Chapter 71: Reiju Uncovers Princess Vivi's True Identity!New2 days ago
Crocus was still too far away from the attackers.
Although he had reacted immediately, there was simply no way he could reach them in time!
All he could do was watch helplessly as the two attackers fired their rocket launchers!
"Hahaha!"
"That whale meat is ours!"
"We've got enough food to last us six whole months!"
The attackers burst into delighted laughter.
However, their laughter abruptly stopped!
Before their horrified eyes, a crescent-shaped sword slash suddenly swept through the air!
WHOOSH!
The sword energy struck the incoming rockets and sliced them cleanly in half!
BOOOOM!
The severed rockets exploded in midair!
Seeing this, Crocus finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The two attackers, however, were so shocked that their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!
"Hey, you two."
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice sounded from behind them.
"Don't you think what you're doing is a little inappropriate?"
Crocus looked toward the attackers' boat.
When he saw that Luo Qi had already reached the vessel and intervened, he stopped running.
Meanwhile, the members of the Explorer's crew also turned their attention toward the scene.
"Uh... Mr. 9..."
The female attacker nervously glanced toward her companion.
"Don't tell me we've attracted the attention of the guy who just sliced those rockets apart!"
"I-I think that's exactly what happened, Miss Wednesday!"
The man swallowed nervously.
"I think we'd better not make any sudden movements."
The two exchanged frightened glances.
Then, they quickly lowered their rocket launchers and slowly turned around.
...
Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday?
So it really is these two.
Hearing their conversation, Luo Qi immediately recognized their identities.
They were agents of Baroque Works!
An organization that operated primarily within the first half of the Grand Line.
Its members frequently targeted pirates to collect their bounties.
In that respect, they could even be considered Luo Qi's colleagues.
However, the two weren't simply ordinary bounty hunters.
They were members of Baroque Works!
And there was something particularly interesting about Miss Wednesday.
Her true identity was none other than Nefertari Vivi, princess of the desert kingdom of Alabasta!
She had infiltrated Baroque Works as a spy to investigate the organization.
Princess Vivi...
Luo Qi's thoughts immediately began racing.
If I can get her to invite me to deal with Sir Crocodile...
Perhaps I can collect evidence of Crocodile's crimes without too much difficulty.
And if I obtain enough evidence, even if I kill Crocodile, who is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Marines shouldn't have much reason to complain.
Thinking of this possibility, Luo Qi began carefully examining the blue-haired woman standing before him.
Naturally, Crocodile was an extremely formidable opponent.
As a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, his abilities were unquestionably powerful!
However, Luo Qi didn't believe defeating him was impossible.
Although Crocodile was strong, he was also extraordinarily arrogant!
He tended to look down on people who hadn't established a reputation for themselves.
At present, Luo Qi wasn't particularly famous.
Even if he encountered Crocodile, Luo Qi was confident that the Warlord wouldn't use his full strength from the beginning.
Just as he hadn't taken Luffy seriously during their initial encounters in the original story!
Furthermore, Luo Qi possessed Armament Haki.
And, more importantly, he knew about Crocodile's weakness to water!
If he launched a surprise attack under the right circumstances, there was a possibility he could defeat Crocodile relatively easily.
And afterward...
The Sand-Sand Fruit!
Whether he gave it to one of his companions or submitted it to the Forbidden Zone in exchange for Points, either option would be worthwhile.
If he submitted the fruit, Dragon Kingdom might even receive the power of the Sand-Sand Fruit as a reward!
The more Luo Qi considered the possibilities, the more interested he became.
A peculiar glimmer appeared in his eyes as he stared at Vivi.
"Y-You..."
Vivi instinctively took a step backward.
"What are you planning to do?!"
"Why are you looking at me like that?!"
Luo Qi's undisguised attention had made her extremely uncomfortable.
Misunderstanding the meaning behind his gaze, Vivi immediately assumed he was harboring inappropriate intentions toward her!
She wrapped both arms protectively around herself and hurriedly stepped back.
Unfortunately...
She failed to notice something important.
There was nothing behind her except the ocean!
"Ahhh!"
SPLASH!
Vivi stepped backward into empty air and fell straight into the sea!
And because she had instinctively grabbed her companion, Mr. 9 was dragged into the water alongside her!
"..."
Seeing this, Luo Qi couldn't help shaking his head.
The next instant—
WHOOSH!
His figure blurred!
He rushed forward, grabbed Vivi with one hand and Mr. 9 with the other, and leaped toward the Explorer!
With a single movement, he landed safely on the ship's deck.
After putting the two soaked agents down, Luo Qi turned toward the shore.
"Mr. Crocus!"
"I'll be taking these two with me!"
"You don't have to worry about them anymore!"
Hearing this, Crocus naturally had no objections.
In fact, he couldn't have been happier to see the two troublemakers taken away!
After all, they had repeatedly attempted to harm Laboon!
If Luo Qi was willing to remove them from the area, that would save Crocus considerable trouble.
...
Before long, Baby 5, Nami, and the others returned aboard the Explorer.
Luo Qi handed the Log Pose to Nami and explained how to use it.
Once she understood the device's functions, he began preparing for departure.
"Captain Luo Qi..."
Reiju approached him.
She glanced curiously toward the two strangers standing on the deck, both still dripping wet.
"Are we really going to take these two along with us?"
"Of course you are!"
Before Luo Qi could respond, Vivi suddenly spoke up.
"You're the ones who brought us aboard your ship!"
"So you have to take responsibility for us!"
Perhaps the unexpected plunge into the ocean had helped calm her nerves.
At the very least, she no longer seemed quite so frightened of Luo Qi.
"That's right!"
Mr. 9 immediately nodded in agreement.
"You have to take us to Whisky Peak!"
"Hehehe."
Reiju chuckled softly.
"This is the first time I've seen captives acting quite so boldly."
Hearing her words, Luo Qi couldn't help glancing at her.
"Really?"
"Because I seem to remember you being even bolder than these two when I first captured you."
"Oh my."
Reiju smiled.
"I'd almost forgotten about that."
Luo Qi shook his head with amusement.
"Well, let's do as they say."
"We'll head for Whisky Peak."
He glanced toward Vivi and Mr. 9.
After all, if he wanted to reach Alabasta, Whisky Peak was the first stop along the route he intended to follow.
Luo Qi still remembered that much from the original story.
"Reiju."
He turned toward his Captain's Assistant.
"Take this young lady to the bathroom and let her clean herself up."
"Find her a clean set of clothes while you're at it."
Then, he looked toward Mr. 9.
"As for you, sir, in the green suit..."
"I'll have to trouble you to help us navigate."
Hearing this, Mr. 9 instinctively opened his mouth to protest.
Unfortunately, Luo Qi had absolutely no intention of wasting time arguing with him.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, Luo Qi appeared beside him!
Before Mr. 9 could react, Luo Qi grabbed him and carried him straight toward the bow!
There, he instructed the man to help Nami determine their route.
...
"Come along, miss."
Reiju approached Vivi with a gentle smile.
"I'll take you to the bathroom."
"Unless you'd prefer to keep walking around in those soaking-wet clothes?"
Vivi glanced at Reiju.
Then, she looked down at her own drenched clothing.
After hesitating briefly, she finally decided to accept the offer.
"Alright..."
She nodded and followed Reiju toward the ship's interior.
...
Inside the corridor leading through the Explorer's cabins, Reiju suddenly spoke.
"You two..."
"You're members of Baroque Works, aren't you?"
"Huh?!"
Vivi's heart immediately skipped a beat!
She stopped walking and turned toward Reiju in alarm.
"W-What are you talking about?!"
"I don't understand what you mean!"
"Oh?"
The corners of Reiju's mouth curved upward.
"Well, I've heard of people using code names like Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday before."
She continued walking calmly.
"There's an organization operating in the Grand Line whose members don't reveal their real names."
"Instead, they identify themselves using numerical code names."
"And among its senior agents, the smaller the number, the more powerful the agent."
As Reiju continued speaking, Vivi's expression became increasingly uneasy.
Seeing her reaction, Reiju became even more confident in her suspicions.
Just as I thought.
They're definitely members of Baroque Works.
Although Baroque Works operated primarily within the first half of the Grand Line, obtaining information about such an organization wasn't particularly difficult for Germa 66.
After all, Germa possessed an exceptionally capable intelligence network!
Of course, merely hearing Vivi and Mr. 9 address each other by their code names hadn't been enough for Reiju to determine their identities with absolute certainty.
That was precisely why she had decided to test Vivi.
And judging by the young woman's reaction...
Her suspicions were correct!
Vivi pressed her lips together.
She was just about to offer another explanation when Reiju suddenly said something that made her blood run cold.
"In that case..."
Reiju looked directly at her.
"Would you mind telling me why Princess Nefertari Vivi of the Alabasta Kingdom has joined Baroque Works?"
"...!"
Vivi froze.
Her eyes widened in horror!
She knows?!
How could she possibly know who I really am?!
Seeing the princess's shocked expression, Reiju gently rested one hand against her cheek.
"Oh my..."
She chuckled softly.
"So it really is you."
Chapter 72: A Job Offer from Princess Vivi!New2 days ago
"W-What... what are you talking about?"
"I don't understand what you mean!"
Vivi took a nervous step backward, staring at Reiju with an expression filled with anxiety.
She simply couldn't understand it!
Not only had the woman standing before her seen through her identity as a Baroque Works agent, but she had somehow recognized her as the princess of Alabasta!
How is that possible?!
How could she know who I really am?!
Meanwhile, the corners of Reiju's mouth curved upward.
She watched Vivi's reaction with considerable amusement.
Alabasta, like Germa 66, was a member nation of the World Government.
Many years ago, King Nefertari Cobra had brought a young Vivi to Mary Geoise to attend a World Government conference.
It was during that gathering that Reiju, who had accompanied Vinsmoke Judge, first encountered Princess Vivi.
Although the young woman standing before her had grown considerably since then, there were still many similarities between her current appearance and the little girl Reiju remembered.
And now, after witnessing Vivi's nervous reaction, Reiju had practically confirmed her suspicions.
The young woman really was Princess Nefertari Vivi of Alabasta!
"It seems we have quite a few things to talk about."
Reiju smiled.
Then, she reached out, took Vivi's hand, and gently pulled her toward the bathroom.
Vivi's physical strength was nowhere near Reiju's.
Consequently, she had no choice but to allow herself to be led away.
...
Meanwhile, on the Explorer's deck.
Luo Qi was standing near the bow, casually chatting with his companions.
He had absolutely no idea that Reiju had independently discovered Vivi's true identity!
And that wasn't all.
Through a combination of persuasion, clever questioning, and subtle intimidation, Reiju soon managed to extract information about Vivi's infiltration of Baroque Works.
The result was that by the time Reiju brought Vivi back to Luo Qi, the princess looked like a completely different person.
She appeared so nervous that she barely dared to meet Luo Qi's eyes!
"..."
Luo Qi looked at Vivi.
Then, he glanced toward Reiju.
"Reiju..."
"You didn't do anything strange to her, did you?"
He raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"How could I?"
Reiju smiled innocently.
Then, she took Luo Qi's hand and gestured toward the ship's interior.
"Captain Luo Qi, could you come with me for a moment?"
"There's something I'd like to discuss with you regarding this Miss Wednesday."
Luo Qi glanced between the two women again.
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Alright."
He allowed Reiju to lead him toward the captain's quarters.
Naturally, Vivi followed closely behind them.
...
[Incredible! That blue-haired beauty is actually the princess of an entire kingdom?!]
[Reiju really is an amazing assistant! In such a short time, she managed to uncover that beautiful girl's true identity!]
[A princess infiltrating some mysterious organization as a spy? Brother Qi must have stumbled onto another major storyline!]
[Isn't this exactly how these stories usually go? A princess encounters trouble, escapes from her kingdom, and eventually gets rescued by a prince! Then they fall in love and live happily ever after... Wait a minute! Don't tell me this princess is Brother Qi's true love?!]
[Draw your sword, you bastard! I'll always support Brother Qi and Baby 5!]
[Well, personally, I think Reiju and Brother Qi make a pretty good couple too.]
[If Brother Qi helps a princess overcome her difficulties, shouldn't he receive an enormous reward? Maybe Dragon Kingdom will receive something incredible too!]
[Hehehe! What do you guys think? Could this princess end up joining Brother Qi's fleet as well?]
...
Inside the captain's quarters, Luo Qi stood with his arms crossed.
His gaze occasionally shifted between Reiju and Vivi.
Just moments earlier, Reiju had explained Vivi's true identity to him.
Naturally, the viewers watching the livestream had also learned the truth through Luo Qi's perspective.
As a result, the citizens of Dragon Kingdom were now enthusiastically discussing Princess Vivi.
Some were curious about the political situation in Alabasta.
Others were already imagining the rewards Luo Qi might obtain if he helped the princess!
And a few viewers had even begun speculating about whether Vivi would become another member of his fleet.
If Luo Qi knew what they were discussing, he probably would have told them something disappointing.
Alabasta didn't actually have that much money available to pay him!
In fact, fighting against Baroque Works would probably be far more profitable.
After all, the organization had quite a few Devil Fruit users among its members!
And to Luo Qi, those Devil Fruits were considerably more appealing than an ordinary payment in Berries.
...
"So..."
After a long silence, Luo Qi finally couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer.
He turned toward Reiju.
"How exactly did you recognize her as the princess of Alabasta?"
Hearing his question, Vivi also looked toward Reiju.
She was equally curious about how her identity had been exposed so easily.
"Germa 66 and Alabasta are both member nations of the World Government."
Reiju explained with a smile.
"I saw her once in Mary Geoise."
"Oh!"
Luo Qi immediately understood.
If that was the case, everything made sense.
Vivi, however, became even more curious about Reiju's identity.
Mary Geoise?
She attended a World Government conference?
As far as Vivi knew, only members of the royal families of World Government member nations were qualified to attend such gatherings.
Which meant...
Could this woman also be a princess from another kingdom?
Vivi desperately searched her memories.
However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall ever meeting Reiju before!
Before she could think any further, Luo Qi's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Well then, Your Highness, Princess Vivi..."
He smiled at the blue-haired young woman.
"What would you like to do next?"
"Should I continue taking you and Mr. 9 to Whisky Peak?"
"Or would you prefer that I take you directly back to Alabasta?"
Luo Qi spread his hands.
"Alabasta was already one of the destinations on my planned route."
"Since you're the princess of that kingdom, I wouldn't mind taking you home along the way."
Seeing Vivi looking toward him, Luo Qi continued reassuringly.
"Of course, you don't need to worry about us revealing your identity to Baroque Works."
"I'm not particularly familiar with that organization."
"And I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to betray your secret to them."
Hearing those words, Vivi slowly lowered her head.
She remained silent for a while, carefully considering her options.
Then, she finally looked up at Luo Qi.
"Um..."
"Before I answer, may I ask you something, sir?"
"What exactly are you planning to do when you arrive in Alabasta?"
"Don't worry, Your Highness."
Luo Qi spread his hands.
"I'm a legitimate bounty hunter."
"I have no intention of doing anything that would harm Alabasta."
"As for why I'm heading there..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Well, I simply think there might be some business opportunities waiting for me."
"After all, the more chaotic a place becomes, the easier it is for bounty hunters to make money by capturing wanted criminals."
"I see..."
Vivi blinked thoughtfully.
Then, she suddenly remembered something.
Earlier, she had personally witnessed Luo Qi unleash a sword slash powerful enough to slice rockets apart!
And he'd done it so effortlessly!
If someone with such extraordinary strength was willing to help her...
Perhaps there really is hope for Alabasta!
The moment that thought appeared, Vivi could no longer suppress her excitement.
She looked directly at Luo Qi.
"In that case..."
"Would it be possible for me to hire you?"
"Hm?"
Vivi took a deep breath.
"I want to hire you to come to Alabasta with me!"
"Please help me stop the civil unrest threatening my kingdom!"
The request escaped her lips almost before she realized what she was saying.
"Oh?"
"Help you stop a civil conflict?"
The corners of Luo Qi's mouth curved upward.
An interested expression immediately appeared on his face.
"Now that's quite a serious job, Your Highness."
He looked at Vivi with a faint smile.
"So..."
"Just how much are you prepared to pay me, Princess Vivi?"
Chapter 73: Reiju Transforms — The Livestream Goes Dark!New2 days agoVivi opened her mouth, but in the end, she couldn't answer Luo Qi's question.
Alabasta had suffered from severe drought for years.
The kingdom had already spent enormous amounts of money on disaster relief, leaving its treasury nearly empty.
And with a rebellion threatening to tear the country apart, there was simply no way Alabasta could afford to pay a bounty hunter an enormous sum of money.
Thinking about her kingdom's financial situation, Vivi couldn't help feeling troubled.
Seeing her expression, Luo Qi smiled.
"Princess Vivi, you mentioned earlier that you've already discovered who's secretly responsible for the civil unrest in your kingdom."
"Could you tell me his name?"
Hearing Luo Qi's question, Vivi immediately became nervous.
She hurriedly shook her head.
"N-No! I can't tell you!"
"Our kingdom doesn't have enough money to hire you!"
"If I told you that the mastermind was Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he might start hunting you down too!"
"..."
Luo Qi blinked.
Standing nearby, Reiju couldn't help smiling.
"Princess Vivi..."
"You've already told us."
"Ah!"
Vivi immediately realized her mistake!
She hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.
Oh no!
I actually said his name!
...
[HAHAHAHA! This princess is adorable! She said she couldn't reveal the mastermind's identity, then immediately blurted out Crocodile's name!]
[Wait, could she have done that deliberately? Maybe she's trying to drag Brother Qi into her problems!]
[I don't think so. Everyone aboard the Explorer is one of Brother Qi's companions. Even if she reveals Crocodile's identity here, what difference would it make?]
[Exactly! It's not like she'll return to Alabasta and tell Crocodile, "Hey, I revealed your identity to some guy named Luo Qi!"]
[But what if Crocodile is extremely cautious? He might still decide to target Brother Qi!]
[Please don't let that happen! Hawkeye Mihawk was terrifyingly powerful, and Crocodile is also one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! There's no way he's weak!]
...
"I'm sorry..."
Vivi lowered her head, clearly embarrassed by her mistake.
"Captain, what do you think?"
Reiju turned toward Luo Qi with an interested smile.
"Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, huh?"
Luo Qi thoughtfully rubbed his chin.
"Reiju, how much was his bounty again?"
"Before becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile had a bounty of eighty-one million Berries."
Reiju answered immediately.
...
[HOLY CRAP! Eighty-one million Berries?!]
[That's even more than Brother Qi earned from capturing the wanted pirates of the Arlong Pirates and Krieg Pirates combined!]
[Wait a minute! Why is Brother Qi asking about his bounty?]
[Don't tell me he's actually considering going after Crocodile?!]
...
"Well, if Crocodile really is attempting to overthrow the Kingdom of Alabasta..."
Luo Qi's lips curved into a smile.
"Then once his crimes are exposed, the World Government and the Marines naturally won't be able to continue recognizing him as one of the Seven Warlords."
"And if we defeat him after that..."
"We could earn eighty-one million Berries!"
Luo Qi turned toward Reiju.
"How about it, Reiju?"
"Why don't we accept this job?"
...
[HOLY CRAP! Brother Qi is actually planning to fight Crocodile?!]
[Think carefully, Brother Qi! That's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!]
[Your country's challenger is far too arrogant! He was defeated by Hawkeye Mihawk not long ago, and now he wants to take down another Warlord?! A challenger like that is bound to get himself killed sooner or later!]
[Shut up! You'll be dead long before our Brother Qi!]
[Should we ask our government to send Brother Qi a message, advising him to be more cautious?]
...
Naturally, Dragon Kingdom's officials also noticed the increasingly worried comments appearing in the livestream.
However, they had no intention of sending Luo Qi a message to discourage him.
After observing him for some time, they had come to understand his personality.
Luo Qi was an extremely cautious person.
If he genuinely decided to confront Crocodile, there was probably a reason he believed victory was possible.
It was simply that the officials watching from Blue Star couldn't see the opportunity he had identified.
Therefore, they chose to trust his judgment.
...
"If you want to take down Crocodile, Captain, I'm sure everyone will be willing to help."
Reiju smiled calmly.
There wasn't the slightest trace of fear on her face.
After all, the Seven Warlords of the Sea weren't all equally powerful.
Just because two pirates held the same title didn't mean they possessed the same level of strength.
Not every Warlord was a monster like Hawkeye Mihawk!
At the very least, Crocodile wasn't someone who made Reiju feel completely powerless.
More importantly, she had confidence in Luo Qi.
During their ten-day stay in Loguetown, Reiju had personally witnessed the strength Luo Qi displayed during his training.
Only then had she realized just how severely she had underestimated her captain!
"Heh! Hearing you say that makes me feel even more confident."
Luo Qi gently patted Reiju's hand.
"After all, you're stronger than Law and the others."
"When the time comes to deal with Crocodile, I'll definitely be relying on your strength."
"Of course."
Reiju readily agreed with a smile.
However, the conversation between the two left Vivi completely dumbfounded.
"W-Wait a minute!"
She stared at Luo Qi and Reiju in disbelief.
"Are you seriously willing to help me stop the rebellion in Alabasta?!"
"And you're even willing to fight Crocodile?!"
"H-He's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
"The Seven Warlords are one of the three great powers maintaining the balance of the seas!"
"Aren't you afraid of him?!"
Vivi simply couldn't understand their reaction!
To ordinary people, the Seven Warlords of the Sea were practically invincible.
They were terrifying figures whom normal people could never hope to oppose!
Even Vivi herself had only been thinking about exposing Crocodile's conspiracy and bringing an end to Alabasta's civil unrest.
She had never seriously considered defeating Crocodile in battle!
Yet Luo Qi and Reiju were discussing the possibility of taking him down as though it were an ordinary bounty-hunting job!
Why are they so calm?
Do these two really not understand how terrifying the Seven Warlords of the Sea are?!
Vivi couldn't help feeling bewildered.
...
"Don't worry, Princess."
Luo Qi stood up from his seat and gently placed a hand on Vivi's shoulder.
"My companions and I have some strength of our own."
"We might not necessarily lose if we have to fight Crocodile."
"So you just need to prepare our payment."
Luo Qi smiled.
"I know you said Alabasta's finances are in terrible shape."
"But surely you can still scrape together a little money, right?"
"After all, there's someone aboard my ship who absolutely loves Berries."
"If you don't offer at least a little compensation, I'm afraid she might start sulking!"
Naturally, Luo Qi was referring to Nami.
However, there was another thought running through his mind.
Even if my strength isn't quite enough to defeat Crocodile head-on, I can still exploit his weakness.
As long as I make proper use of water, dealing with him shouldn't be impossible.
Luo Qi knew Crocodile's Devil Fruit abilities extremely well.
With enough preparation, he believed there was a genuine opportunity to defeat the Warlord.
Vivi looked toward Luo Qi.
Then, she glanced at Reiju.
After hesitating for several seconds, she finally made up her mind.
She took a step backward.
Then, she bent forward in a deep ninety-degree bow!
"Thank you!"
"Thank you both so much!"
"If you can help bring an end to the rebellion, the Kingdom of Alabasta will definitely repay everyone for their assistance!"
Her voice was filled with gratitude.
Seeing her response, Luo Qi smiled and reached out to help her straighten up.
"Alright, Princess Vivi."
"Then it's a deal."
...
Back in Dragon Kingdom's livestream, the viewers were filled with concern after witnessing Luo Qi accept the commission.
After all, this time his opponent would be one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
However, the viewers from countries outside Dragon Kingdom had the opposite reaction.
Many of them began laughing excitedly.
As far as they were concerned, Luo Qi had finally made a reckless decision that might cost him his life!
...
"Since our next opponent is going to be Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea..."
Reiju stretched her arms lazily.
"I suppose I'll need to remain prepared for battle from now on."
As she spoke, she reached toward the belt at her waist.
Then, she retrieved a small device containing her Raid Suit.
Seeing Luo Qi looking toward her, Reiju smiled.
"After all, I wouldn't want a repeat of what happened last time."
"I was knocked unconscious by a certain someone before I even had the chance to put on my Raid Suit!"
Her tone was playful, but Luo Qi immediately understood what she meant.
She was referring to their first encounter!
At that time, Reiju hadn't been able to activate her Raid Suit before Luo Qi subdued her.
Now, however, she had no intention of making the same mistake.
Suddenly—
Buzz!
The transformation device in Reiju's hand erupted with brilliant pink light!
And at that exact moment...
The livestream broadcasting Luo Qi's activities to Blue Star abruptly went dark!
...
[WHAT THE HELL?!]
[What happened?! Why did the livestream suddenly shut off?!]
[Did something happen to Brother Qi?! Don't tell me he was knocked unconscious!]
[How could that happen?! Didn't you see the situation just now? There wasn't anyone around who could have attacked him!]
[Wait a minute! Reiju was about to activate her Raid Suit, wasn't she?]
[Could the livestream shutting down have something to do with that?!]
[Why do I suddenly have the feeling that something incredible is happening on the other side of the screen?!]
...
While the viewers from Dragon Kingdom were frantically discussing the sudden interruption, an extraordinary scene was unfolding inside the Explorer's captain's quarters.
A dazzling pink aura completely enveloped Reiju's body!
At the same time, Luo Qi seemed to hear something strange.
Huh?
What's that music?
For some inexplicable reason, a melody resembling the background music from a magical girl's transformation sequence seemed to be playing beside his ears!
Reiju's outer clothing automatically slipped away.
Brilliant light erupted around her, obscuring her figure as the transformation continued!
Luo Qi watched in astonishment.
What kind of transformation sequence is this?!
A short while later...
The mysterious background music finally came to an end.
And by the time the dazzling pink light faded, Reiju had completed her transformation!
She was now wearing her signature Germa 66 Raid Suit!
It was the same powerful equipment that gave her enough strength to contend with some of the officers of the Big Mom Pirates!
Reiju slowly turned toward Luo Qi.
Seeing that her captain was staring directly at her without blinking, she couldn't help smiling.
Then, she gently raised a finger to her lips.
"What's wrong, Captain?"
Her voice was soft and teasing.
"Is seeing me change into my Raid Suit really that surprising?"
Chapter 74: Curious Vivi — The Attackers Arrive!New2 days ago[Hey! The livestream is back! Brother Qi is fine!]
[Phew! Thank goodness! I thought something terrible had happened to Brother Qi! I was scared to death!]
[The livestream was disconnected for more than ten seconds! Don't tell me even the Forbidden Zone's livestream can suffer from network problems?!]
[How could that be possible? I'm guessing the reason has something to do with Reiju! Look, she's wearing different clothes now! That must be her Raid Suit!]
[Exactly! Based on my many years of experience watching magical girl transformations, I'm certain there were some parts of Reiju's transformation that the livestream couldn't show! Damn it! I'm suddenly so jealous of Brother Qi!]
[Wait a minute! Don't tell me Reiju is trying to seduce Brother Qi this way?! I'm a devoted supporter of Brother Qi and Baby 5!]
...
Luo Qi wasn't the only person surprised by Reiju's transformation.
Vivi, who had been standing nearby, was also staring at Reiju in complete astonishment!
She had never witnessed such an outrageous method of changing clothes!
"Ahem!"
After a brief silence, Luo Qi finally spoke.
"Reiju, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"What is it, Captain Luo Qi?"
"About the way you change into your Raid Suit..."
Luo Qi hesitated.
"Couldn't you improve that process a little?"
"Improve it?"
Reiju tilted her head curiously.
"Do you have any suggestions, Captain?"
"Well..."
Luo Qi scratched his cheek.
"When you're changing, could you avoid taking everything off at once?"
"At least leave something on underneath!"
"After all, you're a girl!"
"Hehehe!"
Hearing his explanation, Reiju covered her mouth and giggled.
"So that's what you're worried about, Captain!"
"Don't worry. If we're approaching a battle, I'll make sure to put on my Raid Suit beforehand."
"Besides..."
She smiled playfully.
"You're not an outsider, Captain."
"There's no reason for me to hide from you while changing, is there?"
"Or perhaps..."
Reiju leaned forward slightly.
"Does seeing my body make you feel uncomfortable?"
"..."
Luo Qi raised an eyebrow.
He couldn't help feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"You really don't treat me like an outsider, do you?"
"Well, since you've brought it up, I'll try to follow your suggestion."
Reiju stepped closer.
Then, she gently took Luo Qi's hand between both of hers.
"Although..."
"I still don't think there's any need to be so careful in front of you."
"After all, we've already bathed together."
I WAS UNCONSCIOUS!
I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING!
Luo Qi couldn't help protesting inwardly.
...
"Um..."
"Mr. Luo Qi? Miss Reiju?"
Vivi, who had been watching their exchange for some time, finally couldn't suppress her curiosity.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
She looked at Luo Qi, then at Reiju.
"May I ask..."
"What exactly is the relationship between you two?"
The princess's natural curiosity had gotten the better of her.
After witnessing their unusually intimate conversation, she desperately wanted to understand what kind of relationship they shared!
"What do you think?"
The corners of Reiju's mouth curved upward.
Then, as though suddenly remembering something, she leaned closer to Vivi and whispered into her ear.
"Oh, by the way..."
"Whatever you just saw, make sure you don't tell Baby 5 about it."
"Otherwise..."
Reiju smiled mysteriously.
"The consequences could be quite serious."
"Baby 5?"
Vivi's eyes immediately brightened.
She remembered the black-haired girl she had seen on the deck earlier.
The one wearing a dark-red maid outfit!
Wait a minute...
Could it be that both Miss Reiju and Miss Baby 5 have feelings for Captain Luo Qi?
The thought made Vivi even more curious.
Just what kind of relationship do these three have?!
...
"Ahem!"
"Alright, that's enough about that."
Luo Qi finally withdrew his hand from Reiju's grasp.
Then, he walked over to his desk and picked up the cursed sword Sandai Kitetsu.
After fastening it at his waist, he turned toward the two women.
"Reiju, you're right about one thing."
"Since we've already decided to confront Crocodile, we need to remain on guard."
Then, Luo Qi looked toward Vivi.
"And Princess Vivi..."
"Stop standing there worrying about the two of us."
"Come with me."
"It's time you properly met everyone aboard the ship."
With that, Luo Qi opened the door to the captain's quarters and walked outside.
"Don't forget our little agreement, Princess Vivi."
Reiju chuckled softly before following Luo Qi.
Vivi hurried after them.
...
When the other members of the Explorer learned that Vivi was actually the princess of Alabasta, they were naturally astonished.
And when Luo Qi explained that he had agreed to help her confront Crocodile and resolve the rebellion threatening her kingdom, everyone reacted differently.
Nami, Bepo, and several of the others were visibly nervous.
After all, Crocodile was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
However, despite their concerns, they ultimately supported Luo Qi's decision.
As for Law...
He was practically delighted!
The moment he heard that Luo Qi intended to challenge Crocodile, his enthusiasm immediately increased.
Before long, the Explorer was sailing at full speed toward Whisky Peak.
According to Vivi, they needed to visit the town to find Igaram, who had infiltrated Baroque Works alongside her.
They also needed to retrieve the Eternal Pose that would guide them toward Alabasta.
However, Luo Qi remembered something important.
The Eternal Pose in Igaram's possession might not actually lead to Alabasta.
Instead, it could be an Eternal Pose pointing toward Little Garden!
Still, given their current circumstances, they had little choice but to visit Whisky Peak first.
...
Several hours later.
Night had fallen.
The Explorer finally reached its destination.
Whisky Peak!
Perhaps because the Explorer wasn't flying a pirate flag, or perhaps simply because it was already nighttime, the ship's arrival attracted surprisingly little attention.
When the Explorer approached the coastline, Luo Qi didn't notice any Baroque Works agents disguised as ordinary townspeople waiting to welcome them.
"Alright."
Luo Qi stood at the bow of the ship.
"We'll stop here."
"Vivi and I will head into town."
"Once we find that Igaram fellow, we'll leave immediately."
"The rest of you can stay here and keep an eye on the ship."
As he spoke, Luo Qi was holding the unconscious Mr. 9.
Earlier, when Vivi revealed her true identity to the other crew members, Luo Qi had immediately knocked Mr. 9 unconscious to prevent him from leaking any information.
Naturally, considering Vivi's wishes, Luo Qi had no intention of killing him.
Since Vivi wanted to reach Alabasta as quickly as possible, Luo Qi didn't plan to waste time exploring Whisky Peak.
"Captain..."
Bepo suddenly spoke up.
"Since the people in this town are members of Baroque Works..."
"Shouldn't we defeat them?"
"Aren't they our enemies?"
Ever since mastering Iron Body, Bepo had become considerably more confident in his combat abilities.
He was no longer quite as hesitant about fighting.
"There's no need."
Luo Qi shook his head.
"They're just a bunch of small fry."
After jumping down from the Explorer, Luo Qi casually tossed the unconscious Mr. 9 aside.
Then, he reached out and caught Vivi as she jumped down from the deck.
"Once we leave, they won't be able to interfere with our plans anyway."
Besides, Luo Qi had already completed his objective of defeating Pure Wood-tier enemies.
He simply couldn't summon much enthusiasm for fighting the low-level Baroque Works agents stationed here.
"Nami!"
Luo Qi waved toward the ship.
"Move the Explorer somewhere less conspicuous."
"We'll be back shortly!"
"Got it!"
After making the arrangements, Luo Qi and Vivi headed into Whisky Peak together.
...
Some time later.
In a secluded street within Whisky Peak.
"WHAT?!"
"You're willing to help us defeat Crocodile?!"
Igaram stared at Luo Qi and Vivi with his mouth hanging open.
"You and your companions really believe you can accomplish something like that?!"
"It's true, Igaram!"
Vivi nodded firmly.
"Captain Luo Qi and his companions can definitely defeat Crocodile!"
"After all..."
Vivi's expression brightened.
"He's a swordsman who has earned the recognition of Hawkeye Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
Vivi still remembered the conversation that had taken place aboard the Explorer earlier.
When Luo Qi agreed to help Alabasta in exchange for payment, Nami had specifically mentioned his encounter with Hawkeye.
Naturally, Nami's intention had been to use that accomplishment to negotiate a higher reward.
Although Luo Qi eventually persuaded her to stop demanding such an enormous payment, the conversation had revealed something important to Vivi.
The man standing beside her was far more extraordinary than she had initially imagined!
And after learning about Luo Qi's encounter with Hawkeye, Vivi had become even more confident that he might be able to defeat Crocodile and save Alabasta.
Now that Igaram was expressing doubts, she naturally brought up the matter again.
"R-Really?!"
Igaram's eyes widened in disbelief.
He opened his mouth, preparing to ask another question.
However, before he could speak—
Luo Qi suddenly turned his head!
His eyes narrowed sharply.
The next instant, he drew the Sandai Kitetsu from its sheath and slashed toward the side!
WHOOSH!
A powerful flying sword slash tore through the darkness!
BOOOOM!
The sword energy struck a small, pitch-black object flying toward them!
The mysterious object exploded in midair!
"What?!"
Vivi and Igaram froze.
Neither of them had expected such a sudden attack!
"What was that?!"
Luo Qi calmly rested the Sandai Kitetsu against his shoulder.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he looked toward the surrounding shadows.
"Looks like we have company."
"And there are two of them."
As his words fell, two figures slowly emerged from the darkness.
A man.
And a woman.
Luo Qi watched the approaching pair with considerable interest.
Chapter 75: Easy Prey — Miss Valentine Is About to Cry!New2 days ago
The man was dressed in a brown leather outfit and had an enormous afro.
The woman wore an orange dress and carried a matching orange parasol, even though it was already nighttime.
With such distinctive appearances, Luo Qi naturally recognized them immediately.
"Mr. 5?! Miss Valentine?!"
Igaram stared at the approaching pair in astonishment.
"Why are you two here?!"
"Obviously, the boss sent us."
Mr. 5 casually picked his nose as he answered.
"Your identities as undercover agents have already been exposed."
"The boss ordered us to come here and kill both of you."
"What?!"
Vivi and Igaram were even more shocked.
"Crocodile knows?!"
"But... how?!"
Vivi frowned deeply.
Suddenly, the image of a certain woman appeared in her mind.
Miss All Sunday!
Could she be the one who exposed us?!
"Hehehe!"
Miss Valentine giggled as she looked at the two of them.
"Looks like Miss All Sunday was right!"
"You really were investigating the boss's true identity!"
She smiled excitedly.
"So our boss is actually Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
"How amazing!"
Clearly, she was enjoying the shocked expressions on Vivi and Igaram's faces.
After all, Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine had arrived a little earlier and overheard their conversation.
That was how they had learned that the mysterious leader of Baroque Works was actually Crocodile!
...
"You two seem pretty happy about this."
Luo Qi smiled faintly.
After reassuring Vivi and Igaram, he began walking toward Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine.
"However, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"You've just learned that the mastermind behind Baroque Works is Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Luo Qi's smile widened.
"Do you really think he'll let the two of you live now that you know his secret?"
"..."
Mr. 5 froze.
Miss Valentine's smile suddenly disappeared.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then, they realized something terrifying.
Wait a minute...
He's right!
Their boss had always gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal his true identity!
In fact, that was precisely why he had delegated the responsibility of contacting and managing his subordinates to Miss All Sunday.
Even the agents working for Baroque Works weren't supposed to know who Mr. 0 really was!
But now...
They knew!
They had discovered that Mr. 0 was actually Crocodile!
Doesn't that mean we've become targets for elimination too?!
The realization sent chills down their spines.
Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine began trembling uncontrollably!
...
[HAHAHAHA! These two are hilarious! They were acting so arrogant a moment ago, but Brother Qi frightened them with just a few sentences!]
[This is too funny! They accidentally learned their boss's secret, and now they're terrified he might kill them to keep it hidden!]
...
"W-What should we do, Mr. 5?!"
Miss Valentine looked anxiously toward her partner.
"It looks like the boss is going to have us eliminated too!"
"Don't worry, Miss Valentine."
Mr. 5 took a deep breath.
While speaking, he casually picked another piece of mucus from his nose.
"As long as we kill all three of them, nobody will know that we've learned the boss's identity."
"Oh!"
Miss Valentine's eyes lit up.
"You're right!"
"That was surprisingly clever of you, Mr. 5!"
"Let's do it!"
As soon as she finished speaking, something strange happened.
Miss Valentine's body slowly began floating upward!
Holding her orange parasol, she rose into the night sky and began drifting toward Luo Qi.
...
[Wait a minute! That woman can fly?!]
[Is her parasol some kind of advanced technological device?]
[Are you kidding? She's obviously a Devil Fruit user!]
[So she's basically delivering herself right to Brother Qi!]
[We should still be careful! What if she's actually a powerful Devil Fruit user? And that disgusting nose-picking guy might have a Devil Fruit ability too... Holy crap, that guy—]
...
Although many of Dragon Kingdom's viewers were already confident in Luo Qi's strength, some remained cautious.
After all, the Forbidden Zone was filled with mysterious powers.
Even seemingly ordinary people could possess dangerous abilities!
And just as Miss Valentine began floating toward Luo Qi...
Mr. 5 suddenly flicked a piece of nasal mucus straight at him!
Luo Qi frowned.
Without hesitation, he raised his leg and kicked forward!
"Tempest Kick!"
WHOOSH!
A crescent-shaped wind blade shot through the air!
The moment it struck the incoming projectile—
BOOOOM!
A violent explosion erupted!
The nasal mucus had actually exploded!
However, Luo Qi wasn't particularly surprised.
He already knew exactly what kind of ability Mr. 5 possessed.
Seeing his first attack intercepted, Mr. 5 immediately reached into his clothing and pulled out a revolver!
Unfortunately for him...
Before he could even pull the trigger—
WHOOSH!
Another wind blade came flying toward him!
This one was even faster and sharper than the last!
Mr. 5 didn't have time to react.
SLASH!
The wind blade passed straight through his body!
In an instant, he was cut cleanly in half!
He died on the spot!
Sorry about that.
Luo Qi thought calmly.
You're just too disgusting.
So I'd appreciate it if you died as quickly as possible.
The next moment, the familiar voice of the Forbidden Zone sounded inside his mind.
[You have killed one Bronze-tier enemy!]
[Reward: Physique +50 points!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, Bomb-Bomb Fruit!]
After eliminating Mr. 5, Luo Qi raised his head and looked toward the sky.
At that moment, Miss Valentine had already arrived directly above him!
Apparently, she hadn't even noticed that Mr. 5 was dead.
Instead, she was laughing arrogantly.
"Hehehe!"
"You fool!"
"Allow me to show you the terrifying power of my Kilo-Kilo Fruit!"
"My ability allows me to reduce my body's weight to zero!"
"And I can also increase my weight to ten thousand kilograms!"
Miss Valentine grinned.
"Now..."
"Prepare to experience the terror of being crushed to death!"
After making her declaration, Miss Valentine eagerly waited to see Luo Qi's expression of fear.
However...
The reaction she had been expecting never came.
Instead, Luo Qi was calmly rubbing his chin while looking up at her.
He even nodded thoughtfully.
"..."
Miss Valentine's smile stiffened.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"Why aren't you afraid?!"
"Why should I be?"
Luo Qi raised an eyebrow.
"Someone once tried to kill me using the Ton-Ton Fruit."
"That ability allowed him to increase his weight to hundreds or even thousands of tons."
Luo Qi smiled.
"But in the end, I killed him."
"And if I'm not mistaken, your Devil Fruit is an inferior version of his."
He looked directly at Miss Valentine.
"So tell me..."
"Do you seriously think you can kill me?"
Luo Qi paused briefly before adding:
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Flying around in the air like that..."
"You're exposing yourself, you know."
"W-What?!"
Miss Valentine was startled.
She immediately shifted her posture while still floating in the air.
Then, she glared down at Luo Qi.
"Y-You're lying!"
"Mr. 5!"
"Hurry up and attack him again!"
However, when she turned toward her partner...
Her expression froze.
Mr. 5 was nowhere to be seen.
Or rather...
What remained of him was lying on the ground in two separate pieces!
"AHHHHH!"
Miss Valentine screamed.
"Y-YOU!"
"YOU KILLED MR. 5?!"
"Yes, yes. I know."
Luo Qi casually scratched his ear.
"There's no need to scream so loudly."
"Stop struggling and come down already."
Naturally, Miss Valentine had absolutely no intention of obeying him!
Mr. 5 is dead!
That guy killed him in an instant!
I have to escape!
Without hesitation, she turned around and prepared to fly toward the coastline.
However...
Before she could move—
GRAB!
Something suddenly seized her right ankle!
"Huh?!"
Miss Valentine instinctively looked down.
And what she saw nearly made her burst into tears!
The hand gripping her ankle belonged to Luo Qi!
Somehow, he had appeared directly beneath her in midair!
"Y-YOU..."
Miss Valentine's voice trembled.
"YOU CAN FLY TOO?!"
She looked as though she was about to cry.
"Sorry about that."
Luo Qi flashed her a broad smile.
"I know a little."
The next instant, his grip tightened!
With a sudden downward pull, he completely disrupted Miss Valentine's balance!
"AHHHHH!"
Before she could recover, Luo Qi dragged her downward!
The two figures rapidly descended toward the ground.