Exchanging Bounties Again, Taking On a Shichibukai?

The Windrider left Little Garden and headed straight for Alabasta.

During the voyage, Luo Wen passed by a Marine Base. While replenishing supplies, he also turned Mr. 3 Galdino and Miss Goldenweek in for their bounties.

"Mr. Luo Wen, are you here to collect bounties?"

Colonel Rocas, the base commander, warmly stepped forward to greet him.

News of Luo Wen collecting bounties a few days ago had already spread through the Marine branches around Alabasta.

Every base knew that a powerful Bounty Hunter had arrived on the Grand Line.

"That's right. I made a few small gains these past two days."

Luo Wen smiled.

With a wave of his hand, Igaram escorted the listless Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek forward.

"More high-ranking Baroque Works officers!?"

Rocas's pupils constricted.

His heart churned. This was what he called a few small gains?

A few days ago, he had turned in Miss Valentine and Mr. 5. Today, he had brought Miss Goldenweek and Mr. 3. Was he planning to go to war with Crocodile?

Rocas did not dare ask further and quickly brought over the bounty money.

"Miss Goldenweek has a bounty of 27 million Beli, and Mr. 3 has a bounty of 24 million Beli, for a total of 51 million Beli."

Rocas carefully handed over the money.

"Pleasure doing business."

Luo Wen nodded in satisfaction. These two were worth more than the hundred-plus people from before combined.

"Forgive me for asking, but are you planning to go to war with that Shichibukai?"

Rocas looked at Luo Wen cautiously, unable to suppress his curiosity.

"Of course."

Luo Wen answered casually, took the money, and turned to leave.

Hiss!

Rocas sucked in a breath and watched Luo Wen depart.

"Another challenger?"

Rocas muttered to himself.

Crocodile's reputation for brutality was renowned across the seas. Others had tried to defeat him and make a name for themselves, but every one of them had failed.

"I hope you survive."

Rocas shook his head. He did not think highly of Luo Wen.

Even though Luo Wen had defeated four high-ranking Baroque Works officers, Rocas still did not believe he had the strength to defeat Crocodile.

There was an insurmountable gap between a Shichibukai's subordinates and the Shichibukai himself.

In Rocas's eyes, if Luo Wen could survive Crocodile, that alone would be an achievement worth bragging about.

Alabasta, inside the royal palace.

"The helper Princess Vivi hired has turned Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek in for bounties too!"

Bell's face was full of delight as he brought the good news to Cobra.

"Yes. So far, they've taken out four high-ranking officers. Baroque Works has been hurt to the bone."

Gaka was equally pleased.

Luo Wen had taken down four high-ranking officers in just a few days, while they had only dealt with a few minor lackeys so far. It truly made them feel ashamed.

"Good news has kept arriving these past few days. It's truly invigorating!"

Cobra said happily.

As long as they took down another seven or eight high-ranking officers, defeated Crocodile, Alabasta's crisis would be resolved.

Thinking of that, Cobra's expression stiffened. That still seemed somewhat difficult.

Forget it. At this point, they could only take things one step at a time.

"Baroque Works has seemed especially active lately. They may be about to make their move."

Gaka was somewhat worried.

The people of Baroque Works had been restless recently. Luo Wen's actions had likely provoked them.

"They are pressing their attack, so we cannot hold them back. Do everything we can to stabilize the situation and crush Crocodile's conspiracy!"

Cobra declared firmly.

Hope was right before them. They had to withstand the pressure and wait for Luo Wen's arrival.

Alabasta, Rain Dinners, inside Baroque Works headquarters.

"A newcomer from the East Blue captured four of my officers and still dares to provoke me!"

Crocodile's expression was grim as the ashtray he had just replaced shattered once more.

Inside the office, all of Baroque Works' high-ranking officers lowered their heads and waited for Crocodile's anger to subside.

Only after a long while did Crocodile calm down.

"The plan to seize Alabasta has reached its final stage. We absolutely cannot let them disrupt it."

Crocodile's expression was ugly.

He had prepared for five years. Now that it was time to reap the harvest, he could not let it be ruined.

"Other than Miss All Sunday, all officers are to wait at Alabasta's ports."

This time, Crocodile did not intend to take things slowly. He would force Cobra to submit personally.

All the other officers would be used to deal with Luo Wen.

"The moment Luo Wen and his people set foot in Alabasta, eliminate them immediately."

Crocodile's eyes were cold and sinister, his voice low.

"Boss, we will complete the mission."

Mr. 1 took the lead in making the promise, and the other officers echoed him.

"I hope you do as you say. Don't be like those two fools."

Crocodile snorted coldly.

The thought of Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek angered him. They had sounded so confident over the Transponder Snail, only to become prisoners in the blink of an eye. It was infuriating.

"Don't worry, Boss. With so many of us, we can definitely take him down."

Mr. 4 Babe puffed out his large belly, brimming with confidence.

Luo Wen might have had some skill if he could defeat Mr. 3, but with so many high-ranking officers here, they would definitely deal with him.

"Hmph. It had better be."

Crocodile felt somewhat relieved.

Even if they could not defeat Luo Wen, it did not matter.

As long as they held him back long enough for Crocodile to complete his plan.

Once he was free, he would make Luo Wen understand the consequences of offending Sand Crocodile.

Aboard the Windrider, Luo Wen put away the bounty money and lay on his bed.

At that moment, his attention was focused on the system panel in his mind.

[Host: Luo Wen]

[Template: Berserker Class · Heracles]

[Roleplay Progress: 54.5%]

[Beli: 3 million]

[Strength: B+↑]

[Endurance: B+↑]

[Agility: B+↑]

[Magic Power: B+↑]

[Luck: A]

[Noble Phantasm: A+]

[Intrinsic Skills]: Battle Continuation (B), False Clairvoyance (B), Bravery (A+), Divinity (A), Mad Enhancement (B)

[Other Skills]: Swordsmanship B+, Armament Haki C, Observation Haki C, Conqueror's Haki B+

[Noble Phantasms]: Twelve Labors (B), Nine Lives (C-A+)

His battle against Dorry and Brogy had brought Luo Wen tremendous gains.

Just as he had expected, his roleplay progress had increased by 4% after that battle, equivalent to a gain of 400 million Beli.

More importantly, all three types of Luo Wen's Haki had awakened.

His Armament Haki and Observation Haki had started directly at C-rank, the level of New World pirates with bounties over 100 million.

As for his Conqueror's Haki, it had reached a B+ rating.

Luo Wen guessed that once he comprehended Conqueror's Haki Coating, its rating would break through A-rank and reach the level of the Four Emperors.

After fighting the giants, Luo Wen had gained a clear understanding of the values on the system panel.

A-rank and above was the domain of Admirals and the Four Emperors.

B-rank and C-rank encompassed levels ranging from Marine Headquarters officers to Four Emperor vice-captains.

D-rank and E-rank represented the transformation from ordinary people to the extraordinary.

With his current attributes, he was already at the upper limit of a Four Emperor vice-captain.

Luo Wen made plans in his heart.

Next, he would thoroughly deal with Crocodile and collect Alabasta's 300 million Beli commission.