The Pirate Princess Becomes Queen

Sentomaru is not currently a formal member of the Navy. His position is the captain of the Science Unit under the Navy Headquarters, and his daily work is to protect Vegapunk, the most outstanding scientist in the last five hundred years.

But in reality, everyone knows that this is just a mutually acceptable explanation. The Navy wants to keep track of Vegapunk's research progress, which is why they sent Sentomaru to protect and monitor him. The World Government is well aware of this, and everyone is in tacit agreement.

Sentomaru would occasionally return to Navy Headquarters to report to his superiors.

His direct superior is Admiral Kizaru.

Using her connections, I helped Vivi arrange to meet this guy for dinner.

Chapter 171 Akainu

Vivi invited Sentomaru to a banquet because she wanted to know Kizaru's opinion on Zephyr's trip to Alabasta.

Sentomaru was enormous. When he sat down, his muscular body resembled that of a sumo wrestler. Vivi had to resist the urge to slit her wrists and bleed him after giving him anesthesia for a long time.

After offering several toasts, she casually asked, "I wonder what Admiral Kizaru's opinion is on Professor Zephyr leaving the Navy and transferring to the military system of a member state?"

Sentomaru was very serious, even when drinking, he kept a straight face: "I am the most discreet man in the world. I won't tell you that the old man just has some personal opinions about Admiral Zephyr. As long as Admiral Zephyr doesn't officially announce his defection from the Navy, the old man won't interfere too much in this matter."

Weiwei was delighted. It was all settled; another problem was solved. "Alright, alright, let's drink! Let's toast to the man with the tightest tongue in the world!"

After figuring out Kizaru's true intentions, only Akainu remained.

Akainu refused the invitation to a banquet. You want to talk to him? Sure, come to my office for a face-to-face meeting.

Vivi's methods of using connections, asking acquaintances, and communicating privately were completely ineffective with Akainu. He had many subordinates, but few trusted confidants; nobody knew what he was thinking, and nobody dared to ask...

There's no room for roundabout approaches or probing; we have to be face-to-face, direct and honest.

Vivi scratched her head. For the three generals, her level 5 Observation Haki was not enough. Any one of them had a stronger Observation Haki than her, and she couldn't tell what their emotions were. She suddenly felt very uncertain.

As she approached Akainu's office, she felt a little uneasy. If the deal fell through, all her previous work would have been for nothing.

Akainu's meeting with the World Government to some extent represents their wishes. The message is clear: you only have one chance; if you can't convince me, then you can go back.

Akainu took this meeting very seriously, perhaps even excessively so.

Unlike Aokiji's laziness and Kizaru's ambiguity, he specifically set aside an hour to see Vivi and her father.

His attitude was impeccable, but Vivi preferred him to be more casual.

Akainu was wearing a dark red suit with large tattoos visible on his collar, a Marine Admiral's coat behind him, and a Marine hat on his head.

To be honest, Vivi had met many people in the Navy, but apart from Fleet Admiral Sengoku, she had never seen any other high-ranking Navy officers wearing such an old-fashioned hat.

Smoker, Tashigi, Zephyr, Ain, Binz, Garp, and from Marine Headquarters, Aokiji, Kizaru, and Sentomaru—not one of them wears a hat. If they're even wearing a "righteousness coat," that's already considered good. Smoker, on the other hand, doesn't even wear a coat. He walks around in the street in broad daylight, and if you didn't know him, you wouldn't be able to tell he's a Marine.

Akainu is different. Apart from Fleet Admiral Sengoku, he is the only one among the high-ranking officers who wears a Navy hat, and wears it properly at that.

A banner hung on the wall behind his desk, bearing the powerful words "Thorough Justice".

Vivi helped her adoptive father sit down. King Cobra was still a bit weak. Even though Akainu didn't make any threats or intimidation, his aura alone was something no ordinary person could withstand.

Vivi could sense that her adoptive father was taking deep breaths, not wanting to appear weak in the upcoming conversation. She patted him on the back to comfort him, then got up to leave, giving them space to talk, but Akainu stopped her.

"You are the sole heir to Alabasta, aren't you? Stay here, I have something to discuss with you."

Vivi was taken aback. Did this matter involve her? But she decided to talk it over. She was confident now and no longer as apprehensive as she had been at the beginning of her transmigration. She knew she couldn't defeat Akainu, but if she wanted to run, the Magma-Magma Fruit wouldn't stop her.

An invisible and intangible sense enveloped her, and she used her Observation Haki to deflect the other party's probe.

Both sides made contact and then retreated, neither launching a strong attack.

She didn't try to portray herself as a trembling, weak girl; it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

At this level, it's impossible to hide anymore.

Her Devil Fruit ability hasn't been revealed yet, but she's been at the Marine G2 base for so long that many Marine officers have seen her. If Akainu wants to investigate, he'll definitely be able to find some clues. Plus, there's Smoker who knows some of her background... Even if Smoker is Aokiji's subordinate, and Aokiji and Akainu don't get along, if Akainu asks, even if Smoker is stubborn, he wouldn't yell at Akainu to get lost, right?

King Cobra was unaware that they had clashed in secret. Seeing that his breathing had become easier, he smiled and then talked about the series of plans Alabasta had prepared to curb the pirates.

Akainu shifted his attention away from Vivi and listened attentively.

King Kobra talked on and on for a full half hour.

Akainu's answer surprised Vivi and King Cobra.

"I support any plan that can combat pirates. As long as it doesn't betray justice or the Navy, it's Zeff's freedom to go wherever he wants. I personally have no objection."

Aside from saying "Princess, please stay," this was his second sentence. Akainu's voice was a little muffled, and as he spoke, the temperature in the room seemed to rise several degrees. But his directness still delighted Vivi and King Cobra. Look at him, how straightforward he is! Much more straightforward than that cunning old bastard Kizaru.

Akainu abruptly changed the subject, asking about something seemingly unrelated: "I heard that the Nephalem Ridge family participated in the establishment of the World Government, but after the World Government was established, you gave up your status as Celestial Dragons?"

King Cobra did not understand the specific meaning of these words, nor did he know how they were related to the current situation.

Vivi frowned and asked in return, "What does the General mean...?"

Akainu's tone was calm: "Anyone can sacrifice themselves for the cause of justice. I just want to know if you are prepared to sacrifice. In my opinion, the Celestial Dragons have always lacked the spirit of sacrifice and have not had enough courage to face this world."

"I don't know what your navy's specific definition of justice is, but I can make any sacrifice to protect my country and my people. If the admiral is referring to pirates or assassins, let them come at me. I'm not afraid to sacrifice myself. But I'm also a father, and I need to protect my daughter. I can sacrifice myself, but my daughter can't," King Cobra said resolutely.

Your frail daughter could take on ten thousand assassins in one go... Akainu was too lazy to expose someone's little secret, so he nodded in approval, and the meeting was over. However, he gestured for King Cobra to leave first, as he wanted to say a few words to Vivi.

Chapter 172 Keeping Your Word

King Cobra was somewhat worried. In his view, the Admiral Akainu before him exuded immense pressure; to put it bluntly, he was simply not human! Could his young daughter remain calm under such pressure? Of course not.

He wanted to object, but Vivi persuaded him to stay.

"Don't worry, I'm not a child anymore!" She displayed a rebellious, stubborn, and defiant image, as if saying another word from the adults would hurt her fragile self-esteem.

King Cobra was in a very difficult position, opening his mouth several times but not knowing what to say.

The father and daughter put on a show of filial piety in Akainu's office.

"Don't worry, I'll just say a few words to the Admiral. I'm very strong!" Vivi said with a strong expression. She managed to coax her adoptive father out of the room with a combination of pushing and cajoling. Akainu wasn't in a hurry and just watched her performance quietly.

Only after King Cobra had walked away and Vivi's expression returned to calm did he speak again.

“I’m not a doctor, but I can tell that your father’s health is very poor. As the sole heir, why did you push for Professor Zephyr to go to Alabasta? You should know that in a few years, those pirates will be targeting you. The long-term blockade of Reverse Mountain will definitely affect the pirates in the Grand Line and the New World. You have shaken the foundation of all pirates. At that time, even the Four Emperors might be mobilized. I need to know your reasons for doing this.”

Why did she do that? Vivi thought about it for a moment. At first, she just didn't have the confidence to defeat Crocodile, so she wanted to trick Zeff into coming to Alabasta as a bodyguard. Later, things developed beyond her expectations, and her mindset changed. In order to save herself and, incidentally, save the country of Alabasta, things were already set in motion, and many things couldn't be stopped even if she wanted to.

She needs a banner, or a mission, a program—whatever you call it—to unite everyone. Setting a goal and then leading people to fight small-time pirates with bounties of ten or twenty million would be a good option for her.

Of course, we can't say that now.

She countered, "Does Admiral Akainu know that a rebellion is about to break out in Alabasta? With just a little guidance, half of the 600,000 troops loyal to the Nefertari family will instantly turn against us, and they will take up their swords and point them at me and my father."

Akainu said very seriously, "But you are not afraid of them. I can feel your domineering aura. You are very confident, as if there is nothing in the world that can stump you. Am I right?"

Weiwei smiled and nodded: "The general is right. I do think that way many times, but it has nothing to do with domineering. I just believe that extraordinary wisdom is the greatest wealth of mankind."

Seeing that Akainu didn't entirely believe her words, she knew she had to give him a reason, a reason why she wanted to fight the pirates and why she could fight them for a long time after King Cobra died and she took over.

She was perfectly capable of quelling the domestic rebellion; Akainu wouldn't believe her if she used this as a pretext.

She asked, "Has the general ever been to the desert?"

Akainu answered very seriously, "No."

Vivi said, "The desert is extremely hot during the day and extremely cold at night. In the environment of strong sunlight and severe water shortage, people's sense of direction is very vague. Many people die of exhaustion and thirst in the desert."

She was still shaken as she said this. She had wandered around the desert countless times trying to find a place for Wapol to eat sand, and it was only after the duck spent ages figuring out directions that she finally managed to lead her out. Vampires don't like such scorching sun, and the desert is nothing but sand, with constantly changing terrain, so it was perfectly reasonable for her to get lost...

Akainu listened quietly as she recounted the dangers of the desert.

Vivi concluded, “When I was little, my father met a wealthy merchant named Doto. He commissioned Uncle Doto to find an oasis in the desert to build a city… Later, the city was built, but the desert still mercilessly swallowed it up. Everyone left the city, but Uncle Doto stayed there and worked hard, digging for water in the sand.”

Vivi glanced around at the room and pointed to the watering can that Akainu had placed on the windowsill to water the potted plants: "He dug all night and only dug up this little bit of water. What was he doing it for? Didn't he know to take a break? Uncle Doto did it for my father's promise. Desert people are poor, but we also have our pride. Keeping our word is my... cough cough, this is my life belief."

"I understand." Akainu thought seriously for a moment, then stood up, indicating that the conversation was over.

He didn't say that Alabasta should follow the Navy's lead; as long as Alabasta could continue to fight pirates, that would be enough for him.

Three days later, at a high-level meeting within the Navy, Akainu unequivocally supported Zephyr's move to Alabasta. Kizaru gave him a strange look, said a few words like "How scary," and then abstained with a laugh. Aokiji also voted in favor. Two of the three admirals agreed and one abstained. Fleet Admiral Sengoku went along with it. Thus, the Navy's high command reached a consensus, agreeing to former Admiral Zephyr's retirement from active duty and transfer to the military system of a member state of the World Government.

The employer has expressed their intention to hire me, and I agree. My employer also agrees. Now all that's left is the opinion of the higher-level authority.

As a whole, the Navy submitted its internal intentions in writing to the World Government's Commander-in-Chief, the Air Force, known as "Steel Bones".

Kong had naturally received the news long ago, and he had even tried to persuade Zephyr to stay in private. Now that the process had reached his side, he readily handed it over to the Five Elders, saying, "You can handle it as you see fit."

The Five Elders were somewhat indecisive, and even among the five of them, there were differing opinions. Some thought they could agree, some thought they should refuse, and some were ambiguous. In the end, they resorted to the tactic of "delaying," putting things off until they could think it over again, while sending CP9 to gather intelligence on Zephyr and the Alabasta royal family.

CP9's commander, Spandam, has returned to Enies Lobby, but Van Gundy still oversees some of the day-to-day operations. They immediately divided the tasks: the Navy's side was closer, and while Zeffa certainly had a bad temper, he couldn't just kill the CP9 commander over a minor disagreement, could he? Spandam would handle the Navy's investigation, while Alabasta, with its many troublemakers and long distance, would be left to Van Gundy...

On the very night the Five Elders assigned the task to CP9, Vivi began helping to draft the investigation report.

It's so satisfying to investigate yourself!

Chapter 173 Fishman Island

In Vivi's own report, the Alabasta princess is still portrayed as a pitiful, weak, and helpless figure who doesn't dare to utter a sound even when slapped by King Walbourne of Drum Kingdom.

She didn't gloss over her sword-fighting experience; if the navy were to investigate, they could find out something, and covering it up wasn't a solution.

Instead of doing the opposite, she devoted a large section of the report she wrote for Lao Fan to describing some of the things that happened when she was practicing swordsmanship.

For example, she wrote that there was her own handwritten calligraphy in her reception palace, which was similar to the "Justice of XX" hanging in Akainu's office. Both were for showing off. She wrote, "The fine rain and dew of May are still strong, so let me entrust my name to the wings of the cuckoo, and soar into the clouds."

The words convey a sense of struggle under despair, filled with sorrow. The young girl has the will but not the strength; she is determined to kill the enemy but powerless to reverse the situation. Not knowing how to solve the problem, she can only foolishly practice swordsmanship, trying to protect herself and her family with her sword skills.

She wrote a long and detailed account of trivial matters related to herself, giving the reader a sense of tranquility.

King Cobra was described as an old man who was ambitious but incompetent, lacked decisiveness, and was chronically ill.

The message was clear: the king was too weak, the heir was weak, and without the support of a powerful figure, Alabasta was doomed!

The report is due today and submitted tomorrow? The Five Elders aren't stupid. No matter what, Old Van will have to go to Alabasta for a few days, talk to his three CP9 colleagues, and then he can come back. This round trip will take at least three months, and if it's delayed even a little, half a year will have passed.

The Five Elders' request for an investigation report was just a pretext; their real intention was to delay.

A week later, King Cobra set off for the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. Alabasta is not a vacuum; the Nefertari family, a millennium-old dynasty, has some connections within the World Government. King Cobra wanted to go and gather information, and if the Five Elders were willing to meet with him, he would do his best to persuade them.

The rest was no longer Vivi's concern; she was filled with dread about Im, deep within the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

She didn't go to the Holy Land Mary Geoise at all. After saying goodbye to her father, she crawled into the stomach of the whale Laboon and secretly went to the New World to rescue Yamato.

This time, there's no need to cross the Red Earth. The work of traveling can be left to the whale Laboon, which saves Vivi and Karu the duck a lot of trouble.

Laboon was also delighted. Leaving the Alabasta fleet, the whale dived into the sea, preparing to head to Fish-Man Island, 10,000 meters below the surface of Mary Geoise. This island was a crucial stop for many pirates arriving in the New World, the birthplace of mermaids and fish-men, and known as the "Underwater Paradise." Pirates had long come here to plunder and sell mermaids and fish-men. Many years ago, after Whitebeard brought it into his territory, the plundering gradually subsided.