Anime Girls are Moist

Chapter 1136 - 1,135: Rain in the Dessert Kingdom of Alabasta, Nefertari Vivi

Kingdom of Alabasta.

Yellow sand filled the sky, swept day after day across the land by a searing hot wind.

The palace's white stone walls had been scoured dull by sand and dust, and thick layers of grit piled up at the base.

Even the corridor pillars, once carved with ornate patterns, were coated in a stubborn, filthy yellow that would never wash away.

It was already the third year of drought.

Half the kingdom's wells had completely dried up.

Canals that once crisscrossed the land had split into spiderweb cracks.

Whole groves of date palms had withered into gray-brown statues.

Even the wind was laced with a choking, dry, dusty stink—breathing it in burned like fire in the lungs.

At the very top of the royal palace, inside the prayer chamber, Nefertari Vivi knelt on a soft prayer mat.

Her plain white dress draped to the floor. The hem was dusted with sand, yet it couldn't hide how thin she'd become.

Hands clasped against her forehead, eyes closed, she prayed in a low, devout voice.

So light it was like fluff in the wind—yet packed with a crushing weight of hope.

The loose strands of hair on her forehead were soaked with sweat, plastered tightly to her smooth skin.

She had been kneeling here all morning—from the first pale light of dawn until the sun stood overhead.

Her knees had long since gone numb.

Her throat was so dry it ached.

Even her prayers carried an exhaustion she couldn't hide.

For this endless drought, she had already spent every last ounce of strength…

Outside the window was an endless sea of sand, and even the wind carried the dry, earthy stench of dust.

"Please, have mercy… let rain fall."

"Let Alabasta's desert become an oasis again—let my people suffer no more from drought and famine."

Her voice was very soft, heavy with exhaustion, and with a hope she couldn't hide.

For this drought that had lasted for years, she had tried everything.

Yet the sky remained clear and empty—unwilling to spare even a single drop of rain.

Just then, a man's voice—smiling, almost amused—suddenly spoke behind her.

Word for word, he calmly continued her prayer.

"You want the desert to turn into an oasis, and your people to live in peace, right?"

Vivi's whole body stiffened. She snapped her eyes open.

She spun around.

A stranger in a black robe stood at the doorway of the prayer chamber.

His hands were tucked into his pockets, and he looked at her with a half-smile that wasn't quite a smile.

This was the palace's most secure prayer room. Dozens of royal guards stood watch outside.

How could he have entered without making a sound?

Vivi tensed instantly, taking a defensive stance.

Eyes full of vigilance, she demanded sharply, "Who are you?! How did you get in here? Where are the guards outside?"

"Don't be so nervous."

Rei Ao stepped forward two paces, his footsteps light—as if he were walking on cotton.

"I was just passing by, and I happened to hear your wish."

"I can help you make it come true."

Vivi frowned, not believing a word.

Over the years, countless people had tried to deceive her using the excuse of "ending the drought."

This man didn't look old—and yet his tone was absurdly confident.

"What do you want? Alabasta doesn't welcome uninvited guests like you."

Her voice turned even colder, her hand already reaching for a weapon hidden in the hem of her dress.

"Leave now, or I'll call the guards."

"Calling them won't help."

Rei Ao chuckled and lifted his chin.

"How about we make a bet? I'll fulfill your wish, and you come with me. Deal?"

Vivi was about to snap back—when she saw Rei Ao flick his fingers.

The crisp snap was quiet, yet it sounded like a thunderclap exploding above Alabasta.

First, a low rumble of thunder rolled in from the distant horizon.

Then, the cloudless sky began gathering thick, heavy storm clouds at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In just a few seconds, the vast yellow sands were completely covered by black clouds that blotted out the sun.

Raindrops the size of beans fell without warning.

At first, only a few scattered drops struck the blistering stone ground and evaporated instantly.

But the very next moment, a torrential downpour came crashing down—drenching the entire land of Alabasta with a roaring splash.

Vivi's eyes widened. Instinctively, she rushed to the window.

She stretched out her hand. Cold rain battered her palm, bringing a damp, icy coolness.

It wasn't an illusion.

It was really raining.

She looked outside.

The cracked earth darkened as it drank in the water, hissing as white steam rose.

And in those deserts where nothing had ever grown, tender green shoots began to sprout—right before her eyes.

The sprouts spread outward, little by little, dyeing the withered yellow sands into a vibrant, living green.

Rain soaked her hair and her dress, but she didn't even notice.

Tears fell without warning, sliding down with the rain.

"It's raining… it's really raining…"

She murmured, voice choked, shoulders trembling slightly.

The rain she had waited for—prayed for—begged for, for so long…

It had finally come.

While she was still drowning in shock and joy, Rei Ao's voice sounded behind her again.

"See? I fulfilled your wish."

Vivi jolted back to herself and turned to face him.

Her eyes were still wet with tears. She was just about to say thank you—when she heard what he said next.

"Deal's done. Now come with me."

The expression on Vivi's face froze. She stood there, stunned.

She stared at him in disbelief.

"What? A deal? When did I ever make a deal with you?"

She took two steps back instinctively, shaking her head.

"I can't go with you! I'm Alabasta's princess—my people still need me!"

"Your people already have an oasis. They have rain. They won't suffer anymore."

Rei Ao took a step forward. Before she could react, he reached out and swept her into his arms.

Vivi panicked, struggling wildly, kicking and pushing to try to shove him away.

"L-let me go! Let me go! I'm not going with you!"

But her struggle was useless against him.

Rei Ao lowered his gaze to the flailing princess in his arms, the corner of his mouth lifting into a faint smile.

The next second, space twisted—and both of them vanished from the prayer chamber.

All that remained was the relentless rain pouring outside.

And the palace, erupting in cheers at the sudden rainfall—only to plunge into chaos when they realized the princess had disappeared.