Nami loomed over Vivi like a loan shark, jabbing a finger at her chest. "One billion beri, princess! That's my price to drag you back to Arabasta!"
Vivi fidgeted, clutching Karoo's reins. "I-I'd love to, but Baroque Works has the kingdom in chaos! They're trying to overthrow my dad—there's no cash to spare!"
Raja, sprawled on a barrel with a glowing cocktail, perked up. "Ooh, backstory time! Spill it, royal damsel!"
Vivi sighed. "Years ago, I uncovered Baroque Works manipulating Arabasta. I sent Igaram, my dad's top guard, to infiltrate them and find the boss." She hesitated, eyes darting, then blurted, "It's Crocodile—Mr. 0, a Seven Warlord!"
The crew froze. Then—poof—Raja leapt up, cape billowing, striking a pose. "A WARLORD?! Finally, a worthy foe for the Straw Hats what do you say Captain!" He twirled his wand, sparking fireworks. "This is gonna be EPIC!"
Luffy grinned, bouncing. "Crocodile, huh? Sounds fun! Let's punch him!"
Nami shrieked, "ARE YOU TWO INSANE?! WE'RE DEAD MEAT!" She rounded on Vivi. "You just painted targets on our backs, you royal klutz!"
Vivi bowed, trembling. "I'm so sorry! It slipped!"
Perched on a wall, Mr. 13 (an otter with a pencil) and Miss Friday (a vulture with a sketchpad) doodled Luffy's goofy grin, Raja's dramatic pose, and Nami's rage-face before flapping off into the night.
Igaram staggered in, disguised as Vivi in a frilly dress, lugging straw dummies of Luffy (grinning idiotically), Raja (cape mid-swirl), and Nami (clutching fake beri). "I'll sail as a decoy with the Eternal Pose to Arabasta," he rasped. "You lot island-hop with the Log Pose—dodge Baroque Works. Crocodile's no joke—80 million beri bounty back in the day!"
Luffy punched the air. "Let the gator-face Come!"
Raja smirked, secretly tracing a shield rune on Igaram's back with a flick of his wand. "Insurance, curly. Don't die too fast."
Igaram's ship sailed off—then BOOM! A fireball swallowed it, dummies sizzling as it sank. Vivi gasped, "IGARAM!"—unaware Raja's rune had shielded him, flinging him to safety in the shadows.
Luffy's eyes blazed. "THAT'S IT! TO THE MERRY!" He sprinted off, dragging a half-asleep Zoro by the swords and Sanji.
Nami hugged Vivi, glaring at the wreckage. "We'll crush those Baroque jerks and get you home, princess. Promise."
Sanji lit a cigarette, hauling Usopp by the collar. "Let's move, long-nose!" Usopp flailed, "I WAS NAPPING!" Vivi blinked—Karoo was already aboard, munching hay.
A sultry voice cut through the chaos. "A decoy? How quaint—and pointless." A woman in a sleek coat smirked from the sidelines.
Vivi pointed down a river. "That's our sea exit! Baroque Works has 2,000 agents and bases everywhere—stay sharp!" The Merry bobbed down the current as dawn broke, fog curling over the deck.
A figure emerged from the mist, lounging on the railing. "Nice ship," she purred. Vivi paled. "MISS ALL SUNDAY! Mr. 0's partner—she blew up Igaram!"
Luffy squinted. "Who're you? Bad guy?"
Raja whisper "Captain she is a woman!" luffy quickly appolized and questioned correctly.
Miss All Sunday tilted her head, smirking. "I let Vivi find Crocodile's name—cute, right? Her little quest to save Arabasta? Adorably doomed."
Zoro drew a sword, Nami gripped her staff, Usopp aimed his slingshot, and Sanji—pistol in hand—yelled, "FOR VIVI'S HONOR!" Then he swooned. "Oh, my goddess of mystery…"
She snapped her fingers—arms sprouted from nowhere, snatching their weapons. Sanji's pistol clattered; he sighed dreamily, "Take my heart too, angel!"
Raja cackled, clapping. "Devil Fruit shenanigans! I LOVE IT!" He dodged a phantom hand, twirling his wand. "Try me, flower-lady!"
Miss All Sunday plucked Luffy's hat with her powers, tossing it back. "No orders to kill you—yet. Heard of you, Straw Hat." She eyed Nami's Log Pose. "Little Garden's next—a Baroque base. Here's an Eternal Pose to Nanimonai Island—skip the trouble, princess."
Luffy snatched it, grinning—then crushed it. "NO WAY! I don't take shortcuts from hat-stealers! I hate you for blowing up curly!"
Raja strutted forward, cape flaring, voice booming. "OY, SEXY LADY! Wanna join the Straw Hats? Be our chaotic friend!" He struck a pose, wand sparking. "You seem lonely, captain what do you say!"
The crew gaped. Nami screeched, "WHAT?!"
Zoro muttered, "He's lost it."
Usopp yelped, "SHE'S EVIL, YOU FREAK!"
Sanji swooned harder, "MARRY ME INSTEAD!"
Luffy fingering his nostril for booger " Sure she can join!."
Miss All Sunday blinked, stunned, then laughed. "Lonely? Bold guess, wizard."
She smirked at Luffy. "I like your fire—and his chaos. Survive Baroque Works, and maybe we'll chat." A giant sea turtle surfaced; she leapt aboard, vanishing into the fog.
Vivi collapsed, groaning. "She's IMPOSSIBLE!"
Nami sighed, "Tell me about it."
Luffy briefed Sanji and Usopp: "Warlord named Crocodile—big fight coming!"
Raja grinned, conjuring a flaming "C" in the air. "Crocodile's toast! The Wizard King decrees it!"
Usopp whimpered, "We're doomed…"
Sanji puffed smoke. "I'll cook that gator for my ladies."
Far off, Miss All Sunday mused, "Little Garden'll chew them up…" The island loomed—jungle snarls, a tiger's roar, and a massive footprint in the mud.
To Be Continued…