Report

The moment Princess Vivi saw the Marine Colonel from the 16th Branch, tears of excitement welled up in her eyes.

Did they know what she had gone through yesterday?

She had only been ashore for a short while before encountering a terrible cold current.

Before she or Quick Run Duck could react, the cold current descended. The previously warm temperature plummeted instantly, and it started snowing heavily.

When she wanted to find an inn to rest, she realized that in her excitement to go on this mission, she hadn't brought any money, having rushed to the East Blue in such a hurry.

Finally, under the suddenly changed cold climate, she was so frozen that she could only hold Quick Run Duck tightly.

As she walked, she searched for any kind place that would take them in, or a corner where they could temporarily shelter from the cold.

But she never expected this…

The people on this island were extremely wary. After hearing she wasn't a local from the Konomi Islands, they immediately locked their doors and refused to open them for her.

Even the luxurious hotel she finally found, Red Romance, wouldn't open its doors.

They even said that at this time, the Konomi Islands didn't accept outsiders, especially not someone like her who had just arrived and hadn't yet gone to the security department to get the… Konomi Islands Entry Permit.

She heard that in emergencies, one absolutely needed the Konomi Islands Entry Permit.

Normally, it wasn't required, but if you intended to stay long-term, it was.

However.

Right now, she and Quick Run Duck didn't have one, and they didn't even know where to get it!

In the end, she could only find a wall corner that could block the wind and rest there with Quick Run Duck.

As a result, the entire night… it snowed heavily all night.

She and Quick Run Duck were both stiff, and just as she was about to see her mother…

Daylight broke!

Then, a rather lazy-looking fellow arrived at Red Romance and discovered them.

Upon hearing they were looking for the Marine Colonel from the 16th Branch, the fellow's eyes narrowed instantly. He stated that he knew the Colonel from the 16th Branch very well and could take them there.

And then.

This is how things turned out.

Quick Run Duck was arranged to rest, and under the guidance of that fellow, she came here.

It's just that the Marine Colonel from the 16th Branch was a bit lazy. It was almost noon before he finally got up, and he even came out of his room with a beautiful woman.

What a degenerate Marine Colonel!

Princess Vivi looked at Colonel Xia Che before her and understood that this guy was the degenerate East Blue Colonel rumored within Baroque Works to have met with the President and to be collaborating with him.

Remembering her mission and her plan, she didn't dare to delay. She quickly bowed and saluted, "Colonel Xia Che, I am an intern from Baroque Works. I have been sent by the President to seek your assistance!"

As she finished speaking.

Before the President's partner on the other side could say anything, the guy who brought her here… Kuzan, who had somehow already sprawled lazily on the sofa, let out a whistle and said in a languid tone, "Baroque Works! I think I've heard of it, a very famous secret criminal organization in the Grand Line."

"..."

Hearing the meaningful gaze and the lazy voice, Xiashe let out a helpless sigh. Before Vivi could say anything else, he directly turned to Kuzan and said sternly, "I want to report! The Shichibukai—Crocodile has violated the Shichibukai management regulations set by the World Government and has privately attacked the affiliated nation, the Alabasta Kingdom!"

He did have cooperation with Baroque Works, but that was merely for purchasing Seastone in the New World's black market a few years ago, which he had entrusted to Baroque Works.

As for Crocodile… he wasn't familiar with him!

He had only met him a few years ago when he passed through Alabasta to sightsee while looking for business in the Grand Line. After seeing his strength and his Marine identity, Crocodile wanted to cooperate with him, but he, a righteous Marine, had sternly refused.

Speaking of which, Baroque Works had also helped him collect a lot of Seastone over the years, but he had only taken the goods and never paid. Crocodile, in order to win him over, hadn't said much and had let him buy on credit.

He had originally planned to default on the debt after Crocodile's downfall and then make a huge profit.

But now… why had this guy shown up?

Could it be that he was here to collect the debt?

So, after thinking about it, Xiashe could only wrap things up now!

Although he felt that with his standing in Crocodile's eyes, he should still be able to get more credit, he could only regretfully give up now.

"According to intelligence obtained by Marine Branch 16, the mysterious President of Baroque Works is the hero of the Alabasta Kingdom, the Shichibukai—Crocodile. However, this guy has betrayed the World Government's trust and is lurking within the Alabasta Kingdom, intending to incite internal strife in the Alabasta Kingdom to achieve his goal of usurping the Alabasta Kingdom!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

"..."

The entire room fell into silence.

Kuzan, who had been ready to watch Xiashe's show, suddenly had a dark expression. He didn't believe this guy's nonsense at all.

No connection with Baroque Works?

Don't be ridiculous!

This guy had harbored pirates and had also screwed over a bunch of East Blue pirates. It was estimated that the East Blue pirates wouldn't recover for several years.

So, it wasn't strange at all to have cooperation with a criminal organization from the Grand Line.

But he never expected... this guy would sell out his partner without hesitation?!

Kuzan's heart began to doubt if this guy was reliable at all, and whether it was the right decision to hand Nico Robin over to him.

Meanwhile, Vivi, standing nearby...

"!!!"

Was completely stunned.

What was going on?

The mysterious president's partner had directly betrayed them?

Wait, no!

The mysterious president was the hero of the Alabasta Kingdom—Crocodile?!

And his goal was to usurp the Alabasta Kingdom?

Princess Vivi suddenly realized that her objective for infiltrating Baroque Works had been achieved, and she had even obtained deeper intelligence. It was just that this intelligence had come too suddenly, so suddenly that she was a bit overwhelmed.

And what about the Shichibukai... what would happen to Alabasta?

She blinked her eyes, looking dumbfoundedly at the Baroque Works partner in front of her, her mouth open, unsure of what to say.

At this moment.

As if sensing Vivi's confusion, Colonel Xia Che smiled calmly and gave the brave, strong, and responsible princess a composed smile.

Then.

Colonel Xia Che, with a righteous expression, pointed at Kuzan, who was still lying on the sofa, "This is an Admiral from Marine Headquarters, an Admiral who hates evil and loves justice, and is always willing to help. Crocodile and I aren't really close. Of course, if you need any help, you can find him!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

As expected.

Upon hearing Colonel Xia Che's words, Princess Vivi's eyes widened. Then, upon hearing the words "Marine Admiral," her face immediately lit up with excitement.

As a princess of a great nation on the Grand Line, she naturally understood the significance of a Marine Admiral.

She never expected to be so fortunate as to meet a Marine Admiral here?!

After thanking Colonel Xia Che, she turned to look at the bewildered Kuzan and said, "Admiral, please, you must save Alabasta!"

"???"

Wait, weren't you looking for this guy?

Why are you looking for me?

And isn't this girl an intern at Baroque Works?

Why does she need to save Alabasta?

Kuzan rubbed his head, a headache forming. He had a feeling this was going to be a troublesome matter. He was supposed to be here to laugh at this kid!

As he opened his mouth to say something.

"This is the Princess of the Alabasta Kingdom, and also the sole heir to the Alabasta Kingdom!" Colonel Xia Che said, looking at Kuzan with schadenfreude. Seeing the surprised and curious eyes around him, especially Princess Vivi's incredulous gaze, he quickly coughed and said vaguely, "I have special sources of information."

Saying that, he also sat down on the soft sofa, picked up the steaming hot red tea that Robin had poured for him, and leisurely began to drink his tea. He looked at Kuzan and said with a smile, "Admiral Kuzan, I believe you wouldn't want to see a World Government member nation usurped by a pirate, would you?"

Still want to cause trouble for him?

Dream on!

Hurry back to the Grand Line!

Kuzan: ...

However.

At this moment.

He had already finished listening to Princess Vivi's account and understood the situation in the Alabasta Kingdom.

As he had expected, it was a troublesome matter!

Perhaps he shouldn't have gone to Red Romance to rest, but should have returned directly to Marine Headquarters.

Looking at Princess Vivi's expectant eyes, Kuzan rubbed his forehead with a headache, then resumed his lazy demeanor, slumping back onto the sofa. He whistled and said leisurely, "I'm sorry, Princess, according to the Shichibukai management regulations, Marines cannot enter the territory of the Shichibukai without orders, unless you have evidence. However, from what you've said, you don't have any evidence. Therefore, I sympathize with your situation, but I cannot help you."

Although as a Marine Admiral, entering the territory of the Shichibukai without authorization was fine, he already had a better plan.

Looking at Princess Vivi, who had once again become dejected and desperate, Kuzan nudged Colonel Xia Che beside him. "Perhaps you can ask our Colonel Xia Che, who has nothing to do with the Shichibukai—Crocodile, for help. Given how beautiful you are, he will definitely be very excited."

As soon as he finished speaking.

"..."

What beautiful?

Is he that kind of person?

Colonel Xia Che looked speechlessly at Kuzan, who was bickering with him. Seeing Vivi's expectant eyes again, he also sighed helplessly, "As a righteous Marine, I am very happy to help, but I am also a Marine. The Shichibukai's authority also applies to me, and I am also the base commander of Branch 16. According to the requirements for base commanders, I cannot enforce the law across regions without an order from Marine Headquarters, and I would be crossing into..."

However.

Before she could finish speaking.

Just as Princess Vivi was about to be disappointed again, Kuzan's lazy voice rang out once more.

He whistled and said leisurely, "It's fine, he doesn't understand the law! Violating Marine Headquarters laws is also a common occurrence."

"..."

This guy... he's doing this on purpose!