Chapter 208: Awaken, My Love!
Giant Pistol.
Lufia unleashed a Giant Pistol, and it was a Giant Pistol coated with Haki.
Though it still couldn't compare to Gear 4, it was far stronger than the Gear 3 from the original story.
The problem was that the side effect of Gear 3 in the original was only shrinking, but she could still bounce around energetically afterward.
This time, Lufia directly fell into a coma.
"Chopper, is she really okay?"
Chopper waved his little hooves:
"I've already checked so many times! She's really fine! Just tired!"
But deep down, he still felt a faint worry.
Lufia's growth speed had already surpassed the trajectory of the original story.
Was this a good thing or a bad thing?
Anyway, let's get Lufia to wake up first!
"Let's have a feast!!"
Ralph shouted the "incantation" loudly into Lufia's ear, offering a table full of delicious food as a sacrifice and the laughter of his comrades as the ritual!
Awaken, my beloved!
The small figure on the bed twitched her nose.
Twitched again.
Then—
Whoosh!
Lufia opened her eyes!
Those eyes were astonishingly bright, completely unlike someone who had just been unconscious for three days.
She scrambled out of bed, led by her sense of smell, and dashed toward the door on her two short little legs.
Ralph was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
It seemed she was fine!
In the dining hall, the long table was laden with dishes meticulously prepared by the palace chefs.
Roast meat, seafood, desserts, fruits—everything you could imagine.
A small figure rushed into the dining hall, climbed onto a chair and then onto the table in a few quick moves, and without a word, grabbed a roasted lamb leg and stuffed it into her mouth.
"Mmm mmm mmm!!"
That expression, those movements, that way of eating—
Nami looked at the small figure and couldn't help but laugh:
"Even though her body has shrunk, she eats just as nimbly as before."
"So cute!"
Chopper's eyes sparkled.
"Wah wah wah, Miss Lufia is still so cute even after shrinking!"
Sanji held his face, enchanted.
Zoro glanced over and went back to drinking.
Usopp leaned in and poked Lufia's little cheek with his finger.
Soft and bouncy.
Lufia looked up, her mouth stuffed full, and asked indistinctly:
"Usopp, why are you poking me?"
"Nothing, nothing."
Usopp withdrew his hand, screaming internally—She's really so cute!
Ralph walked over, sat down at the table, and looked at the small figure burying herself in her food, his eyes filled with laughter.
"Eat slowly, no one's going to steal it from you."
"Mmm mmm!"
Lufia looked up, her greasy little face breaking into a big smile.
"Ralph, this meat is so delicious!"
"Yeah."
"You eat too!"
She grabbed a piece of meat, stood on tiptoe, stretched her little short arm as far as she could, and held the meat up to Ralph.
Ralph was stunned for a moment, then took the meat and took a bite.
"Delicious."
Lufia smiled even more happily, then went back to burying herself in her food.
Ralph watched her, and the last bit of worry in his heart completely vanished.
If she could eat, it meant she was fine.
She was Lufia, after all—she'd definitely return to normal sooner or later!
The feast lasted until late at night.
The members of the Straw Hat Crew, the royal family of Alabasta, and the warriors of the guard like Chaka, Koza, and Pell all sat together, drinking, eating meat, singing, and dancing.
Bon Kurei danced his okama dance, making Chopper roll on the floor with laughter.
Usopp boasted about his battles with Baroque Works agents and how he had seen through Crocodile's schemes long ago.
Sanji emerged carrying a tray of freshly baked desserts and was immediately spotted by Lufia.
A small figure darted over and clung to Sanji's leg:
"Sanji! Desserts!"
"Alright, alright, these were specially saved for little Miss Lufia."
Zoro leaned in a corner, drinking cup after cup of sake, but upon closer inspection, there was a slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth.
Ralph watched this lively scene, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace.
This was the life he wanted.
Together with his crewmates, with Lufia, lively and joyful.
Halfway through the banquet, an unexpected guest arrived at the palace.
"Your Majesty—!!"
A man with curly hair and an extravagant suit rushed into the banquet hall, knelt with a thud before Cobra, tears streaming down his face.
"Igaram is late! Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
Cobra looked at this loyal old minister, momentarily at a loss for words.
Igaram, captain of the Royal Guard, had infiltrated Baroque Works alongside Vivi.
Later, to cover for Princess Vivi, he acted as a decoy, only for the ship he was on to explode, leaving his fate unknown.
After many days of twists and turns, he finally returned to Alabasta.
His loyalty was absolute.
But his timing...
Cobra sighed inwardly.
Everything was already over, and only now did he return.
What could be done?
"Rise."
Cobra helped him up, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
The banquet continued in a joyful atmosphere.
The next day, the Alabasta Kingdom announced a new appointment.
Koza, the rebel leader, was appointed as Minister of the Environment.
This appointment surprised many, but upon reflection, it made sense.
Koza was the leader of the rebels and deeply beloved by the people.
Bringing him into the government was both a gesture of reassurance to the rebel populace and a step toward national unity.
More importantly, Koza genuinely had the ability and passion for the role.
"Restoring Alabasta's ecosystem, reviving cities devastated by drought and sandstorms to their former prosperity."
This was Koza's vow during the appointment ceremony.
Vivi stood nearby, watching her childhood friend, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Then she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, Father, about Ralph..."
She recounted in detail Ralph's performance at Little Garden, his actions on Drum Island, and his contributions during this incident.
"He knows so much! Machinery, medicine, tactics, combat—he understands everything!"
"And he even proposed a plan to transform the desert, gradually restoring the ecosystem with rainwater and vegetation!"
Cobra's eyes grew brighter the more he listened.
"You mean you want him to stay in Alabasta?"
"Yes!"
Vivi nodded emphatically.
Cobra pondered for a moment.
He did sound like a rare talent.
But...
"Would he be willing to stay?"
Vivi fell silent.
Right, would he be willing to stay?
During her time on the ship, she had seen it clearly.
Ralph's dream wasn't tied to any place—it was on that ship!
"Let's try."
Vivi said, "How will we know if we don't try?"
Meanwhile, in another room of the palace.
Ralph sat upright, a Den Den Mushi placed before him.
The first official working meeting of Baroque Works was about to begin.
Robin was nearby, adjusting the Den Den Mushi.
Ralph's gaze lingered on the Den Den Mushi for a few seconds.
This little thing...
What a miraculous invention.
Different breeds, different functions.
They can take photos, record videos, make calls, and even video chat—their capabilities are absurdly powerful.
Yet, the mainstream media in this world is still paper newspapers.
That doesn't make sense.
Ralph stared thoughtfully at the Den Den Mushi.
As a transmigrator, he understood all too well the revolution such a multifunctional, miraculous creature could bring.
Information dissemination…
If he could master the core technology in this field…
"Boss?"
Robin's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Ah, it's nothing."
Ralph withdrew his gaze.
"Let's begin."
The call connected.
On the other end were several high-ranking agents of Baroque Works.
Mr. 1, Daz Bonez, and Miss Doublefinger, Paula.
It was easy to imagine a few others nearby:
Mr. 4, Miss Goldenweek, and Mr. 4's beloved dog, Lassoo.
They were clearly all together.
Mr. 1's tone was as cold and rigid as ever, tinged with a hint of wariness.
"If you have something to say, get straight to it."
Ralph smiled:
"Don't be so tense. I'm not here to arrest you."
He got straight to the point:
"Crocodile has fallen."
"As high-ranking agents of Baroque Works, you should, in theory, be wanted by the Navy."
The expressions of the people on the other end didn't change in the slightest—they had clearly already considered this issue.
"But—"
Ralph shifted his tone, "The royal family of Alabasta has decided to forgo pursuing the crimes committed by some high-ranking agents under duress."
From the slight change in their breathing, it seemed their emotions had shifted.
"Moreover, depending on your actions, you may even receive assistance."
Mr. 1 frowned slightly:
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is—"
Ralph emphasized the solution he and Robin had requested from King Cobra.
"As long as you work for Alabasta and make up for your past mistakes, Alabasta will offer you protection."
He laid out the terms one by one:
"Miss Doublefinger can continue running your Spider Café, operating legally without having to hide."
Paula's eyes widened slightly.
"Mr. 4 can work as a delivery guy. You're strong—you'd be absolutely top-notch at delivering food."
Mr. 4's simple, honest face shifted in expression.
"Miss Goldenweek, you can wear beautiful princess dresses in the sunlight, no longer needing to hide underground."
The sharp-tongued, overweight, and elderly woman's lips began to tremble.
Finally, Ralph addressed the man covered in blades.
"Mr. 1, Daz Bonez."
"With your skills, you could be a hero."
He smiled:
"This country is rebuilding and needs many talented people.
As a Devil Fruit User like you, you can choose to be a hero or a criminal."
Silence fell on the other end of the call.
A long silence.
Mr. 1's expression remained cold and rigid, showing no trace of emotion.
But his eyes flickered slightly.
Just then, a few barks came through the call.
Woof! Woof woof!
Ralph laughed.
"Oh, right, help me pass a message to Lassoo."
He spoke into the Den Den Mushi, word by word:
"I have a way to turn it into a tank."
Woof?!
On the other end, the barking instantly grew more excited.
Mr. 4 looked down at his beloved dog, wagging its tail excitedly.
He raised his head to see the stunned expressions on his companions' faces.
"Lassoo seems really happy!"
"What more is there to say?"
"With such great terms, if I don't agree, I'd be a pig!"
"Deal! Just tell me what needs to be done specifically, Mr. O!"