Archive of Our Own ^beta

Late, in the middle of the night, two shadowy figures stand next to horses in the sand dunes of Alabasta, far from the edge of the city of Alubarna. Both figures turn their heads when they hear the sound of a camel approaching. A small man dismounts, then approaches the two figures.

‘You are late.’ Are the words spoken by the larger figure, a tall, dark man with a hook where his left hand should be and a long scar across his face.

‘A thousand apologies, oh patient one.’

‘You have it then?’

‘I had to slit a few throats to get it.’  He pulls out something gold, something that looks like half a medallion. The hook handed man reaches out with his right hand to take a hold of it, but it is kept out of his grasp. ‘Ah, ah, ah! The treasure.’ But it doesn’t stay in his hand for long, a foot coming out of the darkness to kick his hand and the half-medallion flies out of his hand and into the other man’s still outstretched hand, an airy laugh following. ‘Ouch.’

The shadowed man holds the medallion up to inspect it in the moonlight ‘Trust me, my pungent friend. You'll get what's coming to you.’

The airy laugh is heard again, before repeating what’s been said. ‘What's coming to you.’

Suddenly, pulled out of nowhere, a matching half to the medallion is hanging next to the original. The man in the shadows connects the two pieces, and it forms a full scarab, before it begins to glow. It flies from his hand, scaring the horses, and speeds off into the distance, leaving behind a faint trail of light that’s quickly fading. ‘Quickly, follow the trail!’ The three figures all ride off, following the glowing speck of light, until it reaches a large sand dune. The medallion separates into two once again and the halves plunge into the dune.  All that remains are two glowing points of light on the dune.  But then the sand begins to move and rise up, transforming into a giant alligator’s head, with the glowing halves of the medallion serving as the eyes. ‘At last, after all my years of searching,  the Cave of Wonders…’

‘The Cave of wonders…’

The small man on the camel gasps in wonder and the big man turns to him. ‘Now, remember, bring me the lamp. The rest of the treasure is yours, but the lamp is mine!’ His tone is low and threatening, making the other swallow nervously and nod.

He dismounts before slowly approaching the mouth of the alligator, the only entrance there appears to be, and the third figure leans towards his companion. ‘Jeez, Crocodile, where'd you dig this bozo up?’ They mutter softly but the large man puts his finger to his lips and shushes them. The other man reaches the cave, but is blown away by the roar of the cave speaking.

‘Who disturbs my slumber?’ It rumbles loudly.

‘It is I, Mr 9, a humble thief.’ Mr 9 answers shakily.

The cave speaks again. ‘Know this.  Only one may enter here.  One whose worth lies far within. A diamond in the rough.’ 

Mr 9 turns to the large man with a questioning look and Crocodile raises an eyebrow impatiently. ‘What are you waiting for? Go on!’

Mr 9 hesitates, then moves one foot inside the cave. With great apprehension, he places his foot down slowly.  But nothing happens, so with great relief, he begins to walk into the cave with confidence. Then another roar comes. Frightened, Mr 9 turns back, but the alligator’s mouth slams shut and the dune collapses back to normal.  All that is left are the two figures on their horses, Mr 9’s camel and the two separated halves of the medallion. The voice of the cave is heard one last time. ‘Seek thee out, the diamond in the rough.’

The smaller figure dismounts their horse and throws up their hands in frustration. ‘I can't believe it. I just don't believe it. We're never gonna get a hold of that stupid lamp! Just forget it. Look at this. Look at this. I'm so ticked off that I'm molting!’ Feathers are indeed falling off of their elaborate outfit, and they shake off the loose ones.

Crocodile holds up a hand to silence them. ‘Patience, Bon Clay. Patience. Mr 9 was obviously less than worthy.’

Bon Clay gasps in faux shock. ‘Oh, there's a big surprise. That's an incred- I think I'm gonna have a heart attack and die from not surprise! What're we gonna do? We got a big problem here, a big prob-’ They’re suddenly shut up by a large hand covering their mouth.

‘Yes, we do. Only one may enter. I must find this one, this...diamond in the rough…’

‘Stop, thief! I’ll have your hands for a trophy, street rat!’ A loud voice rings out after a fleeing woman, who briefly looks at the loaf of bread in her hands.

‘All this for a loaf of bread?’ She mutters softly, shaking her head as she keeps running.

Running away from the guards might have been a daily occurrence for this certain orange haired thief, but that didn’t make it easier she thought as her back hit a wall, trying to duck out of view. ‘Getting into trouble a little early today, aren’t we, Nami?’ A voice rings out next to her ear and she smiles cheekily at the elderly woman.

‘Trouble? You’re only in trouble if you get caught.’

She turns to run again before she’s suddenly grabbed by a large hand accompanied by a triumphant, ‘Gotcha!’

‘I’m in trouble…’ She grimaces as the familiar guard pulls her in close.

‘And this time-’ He begins to lay out his usual threat before getting hit by a sudden stone from above. He lets her go in surprise, and she rolls away, looking up at one of the roofs.

‘Nice timing, Usopp!’ Nami calls out and receives a thumbs up in return before the man and his slingshot disappears, as does she, running away again. She rushes and ducks through the city, avoiding the guards as best she can, using her knowledge to get away until they’ve lost her completely. She huffs out a laugh. ‘Sometimes, it’s just way too easy.’ She says to herself, before retreating to her familiar hideout.

Usopp has already made it back, inspecting his slingshot for damage and their green haired swordsman is fast asleep as usual. Nami breaks the bread into four pieces and tosses one of them at Usopp, who just manages to barely catch it, then tosses another piece at the sleeping man. It hits him on the head and he startles awake. ‘Oi!’ Zoro grumbles as he lays eyes on the woman.

‘You’re welcome.’ She says before biting into a piece herself. ‘Where’s Sanji?’ 

‘Late.’ Comes the grumbling response from the swordsman.

‘Clearly.’ But before she can say anything else, their thin curtain that hides them from the outside world, moves away and a blonde man is walking in.

‘Good evening, Nami-swan, I come bearing gifts.’ He croons, placing a plate of still warm food in front of Nami, then faces the other two men. ‘And there’s some for you two.’ 

Usopp scrambles up to grab a plate from Sanji, but Zoro doesn’t move, instead engaging the blonde man in a staring contest that Sanji eventually breaks away from with an eye roll, bringing the plate directly to him. ‘Did you make it, Curly?’

‘No, it was one of the new guys. You know there are never any leftovers of my food.’ He says and Zoro huffs quietly.

‘You still haven’t been fired yet, then?’ Nami says, handing Sanji the remaining piece of bread as she digs into the food.

Sanji bats his eyes at her. ‘You told me to stop fighting customers if I wanted to keep a job, so I have, my darling. They won’t fire me.’

‘Usopp?’ She asks, not needing to finish her question before the man excitedly speaks.

‘There’s a builder on the edge of town who was looking for an apprentice, he’s been asked to rebuild part of the palace. So I approached him and he said I can start next week.’

Nami nods. ‘Good job, Usopp. And you, Zoro?’ She turns their remaining companion and he levels her with a stare.

‘Don’t ask questions you already know the answer to, witch.’ He grumbles.

‘Yeah, Mosshead’s only good for one thing and they won’t give him his guard job back.’ Sanji says.

‘That’s what happens when you attack one of the Royal Vizier’s men unprovoked.’ Usopp mutters and Zoro narrows his eyes at the man.

‘It wasn’t unprovoked, she had it coming. She was threatening civilians.’

‘Criminals.’ Usopp corrects.

‘Children.’ Zoro’s tone holds a finality to it that makes Usopp back down, holding his hands up defensively, and Zoro turns back to Nami. ‘So no, I still haven't found a job. And how’s that going for you, witch?’ He asks sarcastically and Sanji kicks him in the back of his head.

‘Don’t be rude to Nami, Marimo.’

‘Your double standards never cease to amaze me, Cook.’ Zoro growls, rising up and reaching for his swords before a firm fist hitting the top of his head stops him. ‘Witch.’ 

Nami sticks her tongue out at Zoro before finishing off the food. ‘Alright, I’m going to the roof. Nobody bother me.’ She says firmly, glaring evenly at each man until they nod.

‘You made her mad, Mosshead.’ She hears Sanji say as she makes her way up the stairs.

‘She’s always mad.’

‘She is an angel. How dare you?!’

‘Guys, please don’t.’

Nami lets the curtain fall behind her as she gets as far away from their squabbling as she can. Looking up at the stars and sighing as she sits down, she thinks about how her life came to this. How sad Bellemere would be if she knew she had sacrificed her life for the sake of a “street rat.” Nami shakes her head, trying to dispel the thought, promising herself, and the stars, that tomorrow will be better. She will do…something. And hopefully that something will turn into something greater, something that Bellemere could be proud of.

Unfortunately, the next morning she was met with trouble. She and Zoro were minding their own business when the sound of a pompous procession caught their attention. Curiosity pulled the both of them in to see what was happening and they saw an overdressed man on a horse. 

‘Another suitor for the princess.’ They heard someone in the crowd mumble and the pair grimaced. Each peacock that went in and out of the doors of the palace was worse than the last, and this guy definitely took the cake. A fat man with bright purple hair, a tiny mustache and tin plated chin. Truly a winner. 

‘Out of my way you filthy brats!’ The man says suddenly and the pair watch as two children run in front of the horse and before Nami can even blink Zoro takes off and she quickly follows. The man raises a whip, intending to hit the children, but Zoro has his swords up, effortlessly cutting it to shreds. Nami, behind him, grabs the children, pulling them out of the way.

‘Hey, if I were as rich as you, I could afford some manners.’ Nami calls out to the man as she points to where the children can run away to.

The man, who had been fully focused on Zoro, now turns his sneer to Nami, looking her up and down. ‘Oh, I’ll teach you some manners!’ He tries to pull out another weapon, but Zoro is quicker, slicing it out of his hand, and the man fumbles uselessly on his horse.

Nami laughs loudly. ‘Look at that, Zoro. It's not every day you see a horse with two rear ends!’ She says and the crowd titters, little spots of laughter around her but the man doesn’t appreciate it, turning to her with a cold eye.

‘You are a worthless street rat. You were born a street rat, you'll die a street rat, and only your fleas will mourn you.’ He snarls, riding his horse through the palace doors.

‘The only one around here who has fleas is you.’ Nami mutters at Zoro, as they both glare at the doors.

‘Yeah, yeah.. Come on, Witch. Let’s get out of here.’

‘I've never been so insulted!’ The peacock storms through the palace, yelling, a very obvious bruise already forming on his face.

‘Oh, Lord Wapol. You’re not leaving so soon, are you?’ The king of Alabasta asks his guest, chasing after him.

‘Good luck marrying her off!’ He calls as he storms out, giving King Cobra full view of the torn back of pants.

Cobra turns to the doors the man just stormed out of and shakes his head. ‘Oh, Vivi. Vivi!’ He runs through the doors, going into the courtyard but is abruptly cut off by a big duck growling at him while a strip of fabric hangs out of his beak and Cobra grabs it. ‘Confound it, Karoo! So, this is why Lord Wapol stormed out!’

Princess Vivi laughs and Karoo finally moves out of the way, revealing her getting her hand wrapped by their small court physician. ‘Oh, father. Karoo was just playing with him, weren't you Karoo.’ The duck pads over to her, trilling as she pets him.

Cobra sighs. ‘Dearest, you've got to stop rejecting every suitor that comes to call.  The law says you must be married to someone of royal blood by your next birthday.’ Vivi, Karoo and even the doctor all mouth the words along with him, rolling their eyes and Vivi stands up, walking over to her father.

‘The law is wrong.’ She tells him calmly but king Cobra shakes with nerves.

‘You've only got three more days!’

Vivi sighs. ‘Father,  I hate being forced into this. If I do marry, I want it to be for love.’ She says quietly, looking away, trying to get a glimpse over the palace walls.

Cobra sighs in turn and takes her unwrapped hand in his. ‘Vivi, it's not only this law. I'm not going to be around forever, and I just want to make sure you're taken care of. Provided for.’

‘Try to understand.’ Vivi says slowly. ‘I've never done a thing on my own. I've never had any real friends.’ Karoo makes a shocked noise and Vivi laughs at him. ‘Except you, Karoo. I've never even been outside the palace walls.’

Cobra looks at her helplessly. ‘But, Vivi, you're a princess.’

Vivi pulls away from him forcefully, turning around so she doesn’t have to look at him. ‘Then maybe I don't want to be a princess!’

‘Oh, God forbid you should have any daughters!’ Cobra says, throwing up his hands in frustration before leaving the courtyard.

There’s silence and suddenly, the small doctor pipes up. ‘Personally, I’d prefer it if you stopped punching all your suitors, I don’t know how much more your hand could take.’

‘Well, what am I supposed to do, Chopper? They all come in proclaiming their love for me when they don’t even know me. And then they refuse to listen. Physical violence is the only thing that works on these men. They only want the royal treasure anyway, they don’t care about me so why should I care about them.’ Vivi says, crossing her arms and sitting back down next to him.

‘What do you want to do then?’ Chopper asks softly and Vivi shrugs.

‘I…I…’

‘I might have a suggestion.’ A charming voice speaks from behind them and they both turn, looking up at Nico Robin, the new, mysterious, royal adviser, Cobra believing that Vivi would be more likely to listen to a woman rather than his own advisor. ‘You could…sneak out.’ Vivi’s eyes go wide at the suggestion while Chopper and Karoo gape at her.

‘Do you really think I could?’ Vivi asks, getting up in a rush. 

‘I don’t see why not. If anyone’s capable of sneaking out of here, it’s you, princess.’

And Vivi agreed with the statement, climbing over the palace wall that night for the first time while Karoo watched in distress, and Robin looked on from the shadows.

The next morning Nami’s ducking through the market place,  looking for the next poor schmuck who she’ll be thieving from. Out of the corner of her eye she can see Zoro sneaking around too, glancing around for trouble, and Sanji walking through casually, grocery shopping for his boss. The sounds and sights are familiar to her, it’s the same as it always is…until it’s not. Her eyes land on the most beautiful person she’s ever seen, her eyes wide as she looks all around her, as if she had never walked through the town. She couldn’t have. Nami would remember seeing her. The various shopkeepers all called out around her as she walked past.

‘Pretty lady, buy a pot. No finer pot in brass or silver.’

‘Sugar dates, sugar dates and figs! Sugar dates and pistachios!’

‘Would the lady like a necklace. A pretty necklace for a pretty lady.’

‘Fresh fish! We catch 'em, you buy 'em!’

She clearly looks overwhelmed and yet delighted by the raucous place and Nami sighs. ‘Wow.’

Suddenly there are fingers snapping in front of her face. ‘Oi, witch. What’s wrong with you?’

‘What?’ She asks distractedly.

‘You’re standing in the middle of the path with your mouth hanging open. People are starting to look at you.’ Zoro says, snarling at the people giving her weird looks to make them scuttle away. 

But Nami still doesn’t pay attention to him, watching as the girl takes an apple off a cart and hands it to a child, smiling softly as she says; ‘Oh, you must be hungry. Here you go.’ Before the boy runs off with it.

The man at the cart grabs her all of a sudden, pulling her up by her wrist. ‘You'd better be able to pay for that. No one steals from my cart!’ The girl stutters and he doesn’t give her a chance to answer. ‘Thief! Do you know what the penalty is for stealing?’ He shouts as he pins her wrist down to the table, pulling out a knife.

The girl struggles as best she can. ‘No, no please!’

Suddenly, there are a pair of hands on the girl’s shoulders, swiftly pulling her away while at the same time the trajectory of the knife is halted by a pair of swords and a foot comes up, kicking the man in the face. ‘You dare lay your hands on a lady?!’ Sanji says, horrified, as Zoro smirks, sheathing his swords, knowing Sanji’s got this one covered. 

He turns to the two girls, Nami still holding the stranger who still seems to be processing her shock. ‘Oi, get out of here. I’m sure the guards will be coming any second.’ Zoro says roughly.

‘Right. Don’t let Sanji lose his job because of this.’ Nami calls out as she grabs the girl’s hand and runs away, tugging her along.

Deep inside the palace, in the dark rooms no one dares visit, three figures sit, staring at each other intensely.

‘How can you be sure?’ A low voice asks and there comes a light laugh from one of the other figures.

‘Have I ever been wrong before?’

‘Yeah, kind of.’ The final person says. ‘You said we could trust Mr. 9. What a dud he turned out to be.’ Bon Clay mutters and Nico Robin raises an eyebrow.

‘I merely said you could trust him to find the other half of the scarab. Which he did.’

‘Indeed, you have not led me astray before.’ Crocodile agrees. ‘But you are certain? This is the only one who can enter the cave?’ Robin nods and Bon Clay scoffs.

‘That’s really the clown we’ve been waiting for?’ They exclaim in disbelief, slipping and falling off their chair in shock.

Crocodile smiles slowly, staring into the image of the orange haired street rat reflected in the crystal ball. ‘Let's have the guards extend her an invitation to the palace, shall we?’

‘Watch your step.’ Nami tells the blue haired girl, holding her hand tightly as they walk across the rooftop. Despite the warning, the girl trips and falls right into Nami’s arms, making them both blush.

‘Um. I want to thank you for stopping that man.’ The girl starts to say but Nami waves her off.

‘Forget it, it was no problem. So, this is your first time in the marketplace, huh?’

‘Is it that obvious?’ She asks, bashful.

‘Well, you do kind of stand out.’ Nami says, pointing at her blue hair but the girl hurriedly throws her hood back on, so Nami tries to change the subject. ‘And, uh, you don’t seem to understand how dangerous Alubarna can be.’ She brings the girl to the edge of the rooftop, intending to point out all the dangers in the marketplace but the girl looks around in wonder.

‘Is this where you live?’ 

‘Yes, me and the useless men I call my friends.’ Nami looks down the stairs as she says it. ‘They usually stay down there though. And we come and go as we please.’

The strange girl looks at Nami with wide, earnest eyes. ‘That sounds wonderful.’

Nami shrugs. ‘I guess so, and the view’s not so bad either.’ She gestures to overview of Alubarna the building has, with the palace staunchly in the middle.

‘Oh, yes.’ The girl tenses up at the sight of it but Nami doesn’t notice her sudden stress.

‘Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live there, at the palace, but then I think it must be-’

‘Stifling.’ The statement interrupts Nami and she nods.

‘Exactly, stifling. But then I think, it has to be better than there. Always scraping for food and ducking the guards.’

The girl shakes her head. ‘But you’re not…you wouldn’t be free to make your own choices. You’re just…’ She trails off, looking for the right word.

Nami shrugs. ‘I suppose, either way, you’re…’

‘Trapped.’ The word comes out from both of them at the same time and they glance at each other before they both blush and look away.

After a moment of awkward silence, Nami clears her throat. ‘So, where are you from?’

The girl crosses her arms and sits down. ‘What does it matter? I ran away, and I am not going back.’

‘Really? Why?’ Nami asks softly, walking over to sit with the girl.

‘My father's forcing me to get married.’ She says, her tone annoyed.

Nami’s eyes widen. ‘That…that's awful. That’s not fair.’

‘I don’t have a choice.’

There’s a sudden noise downstairs and looking down, Nami sees the head of the royal guard, Daz Bones, starting to barrel up the stairs. ‘Here you are!’

Both of them gasp in fear. ‘They've found me!’ They say in unison, then look at each other in surprise. ‘They're after you?’

‘My father must have sent them…’ The blue haired girl trembles and Nami runs to the edge of the roof.

‘Do you trust me?’

‘What?’

‘Do you trust me?’ She extends her hand, and the girl nods hesitantly.

‘Yes...’ She takes the offered hand and Nami pulls her forward.

‘Then jump!’ They both jump off the roof, fall and land in a pile of salt. They start to run but the exit is blocked by one of the guards.

‘We just keep running into each other, don't we, street rat?’ He sneers down at Nami and she knees him in the groin, making him fall over in pain giving the pair another chance to run but more guards gather around them, three of them grabbing Nami roughly.

‘It's the dungeon for you, girl.’ Daz Bones says triumphantly.

Nami thrashes in the grips of the guards. ‘Hey, get off of me!’

‘Let go of her.’ The blue haired girl demands, trying to get past the guards to get to Nami, but Daz Bones throws her to the ground. Fearlessly, she gets straight back up and pulls down the hood of her cloak. ‘Unhand her, by order of the princess!’

The guards all freeze, before bowing low and forcing Nami to bow with them. Daz Bones stares at her for a moment, before clearing his throat. ‘Princess Vivi.’

‘The princess?’ Nami whispers to herself, raising her head to look at the girl again.

Daz Bones struggles with his words for a moment but eventually swallows and speaks. ‘What are you doing outside the palace? And with this street rat?’

Vivi huffs, crossing her arms. ‘That's not your concern. Do as I command. Release her!’

‘Well, I would, princess, but my orders come from Crocodile. You'll have to take it up with him.’ Daz Bones explains, trying to placate her before the girl starts putting up a fuss. The guards begin to drag Nami out, bowing as they go.

The princess narrows her eyes at Daz Bones. ‘Believe me, I will.’

Crocodile emerges from the depths of the palace, quietly closing the door behind him when suddenly Vivi storms in and he slams it shut, trapping a confused Bon Clay inside. 

‘Crocodile?’ Vivi starts to speak, sounding angry.

There’s a quiet knock from the other side of the door. ‘Um, Crocodile, what’s-’

‘Oh, princess.’ He says loudly, shutting Bon Clay up immediately. How may I be of service to you?’

Vivi’s eye twitches. ‘The guards just took a girl from the market, on your orders.’

Crocodile shrugs. ‘Your father's charged me with keeping peace in Alubarna. The girl was a criminal.’

‘What was the crime?’ Vivi asks impatiently. 

‘Why, kidnapping the princess, of course.’ Crocodile tells her calmly and Vivi throws her hands up in frustration.

‘She didn't kidnap me! I ran away!’

Crocodile gasps, feigning shock. ‘Oh, dear! How frightfully upsetting. Had I but known…’
Vivi regards him suspiciously. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Sadly, the girl’s sentence has already been carried out.’

‘What sentence?’ She asks, swallowing nervously.

 ‘Death.’ Crocodile says simply and Vivi gasps. ‘By beheading.’

‘No!’ She collapses to the floor, all the energy draining from her.

‘I am exceedingly sorry, princess.’

‘How could you?’ Vivi can’t contain her sobs as she runs from the room.

Bon Clay pushes open the door and pops their head out. ‘So, how did  it go?’ 

Crocodile looks at them. ‘I think she took it rather well.’ He says before they both get a sinister smile on their faces.

Outside, Vivi cries softly, hugging Karoo tightly as he wraps a wing around her. ‘It's all my fault, Karoo. I didn't even know her name.’

Inside the dungeon, Nami, alive, sits and waits, speaking to herself, still in disbelief. ‘She was the princess. I don't believe it. I must have sounded so stupid to her.’ She groans, then sighs. And finally, she begins to wiggle around, making a pin fall from her hair. She picks it up and begins picking the locks on her cuffs. She frees her hands then ankles and shakes them out to get feeling back. She looks around the dungeon. ‘She was worth it.’ Nami decides, then laughs to herself dryly. ‘But I'll never see her again. I'm a street rat, and she has to marry royalty.’ She sighs, closing her eyes. ‘I’m a fool.’

‘You're only a fool if you give up.’ The voice startles Nami and she looks for where it came from.

‘Who are you?’ She ventures to ask.

A decrepit old man comes out of the shadows. ‘A lowly prisoner, like yourself.  But together, perhaps we can be more.’

Nami raises an eyebrow, unimpressed, but not ready to refuse help. ‘Yeah, okay. I'm listening.’

‘There is a cave.’ The old man starts. ‘A cave of wonders. Filled with treasures beyond your wildest dreams. Treasure enough to impress even your princess, I'd wager.’

Nami shakes her head. ‘But the law says that only someone of royal blood can marry-’

The old man interrupts her, holding up his hand. ‘You've heard of the golden rule, haven't you, girl? Whoever has the gold makes the rules.’

‘So why would you share all of this wonderful treasure with me?’ Nami asks, none of her suspicions have waned, but she won’t turn down free gold.

‘I need someone young with strong legs and a strong back to go in after it.’

‘Ah, one problem.  It's out there, we're in here?’ Nami crosses her arms, curious as to what he’ll do next.

The old man walks to a wall and pushes open a hidden exit. ‘Things aren't always what they seem.  So, do we have a deal?’ 

Nami, knowing this is probably her best chance at escape, nods. ‘Fine. We have a deal.’

In the desert, Nami holds the reins of a horse carrying the old man and the watch as the sand rises and forms the alligator head cave. ‘Who disturbs my slumber?’ The voice speaks and Nami takes a deep breath. 

‘It is I, Nami.’

‘Proceed. Touch nothing but the lamp.’ It speaks one final time, then falls silent before opening its jaw with a roar and staircase leading down appears.

The old man grabs Nami’s wrists before she can take a step. ‘Remember; first fetch me the lamp, and then you shall have your reward.’ 

She pulls away from his grasp and begins to descend the stairs. She looks around in wonder at the treasure filled room, chambers upon chambers filled with nothing but gold. She lets out a low whistle. ‘Just a handful of this stuff would make me richer than the sultan!’ She reaches out, then remembers the rule and shakes her head to snap herself out of her gold trance. She takes a deep breath, then keeps walking.

Something moves in her peripheral vision and she turns abruptly, but only sees a rolled up carpet. ‘This cave is playing tricks on my imagination.’ She mutters and keeps moving, only to see it again. She turns and sees the same carpet although it’s lying flat. She narrows her eyes, and walks towards it. The carpet suddenly moves, disappearing behind a stack of gold. Nami gasps. ‘A magic carpet!’ She exclaims and slowly moves closer to its hiding spot.  Come on. Come on out. I'm not gonna hurt you.’ She says softly and the carpet slowly comes out, shyly, before flying over to Nami. She’s unsure of how to react and the carpet starts to retreat. ‘Hey, wait a minute. Don't go. Maybe you can help me. The carpet comes back, excited, flying to Nami and wrapping itself around her, making her laugh. ‘Whoa. Okay, you see, I’m trying to find this lamp.’ The carpet moves and motions for  her to follow it. Nami smiles. ‘You know where it is?’ She asks and follows the carpet through the long cave until they emerge in a giant underground cavern. In the centre of the room is a tall pillar, a simple lamp, illuminated by a beam of light is sitting on top of it. It’s surrounded by water with an uneven, stone bridge leading to a staircase going up to the lamp.

Nami begins to cross the bridge, then climbs the staircase carefully. She grabs the lamp and frowns. ‘This is it? This is what I came all the way down here for?’  She shakes her head and slowly walks back down, putting the lamp in her bag. As she reaches the bottom, she walks back across the bridge, but her foot gets caught in a gap and she trips, tumbling forward. She puts her hand out to stop herself and ends up grabbing a giant ruby.

Immediately, the cave starts to shake. ‘Infidels!’ The voice of the cave roars and Nami’s eyes widen. ‘You have touched the forbidden treasure. Now you will never again see the light of day!’

Nami flies out of the room, but the shaking ground makes her stumble and almost fall back into the water, which is suddenly turning into lava. The carpet catches her through and starts to race out of the cave, all the piles of gold melting before Nami’s eyes as the carpet dodges walls and falling debris. It goes into a dive, then through another cave. Finally, they emerge through the internal entrance just as the cave begins to growl and close. The carpet almost has Nami at the top when a boulder falls and catches the carpet underneath it. Nami jumps and grabs onto the rock wall, trying to pull herself up. She sees the old man waiting and holds her hand out. ‘Help me out!’ She yells.

‘Throw me the lamp!’ The old man demands.

‘I can't hold on. Give me your hand.’ Nami pleads but the old man doubles down.

‘First give me the lamp!’

Nami grits her teeth, but reaches into her bag and pulls out the lamp. She throws it up, and the old man raises it above his head, laughing maniacally.

‘Yes! At last!’ He cries but looks back down to see Nami getting a grip on a rock and pulling herself up. The man grabs her wrist, holding it tightly.

‘What are you doing?’ Nami asks, panicked.

‘Giving you your reward.’ He says, before his voice changes and he smiles wide, then pulls out a dagger, about to stab Nami. ‘Your eternal reward.’

Nami thinks fast, knowing if she lets go of the rock, and he lets her go, she’ll fall, but it’s a better option than being murdered by this man. She releases her grip on the rock, then digs her nails into his wrist. The man screams and in the split second between him letting her go, and Nami falling, she swipes the lamp from him and lets herself fall. The carpet manages to get out of where it’s been pinned to the ground and races up to catch her, saving her life, but a piece of debris hits her, and she falls unconscious. 

On the surface, the cave roars one final time, then sinks back into the sand. The old man starts removing his disguise, revealing Bon Clay underneath and Crocodile appears beside them. ‘While you may not have dealt the final blow, you got the lamp and got rid of the street rat at the same time. Well done.’

Bon Clay laughs. ‘Well, I am simply doing my…’ They trail off as they start to search through their disguise. ‘Where…where is…I just had it…I was just…’ They start panicking and they both look at where the cave previously was.

Crocodile growls in rage, kicking at the sand. ‘That damn street rat!’

Back in the palace, Vivi is still despondent, sitting on her bed holding Karoo and Cobra walks in, sitting next to her. ‘Vivi. Dearest, what's wrong?’

Vivi sniffs, tears in her still red eyes. ‘Crocodile...has...done something... terrible.’

Cobra pats her comfortingly. ‘There, there, my darling. We'll set it right. Now, tell me everything…’

In the cave, Nami remains unconscious on the carpet. It begins to shake her, concerned and Nami wakes, sitting up slowly with the carpet’s help. ‘Oh, my head.’ She groans, rubbing the back of it. ‘Looks like we’re trapped in here carpet…’ She shakes her first at the sealed entrance. ‘That two faced son-of-a-jackal!’ She takes a deep breath. ‘Well, whoever he was…I got the last laugh.’ She pulls out the lamp and clicks her tongue. ‘It looks like such a beat-up, worthless piece of junk. But I think there's something written here, it's hard to make out though.’ She rubs the lamp and suddenly smoke comes out of the spout. 

It begins to shake and glow, but Nami holds onto it and suddenly a cloud-like substance begins to pour out of it, until a large form wearing white clothes with white hair fills up the room and shouts loudly while stretching his arms up. ‘That was a great nap!’ His voice rings through the empty cave, then suddenly pulls his head off his body and gives it a twist, still yelling as he does so. ‘What happened out here? I got so dizzy, I thought I was gonna barf! But it feels so good to be out of there.’ He finally looks around and notices Nami, and seemingly shrinks himself to get a closer look at her. ‘Who are you?’

Nami, who has been watching him in shock the whole time stutters out; ‘Um…I’m Nami.’

‘Nami! Thanks for getting me out of there!’ He’s still yelling. He suddenly sets his sight on the carpet and smiles even wider somehow, laughing. ‘Hey, Carpet! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you!’ The carpet in question flies around him excitedly and he laughs again.

Nami shakes her head in disbelief watching this unfold before her. ‘I must be dreaming.’ She mutters and the being looks at her again.

‘Say, you're a lot smaller than my last master…’ He tilts his head as he looks her up and down.

‘Wait a minute! I'm your master?’ Nami asks and the being nods quickly.

‘You sure are! You rubbed the lamp and now you’re my master.’ He tells her.

‘And you are..?’

‘I’m Monkey D. Luffy. I’m the genie of the lamp.’ Luffy laughs and grows in size once again as he introduces himself. ‘I’m here for your wish fulfillment!’

Nami raises an eyebrow. ‘Wish fulfillment?’

Luffy throws up three large fingers. ‘Three wishes to be exact. And no wishing for more wishes. That’s it. Three.’

Nami scoffs and shakes her head. ‘Now I know I’m dreaming.’ 

‘I’m not a dream, Nami. I’m very real. And I can grant any three wishes you want.’

Still skeptical, Nami crosses her arms. ‘Any wish? 

Luffy grimaces and sways side to side. ‘Ah, almost. There are a few rules…’

‘Like?’ Nami prompts. 

‘Yeah, rule number one: I can't kill anybody. So don't ask.’ He waits for Nami to nod in understanding before moving on. ‘Rule two: I can't make anyone fall in love with anyone else. It doesn’t work that way. And rule number three: I can't bring people back from the dead.  It's not a pretty picture and I don’t like doing it! Other than that, you got it!’ He smiles again and Nami shakes her head. 

‘Rules? You mean limitations? On wishes? Some all powerful genie…can't even bring people back from the dead. I don't know…I mean,  you probably can't even get us out of this cave.  Looks like I'll have to find my own way out of here…’ She trails off, wandering around the cave and Luffy frowns stomping over to her on his large feet.

‘Excuse me? Are you looking at me? Did you rub my lamp? Did you wake me up, did you bring me here? And you think I’m not powerful enough to get you out of this cave? I don't think so, no way. You're getting your wishes, so sit down!’ Nami sits down on the carpet promptly and Luffy shrinks to fit on it, although he never fully touches the surface, constantly floating in his white clouds. ‘Now, hold on, because we’re getting out of here.’ The carpet flies off, smashing through the sealed entrance of the cave and flying off into the distance. 

‘Crocodile, this is an outrage. If it weren't for all your years of loyal service…’ King Cobra pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. ‘From now on, you are to discuss sentencing of prisoners with me…before they are beheaded.’ He says firmly and Crocodile bows low.

‘I assure you, your highness, it won't happen again.’ His tone drips with false sincerity, but Cobra doesn’t hear that, and nods gratefully, smiling and reaching for his daughter’s hand.

‘Vivi, Crocodile, let's put this whole messy business behind us. Please?’

Crocodile looks at Vivi. ‘My most abject and humblest apologies to you as well, princess.’ He takes her hand to kiss it, but she yanks it away, scoffing.

‘At least some good will come of my being forced to marry. When I am queen, I will have the power to get rid of you.’
‘That's nice.’ Cobra interrupts their stare off quickly. ‘All settled, then. Now, Vivi, getting back to this suitor business…’ He looks and sees Vivi walking out. ‘Vivi? Vivi!’ He calls and promptly runs after her.

Crocodile watches them go and hisses when he can drop his facade. ‘If only I had gotten that lamp!’

Bon Clay steps out from the shadows, imitating Vivi’s voice as they speak. ‘I will have the power to get rid of you!’ They scoff and cross their arms. ‘To think…we have to keep kissing up to that chump, and his chump daughter for the rest of our lives…’

‘No, Bon Clay. Only until she finds a chump husband. Then she'll have us banished…or beheaded!’ The pair look at each other and grimace, until Bon Clay excitedly snaps their fingers.

‘Oh, wait a minute! Wait a minute! Crocodile? What if you were the chump husband?’

Crocodile looks at Bon Clay with complete disgust. ‘What?’

Bon Clay, realising how crazy that statement sounds, quickly explains ‘Think about it; you marry the princess, all right? Then you become king!’

‘Ah…marry the shrew? I become king. The idea has merit…’ He speaks slowly as he considers Bon Clay’s words.

‘Yes, merit! And then we drop papa-in-law and the little woman off a cliff!’ They exclaim excitedly, grinning and Crocodile laughs.

‘Bon Clay, I love the way your foul little mind works!’

Back somewhere far away, the magic carpet suddenly halts to a stop and allows Nami to climb off and Luffy grins widely. ‘Well, how about that? Believe me now?’

Nami snorts and crosses her arms. ‘Oh, you sure showed me. Now about my three wishes…’

Luffy shakes his head insistently. ‘Do my ears deceive me? Three? You are down by one!’ He tries to claim but Nami shakes her own head.

‘Ah, no. See, I never actually wished to get out of the cave. You did that on your own.’ She explains and Luffy’s jaw drops open with shock at the realization.

He crosses arms and frowns. ‘All right, fine, but no more freebies.’

Nami throws her hands up in agreement. ‘Fair deal. So, three wishes. I want them to be good.’ She strokes her chin, thinking, before turning to the genie. What would you wish for?’

‘Me? No one's ever asked me that before. Well, in my case…freedom.’ He says softly, the tone strange from such a jovial genie.

‘You're a prisoner?’ Nami asks and Luffy nods.

‘It's all part-and-parcel, the whole genie gig.’ He purposefully grows to a gigantic size while speaking with a loud, echoing voice. ‘Phenomenal cosmic powers!’ Then abruptly shrinks down, cramped into the magic lamp. ‘Itty bitty living space.’

‘Luffy, that's terrible.’ Nami says but Luffy keeps going, spilling back out of the lamp in a fog of his white clouds.

‘But, to be free…To not have to ask anyone for what they need. To be my own master, such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all  the world!’ He inhales and grows larger with every breath he takes before freezing abruptly. ‘But what am I talking about, here? Let's get real here. It's not gonna happen…’ He shakes his head slowly, shrinking in on himself. 

‘Why not?’ Nami asks.

‘The only way I get outta this is if my master wishes me out. So you can guess how often that's happened.’ Luffy explains, shrugging.

‘I'll do it. I'll set you free.’ Nami says simply and Luffy laughs in disbelief.

‘Uh huh, right. Sure…’

But Nami doubles down. ‘No, really, I promise. After I make my first two wishes, I'll use my third wish to set you free.’ She holds out her hand confidently.

‘Well, here's hoping…’ Luffy sighs, but shakes her hand. ‘Okay, let's make some magic! So how about it. What is it you want most?’

Nami thinks for a moment, then smiles bashfully. ‘Well, there's this girl…’

She’s cut off abruptly but Luffy holds up his hand. ‘Nuh uh. Wrong! I can't make anybody fall in love, remember?’

‘That’s not what I was asking but, you don’t understand. She's smart and fun and…’ Nami trails off, trying to find the right words to describe her.

‘Pretty?’ Luffy suggests.

‘Beautiful!’ Nami insists. ‘She's got these eyes that just...and this hair, wow…and her smile…’ She smiles as she thinks about the girl, until it suddenly falls, remembering the big problem. ‘But she's the princess. To even have a chance, I'd have to be a…’ She gasps as she suddenly thinks of a solution. ‘Hey, can you make me a princess?’

Luffy laughs again, doing a backflip as he floats in the air. ‘Oh yeah, easy. But is that an official wish? You gotta say the words…’

Nami takes a deep breath, then nods. ‘Luffy, I wish for you to make me a princess!’

The genie excitedly claps his hands together. ‘Alright! Let’s do this!’ Nami gets suddenly wrapped up in Luffy’s white clouds and his laughter echoes through the deserted island he brought them to.

King Cobra is dozing off on his throne when Crocodile suddenly storms in, Bon Clay directly behind him, holding an old scroll. ‘Sire, I have found a solution to the problem with your daughter.’ He announces, shocking Cobra awake.

‘Oh…really?’ He says blearily and Crocodile nods, unrolling the scroll.

‘Right here. "If the princess has not chosen a spouse by the appointed time, then the sultan shall choose for her."’ He reads and Cobra nods.

‘But Jasmine hated all those suitors! How could I choose someone she hates?’

Crocodile clears his throat. ‘Not to worry, my liege. There is more. If, in the event a suitable spouse cannot be found, a princess must then be wed to...hmm...interesting…’ He trails off as if reading new information.

‘What? Who?’ Cobra asks.

‘The royal vizier! Why, that would be...me!’ Crocodile says as if he’s surprised.

Cobra furrows his eyebrows. ‘Why, I thought the law says that only a royal can marry a princess, I'm quite sure.’ He reaches for the scroll but Crocodile abruptly pulls it away.

‘Desperate times call for desperate measures, my lord.’ He tries to reason but Cobra shakes his head.

‘But you're so old!’ He says and Bon Clay slaps a hand over their mouth to stop the loud laugh that’s desperate to escape. Crocodile’s eye twitches, but before the conversation can continue, the doors slam open and Daz Bones rushes in, falling to his knees before Crocodile.

‘My lord, you must come see this.’ He heaves and Crocodile rushes to the window, Cobra behind him.

There are people strewn through the streets, making way for many other strangely dressed people, all being led by three men.

The tallest of them, a green haired man with a dangerous smirk and three swords at his side, dressed all in green, speaks first, addressing all the people gathered. ‘Oi, listen up, we-’

He’s cut off but a swift kick to the back of his thigh. The blonde next to him dressed in yellow stripes hisses lowly. ‘That’s not the way to sound like a royal representative, idiot. Just leave it to me.’ He clears his throat, smiling far more graciously at the crowd. ‘Citizens of Alurbarna, we are honoured to be in your lovely country and even more honoured to introduce you to someone simply wonderful and lovely. Our-’

Suddenly he’s interrupted by the third man, excitedly drawing the crowd in with his words. ‘Yes! Someone who’s tamed a cyclops. Then fought forty thieves single handedly! She’s richer than Gold Roger himself. She travels wherever she pleases and this time has chosen your land-’ He also receives a kick for his efforts and hisses.

The blonde man glares at him, forcing him to shut up before smiling at the crowd again. ‘May we present the beautiful Princess Onami of Wano!’ The men move to make room for a huge parade of people all dressed in the traditional clothing of Wano. They fill up the streets, dancing and singing the praises of Princess Onami as they move, moving closer to the palace until the crowd eventually sees the woman who they’re talking about.

She’s dressed in a beautiful blue kimono, her ornate yellow obi tied in a large bow. Her hair is tied up with many fancy hair pins and other accessories and to top it all off, an ornate mask covers the top half of her face. She’s kneeling on a flying carpet accompanied by a man with a wide smile and black hair, a mischievous glint in his eyes, dressed in an ornate red kimono. ‘Do you really think this is going to work?’ Nami asks him quietly and the human disguise of Luffy laughs.

‘Of course it will. I’m a genie after all. What could go wrong?’ He says confidently as he bounces up and down, the straw hat tied behind him bouncing too.

Nami, sighs but accepts the answer as the fanciful parade moves forward and leads her straight into the palace, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji and Usopp all behind her in their own Wano disguises.

Cobra claps delightedly as Nami on the magic carpet flies straight to him and she bows. ‘Splendid, absolutely marvelous!’

Nami smiles, trying to hide her nerves as she clears her throat and lowers her voice to try and sound more powerful as she makes her way down from the carpet. ‘Your majesty, I have journeyed from afar to seek your daughter's hand.’

‘Princess Onami! I'm delighted to meet you.’ He rushes over and shakes Nami’s hand vigorously, before gesturing to Crocodile. ‘This is my royal vizier, Crocodile. He's delighted too.’

Crocodile snarls slightly. ‘Ecstatic.’ He says dryly. ‘I'm afraid, Princess Onana-’

‘Onami.’ Nami corrects in her own, dry tone.

‘Whatever. You cannot just parade in here uninvited and expect to-’ He tries to berate her but is interrupted by Cobra poking at the magic carpet.

‘This is quite a remarkable device. I don't suppose I might…’ He looks at Nami questioningly and she laughs.

‘Why certainly, your majesty. Allow me.’ She helps him onto the carpet and it takes off, taking the king on a wild ride around the room.

Crocodile views the display with disgust and he boredly asks Nami. ‘Just where did you say you were from?’

‘Oh, much farther than you've traveled, I'm sure.’ She says confidently and Crocodile narrows his eyes.

‘Try me.’

‘Oh, then have you ever travelled to the land of Wano? Mr…Alligator, was it?’

Crocodile tsks. ‘Crocodile.’ He corrects with a sneer.

‘Whatever.’ Nami says in response, repeating his earlier sentiment.

They stare each other down but are interrupted by Cobra crying out loudly. ‘Look out!’ Everyone ducks as the king zooms over their heads. He keeps going around and shouts; ‘Out of the way, I'm coming in to land! Crocodile, watch this!’ He lands with a flourish and the carpet sets him down gently.

‘Spectacular, your highness.’ Crocodile drawls and Cobra beams.

‘Yes, I do seem to have a knack for it.’ The  carpet walks over to Luffy dizzily, then collapses over his arm, but Cobra takes no notice. ‘This is a very impressive youth. And a princess as well.’ He whispers to Crocodile; ‘If we're lucky, you won't have to marry Jasmine after all.’

Crocodile shakes his head. ‘I don't trust her, sire.’ But Cobra waves him off.

‘Nonsense. One thing I pride myself on, Crocodile, I'm an excellent judge of character.’

Bon Clay scoffs softly, rolling their eyes. ‘Oh, excellent judge, yeah, sure...not!’

During the commotion, Vivi walks in quietly to find out exactly what’s going on and hears her father confidently say; ‘Vivi will like this one!’

Nami laughs quietly. ‘And I'm pretty sure I'll like Princess Vivi…’

‘Your highness, no.’ Crocodile interrupts. ‘I must intercede on Vivi’s behalf.’ Vivi rolls her eyes hearing Crocodile speak and starts getting mad. ‘This girl is no different than the others. What makes her think he is worthy of the princess?’

‘Your majesty, who is he to speak for your daughter? Just let her meet me, then she can decide for her-’ Nami’s interrupted by Vivi storming in.

‘How dare you!’ She says angrily. ‘All of you, standing around deciding my future? I am not a prize to be won!’ After she says her piece, she storms out, but Nami is still breathless just from seeing the girl once again.

Cobra sighs. ‘Oh, dear. Don't worry, Princess Onami. Just give Vivi time to cool down.’ He pats her on the back and leads her out, Luffy bouncing behind them closely. Usopp and Sanji follow also, but Zoro takes his time, assessing the three people still in the throne room.

‘Do I recognise you?’ Daz Bones asks him, eyes narrowed, and Zoro scoffs.

‘I doubt you’ve been to Wano anytime recently, so, no. You don’t.’ He says confidently and walks out.

Crocodile and Daz Bones glare at the man as he leaves. ‘I have a feeling this one will be much harder to get rid of…’ Crocodile muses, then turns and leaves the room himself, Daz Bones and Bon Clay right behind him.

That night, Nami paces around the courtyard situated right under Vivi’s balcony. She’s out of the opulent outfit from earlier and is dressed in a much more casual, red kimono, her hair free from the fancy accessories as she runs her hands through it. ‘What am I going to do? Vivi won't even let me talk to her.  I should have known I couldn't pull off this stupid princess wish.’

Zoro nods, eating the dinner provided to them by the palace. ‘You should have waited for our advice, witch.’ 

‘Oh yeah, and what would have been your big suggestion?’ Usopp asks incredulously and Zoro shrugs.

‘Ask the cook.’ 

Sanji scoffs. ‘So romantic, Marimo.’ He says, but can’t hide the light red tinge that crosses his face. ‘But this wasn’t a bad wish, Nami dear, it was just…an unfortunate introduction.’

Nami groans in agreement. ‘Luffy, I need help.’

The genie, back in his true form, shrugs. ‘Why not just tell her the truth?’

‘No way! If Vivi found out I was really some crummy street rat, she'd laugh at me.’

‘You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself, dearest. I’m sure the beautiful Princess Vivi would love you just the way you are if she got to know you.’ Sanji insists, but Nami shakes her head.

She puts the mask back on instead, making sure Vivi won’t be able to see her full face and jumps on the carpet. ‘Wish me luck.’ She waves to the guys and flies up to the balcony. ‘Princess Vivi?’

A voice comes from outside and Karoo snarls, looking outside. ‘Who's there?’ Vivi asks.

‘It’s me, N-’ She coughs, clearing her throat, starting to climb onto the balcony. ‘Princess Onami.’

Vivi scoffs and rolls her eyes. ‘I do not want to see you.’

‘No, no, please princess. Give me a chance.’ Nami begs but Karoo rushes towards her, trying to knock her off balance.

‘Just leave me alone.’ Vivi states as Nami’s mask becomes skewed with the force of Karoo’s pushing and Vivi tilts her head, eyebrows furrowed. ‘Do I know you?’

Nami looks up quickly, and sets the mask back in place. ‘Uh, no, no.’

‘You remind me of someone I met in the marketplace.’ Vivi ponders slowly.

Nami shakes her head insistently. ‘The marketplace? I’ve never been to the marketplace here.’ Her tone is not as convincing as she’d like it to be but Vivi looks disappointed nonetheless.

‘No, I suppose not.’

Luffy, in the form of a white bee, starts buzzing around Nami, muttering; ‘Enough about you, Nami. Talk about her! You had so much to say about her when we met.’

Nami swallows. ‘Um, Princess Vivi? You're very…’ She trails off, finding it hard to talk about her when she’s standing right in front of her.

Luffy tries to help, making quick suggestions. ‘Wonderful. Glorious. Magnificent. Punctual!’

‘Punctual!’ Nami shouts, overwhelmed, then grimaces when she realises what she said.

Vivi raises an eyebrow. ‘Punctual?’

‘Sorry…’ Luffy murmurs, backing away.

Nami tries to recover the conversation. ‘Beautiful.’

Vivi hums non-committedly. ‘Hmm. I'm rich too, you know.’

‘Yeah!’ Nami says, nodding.

‘A fine prize for any royal to marry…’ Vivi continues and Nami tries to agree.

‘Uh, right. Right. A royal like me.’

‘Right, a royal like you.’ She comes close to Nami then pushes her back slightly with her next words. ‘And every other stuffed shirt, swaggering, peacock I've met!’ She crosses her arms and walks away. ‘Just go jump off a balcony!’

‘What?’ Nami asks when her brain catches up to the conversation.

Luffy buzzes back into her. ‘Stop her! Stop her! Say something. Anything.’

‘Fine!’ Nami exclaims and Vivi turns.

‘What?’

Nami coughs awkwardly, then nods. ‘Uh, you're right. You aren't just some prize to be won. You should be free to make your own choice.’ Vivi and Karoo look at each other in confusion. ‘I'll go now.’ Nami steps up on the ledge and drops off.

‘No!’ Vivi shouts, running to the ledge and Nami pokes his head up from over the edge.

‘What? What?’

Vivi is amazed at the show. ‘How…how are you doing that?’ She looks over the edge and sees the carpet as it lifts Nami up.

‘It's a magic carpet.’ Nami explains.

‘It's lovely.’ The carpet extends a corner to Vivi, waiting for her to shake it.

‘You, uh, you don't want to go for a ride, do you?’ Nami offers quietly. ‘We could get out of the palace, see the world.’

Vivi considers this. ‘Is it safe?’

‘Sure. Do you trust me?’ Nami asks casually and Vivi’s eyes widen.

‘What?’

Nami extends the same hand she had back in the marketplace, once again asking; ‘Do you trust me?’

A sly grin appears on Vivi’s face as she takes Nami’s hand. ‘Yes.’

Nami helps her onto the carpet and it knocks them both into a sitting position as it flies into the sky. Vivi gasps and holds onto Nami tightly as she looks towards the ground, shocked by the beautiful sights beneath her. Nami smiles softly, holding onto Vivi in turn and points out all the sights the carpet takes them to see. They take a break, sitting on a rooftop, watching fireworks go off and Vivi sighs.

‘It's all so magical.’

Nami smiles as she nods in agreement. ‘Yeah.’

Vivi looks at her, trying to consider her next words carefully. ‘It's a shame Sanji had to miss this.’

‘Nah.’ Nami says without even thinking about it. ‘He wouldn’t care about the fireworks.’ The carpet looks up, somehow looking at her incredulously despite having no face. ‘Fireworks are more Usopp’s speed…’ She trails off, her eyes widening as she realises what just happened.

‘I knew it!’ Vivi reaches for her mask and pulls it off, fully revealing Nami’s face and she smiles. ‘You are the girl from the market! Why did you lie to me?’

Nami sighs, knowing she’s trapped. ‘Vivi, I'm sorry.’

‘Did you think I was stupid?’ Vivi asks, crossing her arms.

‘No!’ Nami insists.

‘That I wouldn't figure it out?’

‘No. I mean, I hoped you wouldn't. No, that's not what I meant.’ Nami trips over her words.

‘Who are you? Tell me the truth!’ Vivi demands.

‘The truth?’ She looks at the carpet who waves her on, encouraging Nami to tell the truth. ‘The truth...the truth is...I decided to dress in the clothing of Alabasta and explore the marketplace in disguise so I could understand your kingdom before I approached the king to ask for your hand…of course, I never imagined I would actually meet you while there.’

‘Why didn't you just tell me?’ The princess asks softly and Nami laughs.

‘Well, you know, um...royalty going out into the city in disguise, it sounds a little strange, don't you think?’

Vivi blushes and leans into Nami, cuddling close to her. ‘Not that strange.’

When they return to the palace, the carpet forms a set of steps and Vivi descends, Nami holding her hand tightly to help her down. Before the carpet lowers her down so the two girls can be face to face. ‘Good night, Onami.’

‘Sleep well, princess.’ They slowly lean forward to kiss, but the carpet bumps Nami and they kiss sooner than expected. They’re both blushing lightly as they pull back and Vivi walks away slowly then turns and looks at Nami one last time. Finally she enters her room through the curtain. Nami laughs as she falls back on the carpet and it starts slowly descending to the ground. ‘For the first time in my life, things are starting to go right.’ Just as she muses on this outloud, four sets of hands grab her. ‘Hey! What?!’ A gag is suddenly tied around her mouth and she looks around with wide eyes, seeing Usopp knocked out.

‘Hold her!’ A suspiciously familiar voice says and shackles are placed on Nami’s feet and hands.  Another guard grabs and ties the carpet in a knot around a tree.

Crocodile steps out from the shadows and sneers down at Nami. ‘I'm afraid you've worn out your welcome, Princess Onana.’ He begins to walk away, before calling out. ‘Make sure there’s no chance of escape.’

Daz Bones hits her on the head making her fall unconscious, just as Usopp begins to rouse and watches the guards take Nami’s body away, carrying her into the dark depths of the palace, locking her in the smallest cell they have, locking her hands above her so there’s no chance of more lock picking this time.

Usopp runs off to tell Sanji and Zoro, panicking and trying not to hyperventilate. As he trips over the two men, he screams, and hurriedly covers his eyes. ‘Here!? Now?! Really?!’ His voice gets higher on every word and Zoro snorts.

‘What’s got you so worked up?’ He asks and Usopp takes a deep breath.

‘Nami’s been captured and thrown in prison! Again! We need to help her this time.’ He explains.

‘Why didn’t you start with that, Long nose!’ Sanji shrieks right back at him, already running off with Zoro running straight after him. Usopp uncovers his eyes, then throws his hands up in frustration, before finally going after the pair, on the way, he unties the carpet from the tree and grabs the lamp from where it was hidden earlier.

He finds Sanji and Zoro standing outside the cell Nami’s been thrown in with Sanji looking to see if he can pick the lock. But no luck.

‘I can just cut the bars in half.’ Zoro says, drawing one of his swords.

‘Are you crazy!?’ Sanji yells as quietly as he can. ‘You haven’t practised cutting steel enough. You might hurt Nami.’

‘Wait!’ Nami calls out and the three men freeze. ‘Usopp, did you bring Luffy?’ She asks, spotting the lamp in his hands, and Usopp nods. ‘Rub the lamp, it’ll be the quickest way to get out of here and I’m worried about Vivi. I need to get out of here now.’ Usopp takes a deep breath then rubs the lamp, Luffy appearing quickly and squinting in the darkness of the dungeons.

‘Wow, this is really inviting. Nice place you’ve found. A little damp though, don’t you think?’ He mumbles sarcastically and looks at Nami.

‘Luffy, I’m sorry about earlier, but I need your help.’

‘Clearly. Now, say the magic words…’ He prompts with a smile.

‘Luffy, I wish for you to free me.’ No sooner than the words have fallen from Nami’s mouth, she finds herself out of the chains and outside the cell and Usopp hugs her, relieved.

‘So what happened?’ Zoro asks and Nami scowls.

‘Crocodile happened, which is why I’m worried about Vivi. We need to go check on her.’ She turns and runs through the dungeon, finding the stairs and running up, the other three men right behind her as Luffy melts into his white clouds and slithers back into his lamp still in Nami’s hands.

Vivi hears her father calling for her inside and she rushes to him, excited to tell him she’s finally accepted a suitor. She takes his hands as he walks in her bedroom. ‘Oh, father, I just had the most wonderful time. I'm so happy.’ She says clearly and Cobra nods sluggishly. 

‘You should be, Vivi. I have chosen a husband for you.’ He states, sounding unlike himself while his gaze is glassy.

‘What?’ Vivi asks, drawing back from him.

Her door creaks open and Crocodile, closely accompanied by Bon Clay and Daz Bones, steps in, a sly smile on his face. ‘You will wed Crocodile.’ Cobra states and Vivi goes wide-eyed, gaping at the man.

‘You're speechless, I see. A fine quality in a wife.’ Crocodile drawls, a triumphant smirk on his face.

‘I will never marry you.’ Vivi seethes and turns back to Cobra. ‘Father, I choose Princess Onami!’

‘Princess Onami left.’ Crocodile says simply but is quickly disproved by a voice from the balcony.

‘Better check your crystal ball again, Crocodile!’ Nami says and Vivi runs to her.

‘Onami!’

Crocodile, Bon Clay and Daz Bones all stare at the girl in shock. ‘How in the he-’ Daz Bones starts to growl out before Crocodile stops him by putting a hand on his chest.

‘Tell them the truth, Crocodile! You tried to have me killed.’ Nami announces to the room and Crocodile scoffs.

‘What? Ridiculous nonsense, your highness. She is obviously lying.’ He says calmly and Cobra nods slowly.

‘Obviously...lying.’ His gaze is still glassy as he speaks, which Nami takes note of.

Vivi grabs her father by the shoulders, shaking him. ‘Father, what's wrong with you?’

‘He’s been hypnotised.’ Nami says, crossing her arms and Crocodile gasps.

‘Hypnotised? That is quite the accusation. It’s too bad you can’t prove it.’ He keeps his smug expression until a sword is suddenly being held against his throat.

‘I can prove it by killing you and seeing if he snaps out of it.’ Zoro says.

Sanji, with his foot holding down Bon Clay, rolls his eyes. ‘Always so quick to violence, Mosshead.’

‘As long as it gets results though!’ Usopp says, standing behind a knocked out Daz Bones holding his slingshot.

‘This is an outrage!’ Crocodile starts but Zoro only presses his sword closer.

‘Let the king go, old man.’ He snarls.

Crocodile takes a moment to think through his options before clicking his tongue and snapping his fingers. Cobra starts blinking slowly, the haze over his eyes gone as he focuses on Vivi in front of him. ‘What happened?’

‘Your highness, Crocodile has been hypnotising you for who knows how long.’

Cobra rears back in shock. ‘What? Crocodile? You…you traitor!’

Crocodile chuckles nervously, before Zoro reminds him of the current threat pressing against him. ‘Your majesty, all of this can be explained…’

‘Guards! Guards!’ Cobra calls, refusing to listen to Crocodile.

‘Well, that's it. We're dead, forget about it. Just dig a grave for us. We're dead.’ Bon Clay starts rambling nervously as Crocodile finally spots the lamp in Nami’s hands and his eyes narrow.

‘Arrest Crocodile at once.’ Cobra tells his palace guards as they walk into the room.

‘This isn’t over yet!’ Crocodile growls out before throwing something at Zoro that makes him start coughing, forcing his grip on Crocodile to weaken and in a swift hurricane of sand Crocodile is gone, along with Bon Clay and Daz Bones.

Everyone looks around the room in alarm and Cobra orders; ‘Find him, search everywhere!’

Meanwhile, Nami runs to Vivi. ‘Vivi, are you all right?’

Vivi coughs a little but nods. ‘Yes.’ The girls smile at each other softly before Cobra walks between them roughly.

‘Crocodile, my most trusted counselor, plotting against me all this time. Just horrible. How will I ever-’ He stops mid sentence as he properly looks at Nami and Vivi. ‘Can it be true? My daughter has finally chosen a suitor?’ Vivi smiles bashfully but nods. ‘This is wonderful. You brilliant girl, I could kiss you! I won't. I'll leave that to my…’ He laughs, clapping his hands together. ‘You two will be wed at once! Yes, yes. And you'll be happy and prosperous, and then my girl, you will be queen!’

Nami blinks at him in surprise. ‘Queen?’

‘Yes, a fine upstanding youth like yourself, a person of your unimpeachable moral character is exactly what this kingdom needs!’ Nami’s expression is concerned and she takes a look at her friends, all standing in the doorway looking at her with matching faces of concern.

Lower down in the palace, Bon Clay starts running around aimlessly, picking up various things and throwing them into a bag as Crocodile holds Daz Bones, trying to wake him up. ‘We gotta get outta here! We have to get…I need to start packing, Crocodile. Only essentials.’ They mutter and Daz Bones as he wakes, his hand moving to the back of his head and Crocodile starts laughing darkly. ‘You’ve finally cracked, Crocodile. Get a grip!’ Bon Clay practically shrieks, using their fist to lightly knock Crocodile on the head.

Crocodile reaches up abruptly and grabs Bon Clay’s wrist to stop them. ‘Princess Onami is nothing more than that ragged urchin Nami. She has the lamp.

Bon Clay gasps as Daz Bones grumbles. ‘Why that miserable-

‘But you are going to relieve her of it, Bon Clay.’ Crocodile says simply, making Bon Clay raise an eyebrow.

‘Me?’

‘Me? They want me to be queen.’ Nami mutters, pacing around the palace gardens, tugging at her hair. Luffy spills out of the lamp with a big grin.

‘Nami! You did it! I told you it would all work out, didn’t I? You’ve won the heart of the princess and successfully convinced the King you’re royalty so you can actually marry her. All that’s left is…’ Luffy trails off, prompting the wish Nami promised him. When all he’s met with silence he whispers; ‘Your line is “I'm going to free Luffy.” Anytime, I’m ready.’

Nami groans, rubbing a hand over her face. ‘Luffy...I can't.’

Luffy laughs. ‘Sure you can. You just go “Luffy, I wish you were free.” But Nami sighs. 

‘I'm serious. Look, I'm sorry, I really am. But they want to make me queen. No! They want to make Princess Onami queen. Without you, I'm just Nami.’

‘Nami, you won.’ Luffy states.

‘Because of you! The only reason anyone thinks I'm anything is because of you.’ Nami says, her tone accusatory. ‘What if they find out I'm not really a princess? What if Vivi finds out? I'll lose her. Luffy, I can't keep this up on my own. I can't wish you free.’

Luffy’s usual grin finally falls but he shrugs noncommittally. ‘Hey, I understand. After all, you've lied to everyone else. I was beginning to feel left out. Now, if you'll excuse me, master.’ He mutters before disappearing in a white cloud.

Nami groans. ‘Luffy, I'm really sorry.’ After silence from the lamp she throws it onto a pillow on the floor. ‘Well, fine! Then just stay in there!’ She looks around and finds Zoro, Usopp and Sanji all looking at her, worried and Nami sits on the floor. ‘What am I doing?’ She asks, distressed and they all walk over to her.

‘You’re…getting your wish?’ Usopp unhelpfully supplies and Sanji glares at him.

‘Well he’s right, Cook.’ Zoro adds, then shuts up when Sanji turns that glare on him.

‘I only wanted to see Vivi again. To talk to her properly. I couldn’t do that as myself.’ Nami says helplessly and Sanji sighs, sitting next to her.

‘Nami dearest. The only thing the wish did was give you a title. But Vivi fell in love with you. The wish only existed to get you into the palace to talk to her. It’s you that she loves though.’ Sanji tells her softly and Nami nods.

‘You’re right. Of course you’re right. I…I need to tell Vivi the truth…’ She decides, standing up.

‘Onami? Come see me.’ Vivi’s voice filters through the gardens.

‘Vivi? I’m Coming. Where are you?’ Nami calls out, walking through the gardens with her friends behind her.

‘In the menagerie, hurry.’ Her voice calls again, before the garden empties and Bon Clay steps out from their hiding place. They look around the area Nami just was and smiles triumphantly when they pick up the lamp. ‘Oh, Crocodile’s going to be happy to see you!’ They say, relieved, before tucking it into their clothes and escaping quickly. 

At the entrance to the palace, Cobra stands confidently, making an announcement. ‘People of Alubarna! My daughter has finally chosen a suitor!’ The crowd cheers as Nami finally trudges her way behind the curtain where Vivi is waiting.

‘Vivi.’ Nami reaches for Vivi, relieved to have found her.

‘Onami, where have you been?’ The princess asks.

‘There's something I've got to tell you.’ Nami says quickly, trying to get this over with.

Vivi doesn’t let her get in another word though, starting to push her towards the curtain. ‘The whole kingdom has turned out for my father's announcement!’

‘No! But, Vivi, listen to me, please!’ Nami tries to protest but Vivi doesn’t listen.

‘Good luck!’ She gives Nami one final push and Nami stumbles into the entrance, the whole crowd staring at her.

‘Princess Onami of Wano!’ Cobra announces and Nami’s eyes widen.

‘Oh, boy!’

Vivi follows right behind her, grabbing Nami’s hand excitedly and Karoo and Chopper stand off to the side. Nami looks around desperately to see any of her friends but can’t see them anywhere.

Above the ceremony, Crocodile, Bon Clay and Daz Bones watch.

‘Look at them, cheering that streetrat.’ Daz Bones hisses and Crocodile huffs,

‘Let them cheer.’ He says before lifting the lamp and rubbing it, Luffy slowly spilling out.

Luffy sighs and turns towards them. ‘Nami, you can’t just-’ He looks at Crocodile in surprise. ‘I…don’t think you’re her.’ He states, drawing back and Crocodile smiles sinisterly.

 ‘I am your master now.’ He says as he throws Luffy to the ground and plants his foot on Luffy's face.

‘I was afraid of that.’ Luffy mutters but Crocodile ignores him.

‘Genie, grant me my first wish. I wish to rule on high, as sultan!’

The clouds over the kingdom immediately begin to darken and the roof suddenly gets torn off. Nami lets out a shout of surprise and Cobra yells out in confusion. ‘Bless my soul. What is this? What is going on?’ His turban starts to lift itself off his head and when Cobra reaches up to grab it, his whole body flies up, then is stripped of all his clothing while at the same time the clothing reappears on Crocodile and he laughs loudly. Cobra points at Crocodile, shaking with fury. ‘Crocodile, you vile betrayer!’

Crocodile simply laughs again. ‘That's Sultan Vile Betrayer to you.’

Nami scoffs. ‘Oh, yeah? Well, we'll just see about that!’ She reaches down to her side, where the lamp has been hanging but finds it missing. ‘’The lamp!’

‘Finders-keepers, Onana.’ Crocodile says, holding the lamp in his hands.

Luffy appears behind Crocodile looking miserable and Nami gasps. ‘Luffy, no!’

‘Sorry, Nami…I got a new master now…’ He says, not meeting her gaze.

‘Crocodile, I order you to stop!’ Cobra shouts but Crocodile just laughs.

‘There's a new order now. My order! Finally, you will bow to me!’

Vivi, holding onto her father, sneers at him. ‘We'll never bow to you!’

Crocodile sighs dramatically. ‘Why am I not surprised? Fine, if you will not bow before a sultan, then you will cower before a sorcerer!’ He turns his head to snarl at Luffy. ‘Genie, my second wish…I wish to be the most powerful sorcerer in the world!’

Luffy groans and extends his finger. Nami rushes forward to try and stop him but gets held back by Daz Bones appearing behind her. ‘Don’t try anything, street rat.’ He inclines his head to the side where he’s brought in Zoro, Sanji and Usopp chained together and gagged. Nami watches in horror as a bolt leaves Luffy’s finger and strikes Crocodile, which returns him to his regular clothing and Daz Bones laughs. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, a warm Alabasta welcome for Sorcerer Crocodile!’

Crocodile snaps his fingers, a cyclone of sand appearing and he smiles. ‘Now where were we? Ah, yes. Abject humiliation!’ He sends sand towards Cobra and Vivi, forcing them to bow, and Chopper and Karoo charge angrily at Crocodile. With more sand, he turns the both of them into babies, a tiny baby duck and a little baby reindeer hopping around in alarm. Crocodile struts towards Vivi, and grabs her chin, lifting it so she is forced to look at him. ‘Oh, princess, there’s someone I'm dying to introduce you to.’

Nami fights against the hold Daz Bones has on her. ‘Get your hands off her!’

But before she knows it, Crocodile snaps his fingers again and her Wano clothing rips away and is replaced with her old street clothes. ‘Say hello to your precious princess Onami…’ Crocodile drawls with a sinister smile.

‘Or should we say, Nami…’ Daz Bones adds and Vivi looks at Nami questioningly.

‘Nami?’ Vivi asks quietly.

‘Vivi, I tried to tell you…’ Nami starts saying but gets cut off by Daz Bones sword at her throat.

‘Yes, your darling princess is a mere street rat, Princess Vivi.’

‘Who are you calling a street rat, you bastard?!’ Sanji shouts, finally spitting the cloth from his mouth and struggling in his chains. ‘Nami would be a far better ruler than you could ever be!’

Crocodile turns to him, snarling, and lifts his hand to re-gag Sanji, but while distracted Vivi asks Nami. ‘What do we do?’

‘I don’t know…’ She groans, trying to think. 

‘Nami, you need to think of something, I can’t help you here.’ Luffy says.

‘I know, I know you can’t. But I don’t know what to do, I’m just a nobody who rubbed a lamp.’

‘That’s not true!’ Luffy insists.

‘Silence!’ Crocodile shouts, turning back to them and stalking over to Nami. ‘The game is over, street rat. Without the genie, you’re nothing.’ 

Nami’s eyes widen and she nods in agreement. ‘Yes. Yes you’re right.’ She can feel everyone around her looking at her incredulously but she continues anyway, pointing a finger at Crocodile. ‘But so are you. You needed the genie to make you Sultan and a sorcerer. Without the genie, you’re nothing. Luffy has more power than you ever could.’ She tells him and she watches Crocodile’s face as he realises she’s right and he snarls.

‘Nami, what are you doing?’ Luffy hisses at her but she ignores him.

‘Face it, Crocodile. You’re still just second best.’

 Crocodile’s eye twitches. ‘You're right!’ He eventually agrees, furious. ‘His power does exceed my own! But not for long!’ He looks at Luffy, grinning maniacally.

Luffy shakes his head insistently. ‘Don’t…don’t listen to her, she’s crazy. One too many hits to the hea-’

With his sand, Crocodile wraps up Luffy and brings him close to his face. ‘Genie, I make my final wish! I wish to be an all powerful genie!’

‘All right, your wish is my command.’ Luffy mutters reluctantly, raising his hand to snap his fingers. ‘Way to go, Nami.’ He zaps Crocodile with another bolt and they all watch as Crocodile’s form dissipates into sand and he turns into a genie.’

‘Yes! Yes! The power! The absolute power!’ Crocodile shouts in his transformation, Daz Bones lets Nami go, pushing her to the ground and Vivi rushes to her. ‘What have you done?’

‘Trust me!’ Nami pleads as a black lamp forms underneath Crocodile.

‘The universe is mine to command, to control!’

Nami stands and shakes her head. Not so fast, Crocodile! Aren't you forgetting something?’ He looks at her and she points to the lamp connected to him. ‘You wanted to be a genie, you got it! And everything that goes with it!’

Shackles appear on Crocodile wrists and he yells. ‘No! No!’ He reaches for Daz Bones and in a moment they’re both sucked into the lamp, the small object steaming slightly.

Nami picks up the lamp. ‘Phenomenal cosmic powers! Itty bitty living space.’ She quotes and Luffy jumps on her, wrapping his arms around her.

‘Nami, you genius!’ Slowly everyone starts returning to normal. Cobra’s clothes return to him, Karoo and Chopper get turned back into normal and cry as they embrace, relieved, the palace repairs itself and Zoro, Sanji and Usopp are all freed of their chains. Luffy takes the lamp from Nami’s hands. ‘Allow me…’ He stretches his arm impossibly far back before springing it in front of him and tossing the lamp as far as it could go. ‘Ten thousand years in a cave of wonders ought to chill him out!’ He says, smiling before Vivi rushes to Nami and takes her hands.

Silence falls over the group before Nami sighs, and looks at Vivi. ‘Vivi, I'm sorry I lied to you about being a princess.’ She says remorsefully and Vivi smiles sadly.

‘I know why you did.’ She says softly.

Nami nods slowly, but begins to pull her hand out of Vivi’s grasp. ‘Well, I guess...this is goodbye?’

Vivi huffs. ‘Oh, that stupid law. This isn't fair. I love you.’ Nami inhales shakily, trying to hold back tears and Luffy taps her on the shoulder.

‘Nami, it’s not a problem. You've still got one wish left. Just say the word and you're a princess again.’ He says simply but Nami shakes her head.

‘But, Luffy, what about your freedom?

He shrugs helplessly. ‘Hey, it's only an eternity of servitude. This is love.’ He insists.

Nami squeezes Vivi’s hand. ‘Vivi, I do love you, but I've got to stop pretending to be something I'm not.’

Vivi swallows and nods. ‘I understand.’ 

They take one final look into each other's eyes, then Luffy turns to Luffy. ‘Luffy, I wish for your freedom.’

‘Alright, one princess coming up. I-’ He starts speaking before freezing, looking at Nami with wide eyes. ‘What?’

Nami smiles softly. ‘Luffy…you're free!’

The shackles hidden by Luffy’s magic clouds fall off him as his connection with the lamp suddenly breaks. He lands on the ground on two feet and pats himself down ‘I…I’m free…’ He says softly in disbelief, before his eyes widen then he rushes towards Nami and shakes her shoulders. ‘Quick, quick, wish for something outrageous. Say "I want the Nile." Wish for the Nile. Try that!’

Nami laughs and agrees. ‘I wish for the Nile.’

‘No!’ Luffy shouts before he laughs hysterically. He starts bouncing around the balcony like a pinball. ‘Oh, man, does that feel good! I'm free! I'm free at last! I'm-’ He cuts himself off, noticing how sad Nami looks now.

‘Luffy, I'm gonna miss you.’ She says after a moment.

‘Me too, Nami. No matter what anybody says, you'll always be a princess to me.’ He says before pulling her into a hug.

King Cobra clears his throat as he steps forward. ‘That's right. You've certainly proven your worth as far as I'm concerned. It's that law that's the problem….’

‘Father?’ Vivi starts to ask as she widens her eyes hopefully.

He chuckles softly and shrugs. ‘Well, am I king or am I king? From this day forth, the princess shall marry whomever she deems worthy.’

Vivi lets out a loud, gleeful laugh and runs into Nami’s arms. ‘Her! I choose...I choose you, Nami.’ Nami laughs and the pair lean in to kiss each other before white clouds puff up between them, Luffy appearing from in between them and pulling them to him in a big hug. He extends his arms even further and pulls in everyone else.

‘Alright! Happy ending for everyone. I’ll be back to visit but for now…I’m outta here!’ He shoots into the air before anyone can say anything and everyone laughs.

Zoro clears his throat and raises an eyebrow at Nami. ‘So, what now, witch?’ He immediately receives a kick from Sanji for his comment but Nami just shrugs, throwing her arm around Vivi.

‘I don’t know, we’ll take it one day at a time.’ She looks at the princess and smiles. ‘Is that okay with you, princess?’

‘One day a time sounds perfect.’ And they finally kiss, ignoring the commotion going on around them.

Usopp loudly clears his throat. ‘Um, aren’t we forgetting something?’ He asks loudly and Nami shakes her head as she looks at him.

‘You can’t wait two minutes?’

‘Well, it’s just…didn’t Crocodile have someone else working with him…’

Everyone looks at each other as they realise they are indeed missing somebody. A cough comes from behind them and they find Bon Clay standing behind them. ‘Yes, that would be me.’ They admit regretfully and Nami crosses her arms.

‘I thought you would be long gone by now, since your master has been effectively banished.’ She says and Bon Clay sighs.

‘I thought about it, but honestly, it was exhausting working for Crocodile. It was fun at first but I think you all like each other a lot more than what Crocodile liked me. And I’d like a new career path, if you’ll accept me.’ They explain and Nami looks at Cobra.

‘What do you think, your majesty?’

Cobra shrugs. ‘I suppose everyone deserves a second chance.’

Vivi taps Nami to get her attention and the orange haired girl turns back to her. Vivi smiles softly and nods in agreement with her father. ‘Don’t you agree, Nami?’

Nami laughs and kisses Vivi again. ‘Yes. I agree.’

‘What about us?’ Zoro asks. ‘Since the guy who fired me is gone, can I get my damn job back?’

‘Oh, Nami dearest, if you’re going to be living in the palace now, can I work in the kitchens?’ Sanji asks.

‘Oh me too, me too. Not in the kitchens of course, but just a job in the palace.’ Usopp adds and Nami groans.

‘I like your friends, Nami, I feel like I’m not going to get bored around here anymore.’ Vivi says making Nami laugh and she takes Vivi’s hand firmly in hers, ready to walk into their new life together.