Not Familiar At All

Nefertari Vivi looked at the Marine Colonel before her.

Of course.

Although she felt a bit lost at the moment, Vivi, burdened by the heavy responsibility of her country and family, had not given up.

Because the Alabasta Kingdom still needed her!

How could the princess of the Alabasta Kingdom give up on her country and her people at this time?

Moreover, this mission wasn't without its rewards. She had originally only come to the East Blue to complete her probationary mission assigned by Baroque Works, but she hadn't expected...

The Marine Colonel, who was supposed to be a partner of Baroque Works' mysterious president, had unhesitatingly betrayed his partner and revealed the identity and true intentions of Baroque Works' mysterious president!

It was truly quite dramatic!

Had her hard work infiltrating Baroque Works been completed just like that?

Had she been betrayed by Baroque Works' partner like this?

Even now, she still felt like it wasn't real!

However.

"Although I don't know what your relationship with Crocodile is," Princess Vivi, wrapped in a blanket, bent down and thanked Xia Che with a serious expression, "thank you very much for your help."

As she spoke, she straightened up again. It seemed that after hearing the astonishing secret, much of the chill she felt had dissipated. She took a deep breath and continued in a serious and determined tone.

"Now that I know who the culprit behind the Alabasta Kingdom is, I will not give up no matter what! As the princess of Alabasta, no matter who the culprit is, I will never give up on my country or my people."

Suddenly.

A brave, strong, yet gentle princess appeared before everyone.

It had to be said that compared to some brat who only knew how to hide and sneak around, pinning their hopes on others, Princess Vivi was much braver.

Even knowing that the enemy was someone she couldn't defeat, and without any help, she would bravely face the terrifying enemy.

Even Kuzan, standing by, showed a hint of approval on his face.

However.

He yawned, and a lazy expression returned to his face, "Sable Crocodile, titled the Desert King, once challenged the Emperor of the Sea in the New World – the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. After his defeat, he was invited by the World Government and joined the Shichibukai. His bounty before joining the Shichibukai was 81 million Berries. He is also a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, the Sand-Sand Fruit, capable of freely manipulating sand and turning his body into sand, making him immune to normal attacks."

As he spoke, he stretched and looked at Princess Vivi, whose expression had become a little stiff, with that lazy smile.

"Oh, right, I'm also a Logia-type Devil Fruit user. The blizzard yesterday was accidentally caused by me. I apologize, Princess of the Alabasta Kingdom."

"..."

"Unfortunately, as a law-abiding Admiral, I cannot break the law. Randomly entering the territory of the Shichibukai can cause headaches for the World Government and Marine Headquarters, and make the Shichibukai nervous." Seeing Vivi's stiff and silent expression, Kuzan wore a satisfied smile. "So, do you still plan to stop him yourself now? Truly admirable courage! Also, let me tell you~"

He let out a leisurely whistle.

"Yesterday, someone disregarded his identity and naval laws to stop me for a criminal wanted by the World Government. It was quite troublesome! I still don't know what his purpose was! Was it because that criminal was pretty? Oh dear~ what a degenerate Marine Colonel."

"???"

"!!!"

"..."

Slander, slander!

They were just partners!

Under Nami and Guina's suspicious gazes, Xia Che's mouth twitched, wishing he could stand up and fight this Admiral again.

If he wanted to help Alabasta, did he need to spread rumors about him?

And that nonsense about an Admiral not being able to enter Shichibukai territory without authorization was simply ridiculous. Even if he did, what would the World Government and Marine Headquarters say?

If they caught the person, they'd just force a confession, expose Crocodile's plot, and the World Government and Marine Headquarters would probably commend him!

As for having strength comparable to an Admiral, don't be absurd!

Crocodile would laugh his cigar off if he heard the Admiral praising him like this!

And on the side...

Upon hearing Kuzan's words, Princess Vivi, who had been looking determined, had her expression stiffen again.

The strength in her eyes instantly vanished.

As the princess of Alabasta, she wasn't afraid of sacrifice, but what if the sacrifice couldn't save everyone?

Especially challenging an Emperor of the Sea, and being a Logia-type Devil Fruit user on par with an Admiral...

This didn't seem like something a Baroque Works trainee like herself could handle.

Thinking of the Admiral's words and guessing his intention, Vivi turned her head and looked at the Marine Colonel before her again – Dande Xia Che.

She recalled the scene she saw on the Konomi Islands. Perhaps this Marine Colonel could really help the Alabasta Kingdom?

Taking a deep breath, she bent down. "Please save the Alabasta Kingdom. Whatever you need, the Alabasta Kingdom will surely fulfill it!"

However.

As the words fell, Before Nami, Guina, and a smiling Robin could see Xia Che say anything, his resolve faltering.

"Ring ring~, ring ring~"

A Den Den Mushi call rang out.

It was Xia Che's personal Den Den Mushi.

Without hesitation, Xia Che pulled it out and answered.

Instantly.

The ordinary Den Den Mushi in his hand transformed into a gangster-like Den Den Mushi, complete with a long scar across its face, an earring, and a cigar, speaking in a deep, hearty voice, "Hahaha, little brother Xia Che, it's been a while!"

As he finished speaking.

Vivi looked at the Den Den Mushi in Xia Che's hand, utterly shocked, and murmured to herself, "Crocodile."

With that, she eyed Xia Che with suspicion and wariness.

Didn't this Marine Colonel say he wasn't familiar with him?

This didn't look like someone who wasn't familiar with him!

Besides Robin, who already knew, even Nami and Guina wore expressions of helplessness.

It wasn't helplessness about Xia Che knowing Crocodile, but rather, with an Admiral present, was it really okay to act like this right in front of him?

Didn't they see that the Admiral's eyes had narrowed?

At this moment.

The entire hall fell silent.

Under so many gazes, Xia Che, covering the Den Den Mushi, gave a nervous laugh to everyone and quietly said, "Not familiar, not familiar, really not very familiar!" before

He picked up the Den Den Mushi again, a warm smile on his face, "Brother Crocodile, it's really been a long time!"

"..."

This really didn't look like someone who wasn't familiar with him!