"Such is the unpredictability of life." Crocas sighed with emotion as well.
"Reno, this old man has one more—"
"You want me to tell Brook, when I meet him, that Laboon has been waiting for him here all this time, right?!"
"Don't worry. When the time comes, I'll bring Brook back myself." Reno interrupted Crocas.
He had already left Location Coordinates at Twin Cape.
Once he reached Thriller Bark, he could simply Teleport Brook over.
It would take one second.
"Wouldn't that delay your voyage?!!"
Crocas knew very well that few pirates ever turned back before their voyage was over.
"I have my ways." Reno waved a hand without explaining further.
"Then this old man will thank you in advance." Crocas spoke with a solemn expression.
"By the way, I'm heading to Whiskey Peak next. You should have a Permanent Pointer for that place, right?!!"
Having settled Laboon's matter, Reno turned to his own business.
"I do. I'll get it right away." Crocas turned and entered the cabin, returning with a pointer in his hand.
"This is the Permanent Pointer to Whiskey Peak. Keep it safe. Without it, you'll lose your way."
Reno accepted the pointer without the slightest hesitation, then looked at the women. "I'll go help Kaya first. Once Laboon's injuries are healed, we'll set off."
The women nodded one after another. That was what they had been thinking as well.
"Hm?!!"
Suddenly, Reno gave a soft cry and looked toward where the Merry was docked.
There were thieves!!!
Everyone, please send flowers, rating votes, and monthly tickets.
Desperate Princess Vivi, Laboon Restored to Full Health! (Please Support with Data)
A small boat stealthily approached the Merry, and two nimble figures quickly climbed onto the deck.
"Miss Wednesday, it seems our luck is pretty good today."
A man wearing a crown and dressed in a frog costume whispered to his partner beside him.
"Yeah, Mr.9. Stealing food from this group of pirates is much easier than hunting that whale."
The one who replied was a pretty woman with a ponytail, though she looked every bit like a villainess.
They had been searching everywhere for food these past few days. If they returned empty-handed again, the people of Whiskey Peak would starve to death.
The two cautiously scanned their surroundings as they crept into the cabin.
Miss Wednesday's stomach was already growling with hunger, and she seemed to have some kind of built-in location sensor as she immediately found the storeroom.
When she opened the door, she found all kinds of vegetables and meat inside.
Miss Wednesday was overjoyed and was about to call Mr.9 over to pack up all the food.
However, before the words could leave her mouth, she discovered in horror that a tall man stood not far away with his arms crossed, watching her with interest.
"Ah!!!" Miss Wednesday screamed instinctively.
"Keep it down, Miss Wednesday. Don't let those people find us."
Hearing the commotion, Mr.9 poked his head out from the adjacent room and reminded her in a low voice.
"You're courting death!!"
Recognizing Mr.9, Reno's expression darkened. Aside from himself, no other man was allowed to set foot on the Merry.
Without another word, Reno threw Mr.9 out. Before he could fall into the sea, a bolt of Lightning as thick as a bowl struck him, killing him instantly.
"Y-You killed Mr.9?!!" Watching Mr.9 drift away with the current, Princess Vivi panicked.
She trembled all over in fear.
Reno's expression immediately brightened. "Don't worry, Princess Vivi. I only kill members of Baroque Works."
"Once I heal Laboon, we'll have a proper talk."
With her identity exposed, Princess Vivi was utterly terrified.
Not only did the man before her know her true identity, he was also incredibly powerful.
"D-Don't kill me." Princess Vivi trembled like a frightened little rabbit.
Ignoring Vivi's plea, Reno grabbed her shoulder and Teleported!!
Amid Vivi's piercing scream, the two reappeared before the women.
"Captain, who is this?!" Makino looked utterly confused.
"What a pretty little sister. Captain, where did you snatch her from?!" Carmen curiously sized up the pale-faced Princess Vivi.
This pirate even kidnapped people?!
Vivi became even more terrified.
Reno smiled. "From now on, she's a member of the Reno Pirates. Keep an eye on her and don't let her run away."
With that, he rode an Island Cloud toward Laboon.
Only the bewildered women and Princess Vivi were left staring at one another.
After Reno left, Princess Vivi had a sudden idea. Putting on a pitiful expression, she begged, "Big sisters, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have stolen your food. Please spare me this once."
The women exchanged glances and immediately understood.
Well, well. She had tried to steal from them.
More importantly, Reno was always looking for beautiful women, and this girl had practically delivered herself to his doorstep.
"Little sister, you heard him just now. The captain told us to watch you."
"But don't worry. I can guarantee that he definitely won't hurt you." Makino comforted Princess Vivi in a gentle voice.
Since Reno had already said Princess Vivi was a member of the pirate crew, she naturally understood what would happen next.
As if I'd believe you.
Vivi cursed inwardly.
She had just watched Reno throw Mr.9 into the sea.
She would probably end up the same way.
She absolutely could not sit around and wait for death.
Vivi discreetly glanced in Reno's direction. They seemed to be treating that whale.
Now's the chance. Run!!
However, just as she was about to move, Tashigi was faster.
Wado Ichimonji instantly left its sheath, its blade gleaming coldly.
"Don't move!"
The other women surrounded her as well, their expressions unfriendly. A layer of black spread across their fair arms.
"They all know Armament Haki?!" Crocas was clearly taken aback.
"Little girl, you're no match for them. Don't make yourself suffer. Just stay put."
Feeling the women's imposing presence, Vivi immediately deflated and lowered her head in resignation.
Before long, the Island Cloud floated over with Reno, Kaya, and Nami aboard.
After the two women's efforts, all the injuries Laboon had accumulated over the years had been completely healed.
He was restored to full health once more!
"Roar!"
With the pain gone and having learned that Brook was still alive, Laboon let out an excited, grateful roar.
For him, this was the most unforgettable day of his life.
"Reno, thank you so much this time." Seeing Laboon convey unprecedented joy, Crocas was sincerely delighted.
"It was nothing." Reno waved it off, unconcerned.
"Laboon, stay here and behave. Don't ram into the Red Line again. It won't be long before I bring Brook back."
Reno made a promise to Laboon.
Another low roar answered him.
Reno and the girls smiled knowingly.
"Well then, Crocas, farewell. We need to continue our journey."
Reno led the despairing Vivi and the women back onto the Merry one after another.
"Hahahaha, Reno! I hope that one day, I'll hear your name on the Great Sea."
On the shore, Crocas kept waving as he watched the Merry rise into the sky.
"Laboon, today was truly a happy day!"
"Roar."
Vivi's Mentality Collapses! (Please Support with Data)
After bidding farewell to Crocas, the Merry rapidly ascended into the sky and flew toward Whiskey Peak.
Inside an empty room, Vivi faced Reno and the women's interrogation with a look of utter despair.
After Makino explained everything, Kaya and Nami also learned the full story.
"You've got some nerve, sneaking onto the Merry to steal!"
"Talk! Did you have any accomplices?!"
Nami stood with her hands on her hips, glaring fiercely at Vivi.
Terrified, Vivi timidly pointed at Reno. "H-He... threw him into the sea."
The women froze. There was no need to guess—he had definitely been a man!
"He was a Baroque Works agent. He deserved to die." Reno waved dismissively.
Those people had committed every kind of evil under Crocodile and were guilty beyond redemption. They deserved death. (I revised the outline and decided to kill Crocodile.)
"And who are you?! Are you a Baroque Works agent too?!" Nami continued interrogating Vivi.
Vivi shook her head like a rattle and immediately denied it. "N-No, I'm not."
"My name is Vivi. I'm the Princess of Alabasta. Please don't kill me."
Her trembling voice carried a hint of tears.
"A princess?! You're the king's daughter?!!"
"Then you must be very rich, right?!"
Nami's thoughts quickly spiraled, and her shrill tone gradually softened as Vivi's identity was revealed.
If there was money, everything was negotiable!
It was only an attempted theft. It was no big deal.
A simple compensation of Ten Million Beli would settle the matter, wouldn't it?
Vivi caught Nami's implication and nodded frantically. "I can compensate you for your losses."
Wait, what losses did they have?
She had been caught before she even stole anything.
"Anyway... as long as you let me go, I can give you money."