One Piece : Wild Hunt

Though he was puzzled by Vivi's reaction, Thomas wasn't a complete idiot. He might have missed it back in his previous world, but women in the world of One Piece were a lot more 'animated.' The same could be said for everyone that inhabited the anime-inspired world, but Thomas paid a lot more attention to beautiful women than random people.
As he no longer felt that women of Vivi's caliber were out of his league, a sentiment he owed entirely to Caenis, Thomas managed a narrow-eyed smile as he gestured toward the edge of her bed, requesting, "Shall we discuss terms...?"
Nodding in affirmation, Vivi sat down on the edge of her bed, tensing a bit when Thomas sat closer than was strictly necessary. Their bodies didn't touch, but it would only take a slight movement on either of their parts for their knees to bump. Thomas's size also made him seem a lot closer than he actually was...
Breaking the ice, Thomas revealed, "I'm aware that a certain 'reptile' has fabricated a drought in your country. I am also aware that your father has been falsely accused, leading to civil unrest and the emergence of rebel forces who believe he is 'stealing' their rain..."
Asking the first question that entered her mind, Vivi inquired, "How do you know all of this? I spent the last two years undercover and only recently learned there might be a connection between my country's benefactor, Sir Crocodile, Baroque Works, and the drought plaguing my homeland..."
Blinking in surprise, Thomas asked, "Really? I thought you would have already figured it out by now..."
Though he had read the One Piece manga and watched the anime several times, Thomas's knowledge of the plot was far from flawless. He recalled that Mr 5 and Miss Valentine showed up to eliminate Vivi and Igaram after discovering their identities, but he forgot that it was 'after' their escape from Whiskey Peak that Robin, Miss All Sunday, helped the Princess learn the truth about Mr 0's, better known as Sir Crocodile's, identity.
Instead of trying to backpedal, Thomas gave an affirming nod, revealing, "Crocodile is using a combination of his Devil Fruit and an illegal chemical known as Dance Powder to promote rainfall in certain locations, inducing droughts in others."
Nodding her head, Vivi replied, "That's one of the reasons people turned against my father. They believe he is hoarding the rain to make Alubarna prosper at the expense of the rest of the country."
Adopting a smile, Thomas said, "That's where we come in. You might find this difficult to believe, but one of my companions possesses the ability to influence the weather to create storms. With enough time and energy, she could make a storm covering all of Alabasta. That should assuage most of the citizenry's concerns, at least long enough for us to deal with Crocodile and his minions. Once they're out of the way, we just need to be rid of the Dance Powder, and the climate will gradually return to normal."
Though she found it difficult to imagine someone creating a rainstorm that affects her entire nation, an island with a width exceeding 2700km and a median length of 1900km, Vivi didn't challenge Thomas's claim. Instead, she asked, "And what do you expect in return? Alabasta isn't very wealthy, and our people need that money to fund food and other resources..."
Shrugging his shoulders, Thomas's expression softened as he replied, "I'm sure Nami would request something like 1,000,000,000 Berries as a prize, but most of us don't care about things like that. Lucy will help out the moment she learns that people are starving. As for Zoro, he would be happy so long as there are powerful opponents..."
Swallowing a knot that had developed in her throat, Vivi leaned almost imperceptibly closer to Thomas as she asked, "And what about you? What do 'you' want, Thomas...?"
Suppressing his baser instincts, the corners of Thomas's smile curled up as he answered, "I got to experience having a gorgeous Princess sitting on my lap and serving me alcohol. That's something money can't typically buy, so I'm pretty content as is. If you want to 'reward' me further, that's up to you..."
As he was effectively 'casting his dice' blindly, Thomas's brain nearly short-circuited when Vivi adopted a resolute expression and replied, "If you're truly able to help my people out of this predicament...I don't mind giving you 'any' reward I can personally grant..."
Hanging her head, Vivi blushed up to her ears as she appended, "Even if that reward happens to be me..." in a meek, nearly inaudible tone. If not for their proximity, Thomas wouldn't have been able to hear it. Hell, even though they were mere centimeters away from each other, he was almost certain he had 'misheard' her...
Reaching up to his face, Thomas gave his cheek a pinch to confirm he wasn't dreaming or hallucinating. Vivi noticed this, an amused chuckle emanating from her throat before she turned her distinct purple eyes up at him and asserted, "I really mean it. You could have done whatever you wanted to me last night, but you chose to comfort me. If you can save my country...I'll owe you more than I can ever hope to repay...no matter how much you ask of me..."
Mirroring Vivi's reaction from earlier, Thomas swallowed harder before averting his eyes from the Princess's earnest gaze. He 'really' wanted to accept her proposition, but now that it was actually on the table, he felt like he would be a massive dick not to apprise her of his circumstances. If she had abruptly fallen in love with him, she might be devastated to learn he slept or intended to sleep with other women...
Exhaling loudly through his nose, Thomas shook his head and said, "You should offer yourself to the person you love, not someone like me. I'm an opportunist with more lust than sense, Vivi. I haven't been in a committed relationship for more than fifteen years, and I typically jump at the chance to sleep with attractive women. If you were someone ordinary, I-"
Furrowing her brows slightly, Vivi interjected, stating, "I've already made my decision. If you do not wish to accept my offer, you need only refuse when the time comes. As for the matter concerning your relationship with other women...it wasn't like I was suggesting we get married. I know you still have a journey to go on and dreams you wish to make a reality...I just wanted to provide you a night we could both remember..."
Though she could hardly believe the words coming from her mouth, Vivi spoke with 'conviction' from start to finish. She had been terrified beyond compare when she realized she had ingested the muscle relaxer intended for Thomas. If the latter hadn't been aware of her identity, she knew how the night would have ended. People generally didn't take kindly to being drugged and rendered defenseless. Had it been just about anyone else in Thomas's position, she would have paid a 'very' steep price...
As Thomas turned to look at her, Vivi inadvertently looked away before forcing herself to meet his gaze, smiling wryly as she added, "If it makes things easier, you should know I like big, strong, and reliable men...you're also pretty handsome, so I really don't mind. It's just, how sure are you of your victory? Sir Crocodile is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, one of the Three Great Powers that control and regulate the Grand Line. Baroque Works is also filled with powerful fighters and has a literal army to support them..."
Suppressing his inhibitions, Thomas regained his smile as he replied, "So long as we plan accordingly, dealing with Crocodile isn't that difficult. We already know his biggest weakness, so we just need to corner him before he can use his Awakening. If that doesn't work...well, let's just say I have a few sure-fire methods of dealing with him..."
Staring down at the back of his hand, which had regenerated his missing Command Spells, the image of Musashi appeared in Thomas's mind. He didn't want to disrupt her journey so soon after they had parted ways, but he had lost faith in the plot long ago. If things went South and he couldn't see a reasonable path to victory, he would summon Musashi to deal with the wayward Shichibukai in an instant...
Following Thomas's gaze, Vivi's tone was tinged with confusion as she asked, "A tattoo...?"
Exhaling a faint chuckle, Thomas flipped his hand over, amassing a tiny sphere of Magical Energy as he explained, "I ate a Devil Fruit called the Mana-Mana-no-Mi. It gives me all kinds of abilities, including the power to summon mighty Spirits when I'm in need..."
Seeing the energy gathering in Thomas's palm, Vivi's eyes glistened as she remarked, "It's very pretty..."
Smiling wryly, Thomas responded, "It's very destructive. This little ball can generate as much kinetic energy as a cannonball. And that's just one of its many, many uses. Once my control has improved, there isn't much I won't be able to do..."
Crushing the ball of magical energy in his hand, Thomas reabsorbed it into his body as he revealed, "And if you think that sounds scary, I'm only the third strongest member of the Straw Hats. My Captain, Lucy, can level entire buildings with her full-powered punches and kicks..."
Though it wasn't the first time Thomas had mentioned someone else as the Captain, Vivi couldn't help questioning, "Lucy? That strange girl that ate so much food she resembled a ball...?"
Recalling the gruesome and somewhat 'dangerous' sight, Thomas's smile became wry as he replied, "Yeah, that's her. But don't let her appearance fool you. When she gets serious, there are very few opponents she can't defeat, Warlord or otherwise. She may get knocked down a few times, but she always gets back up stronger, faster, and more determined than ever. If I had even half her mettle and willpower...I honestly can't imagine how strong I would become..."
Raising her brows slightly, Vivi remarked, "You seem to respect your Captain a great deal..." before adopting a playful smile and asking, "Is there anyone else going on, I wonder~? I noticed you were paying a lot of attention to her and that girl with the orange hair while we were drinking together..."
Exhaling an exasperated sigh, Thomas shook his head before explaining, "I can't help but worry about them. Despite her strength, Lucy is a bit of an idiot. Even though I know she can protect herself, I can't help feeling anxious seeing her surrounded by a group of men actively attempting to get her drunk senseless. If any of them tried to take liberties with her or Nami, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation right now..."
Adopting an apologetic smile, Vivi offered a faint, "Sorry..." before falling silent. She had seen the fate that awaited the female members of Pirate crews that lacked substantial Bounties. Those who died were considered the lucky ones, as those who were captured became 'comfort girls' for the Billions and Millions, the most numerable and lowest-ranking members of Baroque Works. Few survived more than a few weeks before taking their lives in despair, while the remainder ended up being sold into slavery after having their bodies and minds broken beyond repair...
Recalling how she had willfully participated in a scheme that would have ensured Thomas and his crew suffer a similar fate, assuming they weren't able to defend themselves, Vivi hung her head in shame. Everything she had done the past two years was for the sake of her citizens and country, but that didn't change the fact she had aided in the ruination of hundreds, if not thousands of people...
Seeing Vivi's previously good mood deteriorating rapidly, Thomas exhaled a faintly exasperated sigh before extending his hand to caress her head, a habit he had developed thanks to Astolfo. The blue-haired Princess was a little surprised at first, but after raising her gaze to find Thomas staring at her with concern, she regained a smile, surprising him by softly asserting, "You're a good man, Thomas..."
Before Thomas could shake his head and refute Vivi's claim, the latter left him at a loss for words as she abruptly snuggled closer to him and placed her head on his bicep. Then, for several minutes, the two of them stayed like that until she tentatively suggested, "If you're still tired...we can sleep together. This time without a distance separating us..."
Though he felt obligated to refuse, Thomas only hesitated for a short while before adopting a faint smile of his own and replying, "I'd like that..."
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(A/N: This ship is equipped with a state-of-the-art turbo engine...could this be the legendary Pluton!?)

As neither of them could sleep, Thomas and Vivi spent a little over two hours discussing various ways in which he could improve conditions in Alabasta.
After realizing he had a chance with the blue-haired beauty, even if his size would make things difficult, Thomas decided to go 'all in' on leaving a favorable impression on the Princess.
Fortunately, Magecraft could solve both of their problems. Spells to alter the size of an object or transform it completely were fairly common, and if he revised his 'image,' he could permanently change his appearance with Reinforcement. The same method would allow him to transmute ordinary, infertile sand into arable land.
Though Vivi struggled to believe Thomas's claims at first, she was fully convinced when he casually converted a handful of Whiskey Peak's red sand into mulchy soil. It took a fair amount of magical power, but Thomas speculated he could transform a few acres a day if he went all out. It was nowhere near what Alabasta needed to flourish, but having more arable land in a desert was never bad.
The best thing Thomas could do for Alabasta, which he pointed out, was to have Caenis 'fix' the Sandora River that had gradually succumbed to the sea's encroachment. The massive river was to Alabasta what the Nile was to Egypt, so decreasing its salinity and revitalizing its current would impact the lives of all 10,000,000 citizens inhabiting the country. Caenis producing rain would also allow the various Oases around the country to replenish, breathing life into a nation that had been gripped by drought for years.
After hearing the many ways in which Thomas and his Spirits could help revitalize her country, Vivi secretly regretted her words about 'not' asking him to marry her. His mind was full of ideas that could drastically change the way people in Alabasta lived for the better. More importantly, most of his ideas didn't burden the people. Instead, they were more like 'miracles' that solved some of her country's underlying issues without the need to expend billions of Berries and mobilize tens, if not hundreds of thousands of workers.
As the type of Princess that would readily take a bullet for one of her people, there was nothing Vivi wasn't personally willing to sacrifice to obtain Thomas's support. Unfortunately, she understood that Alabasta wasn't the only country that would benefit from his help. Thus, until he had completed his journey with the Straw Hats, she didn't have the heart to ask Thomas to abandon his crew and remain at her side. Instead, just as they were about to make their way back to the tavern, she said, "If this works out and everything goes as planned, know that you will always be welcome in Alabasta..."
Adopting a smile, Thomas replied, "It 'will' work out. I guarantee it. You just need to convince Igaram while I explain the situation to Nami, Lucy, Zoro, and Usopp. After that, we can either flee Whiskey Peak directly or stage a fight with the members of Baroque Works. If we cause a scene or take over the town, we can draw out some of the lower-digit agents and weaker Crocodile's forces before we reach Alabasta."
Blinking in surprise, Vivi remarked, "Wow, I didn't even think of that. You would make a good Military Strategist, Tom."
Shaking his head, Thomas replied, "Not really. I'm just making the most of my foreknowledge and the information available. If I had to figure things out like a normal person, I wouldn't be nearly as confident..."
Adopting a supportive smile, Vivi stated, "You shouldn't denigrate yourself in such a way, Tom. You're conspiring to take down a Warlord of the Sea. Most people would feel utterly helpless against such a foe, yet you regard your crew's victory as a matter of course. Even if you've 'seen' the future, your belief in your Captain and the bond you share with your companions is what will allow us to attain victory."
Exhaling through his nose, Thomas stared into Vivi's eyes with a wry smile as he remarked, "You're a good woman, Vivi..."
Averting her eyes and combing back her bangs, a faint blush developed through Vivi's cheeks as she asserted, "Then it seems we're suited to one another. As I said before, you're a good man, Thomas. I'm not sure what you experienced that shattered your confidence, but not just anyone could face a Warlord and help restore a nation. Once Crocodile has been defeated, I would like to help restore your self-esteem...even if only a little..."
Reaching out his hand, Thomas caressed Vivi's head, his expression and tone softening as he whispered, "Just hearing you say things like this has done wonders for my self-esteem. As for what broke me in the first place, I don't mind telling you..."
Retracting his hand from Vivi's head, Thomas averted his eyes, staring off into space as he revealed, "I was once engaged to my childhood friend, a girl I grew up alongside and eventually went on to date. After the incident that derailed my life, she was one of the few people who remained at my side, giving me hope that things would eventually return to normal..."
Inhaling a deep breath, Thomas clenched the muscles of his jaw a few times before appending, "At least, that's what I had deluded myself into thinking. I did everything to try and make that woman happy, yet, just as things were starting to change for the better, I found her having sex with another of my childhood friends, a man I had once regarded as a brother due to how close we were..."
Shaking his head, Thomas's expression revealed a deep melancholy as he returned his gaze to Vivi, concluding, "After that, I spiraled for a few years and have since avoided committing to anyone or anything. I only recently received the opportunity to change things. However, even though my past can no longer influence me directly, I'm still affected by the sequelae of a self-deprecating, self-destructive lifestyle..."
Adopting a faint but genuine smile, Thomas preempted Vivi's response by stating, "Don't worry. I've received a lot of help and am rapidly improving. That's the reason I choose to help people, though. Others in my situation might condemn or call me stupid, but I believe helping others is the best way to help myself..."
Exhaling through her nose, Vivi left Thomas at a loss for words as she spread her arms and adopted a sad smile, asking, "Do you mind if I hug you...?"
With Thomas failing to respond, Vivi took the initiative to step forward and give him the most comforting hug she could manage. The drastic disparity in their sizes made things a little awkward, as Vivi's head barely reached Thomas's diaphragm, but the blue-haired Princess did her best to console his clearly broken heart. He had rekindled her hope and promised to help revitalize her Kingdom, so mending his heart and restoring his confidence were the least she could offer as recompense...
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After reaching the tavern and separating from Vivi, Thomas made his way over to where Nami, Lucy, and Zoro were eating breakfast, taking his seat as the former pointedly inquired, "Did you have fun last night...?"
Shaking his head, Thomas replied, "It's complicated..." before looking around at the largely empty tavern and adding, "Once you're finished eating, we should speak in private..."
Seeing how 'serious' Thomas was behaving, Nami raised her brows but didn't question him on the spot. Instead, she put down her knife and fork, saying, "I don't have much of an appetite after last night's festivities. We can discuss it now if it's something important...?"
Nodding his head, Thomas rose to his feet, prompting Nami to do the same. The former tried to lead the way outside, but Nami appeared to have different intentions, dragging him to the girl's bathroom after having checked it for Den Den Mushi the previous night. The reverberations off the walls and the sound of running water could also interfere with audio, so she turned on all the faucets before seizing the opportunity to freshen up as she inquired, "So, what did you want to discuss?"
Without beating around the bush, Thomas replied, "That girl who tried to seduce and drug me last night is the Princess of the Alabasta Kingdom..."
Furrowing her brows, Nami turned to face Thomas directly, asking, "Were you not aware of that beforehand...?"
Nodding his head, Thomas replied, "I was. Her perfume made me a little muddleheaded, but I knew about her circumstances before we arrived at Whiskey Peak. I just used last night to confirm a few things..."
"Right..."
Crossing her arms, Nami inhaled a deep breath before exhaling it as an exasperated sigh. Even if Thomas wasn't present, she knew they would somehow become entangled with the aforementioned Princess, so she skipped interrogating him and asked, "Did you negotiate a proper reward for our assistance...?"
Adopting a faint smile, Thomas explained, "Her country is in dire straits due to a persistent drought, so an immediate monetary reward is out of the question. However, the person we'll be dealing with happens to run a very successful casino as the public face of their underground business. It would be best if we left the funds to help the Kingdom rebuild, but I'm sure you could negotiate for 10-50% in exchange for our services. That should equate to a few hundred million, if not more..."
As illusory Berry symbols appeared in her eyes, Nami reached up to give Thomas a pat on the shoulder, a radiant smile on her face as she stated, "You did good," before asking, "I'm assuming you already have a plan...?"
Nodding his head, Thomas gave a cursory explanation of everything he had discussed with Vivi. The pupils of Nami's eyes shrank when she heard they would be facing a Warlord, but she got over it pretty quickly when he confirmed their alternate reality counterparts would have faced Crocodile regardless. This time around, they were armed with the knowledge of Crocodile's weakness from the very beginning and had numerous ways to counteract just about anything he threw at them.
Interrupting the conversation between Thomas and Nami, Vivi poked her head into the bathroom, smiling wrily as she asked, "Is this a bad time...?"
Before Thomas could respond, Nami replied, "It's a perfect time, actually. There are a few things I wanted to discuss with you."
Following her words, Nami looked up at Thomas, a smile that wasn't quite a smile adorning her face as she asked, "Mind giving us some privacy, my dear Magus~?"
Adopting a wry smile, Thomas replied, "Right..." before making his way to the exit, passing Vivi in the process. He wanted to say something to her, but upon seeing her staring directly at Nami with a 'resolute' look on her face, he decided to leave the two women alone...
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Immediately following Thomas's departure, Nami crossed her arms and got to the heart of the matter, questioning, "How much did Thomas tell you about his powers?"
Understanding what Nami was truly asking, Vivi mirrored the orange-haired woman's actions, crossing her arms as she asserted, "He told me everything..."
Narrowing her eyes, Nami asked, "And you're okay with it? He could be manipulating you to get what he wants..."
Furrowing her brows deeply, Vivi surprised Nami by asking, "Are you truly members of the same crew? Thomas speaks so highly of everyone in the Straw Hats. Hearing you smear him like this, it's no wonder he hasn't been able to build his confidence..."
Before Nami could respond, Vivi practically stared daggers at her as she insisted, "Thomas is a good man. If he was half as conniving as you seem to think, why would he tell you about his knowledge of the future? You are blinded by your egocentrism."
Standing her ground, Nami's expression and tone hardened as she asked, "You've only known him for a single evening yet accuse me of being blind? What did he say or do to make you abandon reason...?"
Leaving Nami at a loss for words, Vivi answered, "Absolutely nothing. He had every opportunity to take advantage of me but chose not to. Instead, he comforted me, spurned my advances, and told me the truth in an effort to dissuade me from promising him a physical reward. If anyone is being taken advantage of in this situation, I'm absolutely certain you're the one taking advantage of Thomas. With his power, he could rule a country with very little effort. Instead, he chooses to travel with your group, helping to make your dreams a reality..."
Placing her hand over her heart, a pained expression marred Vivi's face as she expressed, "I honestly feel sorry for him...he's clearly working hard to make your lives easier, yet he has people like you questioning his integrity and the purity of his intentions. Tell me, has he ever once declined to help you with something? Have you ever thanked him for his efforts...?"
"..."
Seeing Nami remain silent, Vivi narrowed her eyes as she said, "I thought so..." before adding, "If you genuinely cared about him, you wouldn't have started this discussion by trying to sabotage him..."
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(A/N: Vivi is really fighting for that top spot on the podium...)

After allowing Vivi to guide him to a fairly isolated room, Thomas's eyes widened slightly. There was a large canopy bed in the center of the room, several large bookcases, and a disorganized desk. However, what stood out more than anything else were her innumerable bottles of perfume, her fully-stocked liquor cabinet, and her dozens of stuffed animals...
Though she felt a little embarrassed by Thomas's reaction, Vivi did her best to maintain a bold front as she directed him toward the bed, saying, "Why don't you make yourself comfortable while I mix us some drinks...?"
Instead of responding with words, Thomas made his way over to the bed, spreading his arms before plopping face-first onto the thick, comfortable, and fragrant bedding. He knew the odds of Vivi having sex with him were astronomically small, so he simply relished the opportunity to rest on an actual bed for the first time in months. Sleeping in a hammock at his size got very old, very fast...
Seeing Thomas plop down onto her bed, Vivi delayed lacing his drink with a sedative, asking, "Are you going to sleep...?" in a curious tone. Similar to Igaram, she didn't exactly 'trust' Thomas. If he were to force himself upon her, there wasn't much she could do except endure until Igaram came to her rescue.
Without raising his face from the bed, Thomas slowly shook his head. He was currently thinking of the best way to take advantage of his situation without being an 'irredeemable' scumbag, so his mind was racing despite his growing desire to sleep.
Had Vivi not gone out of her way to honeytrap and drug him, Thomas would have looked for an opportunity to reveal that he was aware of her identity before offering his assistance. Nami would probably be annoyed, but there was no way Lucy and Zoro would turn down the opportunity to take down a Warlord. Thomas was equally excited by the prospect, but he was also a very 'forward-thinking' individual. If he was going to risk his life to help stabilize a Kingdom, he should receive more than just gratitude for his assistance...
Pouring half the usual dose of sedative into Thomas's drink, a very strong and expensive brand of bourbon, Vivi approached the bed and took a seat, her voice a sultry purr as she said, "Here, something to sip on while we talk..."
Rolling onto his side, Thomas accepted the offered glass, taking a sip as Vivi made herself comfortable, lying on her side and staring back at him with a sultry smile. However, unlike when they were sitting together at the bar, a bit of distance separated them. Just enough so that Vivi could turn and run if he attempted anything 'remiss.'
Voicing his honest thoughts, Thomas remarked, "You're beautiful..." before taking another sip of his drink. In response, the drunken glow on Vivi's face became slightly more prominent as she changed the subject, asking, "How did you become so knowledgeable about so many things? Were you a noble or the son of a scholar before setting sail...?"
Adopting a genuinely melancholic smile, Thomas replied, "My father was a Civil Engineer, and my mom was a fairly successful Architect. I used to look up to them when I was younger, so I studied hard to try and make them proud. Unfortunately, I got into trouble when I was around fifteen, cutting off many of my career paths. After that...let's just say my parents were no longer very caring or concerned about my future..."
Punctuating his words, Thomas took a 'big' drink of his bourbon, nearly emptying the glass. He wasn't fond of talking about his family or personal life, but he was getting better at it. After a year in another world, he was even beginning to miss some of the people he had become estranged to...
Feeling genuinely apologetic, Vivi averted her eyes and softly whispered, "I'm sorry to hear that...maybe one day, you can make amends with your parents. Even if you're never as close as you once were, I'm sure it would put their hearts at ease knowing you're happy and healthy..."
Returning her gaze to Thomas, Vivi presented a somewhat awkward smile before taking a sip from her own bourbon and questioning, "Is your family the reason you decided to become a Pirate?"
Shaking his head, Thomas lazily replied, "We became Pirates to be free and to pursue our dreams. We're not the type of Pirates that go around harming people or pillaging villages. Instead, we hunt down bad Pirates and do our best to lend a hand when people are in trouble..."
Blinking in surprise, Vivi issued a somewhat adorable "Eh...?" before asking, "What kind of Pirates go around helping people? It sounds more like you're Bounty Hunters or Missionaries..."
Before responding to Vivi's words, Thomas emptied the remnants of his glass, feeling slightly confused. The bourbon hit his brain like a truck at high speeds, but he didn't feel sleepy or have any difficulties moving his body. He was certain that Vivi had spiked his drink, but she either mixed up their glasses or used a very small amount of sedative...
Dismissing his concerns, Thomas explained, "One of our Captain's dreams is to be King of the Pirates. She believes it will make her the freest person in the world. If it weren't that, we would probably refer to ourselves as the Straw Hat Mercenary Group or something similar..."
"..."
Though there was a chance Thomas was lying to her, Vivi got the distinct impression he was telling the truth. If that were the case, they were about to rob and execute a seemingly innocent group of philanthropists.
Recalling how the Straw Hats' vessel was a miniature Caravel with a derpy sheep as a figurehead, a mixture of realization and panic washed over Vivi as she leaned a little closer to Thomas and whispered, "You should leave this place as soon as possible. It's not-"
Adopting a relaxed smile, Thomas surprised Vivi by stating, "We are fully aware that Whiskey Peak is a den for Bounty Hunters. Don't worry; even if everyone in the city were to band together and attack us, we could settle things without severely injuring or killing anyone..."
Tensing in response to Thomas's words, Vivi asked, "How did you figure it out...?"
Maintaining his smile, Thomas replied, "Your organization, Baroque Works, attempted to recruit Zoro in the past. I'm also fairly knowledgeable about the Grand Line, particularly the islands in Paradise..."
Though Thomas didn't directly imply he was aware of her identity, Vivi felt her throat tighten, compelling her to take a large gulp of her bourbon. The moment she did so, the dizziness in her mind compounded, causing her to drop her glass and fall limp despite screaming ("Oh no, oh no, oh no! I got the drinks mixed up...!") in her mind.
Seeing Vivi fall limp, her expression becoming absentminded as a bit of drool leaked from her lips, Thomas waved his hand in front of her, asking, "You in there...?"
As the sedative she used functioned as a muscle relaxer, Vivi's response to Thomas's words was an insensible, "Auwaaah..." as she tried to turn her body and move away from him.
Exhaling through his nose, Thomas remarked, "Calm down. I'm not going to take advantage of you, especially while you're defenseless. Just blink twice if you can understand what I'm saying..."
After calming down, Vivi blinked twice, indicating she wasn't without her mental faculties. In response, Thomas gave a curt nod before asking, "Do you mind if I pick you up and move you? I have a few things I want to tell you, and I can't imagine it's comfortable lying in bourbon..."
Though she would prefer it if Thomas left her room and gave her a few hours to recover, Vivi only hesitated for a short while before answering with another two blinks. When she did, Thomas got off the bed before taking special care not to touch her anywhere inappropriate as he picked her up in a princess carry, relocating her to the left side of the bed, close to where she usually slept. Then, to make her feel a little safer, he picked up one of her larger teddy bears, placing it into her embrace before moving to the opposite side of the bed and lying down with nearly 2m of space separating them.
As he had laid her on her left side, facing him, Thomas could see the combination of alarm and panic in Vivi's eyes when he revealed, "I know your true identity..."
Adopting a faint smile, Thomas said, "Relax...if I wanted to harm you, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Now, go to sleep. We'll discuss the specifics once you recover your faculties..."
Though he originally planned to lay out his intentions while Vivi listened in silence, Thomas could see the alarm in the blue-haired woman's eyes. He reasoned he would be pretty frightened in the same situation, so instead of surprising her with additional revelations, he rolled over, allowing Vivi to stare at his broad and muscular back instead of having to worry about him opening his eyes and ogling her throughout the night...
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Believing that Thomas was only pretending to be asleep, as she had already had time to wake up, take a shower, and fix her makeup, Vivi's tone was tinged with exasperation as she said, "You don't have to keep pretending. I'm ready to continue our conversation from the previous night..."
"Hmmm...?"
Stirring awake, Thomas reluctantly separated from the comfort of Vivi's bed, sitting up with a curmudgeonly expression on his face as he glanced at the window and groaned, "It isn't even morning..."
Realizing that Thomas may have actually been sleeping, an apologetic smile developed across Vivi's face as she replied, "Sorry. I thought you were pretending to be asleep so I wouldn't kick you out while I took a shower and changed clothes..."
As he was still half-asleep, Thomas issued a long yawn before replying with a lazy, "Looks like I missed a golden opportunity..."
Smiling wry, Vivi got to the heart of the matter, asking, "Do you truly know who I am...?"
Nodding his head in affirmation, Thomas replied, "You're the one and only Princess of Alabasta, Nefertari Vivi. And that man with the wig-like hair is the Captain of the Royal Guard, Igaram."
Furrowing her brows, Vivi questioned, "If you knew who I was, why didn't you mention it sooner? I wouldn't have acted so...brazenly when we were at the bar."
Adopting a teasing smile, Thomas replied, "If that's the case, I'm glad I didn't say anything. Beyond that, it was more 'convincing' to let you play your part as a Baroque Works agent while others were around. If I tried broaching the subject of your identity in public, your reaction might have given us away."
Unable to argue with Thomas's words, Vivi exhaled an exasperated sigh. At the same time, she felt a slightly fluttery feeling in her chest due to the 'shamelessness' of Thomas's past behavior and openly flirtatious remarks. There was a rather significant difference in their ages, but Thomas was a tall, muscular, and handsome man. After sitting on his lap and flirting with him for more than six hours, followed by sleeping in the same room, she couldn't help being 'aware' of him.
Unaware that he had inadvertently nudged his way into Vivi's maidenly thoughts, Thomas caused the young Princess's heart to skip a beat as he abruptly rose to his feet, walked over to her, and declared, "I want to help save your Kingdom..." with a serious expression on his face. He towered over her by more than fifty centimeters, but instead of feeling frightened, Vivi felt nervous and uncharacteristically demure as she averted her eyes and pressed the tips of her index fingers together...
"O-Okay..."
...
..
.
(A/N: Could this be the legendary EX-Rank Luck in effect...!?)

Chapter 41: Resolution