Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece.

Seeing that Bai Yu and his group truly had no desire for Hades' power, Cobra's last trace of worry vanished, replaced by a gentle smile. His tone became even more welcoming: "You have come from afar and have such a special connection with Alabasta. Tonight, the palace has prepared a simple banquet, all local home-style dishes. Would you be willing to join us? There are no complicated formalities; it's just a comfortable meal for family and close friends."

Bai Yu nodded slightly upon hearing this, glanced at Kanna and Rangiku beside him who were looking expectant, and smiled, "We are naturally happy to accept Your Majesty's kind invitation."

Robin nodded slightly. It was truly rare to have such a wise monarch. Alabasta had a history spanning thousands of years, so it seemed that the king of this country had a good lineage.

The banquet was held in the courtyard of the palace. As dusk fell, the glass lamps under the eaves lit up one by one, casting a warm yellow glow on the long table covered with a beige carpet. Silver cutlery and fresh desert berries were laid out on the table, and the air was filled with the aroma of stewed dates and roasted desert antelope meat, as well as the sweet scent of chilled jujube juice.

The restaurant has shed its royal grandeur and gained a warm, homey atmosphere.

As soon as Cobra sat down, he whispered an instruction to the servant behind him. A short while later, a series of light footsteps approached from afar, and a small figure carrying a bunch of bougainvillea in full bloom skipped and hopped over.

The girl was wearing a light blue princess dress with delicate sea buckthorn patterns embroidered on the hem. Her long hair was braided into two playful braids with pale yellow ribbons tied at the ends. Her eyes were like stars in the desert night sky, bright and clear. She was Princess Vivi, who was only six years old.

"Father."

Vivi walked to Kobra's side, first obediently curtsied, then raised her head, her gaze curiously sweeping over Bai Yu and his group. There was no trace of a child's timidity in front of strangers, but rather a somewhat frank and open scrutiny, like a brave fledgling eagle.

Koub stretched out his hand and patted his daughter's head, his tone gentle yet with a hint of pride, as he introduced her to everyone: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is my daughter, Weiwei. Weiwei, please greet Mr. Baiyu and all the ladies."

"Hello Mr. Bai Yu and hello to all the older sisters." Weiwei straightened her small back and bowed respectfully. Her voice was clear and loud. Although her demeanor was still childlike, she had a dignified air about her, not at all like a six-year-old child.

"Don't call me 'sir,' just call me 'brother.'"

Bai Yu was speechless at Cobra's behavior. Why did everyone else call him "sister" while everyone else called him "master"?

Rangiku couldn't help but laugh, reached out and picked up a date covered in icing sugar from the table, and handed it to Vivi: "What a lovely little princess, here, try this."

Vivi didn't take it immediately. Instead, she looked at Cobra first, and only after receiving her father's tacit approval did she reach out and take the date. Her fingertips were slender, and her movements were gentle. After taking it, she bowed decisively to Rangiku: "Thank you, sister."

She then carefully unwrapped the candy, took a small bite, and the sweet taste melted on her tongue. Her eyes curved into crescents, but she did not lose her composure and wolfed it down. She maintained her calm demeanor and then turned her curious gaze to Kanna.

She was very interested in this very cute-looking person of the same age in front of her.

Just then, a slight commotion came from the corner of the courtyard. Two young servants hurried over with a stack of plates. When they reached the table, they tripped over something, their bodies wobbled, and the plates were about to fall to the ground.

Vivi happened to be right in front of the young servants. Instinctively, she used her small body to shield them, firmly supporting the top plate with both hands, while urgently calling out to the two flustered servants, "Be careful!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but the two servants, who were already flustered, subconsciously calmed down upon hearing Weiwei's voice and slowly placed the plates they were holding on the low table next to them.

One of the servants turned pale with fright and quickly bowed and apologized: "Your Highness, we are so sorry, we were so careless."

Another servant lowered his head, his face full of guilt: "It's all our fault. We almost spoiled the food and almost hurt you."

Weiwei didn't blame them at all. Instead, she stepped forward, gently patted the servant's clothes, and said in a gentle tone, "It's okay, you didn't do it on purpose, but you must be careful in the future and don't panic when something happens."

She paused, then looked up, glancing at the two servants, and continued, "If you encounter this situation again, don't panic. If you really can't handle it, just toss it aside. Sometimes the busier you are, the more chaotic things become, and you might end up spilling food on the guests."

As she spoke, she reached out and straightened the wrinkled collar of one of the servants, a small gesture full of genuine concern.

Cobra sat in his seat, quietly watching his daughter's every move, his eyes filled with a smile of satisfaction. Robin also raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. This six-year-old princess, when faced with an unexpected situation, rushed forward to resolve the crisis immediately; this courage far surpassed that of children her age.

At the same time, she did not blame the servants who made mistakes. Instead, she cared about their safety first and patiently reminded them of the precautions to take afterward. This empathy and leadership are truly rare.

Robin looked at Vivi and said softly, "Princess Vivi is very brave and kind."

Hearing Robin's praise, Vivi didn't become arrogant. Instead, she turned around, gave everyone a bright smile, and then ran back to Cobra's side. She looked up at her father and said, "Father, they didn't do it on purpose. Please don't punish them, okay? They already know they were wrong and will be careful in the future."

Kobra smiled and nodded, reaching out to pull his daughter onto his lap, his voice gentle: "Okay, we'll do whatever Vivi says."

He looked at the crowd, his tone tinged with pride: "This child has been like this since he was little. Even though he is still so young, he always thinks about protecting others. His heart is full of the people of Alabasta."

Weiwei leaned against her father's chest. Hearing this, she raised her head earnestly and said, "Father, I want to be like you in the future, to protect Alabasta and everyone here, so that every child in the desert can have enough to eat and drink clean water."

As she said this, her eyes were incredibly firm, gleaming with the light of idealism.

Judging from her actions, this was not a child's casual remark, but a deep-seated conviction and persistence. She may not yet understand the heavy responsibility behind the word "king," but she has already engraved the word "protection" in her heart.

Bai Yu thought of Uchiha Itachi. In comparison, the weasel was no match for Vivi at all, even after he grew up.

Kanna chewed on the candy in her hand, tilted her head and looked at Vivi, her little face full of approval: "Vivi is so amazing, Kanna will protect everyone too."

Bai Yu smiled and ruffled Kanna's hair, then looked at Vivi: "Vivi will definitely become a great princess in the future, no, a queen who protects Alabasta."

Chapter 107 Cobra's Worries

Weiwei nodded shyly, gazing at the desert night sky outside the courtyard, where stars twinkled. She knew that the road to protecting the country and its people was long and fraught with difficulties, but she would not be afraid or back down. No matter what she encountered, she would bravely rush to the front, uphold her ideals, and use her own strength to protect the land and people she loved so dearly.

Looking at his daughter's resolute profile, and then at Bai Yu and his group who were equally sincere, Kobra became even more certain that his decision was correct.

Kobra looked down at his daughter in his arms, whose eyes were firm, and stroked her soft hair. After a moment, he looked up at Bai Yu and his group. The king's majesty had faded from his eyes, replaced by a father's earnestness and solemn entrustment.

Kobra slowly rose and bowed slightly to the crowd. This gesture carried the humility of a king and also revealed a father's deep expectations for his daughter: "Gentlemen, there is something I have been thinking about for a long time, and I dare to ask you for a request today."

Bai Yu and the others were taken aback upon hearing this, but then smiled gently and said, "Your Majesty, please speak freely. As long as it is within our power, we will certainly not refuse."

"Weiwei is a kind-hearted child with a strong desire to protect her country, but she is only six years old. The road ahead is long and the burden on her shoulders is too heavy."

Cobra's gaze swept over Robin and Rangiku Unohana before finally settling on Shiraha: "Alabasta's history spans thousands of years, containing wisdom for survival as well as hidden dangers. Miss Robin is well-versed in history, and Mr. Shiraha seems to possess unfathomable strength. If Vivi can learn the ways to protect herself and become stronger, she will be able to face the storms of the future with ease. I implore you all to stay in Alabasta for a while longer and offer Vivi some guidance. For the sake of this country and for the sake of this child, I beg you."

After saying this, Cobra bowed slightly, his expression full of sincere pleading.

Seeing her father bowing, Weiwei quickly followed suit, her bright eyes looking at Bai Yu and the others with a hint of expectation in them.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu exchanged glances with Robin and Rangiku, having already made up his mind.

They passed through Alabasta and, thanks to Kobra's trust, were able to see the precious historical texts—a friendship that should be remembered.

The king's entrustment of this important task is a recognition of their abilities, and they don't need to stay for too long. Bai Yu then smiled and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. We are grateful for your trust in allowing us to see the historical text. We have not yet repaid this kindness. Teaching Princess Vivi will not only fulfill your wish but also serve as our way of giving back. We are willing to stay and accompany Your Highness for a while."

Kanna, clutching the candy in her hands, wiggled her short legs and said in a clear voice, "Vivi is a good friend, Kanna wants to stay and play with Vivi!"

When Kobra saw that everyone agreed, a relieved smile instantly appeared on his face. He quickly straightened up and bowed to everyone in thanks: "Thank you all! Thank you all! With you all here, I can rest assured."

Vivi bowed deeply to Bai Yu and his group, saying, "Thank you, Brother Bai Yu, thank you, Sister Robin, thank you everyone. Vivi will definitely study hard."

From that day on, the palace courtyard and study became much more lively.

Every morning, as the sky begins to lighten, warm yellow light shines through the windows of the study.

This means that Weiwei has already started learning.

A month has passed since Bai Yu and his group agreed to stay and teach Weiwei.

Over the past thirty-odd days, her days were filled with activity and order. The study in the early morning, the training ground at noon, and the courtyard in the afternoon all became classrooms for Vivi to absorb knowledge and strength. Meanwhile, Shiraha, Robin, and Unohana Rangiku also did their best to impart their expertise to her.

The breaks between studies were the happiest times for Vivi and Connor.

Two little girls of similar age would run to the palace courtyard to chase and play, or squat by the flowers to observe butterflies and ants, and share their snacks.

Vivi would also teach Connor to identify the flowers and plants in the desert, telling her which berries were edible and which plants could quench her thirst.

Within a month, Vivi's changes were clearly visible.

She was no longer the little girl who only knew how to bravely rush forward. Her eyes became clearer and more determined, and her demeanor became more composed and dignified. She not only learned a wealth of historical knowledge, a solid foundation in swordsmanship, and methods to become stronger, but also understood the deeper meaning of protecting the country and its people.

Bai Yu often saw Kobra standing under the porch, watching his daughter's busy and fulfilling figure.

Honestly, Cobra was not only a good king, but also a good father.

To thank Bai Yu and the others for their careful guidance over the past month, and also to allow everyone to relax, Kobra specially hosted a banquet in the palace courtyard.

Similar to the dinner we had on our first meeting, it was still a homely, local affair.

Halfway through the dinner, everyone chatted about the interesting things that had happened over the past month. Cobra looked at Vivi, who was earnestly handing dates to Kanna, and his eyes were full of satisfaction.

He then turned to Bai Yu and said sincerely, "Thank you so much. Over the past month, we have all worked hard to teach Weiwei. We have seen and remembered the changes in this child."

Bai Yu smiled and waved his hand: "You flatter me. Weiwei is intelligent and resilient, and she has a strong desire to protect her country. Teaching her is a happy thing for us as well."

Cobra nodded slightly, his eyes filled with a mixture of worry and expectation: "To be honest, Alabasta is located in the desert and faces the difficulties of water shortage and sandstorms all year round. Occasionally, there are also thieves and rebels who covet it. Vivi will have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting the country in the future, and the road ahead will definitely be full of hardships. Although I have tried my best to pave the way for her, I am always worried that she is not strong enough to cope with the storms in the future."

Bai Yu looked at the worry in Cobra's eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "I understand your concerns. Vivi is indeed intelligent and resilient, but Alabasta has a special geography and possesses treasures that are coveted by many. In the future, she may face crises far beyond imagination, and her current accumulation may not be enough."

Kobra's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "What does Mr. Bai Yu mean?"

Bai Yu picked up the jujube juice in front of him, took a small sip, and then looked at Cobra, his tone solemn, "I wonder how much Your Majesty knows about Devil Fruits?"

"Devil Fruit?"

Cobra frowned slightly: "Of course I know, but legend has it that those who eat Devil Fruits can gain extraordinary power, but the price is that they will be rejected by the sea and will never be able to swim again. In fact, very few kings in Alabasta have ever eaten Devil Fruits."

"That's right, Devil Fruits do come at a price, but the power they bring can become the confidence to protect yourself and others in critical moments."

Chapter 108 Farewell

Bai Yu slowly said, "Devil Fruits are roughly divided into three categories: Logia, Paramecia, and Zoan. Logia fruits are the rarest. Users of these fruits can transform their bodies into natural elements, becoming immune to physical attacks and possessing immense strength. However, mastering them is extremely difficult. Vivi is still too young to be suitable for them."

He paused, then continued, "There are many types of Paramecia-type Devil Fruits, each with different abilities. Some can manipulate objects, some can change body shape, and some can influence others, but I don't think they're suitable."

"So, it's a Zoan type?..."

"Zoan-type Devil Fruits allow users to transform into animals and gain corresponding physical strength, speed, and defense. Some high-level fruits also grant special abilities."

Bai Yu's gaze turned serious: "Among the Zoan-type Devil Fruits, the rarest are the Mythical Zoan-type. These fruits not only allow the user to transform into a legendary mythical beast and gain power far exceeding that of ordinary Zoan-type users, but also grant them some special abilities, such as self-healing and elemental manipulation. In fact, with Vivi's resilient character, it would be quite suitable."

Cobra listened intently, seemingly lost in thought: "Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits... so rare, they must be incredibly difficult to find, right?"

"It is indeed rare, but in Alabasta, it may not be impossible to find one."

"You might as well think about it. Alabasta has a history of thousands of years. It is an ancient kingdom with not only numerous ruins and treasures, but also vast deserts and a unique ecological environment. Perhaps the ruins of Alabasta hold the secrets of mythical beast fruits."

Finally, Bai Yu added, "Of course, ultimately it all depends on Vivi's own wishes. After all, eating a Devil Fruit means she will never be able to swim again. This is a life-altering decision."

Kobra remained silent for a long time, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

He knew that Bai Yu's suggestion was for Vivi's sake, and also for Alabasta. The power brought by the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit could indeed help Vivi avoid many detours and have more security on her future path.

But he also felt sorry for his daughter and didn't want her to bear such a choice and the consequences too early.

Just then, Vivi, who had been listening quietly, suddenly raised her head, her bright eyes looking at Cobra and Bai Yu, and said firmly, "Father, Brother Bai Yu, I'm willing."

Everyone was taken aback and looked at Vivi. She straightened her small back, her eyes clear and firm: "I want to have enough power to protect Alabasta, to protect my father, and to protect every citizen here. Even if I can never swim again, even if I encounter more difficulties in the future, I am willing. As long as I can protect everything I want to protect, I can bear not being able to swim."

Looking into his daughter's determined eyes, Cobra's worries gradually dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of relief and heartache. He reached out and gently patted Vivi's head, his tone tender yet solemn: "Alright, since this is Vivi's choice, Father supports you. Father will order an investigation into the clues of the Mythical Beast Fruit in secret. No matter how much effort it takes, we will find a suitable fruit for you."

Bai Yu looked at Weiwei with an approving smile in his eyes: "Weiwei, you are very brave. Remember, no matter whether you can obtain the Mythical Beast Fruit in the future, no matter what kind of power you have, you must stay true to your original intention and always remember that the meaning of your power is to protect, not to conquer."

"Ok!"

Weiwei nodded emphatically.

Bai Yu and his group stayed in Alabasta for another three days.

For the past three days, Weiwei has been clinging to the group almost every day, like a sponge, greedily absorbing every bit of new knowledge.