Without hesitation, Hikaru steered the Ark Maxim toward a location in Whiskey Peak.
Whiskey Peak – Forest Near the Town
In a quiet forest not far from Whiskey Peak, three figures sat together, their true identities revealed.
Igaram, with his distinctive curly hair, was eating grilled fish alongside Vivi and her loyal companion, Karoo.
Vivi had a delicate, beautiful face and a graceful, hourglass figure. Her light blue hair was tied in a high ponytail, with two strands framing her face, falling just past her shoulders.
However, she wasn't paying attention to the food in her hands. Instead, she stared blankly at the grilled fish, unable to swallow a bite.
"Igaram… Tell me this isn't true. Hasn't Crocodile been helping Alabasta? How could he…"
Her voice trembled with disbelief. If Igaram weren't the captain of Alabasta's royal guard—someone who had watched her grow up and whose loyalty was beyond question—she would have thought he was lying to her.
"Princess Vivi, as much as I wish it weren't true, the facts speak for themselves. That woman was Mr. 0's partner. The information we got from her must be accurate," Igaram said gravely.
"Mr. 0, the leader of Baroque Works… is none other than one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Crocodile."
"No… That's impossible…" Vivi's head dropped as she gripped her hair in frustration, despair washing over her face. Without realizing it, she let go of the grilled fish, letting it fall to the ground.
The revelation was unbearable.
Crocodile was a hero to the people of Alabasta. He had driven out pirates time and time again, protecting their kingdom from outside threats. To think that the very man hailed as a savior was the true mastermind behind their suffering… it was too much.
At that moment, the light around her suddenly dimmed. The ground in front of her was shrouded in shadow, yet the distance remained bright.
Instinctively, she looked up—so did Igaram.
A massive flying ship loomed in the sky, heading straight toward them.
Before she could react, a brilliant flash of lightning erupted, expanding rapidly in her vision.
The next moment, before Igaram could even respond, the lightning struck.
"Ugh…!"
Electricity surged through his body, sending his limbs into uncontrollable spasms.
As the current faded, he exhaled a puff of black smoke, his once-golden hair charred and darkened. His body swayed before collapsing, unconscious.
Karoo, who had been happily munching on grilled fish, stiffened and fell backward, also knocked out cold.
"Igaram! Karoo!" Vivi's eyes widened in panic as she rushed toward them.
"Don't worry, they're not dead—just unconscious," came a calm voice.
Hikaru descended from the Ark Maxim, landing gracefully near her. A flicker of lightning accompanied his arrival. At the same time, his Observation Haki spread out, sensing her emotions.
"You… What do you want? Why did you attack us?" Vivi demanded, fear evident in her voice as she took cautious steps backward.
"Miss Wednesday… or should I say, Nefertari Vivi?" Hikaru smirked slightly. "I'm here to offer you a contract. Those two are not qualified to be part of our conversation."
He knew that if Igaram and Karoo were awake, they would resist his offer with everything they had—perhaps even throw their lives away to keep Vivi from accepting.
For that reason, it was best to let them sleep.
After all, if things could be settled peacefully, there was no need for unnecessary force.
"You… You know my real name?!" Vivi's eyes widened in shock. She was certain she had never seen this man before. Yet, not only did he know who she was, but he also knew her true identity.
"What kind of contract?" she asked hesitantly.
Hikaru's voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
"As long as you become my divine concubine, I will clear away every obstacle and threat standing in your way."
"You… you were eavesdropping on our conversation?"
Vivi's expression darkened slightly with anger, but she held back from outright blaming him. She was still skeptical of this stranger's abilities.
[A god? He actually calls himself a god. He appeared so arrogantly… Can he really help me?]
She hesitated, then narrowed her eyes.
"Crocodile is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He's famous throughout the world. I don't even know your name—why should I trust you?"
"Hikaru, the God of the Sky. That is my true name, praised in the Kingdom of God. Naturally, a mere mortal of the Blue Sea like yourself wouldn't have heard of it," Hikaru said with a chuckle. "As for my abilities…"
His right hand lifted, palm facing downward. He bent his fingers slightly—then suddenly pressed his hand down.
"Divine Judgment!"
A massive bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion followed as an enormous pillar of lightning struck the forest nearby, leaving behind a bottomless crater. Hot air surged through the area, rustling the trees and sending waves of heat toward Vivi.
Hikaru had precise control over his abilities—the lightning's impact stopped just short of harming her. But the powerful ionization sent static through the air, making her hair frizz slightly.
Vivi stood frozen, mouth agape, unable to believe what she had just witnessed.
She pinched her arm hard. It hurt.
[This isn't a dream… Such overwhelming power… Maybe he really can help me…]
"Crocodile? A Warlord of the Sea?" Hikaru scoffed. "They're nothing more than insignificant pests!"
His disdainful words snapped Vivi out of her shock. She stared at him blankly, her heart pounding.
She hesitated for a moment. If sacrificing herself could save Alabasta, she would do it without a second thought.
[Alabasta can't endure this civil war any longer. If my sacrifice can bring peace and stability, then it's worth it.]
Resolving herself, she met Hikaru's gaze, her voice unwavering.
"If I become your divine consort… will you truly help me defeat Crocodile, dismantle Baroque Works, and restore peace to Alabasta?"
"Of course," Hikaru said confidently. "My word is absolute."
Vivi took a deep breath, then exhaled.
"Then I agree," she declared, her tone filled with determination.
"But you must help Alabasta first. Only then can I entrust myself to you as your divine consort."
Nefertari D. Vivi – A kind-hearted princess with unwavering resolve.
---------------
Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
"I'll be uploading my chapters on Web novel as usual, but from now on, even free members can read them earlier on Patreon.
Join me on Patreon for early access to my book before it goes live on Web novel!"