A new entry in the Evil Genie Vivi/Baroque Works tale I've been writing, a One Piece saga of my own. In this one, Vivi and her crew of "recruits" go on to meet a potential new target during a most intriguing of time...someone small with a big dream.

Meant to accompany this illustration by Mythkaz, a fun artist and good friend. 

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BAROQUE HEALTH

Vivi had not foreseen this.

On their journey towards Alabasta, the Straw Hat crew had been mostly docile, influenced by her will and magic as the Baroque Works genie had nurtured their travel and foreseen their immense potential. She knew that gaining them, forming these raw diamonds and grooming their potential might with a good dose of seductive hypnosis and brainwashing would give out incredible dividends down the road. Yet during one stop to recharge their Log Pose made it so their navigator went on to contract an ancient disease, something which ate at her, enfeebling someone whom Vivi had magnificent plans for. Thus, in a bid of care but also protecting her investment did she make them take a detour towards an island she knew tangentially from her youth: Drum Island.

She had never visited, though she had met their king, a most repugnant and despotic being known as Wapol. Abusing his power, his office, the suffering of others, he had even “accidentally” slapped her when she was young as she took it upon herself to not cause an accident. As well-placed as he was, his Devil Fruit even rather useful and full of potential, she'd rather turn him into a toad or stool than recruit him for Baroque Works. The snowy climate, the cold and the general tension upon the island did make things difficult, yet thankfully for the Straw Hat crew did they possess some sort of guardian angel who thankfully made people become very kind and generous indeed.

Usopp, Zoro, Luffy and Sanji each went to ask for a doctor, for the best one, not needing to actually be under instructions or suggestions to do so as their genuine care for Nami did the deed. Nonetheless did they go for particularly talented people of medicine, only for them to reveal that under deep hypnosis, seeing illusions and vivid dreams of a blue and beautiful genie girl, they were not actually the best. There was someone amazing who lived atop a mountain, in an old castle, a woman of very old age known as Dr. Kureha. She was, apparently the best and thus did the whole group venture towards her home in the hope that Nami would be cured.

The thought did occur to Vivi that she could cure Nami and they would be on their way soon enough...yet she did not want to overplay her hand. Her master, Crocodile, had demanded for her to be subtle, hidden, to not go overboard with displays else people of power would notice. He did not want to face the likes of the World Government, one of the four emperors or anyone else the moment her magic would get noticed. Akin to Haki could a sudden spike be detected from those especially attuned to it, and having to confront Kaido, Big Mom, Whitebeard or Shanks over it...or even lose his position as Shichibukai would be much to his detriment. Slow, steady and efficient was the game as appearing in dreams, influencing others with hypnosis and recruiting quality over quantity was the game here.

Their trek would have been an arduous one had she not been there. Rampaging large bunnies, an upcoming snowstorm, having to climb the actual mountain, a lot could have made things dangerous for them and especially for Nami. Thankfully, the bunnies were far too busy sleeping it off, dreaming of that blue dancing damsel, the snowstorm had been delayed and the lift had been repaired thanks to a few repairmen that became excessively motivated to assist them. Arriving at the castle itself was something rather ordinary, a formality thanks to her efforts, though none of them would know it.

When they did get to Dr. Kureha, her own apprehension was kept in check, her cooperation assured through various methods as Nami went on to get the correct treatment, medicine and everything without much fail. All of this did Vivi missed upon, however, for after taking care of Kureha did she notice something, or rather someone that she did not expect to see in the slightest. The world they lived in was a particularly strange one, though a reindeer having eaten the Hito Hito no Mi, the human Devil Fruit. Small, adorable and even trained in medicine did she immediately take a great liking to this cute little medical wonder as he had assisted Kureha with great finesse, Vivi only having eyes for him due to his cuddly looks.

Momentarily forgetting about her duties due to how this reindeer, Tony Tony Chopper being his name, looked very much like a walking plush toy she took a decision. She would bring him back, recruit him into Baroque Works and ensure that he'd be well-protected. The threads of fate were around him, something incredible destined for him and completely taken with his cute yet absurd existence did she go on to prod at his dreams. Yet before she did so was the sound of someone she hated could be heard, a voice she would never forget ever.

“What have they done to my beautiful castle?!”

Wapol, the worthless ruffian, the king-in-name-only. Her own work to get the Straw Hats here had unfortunately eased up his own approach in this country, the one he used to rule yet had fled from after an attack. This used to be his own home it seemed, both this island and this castle specifically. Yet now it was time for Vivi to get revenge and protect those under her guidance as an idea popped in her head...a most devious one indeed. As the Straw Hats went on to prepare to fight, it was actually Chopper who turned out to be quicker, turning into his reindeer form to rush outside. Such valiance deserved back-up and thankfully would he get it...among many other things.

“I won't let you turn this island into hell again!” Chopper said, Wapol accompanied by his two handymen as a confrontation would be had...that is until a sudden ethereal apparition revealed itself. A woman of skin as blue as the ocean, dressed in the manners of the sultriest dancer from Alabasta, a country he only ever saw in books. She looked strong, her musculature impressive upon her midriff, her long blue hair dazzling in the winter wind and yet she seemed half-there, but a phantom upon which snowflakes passed through. He was astonished...and so was his opponents as they all looked upon this impossible half-giant woman.

“W-what is this? If you're here to throw yourself at my feet, giant woman, do so after you make them go away from my place!” the impertinent Wapol said, demanding rather than asking as was his nature and bad habits. Yet as she had carefully made the Straw Hats lose themselves among the corridors of the castle, each one possessing about the same sense of direction as Zoro, she could make her impression and get her revenge right here, right now.

“This being is too pure, too touched by fate to have to suffer your presence, tyrant!” her voice could be heard like a faint echo upon the snowy top of this mountain. Stretching upwards as if preparing for a killer technique, she went on to do that thing which she did best: employing seductive hypnosis. Her hips swayed, the wind barely affecting her as did the cold as all those present were astonished, stupefied and very soon entirely taken by what was happening. “Yet I am nothing more if a generous and gorgeous presence~”

This manifestation was but the edge of what she figured she was permitted to do. Normally, not a soul ought to see her save in dreams, hiding her influence through their subconscious and fantasies...yet she figured in this instance it would be okay. As she spun her hips and began to even manipulate the snowflakes to form improvised swirls, she even began to employ the surrounding ice to reflect her own body and hypnotic allure to create impromptu mirrors. Her aura, her mystical beauty began to surround them and even those not facing her could not escape the sight of her mesmerizing midriff.

“You are very afraid, Wapol...extremely so. You know I'm strong, too strong and just me swaying my hips has both charmed yet conquered you...you cannot help yourself but stare...and realize that you're helpless to resist~” Vivi said, employing both seduction and terror, a conflict which she'd build up with every move she made. One hand roaming her hourglass figure while she shimmied, a finger around her navel and playing with her abdominal muscles, a wink and a smirk, all to show confidence, appeal but also to truly demonstrate how he was losing his will to her. The subtle realization that he could not stop himself, that he enjoyed her presence yet he shouldn't. For others she'd go forth and merely let them feel mindless bliss, sinking into her influence, yet he would be ever on the edge of accomplishing this, resisting yet barely being able to do so. “Either stay or become my slave, my servant, my toy...or resist and flee...but will you even have the audacity, the willpower to even accomplish this?”

Yet as the faint hints of blue swirls of all tints and shades could be seen on Wapol's face, he trembled as his knees buckled. About to scream, to yell for help, all he could do was turn around as if it had been his only choice and chance. All according to her plan as eventually would she course-correct his memories, make him see her as a spectral being more than anything else. For now, however, his fear would do just as well as he fled for his life alongside his two lackeys, following him even in hasty retreat. She would soon torment and make him question everything, a little personal indulgence on her part...though now she had another to deal with as she turned around, only to see that the good and adorable doctor had too been influenced by her performance.

“Tony Tony Chopper...I have come to save and guide you as a guardian genie. You have a formidable destiny, one which will lead you to your dream to create the ultimate remedy, a panacea that will cure any and all,” she said, still half-gigantic, acting like a winter illusion yet her arrogant confidence was switched to something much kinder, gentler, sweeter even...yet still did she sway her hips and dance before his eyes. To see him astonished, completely enchanted with the many swirls of blue popping in his eyes gave her satisfaction, knowing that he was as receptive as the others had been. He vaulted slightly forward, his body unwittingly swaying along as he could not avert his gaze from her glorious form. “To attain your goal, you shall set out to sea. Worry not, for those you will join are protected by me in secret, something only you shall vaguely remember. They are off to join a great organisation called Baroque Works...one which shall deeply assist you in your noble medical quest~”

Chopper was submerged in this hypnotic euphoria, the blue woman looking like a winter goddess, snow flailing around gently, swirling and spiraling as he could not take his eyes off her. The human part of him was completely smitten, mesmerized in more ways than one as his desire to see the world had indeed been set aside for too long. Her blessing, her presence, the way she protected them against Wapol made her seem genuine and wonderful. As her shiny and glimmering muscled stomach pulsated with enthralling power did he simply nod in silence, agreeing with a silly grin on his face.

“Most excellent. I cannot tarry long, but I shall see you in dreams as the Straw Hat crew shall happily let you join them. I'll make sure of it,” Vivi said as she vanished, returning to an unseen and minimal presence as Chopper was still entranced, still seeing her in his own daydreams as eventually did she do the one thing to wake him up...

SNAP!

And watched him awake as soon would he receive visits to properly prepare his mindset and obedience to when he'd meet her master. Having achieved something here, mostly personal yet not without benefits for Baroque Works, she watched how the reindeer went on to ask to join them, their captain happily accepting and for their navigator Nami to finally be in good health. That last part she needed the most, for she had incredible plans for this girl...

The very last step to accomplish before they'd reach Alabasta, even.