Storm Before

"Hey! Vivi!"

It wasn't just the blue-haired princess running over; a boy also came running. Koza hurriedly followed behind the princess, trying to stop her reckless behavior.

They realized something was wrong when Bell told them to go back on their own.

Although they left, they didn't completely leave. Hiding to the side, they saw Bell transform into a giant bird, soar into the sky, and then chase after the direction of their new friends.

Vivi and Koza were a little worried, and then they quickly followed.

Although Bell was flying very high, he could still vaguely see a small black dot, and since the general direction was certain, the two of them actually managed to keep up.

Then Koza regretted it.

Why did he bring Vivi on this adventure?

The opponent that appeared before them was not the one they should be facing!

The little princess ignored Koza's attempts to stop her. She saw that Bell, who had been with her since childhood, was in danger. The already restless princess was now completely unable to calm down.

"Bell!"

She shouted loudly, her slender body brimming with immense courage.

"Hateful!"

Koza gritted his teeth, took a step forward, and overtook Vivi.

As a boy, as the older brother, how could he possibly hide in the back?

The boy and girl walked straight in and stood right in front of Bell.

"Your Highness! Koza!"

Bell jumped to his feet, quickly shielding the two men behind him. He said bitterly, "Why did you come?"

How can you be of any help?

Our opponent is the Sirius Pirates!

"This sounds really interesting!"

Yamato grinned and nudged Sirius in the waist with his elbow. "Sirius, what have you decided to do?"

Sirius, leaning against the ship's railing, chuckled and asked, "Pay-tan, is she your friend? What should we do?"

Page One pursed his lips, glanced at Koza, then at Vivi, and said, "Vivi, and Koza, you've come at a very inopportune time."

Hearing the familiar voice, Vivi's eyes widened in surprise, "It's you!"

She hasn't forgotten the voice of her new friend, with whom she spent most of the day, so quickly.

Koza's expression was somewhat complicated. "Page One, that's your name, right?"

This guy actually meant it when he said he was a pirate.

And they weren't just any ordinary pirates!

He's actually a high-ranking officer on Black Wolf's ship! A veteran who came out of the Beasts Pirates with Black Wolf!

"You can call me that."

Page One Noah nodded. "By the way, the other two are my sister and Bepo."

Bepo raised his hand somewhat awkwardly, too embarrassed to greet him.

Ulti snorted coldly, too lazy to talk to them.

"So, Page One," Koza said seriously, "What are you going to do with us?"

Page One and said, "Now that you've discovered our whereabouts, we can't let you go back like this."

"Oh, so Pay-tan actually has such awareness?" Luo said with a smile as he sat on the gunwale.

"Of course," Jack agreed.

Bell and Koza were both startled. Koza lamented his poor judgment of people; pirates really are pirates. Even though they had a pleasant conversation that afternoon, they didn't hesitate at all when it came to taking action.

Vivi also pursed her lips.

She is different from Yamato. Although she is young and usually very lively and cheerful, she is not slow-witted.

She was also aware of the crisis.

"So, Pay-tan, what are you planning to do?" Sirius asked with great interest.

Page One turned to look at Sirius. "Brother, let's take them with us for now, until we leave this country."

He smiled and said, "After all, Vivi and Koza are both my friends."

Vivi and Koza were both taken aback for a moment, then their faces lit up with surprise.

Sirius smirked. This kid's pretty honest.

So he said, "Okay, it's decided then. Pay-tan, Little Ulti, and Bepo, since they're your friends, you'll take care of them."

"I don't care about them."

Ulti hummed in response.

They're actually quite close to Pay-tan; they're both really annoying guys.

"Kindness."

Page One grinned.

As expected of the eldest brother! Always full of charisma!

"Very good!"

Bepo ran happily to Bell and the others, "Vivi, Koza, you're alright."

Bell was still frowning; he couldn't believe what the pirates were saying.

In particular, these pirates are among the most dangerous pirate groups in the world.

There's no need to be nervous.

A hand patted him on the shoulder.

Bell turned his head in near terror. Page One was already standing beside him, his hand on his shoulder. "It's no use. We mean you no harm."

He heard Page One say that.

Bell sighed dejectedly; he was utterly powerless against this group.

Page One smiled and said to Vivi and the other woman, "Now you know I wasn't lying to you, right? I really am a pirate."

"It's like a dream," Koza said with a wry smile.

Who would believe that they actually befriended Black Wolf's companions by sheer coincidence?

"Don't worry,"

Page One laughed and said, "We're not like ordinary pirates; you'll be fine."

"So,"

Vivi's eyes sparkled. "So, are we going on an adventure with you guys next?"

Page One paused for a moment, then laughed, "Although it's formally a kidnapping, that's definitely what it is."

"Very good!"

Vivi excitedly pumped her little fist, "Pirates! This looks so fun!"

Is it interesting?

Koza smiled wryly; he only felt a headache coming on.

"That,"

Bell cleared his throat. "May I leave a message for His King to let him know I'm safe?"

"Of course not, you've been kidnapped."

And so, the boy, the princess, and the guards temporarily began their journey through the pirate territory.

Then soon, in Alubarna, in the royal palace.

"Disappeared?"

The current King, Cobra, exclaimed in alarm, "Even Bell has disappeared?"

Standing before him was a man with loose, curly hair. The man's face was also filled with panic as he wiped away sweat with a handkerchief, sweat that he couldn't seem to get rid of.

"Mr. Dotto investigated. The last time someone saw them, Her Highness was saying goodbye to several mysterious people in black robes. Among them were two particularly tall men. It seems that Bell chased after them to investigate their origins."

"Did those guys kidnap them?"

Cobra frowned. "Igaram, pass the order: begin a nationwide search."

"Also, notify the Navy. I suspect those people might be pirates."

So, naturally, the news reached the Marine Headquarters and landed on Fleet Admiral Sengoku's desk.

The Nefertari family is no ordinary royal family; eight hundred years ago, they almost became one of the Celestial Dragon.

"The princess of Nefertari has gone missing?"

Sengoku frowned. "Have the navy near Lodestar Island handle this—wait—"

He noticed something strange about the matter.

"The man in black robes?"

"Call Alabasta! Have King Cobra investigate whether similar figures have appeared in other cities! Two exceptionally tall men in black robes, and a man and a woman carrying greatswords and Spiked Club!"

Tall men are not uncommon, and men and women carrying both greatswords and Spiked Club are not uncommon, but the combination of both is quite rare.

It's worth a try.

"Where's Sakazuki? Send Tokikake's guerrillas to meet him! Make sure they're ready!"

Perhaps this time we've really caught them red-handed.