After a long trek through the desert, Ron and his group finally arrived at the capital of Alabasta. The sight before them shocked everyone.
On the previously dry and cracked land, new irrigation canals crisscrossed, and clear water continuously irrigated the thirsty farmlands. A huge metal drill stood in the center, emitting a low roar, continuously drawing water from deep underground.
"Is that... Vivi?" Nami squinted, pointing to a busy blue figure in the distance.
Vivi stood on a high place, directing the people to adjust the direction of the canals. She wore a white headscarf, and her once luxurious princess dress had been replaced with simple attire for ease of movement. Her face was smudged with dirt, but she radiated an unprecedented vitality.
"Ron! Everyone!" Vivi spotted them and immediately ran over, her long blue hair fluttering behind her. Her face was full of joy, and her eyes sparkled with tears of excitement.
"I can't believe it went so smoothly!" Vivi clasped her hands over her chest, her voice trembling slightly with excitement. "The root of Alabasta's problem was the lack of water. When I explained the truth to Koza, he chose to believe me..."
She pointed to the rebels who were helping build the canals in the distance: "After I promised to lead everyone to solve the water problem, the people trusted me even more."
At this point, she brought up the ability interface, and the faith value numbers were constantly jumping and rising. "I exchanged for this desert irrigation system with faith values, and I didn't expect the effect to be so good!"
Ron listened to her quietly.
A look of recollection appeared in Vivi's eyes: "At first, I was worried that everyone wouldn't believe me... After all, the accumulated conflicts over the years were too deep..." Her voice gradually choked up.
Suddenly, Vivi turned to Ron, gripping his hands tightly, her eyes shining with an almost devout light:
"All of this is thanks to you, Ron! If it weren't for the ability you gave me, and your help..." Her voice was soft yet firm. "You are Alabasta's savior!"
Ron shook his head slightly at the reverence and gratitude in her eyes: "Don't say that, this is the result of your own efforts."
The surrounding people noticed the situation and gathered around:
"It's Princess Vivi's friends!"
"They brought hope!"
"Thank you for saving Alabasta!"
Cheers rose and fell, and people spontaneously knelt and bowed. Smoker stood in the distance, watching this incredible scene, his cigar almost falling from his mouth.
"These pirates... are actually saving a country?" he muttered to himself, his worldview seemingly impacted.
Among the Marine soldiers lined up behind, a young Marine couldn't help but whisper, "The head of a country publicly thanking pirates... such a country is truly..."
Before he finished speaking, a sharp gaze pierced him like a knife.
Smoker had turned around at some point, the smoke from his cigar swirling in front of his livid face. He took three steps in two and walked up to the Marine, looking down at him from above.
"You bastard..." Smoker's voice was extremely low, but it carried a chilling anger. "If you have something to say, say more. Are you itching for a beating?"
He grabbed the Marine's collar, almost lifting him up. "What can saying such nonsense do besides angering the other party and getting you beaten!"
The Marine was so scared his legs went soft, and his face turned pale: "S-sorry, Colonel! I-I won't dare again!"
Smoker snorted coldly and let go, turning to look at Ron and his group, who were surrounded by the people in the distance. His gaze swept back and forth between Vivi and Ron, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter.
"Listen." Smoker suddenly lowered his voice to his subordinates. "No matter what you're thinking, keep your mouths shut now."
He pointed to the celebrating crowd. "Look at the smiles of those common people, that's what's most important. As for the rest..." He bit his cigar. "We'll discuss it after we get back."
The Marine soldiers exchanged glances but wisely remained silent. The talkative Marine even shrank to the back of the line, not daring to make another sound.
Smoker took a deep drag from his cigar, exhaling white smoke slowly from his nostrils.
He looked at the extraordinary scene before him, his heart a mix of emotions. As a Marine, he should have arrested these pirates; but as a soldier, he couldn't deny that these "villains" had indeed saved a country.
"Damn it..." he cursed under his breath, unsure if he was cursing the absurd reality or his own wavering stance.
At this moment,
Usopp proudly puffed out his chest, his long nose pointing high: "Hahaha! As expected of our Captain! Crocodile's conspiracy is completely ruined now!"
He put his hands on his hips, shaking his head exaggeratedly, "That guy must be fuming right now, he's probably going to come kill us himself—"
"Bang!"
Before he could finish speaking, Nami landed an iron fist on Usopp's head: "You Crow! Can't you say something auspicious!"
However, in the next second, a sinister laugh came from behind everyone:
"Kekekeke... The long-nosed brat guessed correctly."
Everyone turned sharply, only to see Crocodile's figure slowly emerge from the swirling yellow sand. He wore his characteristic Crocodile leather coat, his golden hook glinting coldly in the sunlight, and the scar on his face twisted with anger.
"I've come to take your lives!" he gritted his teeth. "Dare to ruin my plan that I've meticulously crafted for years... You will regret being born into this world!"
Smoker immediately turned into white smoke and blocked the front: "Crocodile! Your crime of attempting to overthrow an allied country is unforgivable!"
"Crime? Where's the evidence?" Crocodile sneered, his lips curling. "If you don't have evidence, stand aside, White Hunter."
Smoker was speechless for a moment, his face turning ugly. Vivi anxiously shouted, "The evidence is at Whiskey Peak! We didn't have time to take it with us when we escaped..."
"Hahahaha!" Crocodile laughed up to the sky, sand forming small tornadoes around him. "Now I am a dignified Shichibukai, eliminating a few pirates is perfectly reasonable."
He glanced disdainfully at Smoker, "If you Marines don't want to be caught in the crossfire, then stand aside obediently and wait to clean up the battlefield!"
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Smoker's face flickered between dark and light, and he finally gritted his teeth and ordered: "All Marines retreat! But maintain vigilance!" He stared intently at Crocodile, "If you dare to harm civilians..."
"Hmph!"
A cold snort cut through the tense atmosphere. Usopp walked out with Black Kabuto on his shoulder: "Hahahaha my ass! So noisy! You dare to be so arrogant in front of me, 'Sniper King' Usopp-sama, truly unafraid of death!"
Crocodile's golden hook flashed with a cold light, and a mocking arc appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Oh? So you're the only one who can show off, huh?"
He waved his hand disdainfully, "Get lost, I'm not interested in listening to you show off."
"???"
....
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