Marine Headquarters Enraged

"Luo Wen, what do we do?"

Vivi looked lost. The stream of bad news had left her at a complete loss.

Her father Cobra's safety, the misunderstanding between the people and the Royal Army, and the instigated Rebel Army.

Every piece of news was like a heavy hammer, pounding painfully against her heart.

"We head for the royal capital as soon as possible."

"Since Crocodile made his plans ahead of time, that will be the final battlefield."

After a brief moment of thought, Luo Wen gave his answer.

According to what those mid-level agents had said, Crocodile had already flown into a rage and intended to seize the country by force.

Even Mr. 2 Bon Clay had been sent out. It seemed Crocodile had already abandoned his plan to impersonate Cobra.

That meant Crocodile's next moves would inevitably be even more brutal and crazed.

"That's right. As long as we take down Crocodile, everything will get better."

Resolve returned to Vivi's eyes.

She made up her mind. She had to stop Crocodile. She absolutely could not let this country fall into Crocodile's hands.

Even if it cost her life, Vivi would not hesitate.

Before long, they woke the newspaper owner who had been knocked unconscious by Conqueror's Haki.

They handed the Baroque Works intelligence to the newspaper office and had them expose Crocodile's conspiracy.

They then went to the Marine base in the city, handed the Baroque Works personnel over to the Marines for detention, and collected the 130 million Beli bounty along the way.

After dealing with those matters, the group headed for Alubarna, the royal capital of Alabasta.

At the Marine branch, Colonel Deka watched Luo Wen and the others leave, his expression extremely grave.

"That burst of Conqueror's Haki just now must have been released by him. It's unbelievable!"

Colonel Deka spoke in astonishment.

He had only ever heard of Conqueror's Haki.

Those born with the disposition of a king were all top-tier powerhouses of the seas.

"A Bounty Hunter from the East Blue actually awakened such a talent!"

Colonel Deka was utterly perplexed.

From what he knew, such a talent was rare even in the New World.

For it to appear at the front end of the Grand Line was far too extraordinary.

A squad of soldiers came over, using Seastone handcuffs to completely restrain several high-ranking officers, and approached Deka.

"Sir, do you think Crocodile's conspiracy is real?"

The soldiers still had some doubts. The matter was simply too huge and bizarre.

Crocodile was a government-sanctioned pirate who had always appeared as a hero in Alabasta.

Even though they knew Baroque Works belonged to Crocodile, they had only assumed he wanted to gain greater prestige.

They never could have imagined that Crocodile was behind Alabasta's drought and was even plotting to seize the country.

"Didn't those Baroque Works people already explain it clearly?"

"Every detail is coherent and well-supported, with plenty of facts to back it up."

Colonel Deka's expression darkened.

If the evidence had not been conclusive, he would not have wanted to believe it either.

One of the Shichibukai established by the World Government wanted to usurp a World Government member nation. The nature of it was far too vile.

"Thankfully, Luo Wen and the others uncovered the conspiracy."

Colonel Deka felt immensely relieved.

Fortunately, Luo Wen had intervened. Otherwise, they would still have been kept in the dark.

If Crocodile's plan had continued in secret, everyone in the royal family would have died unjustly, and who knew how many civilians in the country would have perished as well.

Every one of them Marines would have been unable to escape responsibility.

"But can Luo Wen really defeat Crocodile on his own?"

Deka had no confidence in it. He worriedly looked toward the royal capital.

Deka knew Luo Wen possessed Conqueror's Haki and had effortlessly defeated a whole group of high-ranking officers. Taking on a hundred or even a thousand people like himself would be as easy as playing around for Luo Wen.

But the enemy Luo Wen had to face was not comparable to those officers.

That was one of the Shichibukai, Sand Crocodile Crocodile, wielder of the terrifying Sand-Sand Fruit.

He possessed a Logia power on the same level as the three Admirals. Not only could he negate damage, but he also wielded the terrifying power to alter the environment.

Just thinking about it filled Colonel Deka with despair.

Other than powerhouses like the three Admirals, he did not know who could deal with Crocodile.

Deka took a deep breath and buried his worries deep inside.

He had to let the people know the truth and request reinforcements from Marine Headquarters.

"Notify every Marine branch in the surrounding area. Have them prepare to calm the civilians."

Deka could already imagine how intense the public reaction would be once the people learned of this.

Soon afterward, he contacted Marine Headquarters through a Transponder Snail and reported the matter.

Marine Headquarters, the Fleet Admiral's office.

The moment the news arrived, every senior Marine officer at Headquarters immediately convened an emergency meeting.

"How dare he! How dare he!"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku abandoned his usual good temper and slammed the table in fury.

A Shichibukai recruited by the World Government actually wanted to seize a World Government member nation.

The nature of this matter was far too vile, and the consequences were far too severe!

Would the other hundred and seventy-plus member nations be satisfied?

They would inevitably question the authority of the World Government and raise a huge uproar. The entire world would be thrown into turmoil!

"I said long ago that the Shichibukai were a mistake!"

"This system should have been abolished!"

Akainu said loudly, his face dark.

Aokiji did not refute him for once. This incident was truly too serious.

"Ahem. All right, let's discuss how to handle this first."

Tsuru, the Marine Chief of Staff, interrupted Akainu.

The Shichibukai system was a decision made by the World Government. It was not something they could interfere with.

"The most urgent matter now is to quickly reinforce Alabasta and capture Crocodile!"

"Borsalino, head there at top speed. You must resolve this incident as quickly as possible!"

Sengoku looked toward the languid Kizaru and spoke in a deep voice.

Kizaru drooped his eyelids and reluctantly stood up.

"Isn't young Luo Wen there? He should be able to handle Crocodile, right?"

Kizaru spoke lazily. He truly did not want to move around unnecessarily.

"What nonsense are you talking about? How could he possibly be Crocodile's opponent? Get going!"

Sengoku frowned and spoke to Kizaru.

Of course he knew Luo Wen. Sengoku himself had approved that Hunter License.

Sengoku acknowledged Luo Wen's potential, but he did not believe Luo Wen could defeat Crocodile at this point.

If Luo Wen had another two years and learned Haki, Sengoku believed Crocodile would not be Luo Wen's match.

But Luo Wen was still only a newcomer. Facing Crocodile now was far too soon.

"So scary!"

"One of the Shichibukai, Crocodile, is just too terrifying!"

After hearing Sengoku's words, Kizaru reluctantly left the meeting room, transformed into a streak of light, and flew toward Alabasta.

Watching Kizaru leave, Sengoku let out a breath of relief.

Kizaru might have looked lazy, but Sengoku could still rest assured when it came to getting things done.

"Then let's continue discussing this incident..."

Sengoku opened a new topic.

The situation this time was far too serious. Simply capturing Crocodile would not be enough to put it to rest.