Alabasta, Royal Palace.
The air seemed to freeze.
Cold sweat soaked King Cobra's back. The relief he had felt at his country's salvation had turned into deep fear.
"Th-This… Your Excellency…"
Cobra rubbed his hands nervously, his gaze drifting everywhere except toward the silver-haired man seated on the throne.
"Vivi… she's still young."
"She's also Alabasta's only heir. If she leaves with you, then this country—"
"And the sea is far too dangerous. She's been sheltered since childhood, I'm afraid…"
He stammered, desperately grasping for excuses.
Was this a joke?!
Yes, this man had saved Alabasta—but he was also a ruthless Pirate Emperor.
Taking Vivi as a disciple? That was no different from sending a lamb into a tiger's den!
If Vivi became a wanted criminal in the future—or worse—how would he face his ancestors?
"Oh?"
Tobirama leaned back on the throne, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
Each tap felt like a heavy hammer striking Cobra's heart.
"Are you refusing me?"
His voice remained flat, devoid of emotion.
Yet the temperature in the hall plunged instantly.
Hum—
An invisible killing intent locked onto Cobra.
Just a trace of overflowing chakra made it feel as though an unseen giant hand was squeezing his throat. His breathing grew labored; his legs trembled.
"I—I wouldn't dare!!"
Cobra dropped to his knees with a thud, shaking violently.
"This one… this one is merely worried…"
"Worried?"
Tobirama rose slowly and descended the steps, one step at a time.
The pressure he radiated was like a boundless abyss. The surrounding guards didn't even dare touch their weapons.
"Before me, you have no right to worry."
"There is no one I set my sights on that I cannot take."
"Since you're so reluctant…"
He stopped before Cobra, looking down at him from above, eyes colder than ice.
"Then I'll destroy this country."
"Without a country, she won't be an heir—only my spoils of war."
"That way, your worries disappear. Isn't that right?"
A madman.
An absolute madman.
Cobra's heart plunged into despair.
Just to take his daughter, this man would destroy an entire nation?!
Tobirama raised his hand, clearly done with this pointless exchange.
"Stop!!"
"Please—don't hurt my father!!"
The clear cry shattered the tension.
Vivi, who had remained silent until now, rushed forward and threw herself in front of Cobra, arms spread wide.
Her delicate face was streaked with tears, but her eyes had never been firmer.
"Vivi! Get back!" Cobra shouted in horror.
"No!"
She shook her head violently, then turned to face the man before her—more terrifying than any demon she had ever imagined.
"Tobirama… Teacher."
She took a deep breath and changed how she addressed him.
That single word made Tobirama pause. He looked at her with sudden interest.
"I'll go with you."
Her voice trembled, but her resolve did not.
"Vivi! Have you lost your mind?!" Cobra cried.
"Father, you're the one who hasn't seen reality clearly!"
Vivi turned sharply, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"A man like Crocodile almost destroyed our country!"
"Our so-called army, our so-called justice—none of it could stop him!"
"If this lord hadn't intervened, Alabasta would already be gone!"
She wiped her tears and looked back at Tobirama. A light—sharp and fierce—burned in her eyes.
"On this sea, weakness is the original sin."
"As a princess, I don't want to cry and beg anymore."
"I want to become strong!"
"I want power like yours—power that ignores rules and crushes conspiracies!"
"Only then can I truly protect this country!"
She paused, a faint blush spreading across her face.
Her gaze lingered on Tobirama's stern, handsome features, her voice softening.
"And… I want to follow you."
"I want to see what the world looks like from its very peak."
The charm of absolute strength.
After witnessing Crocodile's death, Mihawk's defeat, and the utter disregard of royal authority, Vivi's heart had already made its choice.
Tobirama looked at the girl before him—eyes blazing with resolve.
He smiled.
A deeply satisfied smile.
"Very good."
He reached out and rested his hand on Vivi's soft blue hair.
"Since you have this resolve…"
"I'll grant your wish."
"From today onward, you are no longer a princess who only knows how to cry."
"You are my disciple."
"In the future, this sea will have a place for you."
"Yes! Master!!"
Vivi trembled with excitement as she dropped to one knee, performing a flawless apprenticeship salute.
"This… this…"
Cobra stared blankly before slumping helplessly to the floor.
It was over.
His daughter had been taken.
And she had gone willingly.
This was fate.
…
An hour later.
Banks of the Sandora River.
A massive warship bearing the Uchiha fan insignia had already set sail.
On deck, Vivi had changed out of her ornate princess dress into a neat, practical dancer's outfit—personally selected by Tobirama.
She followed behind Hancock and Robin, asking questions nonstop.
"Sister—ah, no! Sister Hancock! What does Master usually like to eat?"
"Sister Robin, you understand history too? I've read lots of books!"
Hancock crossed her arms. Though wary of this new "disciple," being called Mistress made her heart bloom.
"Hmph! Sweet-talker!"
"Since you're the apprentice, massaging the Lord's legs will be your duty from now on! No slacking!"
"Yes! I guarantee perfect performance!" Vivi replied solemnly.
Watching this, Tobirama lounged in his exclusive chair, sipping iced fruit juice brought by Karumen.
This was life.
Killing and fighting were merely means—enjoyment was the goal.
"My Lord."
Nami approached with a nautical chart, frowning slightly.
"We've already left Alabasta's waters."
"Where to next?"
"According to the Log Pose, our next stop should be Jaya Island—"
"We're not going to Jaya."
Tobirama interrupted her, raising a finger and pointing toward the sky.
"Up."
"Eh?"
Nami froze, staring at the endless clouds.
"Up… into the sky?"
"Are you talking about the legendary Sky Island?" Robin asked, lowering her book.
"History records it, but no one's proven it exists. Angels, cities of gold—it sounds like a fairy tale."
Even Hancock shook her head.
"I've never heard of such a place. How could people live in the sky?"
Tobirama shook his head slightly.
The limitations of mortals.
"Legend?"
He walked to the bow, his cloak snapping in the wind.
"In my eyes, there are no legends."
"Only places I want to go—and places I don't."
"The Sky Island exists."
"And there's a Devil Fruit there I've already claimed."
Nami pointed at the sea, bewildered.
"But… this is a warship. It can't fly!"
"To reach the sky, you'd need the Knock-Up Stream—and that appears once every few hundred years!"
"Fly?"
Tobirama chuckled.
"Who said a ship needs ocean currents to fly?"
He raised his right hand.
His Rinnegan narrowed.
A vast surge of chakra enveloped the entire warship.
Hum—!!!
The next instant, the deck grew light beneath their feet.
The massive steel warship rose from the sea without warning.
Splash!
Seawater cascaded from its hull as if lifted by an invisible hand of a god.
"It… it's flying!"
Nami clung to the mast, eyes wide with terror.
"No sails, no engines—just taking off?!"
"Is this… the power of a god…"
Vivi leaned against the railing, watching Alabasta shrink below, her eyes filled with awe and worship.
Master… is truly overwhelming.
The warship climbed higher and higher, piercing clouds and currents alike.
Tobirama stood at the bow, gazing into the towering storm clouds ahead.
"Hold on tight."