Alubarna, the royal palace.
Seated upright upon the throne was the twelfth king of the Alabasta Kingdom, Nefertari Cobra, dressed in a plain royal robe.
Standing to the right of the throne like an unmoving statue was the captain of the Royal Guard, Igaram, whose distinctive curled hair made him impossible to miss.
Opposite him stood the kingdom's strongest warrior, Pell, vice-captain of the Royal Guard, clad in a white robe and matching headscarf.
"I didn't expect the Marines to arrive so soon."
Looking at Momousagi standing in the audience hall, Cobra spoke with mild surprise.
"There are still several months before the Reverie begins. Isn't it a little early for the Marines to come to Alabasta?"
Momousagi smiled politely.
"I am Vice Admiral Gion of Marine Headquarters."
"It is indeed rather abrupt for me to appear in Alubarna at this time."
"However, my audience with Your Majesty today is not because of the Reverie."
"Oh?"
Cobra looked even more puzzled.
"Then what brings you here?"
It wasn't just Cobra who found Gion's arrival strange.
The ministers and nobles throughout Alabasta were equally baffled.
Everyone knew the next Reverie was approaching, but there were still several months remaining.
Normally, the Marines would send warships to escort the representatives of each member nation, but arriving this early seemed unnecessarily hasty.
"We're simply passing through to rest and resupply."
Just as everyone's confusion reached its peak, Gion calmly explained,
"Our fleet happened to pass this area during a mission, and our supplies were running low, so we entered Alubarna."
"Since I've come here, it was only proper to pay my respects to Your Majesty."
"After all, when the Reverie begins, I will be the one escorting your delegation to the Holy Land."
"I see."
Cobra nodded.
"Men."
"Make the necessary arrangements."
"See that Vice Admiral Gion is welcomed properly."
"If she has any requests during her stay, do your utmost to accommodate them."
"Your Majesty."
As soon as Cobra finished speaking, Gion stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"There's no need to trouble yourselves."
"I've already checked into a hotel within the capital."
"The real reason I came to the palace today..."
"...was to recommend someone to Your Majesty."
"Recommend someone?"
Cobra blinked, unable to keep up with the sudden turn in conversation.
"What do you mean by that, Vice Admiral Gion?"
"Report!"
Before Gion could answer, an anxious shout rang out from outside the hall.
A Royal Guard rushed inside at full speed.
"Your Majesty!"
"Something terrible has happened!"
"Princess Vivi... Princess Vivi has been kidnapped!"
"What?!"
The instant those words fell, both Pell and Igaram cried out in shock.
Pell immediately disappeared in a blur, drawing his sword as he rushed out of the palace in pursuit of the princess.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Igaram completely panicked.
"How could this happen?!"
"How could this happen?!"
"What are all of you still standing around for?!"
"Hurry and bring Princess Vivi back!"
While Igaram descended into chaos, Gion suddenly turned and ran out of the audience hall.
When she realized the "tool" she had brought into the palace with her had completely vanished...
Her beautiful eyes narrowed.
She didn't even need to think.
Kairo was undoubtedly the one who had taken Princess Vivi.
Mr. Kairo...
Looking at the Royal Guards rapidly gathering outside the palace, Gion sighed inwardly.
What exactly are you trying to accomplish...?
Even she couldn't understand Kairo's actions this time.
She had never expected that the favor Kairo asked of her would involve sneaking into the palace to abduct the kingdom's princess.
Still...
She chose to trust him.
If Kairo truly intended to create chaos or destroy the kingdom, someone with his strength had no need to resort to such methods.
With that thought, Gion wasted no more time and headed back toward the hotel.
Inside one of the hotel's guest rooms.
A little girl with delicate, doll-like features stood opposite Kairo.
Looking at him cautiously, she asked,
"W-Who are you?"
"Why did you bring me here?"
"Don't be afraid."
Kairo sat down on a nearby chair and looked carefully at the young princess before speaking gently.
"My name is Kairo."
"I'm a traveler."
Princess Vivi was only around ten years old.
Although her childish face was still full of innocence, it was currently filled with anger.
Being suddenly whisked away to an unfamiliar room by a complete stranger had naturally infuriated her.
"I'm not scared at all!"
Vivi lifted her chin proudly.
She even raised her tiny fist, trying her hardest to look fierce.
"I'm the vice captain of the Sand-Sand Clan!"
"I'm Nefertari Vivi!"
Hearing that, Kairo blinked in surprise before smiling.
"Very clever."
"You only revealed an unimportant identity."
"Good instincts."
Knock! Knock! Knock!
At that moment, hurried knocking came from outside the door.
Then Perona's voice sounded.
"Kairo! Are you in there?"
"The vice captain of the Sand-Sand Clan..."
Hearing Perona's voice, Kairo looked at Vivi and blinked.
"Could you open the door for me?"
"Okay!"
Vivi instinctively agreed.
Then she suddenly froze.
She turned around and glared at Kairo.
"Why should I open the door for you?!"
"Because..."
Kairo smiled.
"...that'll be your chance to escape."
"Huh?!"
Vivi's eyes instantly lit up.
Without another word, she hurried over and flung the door open.
The moment the door opened, Perona stared wide-eyed.
"Y-You... who are you?"
Vivi, who had been planning to run for it, immediately forgot all about escaping the instant she noticed Perona's clothes.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Wow!"
"Your outfit is so pretty!"
"Where did you buy it?"
"I've never seen clothes like that before!"
"Right?!"
The moment someone complimented her dress, Perona completely forgot to ask who the little girl was.
With obvious pride, she puffed out her chest.
"This is called Lolita!"
"Kairo bought it for me!"
"If you like it, you can ask Kai—"
Perona suddenly paused.
"Wait!"
"Who are you?"
"Why are you in Kairo's room?"
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