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After hearing this, Vivi raised her head in shock, an incomprehensible look on her face.
She couldn't understand why these pirates were still talking and laughing as if nothing had happened when faced with such shocking news.
However, when she read the description of the Straw Hat Pirates in the newspaper, Vivi instantly understood...
Why Red was so confident they could defeat Crocodile.
With the power of just three people, they had destroyed an entire Marine fleet!
Was this really something humans could do?
Subconsciously, Vivi turned her gaze toward Red again.
He happened to meet her eyes, as he was also looking in her direction.
For a moment, they looked at each other.
After a brief silence, Vivi asked: "So... if we go with the plan you mentioned, what do we have to pay?"
"It's simple!" Red tapped the table and said with a smile:
"We don't know much about the situation in Alabasta. So I hope you can provide our crew with the fastest route to Crocodile's location, which is Rainbase!"
"And solve various logistics like food, shelter, and transportation along the way."
"After we set sail, I also need you to provide us with navigation supplies, including but not limited to Den Den Mushi, Log Poses, ammunition, and other necessities."
"..."
"..."
"Um!?" Vivi was suddenly startled and made a confused sound.
"And then?"
"Then?" Red looked at her with a smile. "What else?"
"No." Vivi was surprised again and asked in confusion: "What you mean is... the supplies provided..."
"Are only for the few of you? Just for this ship?"
"Yes!" Red replied matter-of-factly. "After all, we only have one ship."
"Don't worry, you don't need to worry about Laboon. He can hunt in the deep sea by himself."
"What you need to prepare is just enough for us humans!"
"I..." At this moment, Vivi was stunned.
She had originally thought Red would ask for things like Beri, treasures, or even noble titles or territory.
Unexpectedly, Red's request was only this!
Navigation supplies?
Even if they filled the entire ship, how much could they take away?
Compared to typical negotiations, their actions were simply...
Like charity work!
"Why?" Vivi immediately asked in confusion.
But Red patted Luffy beside him. "There doesn't need to be a complicated reason!"
"If I really want to explain it..."
"The Shichibukai of the Grand Line are powerful rivals on the path to becoming Pirate King! They're also stepping stones for us to become famous!"
"We were already planning to find him anyway!"
"There will be a fight sooner or later..."
"This way we also get supplies that you gratefully provide, which will make our next voyage smoother."
"Why not do it? Right, Luffy?"
"That's right!" Luffy smiled cheerfully and said: "If you want to become the Pirate King, you have to fight against these strong guys!"
"I won't surrender my position as future Pirate King to anyone!"
He couldn't wait to face more powerful opponents!
Of course, in reality, only half of what Red said was accurate.
Not all the Shichibukai were their enemies.
But Crocodile was indeed one they had to defeat.
To put it kindly, it was to save the citizens of Alabasta from disaster.
To be more pragmatic, Nico Robin, whose fate was intertwined with the Straw Hats, was still firmly under the control of the Sand Crocodile!
Although Red hadn't told Luffy about these things, the gears of fate had finally started turning on their own.
And Red wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to test their capabilities!
"You..." Vivi's eyes instantly became moist.
At this moment, she felt genuine kindness from Red and the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Hey, hey, don't get emotional yet."
Seeing this, Red quickly interrupted her.
He wasn't good at comforting crying women—that was Nami and Sanji's specialty.
Besides, he hadn't revealed his real purpose yet!
Red suddenly said: "Why don't you listen to my last plan, Princess Vivi!"
"Please tell me!"
At this moment, Vivi subconsciously used an honorific when addressing Red.
Even though it sounded strange, Red didn't bother to correct her, instead continuing with his thoughts:
"As the saying goes, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime!"
"The current crisis in Alabasta isn't ultimately caused by Shichibukai Crocodile!"
"It's because your royal family lacks strength! You have no high-tier combat power!"
"How could such a vast country be reduced to this state by a single pirate, even if he is a Shichibukai!"
"Even if Crocodile is eliminated today, tomorrow there will be someone else with malicious intentions targeting you!"
"So instead of living in fear and praying you won't be victimized by powerful enemies, you should focus on becoming as strong as possible!"
"So Princess Vivi, would you like to cooperate with me to transform Alabasta into..."
"A country of Pokemon"
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The gentle sea breeze filled the sails, making the Going Merry sail faster.
The Straw Hats had just encountered their first challenge after entering the Grand Line! Its name—The Fury of Nature!
Originally, Vivi and the Straw Hat Pirates were talking in the cabin, but Mr. 9 suddenly shouted from outside, interrupting their conversation.
Red and the others quickly ran out of the cabin.
Immediately they saw that the previously clear, cloudless sky was now filled with enormous hailstones.
A biting chill spread throughout the Going Merry.
After that, storms, tsunamis, and torrential rain descended upon the Straw Hats one after another.
Fortunately, Luffy and the others were already quite strong, and coupled with Red's Surf, they managed to survive without much danger.
In fact, if Laboon hadn't just gone to the deep sea to feed, they could have taken shelter inside him and escaped the harsh weather.
The journey for the next few hours went surprisingly smoothly.
Soon, they successfully arrived at the first island after entering the Grand Line...
Whiskey Peak!
"Hey~! Everyone!! I see land!!!"
Luffy, who had been sprawled at the bow of the Merry, suddenly became energetic and shouted excitedly.
He completely forgot that not long ago, he had been whimpering during the storm before accidentally falling into the sea.
It was only thanks to Red's quick action that he was successfully rescued from the turbulent waters.
All at once, the busy Straw Hats gathered together.
Through the vast sea fog, an island covered with massive cactus-like mountains appeared before everyone.
"Whiskey Peak?"
Nami looked at the Log Pose on her wrist and asked Vivi inquiringly: "As long as we stay here for half a day, the Log Pose will reset, right?"
"Ah, yes!"
Vivi, who was still immersed in the magical experience they'd just had, nodded in astonishment, her expression obviously unnatural.
This was the first time the Straw Hat crew would set foot on an island in the Grand Line. All the members were excitedly looking at the approaching landmass.
Mr. 9, who had been working as a deckhand for some time, quietly approached Vivi and asked in a low voice:
"Hey~ Miss Wednesday, what did you just tell them?"
"Also, why does your appearance look different now?"
"Well, I—"
Vivi was about to explain.
But at that moment, Red's voice suddenly came from ahead:
"Usopp! Deal with that vulture!"
"It has a bomb! We can't let it damage the Merry!"
"What?!"
Usopp's expression suddenly froze.
But the next second, as if by muscle memory, he retrieved his slingshot and ammunition from his bag.
Following Red's direction, he immediately noticed a strange pair of animals flying toward them in the distant sky.
A soaring vulture with a gift box in its beak, and a sea otter in a spotted suit drawing on a sketchpad!
These were agents from Baroque Works...
Mr. 13 and his partner Miss Friday!
Among the members of Baroque Works, they were also known by another name—"The Unlucky Pair!"
They were primarily responsible for eliminating agents or traitors who failed their missions.
Seeing these two members of Baroque Works meant that death wasn't far away!
"Is that them?!"
Usopp, unaware of their identities, murmured softly, but the slingshot in his hand took aim instantly... and fired!
"Taste my power!!!"
Whoosh!!!
A black projectile shot toward the ominous duo in the distance like lightning.
The next second.
BOOM!!!
A terrifying explosion suddenly lit up the sky, and the violent shockwave created waves that rushed toward the Merry.
On the deck, Smoker and Mr. 9 looked at the sky in shock at the explosion powerful enough to destroy a ship, their eyes widening in disbelief.
Through the smoke of the explosion, the Unlucky Pair fell directly into the sea without uttering a single word.
"Hehe~!"
After completing this feat, Usopp rubbed his nose and smiled with satisfaction: "Looks like the formula works perfectly!"
After several days and nights of dedicated research, he had finally developed a gunpowder formula more powerful than his Gunpowder Stars.
Just one pellet the size of a small lead ball could produce an explosion with the same power as a normal Gunpowder Star.
This was truly revolutionary progress!
Since the recipe was inspired by his earlier work, Usopp officially named it: —Tabasco Star!