Plan to Escape from the Sand Country

Outside, a large palace building stands under the night sky with a full moon. Inside the palace, someone runs frantically down a long hallway, shouting, "IT'S AN EMERGENCY!" while panting heavily with "HUFF" "HUFF" sound effects. Igaram bursts through a set of double doors into a bedroom, holding a piece of paper in his hand. He looks panicked as he enters the room where several beds are lined up.

Igaram stands in the doorway, panting heavily and looking shocked as he calls out, "PRIN-CESS!" He asks, "WHERE DID... LUFFY AND THE OTHERS GO...!?" In the room, Vivi is sitting calmly on a chair with her knees pulled up, wearing a nightgown. She smiles gently at him and replies, "What's wrong? You look panicked, Igaram." She then explains, "They left for the sea. They're pirates, after all."

Jango, wearing his Marine HQ Seaman Recruit uniform and heart-shaped glasses, says, "You pirates are... Scums of the worst kind." Fullbody, also a Marine HQ Seaman Recruit, stands next to him and points out, "Hey, now... You used to be a pirate yourself..." Suddenly, Jango strikes a dramatic dancing pose and shouts, "SHALL WE DANCE?" Fullbody immediately joins him in a matching pose, yelling, "GAHHH! YOU'RE RIGHT!" The two of them strike a synchronized pose together.

Jango and Fullbody are seen dancing energetically on the railing of a ship, shouting, "OH YEAH! DANCE! DANCE! FUNKY STYLE!" and "OH YEAH! JUST YOU WAIT, MS. HINA, WE'LL BE BACK SHORTLY!" On the shore at the port town of Nanohana in Alabasta, Hina watches them through binoculars. A marine stands behind her and reports, "The two seem to be on their way back after successfully capturing an enemy ship." Hina lowers her binoculars and says, "Well they're taking an awfully long time. What's keeping them so long?" She continues, "After seeing their abilities, Hina purposely left them in charge of the ship we've been targeting but... Disappointed. Hina is disappointed." She then asks the marine, "Are the ships all in place yet?" The marine salutes and confirms, "Yes, all preparations are complete, ma'am!" Another large marine shouts an update: "EVERY PORT IN ALABASTA, IS NOW COMPLETELY BLOCKADED BY 30 SHIPS, INCLUDING REINFORCEMENTS!"

A marine approaches Hina and reports, "There is, however, one thing that bothers me... The Straw-Hat Pirates' ship, which we last confirmed to be at Erumalu... Is no longer there." Hina looks surprised and asks, "What?" She then realizes, "...Don't tell me that they've already left this countr-" The marine quickly interrupts, "N-no! We have the mouth of the Sandora River completely surrounded so that would be impossible..." Hina orders, "Then find it at once! Search from shore to shore!" Suddenly, Jango and Fullbody arrive, each holding a large bouquet of roses. They strike a pose and shout, "MS. HINA! OUR APOLOGIES FOR ARRIVING SO LATE! PLEASE ASK US WHY WE'RE LATE!" Hina looks annoyed and says, "What a pain... Why are you late?" Jango and Fullbody present the flowers with sparkles around them, saying, "WE WENT TO PICK FLOWERS FOR NONE OTHER THAN YOU, MISS!" Hina bluntly replies, "Completely unnecessary. Get to your posts at once! It's time to take down Straw-Hat." Jango and Fullbody are shocked by the name, exclaiming, "S... STRAW HAT!?"

The Straw Hat Pirates are riding the Spot-Billed Duck Squad across the desert dunes, leaving a trail of dust behind them. Sanji is enjoying the ride, saying, "Hmm... This is nice. Alabastan food is the best! Sanji, try cooking some next time. Yeah, I'm quite interested in trying my hand at 'em. I got the recipes from Terracotta, Along with some spices." Usopp looks back and says, "So it's time to say farewell to the country of sand... You put me through quite the battle. Hey, Luffy. How long are ya gonna keep on eating?" Luffy is shown stuffing a massive piece of meat into his mouth. Chopper notices Nami looking downcast and asks, "Nami...? Are you sick?" Nami rides in silence, looking sad. Luffy offers her his food, saying, "I'll give you some meat if you want, Nami! Only one though." Sanji looks at Nami and says, "You're thinking about Vivi, aren't you... I understand how you feel but... It's not something we can do anything about. We had a lot of good times together but... That's just how it is. Come on, cheer up now."

Sanji continues his thought, looking serious, "I... Guess I should give it up, For Vivi's sake at least..." Suddenly, Nami looks up with a bright, greedy smile and says, "On the 1 billion belis." Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper react with extreme shock and anger, their faces contorted as they yell, "YOU DAMN WELL BETTER!" and "IT WAS MONEY YOU WERE SAD ABOUT!?" The sudden outburst causes Usopp to fall off his duck. Someone shouts, "AGHHH! USOPP FELL OFF!" Sanji yells at Nami, "STOP BEING SO DAMN MISLEADING, NAMI!" Chopper looks confused and asks, "What're you all worked up over?" Sanji continues to scold Nami, "Are you upset about Vivi? That can't be helped, you know." In the background, someone notes, "AGHHH! USOPP FELL OFF AGAIN!" and another voice says, "Oh, just leave him be..." while Usopp yells from the dust, "IT'S YOUR FAULT!"

Back at the palace in Alubarna, Vivi is calling out, "Carue! Carue, are you there!?" Igaram tells her, "It's pointless, Igaram." (Vivi is actually the one saying this to Igaram). Vivi explains, "I sent them off on the Spot-Billed Duck Squad, So even Carue can't catch up with them. In any case, it'd be the same whether or not they knew." Igaram asks, "What do you mean!? Why? We should at least make them aware of their new situation...!" Vivi smiles and replies, "They'd only be happy if they found out about that. So nothing would change. They'll be fine so get out now. I need to sleep. We've got to wake up early tomorrow, after all!" Igaram concedes, "W-well... Yes, you're right. You have to deliver a speech to the country tomorrow. I know." Igaram leaves the room. Vivi is left alone and says, "Carue, come here. Let's sleep together." She looks at the empty spot on the floor where Carue usually sleeps and says softly, "But...!"

Igaram closes the door to Vivi's room with a "CLICK". As he walks down the hallway, he thinks, "HMM... Igaram! What should we- Hm... Something's off." He stops and ponders, "She's too unconcerned about it... Pardon!? Hmm..." He peeks back through the door, thinking, "SOMETHING IS STRANGE... SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY STRANGE..." Inside the room, Vivi is lying in bed, looking up at the ceiling. She thinks, "It's quiet, isn't it, Carue... How long has it been since a night as quiet as this..." She reflects on the absence of the crew: "There's no fridge-raider duking it out with the cook here, No swordsman doing his usual night training... Nor a sleepy navigator who then throws pillows out at everyone... There's nobody here..."

A flashback begins, showing the Straw Hats gathered in the palace room earlier. Vivi asks, "A DEN-DEN MUSHI CALL? FROM WHO?" Sanji, holding a Den Den Mushi on a tray, replies, "SOME PERSON CALLING HIMSELF BON-CHAN..." Vivi is confused, "Who's Bon-chan? We don't know anybody by that name." Sanji explains, "He insists that he's one of your friends... Well... Why don't we try talking to him?" Zoro warns, "It could be a trap. I'd advise against it." Sanji picks up the receiver with a "CLICK...". The Den Den Mushi immediately transforms to match Mr. 2 Bon Clay's face, complete with heavy makeup, and a loud voice booms from it: "HELLO!? HELLO!? GAAAAA HAHAHA! IT'S MEEEEEE! IT IS! MOI!"

The flashback continues. Luffy leans in toward the Den Den Mushi and asks, "You the okama? What d'ya want from us?" Mr. 2 replies enthusiastically, "OH!? Isn't this Straw Hat's voice!? Aren't you a strong one! Colour me surprised!" Mr. 2 then warns them, "Now don't go calling me Mr. 2! Or I'll be in big trouble if the marines tap into this call!" Sanji points out, "YOU SAID IT YOURSELF JUST NOW." Zoro demands, "Just state your business." Mr. 2 casually says, "Oh, right, right. I've taken possession of your ship!" Luffy instantly gets furious, yelling, "WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU BASTARD!?" Mr. 2 shouts back, "THIS AIN'T NO JOKE! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU RIGHT NOW!?" Sanji replies, "I'm on your ship riiiight now!" Usopp yells at the snail, "YOU'RE PUSHING YOUR LIMIT...!" while Chopper panics, "OH NOOOO, NOOOO, NOOOO!" Mr. 2 then asks playfully, "Aren't weeeeee... FRIEEENDS?"

The flashback continues. Sanji hangs up the Den Den Mushi receiver. He tells the crew, "He's along the upper reaches of the Sandora river. Can we trust him? Well, we were friendly with him once before. Knowing you, I'm worried you'll get friendly with him again....But we've got no other choice." Zoro agrees, "You're right. He has our ship after all. If he's setting a trap for us... Then we'll just kick his ass when the time comes. If it's settled then we better start getting ready..." Luffy calls out, "Everyone." Vivi looks up, surprised. "Vivi!?" The crew is shown fully packed with their bags and weapons, ready to leave. Luffy says, "Everyone... What... Should I do...?"

The flashback continues. Nami shows Vivi a map of Alabasta, pointing out their route. "Listen, Vivi. We'll give you 12 hours to decide. We'll approach the Eastern Port JUST ONCE, exactly at noon tomorrow! We probably won't be able to drop anchor though..." Nami explains further, "Once we take back our ship at Sandora River, That'll be your one and only chance to get onboard! This time, though... We'll welcome you as a pirate!" Vivi looks conflicted as she listens. Sanji adds, "So... If you want to continue travelling with us, Since you're the princess of a country, we won't push you to come along." Luffy yells enthusiastically, "COME WITH US, VIVI! YOU BETTER COME! NO, JUST COME RIGHT NOW!" Nami punches Luffy in the head, scolding him, "QUIT IT, LUFFY! What, don't you guys want her to come!? This isn't about that! Vivi has to decide for herself!" Zoro picks up his bags and says, "We're off then."

The scene returns to the present. Vivi is lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. She goes over the plan in her head: "TOMORROW AT NOON... AT THE EASTERN PORT... IT'LL TAKE 4 HOURS TO GET THERE BY CARUE'S SPEED... SO I CAN MAKE IT AS LONG AS I LEAVE BY 8... A CHANCE LIKE THIS... IS SOMETHING I WON'T EVER GET AGAIN IF I LET IT GO THIS TIME. BUT I'VE NEVER EVEN ONCE THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING A PIRATE BEFORE... I'VE NEVER DISLIKED OR THOUGHT IT BORING TO BE A PRINCESS. AND EVEN THOUGH THE REBELLION'S OVER, THE COUNTRY'S STILL IN A CRITICAL PERIOD..." She turns over on her side, looking at the empty space where Carue usually sleeps. "...If I go, you'd come too, Wouldn't you, Carue......But what do you want to do?"

The Straw Hats arrive at the Sandora River where the Going Merry is anchored. Mr. 2 Bon Clay is standing on the ship's figurehead, wearing his swan coat and striking a dramatic pose. He shouts, "I'VE BEEN WAAAAIIITIIIINNG FOR YOUUUUU ALL! NICE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN!" The Straw Hats dismount from the Spot-Billed Duck Squad on the riverbank. Zoro says, "We're here." Sanji tells the ducks, "You can drop our stuff now. Thanks for the ride." Usopp waves to them, "I guess it's time for us to say good-bye... Run back safely now!" Chopper adds, "Take care of the king and the chikuwa-dude!" Luffy waves enthusiastically, "See ya all!" The ducks flap their wings and quack loudly in response, "QUAAACCCK!"

On the ship, Mr. 2 Bon Clay is crying dramatically and yelling at Luffy, "WHAT'S WITH YOUR ATTITUDE! IS THAT ANY WAY TO GREET A FRIEND!? What do you mean, 'friend?' We were enemies all along. You tricked us. I DID NOT TRICK YOU! I HADN'T THE FAINTEST IDEA EITHER!" Luffy looks annoyed and says, "Let's... LET'S MEET AGAIN SOME DAY FOR SURE! WAIT A SECOND! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? DON'T GIMME THAT COLD, 'OH WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?'" Mr. 2 waves it off, saying, "But... Oh phooey, who gives a hoot about any of that now. Baroque Works is gone and we're no longer enemies." Usopp questions him, "If we're no longer enemies, then why'd ya take our ship?" Mr. 2 sighs and says, "Sigh... Oh, you silly little goose. WHAT WAS THAT!? Listen up! Do you have any idea... ANY IDEA AT ALL, What would've happened to your ship if I hadn't taken it?"

Nami guesses, "The marines probably would've taken it." Mr. 2 yells back, "NOT PROBABLY! THEY'D HAVE TAKEN IT ABSO-POSITIVELY-LUTELY! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT KIND OF STATE THIS ISLAND IS IN RIGHT NOW!? MARINE SHIPS HAVE TOTALLY, UTTERLY, BLOCKADED THE ENTIRE ISLAND! Not even one little swan could fly its way out right now." Luffy realizes, "So you... Protected the Going Merry from the marines...?" Usopp asks, "Why!? Yeah, why!?" Mr. 2 gives a thumbs up with a sparkling smile and says, "Because my dear, We're friends." Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper immediately burst into tears of joy, hugging Mr. 2's crew members and crying, "I knew you were a good guy all along! STOOOOP JOOOKING AROOUUND! STOOOOP JOOOKING AROOUUND!" Nami ignores the emotional scene and asks Zoro, "Do we still have more stuff down there?" Zoro replies, "Nope, this is the last one." Sanji figures out the real reason and says, "So in other words, Mr. 2... Since you couldn't get out of the island either due to the blockade, You were basically looking for ways to increase your allies, am I right?" Mr. 2 is shocked that Sanji saw through him and gasps, "ACK! BON-CHAN!"

Mr. 2 Bon Clay bursts into dramatic tears, yelling, "THAT'S RIGHT! IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE...! IT'S ERAS LIKE THESE WE LIVE IN... WHEN WE THE PEOPLE MUST BAND UNDER THE NAME OF FRIENDSHIP AND FIGHT TOGETHER!" Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper cheer enthusiastically, "HELL YEAAAAHHH!" Nami sighs, "...Oh jeez." Sanji says, "Welp, we're countin' on y'all then." Zoro looks around the ship and asks, "Since when the hell were you all here!?" referring to Mr. 2's crew who are scattered around the deck. Meanwhile, Hina is shown looking fierce and determined. A marine reports to her, "Miss Hina! We've located their ship! It's at the upper reaches of the Sandora River!" Hina commands, "PREPARE FOR BATTLE."

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