The three split up to carry out their individual tasks.
The 12th King of Alabasta, Nefertari Cobra, was still a beloved ruler among his people. The capital, Alubarna, was flourishing and lively, even at night, with the city illuminated by countless lights. Armored guards patrolled the streets, ensuring peace and order.
Inside the palace, Cobra was occupied with state affairs.
The large doors creaked open, and a young girl with blue hair tied up in a bun, fair skin, and an adorably delicate face stepped in, wearing a light yellow princess dress.
Cobra looked up and smiled as he saw the little girl running toward him. "Vivi, what brings you here?"
The ten-year-old princess of Alabasta, still a bright-eyed and innocent child, gazed up at him and said, "It's already very late. Shouldn't you rest, Father?"
"Haha, a true king can't rest until he finishes his daily work," Cobra said, chuckling before resuming his work.
"Vivi, if there's nothing else, you should head back to your room and rest."
Vivi's eyes sparkled with mischief as she replied, "Alright, I understand. But Father, you should rest soon, too."
After leaving the room, Vivi lifted the hem of her dress and dashed through the corridors.
She hurried to a courtyard in the palace where a companion waited.
"Karoo, let's continue our palace adventure from last night."
"Alright, let's go! To the west side of the palace!" Vivi exclaimed, pointing westward as she climbed onto the back of Karoo, the spot-billed duck.
Karoo carried Princess Vivi, speeding off toward the western side of the palace.
In front of the royal mausoleum on the west side of the palace, a shadow appeared before the guards stationed there.
Before they could react, the guards were silently taken down.
"W-Who's… there?" the captain of the guards managed to whisper before collapsing, only catching a fleeting glimpse of a figure in the dark before losing consciousness.
Ron, clad in a black, long-sleeved coat, activated the hidden mechanism of the mausoleum's entrance and stepped inside.
A short while after he entered, Princess Vivi and Karoo arrived at the scene.
Seeing the guards sprawled on the ground, Vivi's eyes widened slightly.
"An intruder in the palace?"
Her gaze shifted to the open entrance, a mix of fear and excitement in her expression.
"Karoo, should we sneak in for a peek?"
"Hey, don't be scared! I'm Princess Vivi, the vice-captain of the Suna Suna Squad. Protecting the palace from intruders is my duty," Vivi said, patting the head of the trembling Karoo. "You're my loyal steed, and I won't allow you to be so timid."
"Come on, let's just take a look and then leave. You can run fast, so there's nothing to worry about."
With her encouragement, Karoo mustered his courage and cautiously moved toward the entrance.
The pair swallowed nervously and tiptoed down the stairs into the mausoleum, holding their breath.
In the hall, Vivi saw from afar a dark figure standing before a massive stone monument, back turned to them.
"So that's the intruder…"
Vivi thought to herself. Then, her eyes widened in astonishment as she witnessed the enormous stone monument vanish right before the figure.
Did that massive stone really just disappear?
Did he do that? Is this magic?
As Vivi's mind raced with confusion, the figure in the black coat turned around.
To her surprise, the person was a black-haired boy who didn't look much older than her. His features were gentle and refined, and his demeanor was composed and calm.
His eyes landed on Vivi and Karoo.
Sensing danger, Karoo's instincts kicked in. Cold sweat broke out on his feathers as he began trembling uncontrollably. Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted, racing away with Vivi on his back.
"Hey, Karoo, what's gotten into you?" Vivi exclaimed, clinging tightly to him.
"Huh? Scary? But that boy didn't look scary at all…" Vivi said, turning her head for another look, only to realize with shock that the boy had already disappeared.
Before they could catch their breath after fleeing the mausoleum, a voice with a hint of amusement reached Vivi and Karoo's ears.
"Good evening, Princess Nefertari Vivi of the Alabasta Kingdom."
Karoo shuddered so violently that Vivi nearly slipped off his back.
She turned in the direction of the voice, eyes wide.
The black-haired boy from the mausoleum was now standing atop the courtyard wall, hands casually in the pockets of his coat, gazing down at them with a smile.
Under the soft glow of the moonlight, the boy stood on the high wall, his black coat and hair rustling slightly in the breeze, exuding an air of mystery.