Shichibukai Invitation

"Tell me, what exactly do you want?"

Rody looked over the furnishings in the room and found it to be nothing more than an ordinary guest room. He heard the door close behind him but paid it no mind.

Rody did not believe Vivi had any means of threatening him. If she truly did possess something that could threaten him, he would actually be rather pleased—it would mean that some unexpected person or thing had appeared.

After waiting for a while without receiving a response, Rody frowned. "What do you want? Speak. I'm not interested in wasting time with you here."

Suddenly, he heard the sound of clothes falling behind him. Vivi's scorching body embraced him from behind as she trembled and said, "M-Mr. Rody, I want to ask you to protect Alabasta."

Feeling her burning body against his back, the desire that had not yet fully faded after Nami began to stir again. Still, Rody was somewhat puzzled. "Why choose me?"

"Because you're strong. I've never seen anyone as powerful as you, Mr. Rody."

"Oh, is that so?"

"But I don't understand. Is this really worth it, for some so-called country and its people?"

"Of course it is. I'm the princess of Alabasta. It is my responsibility to bring peace and happiness to my country's people."

"Even if you say so, I still can't understand it. But I agree." With that, Rody turned around and, amid Vivi's cry of surprise, swept her up by the waist and carried her toward the large bed.

Suddenly lifted into Rody's arms, Vivi's heart began racing and her body grew hot. Shyly curling into his embrace, she nervously asked, "R-Rody... can I just call you Rody?"

"You can."

Red Line, Holy Land, Mary Geoise

Inside a luxurious office, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense and one of the Five Elders—the World Government's highest rulers—spoke first. "According to intelligence sent by CP agents, the Desert Crocodile, Crocodile, was defeated and killed by a newcomer who had only just entered the Grand Line: Slayer Rody."

"As for how to handle the vacant Seven Warlords of the Sea position and Slayer, let everyone state their opinions."

"Hmph. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and a Logia Devil Fruit user at that, he was actually defeated and killed by a newcomer who had just entered the Grand Line. What trash." Before the office window, a gaunt old man holding a sword spoke disdainfully. He was also one of the Five Elders: Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance.

"Indeed. Who would have thought Crocodile would be defeated and killed by a newcomer who had only just entered the Grand Line? Over twenty years ago, we were the first to invite him to become a Warlord because his strength was decent. Who would have expected him to ultimately lose to a newcomer? It seems he has fallen into decline over these past twenty-odd years."

"Only twenty-odd years..." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the golden-haired Warrior God of Agriculture seated on a luxurious sofa, remarked with a sigh.

"Selecting someone new to become a Warlord will be troublesome. Have the Marines and CP agents compile a list and submit it first," said Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment and one of the Five Elders.

"Select someone? I don't think that's necessary. Why not simply invite Slayer, the one who killed Crocodile, to become the new Warlord?"

"Since he was able to kill Crocodile, that proves he has the strength required to serve as a Warlord," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, agreed.

"Yes. Since he was able to kill Crocodile, Slayer Rody certainly has the strength to serve as a Warlord. And judging by the personality described in the intelligence, as well as what he did in East Blue, he is indeed well suited for the position," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture, said with a nod.

"However, do not forget that Slayer's origins are a problem. Based on the intelligence sent by CP, we can only confirm that he first appeared in East Blue. CP has been unable to uncover either his birthplace or any information from before he appeared in East Blue."

"Furthermore, our initial investigation suggested that Slayer's Devil Fruit ability was something like releasing slashes. But during his battle with Crocodile in Alabasta, he displayed a fire ability powerful enough to rival the Flame-Flame Fruit. That is also a problem. We do not know which of those abilities is his innate talent or racial ability," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, said.

"It does not matter what Slayer's Devil Fruit ability is. Whether it is some unusual Paramecia or Mythical Zoan, as long as it is not that Devil Fruit, there is no need to care."

Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro did not care which of Rody's displayed abilities were innate talents or special racial abilities, and which was his Devil Fruit ability. So long as it was not the Nika Fruit, even if he became Pirate King, he would still be incapable of posing a genuine threat to the rule of the Celestial Dragons. All Five Elders firmly believed this.

"Very well. In that case, let us first send this Slayer Rody an invitation to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea," said Saint Topman Warcury, the final member of the Five Elders and the Warrior God of Justice.

"Now, let us discuss the message sent by the Marines..."

The following day, morning

Vivi opened her eyes with a tired expression. This fatigue was not physical, but mental. She snuggled closer into the arms of Rody, who was leaning against the headboard in thought, and smiled softly. "Rody, why are you awake so early?"

Rody opened his eyes and looked at Vivi, who was smiling so easily in his arms, somewhat confused. "As I recall, ever since we met, you've always been somewhat afraid of me. What, did you fall for me after just one night's sleep? You're not afraid anymore?"

"I don't know whether this is love or not."

"Rody, perhaps you don't know this, but as the princess of Alabasta, although I lost my mother when I was young, I had a father who loved me, as well as Igaram and Pell, who cared for me like family. Under their care, I could say that I grew up without worries. And under my father's rule, the country was flourishing as well."

"But Crocodile's arrival changed everything. The country descended into chaos. Igaram and Pell were often nowhere to be found, and Father was troubled all day long. Even when he smiled at me, I could sense the bitterness behind it."

"Later, I secretly joined Baroque Works behind Father's back, hoping to uncover the mastermind behind the country's unrest. I just never expected Igaram to follow me there."

"Before you arrived at Whiskey Peak, I had already realized that Crocodile was the mastermind behind the country's unrest. But I did not dare tell Father at all, because I knew how powerful Crocodile was. Afraid that they would die because of it, I pretended I had not found any clues and continued investigating."

"Originally, I had no idea how long I would have to keep pretending to investigate. But your arrival, Rody, gave me hope!"