Under King Cobra's command, Alabasta began moving like a well-oiled machine.
Everyone was busy, and exhaustion became a common sight.
Although Vivi wanted to stay and help as much as possible, Cobra firmly insisted she leave with Renaud.
That afternoon, guided by Vivi, Renaud and his female crew toured the capital for hours, immersing themselves in Alabasta's distinct customs and culture.
The girls excitedly bought all kinds of exotic gadgets, while Renaud—like a dutiful porter—carried their bags and paid their bills.
Their cheerful chatter filled the streets until the sun began to dip toward evening.
Later, over dinner and drinks, Cobra once again thanked Renaud for everything he'd done for Alabasta, especially entrusting him to take care of Vivi.
Renaud agreed readily—not out of obligation, but because he would've done so regardless.
In the world of pirates, many beautiful princesses grace the pages of legend.
But in Renaud's heart, Vivi stood above them all.
At just sixteen, she had risked her life infiltrating Baroque Works to uncover the truth and protect her people.
Her courage, strength, compassion, and unwavering determination in the face of darkness made her more than worthy in his eyes.
In Renaud's heart, Vivi stood equal to Nami.
After dinner, the girls returned to their rooms to rest, while Renaud brought Vivi and Robin to the palace's highest balcony.
A soft evening breeze rustled their hair as silence lingered.
During the meal, Renaud had sensed that Vivi had seemed off.
She hadn't gotten a proper chance to celebrate with her father and the people before leaving.
"I've lived in fear every day since joining Baroque Works," Vivi admitted, leaning gently on Renaud's shoulder.
"I thought I was close to finding the truth, but it was Sister Robin who showed me everything in the end..."
"I'm such a useless princess—I didn't help at all," she added with a self-deprecating smile.
Robin gently patted her head with pity in her eyes.
Renaud looked at her seriously.
"Vivi, you've done more than enough for Alabasta."
"To me, you're the bravest princess of all."
If Vivi hadn't done everything she had, she never would've earned this place in his heart.
Her beauty wasn't just physical—it radiated from her spirit.
"Really...?!" Her cheeks flushed in the moonlight, lashes trembling like butterflies.
Renaud nodded with gentle conviction.
Robin smiled at Vivi's shy response.
"You're amazing, Vivi."
"You're both amazing," Renaud added tactfully, glancing at Robin—the mature, intelligent elder sister figure who now stood at an emotional crossroads of her own.
Robin laughed lightly, but Renaud's teasing smirk made her panic.
Before she could protest—
Teleport.
Renaud whisked her away to the Going Merry.
"Captain, I was just joking!" Robin flailed her arms in protest.
"Too late!"
That night, the desert's heat wasn't the only thing that kept Renaud up.
Following her enlightenment during Valentine's and Golden Week, Sara agreed to join the Renaud Pirates without hesitation.
With Crocodile dead, what was the point in clinging to the past?
Robin had already told her about the "holidays."
And so, the ship was unusually quiet that night…
Suddenly, the system chimed:
Congratulations, Host! You have received a luxury residential spaceship as a reward for subduing Nico Robin and her crew.
Congratulations, Host! You have received 3 Slave Seals for successfully subduing Sara.
A luxury residential spaceship?!
Renaud's eyes sparkled.
Just what he needed!
The original Merry couldn't keep up anymore.
With the crew expanding rapidly, the ship was overcrowded.
And now…
The spaceship houses 1,200 people.
It includes 600 deluxe suites, 300 themed rooms, and 50 giant-class mega suites.
Includes full onboard radar covering 10,000 miles and preemptive natural disaster alerts.
Defense is limited, but other systems are invincible.
Perfect.
Renaud clicked into the ship's system specs in awe.
He even had slave seals now.
Slave Seal: Imprints a command seal on the subject's soul.
Subject must either willingly submit or be far weaker than the host.
Once marked, the subject will obey all commands unconditionally—regardless of distance.
Female targets are automatically recognized as belonging to the host.
Not bad at all... Renaud mused, rubbing his chin.
Names popped into his head: Skylark, Peacock, Doe, Tashigi, Tina...
Even the God Knights' female officers—many of them stunning.
He'd need to proceed cautiously with those. Their power levels were unpredictable.
Still, these marks weren't just for pretty faces.
They could be used to recruit talented warriors—slaves forced into brutal training.
Useful, if tragic.
He already had a first target in mind.
Back in the capital, Vivi and Cobra enacted a teary goodbye.
Renaud had left Vivi a location beacon—she could return anytime.
But that didn't stop the palace from erupting in emotion.
Even the girls cried as father and daughter embraced.
"Vivi, come visit your father again," Cobra sobbed.
Meanwhile, Nami looked around.
"Where's the Merry?"
"Did someone steal our ship?!"
Her fury bubbled up as she rolled her sleeves, ready to fight.
"I took it," Renaud said flatly.
Before anyone could react—flash!
A colossal spaceship descended from the sky, bathed in radiant light.
The girls gasped.
"Renaud, where did you even GET this?!" Nami shouted, circling the ship like a kid on sugar.
"Captain! This is a ship?!"
"Is this even REAL?!"
One by one, the women started shouting questions.
Renaud just smiled smugly.
"Let's board first. I'll explain inside."
With their screams trailing behind them, the spaceship whooshed into the sky.
Cobra and the ministers stood below, dumbfounded and stunned by the surreal scene.
Inside, Renaud activated the radar and auto-navigation systems.
"Wow… there are so many different rooms!"
"I want the pink one!!"
"No, I'm taking the orange!"
"Captain, this place is unreal!!"
"Renaud, you're so amazing!!"
All the girls ganged up on him with praise and demands.
Renaud threw his hands up. "It's not me! Blame the system!"
He guided them through the recreation zones.
Kiya and Robin remained in the library—Kiya with her medical books, Robin with ancient texts.
Nami and Nojiko watered the orange orchard, which rivaled the one back in Cocoyashi.
Valentine, Golden Week, and Sara gathered in the café, excited by the espresso machines.
In the original timeline, this trio would have opened a café called "Spider" after the Alabasta arc.
Machino admired the winery and planned her future inventory.
Vivi, Tashigi, and Carmen joined Renaud in the botanical garden to play mahjong.
And so, a new, blissful day began aboard the most luxurious ship in the seas.