Chapter 95: Princess
Monster Barbecue Island, on the top floor of a high-rise building near the harbor.
This was the office of Baroque Works.
"This guy must have been training since he was in his mother's womb! He's only two years older than me, yet he's already famous across the seas and causing a sensation throughout the entire underworld."
Princess Vivi was lost in thought, staring at the handsome face on the wanted poster.
If she possessed such skills, she could easily resolve Arabasta's predicament without needing to go undercover—this time-consuming and risky endeavor with uncertain rewards.
"If I could ask him for help..."
The thought inevitably crossed Vivi's mind, but she quickly shook her head. Never mind convincing Rhodes to help—contact was simply impossible.
The ocean was vast; how could she easily encounter the person she wanted to meet?
"Haah..."
Vivi sighed softly, setting down the wanted poster and gazing toward the nearby harbor.
Suddenly, she let out a startled exclamation, quickly reaching for the nearby binoculars. A closer look left her absolutely stunned.
"That person actually chose this place to land and resupply?!"
"That's right. This island is remote enough that most people don't even know about it."
Happiness came so suddenly that Vivi didn't know how to describe her feelings.
But she quickly calmed down.
She was just a powerless, exiled princess. Why should anyone help her?
Reality wasn't a fairy tale. Just because she revealed her princess status wouldn't automatically lead to selfless assistance.
"Let's try making contact."
Vivi clenched her fist, determined.
To defend her country, she was willing to sacrifice everything.
At the port.
"There are no assassins here."
Rhodes said calmly to Gates and the others.
The hostile intent of ordinary assassins was easily detectable with Observation Haki. Even if they concealed it well, the hidden malice in their eyes would be sensed and discovered by him.
Only a top-tier assassin, like the Night Blade level that Koala had mentioned, could completely suppress their killing intent in his presence.
Gates and the others breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
"Finally, we can relax."
"I'm going to take a hot bath and unwind."
"I want to buy some things to take back to West Blue and try some barbecue."
The sailors whispered excitedly. After getting Gates' permission, they left in small groups.
Gates headed to the town center to buy fresh water, food, and other necessary supplies, as well as to purchase a batch of high-quality pelts.
"Rhodes-nii-san, come quickly! I know where the most famous barbecue place is!"
Little Yukiko walked ahead, her pure white dress fluttering with her graceful steps, creating a beautiful sight.
Rhodes casually followed behind, taking in the surroundings.
This island was indeed different from the ones he had visited before.
There were fewer people coming and going, but each one possessed a dignified aura, was tall and strong, and exuded a fierce presence, clearly possessing considerable strength.
At that moment, a clear, melodious, and gentle voice echoed from nearby.
"Excuse me, sir, this is probably your first time here. Do you need a guide?"
"I only charge 2,000 berries."
The voice sounded familiar. Curious, Rhodes looked in the direction of the voice and was slightly startled. What he saw was a very familiar figure.
She had waist-length aqua-blue hair and a beautiful face. Even ordinary clothes couldn't hide the aristocratic temperament that seemed to flow through her very blood.
Nefertari Vivi, the princess of the ancient kingdom of Arabasta!
Rhodes never expected to meet her here.
But on second thought, it made sense. This place was very close to Arabasta, so it was natural for Baroque Works to deploy personnel here.
"Sir? Do you need a guide?"
Vivi didn't narcissistically assume that Rhodes was surprised by her appearance. She simply reminded him softly in a gentle tone.
Rhodes came to his senses after hearing this. He looked at the desert princess pretending to be a tour guide and had no intention of playing games with her. He said directly:
"Princess Vivi, please come over here. We have something to discuss."
As soon as he said this, the gentle smile on Vivi's delicate face froze completely.
What's going on?!
She knew her first attempt at being a tour guide might have some flaws, but how could he recognize her as a princess immediately?!
Could this guy read minds?!
Vivi couldn't help but gape, her eyes widening, her mind filled with confusion.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
"This isn't a place for conversation. Follow me."
Rhodes' tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority that made Vivi obey almost instinctively.
As they walked, Vivi finally regained her composure. She gritted her teeth, trying to gather her thoughts and decipher Rhodes' intentions, but her mind was so chaotic she could barely think straight.
Rhodes' sudden revelation of her identity was truly shocking.
As the princess of Arabasta, Vivi rarely appeared in public except during the World Conference, which was why she had been able to infiltrate Baroque Works successfully.
But she hadn't expected this young man, only two years her senior, to know her identity immediately!
While Vivi was lost in thought, the two of them slowly arrived at a courtyard.
It was a barbecue area, similar to a private dining room. Yukiko was standing at the entrance to one of the courtyards, waving at Rhodes.
Rhodes and the others approached.
Yukiko suddenly asked curiously:
"Rhodes-nii-san, who is this onee-san?"
"Vivi, a friend of mine," Rhodes replied.
"Nice to meet you."
Vivi forced a smile.
Normally, she would be delighted to see such an adorable little girl, but at that moment, she felt nothing but anxiety.
The three of them entered the courtyard.
Little Yukiko, perceptive and intelligent, keenly sensed the tense atmosphere between Rhodes and the other girl, and volunteered to handle the barbecue preparations.
A momentary silence fell.
Vivi clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white from the pressure. She was incredibly nervous.
"Don't be so tense. I mean no harm."
Rhodes reassured her with a smile.
Princess Vivi was a crucial part of his plan.
To overthrow Crocodile and legitimately ascend to the position of Shichibukai, he needed to expose Crocodile's conspiracy to the World Government or the Marines.
And evidence corroborated by the royal family of Arabasta would undoubtedly be the most convincing.
Princess Vivi was the perfect witness.
As Rhodes explained his intentions, Vivi slowly regained her composure, her eyes gradually filling with disbelief and surprise, mixed with a hint of inexplicable flutter.
Even though Rhodes had made his interests perfectly clear, the fifteen-year-old girl interpreted the situation quite differently.
Coming all this way specifically to save Arabasta from its peril, even willing to fight against such a powerful and evil enemy... he's truly a hero straight out of a legendary tale.
Vivi blushed, and as she looked at Rhodes, a hint of admiration lingered in her eyes.
Could I be the princess from one of those epic stories?
(End of Chapter)
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