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"I heard that you have something to tell us?!"
Not long after the Merry sailed out of Twin Capes, Princess Vivi, who was still dressed as an assassin, met with Luffy and Red under Smoker's introduction.
Because Red had guessed that Vivi might want to reveal her identity to them and influence their subsequent actions...
He specially called all the Straw Hats who were practicing into the cabin, and even Smoker, a "non-crew member," was forcibly pulled into the cabin by him.
On the deck of the Merry, only Mr. 9, who looked confused, was left behind to take over the lookout duty.
...
...
In the cabin's dining room.
Sanji listened curiously while making handmade drinks for everyone.
Sitting opposite the Straw Hats, Vivi's eyes first flashed with uncertainty, but finally, as if she had made up her mind, she suddenly removed the headband from her hair.
"Excuse me, have you ever heard of the country of Alabasta?!"
Vivi raised her head and asked.
In an instant, her demeanor changed completely, as if she were a different person!
She originally had a somewhat cunning look, but the moment her hair was down, she became extremely dignified, with a solemn aura in her eyes.
"Alabasta?!"
Of course, the Straw Hats from the East Blue would not know about this country located on the Grand Line.
Everyone showed confusion.
But just when they were about to instinctively look toward the all-knowing Red...
Smoker, who was standing at the edge, crossed his arms across his chest and suddenly said:
"The Kingdom of Alabasta, a huge kingdom famous for its culture and trade, with a land area of more than 10 million square kilometers!"
"Whether it's production capabilities or military strength, they are all among the top of the World Government's member nations!"
"It can be considered a rare peaceful country in the Grand Line!"
"That's the country you're talking about, right?"
Smoker turned his gaze to Vivi.
Vivi nodded in response: "That's right."
But the next second, an extremely sad look appeared in her eyes, she lowered her head and murmured:
"But...you're talking about the old Alabasta..."
"Old?" Nami asked curiously: "What about now?!"
"Now..." Vivi's tone became sorrowful, "Now the whole country is in the midst of serious civil unrest."
"Starting a few years ago, a mysterious organization secretly deployed throughout the kingdom and organized revolutionary movements in many places. People began to riot one after another, and the country became increasingly chaotic!"
"Countless citizens have been displaced, and the situation is so severe that they can barely survive."
"How could it become like this?!"
After hearing this, Smoker, who had a strong sense of justice, immediately frowned and asked Vivi: "Could it be that the mysterious organization you mentioned is..."
"Yes! That's right!"
Before Smoker could finish speaking, Vivi suddenly raised her head, her eyes full of resentment and frustration.
"After my investigation, I discovered that the mysterious organization causing the turmoil in Alabasta is the Baroque Works company that I've infiltrated!"
"Wait a minute..." Usopp looked suspicious, "Isn't Baroque Works just an assassin organization?!"
"How can they have so much influence?!"
"Of course it wouldn't be possible if it were just an ordinary assassin organization!"
Vivi answered Usopp's doubts:
"But after I joined Baroque Works and continued in-depth investigations with my partner, we discovered that the person behind this assassin organization is actually..."
Red: "Shichibukai Crocodile, right?!"
Before Vivi could finish her sentence, Red spoke first, taking control of the conversation.
Immediately, under Vivi's shocked eyes, he slowly continued: "Relying on the privilege of the Shichibukai to be immune from Marine raids, Crocodile built the largest casino in the entire country in Rain Dinners, the city in Alabasta..."
"And because every time there's pirate trouble in Rain Dinners, he comes out to solve it."
"Over time, Crocodile became a hero in Rain Dinners, and his fame has spread to the surrounding cities."
"It's precisely because of this that all his actions in Rain Dinners have been extremely smooth, and he secretly instructed Baroque Works personnel to use banned Dance Powder throughout the kingdom, thereby achieving his goal of dividing the country..."
"Am I right, Princess Vivi?!"
"!!!"
BANG! Vivi stood up suddenly, using so much force that she even knocked over her stool.
Her eyes widened as she looked at Red in horror:
"How do you know this?! How...do you know my identity?!"
Suddenly, Vivi's mind flashed back to Red's knowing look at her yesterday.
Yes!
That was definitely not a look of mockery because she was too weak.
On the contrary, it was more like he knew all her information, but was willing to play along with what she was deliberately concealing... a tacit understanding!
It's just that she didn't seem to understand his intentions.
Vivi had originally thought this would be her big revelation, but it turned into a terrifying moment instead.
Even Smoker had a surprised look on his face now, staring at Red in disbelief.
Although it might be a little inappropriate to say here.
But now he truly felt that the more he tried to understand Red, the more he was drawn into Red's mystery, falling deeper into it.
If this were a romance novel, Smoker would have blushed and realized he was falling in love.
But this wasn't that kind of story, so he only felt fear in his heart now!
Fear of the unknown and mysterious! Just like Vivi was feeling.
"Don't be nervous, Princess Vivi." Red smiled softly.
Sanji, standing nearby, elegantly placed glasses of drinks in front of her and Nami, and said: "Enjoy your drinks."
Then he turned to the men and said: "Yours are on the counter, go get them yourselves!"
"Totally unfair!"
"Prioritizing ladies over friends!"
Luffy and Usopp immediately stuck out their tongues at Sanji, then obediently went to get their drinks.
They also brought back drinks for the others.
Obviously, everyone in the Straw Hats had long become accustomed to Red's occasionally brilliant performances.
With Sanji's help, Vivi sat back down on her chair, closely observing Red and the Straw Hats.
In truth, she had no intention of revealing her identity as a princess from the start.
After all, she didn't completely trust the Straw Hats.
The reason Vivi decided to speak up was entirely because she saw that the Straw Hats were different from other pirates.
They weren't afraid of the Shichibukai, and even vowed to challenge him.
As the saying goes, the enemy of your enemy is your friend.
In addition, Vivi had seen firsthand the power of Smoker's Devil Fruit!
In her understanding, Crocodile = Logia user = invincible!
So she instinctively thought that Smoker must be that strong! If they wanted to challenge Crocodile, with the support of the Kingdom of Alabasta's military, they might be able to solve her country's current problems.
This was Vivi's initial thought.
But before she could act on this idea, Red's knowing revelation instantly penetrated her defenses, leaving her unable to think clearly.
And this was exactly what Red wanted to see.
"Princess Vivi, let's talk..."
Red smiled calmly: "I can tell you the truth. I have at least three solutions to your kingdom's crisis."
"However, the cost of each method is different, and the subsequent support for the Kingdom of Alabasta will also vary."
"And the support we would need from you would naturally be different."
"So it's up to you, Princess Vivi, to decide which plan to choose."
"Of course, the premise is..."
Red paused suddenly, raised his head and gave her a sunny smile, and then continued:
"If you can trust us, Your Highness..."