Vivi paused for a moment.
The tense body relaxed.
Her cheeks flushed, and she quietly avoided Uchiha Xin's gaze.
Crocodile's face darkened.
" Uchiha Xin, you'd better think this through."
"Refusing to cooperate will not only bring you no benefits, but will also subject you to relentless pursuit by the Marine Headquarters!"
"Hahaha!"
Uchiha Xin suddenly laughed.
Laughter drifted into the cage.
Crocodile frowned.
"Why are you laughing?"
Uchiha Xin raised his hand, looking at Crocodile in the cell.
"You've planned this well."
"Unfortunately, your intelligence is too slow."
Do you think I'm still afraid of the Navy targeting me?
Crocodile's heart tightened.
Uchiha Xin continued:
"Just a few days ago, the Marine Headquarters dispatched Admiral Candidate Chaton, along with Vice Admiral Mole and Yamakaji, to the East Blue with a fleet to capture me."
"As it turns out, the Chaton and the Mole are dead."
"The entire fleet was sunk by my single strike."
Crocodile's composure vanished completely.
" Chaton is dead?"
"That's impossible!"
"He's a reserve Admiral!"
The civilians outside the cage felt a chill run down their spines.
Killing Shichibukai is terrifying enough.
The man before me had actually killed both a candidate Admiral and Headquarters Vice Admiral.
Although Vivi had already witnessed Uchiha Xin's power, hearing this feat firsthand still made her clench her hands tightly.
Crocodile's reliance on the naval threat was a joke from the start.
Uchiha Xin dared to destroy a fleet sent by the Marine Headquarters head-on, so how could he possibly back down because of a few words from him?
"So, threatening me with the navy is just a waste of time."
Uchiha Xin looked at Crocodile.
"You're used to scheming against others, used to treating everyone as pawns."
But you forgot one thing.
"No matter how many schemes or how deep the calculations, they are all powerless in the face of absolute strength."
Crocodile's pupils constricted.
Only now did he truly understand who he had offended.
His opponent was not only stronger than him.
They didn't even care about the Shichibukai, the Admiral, or the entire Marine Headquarters.
All his bargaining chips were worthless in front of Uchiha Xin.
"Etc!"
Crocodile stepped forward and gripped the cage with both hands.
"The terms we just discussed are still open to negotiation!"
"I know information about Ancient Weapon!"
"I can still help you--"
Uchiha Xin has lost his patience.
He raised his right hand.
The sky suddenly brightened.
A bolt of lightning struck from the sky, piercing through the dark cage.
"No!"
Crocodile only managed to utter one word.
boom!
The lightning completely engulfed him.
Flesh, bones, clothing, and the Golden Hook were all annihilated in the Thunderbolt, leaving no trace.
[Ding! Detected that the host has successfully killed Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!]
[Successfully acquired the Logia Sand-Sand Fruit ability!]
[Please select whether to embed the absorption spell?]
An hour later, inside the royal palace hall.
Cobra sat on the throne, gazing at the continuous curtain of rain outside the palace, remaining silent for a long time.
Rainwater dripped down the eaves.
In the square in front of the palace, thousands of soldiers laid down their weapons, knelt in the rain, and wept loudly.
The severe drought that lasted for three years has finally come to an end.
The war between the royal army and the Rebel Army was also forcibly ended by Uchiha Xin.
There were no negotiations.
There was no attempt to persuade them.
Uchiha Xin simply stood high in the sky, letting everyone witness Crocodile's crimes, and then suppressed both sides with absolute power.
Of the hundreds of thousands of troops, not a single one dared to continue the attack.
The Kingdom's guard captain Chaka, stood to one side of the hall, his clothes still damp.
Pell stood beside him, glancing out of the hall every now and then.
Even now, the two still can't believe it.
It really started raining.
Pell said in a low voice.
It's raining all over Alabasta.
Chaka's throat is dry.
"That sir only raised his hand once."
" The Drought that had plagued the kingdom for three years has finally come to an end."
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously fell silent.
Such power is beyond their comprehension.
In the center of the main hall.
Uchiha Xin sat in the chair prepared for him, his hands resting on the armrests.
Cobra rose from the throne and walked step by step to him.
The Alabasta king did not put on any airs of royalty.
He lowered his head and bowed deeply to Uchiha Xin.
" Uchiha Xin."
"Thank you for killing Crocodile and exposing Baroque Works ' conspiracy."
"If it weren't for your intervention, the royal army and the Rebel Army would have fought a decisive battle at Alubarna."
"At that time, who knows how many citizens will die."
Cobra lowered his body even further.
"You saved Alabasta."
" The Nefertari Royal Family, and all the citizens of this country, will forever remember your kindness."
Chaka and Pell bowed in response.
The royal guards on both sides also knelt on one knee.
Uchiha Xin leaned back in his chair, not getting up.
No need to thank me.
"I have a deal with Vivi."
"I have defeated Crocodile and ended the Drought in Alabasta."
"She paid me what I wanted."
Upon hearing this, Cobra's expression of gratitude froze.
He slowly raised his head.
"Trade?"
What was Vivi's reward?
Uchiha Xin looked at him.
"Herself."
The hall fell silent instantly.
Chaka suddenly looked up.
Pell's breathing also paused for a moment.
The guards on both sides kept their heads down, not daring to utter a word.
Cobra's expression changed.
He finally understood why his daughter was able to invite a powerful figure like Uchiha Xin.
Alabasta's treasury had already been largely depleted due to three years of severe drought.
Even if the royal family offered all their wealth, they might not be able to persuade someone who could easily kill Shichibukai.
Vivi could offer was herself.
"Your Mightiness."
Cobra took a step forward.
" Vivi is still young."
"In her desperation to save the country, she may have made an impulsive decision."
"I am her father."
"I can pay for this deal."
Uchiha Xin remained silent.
Cobra continued:
"You can take the wealth of the palace, the treasures held by the royal family, and even the minerals that can be mined in Alabasta."
"If that's not enough, I can grant you three requests in the name of royalty."
"As long as it doesn't harm the people, I'm willing to fulfill my duties."
Cobra bowed again as he finished speaking.
"Please cancel your transaction with Vivi."
"She is the princess of Alabasta, but she is also my daughter."
"I cannot trade her lifelong happiness for the stability of the kingdom."
Chaka gritted his teeth and spoke up as well.
" Uchiha Lord Xin is right."
"If you need wealth, the entire kingdom will do its utmost to raise it."
Please give Princess Vivi a chance to choose again.
Pell didn't say anything, but took a step forward and stood next to Chaka.