This is the 63rd. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Farewell, Alabasta! Vivi's Choice!
Alabasta, Alubarna
That morning, Igaram is still asleep because of a serious discussion with Chaka about Luffy, Zoro, Ventus, and Ace's bounties were increased since the Marines are dead set on capturing them along with having the young Dragoon back to Ishgard, and thinking about the reason why Vivi is being calm about this. However, what got him having a nightmare is Vivi decided to become a pirate to join with the Straw Hats instead of staying in Alabasta. It got him gasp and quickly got out of bed with sweat around his forehead, panting heavily.
Igaram then quickly rush towards Vivi's room.
"Vivi!?" Igaram cried, opens the door and noticed Vivi is getting ready for the ceremony which it got their attention.
"Oh, good morning, Igaram." Vivi greets with a smile. "What's the matter? You're sweating."
"Enough! Where are your manners, Igaram?! You can't just barge in here!" Terracotta scolds her husband with a glare. "The princess needs her privacy, now go!"
"Please, forgive me! I'm just wanted to say 'good morning'!" Igaram told them in panic, knew what his wife is going to do to him.
"Is that all?" Vivi inquires.
"Uh, no...I mean, yes..."
"Quit blabbering! What are you still doing here?!" Terracotta shouts, threw the bowl at Igaram in the head. "I told you to get out!?"
Terracotta then throw a various items at Igaram in the head, causing him to grunt and forced him to get out of the room as she finally closes the door.
"I guess it was my imagination." Igaram states, rubbing his sore when he noticed Cobra looking at the view of Alubarna. "Oh, your majesty, I didn't see you there. Good morning."
"Yes, good morning." Cobra greets back with a smile, turns to him and revealed a bump on his head. "You too, huh? Terracotta can be quite scary."
"What did you do?! Try to say hello?!" Igaram shouts.
Just then, the people from Alubarna are gathered around at town square since the ceremony is about to start because Vivi is at the come of age. However, Vivi is both nervous and happy that she's going to become a princess of Alabasta.
"I don't know, Terracotta. Isn't this too tight?" Vivi asks with a grunt when Terracotta tighten up the corset.
"This is how formal attire is supposed to fit upon a princess." Terracotta points out.
"I heard that square is already full of people."
"Really?" Vivi inquires surprisingly.
"When it was announced that your speech would be getting promptly at 10, everyone is starting to get anxious." Terracotta explains while adjusting the dress. "No one wants to miss a word. Your coming of age ceremony should've been held 2 years ago when you were 14. Since it was delayed so long, it's made the people even more excited for this special event."
"But I don't have any pressing information to share with them." Vivi told her while Terracotta moves the chair next to the desk mirror.
"They're coming because they love you." Terracotta points out as Vivi sits on a chair while she hangs up the dress in the dress stand. "You don't have to say one word. All you do is show up and let everyone see how much you've grown. The coming of age ceremony is held to celebrate you becoming an adult. It's not about speeches and you should be mindful of the king's feelings in taking the time for it."
"Oh yeah, I heard your speech today should be broadcast through out Alabasta with Transponder Snails and amplifiers. How exciting! I'm really looking forward to it."
While at the hallway of the palace, Chaka came to inform Igaram about what's happening at the harbor.
"I have received a report that a battle broke out at the harbor." Chaka told him.
"I see." Igaram said seriously.
"Enlight of this, you realize we can no longer get involved?" Chaka inquires seriously.
Igaram knew that Chaka is right since the Marines are after the Straw Hat pirates, which they're hoping that the pirates made it out alive.
Somewhere in Alabasta
At the harbor, the Straw Hats and Bon Clay's crew were having a very hard time when the Marines are given chase. The Marines fires the black iron spears toward the pirates.
"Damn it! Shoot cannonballs! I can't pointy things!" Luffy growled in annoyance when the spears pierced the ship.
"Seriously, give me a break!" Bon Clay shouts in annoyance.
"If we take any more iron spears to the bottom of the ship, it'll just be a matter of time before we sink!" Sanji warns them when more of the iron spears were fired.
"MORE!" Nami yelled.
Some of the iron spears were deflected from one side while the rest of the iron spears were deflected and burnt from the other side.
"Hey! I can't keep plugging these holes you guys!" Chopper shouts from the bottom of the ship.
"Don't just stand there, do something!?" Nami demands.
"What more can we do?! It takes all our effort to protect both sides!" Sanji points out. "One ship vs. eight isn't a fair fight!"
"If this hand-to-hand combat, we'd have a better chance." Zoro adds with a scowl. "We're stuck!"
"Whether we chase them or run away, they won't change the formation." Ventus said. "The Marines had us trapped like a rat in a cage."
Until, both Django and Fullbody revealed themselves from the Marine ships, smirked that the Straw Hats, Ace, and Bon Clay and his crew were trapped.
"The 'Black Spear' formation, it's a work of art." Django states with his arms crossed.
"It's the 'Black Cage' units specialty! Idiots!" Fullbody mocks with a laugh.
"Hey, hypnotist! I thought you were a pirate!" Luffy shouts in disbelief when he noticed him.
"I am! Now why don't you shut up! My reasons are my own!" Django rebuked.
"Where do I know that guy from?" Sanji asks with a ponder.
"He's that idiot that insulted your cooking back at the Baratie from the East Blue, remember?" Ventus told him in a deadpan expression which it got Sanji realizes who he is. "And it looks like he's still holding grudges against you."
"It took a long time, but I finally found him." Fullbody said, readied his knuckledusters. "That annoying crazy cook and his angry gang of cutthroats!"
"I think we should get out there and take of these annoying Marines." Ace suggests with annoyance, then turns to Ventus. "Hey Ven, you up for getting rid of these guys?"
Ventus then turns to his partner in crime with a smirk on his face, sprouts his wings.
"Ready when you are, Ace." Ventus answered. "We'll take on the Marines on different sides in order to break the formation."
"Sounds like a plan." Ace agrees with a smirk as he leaps off the Going Merry and lands on his small boat.
Ace then uses his Devil Fruit power to speed his boat towards the Marine ships on one side while Ventus takes flight on the other side. The Marines noticed that the two pirates are coming towards the ship when Ace readied his fist.
"Fire Fist" Ace then turns his fist into flames and launches a dense column of fire, destroying the Marine ships.
"Geirskogul" Ventus then delivers an aura of dragons, destroying the Marines ships.
The Marines, Fullbody, and Django were completely stunned that both Ace and Ventus made a quick work which it got the formation broken. Usopp took his chance as he fired the cannonball at the Marine ship, destroyed the main mast along with two of the ships. Ace and Ventus then returns to the Going Merry.
"Nice work, you two." Sanji praises them with a smile.
"Yeah, that was amazing." Luffy states, then turns to Usopp. "You too, Usopp! Amazing!"
Usopp was too busy being shocked that he actually hit the main mast as he slowly turns to Luffy, but he quickly snapped out of his thoughts and regain his composure.
"Yes! Just as I calculated! It was me! That's what happens to enemy ships when I'm on a job!" Usopp lied with confidence.
'He needs to work on his confidence.' Ventus mentally thought with a sweat drop.
"That was amazing, you three! The ships from three sides have all sunk!" Bon Clay praises them with a smile. "Now, nothing can prevent us from breaking through!"
"And with that, I'm heading out." Ace told them, but he tosses the paper to Luffy. "This paper will have us see each other again, Luffy. I want you to hold on to that."
Luffy managed to catch it, but wondering why Ace tossed that paper. Ace then turns to Ventus.
"And Ventus, I'll see you again in Ishgard." Ace told him with a smirk. "I'll let Whitebeard know what the Garlean Empire is up to."
And with that, Ace then lands on the small boat, leaving the Straw Hats and Bon Clay and his crew alone.
"Well, we better get a move on while we still can." Ventus suggests when one of Bon Clay's crew noticed Hina's ship is heading their way.
"Bon Clay, we got trouble!"
"What's wrong?!" Bon Clay demands, turned to his crew.
"BLACK CAGE!?"
"No!?" Bon Clay exclaims in panic with his face pale and his jaw dropped.
"What's going on?" Luffy asks curiously, walks to Bon Clay.
"'Black Cage' Hina, she's a Marine Captain ! We're in her jurisdiction!" Bon Clay answered. "She's a real pain! We need to hurry up and fly the cope!"
"Yes sir, Mr. Bon Clay sir!"
At the Marine ship, Hina was starting to get ready for the capture of the Straw Hat pirates since Ace escaped. She also wanted to capture Ventus and bring him to Ishgard because the Garlean Empire is gathering up the army to invade his home.
"They may have broken the formation, but they're still weaken enough for the capture." Hina states.
"There's no ship we can't take down, using our 'Black Cage' formation!"
"Don't get too confident, underestimating criminals such as these can commit the expense of ones own life." Hina warned the Marines. "Now remember, once we arrived, you guys are to stay back or you might get in my way, and then Hina will be annoyed."
"Yes ma'am!"
'Sorry Anna, but I can't overlook and go empty handed. It's nothing personal, it's just orders.' Hina mentally thought with her serious look on her face.
While back at the Straw Hats side, Luffy and his crew refuses to leave since Bon Clay tried to convince them to get out of Alabasta.
"You guys need to wake up! We have to run!" Bon Clay protests. "If we get pass through that point to the south, we can escape! But, if we don't change course immediately, they'll take us down for sure!"
Apprently, Bon Clay is right when Hina's ship and the Marines are sailing after the pirates which the Straw Hats noticed them coming their way.
"If you wanna go, go." Luffy suggests seriously, turns to him. "We can't go that way."
"And exactly why not?!" Bon Clay demands in disbelief with his bulging eyes and his veins popping out from his head.
"Mr. Bon Clay, we need to set sail while we still can! There's no more time, sir!"
"The noon at Eastern Harbor." Nami told him, leaving Bon Clay curious. "We've got an appointment, there's no time to go around. We'll go straight through."
"What?! Suicide! It's ludicrous!" Bon Clay exclaims in disbelief. "Is there some treasure you're not tell about this what throwing away your lives?! Fine! Grown up and die!"
"We have to get one our friends." Luffy answered with a smile, leaving Bon Clay shocked.
It got Bon Clay realizing why the Straw Hat pirates aren't leaving Alabasta because they're going to get Vivi at the Eastern Harbor.
"So...it's for your pal that you risk it all?" Bon Clay asks.
Alabasta, Alubarna
Meanwhile, the people of Alabasta are gathered around at the town square where the ceremony for Vivi is about to start. Inside of the palace, both Cobra and Igaram are heading to Vivi's room.
"Vivi?" Cobra called her. "I'm coming in, okay?"
"Sure, the door is open." Vivi replied as the door was opened.
Just as Cobra and Igaram entered inside, the King was about to ask, but looked at her daughter in awe.
"Vivi...amazing. I mistook you for the Queen in her youth, uncanny resemblance and just as beautiful. A vision of elegance." Cobra said to her.
"Have a sit daddy...no, father, Igaram." Vivi said with a smile, leaving them confused. "I have an important matter to discuss."
Somewhere in Alabasta
While at the sea, Bon Clay was convinced that the Straw Hat pirates won't leave without Vivi. It got Bon Clay's crew shocked that their Captain is going to help them buy some time to get Vivi since they're going to meet her at the Eastern Harbor at noon.
"GREAT BON CLAY!?"
"Running now would go against everything Bon Clay stands for. If we abandoned allies who are risking their lives to pick up a friend, could we live ourselves tomorrow?" Bon Clay told them with a teary smile on his face, crossed his arms and leaving his crew shocked with teary eyes and jaws dropped. "Listen, guys, Straw Hat too! What I must say is of great importance!"
Soon as Bon Clay's ship decided to sail away, the Marines were looking through the binoculars and noticed the ships are splitting up.
"Ms. Hina! The enemy ships are splitting up! The duck ship has headed south!"
"The duck is probably meant as a decoy." Hina states.
"Well, actually, it appears the entire Straw hat crew in on board the duck ship, Captain!"
"It's the shapeshifter using as a decoy!"
Just as Hina looks through the telescope, she noticed that the Straw Hat pirates are in the duck and heading south which it got her scowled in annoyance.
"Follow the duck! Return to formation immediately!" Hina ordered.
And with that, the Marines are now pursuing the duck ship which it gives the 'real' Straw Hat pirates time to head towards the Eastern Harbor while waiting for the Marines to get off distance.
"3 minutes..."
And just as the Marines were able to catch up to the duck ship while getting in the 'Black Cage' formation, Nami then looked at her crew since it's enough time for them to get away.
"Prepare to attack!" Hina ordered.
"Ready! Full speed ahead!"
"So tell me something, I am the Straw Hats you idiots are looking for, right?" The fake Luffy asks with a chuckled as he touched his left cheek and the face turns back into Bon Clay, pulled the hat out of his head. "Or am I?"
Hina and the Marines realizes that they're being tricked since Bon Clay and his crew have faked their disguises as the Straw Hat pirates while buying the real Straw Hats enough time to flee from the fight. The Marines noticed that the Straw Hats are fleeing the scene.
"Ms. Hina! The sheep ship is heading east!"
"What?!" Hina exclaims when Bon Clay laughs while twirls his hat around with his finger, causing her to groan with a scowl.
"You must be feeling pretty stupid right now, falling for such a simple trick. See, we're masters of disguise." Bon Clay taunts as he then leaps up to the rail, positions himself. "As well as friends to the Straw Hats...Even if I stray from my code as a man, even if I stray from my code as a woman, I could never betray my basic humanite. That is the difference between us. If my brethren and I are too far away, we will fall together, clinging to our freedom, and watching its bloom. By Bon Clay!"
His crew are left in tears, felt touched of Bon Clay's speech as he then turns to Hina with a determined look on his face, ready for a fight.
"Bring it on, sister!" Bon Clay growled.
"Hina's humiliated!" Hina growled in annoyance.
And with that, the fight between the Marines and Bon Clay and his crew begins. The Straw Hat pirates were watching the fight. The Marines fired the iron spears, piercing the ship from both sides, but Bon Clay and his men leap towards the Marine ship while firing the cannons at the ship which the Marine ship is destroyed. While the pirate ship is destroyed, Bon Clay's crew kept firing the ships, destroying the number of the Marine ships.
"Bon Clay..." Luffy muttered.
Soon as Bon Clay was able to take down the number of the Marines, he then turns to Hina, who took down the number of his crew as they begin clashing against each other.
"I promise you...Bon Clay...We will never forget you..." Luffy cried when he, Sanji, Chopper, and Usopp were in tears.
'If we are to fall, let it be in the sea. The flower of friendship is rejoicing.'
The Straw Hat pirates then continued to sail towards the Eastern Harbor, but the Marines pursued after them.
"They're after us again!" Usopp shouts.
"GET OUT OF OUR WAY!?" Luffy yelled.
Alabasta
Meanwhile, 'Vivi' is making her way towards the palace entrance and remembering the 3 years of Crocodile plotting of using the dance powder and the rebellion.
'We don't know who the ringleader is?'
'Right. It's an underground organization. Even if its members know absolutely nothing about the identity of their boss.'
'So, this countries enemy has no name?'
'It's impossible for us to gather information on them from the outside. Further investigation might put the country at risk.'
'But we do have a lead, isn't that correct?'
'Yes.'
'Igaram, do you know what I'm thinking right now?'
'Uh...N-No! No I don't! Leave me be! I have to back to my work!"
'Igaram!?'
'No! Stop it! This isn't a game!?'
'All of the more reason to be honest with me! I can't sit around and do nothing!'
After the flashback have ended, 'Vivi' walked outside of the palace and approached towards the balcony which it got the people of Alabasta noticed as they cheered for the princess.
"Look, there she is!"
"It's Vivi!"
"Princess Vivi, you're a vision!"
"We love you!"
"Princess!"
"She's all grown up!"
However, what they didn't know was that the real Vivi met up with the Straw Hat pirates at the Eastern Harbor. After Vivi arrived at the Eastern Harbor, she began her speech with a smile on her face.
'It all started on that day...'
It got the people of Alabasta's attention because Vivi's speech is getting started.
'I've went on a little adventure...'
At Nanohana, the people were gathered at the transponder snail when they heard her speech.
"Princess Vivi's speech is starting! Hurry up!"
"I've been waiting so long!"
"Oh, it's so exciting!"
At Rainbase, the people were also gathering at the transponder snail.
"The ceremony in Alubarna has finally started!"
"It was delayed by 2 hours. What happened?"
While at Yuba, the people stopped working on clearing the sand from the trench while gathered next to the transponder snail. Toto noticed that Koza is inside of one of the inns as he spoke.
"Come and listen, Koza!" Toto called him. "Hey, come on! Vivi's speech has already started."
"The amplifiers are cranked all the way up, I can be underground and still hear every word." Koza points out in annoyance, but he smiled, proud that Vivi is going to give a speech to the people of Alabasta.
At the Eastern Harbor, Vivi continued the speech since she and Karoo arrived at the harbor hours ago to meet up with the Straw Hats. The Straw Hat pirates began to fight against the Marines while listening Vivi's speech.
"A journey, to cross the dark sea, but what I found was a grand adventure." Vivi continues. "The sheer vastness of the ocean was overwhelming. And yet, it brought me to a series of islands so unbelievable..."
Back at Alubarna, the people of Alabasta continued to listen to Vivi's speech.
'...They defied imagination with such wondrous environments inhabited by strange creatures. At times, the melody of waves was quiet, swaying gently as if easing my soul and there were other times when the melody was violently laughing at me as if threatening to rip my very heart in two...'
At the Eastern Harbor, the Straw Hats are making quick work out of the Marines by sending them flying over to the ocean and destroying the ships.
"...In that dark, dark storm, I encountered a single small ship. The ship spoke to me while pushing me on it, it said with a clear singular voice, 'Can't you see the light?'" Vivi continued. "This wondrous ship which never straight off course, even through pitch-black darkness danced its wave across a huge waves. The mighty ship kept it point at straight ahead, thwarting every obstacle the ocean who can throw at. Finally, has the ship roused my spirits, it said, 'Look, there is a light. History will one day catalog this experience as an illusion, but I will always remember it as a singular truth.'"
The people of Alabasta is wondering what does she mean by that which it got them curious, but realizing that she was talking about a battle against Crocodile and the Baroque Works agents.
"And finally..."
Before Vivi could continue the speech, she saw the Straw Hat pirates which they began to realize that the princess of Alabasta decided to stay and help her father and her people.
"Vivi..." Chopper muttered sadly.
"Forget about it, you heard the speech. That was Vivi's voice without a doubt." Zoro told him.
"They're just broadcasting the ceremony that's being held in Alubarna." Sanji adds.
"Guess it's settled, she made up her mind not to come here." Ventus states.
"No! I don't buy it, I say she's here." Luffy argued. "This is a Tamarisk place, right?"
"Yeah, that's it." Zoro answered simply.
"Let's go, it's past noon." Sanji suggested.
"There's no way she wouldn't have come! She's definitely here! Let's get out and look for her!" Luffy demands.
"And if the Marines catches up, what then?" Ventus questions seriously.
"This is bad guys! The Marines are after us again!" Usopp warned them.
"Exactly how many ships are out there?" Zoro questions, turns to him.
"I counted 6." Ventus told him, using his Dragon Sight. "Damn! Let's turn this ship around and get out of here!"
"Give it up, Luffy. Vivi's course is on a road far different from ours." Sanji points out.
"He's right. She made her choice, there's nothing we can do." Ventus agrees. "We need to leave."
Though, Luffy didn't like the idea of leaving without Vivi, but he knows that both Sanji and Ventus are right.
At Alubarna, the people of Alabasta were wondering what was happening while hearing of Vivi's speech, but became outraged when they threw random items at the balcony.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
"HEY SHOW YOUR FACE! WE KNOW YOU'RE A FAKE! IT'S SQUAD CAPTAIN IGARAM!"
"WHERE'S THE REAL VIVI?!"
"WE HEARD HER VOICE, SO WHERE THE HELL IS THE PRINCESS SPEAKING FROM?!"
After they finally figured it out that it was Igaram, disguised as Vivi which his face was pale since it's no use of hiding it.
"At least Vivi is safe." Igaram muttered when one of them threw a pillow at him, which it flew right over it, but a wooden mug hit him in the head. "They can throw far."
Back at Tamarisk, the Straw Hats left with no other options but to leave Alasbasta since the Marines are catching up to them as Vivi finally decided to speak.
"Everyone!" Vivi called them.
It got their attention when they heard Vivi's voice as they turned, noticed both Vivi and Karoo were at the Eastern Shore. Apparently, Vivi is broadcasting at Tamarisk while having Igaram disguised as the princess at Alubarna in order to meet up with the Straw Hat pirates at noon.
"VIVI!?" Luffy shouts with a smile.
"KAROO!?" Usopp adds when she and Karoo waves with a smile on their faces.
"Vivi!?" Nami shouts with a smile when she, Chopper, Ventus, and Sanji noticed them.
"See? She came." Luffy said.
"Vivi~!" Sanji said, gone goo-goo eyes.
"We need to go back! Better hurry!" Usopp suggested when he was about to head towards the helm.
"Hold up, Usopp." Ventus said, grabs him in the shoulder. "Let's hear what she has to say first."
Usopp noticed of Ventus' expression which turned out to be serious, but decided to comply his order.
"The Marines are right behind us, too!" Chopper adds excitedly, waving at her when Luffy was about to head for the helm.
"I came to say goodbye!" Vivi told them with a shout, which it got the Straw Hats, except Zoro and Ventus, stunned. "Karoo, handset."
Karoo replied with a quack as she grabs the handset.
At Tamarisk, the people are starting to listen of what Vivi is telling the Straw Hats.
'Sorry, but I can't go with you. Thanks you so much for everything.'
The Straw Hats were stunned that Vivi won't be going with them, but the people of Alabasta are starting to wonder who is she talking to.
"Who's the princess talking too?"
The Marines however, noticed Vivi and Karoo were in the Eastern Harbor.
"No way, I think I just spotted Princess Vivi!"
"She's supposed to be at the ceremony at Alubarna."
"I'd like to go on more adventures, but I can't ignore the means of my country, which I love more than anything." Vivi continued. "I have to stay! I hope you understand!"
"I see." Luffy said with a grin, finally understanding why she's staying.
"Thank you." Vivi thanked the Straw Hats, remembered back at the Going Merry.
'Our sign needs an 'X'.'
'How come?'
'We're pirates.'
'You know that it's literal translation means death to ones opponents, right?'
'That's fine. It must be an 'X', it looks cool. Huh, Vivi?'
'Yeah, I like it.'
'It doesn't matter what it is, that's not the point. Just write it.'
After the flashback ends, Vivi speaks when her tears are flowing through her eyes.
"I will...I...I will remain here and fulfill my duty...If we ever meet again, no matter how much time passed, will you still call me friend?!" Vivi asked in teary eyes.
The Straw Hats can only respond in silent while the Marines listened to Vivi's speech which it got them suspicious.
"Did you hear that? The princess has some kind of bond with the Straw Hats."
"Yeah, Princess Vivi considers those pirates friends?"
"You'll forever be-"
"Idiot!?" Nami interrupts, slamming him down to the floor. "Don't reply, got it?! The Marines now know about Vivi and us. If they can prove she has a connection to us, it's all over and should be considered a criminal."
Luffy knows that Nami makes a valid point since the Marines have overheard everything of Vivi's speech.
"Turn away, not another word." Nami suggested.
Soon as they agreed, the Straw Hat pirates turned away as they rolling up their sleeves and taking the wrappings off of their forearms, raising theirs arms up and revealing the 'X' marks. Vivi was sad that they didn't reply at first, but noticed their arms raised when they show her the mark 'X' that symbolizes their friendship. Both Vivi and Karoo were happy as they did the same.
'No matter what happens on that island, remember, this thing on our arms is a sign of our friendship.'
These words have echoed on Vivi's mind.
However, the Marines are now pursuing after the Straw Hats as they fired the cannons at them which mostly missed the ship. Soon as Vivi gets the message, the Straw Hats put their arms down and began to leave Alabasta.
"SET SAIL!?" Luffy ordered as the Straw Hat pirates leaves Alabasta.
That's it for the 63rd chapter.