She knew Alabasta could now be saved.
"Thank you all! You really are such good people!" Vivi said tearfully, overwhelmed with gratitude.
The reputation of the Dream Team had spread far and wide. Their mission to create a world map had earned them admiration across the seas.
Vivi had learned about their deeds and decided to ask for their help. Her gamble paid off.
However, when Vivi called them "good people," the Dream Team froze. A moment later, their expressions turned cold.
"Princess Vivi, we just helped you, and now you're insulting us?" Leah said, hands on her hips, clearly upset.
"Sumimasen, but... I didn't insult anyone! And you really are good people!" Vivi apologized, confused, and repeated her words earnestly.
"Enough, Princess Vivi. Since your issue is resolved, we should head to the banquet now," Ryuen said promptly.
"Banquet? What banquet?" Vivi asked, puzzled.
"Why, Crocodile's banquet, of course. Didn't he invite us to his casino?"
"If that's the case, we have to check out the headquarters of the Baroque Works boss," Ryuen said, looking toward the desert beyond the city with a calm tone.
"You know he's the boss of Baroque Works, so why go to his banquet?" Vivi couldn't understand their reasoning.
"Obviously, for the free meal! We've got big appetites, and saving a little is always good!" Daisy replied with a serious expression.
Vivi was stunned by this and didn't know how to respond.
"Um... Miss Wednesday, what should I do now?" Mr. 9, who was standing nearby, finally couldn't hold back any longer.
As Miss Wednesday's partner, he was struggling with the revelation that she was actually a princess—and, worse, an enemy of Baroque Works.
In their organization, failure meant punishment, and punishment often meant elimination.
Now, he had nowhere else to go.
Vivi felt a bit awkward—she almost forgot she had a partner. Now, her partner seemed to be in a situation where there was no way out because of her.
"Mr. 9, why don't you come with me and join Alabasta? You can't go back to Baroque Works anyway," Vivi said, a little embarrassed.
He had just been promoted to an officer, but his future was ruined because of her. No matter how she thought about it, she felt guilty.
"I... I guess I have no choice..." Mr. 9 said bitterly.
"Princess Vivi, since Crocodile sent you to invite us to Rainbase, we won't be walking there, right?" Ryuen interrupted their conversation.
"Of course not, Mr. 0... uh... Crocodile sent the studio's special land-and-water transport turtle to pick everyone up," Mr. 9 quickly replied.
"Everyone... Are you really going to this banquet?" Vivi asked the Dream Exploration Team with concern.
She already knew Mr. 0's true identity, and the Marines were about to take action. If the team went there, it seemed like a dangerous move.
"Of course. We won't miss a free lunch," Ryuen said with a serious expression.
"Alright then... I'll take you to find the transport turtle," Vivi said weakly.
Soon, they arrived outside the city, where a cart pulled by a large turtle appeared before them.
"These are the esteemed members of the Dream Exploration Team. I need to return to Alubarna immediately to inform my father about Baroque Works.
You and Mr. 9 will escort them to Rainbase," Vivi told Igaram seriously.
"Princess... your identity..." Igaram hesitated as he looked at the Dream Exploration Team.
"Don't worry, Igaram. They're good people.
And now that we know Mr. 0's true identity, thanks to their help, Marine hero Vice Admiral Garp has agreed to come to Alabasta to handle Crocodile," Vivi quickly explained.
"That's wonderful, Princess Vivi!" Igaram exclaimed, delighted to hear that Garp would personally come to resolve the issue.
After watching Igaram, Mr. 9, and the Dream Exploration Team leave, Vivi called her trusty running duck, Karoo.
"Karoo, we need to get back to Alubarna as quickly as possible. I'm counting on you," Vivi said as she mounted Karoo.
"Quack!" Karoo responded and began running at full speed.
Rainbase, Rainbases Casino.
For some reason, Crocodile felt a little uneasy.
"Miss All-Sunday, have the underlings reported where those youngsters from the World Government are now?" Crocodile asked calmly, looking out at the sandstorm in the desert through the massive floor-to-ceiling window.
"According to the scouts along the way, the transport turtle should be near Rainbase by now. They'll arrive soon," Nico Robin replied softly, glancing at her notebook.
"Then prepare a banquet.
After the banquet, arrange for someone to help them finish mapping the area quickly. I hope they won't stay here too long," Crocodile said, feeling annoyed.
"Understood, Mr. 0," Robin nodded and immediately went to instruct others to prepare the banquet.
As Robin walked away, Crocodile couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Yet, nothing seemed out of place for now.
He silently made several calls, summoning all the top officers of Baroque Works, except for Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, who were stationed at Whiskey Peak.
"I hope... these troublesome people don't cause any problems here," Crocodile muttered to himself after hanging up.
In the corner of the room, a petal-shaped ear silently disappeared.
"So, Crocodile has sensed danger and even recalled all the top officers of Baroque Works. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
In that case, should I also start looking for a way out and find a new place to go?
It's just... it's a shame I haven't obtained the Poneglyph here yet," Robin murmured to herself in the Rainbases Casino.
It turned out she, too, sensed that something was wrong.
You can read 10 Chapters ahead on my