“Calm down,” Alex says, honestly a little surprised that Nami is openly asking for help at all.

Have they suddenly decided to just trust us?! Or is Nami just scared... again.

“Nami-san... we can’t trust these people,” Sanji says towards Nami before turning to Menchi. “As much as I respect your cooking skills, lady, this is quite serious for us. A lot is on the line, and we promised to help out our friend here.” He says, glancing towards Vivi, taking a long drag on his cigarette.

“You are right,” Alex responds. “There is no need to fully trust us... let’s just exchange information for now. If we’re useful, you keep us close. If not, you just keep your distance. I have more bad news for you... Baroque Works isn’t the only hostile faction you have to deal with. The others might be even more dangerous. They all want Arabasta to fall. I’m not lying to you, but you seriously could use some allies.”

“What?!”

“Oh No!”

Vivi and Nami yell, both going pale incredibly fast.

Heh, Vivi is worried about her Kingdom, and Nami is worried about... herself. I like Nami—she is refreshingly honest and selfish, and I can identify with that.

Finally, Benezia chimes in. “I’d rather not waste time and repeat myself again and again. If we’re going to talk about this situation, let’s do it properly... with the rest of your crew present.”

“Can I trust you?” Sanji asks, ignoring Benezia, Alex, and Tereza, focusing his attention solely on Menchi.

“Of course not,” Menchi replies with a grin, like the question itself is funny.

“What?!” Nami replies. “You...”

“I don’t understand...” Vivi mutters, her voice small and sounding hopeless.

“You can’t trust us, and you shouldn’t,” Menchi says, shrugging. “However, I am willing to promise you one thing. We have no reason to betray or harm you, and we will never do so. Our grudge lies only with Baroque Works and a few others, not related to you. So while you can’t fully trust us, you don’t have to fear us either. Just treat it as a temporary alliance to save this kingdom. When it’s over, you won’t have to see us again if you don’t want to... ever.”

“I believe you,” Sanji says, staring into Menchi’s eyes. “Let’s go to the others. We don’t have many supplies, but it has to be enough. This might be a chance for us.”

Good....

Following Sanji, Nami, and Vivi, the group leaves the back alley, slipping back into the bustling streets of Alubarna. Of course, Alex and Menchi are putting back on their disguises, so as not to arouse suspicion.

“That mask disgusts me!” Nami complains, glancing at Alex.

“Aren’t you supposed to be the damn frightened girl? You know my bounty and my reputation, do you think it’s a good idea to taunt me?” Alex asks, sounding annoyed, his patience starting to thin. “I’m like, the most vile criminal around, the so-called butcher. I’m a little offended I’m not being taken seriously.” 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Nami, despite her usual frightenedness, doesn’t look bothered at all. “Hehehe, you can’t deceive me! After that talk earlier, I’m beginning to suspect that you would never hurt an innocent woman. Especially one as cute as me. Could you actually be like Sanji? A big softie?”

“Innocent?” Alex asks, his voice dull but genuinely stumped behind his mask.

“Woman?” Tereza mutters.

“Cute?” Menchi repeats, staring at her like she’s trying to figure out whether Nami is joking or just shameless.

“Softie? I’m a Gentleman!” Sanji declares, sounding offended.

“... I hate you people already!” Nami complains, stomping forward, making a point of not looking back.

She is kinda cute... I don’t like her money obsession, though. What was that word called again? Findom? Thankfully, this is something I’ll never understand, much less ever want to get involved in.

Would Soulmate give Princess Jewel some money?

Enough so you can buy a snack... once a week. Stop trying to seize the moment, Jewel. As I said, I can’t comprehend Findom.

That is Spider Abuse! Princess Jewel needs money for gems!

Fine, when we’re back. Not like we lack money.

You have lost Mr. 0’s VIP invitation

[Main Quest Phase 4:

Mission: Help your chosen faction to succeed in their goals for the Battle of Alubarna.

Reward: ???, ???, ???, Increased Mission Rating

Time Limit: 17 hours, 59 minutes, 58 seconds

Failure: Your faction is wiped out or becomes unable to reach its goal. Subgoals are not relevant for this condition.

Penalties: Decreased Mission Rating, Mission Expulsion.

Chosen Faction: Straw-Hat Pirates

Goal: ???

Subgoals: ???, ???, ???, ???, ???]

So it started… we need to learn more about their goals, but it’s fairly obvious. Stopping Baroque Works and the Rebellion.

Princess Jewel thinks their personal goals are also relevant, but Soulmate should focus on the main Goal.

I agree, let’s not overthink. Screw all those details. The mission begins... tomorrow. Less than a day remaining.

The group speeds up their steps, leaving the central area of the sprawling city behind as they move closer and closer to the north.

However, they’re not aiming for the palace situated at the very north, instead taking a sharp turn, walking a little more towards the west of the city.

Finally, they arrive at a slightly run-down guard tower integrated into the city wall.

“The castle... is not safe... it’s been taken over,” Vivi explains, looking solemn. “To be more accurate, there are traitors everywhere, and I can’t risk going inside. Father is also missing.”

As they open the door, they immediately hear a loud scream coming closer and closer: “SANJI! FOOD! MEAT!”

They see a young man wearing an iconic straw hat running straight towards Sanji.

The fucking protagonist... I fucking loathe him. He can be funny, I guess, but he is just too silly and too nice. I hate nice guys.

“Shut up, Luffy,” Sanji says, raising his leg and kicking his foot into the rubbery mouth of his captain, stretching it out.

“Huh,” Luffy says, his mouth still stretched out as he stares directly at Alex.

“Who is that masked guy? This mask looks cool!” he says, his voice distorted by Sanji’s foot while his eyes widen as he stares at him.

Another man with a long, pointy nose and a small reindeer joins him, also staring at Alex in amazement.

“Heh, finally some people with good taste who appreciate a cool mask when they see it!” Alex declares.

“Looks suspicious to me…” another man says. He’s sitting on the ground with three swords on his hip, his left hand softly resting on his favorite sword, the Wado Ichimonji, with its pure white sheath.

Nice swords… too bad I can’t rob this guy. The urge is there to cut off his head and take them all for me. Though killing Zoro wouldn’t be as easy as I’d like to think.

“Luffy, stop staring at him!” Sanji complains, as he kicks him away and sending him crashing into the wall.

“Who are they?” Usopp asks curiously.

“I’ll explain…” Nami says, stepping forward. “This is a little complicated.”

“That mask is so cool,” Chopper says, his eyes sparkling even brighter.

“Sanji… I want food.” Luffy begs, his stomach churning.

“I wonder where I can buy a mask like that. I feel like it would suit me… I’ll make sure to wear one in the future!” Usopp remarks, rubbing his nose.

“SHUT UP!” Nami screeches loudly.

“…”

Finally, a good ten minutes later, Nami, with the help of Vivi, has sufficiently explained the situation.

“She made better food than Sanji? I want to eat!! How could you do that without me?!” Luffy complains loudly.

“169 Million Belly,” Zoro says silently. “I haven’t stumbled onto someone with even a remotely similar bounty in my career.”

“Do the other members of your crew also have a bounty, mask guy?” Usopp asks, staring at Alex.

“…”

With Alex’s silence, his mask pointed at the long-nosed pirate, Usopp’s face changes into one of worry. “Uhm, sir Butcher, sorry about that.” He corrects himself.

Alex takes off his mask and shrugs.

“We all have bounties. Even if you choose not to bother with us and work on your own, it’s best if you at least know the basics about us so you don’t target us by mistake… that would be a very stupid and lethal mistake, I assure you,” Alex says, taking out his bounty posters and spreading them on the floor in front of him.

“Butcher—Alex Kerber: 169 Million Belly”

“Night Demon—Benezia: 156 Million Belly”

“Demon Spider—Jewel (Pet): 100 Million Belly”

“Cook—Green Haired brat (Servant): 100,000 Belly”

“Vampire-Witch—Tereza: 85 Million Belly”

“Vampire Witch?” Nami reads aloud, staring at the bounty poster and then at Tereza. “You don’t look like a witch, much less like a vampire. In fact, you look like a pretty lady, perfectly normal and suitable for high society... vampire society?!” She suddenly asks herself, managing to scare herself.

“I’m a Witch, but I’m not a vampire… I just ate a special fruit, hehe,” Tereza comments, winking.

“Wait, you are their servant?” Sanji yells, staring at Menchi’s bounty, his fists clenched in anger. “Green Haired Brat? How dare they! These damn evil Marines! I, as a gentleman, can’t stand for this insult! Also, you, scumbag over there! How dare you exploit my lovely Menchi?” Sanji declares as he stares at Menchi and then glares at Alex, before looking back at her. “Your picture is cute though,” he adds, secretly ogling it, then her.

“Do not… talk about that…” she says, her eyes cold.

“A Demon Spider?” Chopper asks Alex. “Where is it, Captain Butcher? Is it with you?”

“Jewel likes to lie on my head… in fact, she spends most of her time there,” Alex comments, grinning softly.

“What?!” Vivi and Nami ask in unison.

Then, everyone—faces slightly panicked, while Luffy and Zoro are merely curious—lift their heads and stare at Alex’s head.

After a few seconds, Jewel decides to stop using Zetsu and unleashes her most powerful Aura, using Ren.

Everyone backs off from the pressure, Chopper, Usopp, and Nami stumbling, falling onto the ground, and crawling towards Zoro, who’s ready to draw his sword, while Luffy smiles for some reason.

“Help!” Nami, Usopp, and Chopper scream, hugging Zoro’s leg.

❤️