The Last One (One Piece x Reader)

Chapter 43: Mistake

Alistair, that bastard, had flown away—dissolving into mist and taking off like some eerie specter. A coward's move, delaying the judgment you had in store for him. No matter. It only made the chase more thrilling, the eventual satisfaction sweeter, the hunt more addictive.

Oh, just imagining his screams sent a shiver of delight through you.

But first, you had to find him. Taking a deep breath, you closed your eyes, steadying yourself before reopening them and unleashing the power of your Devil Fruit.

This ability was your key to hunting souls.

The world shifted as you scanned the area, hundreds of glowing human souls flickering in your vision. And then—there he was. You spotted him, flying toward the palace.

A wicked grin spread across your lips.

Torturing him in front of Crocodile? That sounded perfect. A reminder to that bastard not to test your anger.

You leaped across rooftops with inhuman agility, ignoring the gasps and disbelieving stares of those you passed. Their shock meant nothing to you; your focus remained solely on the wretched abomination ahead.

•••••

Meanwhile, inside the palace, Vivi was already orchestrating her plan. All the bombs had been set, ready to reduce the palace to rubble.

"All preparations are complete! We await your order to light the fuses," one of the soldiers reported nervously.

Vivi regarded him seriously, her expression hard but resolute. She nodded.

"This palace is soaked in 4,000 years of Alabasta's history..." she murmured, her thoughts drifting to childhood memories of the place.

"I've always been so proud of it," she admitted, clenching her fists tightly.

"But if destroying this palace will stop the fighting and let me tell my people the truth in my own words—so be it!" Her voice rang with determination.

I just hope this will make (Y/N)-san proud of me, she thought as she steeled herself.

"Now, light them!" she commanded.

The royal army moved to ignite the bombs, but a sudden, powerful gust of wind extinguished the fuses before they could burn. Chaos erupted as soldiers were swept off their feet, thrown to the ground by the unexpected force.

"Wh-what is this?!" Chaka exclaimed in shock, standing protectively beside Vivi.

The soldiers around them lay unconscious, save for one struggling to stay awake. Vivi rushed to his side.

"Are you alright?" she asked urgently.

"T-the... s-sand..." he croaked before succumbing to unconsciousness.