Invitation

Chapter 30: Invitation

Meanwhile.

Here on the Konomi Islands.

"Emergency broadcast! Emergency broadcast! Marine Branch 16's Emergency Management Office reminds you: Due to an unknown cold current, the temperature on our island will drop sharply tonight. The lowest temperature may reach 0℃. At the same time, due to the sudden drop in temperature of the offshore surface, water vapor will easily condense, forming thick fog and affecting navigation. The disaster risk is high. Please reduce outdoor activities and prepare for cold and frost protection."

"Emergency broadcast..."

The sudden warning from the Den Den Mushi shattered the peaceful night on the Konomi Islands?

Those who were awake were woken up and started spreading the word, telling everyone to take precautions. Meanwhile, vendors and merchants who had planned to stay up all night also packed up early. With the sudden temperature drop, they could only go home early to rest.

Upon receiving the news, the security team was immediately dispatched, going out to inspect and remind civilians who had not yet received the notice.

Although the Konomi Islands had never encountered a terrible cold current in so many years, and many villagers didn't even know that cold currents could occur here, the fact that Marine Branch 16 had suddenly issued a warning meant that this cold current must be truly severe. Therefore, everyone took it very seriously.

Obeying orders was also a rule that all civilians on this island should abide by!

The civilians of the entire island began to take action, collectively resisting the impending cold current.

And at this moment.

Somewhere in Cocoyasi Village, Konomi Islands.

A young girl with a high blue ponytail tied at the back of her head, wearing a strange ring-patterned tight-fitting top, white shorts, and white platform high-top boots that accentuated her long, fair legs, and with heavy smoky eye makeup, was curiously watching the townsfolk who had suddenly become busy.

She patted the giant duck wearing a hat that followed her side, and the girl's face showed a confused expression, "Cold current warning? Run, Duck, will there be a very terrible cold current in this sea area of the East Blue?"

Why didn't she know?

This sea area was clearly very warm!

But when the girl asked, the duck called Run, Duck looked at her with equal confusion, letting out a quack, "Quack~"

"You don't know either! Oh well, no matter how terrible the cold current is, can it be as terrible as the cold currents in the Grand Line?"

Hearing her duck's answer, the girl no longer paid attention. Although she was very curious about how this town in the East Blue could be so prosperous, as an intern member of Baroque Works, she had not forgotten the mission she came for.

To find the Marine Colonel who had cooperated with the mysterious president and inform him of the news of this cooperation.

As long as she completed this mission, she would receive her own codename and become a formal member of Baroque Works. At that time, she would be one step closer to her own goal.

It was just that the girl curiously glanced at Cocoyasi Village in front of her, "Is it really a Marine Colonel from Marine Branch 16? Could it be him?"

A Marine Colonel who might be related to the mysterious president of Baroque Works, who might have orchestrated the civil unrest in the Kingdom of Alabasta, could actually manage such a town?

And would notify a group of civilians when a cold current might occur?

Just as the girl was wondering if she had found the wrong person.

Suddenly.

The girl's body trembled uncontrollably, and then she let out an involuntary sneeze, "Achoo!"

She began to shiver and rub herself, looking dumbfounded at the street that had suddenly gone from bustling to deserted, "It really has gotten colder!"

No, there really is a terrible cold current here?

How is this different from the intelligence she investigated?

Of course~

Now is not the time to think about this. Seeing the girl hugging herself and shivering as it started to snow and get colder, she said, "It looks like we need to find a place to stay first, Run, Duck!"

"Quack~"

"What? You don't have any money either? Me? I don't have any money either! Don't you remember, I ran away from the palace without taking any money. At Baroque Works, I'm still just an intern, how could I possibly have money? What should we do now?" The girl despaired as she hugged her duck, "Could my first mission end with me freezing to death in a place like this?"

"Quack~" Facing her owner's despair, Run, Duck's duck face also showed despair.

It was just a duck, how could it possibly bring money out!

Just as the person and the duck despaired and hugged each other, not knowing what to do next.

On the other side.

Marine Branch 16.

"Xia Che~"

After finishing her own business, Nami and Guina, who had also arrived, looked up in unison, their faces filled with worry as they watched the scene before them.

"What is that monster?" Nami's eyes showed an unpleasant expression, and she said worriedly, "It can freeze the sea? Change the airflow?"

After speaking.

"Admiral." A solemn voice came from beside her, but it also hid worry, "That's a Devil Fruit, the ability of the Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit!"

"Devil Fruit, the legendary sea treasure worth one hundred million?" Hearing Robin's words, Nami's worried face froze for a moment, but then she reacted, "That's not right! Now is not the time to care about this. Why are more Marines coming? And an Admiral? Didn't we already cooperate with the Marine Hero?"

"I... I'm sorry~"

Seeing Robin suddenly apologize, Nami and Guina seemed to guess something in their hearts, understanding that this Admiral might have been provoked by Robin.

But as partners...

At this time, how could they blame Robin?

"It's okay, that guy is really strong. He even defeated the fearsome Arlong Pirates!" Nami patted Robin's back, a smile on her face. "Since that guy didn't run away, it means he's confident he can defeat the enemy, just like I was back then. So, everything will absolutely be fine."

"That's right, Senior Brother is very strong! Even the old man said Senior Brother might become the strongest swordsman on the sea in the future," Guina also nodded, looking seriously at the two fighting, and said, "We have to believe in Senior Brother Xia Che."

"I..."

"If it really doesn't work out, the three of us can just go become pirates with that guy. With my skills, the Marines will never catch us." Although a little scared, seeing Robin's worried expression, Nami still smiled and raised her fist.

Then she glared at Robin, making claw hands and flailing wildly, saying, "And you! After this is over, you absolutely have to explain everything to us. I heard from Xia Che that you were planning to quietly resign without even saying a word."

"I... Okay! I will definitely apologize properly!"

Facing Nami and Guina's comfort, Robin's worried expression seemed to lessen. After nodding, she looked up again, tears welling in her eyes as she gazed at that figure.

That figure who stood up for her, the Devil Child, against an Admiral for the first time. Unconsciously, the corners of her mouth curved slightly, tears falling from her eyes, but with a determined gaze, she shouted loudly at that figure, "My dear BOSS, I don't want to resign yet!"

Just as the three of them watched that figure with concern.

Xia Che, who also heard Robin's words, had a faint smile on his lips.

It's like this now.

Robin even shouted it out. We probably don't need to fight anymore.

And it's really cold!

However.

When he looked up, thinking that his father-in-law... the guardian's test was almost over.

He only saw Kuzan looking at him meaningfully. "If you can't win, you'll go become a pirate?"

"..."

Xia Che looked speechlessly at Kuzan, but still said righteously, "I... I didn't! I'm not! That girl is talking nonsense. How about after this, I personally punish her? A heavy punishment!"

Then, with a suggestive and tempting tone, he added, "Or how about you just pretend you didn't see anything? Later, I'll take you to Red Romance, and I'll pay for everything."

As he finished speaking.

Facing Xia Che's bribe, Kuzan remained unmoved, his face even darkening slightly. This guy still hadn't given up on bribing him?

Did he really look like a Marine who was so easily bought?

His eyes narrowed directly, and he stopped paying attention to Xia Che's nonsensical ramblings.

"Ice—Two-Spiked Lances!"

As he spoke, in the blink of an eye... the ice flowers permeating the air converged into a single mass. Dozens of ferocious and sharp ice spears were frozen into shape beside him and shot towards Xia Che.

At this moment.

The chill... seemed to become even more biting, as if it truly intended to freeze the person before him!

"Show me your true strength! Let me see if you truly have the power to protect this sinner, Dande Xia Che!"