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Early the next morning.

Anos finally had a good night's sleep after what felt like an eternity of sleepless nights on the turbulent seas.

Though he had become accustomed to the sway of the ship during long voyages, the stability of an immobile bed was foreign to him.

It took hours for him to find comfort and relax, but as his mind slowly drifted into sleep, the world outside carried on.

When he finally stirred, the sun was already high in the sky, signalling the late morning.

He sat up slowly, stretching out his arms. His muscles were still sore from the previous days of travelling.

It might have been nice to sleep in more, he thought, but duty beckoned him.

There was much to do, and he had no time to waste. Despite the reluctance tugging at him, Anos forced himself out of bed and prepared to face the day.

As he descended the grand staircase of the villa, he noted the luxurious surroundings.

Alabasta's grand architecture was impressive, even to a reincarnated human-like Anos.

The palace where he stayed was one of many grand estates scattered throughout the kingdom.

The marbled halls and carefully designed interiors hinted at the Kingdom's wealth and history.

But even in such grandeur, Anos couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing in the movement of the waves beneath his feet, the salty breeze that filled his lungs. Here, on land, everything was still. Too still.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he was greeted by the sight of a long table filled with breakfast foods.

The aroma of freshly baked bread, exotic fruits, and grilled meats filled the air.

The servants had gone to great lengths to ensure the king's morning meal was perfect.

Yet, despite the effort, Anos's sharp eye noticed something most of the food, while plentiful, was plain by royal standards.

But for the common people of Alabasta, this spread would be considered an extravagant feast.

"Your Majesty, good morning!"

Anos turned his gaze toward the voice. Suzu, one of his trusted aides, stood before him. Today, her outfit was entirely different from the day before.

She wore a miniskirt and a tube top, but she had also draped a large coat over her shoulders, paired with a wide-brimmed hat that cast a shadow over her face. Her change in appearance was striking.

Anos cocked his head, eyeing her attire with mild curiosity. "What's going on with your outfit today?"

Suzu chuckled softly, spinning in place to show off her ensemble. "I'm getting ready to head out after breakfast. The weather in Alabasta is unbearable so hot that if you don't protect your skin properly, you'll burn under the sun. This outfit is to keep me cool and covered."

Anos gave a slight nod, half-listening. His mind was elsewhere, already drifting back to thoughts of his ship.

Land did not suit him, and he longed to return to the sea. "Where's Daiki?" he asked, shifting the conversation.

"He's outside and others are preparing the carriage. We can depart as soon as you've had breakfast," Suzu said, glancing at the large spread before them.

"Ah…" A massive yawn escaped Anos's mouth before he could even think to respond. His body, still not fully accustomed to sleeping on land, felt sluggish.

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The idea of eating didn't appeal to him, especially with such tiredness weighing him down.

"Is everyone ready? Aren't we going by carriage this time?" Anos asked, his tone laced with exhaustion.

"No, Your Majesty," Suzu said with a grin. "I've discussed it with Daiki. We're still taking the ship. The carriage outside is for Princess Vivi."

Anos rubbed his forehead, a slight frown crossing his features. "Alright, forget breakfast then. Let's just get going."

But before he could take another step, Suzu grabbed his arm with surprising firmness.

She flashed him a meaningful smile, one that made it clear she wasn't about to let him skip the meal entirely.

"Your Majesty, you should have something to eat. You know how long these journeys can be. If you skip breakfast, we'll have to stop for food later, and that will only delay us further. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Anos let out a low groan. He didn't have the energy to argue, so he waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, do whatever you want."

With a satisfied nod, Suzu quickly began packing the breakfast into containers, wrapping the food with practised efficiency.

While she busied herself with this task, Anos stifled yet another yawn. He was desperate to return to his bed aboard the ship.

At least on the water, he could find solace in the familiar rhythm of the waves.

As Suzu finished packing the food, she turned to Anos with a bright smile. "All set! We can eat on the road, and you can rest on the ship if you'd like."

Anos didn't respond, instead turning toward the door and walking outside. The cool morning air of Alabasta greeted him, offering some relief from the stuffy villa.

Yet, despite the pleasant breeze, the harsh sun overhead reminded him of the intense heat that awaited them later in the day.

The sky was clear, and the bright rays reflected off the sandy streets, making it difficult for him to keep his eyes open.

When Anos and Suzu stepped out of the estate, two teams of soldiers were already assembled outside, standing at attention.

Daiki had organized the men with military precision, ensuring they were ready to depart at a moment's notice.

"Your Majesty King Anos," Igaram greeted with a respectful bow. "It's an honour to see you up so early. The Alabasta Guards and I are prepared to escort you to the Alubarna Palace."

"Spare me the formalities," Anos said, waving his hand dismissively. "I thought we were taking a ship and that you'd be escorting Princess Vivi to Alubarna by carriage?"

"That was the original plan, Your Majesty," Igaram replied, still maintaining his respectful tone. "But Princess Vivi insisted on travelling with you by ship. I've adjusted our plans accordingly."

Just as Igaram finished speaking, a cheerful voice called out from nearby.

"Good morning, King Anos~!"

Anos glanced up and saw Vivi approaching, her long ponytail swaying behind her as she skipped toward him. Her attire today was entirely different from the regal dress she had worn the previous day.

Now, she wore a lighter, more casual outfit suited for the journey.

However, Anos barely acknowledged her, his mind still groggy from lack of sleep.

"Daiki, is everything on the ship ready?" Anos asked, ignoring Vivi's enthusiastic greeting.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Everything is prepared for departure. We're ready when you are," Daiki confirmed.

"Good," Anos muttered. "Let's go. I'm eager to meet the King of Alabasta and get this over with."

Though Vivi had greeted him warmly, Anos hadn't bothered to engage her. Yet, Vivi didn't seem to mind.

Instead, she happily walked beside him, her cheerful demeanour contrasting with his cold indifference.

She acted as if they were already close friends, even though they had only recently met.

Anos, still half-asleep, barely noticed Vivi's presence beside him. Even with Suzu and Vivi flanking him, he had no interest in making conversation. His thoughts were solely focused on getting back to the ship, where he could lie down and sleep until they reached Alubarna.

"King Anos, how did you find your stay in Alabasta?" Vivi asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Anos turned his head slightly, giving her a brief glance before continuing to walk forward without a word.

Vivi didn't seem discouraged by his silence. Instead, she kept pace with him, her smile unwavering.

Behind them, Igaram watched the interaction with a mixture of frustration and helplessness. His princess, the pride of Alabasta, was being ignored by a foreign king, and there was nothing he could do about it.

The King of Tru had no interest in conversing with her, and yet Vivi didn't seem to mind at all.

It was as if she understood that Anos's cold demeanour wasn't personal.

What frustrated Igaram even more was the strength of Anos's guard. Each member of the Tru Kingdom's elite looked formidable.

Igaram had sparred with many powerful warriors in his time, but even he could tell that these guards were in a league of their own.

He wondered if he could even match one of them in a duel. That thought alone sent a shiver down his spine.

Still, Igaram couldn't let his concerns show. He had a duty to fulfil, and part of that duty was ensuring the safety and comfort of Princess Vivi during this diplomatic mission.

Even if King Anos seemed indifferent, Igaram had to remain vigilant.

As the group made their way to the harbour, the sun continued its ascent, its heat becoming more oppressive with each passing minute.

Anos squinted against the harsh light, wishing he could close his eyes and block out the world for just a little longer.

Finally, they arrived at the docks, where the ship awaited them. Anos took one look at the vessel, and a sense of relief washed over him.

Soon, he would be back on the sea, where he belonged.

"Let's get going," Anos muttered, already stepping toward the gangplank.

Vivi followed closely behind, with a smile on her face.

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