Vivi's Commission

"It wasn't anything serious. I just wanted to fight him."

Luo Wen had not been lying.

His main purpose in coming to the Grand Line was to earn more Beli and fight strong opponents.

Crocodile was his first target, an experience pack for learning Haki.

Crocodile's Haki might have been weak, too weak to show off, but as someone from the New World, he definitely knew at least a little.

Is that so?

Vivi bit down on her lower lip. She should have known.

No strong person would make an enemy for no reason. If she wanted Luo Wen to liberate Alabasta, she had to pay a price.

"Then, would you accept a commission?"

Vivi looked at Luo Wen, hope shining in her eyes.

Vivi had learned of Luo Wen's terrifying strength from pirates who came from the East Blue, and she had collected every newspaper about him.

She knew that Luo Wen had killed the strongest pirate in the East Blue with a single sword strike. She knew that the Marines had recruited him with the rank of colonel. He was a legendary figure who had risen out of nowhere.

Against the equally legendary Crocodile, perhaps only Luo Wen had a chance of winning.

"Of course. I'm a Bounty Hunter."

"As long as the reward is appropriate and it doesn't go against my wishes, I'll accept."

Luo Wen said it without hesitation.

That had always been how he saw himself. As long as the money was there, he did not mind taking on certain commissions.

Previously, he had only hunted pirates because no one could afford to pay enough.

As long as the price is high enough?

Vivi hesitated for a moment.

She thought of her suffering country and the possibility that this might be their only chance.

At last, Vivi made up her mind.

"Then let me introduce myself properly. My name is Vivi, princess of the Alabasta Kingdom."

Vivi untied her hair ribbon, letting her long blue hair fall over her shoulders as she revealed the bearing of a princess.

"Eh!?"

Nami and Tashigi cried out in surprise.

From a ridiculous Baroque Works agent to a resolute kingdom princess, it had taken only an instant.

But why had Princess Vivi infiltrated Baroque Works?

Nami and Tashigi's little heads were filled with enormous questions.

"Ah!?"

Mr. 9's already muddled brain became even more confused. His partner, Miss Wednesday, was actually a princess.

"Alabasta has not had rain for nearly a year."

"Because of the prolonged lack of water, rebellion has broken out across our country."

"After investigating, I discovered that Baroque Works was the one stirring up public sentiment behind the scenes."

"I infiltrated them to investigate, only to discover that the mastermind was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Sand Crocodile, Crocodile!"

Vivi gritted her teeth. She hated Crocodile to the bone.

As she spoke, Vivi recalled her bitter experiences and could not help bursting into tears.

Nami and Tashigi listened with anger rising in their hearts.

They had both endured miserable childhoods, and they deeply understood Vivi's pain.

Especially Nami.

She too had been oppressed by pirates, and she too had endured humiliation while infiltrating a pirate crew.

Their similar experiences made her feel even more connected to Vivi.

Mr. 9, meanwhile, broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed like he was the only bad guy on this ship. It seemed like he was finished.

"Sir Luo Wen, in the name of the Alabasta royal family, I wish to commission you."

"We want to offer 300 million Beli in exchange for you dealing with Crocodile and protecting Alabasta."

Vivi looked solemn as she made her commission to Luo Wen.

After speaking, Vivi watched Luo Wen nervously.

Under Crocodile's rule, Alabasta's finances had plummeted. This was already all the kingdom's funds.

"If it's only to drive him out, I can accept the commission."

"But you need to understand that I can't stay in Alabasta forever."

After thinking it over briefly, Luo Wen decided to accept the commission.

For Luo Wen, this was an acceptable price.

He had planned to fight Crocodile anyway. Now that he had taken the commission, he would hit him harder, until this Seven Warlord never dared return to Alabasta.

For the Alabasta represented by Vivi, it was also absolutely fair.

After becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile's bounty had stopped at 81 million Beli, but his strength was definitely at the level of 400 million Beli.

Including the Baroque Works under his command, driving them out was indeed worth 300 million Beli. It was a fair price.

As for having Luo Wen provide protection for Alabasta, that was a different price altogether.

"Alright. As long as Crocodile is driven out, that will be enough."

Vivi hesitated briefly, then agreed outright.

Of course, she understood that driving Crocodile away would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Once one pirate left, there would still be an endless stream of pirates.

Only by gaining the protection of a powerful person could Alabasta remain stable in the long run.

Just like the fish-men: without Whitebeard's protection and the deterrence of Knight of the Sea Jinbe, they would have been nothing more than slaves.

But Crocodile's threat was already imminent. Vivi could only drive him away first and make plans afterward.

"Very well. Then I accept this commission."

Luo Wen agreed readily.

Luo Wen was very satisfied with Vivi's conduct.

"This is fantastic! We just entered the Grand Line, and we've already taken on a massive commission worth 300 million Beli. We're practically swimming in money!"

Nami was extremely excited. The little money-grubber had been completely swept away.

"Right, how much bounty can we get for that Crocodile?"

Nami had not only set her sights on Vivi's reward; she also wanted Crocodile's bounty.

"After becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he can no longer be exchanged for money. But his previous bounty was 81 million Beli."

Tashigi earnestly answered Nami's question.

She was happy too. This trip should allow her to recover quite a few famous blades.

As for the risks involved, her naturally optimistic nature kept her from taking them seriously.

"How much? 81 million Beli!?"

Nami was stunned.

She had only heard of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. No one had ever said their bounties were this high.

It was four times Arlong's bounty. She could not even imagine how strong he was.

"Luo Wen, maybe we should forget about it."

"This kind of great pirate is just too dangerous!"

Nami looked at Luo Wen pitifully.

Even though she knew Luo Wen was very strong, she still did not want him to take such a risk.

Hearing that, Vivi looked nervously at Luo Wen. He could not give up now.

Tashigi was somewhat baffled. Why was Nami so fickle? It was too strange.

"Don't worry. Crocodile is nothing more than a minor threat. He's no match for me."

Luo Wen rubbed Nami's head, messing up her orange hair.

He was destined to trample the world beneath his feet. Sand Crocodile was merely a stepping stone.

Feeling the warmth of Luo Wen's hand, Nami gradually calmed down.

Just as Luo Wen trusted her navigational skills, she should trust Luo Wen's strength.

That's right, Luo Wen could kill an Arlong with every strike. He was the strongest!

"Luo Wen swept through the East Blue all by himself. A mere Seven Warlord is definitely no match for him!"

Nami kept reassuring herself, and at last, she was full of confidence in Luo Wen.

At last, all three of them had accepted Vivi's presence.

Vivi smiled from the bottom of her heart. Perhaps they really could defeat Crocodile.

The ship immediately became filled with cheerful harmony, with only one person completely out of place.

Mr. 9, aching all over: Help! I'm the only outsider now. What do I do!?

He had heard so many secrets. Could he really survive?