"Alright, Luffy… it's about time."
Ace pulled out a small, ordinary-looking piece of paper from his pocket.
"Keep this safe."
He tore it in half and handed one piece to Luffy.
"This is a Vivre Card. As long as it exists and points somewhere… it means I'm still alive."
"In the second half of the Grand Line, it'll guide you to me."
Luffy nodded firmly.
"Yeah! Got it, Ace!"
"Well then… everyone."
Ace turned around, waving without looking back.
"See you in the New World!"
His figure flickered like a flame—
And vanished into the endless desert.
Then—
A low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky above Alubarna.
Drip.
A single drop of rain fell onto the scorched earth—
Instantly swallowed by the dry land.
Then—
Another.
And another.
After two full years of drought—
Rain came.
Not a gentle drizzle—
But a torrential downpour.
As if the sky itself was trying to wash away—
Hatred.
Thirst.
Blood.
Despair.
"All this time… rain… IT'S RAINING!!!"
The rebels and royal army—
Who had just been trying to kill each other—
Froze.
They slowly looked up—
Letting the rain wash over their bloodstained faces.
Clang… clang…
Weapons fell into the mud.
Spears.
Guns.
Blades.
Millions dropped them at once.
Then—
They knelt.
Together.
Enemies no more.
Crying hoarsely under the rain.
"Father…"
Vivi knelt in the rain.
Her hair soaked, clinging to her pale face.
Tears mixed with rain—
Streaming endlessly.
Each drop—
Felt like her father's final embrace.
Ronan stood at the edge of the rainfall.
Watching the chaotic energy of the battlefield finally settle.
"…Looks like it's over."
Heavy footsteps echoed through the rain.
Along with the thick scent of cigars.
A tall figure in a coat of Justice emerged through the downpour.
Smoker.
Behind him—
Tashigi stepped forward.
She looked down into the crater—
At the defeated Crocodile.
"Crocodile."
Her voice was firm.
"By order of the World Government…"
"Your title as a Warlord is revoked."
"You will be imprisoned in Impel Down for the rest of your life."
"Hey… Marine."
A voice interrupted.
Luffy crouched on a broken stone.
Looking at Smoker calmly.
"I didn't say you could take him."
"He's my prey."
Smoker's eyes narrowed.
Smoke curled around him.
"Monkey D. Luffy."
"You defeated him, yes."
"But criminals belong to the Marines."
"What do you want? Fame? His head?"
Ronan stepped beside Luffy silently.
He leaned in—
Whispered a few words.
"…A spear?"
Luffy tilted his head—
Then grinned.
"Fine."
"You can take him."
"But I want something in return."
Smoker raised a brow.
"…Say it."
"I want a spear!"
"Made from the core of the Adam Tree!"
"And the tip forged from Seastone alloy!"
Smoker's heart skipped.
Adam Wood—
Legendary material used for the Pirate King's ship.
Seastone—
A strategic resource.
This wasn't just a weapon—
It was a treasure.
But…
Looking at Crocodile.
Looking at these monsters in front of him—
Smoker exhaled slowly.
"…Deal."
"I'll request it."
"You'll have it in three days."
"But after that—"
"Get out of Alabasta."
Ronan's eyes gleamed.
An Adam Wood shaft.
A Seastone spearhead.
Combined with his explosive power—
That would be a weapon capable of piercing the heavens.
The rain continued to fall.
Under the escort of the kingdom's guardians—
Falcon Pell and Jackal Chaka—
Vivi ascended the tower.
Her voice echoed across the city.
"People of Alabasta!"
"The war is over! The drought is over!"
She stood tall.
Looking down at her people.
"We have lost much…"
"But from this moment on—"
"We will rise again from these ruins!"
"I am Nefertari Vivi."
"Together, we will rebuild this land!"
"For those who died—"
"And for those yet to live—"
"Live on!!!"
"LONG LIVE QUEEN VIVI!!!"
"LONG LIVE ALABASTA!!!"
Cheers thundered across the city—
Driving away the final shadows.
Chapter 127: The Uninvited Eighth — Nico Robin, the Devil's Child
Rain fell over Alubarna for five days.
And in those five days—
The city was reborn.
Blood was washed away.
Ruins sprouted new life.
Under the overwhelming strength of the Straw Hats—
All remaining threats were eliminated.
Inside the royal palace—
Vivi wore a deep blue royal robe.
A crown upon her head.
Under the witness of Pell and Chaka—
She inherited her father's will.
The girl who once sailed on the Merry—
Was now a queen of iron resolve.
"Hey, Luffy. Time to go."
Sanji stood by the window, cigarette in hand.
Usopp packed their things.
"That smoke guy came again this morning—threatening to arrest us if we stay."
At the center of the room—
Ronan held a spear.
A magnificent weapon.
One zhang and eight inches long.
The shaft—
Forged from Adam Wood.
Heavy.
Ancient.
The spearhead—
A tri-edged Seastone alloy blade.
Cold blue light flickered along its edge.
"…A true war spear."
Ronan gave it a light shake.
The air trembled like a dragon's roar.
"Yeah… time to move on."
After saying goodbye to Vivi—
They returned to the Going Merry.
The ship waited quietly in the sunset.
But the moment Luffy stepped onboard—
"…Hmm?"
Luffy.
Ronan.
Zoro.
Sanji.
All froze.
Observation Haki—
Fully activated.
Inside the cabin—
A presence.
Deep.
Hidden.
Shing—!
Zoro's blade slid out slightly.
Sanji's leg tensed.
Ronan raised his spear—
Pointing at the door.
"Come out."
Creaaak—
The cabin door opened.
Sunlight spilled in.
And from the shadows—
A tall, elegant woman stepped out.
Long black hair.
Deep eyes.
A purple jacket.
Calm.
As if she belonged there.
"You're finally back."
"I've been waiting for days."
Nico Robin.
Luffy tilted his head.
"Who are you? Why are you on our ship?"
"SO BEAUTIFUL!!!"
Sanji instantly turned into a lovestruck mess.
"A flower blooming after the rain—!"
Zoro's eyes sharpened.
"She's dangerous."
Robin ignored them.
Closing her book gently.
"My name is Nico Robin."
"I'm an archaeologist."
"I can read ancient text."
She looked at Luffy.
"If you want to become Pirate King…"
"You'll need someone like me."
"Ancient text?"
Luffy scratched his head.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Luffy."
Ronan stepped forward.
His spear struck the deck with a dull thud.
"She's right."
"To reach the end of the Grand Line…"
"You need the Poneglyphs."
"And the language on them…"
"Is lost."
"Without someone who can read them—"
"We'll never find the final island."
"Ohhh… got it!"
(Not really.)
Luffy grinned anyway.
Then looked at Robin.
No suspicion.
Only instinct.
"Then join us!"
"LUFFY!!!"
Usopp, Nami, and Chopper exploded.
"TOO FAST!!!"
"What if she's a spy?!"
"We don't even know her!!!"
Robin blinked.
Even she didn't expect it to be this easy.
"…You're not afraid I'll betray you?"
"I'm called the Devil's Child."
Luffy smiled.
Bright.
Simple.
"I don't think you're a bad person."
Ronan exhaled slowly.
Looking at the rising moon.
No matter how much the story changes…
Some meetings are inevitable.
Now… the crew is complete.
"Everyone!"
Luffy stood at the bow—
Pointing forward.
"Set sail!!!"
"A new adventure—begins now!!!"
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