Sudden Encounter

After seeing off that Marine Admiral who loved to stir up trouble, the next step was to arrange the upcoming work for the Konomi Islands and Marine Branch 16 before setting sail.

Of course~

There wasn't much to arrange, actually.

The Konomi Islands had always been managed by Nojiko, and everything was on track. They just needed to continue following the development plan he had set.

Even if he were gone for a few days, nothing would happen.

As for the new civilians… there was even less to worry about. After so many times, he believed Cocoyasi Village could handle it on its own.

As for Marine Branch 16… he had increased the training tasks for the Marines, making them stay above and train diligently. For everything else, Udo could handle it.

As the chief steward of Marine Branch 16, Udo was responsible for all matters within the branch when he and Robin were away.

While he didn't have any special talents, Udo was quite reliable when it came to defending their territory.

On the contrary, the pirates they had just captured not too long ago needed to be kept a close eye on. They couldn't afford to get complacent and cause a riot.

Nami would be accompanying them this time.

It would be more convenient to bring Nami along when going out to make money.

As for Guina… she had come to the Marine Branch to hone her swordsmanship and broaden her horizons, so she would also be coming along to see the world.

Robin, as usual, would be with him.

Xia Che was already accustomed to this.

So, setting Nami aside, all the capable individuals in Marine Branch 16 had gone with them. It could be said that at this moment, the defense strength within Branch 16 was indeed very weak.

Therefore, worried about any unexpected incidents, he had also brought Kuro along.

Although that guy had been quite well-behaved recently, Xia Che didn't believe that, given such a great opportunity, this pirate would truly remain indifferent.

It was safer to keep him by his side.

After all, Captain Kuro was quite capable. If he tried to escape secretly, the Branch 16 would probably not even notice.

Of course~

All in all… Marine Branch 16 was just too short on talent!

After arranging everything, Xia Che and the others boarded the Fearless Battleship Saber, captured from Krieg's pirate ship, and set sail for Reverse Mountain.

There were three routes to enter the Grand Line from the four seas. The first, and safest, was through the elevators built by the World Government on the Red Line.

This was also the way Marines, nobles, and ordinary people traveled to the main currents of the four seas. It was safe and convenient, but the fees were quite high.

Of course, if it were the Marines, headquarters could reimburse them.

But…

They weren't taking this route this time.

Seriously, they were currently on the Moke Pirates' ship. Taking the elevators would be like walking into a trap!

The second route was to enter and exit the Calm Belt. However, there was neither wind nor sea currents there, and the entire sea surface was absolutely calm. Without a propulsion wheel, sailing ships that entered here would lose power and be stranded, unable to move.

At the same time, it was home to a large number of super-giant Sea Kings. Ordinary people would not even be able to escape if they encountered them.

Although he had the ability to pass through the Calm Belt with his strength, it was too tiring, so he decided against it.

If they were sailing a Marine warship, they could take the first two routes.

The third route, which was also the main route for pirates, was to enter through Reverse Mountain on the Red Line.

However, this path was extremely dangerous. Not only were the currents swift, but there were also constant storms. Without an excellent navigator and a sturdy pirate ship, it was easy to fall off the cliff and die before reaching the summit.

Of course~

They had both an excellent navigator and a sturdy ship!

Taking Reverse Mountain was very suitable!

As for other methods like passing under the sea through coatings or flying over from the sky, they couldn't achieve those yet.

Lying on a beach chair, resting his head on his hands, Xia Che sighed leisurely, "Technology, we really need our own technology!"

Then, he reached out his right hand and took the freshly squeezed orange juice from Robin, who was beside him.

He had to admit, it was indeed spacious for such a large sailing ship with three decks!

Comfortable!

"We're approaching Loguetown. Should we stop here?"

"No need." Hearing Nami's call, Xia Che waved his hand. "Let's not disturb Smoker for now. We'll go quietly, and visit him on our way back."

"..."

That guy probably wouldn't want to see you again!

Nami looked at Xia Che, who was leisurely enjoying his afternoon tea, a strange glint flashing in her eyes. But since he had said so, she followed his wishes and did not head towards Loguetown, instead directly setting course for Reverse Mountain.

Then, as if noticing something, she looked up at Vivi, who had been tense and a bit lost, and sighed with a touch of pity. "Don't worry. Since Xia Che has decided to make a move, it means he's confident! Just like me back then… you have to trust Xia Che."

"I know~, and I'm very grateful for his help." Hearing Nami's words, Vivi also came back to her senses. Seemingly comforted by Nami, her inner tension lessened a bit. She looked up, her eyes curiously gazing at the relaxed Xia Che lying there and the burly Moke standing beside him. After hesitating for a moment, she finally asked, "Moke Pirates..."

"Don't worry, Moke might seem a bit slow, but he's not a bad pirate!"

"A fallen Marine..."

"While that guy is certainly out there in some ways, he doesn't deserve to be called a fallen Marine."

"That greedy, lustful..."

"No, no, he wouldn't! He shouldn't... he shouldn't, right~" Nami chuckled, her gaze shifting slightly as she spoke. But then her eyes drifted again, as if recalling something, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Actually, we all became partners by chance because we were grateful to him. It was all just a misunderstanding."

"Grateful?" Princess Vivi looked at Nami with curiosity, especially at her eyes, which held a hint of sadness before quickly turning to a smile. This made her even more intrigued.

On the Konomi Islands, she had learned a bit and understood that he was a Colonel respected by everyone on the Konomi Islands.

Especially this morning, although it was indeed a bit misleading, she also knew that the Moke Pirates weren't trying to capture everyone as pirates.

Hesitating for a moment, she looked at Nami. "Can you tell me about yourself?"

"Why do you want to know? Never mind, I'm quite bored right now." At Princess Vivi's plea, Nami thought for a moment, pouted, and said, "There's nothing I can't say anyway."

Looking at Princess Vivi, her eyes once again fell into memory. "Do you know the Konomi Islands? Actually, back then, the Konomi Islands weren't as prosperous as they are now, nor did they have as many people."

Guina found her goal again because of that guy, Robin found her belonging because of him, and she... she was also saved by that guy.

Time passed little by little.

As Nami narrated, Princess Vivi became immersed in this peculiar story.

A Marine saved an island, and in the end, he led a group of impoverished people, who struggled even to eat, to a life of prosperity step by step, all the way to the present.

An unbelievable yet admirable fallen Marine.

Princess Vivi stared blankly at Xia Che lying on the deck. Under Nami's narration, her anxious heart calmed down. It was as if her confused mind had found a pillar of support, and the heavy responsibility on her shoulders had lessened considerably, making her feel much more relaxed.

However.

Nami, who was recounting the story, saw Princess Vivi's expression and her eyelids twitched. A bad feeling suddenly arose in her heart. "Hey, hey, hey, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, I, I was just thinking about how to repay you!"

"Really?" Nami looked at Princess Vivi suspiciously, but still waved her hand. "Forget it, we're asking for payment this time. Remember to give us one billion Belly!"

"I, I know." Looking at Nami's suspicious gaze, Princess Vivi, who hadn't been thinking much but was grateful to Xia Che in her heart, couldn't help but recall the deal she had made at that time.

Suddenly, she felt a heat spread through her body, and even her head felt dizzy.

What was happening to her?

She quickly said in a panic, "Once Alabasta has the money, I will definitely pay! And I will repay you properly!"

"As long as you pay, that's enough. No need for repayment." Nami's eyelids twitched. She looked at Princess Vivi suspiciously, her gaze falling on her face, and then asked with confusion, "Why is your face so red?"

"I, I, I just suddenly feel a bit hot! D-don't worry!"

"You look like you're about to fall over!"

"It's just a bit... hot, maybe I'm too excited!"

"You don't look excited like this!" Nami looked at Princess Vivi, who was about to fall, in confusion. She quickly supported her, and as if she had thought of something, she reached out and touched her forehead.

Indeed.

"You're sick! You're so hot! No, we need to find a doctor now. We can't just enter the Grand Line like this. Should we go back to the East Blue? But we've already passed Reverse Mountain! What should we do now?"

"I, I'm fine! Don't worry." Princess Vivi seemed to feel Nami's nervousness. "Please, don't go back. Please go to Alabasta. Everyone, everyone... is still waiting for me!"

"What are you saying now? Don't move around." Nami anxiously supported Princess Vivi, then turned her head and shouted loudly at Xia Che, who was leisurely lying outside, "Xia Che, Princess Vivi has a fever!"

As soon as she finished speaking.

Before Princess Vivi could say anything, Xia Che, who was lying on the beach chair, raised his head in confusion.

Who has a fever?

Just as he was about to say something.

Suddenly.

At this very moment.

"Boss, there's a pirate ship ahead!" Moke suddenly shouted. "It's so fast!"

Just as Moke finished speaking, and as Xia Che turned his head to look at Nami in confusion.

Indeed.

At this moment.

"Bang!"

A ship, as if boosted by nitrous oxide, violently crashed towards them.

And on the ship's railing stood a huge figure.

He carried a wooden box on his back, as if it were a precious treasure. He wore a slightly cute bear-eared hat and frameless glasses. He frowned as he looked at them, "East Blue Overlord? Moke Pirates?"