Chopper and the Approaching Heavenly Tribute!

As Ivan's physique improved, it became increasingly difficult for him to exhaust all his strength in one go. However, after unleashing the Heaven-Opening Sword, he still found himself in a state of exhaustion.

As Ivan landed back on the deck, he stumbled and nearly fell to the ground, but was fortunately caught by Tashigi who had rushed over.

"Ivan, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just a little tired."

Ivan took the cola Nami handed him and gulped it down. He then went to the kitchen to grab some roasted meat. After a hearty meal, Ivan's strength gradually returned to normal.

He had just stepped out of the kitchen and onto the deck when he suddenly froze.

On the distant sea, a duck could be seen Water Walking quickly towards the Orange.

This scene felt familiar to Ivan, as if he had seen it somewhere before. When he saw the blue-haired girl on the duck, memories surfaced in his mind.

The duck is called Karoo, and it is Princess Vivi's mount in Alabasta.

Princess Vivi should have only been a member of Baroque Works for a year, so why is she here?

A moment later, Vivi arrived on the deck of the Orange, her heart pounding with anxiety.

In the past, she and her father had informed the Navy about the actions of Baroque Works, but even some Navy members known for their upright conduct ignored them, which plunged Alabasta into a desperate situation.

It is precisely for this reason that Vivi had no choice but to infiltrate Baroque Works as an undercover agent in an attempt to uncover the true culprit behind the Drought in the Alabasta Kingdom and save her country.

Upon seeing the orange tree, she knew that the ship's owner was none other than the Navy's Supernova, White Dove Ivan.

But she didn't know whether Ivan, like the other naval personnel, would turn a blind eye to the tragic fate of Alabasta.

Vivi didn't have high expectations, because the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

She feared that after being disappointed, she would never be able to muster the courage to save her country.

"Are you... Princess Vivi?" Ivan asked, feigning confusion, as Vivi approached Ivan.

"Hello, I am Nefertari Vivi, princess of the Alabasta Kingdom." After introducing herself, Vivi gritted her teeth and suddenly bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle. "Rear Admiral Ivan, I beg you, please help me save Alabasta!"

After saying those words, Vivi's heart raced as she awaited Ivan's verdict.

To her surprise, Ivan and the others were much nicer than she had expected, a stark contrast to the navy she had encountered before.

They were so enthusiastic that it made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Nami patted her ample chest. "Princess Vivi, don't be anxious, speak slowly. As righteous marines, we will definitely help you!"

Tashigi gripped her long sword tightly and nodded emphatically.

Knowing everything, Ivan declared decisively, "Rest assured, Princess Vivi, justice will burn away all evil!"

Vivi was overjoyed to realize that she had finally encountered a regular navy.

After some explanation, Nami and the others finally learned what had happened in Alabasta.

"That Crocodile is so despicable! He used such underhanded methods. Don't worry, Vivi, Ivan will defeat him!" Nami hugged Vivi and comforted her.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" Vivi cried through her smile.

Next, Vivi will temporarily live with Nami. Once Ivan completes his patrol mission, everyone will take leave to go to Alabasta to defeat Crocodile.

However, before that, Ivan had an important matter to attend to.

One of the Wood Clone finally discovered the trace of the Heavenly Tribute!

Extreme weather often occurs along the Grand Line due to its unique magnetic field.

Some islands are constantly exposed to such extreme weather, resulting in a single season year-round.

Winter Island Drum Kingdom is such an island.

In the sea surrounding the Drum Kingdom, a figure wearing a black cloak and Tanuki mask walks on the undulating waves.

The seawater was surging, but the man walked steadily, as if he were walking on solid ground.

This person was none other than Ivan himself. He used the Flying Thunder God Technique and his Wood Clone to switch locations, while he himself arrived in the Drum Kingdom.

According to the intelligence obtained by the Wood Clone, the warship transporting the Heavenly Tribute will soon dock near the Drum Kingdom for resupply.

He simply needs to wait here.

Upon reaching the shore, Ivan was just about to find a town and wait in an inn for the warships carrying the Heavenly Tribute to arrive when he suddenly caught sight of a fleeting figure by the roadside.

His eyes lit up, and he called out to the blue-nosed reindeer, "Hey you, stop right there! I need to talk to you!"

The blue-nosed reindeer seemed not to hear Ivan's words and continued to climb rapidly up the snow-capped mountain, even increasing its speed.

Left with no other option, Ivan teleported to block the blue-nosed reindeer's path.

Suddenly, a person appeared in front of him, and the blue-nosed reindeer's antlers almost hit Ivan, but Ivan easily blocked the impact with one hand.

He looked at the wary Chopper ahead and smiled gently, "Hello, you must be Dr. Chopper. I've heard you're a very kind person. Could you help this traveler in trouble?"

Upon hearing Ivan's words, Chopper instantly transformed into human form, his limbs writhing. "Hahaha, you damn bastard, even if you praise me as a kind guy, I won't help you!"

"What if I could help you get revenge? You really want to kill Wapol, don't you?"

Upon hearing this, Chopper froze for a moment, his previous shy demeanor vanishing instantly.

It took several steps back, staring intently at Ivan, and assumed an attack stance. "Who are you, and why do you know all this?!"

Ivan took a wanted poster out of his pocket and handed it to Chopper, pointing proudly to the Tanuki mask on his face:

"Haha, you should have heard of me. I am Tanuki, the fastest man on the sea!"

By the way, I'm Tanuki, and you're Tanuki too, so we're related.

"Damn it, I'm not Tanuki, I'm a reindeer!" Chopper instantly bristled.

But when he came to his senses, he stared at Ivan with a look of horror, his body retreating. "You... you're a great pirate with a bounty of 390 million Beli!"

"That's right. What do you think? If you let me stay for a few days, I can help you deal with Wapol when I leave!"

Upon realizing Ivan's identity, Chopper looked conflicted. He looked up, extremely hesitant, and said, "I... I can take you in for a few days, but I need Dr. Kureha's permission."

Chopper was so eager to avenge his father that he was willing to do anything, even knowing that the Tanuki was a huge problem.

Ivan wasn't surprised by the result. He raised his fist and bumped fists with Chopper: "Alright, it's a deal!"

A moment later, Ivan appeared atop the towering snow-capped mountain, standing before a castle that stood there.

Just then, perhaps sensing Chopper's return, an elderly woman, though old, was still full of energy and rushed out of the castle, shouting:

"Chopper, where have you been? You've taken so long!"