Tina's cold voice spoke slowly:
"With your strength, becoming a Marine Captain easily shouldn't be a problem, yet you're colluding with pirates. It's truly a shame."
Hearing this, Zoro burst out laughing.
"Being with the Marines would be such a boring and dull life. It's much happier being a pirate."
As he spoke, Zoro glanced back towards Luffy and said:
"Don't you agree, Captain!"
Hearing this, Luffy clenched his fists and immediately stretched his arm.
Before Tina could react, Luffy's arm was already draped over her shoulder.
The next second, Luffy quickly retracted his arm and head-butted Tina in the chest, sending her flying.
Seeing this, Sanji froze instantly, then shattered into more than a dozen pieces.
Sanji resentfully pounded the Merry's deck, agonizing over his pain.
Deciding to catch the last bit of advantage, he stepped onto the Merry's railing and leaped, preparing to jump.
But then, he saw Luffy had already stretched his arm and grabbed the Merry's railing.
Holding Zoro, he instantly sprang back, and in mid-air, he collided with Sanji.
He also knocked Sanji back, who fell heavily onto the deck.
His eyes were hollow, their color indiscernible.
He was filled with despair.
After a long while, Sanji finally stood up from the ground like a zombie ghost.
He swayed unsteadily as he walked towards everyone, his entire vitality seemingly drained in an instant.
Even Nami, seeing him, couldn't help but flinch back.
"Sanji-kun, what's wrong with you?"
Hearing this, Sanji looked directly at Luffy and Zoro, and his melancholic aura scared both Luffy and Zoro into stepping back.
Usopp and Chopper looked even more terrified and began running back and forth on the ship.
"Oh no, Sanji's possessed by a ghost!"
Chopper echoed:
"Ghost, where's the ghost?"
At this moment, Usopp hung a string of garlic around Chopper's neck and took one himself, then pointed in Sanji's direction.
"Hey, hey, don't come any closer!"
Seeing this, Sanji lunged forward and kicked both of them away.
Then, he grabbed the string of garlic in his hand and said viciously:
"Please, don't desecrate food!"
Seeing that Sanji had finally recovered a bit, Nami seized the opportunity and asked:
"Sanji-kun, are you alright now?"
Hearing this, Sanji turned to Nami, and hearts appeared in his eyes as he said:
"Don't worry, Nami-san, I'm fine. If I could get a kiss from Nami-san, I think I'd get better even faster."
As he spoke, Sanji pursed his lips and slowly moved towards Nami.
But he was met with Nami's merciless iron fist.
A string of bumps appeared on Sanji's head.
He then twisted his body, nearly passing out.
The Marines on Tina's side were not a concern for now. However, the Marines led by Smoker were approaching them.
But for some reason, the Marines led by Smoker were lingering at the southern dock and didn't come over.
While they were utterly baffled, a familiar voice suddenly came from afar.
"Hey, everyone!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.
There, Vivi, dressed in a formal gown, and Bentham were standing by the east dock, waving at them.
Seeing this, Luffy and the others became excited, and Luffy immediately ordered:
"Quickly dock the ship at the pier, we'll welcome Vivi aboard!"
Nami cried with joy; she knew Vivi would come.
Sanji was also surprised, but there wasn't much joy in his eyes.
Because he always felt that Vivi shouldn't abandon her country, nor should she abandon it at this time.
As expected, Vivi then shouted loudly:
"I'm here this time to say goodbye to everyone."
"I feel I still deeply love this country, and its people cannot do without me!"
Her words left everyone stunned. Luffy smiled and said:
"Ah, is that so."
Although it was a bit sad, respecting each other's dreams had always been the Straw Hats' way.
At this moment, Smoker and his group by the distant dock also heard Vivi's announcement.
Tashigi looked at Vivi and said hesitantly:
"Isn't that the princess of the Kingdom of Alabasta? Shouldn't she be attending her coming-of-age ceremony today?"
Hearing this, Smoker turned a deaf ear, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said:
"Give the order, no one is to make a move. We'll pursue when the Straw Hats attempt to escape."
Upon hearing this, Tashigi saluted and went to make arrangements.
At this moment, Vivi shouted loudly:
"Everyone, I'm truly sorry that I can't go with you this time."
"But if we can meet at sea again someday, could you still call me a comrade!"
Hearing this, the Straw Hats were moved. Luffy gritted his teeth and was about to respond, but Nami grabbed him.
"Hey, Luffy, we can't respond to Vivi right now."
"The Marines are not far from us; this will only bring more trouble to this country."
Hearing this, Luffy's face went blank, and he nodded. The others also lined up, turned their backs.
They removed the white cloths tied to their wrists.
Then they rolled up their sleeves and, with their backs to Vivi, raised one hand, displaying their secret sign.
This was the mark of their camaraderie.
Seeing this, Vivi and Bentham burst into tears.
They also proudly raised the crosses on their arms.
The sky above changed, and the sea churned wildly, blurring the scene.
In the distance, Smoker, witnessing this, his expression grew colder.
He couldn't help but clench his teeth.
Even pirates have such a tender side.
Why are the Marines who uphold justice and the World Government so dark?
"This world is probably sick," Smoker murmured, then closed his eyes.
At this moment, Tashigi ran over, saluted Smoker, and said:
"Captain, everything has been arranged as you instructed. We'll carry out the arrest as soon as the Straw Hats leave the shore."
Hearing this, Smoker couldn't be bothered to open his eyes and waved his hand, telling Tashigi to wait at the side.
About twenty minutes later, Nami opened her eyes and said:
"Alright, enough time has passed, we should go. If we delay any longer, the Marines will get suspicious."
Hearing this, Sanji took a puff of his cigarette and looked in Smoker's direction.
"It looks like they're just waiting for this to be over."
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