『Ding! Zala has joined the crew. Please assign her a crew position.』

"Combatant."

After assigning Zala's role, Sora pulled up her stats.

[Name: Zala]

[Affiliation: Former Baroque Works Agent]

[Skill: None]

[Talent: Sound Localization]

[Affection: 20]

[Combat Level: Three-Star]

[Devil Fruit: Thorn-Thorn Fruit]

[Sound Localization: Able to pinpoint targets through faint noises. Useful for ambush or reconnaissance.]

A talent? That was a surprise.

Sora raised an eyebrow as he read her profile.

He handed Zala a special Seastone collar and said, "Once I confirm your loyalty, I'll remove it."

He didn't fully trust her. Zala was cunning, with a high potential for causing trouble—unlike Kaya and Makino, who were kind and simple-minded, or Mikita, whose affection level had already hit 80.

So, just to be safe, she'd have to bear this little humiliation for now.

Zala, already expecting this, responded calmly, "Can we switch it to a single cuff? I'm not fond of collars. Though… if it's a kink of yours, I suppose I can deal."

Sora shrugged. "That's all I've got."

"Fine," Zala sighed, then took the collar and fastened it around her neck.

Sora opened the cell and let her out.

"Come on. Help me recruit Golden Week—Marianne."

"As you wish, Master."

Sora headed toward another cell, Zala following close behind.

About ten minutes later, Golden Week was recruited as well.

Being timid by nature, Marianne caved easily under a bit of pressure—especially with Zala already setting the example.

With her "Paint Palette" ability, she could be quite useful. She agreed to join the crew quickly.

『Ding! Marianne has joined the crew. Please assign her a crew position.』

Sora looked at her. "Navigator or ship doctor—which one do you want?"

The crew system only had those two roles unfilled. Though the system allowed him to rearrange roles at will, he asked just to appear considerate…

"Navigator. I studied the basics."

Marianne's voice was expressionless.

She wasn't being rude—that was just her nature. Her face rarely changed.

"Alright, settled then."

Sora smiled, then led Zala and Marianne out of the prison.

He wasn't in a rush to do anything more with either of them. He had all the time in the world.

Midday.

The crew noticed two new faces onboard. Kaya, Makino, and the others weren't surprised—they had been expecting this.

Mikita, seeing Zala and Marianne freed, was especially pleased. She thought Sora had released them for her sake, and her affection toward him rose even further.

One day later.

Alabasta Royal Palace.

"I wonder where Nami and the others are now…"

Princess Vivi stood by the window, holding a newspaper, gazing absentmindedly at the sunset.

If not for the post-war recovery efforts, she might've been on that ship already.

Thinking about her time with the Straw Hat crew, she couldn't help but smile.

Bang!

"Quack-quack!!"

"Quack-quack-quack!!!"

Karoo burst through the door, flapping wildly and pointing outside in a panic.

"Karoo, what's wrong?"

Vivi rushed to his side, confused.

"Quack-quack-quack!!!"

Karoo clawed anxiously at the floor, then shoved her onto his back and bolted from the palace.

"Karoo! What are you doing?! What happened?!"

As they sped through the corridors, Vivi saw guards and servants collapsed everywhere.

"What on earth happened?"

She jumped down and checked on a fallen soldier.

"…Just unconscious."

Relieved, she looked up—only to see two maids approaching.

They wore backless maid outfits and special collars.

"Princess Vivi, please come with us."

"The Master is waiting for you."

Vivi looked at the two and instantly recognized them, stunned.

"You… you're Princess Anna and Lady Shalria?!"

...

Elsewhere, inside the Alabasta throne room.

Sora sat on the royal throne.

Standing beside him were Reiju, Kaya, Makino, Nojiko, and the rest.

To avoid misunderstandings, he'd left Mikita and the other former Baroque members behind at an inn in the capital.

Mikita had already completely submitted, so he had no concern about her running.

In front of him sat King Nefeltari Cobra, staring silently at the man occupying his throne.

On the ground around them lay Captain Igaram, Chaka, Pell, and the rest of the royal guard—all knocked out cold.

"So, Cobra. Have you given my proposal any thought?" Sora asked with a smile.

Because Cobra was Vivi's father, Sora had spared him.

His only request was that Vivi join his crew.

He didn't care about the Poneglyph hidden by the Nefeltari royal family that spoke of Pluton.

Robin would be on his crew eventually. No point wasting time now.

And he needed to get to Jaya Island soon—he didn't want to linger in Alabasta.

"I'm sorry," Cobra said. "As her father, I must refuse."

He'd recognized Sora's identity—the God-Slayer who'd already killed two kings—and guessed what might come next.

Still, he refused.

His only hope now was that Karoo had successfully gotten Vivi out of the palace.

"But as a princess and daughter," said a soft voice, "I have my own reasons for saying yes."

Vivi stepped through the grand palace doors, dressed in her royal gown, her blue hair swaying.

Anna and Shalria walked in behind her.

"Vivi!" Cobra called in shock.

"It's alright, Father."

Vivi gave him a reassuring look, then turned to Sora.

"God-Slayer Sora. I accept your offer."

"But my condition is this—spare my father and Alabasta."

"If you agree, I'll go with you right now."

_____Important_____

Within 24 hours, give Power Stones—500 for one chapter per hour, 400 for one chapter every two hours, 300 for one chapter every three hours, 200 for one chapter every four hours, or 100 for one chapter every five hours. Do you think that's a fair deal?