Crocodile was stunned, and so was everyone else.
"That... is it the cannonball you were talking about?" Luffy asked blankly.
"Probably... maybe?" Crocodile replied uncertainly.
Vivi and the others wore strange expressions. Just moments ago they were worried sick, and now, without even having time to drink some water, the crisis was over?
Isn't this a bit hasty?
Regardless, at least the crisis is over now. Vivi exclaimed happily, "Although I don't know who did it, thank you so much!"
In stark contrast to Vivi's expression, Crocodile's face was grim, his eyes blazing with rage as he shouted, "Who did it? Who did this?"
"It's me!"
A faint male voice came from behind.
"That voice is..." Upon hearing the voice, Luffy and his two companions showed excitement and quickly turned around to look. They saw Xia Chen and Mr. 2 slowly walking towards them.
" Xia Chen!!!"
o(╥╥)o!
Luffy stretched out and rushed over to hug Xia Chen, his face streaming with snot and tears.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't hug me so tight, you're getting your snot on me..."
After a while, Xia Chen finally managed to pull Luffy off him.
At the same time, Zoro and Sanji also came over. Looking at Xia Chen with delight, they asked, "Didn't that crocodile bastard say you were captured by Aokiji? How did you escape?"
"Who said I escaped?" Xia Chen said with a faint smile.
"Huh?" Upon hearing this, the group couldn't help but show expressions of confusion.
Xia Chen didn't keep them in suspense and explained directly, "What I'm doing now is just an Clone. My real body is still on Aokiji's ship, and it's been a few days since we left Alabasta!"
"What?!!"
The group was greatly alarmed.
"So you still didn't escape?" Sanji said with a grim expression.
That's not quite right!
"Have I ever told you... that my main body and my Clone can switch positions at any time?" Xia Chen said, a smile appearing on his lips.
"You mean..." Zoro seemed to have realized something, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"That's right, I can switch the positions of my Clone and my main body right now. I haven't done it before because Aokiji's ship hasn't gone far. If I switch and he notices and comes back, it'll be troublesome!"
"We're still struggling against Aokiji, and his return will inevitably impact our plans to save Alabasta!"
"But now that's no longer a concern. In that case, I'll switch back now. It feels weird to keep wandering around here with my Clone."
After saying that, Xia Chen closed his eyes.
Meanwhile, somewhere along the Grand Line, a Marine warship is sailing.
"Hey, Uncle Aokiji, can you cool this up for me?"
Xia Chen walked up to Aokiji with a drink in hand and said something to Aokiji.
Upon hearing this, a dark line flashed across Aokiji's face. He hesitated, then said nothing, obediently releasing his cold energy to chill Xia Chen's drink.
Xia Chen picked up the cup and took a big gulp, making a satisfying sound. After finishing, Xia Chen lay back in the chair and said comfortably:
" Aokiji, I must say, the Navy's conditions are really good. It's making me want to switch jobs!"
Hearing Xia Chen's words, Aokiji's eyes lit up, and he said, "If you have this idea, I can help you speak to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. You might not even have to be sentenced!"
During this time, Aokiji also learned about Xia Chen and discovered that he had never killed a civilian.
The high bounty was set because the scene of his fight with Hawk-Eyes was captured on camera.
Moreover, during their time together, Aokiji had grown quite fond of this young man and had long harbored the idea of recruiting Xia Chen. Now that Xia Chen had taken the initiative to bring it up, he couldn't be more eager to have Xia Chen join them!
That's why he's been giving Xia Chen a lot of preferential treatment lately, which is completely unlike the attitude one would expect towards a pirate.
Not only did he live and eat well, but occasionally even the Marine Admiral himself would personally chill his drinks for him.
If you remove the Seastone Handcuffs on Xia Chen's hands, Xia Chen's life is almost the same as his, or even more comfortable.
"Hahaha... Uncle Aokiji, I was just saying that, just kidding!"
"I don't want to be a dog of the Celestial Dragons; just looking at them makes me sick!"
"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Aokiji's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Xia Chen, asking, "Do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course! Uncle Aokiji, don't you think those Celestial Dragons are disgusting?"
Aokiji did not answer. Although he also had no good feelings towards those Celestial Dragons, the affairs of the World Government were not something he could discuss.
During the time it took Aokiji to Admiral, he gradually understood why his predecessor Garp had always refused to be promoted to Admiral.
Because once you become Admiral, many things are no longer within your control. Although you have more power, you do have relatively less freedom.
Thinking of this, Aokiji glanced at Xia Chen with a hint of regret. When Xia Chen said those words in public, it was already clear that he could no longer join the Navy.
The World Government would not allow someone like Xia Chen to enter their subordinate agencies.
"Sigh, another promising talent gone!" Aokiji sighed inwardly.
At this moment, after finishing his drink, Xia Chen looked at Aokiji and said, "Uncle Aokiji, thank you for taking care of me all this time!"
"If we weren't on opposing sides, I feel we could have been good friends!"
"Huh?" Xia Chen's sudden words startled Aokiji, but before he could react, Xia Chen continued:
"Next time we meet, Uncle Aokiji, let's practice again. I feel like I won't lose next time!"
After saying that, Xia Chen smiled slightly and stood up.
"What do you mean by this?" Aokiji also stood up, staring intently at Xia Chen.
Xia Chen didn't answer, but instead said directly, "Goodbye, Uncle Aokiji!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Aokiji saw Xia Chen flicker for a moment, then his aura changed, and then he disappeared from the spot.
Only the sound of the Seastone Handcuffs hitting the ground remained.
Aokiji:!!!
Returning to the palace, Xia Chen, after a brief flash, looked at Luffy and his Luffy, and said with a smile, "Alright, I'm back!"