In the tavern, Ryuya silently observed Vivi and Igaram.
He stated coldly, "Should I call you Mr. 8 and Miss Wednesday, or Igaram and Princess Vivi?"
Vivi and Igaram felt a sudden chill, as if plunged into an ice bath. Vivi instinctively exclaimed, "You! How did you know our identities?!"
She took a step back, her heart pounding. She felt utterly vulnerable before him, with no secrets left. The exposure terrified her; it meant Crocodile probably knew too.
Ryuya, sensing her fear, said, "Don't worry. Only I know your identities. As for everyone else on this island… let's just say they've met their maker."
"What do you want?" Vivi demanded.
"I'm curious. As a princess, why infiltrate Baroque Works? To gather evidence against Crocodile, to expose him to your people?"
Vivi nodded seriously. "Yes. I want to end Arabasta's war. The rain only falls on the capital, causing conflict. Exposing Crocodile's crimes will end it."
"Will it really end? Without overwhelming strength, you're powerless against stronger foes. What if Crocodile forces a war?"
"Force a war? No, that's impossible. He's a Shichibukai! A Navy-sanctioned pirate; he wouldn't attack without warning!"
Seeing Vivi's naiveté, Ryuya decided to disillusion her.
"Don't underestimate the Shichibukai. He's planning to steal a country! And, from what I know, his ambition is far greater. He's after Pluton, hidden in Arabasta."
Ryuya smirked. "Do you think a pirate, upon finding one of the three ancient weapons, will remain calm?"
Vivi and Igaram were stunned into silence.
"He… he'll definitely attack Arabasta, even if it means giving up his Shichibukai title!"
"Exactly. Without overwhelming force to deter him, that madman Crocodile will do it. He even challenged Whitebeard!"
Vivi's eyes flashed, her hands clenching.
"You killed the bounty hunters but spared us, even chatting. Is your goal Arabasta, or Pluton?"
Vivi's gaze locked onto Ryuya, seeking answers.
Ryuya smirked. "If I wanted Pluton, why wouldn't I have simply taken the blueprints from Water 7? They're still there."
This statement hit Vivi and Igaram like a bombshell. They'd thought possessing Pluton's poneglyph was a huge advantage, but they hadn't imagined blueprints still existed.
"Then what is your true objective?"
"Our true objective…" Ryuya leaned close to Vivi, whispering, "is to…"
Vivi's eyes widened, and she stumbled backward, falling to the ground.
"You have no choice. Accept our protection and future allegiance, or wait for Crocodile to consume your country. Or perhaps we could help Crocodile…"
Vivi found Ryuya's audacity appalling. The Dawn Bird leader was using his power to strong-arm them into submission.
"Fine. I agree. Arabasta will accept the Dawn Bird's protection."
Vivi's eyes burned with resentment, but she had no other option.
She added cautiously, "Have you considered that this will make Arabasta a target?
The Navy's strongest Admiral, White Dove, might be the first to attack!"
Ryuya said, "Don't worry, that's impossible. Believe it or not, my goal is world peace!"
Vivi rolled her eyes but said nothing. This man had defeated Big Mom! Their entire nation couldn't defeat him.
A system notification echoed in Ryuya's mind.
[Ding! Check-in mission: Arabasta Kingdom. Reward: Favorable Weather Card. Time limit: 3 days!]
Ryuya wasted no time. "Let's go!"
The Noah's Ark materialized in the sky. Exiting the tavern, they saw the colossal ship…
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