CHAPTER 38
The Sea King Secret is Uncovered! Zoro and Ari Reunited!
The Strawhat crew instinctively goes into fighting stance at the sight of the giant sea king. Zoro jumps and runs up the length of it to cut off its head, when up ahead he sees two people nested in its mane. He traverses along its back until he sees the two targets. He sops dead in his tracks. He drops to his knees, his swords falling out of his hands and mouth. Right in front of him is Ari. Ari turns around and as she does so, the clouds part and with perfect timing, the sun bathes her in its warm light. Their eyes lock and Zoro's relief is palpable as a large sigh escapes him. They stay there, eyes locked as they take each other in. Finally, just looking at her isn't enough and Zoro moves. He runs the rest of the way to her. He falls into her, pinning her arms at her sides and holding her there as if she might disappear at any moment. She melts in his embrace, breathing in his scent.
He pulls away just enough to look at her face. "Are you hurt?"
She smiles and shakes her head.
Zoro breathes a sigh of relief and his body relaxes. "But how…"
Ari considers this herself and realizes that she doesn't exactly know how everything happened. She knows that Pheonix saved her, but is unsure how. She looks over her shoulder at Pheonix, asking the question with her eyes.
Pheonix just shrugs and mouths, "Later."
Ari nods and can't wait to hear the explanation.
Zoro gives her a questioning look and Ari shrugs. Staying satisfied with the simple fact of Ari being alive, Zoro accepts her answer. Reluctantly letting her go, Zoro retrieves his swords and sheathes them. The sea king lowers its head to the Sunny and the three of them hop off. Pheonix touches her forehead to the sea king before it swims away.
As soon as they step foot on the Sunny, the Strawhat crew surrounds them, eagerly asking questions that pile on top of each other in a chattering chaos. The three of them bask in the happy energy and take the attention in stride. They open their mouths to answer everything, but before they have a chance to, Zoro draws his swords and says, "We have company." Zoro glares at the edge of the ship and the others follow suit. At the edge of the ship, Ali is pathetically yanking himself over the railing. He collapses into a puddled heap on the floor with a loud thud. His skin is covered in multiple third-degree burns and most of it is peeling off sickeningly.
"Y-you haven't escaped ME! VICTORIA ROSE ROSWARD! I WILL END YOU!" he shouts desperately at Pheonix.
Sanji raises a curly brow at the sound of her given name.
Ali stumbles toward Pheonix, but before he can get very far, Ari steps in to block him. Ali and Ari lock eyes and he exclaims, even louder this time, "AND YOU! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!" He adds, "Damn warlords. Can't count on them for anything."
"I'm afraid I don't die so easily," Ari smiles and looks over her shoulder to Pheonix. "You, on the other hand." Ari takes her flute out of her sash and puts the mouthpiece to her lips.
Ali's eyes squint in confusion, but turn to terror as he remembers this specific pirate's skill. He turns tail to run back into the ocean.
Ari takes a calming breath, remembering her newfound determination to not be afraid of her power. She inhales another breath, gathering her air for the attack. And plays a lone, sharp note. Ari feels the sound waves, not quite as powerful as they used to be, speed in Ali's direction as he stumbles to the railing. The waves hit him all at once and Ali grasps at his chest and coughs up a pile of blood, before collapsing onto the deck. Ari walks over to him, turns him over and checks for a pulse. Pheonix hesitantly moves close to him as well, worried that he might jump up at any moment. Ari turns around and nods to Pheonix, conveying that he is, in fact, dead.
Pheonix holds her breath as she also feels for a pulse. She exhales a sigh of relief. She looks up to Ari, the both of them still crouched over his body and they share a look of understanding and relief. They lift his body together and toss him into the sea. Pheonix watches his body plunge under the waves and her eyes brim with tears as she processes that her fraudulent fiancé is dead. Those tears are part sadness at losing what she thought she had, but mostly they're out of joy that he won't be hunting her anymore. Dad can always find someone else though… she laments to herself. She isn't left moping for long though since Ari turns to face her, her eyes also spilling over with happy tears.
"I still can't believe you're here!" Ari throws her arms around Pheonix in a crushing hug. Ari hasn't really, truly had time to process the joy of her friend being alive so the happiness hits her all at once. Pheonix embraces her back with just as much enthusiasm. "You're alive," Ari sobs. And Pheonix joins her in that as well as the two friends revel in their reunion.