That enormous Black Blade, shaped like a cross, exuded a suffocatingly terrifying aura.
The sheer sharpness emanating from the blade alone made the surrounding air feel icy cold.
Vivi's gaze fell on Black Blade Yoru, her pupils instantly contracted sharply, and she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
"This... this knife..." Vivi covered her mouth tightly with both hands, screaming in utter horror.
"This is the sword of the World's Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk! Twelve Supreme Grade Blades Black Blade Yoru!"
Igaram gasped, a chill running down his spine.
Dracule Mihawk is a top-tier fighter who, along with Crocodile, is one of the Shichibukai, and is widely recognized as having the highest combat power!
Hawk Eyes valued this knife more than his own life; he would live as long as the knife was with him.
Now this peerless Black Blade is in the hands of this mysterious man, being wielded casually as an ordinary weapon!
Vivi and Igaram knew all too well what this meant.
" Hawk Eyes has lost."
Uchiha Xin, holding the Black Blade Yoru in one hand, spoke with absolute arrogance.
"I could crush that mere Crocodile hiding in the desert with a flick of my wrist."
Upon seeing this Supreme Grade Sword with her own eyes, Vivi's doubts were instantly and completely shattered.
She finally believed that the man before her possessed terrifying strength that could rival or even kill Crocodile!
This is Alabasta's only lifeline!
Vivi suppressed her shock, her breathing becoming rapid. She stepped forward and asked anxiously.
"What... what kind of compensation do you want?"
Alabasta's treasury is empty, but if you can save my country...
I am willing to give you all the wealth and treasures of the entire nation!
In Vivi's view, such an unparalleled expert who took the initiative to propose a deal must be greedy for enormous wealth.
However, Uchiha Xin scoffed.
"Money?"
His face was full of disdain, and his tone was extremely domineering.
"That kind of scrap metal is worthless in my eyes. What I truly want in return is you."
Upon hearing this, the entire backyard fell into a deathly silence.
Vivi stood there dumbfounded, her mind blank, completely unprepared for the other party to make such a request.
Igaram, standing to the side, completely exploded.
Igaram, standing to the side, completely lost it, cursing the shameless madman and telling him not to even think about touching Princess Vivi.
Igaram flew into a rage, his eyes turning bloodshot, and roared like a mad lion.
As the captain of the kingdom's guard, he would rather risk his old life than allow anyone to insult the princess he had sworn to serve to the death!
He roared, "Die!"
Without hesitation, Igaram raised his Zaku, aimed it at Uchiha Xin's head, and pulled the trigger.
Faced with this fierce attack, Uchiha Xin didn't even lift a finger.
He merely turned his head slightly, giving Igaram a cold glance.
boom!
A terrifying, supreme pressure that transcends all things in the world erupted suddenly in Uchiha Xin's gaze!
A muffled thud.
Igaram didn't even have time to fire the bullet from the chamber.
It felt like being hit hard by an invisible mountain weighing tens of millions of tons.
With a sickening cracking sound, Igaram's massive body was pinned to the ground.
The hard stone floor instantly cracked, revealing large, spiderweb-like fissures.
Igaram let out a painful scream, gushing mouthfuls of blood.
Igaram let out a painful scream, gushing mouthfuls of blood.
He struggled desperately to get up and protect the princess, only to be horrified to discover that he couldn't move even his little finger!
There was no Haki, no Devil Fruit power fluctuations. Just a single glance was enough to completely crush him into a dead dog!
Igaram was filled with shock, finally realizing the immense gap in strength between them.
" Igaram!"
Vivi was so frightened that her face turned pale, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
She collapsed to Igaram's side, her heart breaking at the sight of the captain of the guard's pitiful state.
"Please! Let him go! He was only trying to protect me!"
Vivi turned to look at Uchiha Xin and pleaded loudly, her voice filled with helplessness and fear.
Seeing this, Uchiha Xin withdrew his oppressive aura.
He tucked the Black Blade Yoru into his waistband, put his hands back into his pockets, and sighed casually.
"Since you're unwilling, then forget it."
Uchiha Xin spoke in a calm tone, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.
"This deal is optional. Without my intervention, you can face that Shichibukai on your own. Good luck to your country."
After saying that, Uchiha Xin turned around and started walking, pretending to leave the backyard.
Watching Uchiha Xin's departing figure, Vivi fell into an unprecedented despair and struggle.
She was all too aware of Alabasta's current predicament.
The Rebel Army is about to attack the capital, and millions of citizens are suffering terribly.
With her and Igaram's combined strength, it's a pipe dream to think they can defeat Crocodile.
This man before them is their only chance to turn things around! If they miss this opportunity, Alabasta is doomed!
Fearing she would miss her only chance to turn the tide, Vivi suddenly stood up and shouted loudly for the other person to wait a moment.
Fearing she would miss her only chance to turn the tide, Vivi suddenly stood up and loudly stopped Uchiha Xin.
She bit her lip hard until it bled, finally making up her mind.
Vivi shouted that she agreed to the deal, her eyes revealing a resolute determination as if she were facing death.
Uchiha Xin stopped and turned around, looking at her quietly.
Vivi took a deep breath and, trying to remain calm, set the conditions.
"However, I will only fulfill my promise after Crocodile is completely resolved and the disaster in Alabasta is quelled!"
If you fail, or cannot save my country, this deal is void immediately!
She used her own fate as a last resort, solely to save the nation.
Faced with this condition, Uchiha Xin did not hesitate at all.
Uchiha Xin praised him, saying "That's straightforward."
Uchiha Xin strode forward, extended his right hand, and grasped Vivi's delicate, fair hand.
Vivi froze, her body trembling slightly uncontrollably, but she forced herself not to back down.
The next second, Uchiha Xin released his grip.
Vivi looked down, and her pupils dilated instantly.
In her palm, a special pattern emitting a faint purple-gold light inexplicably appeared.
The pattern was like a brand, deeply etched on her skin, and could not be wiped off no matter how hard she tried.
Vivi felt a pang of fear and asked in a trembling voice what it was.
Looking at her terrified expression, Uchiha Xin gave a mocking, cold laugh.
"This is a devil's contract."