.
"I wasn't worried, Tony-kun. I have the best doctor in the world to look after me."
"Asshole, that doesn't make me happy."
Vivi smiles down at him. Luffy lands beside her, blinking down at her curiously.
"Did this happen last time too?" her captain asks. "Is that why you didn't wanna leave Zoro here? Cause now an Admiral's gonna come?"
"I'm not positive," Vivi says, wincing as Chopper finishes dressing her wound. "But I had a feeling, Luffy-san. Trouble follows us like a viver card."
"We have to hurry and get that collar off Camie before the Marines get here," Nami says. "Where is Franky with those keys?"
From the seats, someone scoffs. "Hate to break it to you, Mugiwara," Trafalgar Law says, looking all too relaxed. "But the Marines are already here."
Luffy turns to look at him, eyebrows narrowed and lips pulled in a growl. "Who the hell are you? And what's with the bear?"
Vivi doesn't manage to bite back her giggle completely as she climbs to her feet, ignoring Chopper's protests. The bear's cheeks turn red beneath his fur and he lets out a soft mutter of "Bepo", which Vivi assumes must be his name.
"You picked a bad time to lose your cool," Trafalgar Law continues without answering Luffy's questions. "The Marines surrounded the island long before the auction ever began. They have a base here, but my guess is that they came here looking for someone. Not sure who it is, but I doubt they were betting on some dumbass punching a Celestial Dragon in the face. Quite a show you've put on here."
Luffy's lips twist in annoyance and he huffs out a breath. "Vivi."
Who is he?
"Trafalgar Law," Vivi tells him. "The Surgeon of Death. He's the captain of the Heart Pirates. Don't punch him."
Even if she doesn't know how, Trafalgar Law is important. She very much doubts that Luffy punching him in the face because the other captain annoyed him will bring a strong start to their alliance. A dark eyebrow is raised, cold eyes focusing Vivi.
"Oh, so they're pirates? Even the bear? Suge!" Luffy motions to the redhead in the back, a crazed smile across his face. "And him?"
Vivi eyes the other man and his surrounding crew carefully, trying to place their faces as well. A shiver runs down her spine. Trafalgar Law's reputation has always been well known, but not quite as well known as this man's. Known for the kind of cruelty that makes pirates feared so completely.
"Eustas Kid," she tells him. "The Kid Pirates. You can probably punch him if you want."
"Vivi," Nami hisses. "Don't encourage him!"
"He's the one who has a higher bounty than Luffy," Usopp whines.
A gunshot rings out. Vivi spins, watching the female Celestial aim a gun at Camie. Her hand clasps Luffy's forearm.
"Luffy-san."
Her captain spins, turning to the stage. The wave crashes over Vivi as it shoots out, whatever power Luffy's obtained. She's felt it before. When Luffy wanted them out of the infirmary. The urge to drop down, to get out of Luffy's way hits her but she manages to keep herself on her feet.
Most of the auction house isn't as lucky. The female Celestial falls backward, unconscious, along with the remaining guards and staff.
"What the hell?" Trafalgar Law mutters.
"What the hell indeed?" A figure appears from the hole on the stage, an old man in a long coat and shorts. "It's been a long time since I've seen someone with your power, kid."
"Rayleigh!" Hachi cheers.
"You damn pirates have some nerve!" The voice echoes around them. Every member of their crew starts, searching around them for the man. "Look what you've done."
What Luffy had done, to be fair. When "Bear Guy" had done nothing to answer his questions about Zoro and Sabo, their captain had lost his temper with surprising speed. A few small assisting kicks from Sanji and their opponent had fallen.
Vivi shoves herself to her feet, gaze searching the grove around them as Sanji moves back toward her and Nami, arm out as though that alone will be enough to protect them.
"There!" Chopper cries, pointing to one of the trees.
Two figures leap, landing hard enough to kick up dust around them. One of them shouts at PX-4, who Vivi assumes is the body laying in the middle of the grove, rambling on about how much the Pacifista cost and how awful it will look in his reports. The dust clears and Vivi takes a step back, staring up at the face of yet another Kuma.
"This is bad," she whispers.
Sentomaru gives answers with ease, despite his insistence on being tight lipped. Usopp can be rather tricky when he wants to be. The awful humming fills the air again, their latest Warlord look-alike glowing with the bright yellow of another beam.
The explosion knocks everyone back, only Sanji and Luffy landing on their feet. Vivi pushes herself up, helping Nami as well before she turns her gaze back to Luffy and Sanji. The two look concerned, their gazes striking into her chest. If Luffy and Sanji are worried, she knows she should be as well.
"What do you want to do, Sencho?" Sanji asks.
"I'm gonna fight," Luffy replies firmly. He glances back at the rest of them, eyes alight with fiery determination. "Split up," he orders. "Sanji's gonna take Vivi and Chopper back to Sunny. We gotta get Zoro somewhere safe. The rest of you, get somewhere safe. Wait three days. Then, meet back at Sunny. Go. Now!"
"Luffy-san," Vivi starts to protest.
"Captain's orders," Luffy snarls, turning back to Sentomaru and cracking his knuckles. "Go!"
"Vivi-chan, come on," Sanji says, holding a hand out for her. "Luffy's right. Zoro needs us now."
The rest of the crew spread out, Franky, Robin and Nami sprinting to the right while Usopp and Brook take the left. Gritting her teeth and glancing back at Luffy as he clashes with the Marine, Vivi turns to follow Sanji and Chopper.
In the distance, an explosion rings out. Vivi glances back over her shoulder, watching smoke billow from the direction that Nami had taken. Her heart skips a beat, feet slowing for just a moment. Then, Sanji's hand wraps around her wrist to pull her on.
"Keep going, Vivi-chan. I'll go back for them if they need help. You and Chopper have to get to Sunny."
Luffy's shouts of rage echo in the air. Crumbling ground and cement follow, but she doesn't hear Luffy cry out in surprise or pain. Hoping it's a good sign, Vivi forces herself to continue on. Luffy and Sanji are right. The one in the most danger right now is Zoro. Someone needs to get to him, now.
"Usopp!"
Usopp screams in pain and Brook lets out a shout of fear. Vivi's feet stumble to a halt. Sanji and Chopper stop as well, all of them turning toward the explosion. Sentomaru pulls himself out of the crater Luffy slammed him into with an angry huff.
"What took you so long, Uncle Kizaru?"
The bright yellow form standing over Usopp finally fades to the shape of a man. Slowly, his features become more obvious. Vivi's lips part, eyes widening as paralyzing fear grips her. Unable to bite back the gasp of terror, Vivi takes a step back, her hand shooting out to grab Sanji's suit coat.
"Vivi-chan?"
"That's him," Vivi whimpers, her chest heaving. "That's the Admiral from the island."
Sanji's shocked and unsure gaze shoots down to her before up to Kizaru again. "Shit. Shit." He pulls himself from Vivi's grip and takes off toward Usopp and Brook at a dead sprint. "Chopper! Get to Zoro! Don't stop!"
The Admiral raises his leg, yellow taking over the limb. An attack. Like the yellow beams that the Kuma look-alikes have been shooting. Like the yellow that he'd been shooting on the island while he fought the blonde man. This is his power. His attack.
Sanji will never make it in time.
Vivi throws herself forward, letting the ground disappear beneath her feet. Her hands wrap around the back of Usopp's shirt, ignoring the wet blood that seeps into her palms, and pulls. Again, the ground vanishes and reappears. Usopp lets out a grunt of pain and surprise, Vivi letting out a gasp of panic as they land beside Sanji. Away from the Admiral. Safe for now.
Sanji stumbles to a halt, ripping his arm from its sling and skidding to his knees to pull Usopp up, onto his back without pause. The cook's face twists in a grimace as he forces his broken had to work. Vivi scrambles to her feet, glancing back at Chopper. The young doctor is running back toward them.
"No." The word leaves her in a soft whisper.
He shouldn't be coming back. He needs to get to Zoro. Someone needs to get to Zoro.
Yellow streaks come between her and Chopper, the Admiral taking form again. Luffy screams their names in the distance. Behind her, Sanji lets out a curse.
"Vivi-chan," Sanji says. "Go."
Use your power, he's telling her. Get away. She can't. All of Vivi's limbs are frozen with terror, tears blurring her vision as she looks up at the man who murdered her nakama.
"Vivi!" Luffy screams, a desperate plea in his voice. From the corner of her eye, she sees him running toward them. "Run!"
She can't. None of her muscles listen to her. Not even her mouth will move.
Yellow gathers at the Admiral's fingertip as he points at her, index finger pointed at her chest. Vivi's lips tremble, unable to tame the fear flooding through her veins.
"Vivi-chan!"
"Vivi!"
A flash of silver interrupts the gold as Kizaru's arm is shoved away and Vivi goes weak at the knees as the Dark King appears in front of her. Whatever Rayleigh says is drowned out by the thunder of Vivi's heart. An arm snakes around her waist and she's thrown backwards, slamming into the safety of her captain's chest.
"Sanji, is Usopp-?"
"I've got him, Luffy. He's gonna be fine. We gotta move."
Sanji bolts away from Rayleigh and Kizaru, Luffy shoving Vivi after them. She stumbles, her legs still weak with fear, but manages to keep herself up right. It takes all of her strength not to look back. Somewhere, Sentomaru shouts out.
Chopper runs toward them, catching up to them with ease.
"You're supposed to be with Zoro," Luffy tells the young doctor firmly.
"I couldn't leave you guys," Chopper mutters tearfully.
"PX-1!" Sentomaru shouts. "Aim for Blackleg! They're the weakest."
Vivi's hands tremble. Fear shaking her body and sending a thick fog through her mind. She doesn't want to find them dead again. Can't find them dead again. Something needs to be done. They need to know what to do next.
Another beam shoots past them, barely missing Sanji, but the resulting explosion knocks all of them off their feet. Squeezing her eyes closed and biting back a sob, Vivi pushes herself up to look at the Pacifista stalking toward them.
"Usopp," Sanji moans, moving toward the groaning sniper.
"Stand down, PX-1."
The voice is enough to freeze PX-1. Vivi's heart stops as the ground trembles lightly as she turns to look up at Bartholomew Kuma. The real Bartholomew Kuma.
"You," Luffy snarls behind Vivi.
Kuma ignores him, stripping off one of his gloves as he stares down at her with impassive eyes. "Nefertari Vivi," he says calmly. "If you could visit one person on vacation, who would it be?"
His large palm swipes toward her before she can respond. The world turns dark and silent.
And Chapter Twenty-Two is finished everyone! Vivi assures Luffy that Zoro's love is undying. Luffy wants to save Ace and Zoro. Vivi finally gets to feel for herself. And Kuma arrives to separate the Strawhats without their swordsman. With Sabaody finished, we are onto preparing for Marineford! Zoro finds something surprising awaiting him when he arrives at his destination. And, without his nakama there for him, the wounds on Zoro's heart begin to crack open again.
Remember to stay healthy, stay sane, and stay safe out there!