Chapter 24: Declaration of war, Luffy vs. Zoro and Percy vs. Clarisse!
"Faster, faster." Mr. 9 repeated.
Hastening away, the man intended to leave town, as did Miss Wednesday, while she mounted Carue.
"Mr. 9, where should we go? No matter where we hide, these two won't leave the island before they've killed us."
"We are going to take over the pirate ship," the man taught him. "None of them will stop us."
Then, rummaging through his pockets, he took out an Eternal Pose that pointed in one direction.
"And with this, we can head to my home island! We'll be safe there."
"But...Mr. 9...why are you helping me?"
"We're teammates, baby." The man assured simply, with a big smile. "However, I would like to know what a princess like you is doing here."
"Well, actually, I..."
Suddenly exploding, not far from them, a building collapsed blocking his path.
"That…?" the duo wondered, stopping.
"Princess, don't make us run." Mr. 5 advised him, showing himself. "You will exhaust yourself for nothing."
"You?" Mr. 9 wondered, moving in front of Vivi to protect her.
"Well, what do we have there?" He wanted to know Miss Valentine. "Another traitor?"
"See why something like friendship is stupid." Mr. 5 said, beginning to wipe his nose. "We'll be done in two seconds."
Knowing full well that they won't stand a chance, Mister 9 and Carue turned around.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
Suddenly, the trio found themselves face to face with Miss Monday.
"Miss Monday?" Vivi wondered.
"Get out quick." The woman advised them.
" That ? "
"Don't turn around," she advised them.
Then, looking at Vivi, she said her.
"If my sacrifice helps a friend, I will gladly do it."
She then ran towards Mister 5 and Miss Valentine, armed with a large wooden log as a weapon.
"Miss Monday!" Vivi exclaimed.
"Don't turn around," ordered Mister 9. "Come on, get down, run!"
"But... and Miss Monday?"
At that moment, he saw a tear fall down his friend's cheeks, while he looked down, saying.
"Don't let the sacrifice of Mister 8 and Miss Monday be useless! You must run... whatever it takes."
Then hearing an explosion in the distance, Vivi gritted her teeth, before finally looking away from her.
"Honey,...RUN!"
She was not long in marching her steed, followed by Mr. 9 who shouted.
"Thank you for everything, Miss Monday."
However, a dung hit her back, creating a new explosion.
"OHHHHH!"
"Mr. 9!" She lived horrified, seeing him fall to the ground.
"Another less idiot." Mr. 5 assured, advancing towards her.
"Hahaha! This hunting party is really fun." stated Miss Valentine. "But it's time to end that."
" Exactly! NOSE FANCY CANON! "
Seeing a new wave of mucus coming toward her, Vivi could only put her arms in front of her face to protect herself. Exploding, the projectile shook the area, as its creator stated.
"Mission accomplished! We just have to take care of the case of the other fools."
"Unless, of course, they've already run away," laughs Miss Valentine.
"Run away? Why run away?"
"Hmm?" Duo wondered, looking at Vivi.
When the smoke cleared, Thalia was in front of her, as she used her shield to protect her.
"Yuck, now I have to wash it!"
"But how...?" wondered Mr. 5.
Suddenly, he jumped to the side to avoid a powerful blow as he destroyed the ground at his feet.
"Damn it, lost!" said Clarisse.
However, aiming at Mister 5, Rachel shoots, wounding him in one shoulder.
"Take that!"
Touched, the man groaned in pain before crashing into the wall of a house.
"Mr. 5?" wondered Miss Valentine.
Then, feeling like a demonic aura, the woman suddenly went flying, the instant a blade passed close to her face.
"Where are you running to?" asked Zoro, with a carnivorous look on his face.
Startled, without knowing why, Miss Valentine ends up seeing some of her tresses fall, cut by Zoro's saber.
"Wow, you certainly don't hold back." Clarisse told her. "I can see why Dad likes you so much."
"Shut up! An enemy is an enemy."
"Mr. Bushido?" surprised Vivi." But why?"
"Let's just say we've come to a certain agreement with your bodyguard," Thalia announced, with a reassuring little smile. "Fear not! We'll take very good care of you."
"I don't think we have the same meaning as your last sentence." Rachel noted. "Clarisse and Annabeth want their money."
"And you, what motivates you to protect her?"
"...I must make you stronger." Assured the Oracle of Delphi, as she watched Mister 5 get up. "This place... You either get strong or you die. And these guys are the perfect workout."
"Some bloat." Roars the explosive man. "You're going to suffer."
"I'd love to see that."
"ZOROOOO!"
"CLARISSE, THALIA!"
"Huh?" Said the trio as they saw two new silhouettes arrive.
In front of them, at the other end of the neighborhood, they could see Luffy, with his huge stomach full to the brim, and Percy, who had Riptide in hand.
"Luffy?"
"Are you finally awake, gum-rubber?" Rachel asked him.
Seeing an angry look, however, Thalia looked surprised.
"Luffy?"
Clarisse yelled. "You like you, Luffy! And you too, Prissy! Come and help us, there's these two guys to beat! Come and blow off some steam!"
"Ingrates!" Luffy suddenly roared, in the direction of the demigoddesses and the swordsman. "How could you have hurt them?"
"Huh?" said Zoro. "What are you talking about?"
"Villagers! They threw a party in our honor and you…?
"You slaughtered them... Without mercy." said Percy very angrily.
"Huh?" wondered Zoro.
"Oh, no." said Rachel, trying to hide.
Luffy, jumped towards him, before stretching out his fist. "GUM GUM NO... PISTOL!"
Widening his gaze, Zoro had to dive to the side to avoid his friend's punch.
"What?" he wondered as the attack hit a rock, shattering it to pieces. "Aren't you out of your mind!?"
"Die, motherfucker."
"Bouffon, listen to me better! These guys wanted our death!"
However, seeing that Luffy didn't want to listen to him, Zoro had no choice but to respond using his fists or pods.
"What a jerk," Clarisse said.
Before he could say anything, Clarisse had to block Percy, who looked very angry.
"You always have to be such a troublemaker, don't you!"
"Damn it, Jackson, you're already overdoing it! Besides, what were you going to do, huh, let them kill you?!"
"Vales, it looks like those four are going to get into a fistfight and more, so I'll take care of those guys from Baroque Works or whatever they're called. Rachel, you in? Thalia asked, dropping down from her makeshift seat.
"Leave them to me!" Rachel exclaimed. "All in all, better than staying in the crossfire..."
Then, seeing the four of them rushing at each other, Miss Valentine only scoffed, before letting herself float into the air.
"I'll crush their bones."
However, while ignoring her, Thalia pointed her spear directly at Miss Valentine.
" What ... ? "
Imitating her father, the daughter of Zeus charged a powerful bolt of lightning and hurled it at Miss Valentine, leaving her scorched. When she fell to the ground and struggled to her feet, Miss Valentine had lost her smile.
" I'm going to kill you. "
Immediately, she began to float towards Thalia and attempted to strike her. Unfortunately, being much more athletic than the bounty hunter and being the lieutenant of the Artemis Slayers, Thalia had no trouble dodging her charges while her arms were crossed.
Seeing his teammate in bad shape, Mister 5 fiddled with his nose, before targeting Thalia with fresh excrement.
"Die!"
However, screaming in pain, he felt Rachel hit him from behind.
" Gotcha. "
"So did I." Mr. 5 replied, daring to smile.
" Oh ?"
At that moment, the spot where Rachel's rifle had hit exploded. Thrown backwards, the Delphi Oracle crashed violently into a barrel. Then, barely having time to right himself, he felt Mr. 5 straddle him.
" What ?"
With no time to say more, he felt his enemy strike him several times. And with each blow, there is an explosion that damages the premises and Rach's face.
"Take that, messed up!"
" Hey. "
Turning around, Mister 5 saw Groover behind him.
" Come here. "
"What, you want to fight too?" asked Mister 5, straightening up.
However, he barely had time to take a step when he heard a voice behind him.
"Get back in there."
"Hum?" said Mister 5 and Groover, seeing Rachel get up.
Face charred and bloodied, Rachel was still standing. Looking at Mister 5, he shouted.
" You are nobody. "
" What ?"
"Compared to everything I've seen in my home, you're nothing! You don't scare me!"
"You stupid little girl!" yelled Mr. 5, picking his nose. "You're starting to piss me off."
Seeing him do so, Groover prepared to scream. Still, he heard Rachel roar.
"Don't intervene. It's my fight."
"Go to hell!" roar Mister 5.
Seeing their droppings, Gin suddenly committed the thoughtlessness of running headlong, without trying to dodge them. Then, the next second, an explosion occurred as the projectiles touched his body.
"Hahaha." Laughs Mr. 5. "Poor fool!"
However, chasing the cloud of smoke, a silhouette broke through the explosion and managed to find himself in front of the man.
"That...?" wondered Mister 5, seeing Rachel, his chest burning.
"I'm stronger than you!" Roared the Oracle, ready to fire.
Then, a second later, the Lord of Nature grimaced as he heard Mister 5's jaw shatter into pieces, as three teeth fell to the ground.
Only able to groan in pain, the man fell to the ground, unconscious.
"In your face!" Rachel shouted, before spitting out some blood.
"Are you okay? For a moment, I thought you were going to lose," Groover admitted.
"Oh, shut the fuck up. Although I admit I was very surprised that a man could create explosives from his body." grinned Rachel.
"If Leo had that fruit, the Camp would have to flee." laughed the Satyr.
Suddenly crashing to the ground, Miss Valentine, winced in pain, as she tried to get up. Lost in pain, falling towards her, Thalia crushed her knee at the level of her abdomen, pulverizing her diaphragm. Unable to scream, Miss Valentine lost consciousness.
"It's done!" Thalia roared, looking irritated. "As soon as I see Junior, I'll kill him."
Seeing a bruise on her cheek, Rachel sneered.
"The princess was beaten by a pathetic human?"
"Shut up! At least I didn't need help."
"What did you say, bitch?"
Grover stepped in between the two trying to separate them.
"Hey, hey, hey! Come on, calm down a little! You both beat them, there's no need to fight."
"BAZOOKA!"
"GIRI!"
Feeling a powerful shockwave, the trio turned to Zoro and Luffy; as did Percy and Clarisse, who continued to fight violently.
"But what a stupid duo." Sighed the daughter of Zeus.
"And that two of our friends are trying to kill each other." spoke the Satyr.
"Indeed... Percy still has that bad temper when he's pissed off."
For her part, standing next to Mister 9, still on the ground, Vivi couldn't take her eyes off this titanic struggle.
"But... but who are these people?"
"I don't know... But they are incredible." said Vivi as she stared UNTROUBLED at the gods, who were watching the combat.
" TIGER SLASH ! "
" PISTOL ! "
" YARI ! "
" DEVIL ! "
"Home run!" announced Apollo, trying to see the two enemies crashing to the ground.
"How do these two imbeciles become so useful?" wondered Hera.
"In... Unbelievable!" Said Vivi. "They defeated them so easily."
"And now..." Zoro shouted, turning to Luffy.
"We'll be able to fight peacefully." Luffy assured, mimicking him.
"Hey, guys! Calm down!" Groover shouted.
"Shut up!" Roared the two men, contracting their muscles. " I'm going to kill him. "
Immediately, Groover, Rachel and Thalia could see a demonic aura appear surrounding the two men as they grinned evilly. Taking a step back, Vivi could only be afraid of this situation, while Rachel asked.
"Wouldn't it be better to stop them?"
"We have other problems to take care of." Thalia commented, seeing that Percy and Clarisse were going all out.
"You know, Prissy this has been a good opportunity to get revenge for that time you threw dirty water on my head." said Ares' daughter smiling just like Zoro.
"First of all, you and your beastly brothers messed with me and secondly, I still think you favor the " Eau de Toliet" replied Percy trying to mock her.
"That's it, I'll finish you off, Jackson!"
"Go ahead, La Rue!"
"AHHHHHHHHHH." Zoro and Luffy shouted, running towards each other, while clenching their fists.
"RRRRRAAAAGH!" the two demigods lunged at them.
"SSSSSSSTTTTTTTTOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!" Two voices roars before four fists slam into the two warriors and the demigods.
With broken jaws, Luffy and Zoro fell to the ground, unaware; at the same time Percy and Clarisse dropped their weapons. Open-mouthed, the spectators in front of them could only watch them fall at the feet of Nami and Annabeth, who needless to say were furious.
"How dare you jeopardize my plan to earn a billion yen, what would you have done if the girl had been injured because of you?"
"Certainly, Seaweed Brain, I leave you alone for five minutes and find you in mortal combat with Clarisse!"
"The more I look at these girls, the more I feel they are daughters of Ares." Rachel said.
"Hey!" shouted Ares and Athena, shooting sparks out of their eyes.
"She scares me more than Kronos." Rachel admitted.
For her part, Thalia looked back and saw Vivi discreetly ordering Carue to run away. However, as she felt Artemis' lieutenant's hand rest on her shoulder, the princess froze as Thalia gave her a big reassuring smile.
"Don't worry - we're here to ensure your safety! We'll be your bodyguards on the way to Alabasta."
"Bodyguard?"
"We know about your country." Suddenly he was shown up by Annabeth, arriving in turn. "You're the princess of Arabasta, aren't you?"
" How do you know ?"
"I think it would be good if we all had a discussion," Annabeth schooled him.
"Do you have any money?" Clarisse wanted to know, slowly recovering.
" Eh ?"
"Money." Repeated the woman. "How much are you willing to pay for...?"
"Idiot." Annabeth insulted, smacking her head.
"What? That's all you're interested in anyway, you and me."
"What... what are you talking about?" wanted to know Vivi.
"Hahahaha." Luffy laughs. "Holy Zoro! You had to tell me right away that these guys wanted to capture us."
"Fool!" Roared the swordsman.
"Sorry, guys. I didn't think..." said Percy regretfully.
"You know how to think?" asked his cousin innocently, only to earn a look from Annabteh as she blew a kiss to her boyfriend.
"I forgive you, but next time listen first."
"So be it, Wise Girl."
"Wow, I'll admit, you've improved a lot, my daughter!" the King of the Gods proudly proclaimed, to the exasperation of all present.
"Would you stop doing that every two seconds, brother?" said Hades, with a loud yawn. "After all, it's quite annoying."
"At least he doesn't need to be underground all day like a mole," Demeter replied for Zeus.
"Did you say something, Cereal Face?"
"Stop it, please." said Hestia, calming the mood.
"That's right, listen to Hesty, you pair of fools!" said Luffy, surprising everyone.
"It's "Lady Hestia" to you!" practically Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera and Demeter shouted at Luffy, who had to cover his ears.
Only for Hestia to approach Luffy and smile sweetly at him.
"So that's my nickname?"
"Oh, yeah, 'Hestia' is too long for me, so I'll call you 'Hesty'! Don't you like it?" asked Luffy to the Goddess of Home.
"OF COURSE, YOU IDIOT!"
"I love it, thank you, sweetie." said Hestia as she stroked his head gently. "And please be careful, I don't want you to hurt yourself."
The Olympians were shocked; Hestia seemed to be treating Luffy with more affection than Zeus and the rest.
"If I don't see it, I don't believe it!" said Afrodite with bulging eyes.
"Hestia is starting to treat Luffy like her son!" said Hermes just as surprised.
"I didn't expect that..." said Hephaestus genuinely surprised.
"Enough!" Nami roared (apologizing to the gods, mainly Hermes, for interrupting them talking to Luffy), as she and Annabeth talked to Vivi. "Well, here's our offer, we want a billion Berrys to escort you there safe and sound! Against us, Baroque Works doesn't stand a chance of killing them."
"Honestly, I really don't know if I should be happy with this contract or not." Annabeth confessed, as she sighed. "The reward is high, but so should be the danger."
"A... billion?" repeated Vivi.
"We are strong." Nami assured. "Very strong! You won't regret this contract."
"Tsss." Suddenly someone said.
Sitting behind a wooden box, Mr. 9, whose man had many wounds, was the one who had just spoken.
"Baroque Works is not a simple organization! It includes many mercenaries or bounty hunters with superhuman strength! In front of them, Mister 5 and Miss Valentine are nothing."
Turning his gaze to Nami, he said.
"You don't know which way you're going."
"Are you sure?" asked Zoro, with a confident smile.
"It's impossible." Vivi suddenly replied.
"But yes." Thalia replied. "Luffy, Zoro and us can beat anyone."
"It's not about the enemy, this is your request! I can't pay a billion berries."
"Why?" asked Nami. "You're a princess, aren't you?"
"Igaram told us about an economic crisis in your country," Annabeth recalled. "Suddenly, I guess there's no money there anymore."
"That's true." Vivi said.
"Goodbye billion." Clarisse understood, getting up. "Well, then we can go."
"You really are heartless, you." Rachel noted.
"What? Except for your money, I don't see why I'd put my life on the line to save this princess."
"What exactly is going on in your country?" Annabeth wanted to know.
"H... A civil war has started, and lawlessness too! In recent years, a call for revolution has been launched! The locals began to commit acts of insurrection, plunging the country into chaos! And all this is due to a criminal organization: Baroque Works".
Jumping up a bit, Mr. 9 looked at his partner as he continued.
"I found out that they were responsible for inciting the riot! Other than that though, I couldn't get any other information! So with Igaram, I decided to infiltrate the organization."
"Igaram?" shocked Luffy. "The guy with the weird hairstyle?"
"Yes! She's been watching over me since I was little! I decided to play spy to find out who was the head of this organization! And who created it!"
"I heard that this organization was created to save a country." Claimed Mr. 9. "I don't know which one! However, our goal is to overthrow the king who is a true tyrant and thus save the people."
"Liars!" Vivi then roared, "This is what the boss tells all but the most skilled agents of his."
"I guessed, a band of bounty hunters serving a kingdom as a law enforcement? They're like mercenaries back home." said the daughter of Athena.
"So what?" Zoro asked. "What are this guy's true intentions?"
"He declares that he wants to create an ideal nation! But this is just a facade! He only wants to take possession of the throne of Alabasta! And for that, he intends to start a great war! A war between the rebels , that they are being manipulated by this man and the Alabasta police! In total, this brings together more than a million people."
"A…a million?" Nami repeats. " But then ... ? "
"Yes. If a war breaks out, it would be a real massacre! And after this massacre, the head of the organization plans to kill the king before he establishes himself on the throne."
"Hahaha, finally blood and death everywhere! About time!" Ares said clearly excited.
"Shut up, it's horrible!" said the Goddess of Love, very upset.
"That?" Mr. 9 asked, getting up. "Wait! They didn't tell me anything! They assured me that he would be considered a hero when he worked at the Baroque Works! It wasn't about letting a million people die."
"Whether he knows it or not, it doesn't change anything." Rachel pointed. "No matter what, history will take its course and this war is fast approaching."
"Damn," Nami said. "In this case, I can really say no to this trillion berries."
"Well, shall we go now?" Clarisse asked, barely bothered to hear Vivi's story. "No money, no contract."
"You really are horrible, you know that?" Rachel noticed.
"I've been saying it for a long time." Thalia secured.
"Spoiled brat." Zoro's insult.
"Do you want me to kill you? Anyway, I don't see why we would go to the trouble of bringing you home and risking our lives for nothing! Besides, can I find out who is the boss of the Baroque Works?"
Jumping, hearing this question, Vivi looked away, as she answered.
"I do not know".
"You lie as badly as Luffy." Zoro said. "Come on, tell us the truth."
"Can't!" Vivi replied. "He is a feared and dangerous man, known throughout the Grand Line! He is Machiavellian and cunning! It's not for nothing that Crocodile has become a Shichibukai."
"Crocodile?" Luffy repeated. "Who is he?"
"Crocodile?! Isn't that one of the guys Junior told us about at East Blue?!" I remember Apollo.
"That's right. And he must be very strong from what Junior told us and from what Vivi tells us."
Immediately there was a great silence, while Vivi covered her mouth with her hands.
" I'm sorry. "
"Something idiotic." Nami roared, shaking her.
"We have to kill her and make the evidence disappear." Clarisse yelled.
"You are crazy." exclaimed Mister 9.
"Clarisse, one more suggestion like that, and she'll let Percy cut you to bits."
"My, your daughter has a bloody vein, Owl Head!" said Poseidon, irritating his niece.
"You do realize that she is dating your offspring, right?" Athena replied, wanting to attack him.
Zeus sighs tiredly. 'Are they ever going to behave?'
"A...a Shichibukai?" Gin repeated. "Our enemy is a shichibukai? Like Mihawk?"
Immediately, unable to control them, his entire body shuddered. The man was afraid. For her part, beginning to kick, Rachel disguised her anxiety at what she had just heard. Same for some demigods and gods. They still remembered Mihawk's power very well; he's up there with Odysseus at least.
"Crocodile...? Is... is he really that strong? Anyway, even if we know our name, how will he go about finding out who we are?"
In response, the sound of flapping wings was heard. Raising their heads, the entire small group saw an otter and a vulture watching them, before leaving.
"That…?" Lucy wondered.
"Band motherfuckers." Thalia roared, pretending to fly.
However, anticipating her move, the otter turned on the fallen angel and ended up throwing a bomb at him. Frightened by recognizing the object, Thalia tried to slow down. Exploding suddenly, the bomb created a large cloud of smoke that allowed the two animals to flee.
Can only cough, Thaila finally roars, before turning to Vivi and Mister 9.
"Who are these animals?"
"They are the ones in charge of punishing the members of the Baroque Works who failed during a mission. They will surely go and warn the boss of the situation."
"Who is this boss?" He wanted to know Rachel. "Who is Crocodile?"
"A Shichibukai whose bounty amounts to over eighty million berries."
The demigods were shocked when they heard it. It was eight times the maximum bounty on their most wanted criminals! Junior already told him, but hearing it from the Grand Line natives only made it even more impressive.
"Eighty?" Horrified Nami. "It's four times as many as Arlong! What are we going to do?"
"What is the problem?" She wanted to know Luffy.
"Huh?"
"If we want to go to Raftel, we have to fight the Shichibukais." Zoro noticed.
"Right; if we want to go back home, sooner or later we'll have to face the strongest in this world. And honestly, I'm dying for that." smiled the daughter of Ares. "I've had fun like never in a long time."
"No way." Nami roared. "It's too soon".
"Leave it, Nami." Annabeth said, sighing. "Anyway, knowing our luck, and having Luffy as captain and the 'Jackson's Luck' with us, it was lost beforehand to know a smooth voyage."
"I don't know why, but I'm beginning to think that boy is going to kill us all."
"We don't care about money." Nami yelled, before walking off. "I want to live! I'm leaving."
"Hmm? Where?"
"I'm leaving the Grand Line before Crocodile knows my identity."
"Are you kidding?" Rachel asked. "And how are you going to get back to Reverse Mountain? We already had a hard time coming here thanks to the Log Pose."
"I'm a navigational genius," Nami replied. "I... I can succeed."
"Yeah, sure. You don't know where to go in a relatively safe way, not to mention that you might be chased back to your island." Dionysus commented, drinking his Coke.
"Forget it." Zoro said, yawning. "We can't run away."
"You see?"
"Yes, Uncle D. Your constant complaining is very helpful." said Apollo, earning laughter from Hermes and surprisingly from Artemis
"Damn!" Clarisse sighed, plopping down on a wooden box. "So at least five people from our crew are officially on the Baroque Works death row list! In this case, I guess we have no choice but to destroy these guys! Luffy, you've got to kick Crocodile's ass! , but you must leave something to the rest of us . "
" Yeah come on. "
"Be quiet!" Nami roared.
Depressingly, she sobbed herself.
"Why do these things always happen to me?"
"Uh, I… I have some money." Vivi taught him. "If you want, I can give you... 500,000 bells."
"The cost of our fares has been drastically reduced." Rachel noticed.
"Don't worry." She called out a voice suddenly.
Turning around, Rachel and Zoro were slightly startled, seeing a monster with blonde hair, dressed as a woman.
" What is that thing ? "
"Igaram?" Vivi wondered.
"I have a plan." The man announced, as he placed some mannequins near him.
"What is this ridiculous outfit?" He wanted to know Aphrodite. "It's so unsightly that socks with sandals would look good."
"And that matters now because...?" asked Artemis rhetorically to the Goddess of Love, only for her to get angry.
"I decided to pose as Princess Vivi." Said the man.
"Even a blind man could tell it's not her." Annabeth replied, a bead of sweat behind her head.
"Annie's right, it's a lousy plan." shared the daughter of Zeus.
"You're stupid?" He wanted to know Clarisse. "And what are the models for? Don't tell me they're supposed to replace us?"
" Yeah. "
Hitting her forehead, Clarisse pretended to sigh.
"Your plan will fail."
"What plan?" She wanted to know Luffy.
"The Baroque Works information network will soon distribute the photos of our faces! By tomorrow, we will all have become enemies of the Baroque Works! Therefore, it will be impossible for us to reach Alabasta without getting into trouble! Allowing the princess come home, you need a distraction."
"Baroque Works is that powerful?" Rachel asked, intrigued.
"The organization has over two thousand people," Vivi taught her.
"Two thousand?" Nami and Hestia were scared.
"What does this have to do with your plan?"
"I will sail to Alabasta, posing as Princess Vivi! And these mannequins will replace you."
"You have to be stupid to believe this hoax." Athena replied.
"The only thing that matters is that I can play with the lures for as long as possible." Igaram stated. "And once they give chase, you can safely set out for Alabasta."
"We never said 'yes'." Clarisse shot back.
However, punching her fists while Zoro played with his sabers, Luffy ended up screaming.
"That smells like adventure! I love it!"
"I agree with Clarisse-chan." Nami replied. "We don't have a deal yet! We're pirates, anyway! No mercenaries!"
"Take Vivi-sama to Alabasta and see him with the king! She's a good person! She'll give you a reward for protecting her daughter."
"Anyway…" Annabeth began thoughtfully. "Fighting a guy with a bonus almost three times that of Luffy? It's almost crazy. Although our life is already crazy since we are born, so this is normal."
"Me, I'm neutral on the question," Rachel said. "Do we accept or not?"
"Of course," Percy said, with. "Let's beat up one of the Shichibukais, and then head to Raftel."
"You have my greatest thanks." Igaram announced, as Nami began to cry in grief.
"I don't want to die."
"Mo ma maaa." Song Igaram, while in a small boat. "I'm going to go now and spare you now."
So she tried her luck, she asked.
"Princess Vivi, give me the Eternal pose."
"Eternal Pose?" Nami wondered as she saw Vivi holding the item in question.
"This is a version of Log-Pose whose needle always points in a specific direction: that of an island! And this one says Alabasta! I would use this to get to Alabasta! You'll use your Log Pose! Normally after a few se stops, you will reach your destination".
"Interesting, this structure allows for better reception of certain electromagnetic fields. I assume the needle must be made of the same material as the destination island." Hephaestus examined the Eternal Pose with great interest.
"It's certainly useful, I wish I had one of those at home." Hermes commented with a smile.
Then, looking at the pirates, he yelled.
"I leave the princess in your hands! I'm counting on you pirates."
"Mr. 8."
Taking a step towards him, while holding their baseball bats, Mr. 9 pointed at himself, while declaring.
"Let me go with you".
" That ? "
"They tricked me." The man confessed. "I... I didn't know that I was helping an organization that is ready to let a million people die and then take over a country! I refuse! Let me correct my mistakes by helping you."
"I appreciate your help, but I refuse." Igaram replied.
" Because ? "
"I know very well that my chances of succeeding on this journey are very slim! So I refuse to take anyone with me, knowing that they are likely to die."
" But I … ? "
"Mr. 9!" Igaram said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Protect the princess."
"Huh?"
Climbing into his boat, Igaram left the port, while he looked at the small group.
"Good luck, Princess Vivi. The fate of Alabasta is in your hands."
"Ossan, see you next time." Luffy said.
At that moment, a violent explosion occurs before his eyes. Exploding to pieces, Igaram's boat disappeared in a puff of smoke and sank in a second.
"That…?" Annabeth wondered.
"The boat…?" Rachel began.
"Shit, a trap!" shouts the daughter of Ares furiously.
"MR 8!" shouted Mr. 9.
For her part, wide-eyed, Vivi remained frozen.
"Impossible !"
"Baroque Works". Zoro understood, looking for someone. "We must go."
However, seeing Luffy stand still, he cried.
"Luffy!"
Leaning down to grab his fallen hat, Luffy put it back on his head, as he yelled.
"We will keep our promise, ossan! Everyone to the ship."
Luffy feels a hand and turns to look at Percy, feeling the same as him.
"We're in this together, Luffy."
The rubber pirate nods.
"Nami." Hermes called. "Does the log-pose reload?"
"Yes, Hermes-sama!"
"In this case, we run."
Seeing the pirates flee, Mister 9 turned to Vivi, who remained motionless.
"WEDNESDAY PRINCESS! Come on."
"I... Igaram?"
"Princess, come." Thalia yelled, grabbing her hand.
"No, no!" Vivi replied, pretending to dive into the water. "I have to help him! I have to save him!"
"Don't do that! If you die, his sacrifice would have been useless."
"Too bad! Let me put it away! Please."
Suddenly taking her in her arms, Nami hugged her.
"We will protect you." Annabeth said as serious as her boyfriend.
"Huh?"
"Baroque Works won't touch any of your hair. I promise you, they will regret putting Luffy and Percy up in a grievance by killing this great man."
" Were going. "
"Hmm?" Sanji said, straightening up.
Opening the bedroom door, Percy hurled water at the sleepers.
"aaah! Damn it, boy! What was that?"
"We're leaving now."
"EIA, EIA, EIA." Usopp yelled, as Luffy pulled at his nose.
"What's going on...?" He wanted to know Chopper, waking weakly from the effect of the water.
Soon, Luffy and Percy joined the rest of the gang heading to Vogue Merry.
"Hurry up, Princess Wednesday." Mister 9 yelled, seeing her look in all directions.
"Wait, are you coming?" Groover asked skeptically.
"Of course, I have to fix this!"
"Carue! Where is Carue?"
Finally reaching the boat, they saw Zoro and Artemis already on the Merry, preparing to leave.
"Let's go." the Goddess of the Hunt yelled.
"Yosh." Luffy yelled, throwing the bodies of his companions onto the deck of the ship.
But when the others started up the rope ladder, Zoro saw Vivi arguing with Mister 9 and Nami.
" What's happening ? "
"She refuses to leave without her duck."
"This thing?" Zoro asked, pointing to the large bird next to him.
"WHAT!"
"I am going to kill you." Vivi roared.
"Roronoa, if you touch that creature again, I'll target you!"
"Go ahead, brat, we'll see if you know how to use the bow without your arms!" Both Zoro and Artemis butt heads.
"We must go up the river and fork towards the ocean." Mister 9 yelled, going up in turn. "It's the safest way to get off the island."
"Get off the island?" Sanji wondered, regaining consciousness. "What? Why are we leaving?"
"Where we are?" Tyson asked, rubbing his eye.
"Calm down, big guy. We'll be leaving in a minute." Percy reassured him.
"Oh hello people!" Everyone sees Junior stretching out and leaving where the sea can be seen. "What, enjoying visiting an island full of assassins?"
"YOU! YOU KNEW...!" Hera yells, furiously reflecting everyone's opinions.
"Yep, I knew that. But you have to be a fool to fall into such a sloppy trap. I mean, a party in honor of pirates and where there are thousands of tombstones? Hey, that's already a warning!"
Junior dodges arrows from Artemis and lashes from Aphrodite.
"You nearly killed the boys and Luffy, you idiot!"
"Oh come on, that's been fun...wait, why did you put Luffy aside?" Junior said laughing, when Nami hit him on the head.
"Be quiet!" Nami roars. "While you were sleeping, we risked our lives."
"When did you risk your life?" Rachel asked.
"What has already happened?" She wanted to know Sanji.
Then seeing Vivi, she screamed.
"The pretty girl is with us."
Then, seeing Mister 9, he looked disgusted.
"Is he there too?"
"Do you want me to kick your ass, you son of a bitch?"
"The day will soon break." Thalia noted, as the mist formed around the boat.
"Let's take advantage of the fog to leave the island discreetly." Nami said.
"Very good idea! So you can easily escape from your pursuers."
"I know." Nami assured, turning to Thalia.
"Hmm?" Said the demigoddess. "I said nothing".
"Who's going?
"That?"
"Be careful with the depth of the water! A sharp rock could damage your hull."
"How?" the two girls wondered, turning around.
Immediately, the two of them saw a female figure, sitting calmly on the railing of the boat.
" Who is she ? "
"Miss… Miss All Sunday?" Vivi exclaimed.
"She Wow, she's pretty." said Apollo and before Zeus can say anything, Hera cuts him off.
"Don't even think about it, senorito."
"What, can't I state the obvious?" asked Zeus unimpressed.
"No, you do not!"
"She's a member of the Baroque Works?" He wanted to know Rachel.
"Yes! She's a very high-ranking member," Mr. 9 said, pulling out his baseball bats. "She. Even she is Crocodile's teammate."
"That?" The pirates were surprised.
"Then, you know what to do: we have to kill her." Clarisse exclaimed, pretending to attack her.
Unfortunately, upon being captured, the daughter of Ares felt that dozens of her arms were grabbing her, preventing her from making the slightest gesture of hers.
"That…?"
"Slowly," advised Miss All-Sunday. "I don't want to hurt you! After all, I've already taken care of the other investigator."
"The other…?" Rachel repeated.
"Are you the one who killed Igaram?" Vivi exclaimed.
"Hum, Mr. 8? Yes, indeed."
"Trash!"
"Hey you". Luffy yelled, pointing at the newcomer. "What are you doing on my ship? You are a bad woman, aren't you?"
"Of course I do, asshole." Nami and Annabeth roared.
"When I was in the organization, she was the only one who knew the identity of the boss! To find out who she was, I followed her," Vivi said.
"To be more precise, she let you follow me," replied Miss All-Sunday, with a small smile.
"That?"
Suddenly, All-Sunday's gaze fell on Percy as she tried to explain to Tyson what was happening. Suddenly, feeling something touch his shoulder, Percy turned his face to feel a finger touch his cheek, making him jump.
"That…?"
"Fuhuhu! You are very cute, you." Robin said.
"Touch my boyfriend again and he killed you, slut!" Annabeth pulled the celestial bronze knife from her, surprising everyone.
"Annabeth, that mouth!" She was scandalized by her mother.
"This way, Annie, this way; fight for your love! A duel between two rivals for your love!" The Goddess of Love was heating things up.
"Don't change the conversation and shut up." Vivi roared talking to Miss All Sunday and Aphrodite, drawing the attention of the Olympians. "If Crocodile knows my identity, it's your fault, right?"
"Where's the damage?" asked All-Sunday. "You got what you wanted and Crocodile got what he wanted! Everyone's happy that way."
"What? But whose side are you on then?" Thalia asked.
"Hum? Hard to say, I was just trying to have a little fun, that's all! However, the idea that a princess is fighting a Shichibukai to save the country from her is totally ridiculous."
"Bitch!" Vivi yelled, pretending to run towards her.
"Princess Wednesday, calm down." Mr. 9 advised her, grabbing her arm.
Suddenly finding himself behind All-Sunday, Groover prepared to yell.
"Do not move!" Groover ordered.
"But?" All-Sunday asked, still smiling at him.
"Don't underestimate me," advised the Lord of Nature.
However, Junior taking a closer look at the woman's face, was surprised to recognize her.
"Fuck, you're...Nico Ro-!"
All-Sunday lost his smile and suddenly crossed his arms and the man fell to friends
" That ? "
"What's the fucking power of her?" Zoro roared.
"The arms keep coming up." Rachel noticed. "She can she clone herself or what?"
"Actually, she can 'sprout' parts of her body onto any surface."
Themis appeared behind Miss All Sunday as he pointed a sword at her.
"Lady Themis!"
"The Flower-Flower Fruit, or also known as the "Hana-Hana no Mi", of the Paramecia type."
"Come, keep calm." Advised Miss All-Sunday. "I'm not on a mission right now! So I don't have any reason…"
Crossing her arms again, she managed to make Luffy's hat fly towards her.
"...To hurt you."
"Hey, give it back to me." Luffy ordered him.
"Captain Mugiwara…" All-Sunday smiled. "You've become famous lately! You're the hottest thing in East-Blue! It would be a shame if you died so quickly, to a lost cause."
Having fun with Luffy's hat, she continued.
"However, whether you help this princess or not, you are already doomed."
"What?" Nami wondered.
"Your Log-Pose is currently pointing to your next destination: Little Garden! An island you won't be able to get off of! You'll damn yourself going there."
In response, Luffy reached out to him and managed to retrieve the hat from him.
"I don't care what you say! I'd just go my way, and that's it! I'm the man who's going to become the pirate king!"
"The king of the pirates, huh?" All-Sunday repeated.
Suddenly, she shot an eternal pose at Luffy.
_Well, take this! With that you will avoid Little Garden! Instead, you will go to Nanimonai, an island near Alabasta. "
"Hey?" amazed Thalia. "What's the catch?"
"Do not listen". Mister 9 yelled. "Why would Mister 0's teammate help us with her?"
"Do what you want! However, thanks to this route, they won't follow you! I can guarantee it."
"Because?" Nami asked. "Why would you trust us?"
"I wonder."
Then looking at Luffy, she questioned him.
"What are you going to do, future king of the pirates?"
Just watching All-Sunday, Luffy felt a vein appear on his forehead. Finally, increasing the pressure on his fingers, he destroyed the Eternal Pose.
"Out of the question."
In an instant, Athena immediately began to choke him while Nami used her combat staff to bash his captain's head.
"Stupid boy."
"I'm going to kill him! I'm going to kill him."
"Hey, calm down." Poseidon advised them. "Luffy could have done well! We can't trust her that easily."
"Do not say foolishness". Sanji suddenly stated.
Suddenly, doing her love dance, he stared at All-Sunday, as she nodded.
"A pretty girl can't be bad."
"Shut up, you're like Zeus."
"What a pity". It just says Miss All-Sunday, speaking to the gods. "Very well, in this case, I doubt we can meet again! So goodbye. By the way, I don't know how you hid from me earlier in the village; but you would do well to leave that princess behind.
Then, getting up, she jumped over the rail of the boat and landed on the back of a huge turtle, smoking a cigar.
"Come on Banchi!"
"What is this thing?" She wanted to know Usopp, seeing the animal leave. "Is it a sea monster?"
"No, it's a huge turtle." Luffy yelled.
Suddenly being pushed, Luffy fell backwards, while Junior started screaming.
"Wait! You're that girl, aren't you? You're Nico Robin."
He got no answer, as the huge turtle disappeared into the mist.
"Hey, can someone explain to me what's going on?" Groover yelled. "Who was this woman? Why are these two guys back on our boat? And why did we leave the island so quickly?"
Suddenly hearing a footstep behind him, Usopp saw Carue, right behind him.
"AHHHH! There's an ostrich in the boat."
"A giant duck." Tyson marveled at seeing it.
"But what the hell is going on?"
Falling at the same time, Groover and Tyson ended up screaming.
"CROCODILE? Have you declared war on Crocodile, one of the Shichibukais?"
"It's great! Isn't it?" Luffy asked.
"How cool is he?" Tyson looks at him with almost the same admiration as his brother
"Thank my God". Usopp said. "Luckily, I hadn't woken up! They would have killed me."
"Look what will happen, we will have a better chance of dying in the next few days." Clarisse noted.
"Thank you for your optimism."
"Hey Mugiwara." Mr. 9 yelled. "Are you really sure you're okay with what's going on?"
"Hmm? As long as we can have a great adventure! That suits me."
"Didn't you understand anything or what? It's something serious! Princess Wednesday risks her life to save her kingdom."
"Uh, just, can you stop calling me 'princess' please?"
"Sorry! But it would make me weird to keep calling you 'Miss'!"
"What is your first name, dear?" Hestia asked him.
"My name? It's Neni."
Puffing on his cigarette, Sanji summed it up.
"Simply put, cute Vivi is the princess of a kingdom that Crocodile wants to take over! And we, as bodyguards, have to go there, while escorting Vivi! Then, I guess we'll be forced to kick some butt" . of this Crocodile".
"Impressive! Nothing better to start our journey! By the way, Sanji, I'm hungry."
"Me too." Tyson exclaimed. "Eat!"
"Prepare the sake, you fucking cook." Zoro said.
"And the rum." Gin added.
"These idiots don't understand anything." Nami sighed.
"Let's do it." She advised Annabeth, preparing herself to smile rather than get angry. "Anyway, as long as we're together, what do we have to fear?"
For her part, looking at a wanted poster, she ends up saying Junior, laughing.
"Hahaha, I knew it, it's her! How she's grown!"
"Hmm?" Hades said, approaching him. " What are you watching?"
"This woman…" Junior began, dressed as a banker from the Wild West. "She's Nico Robin...she can be as dangerous as Crocodile!"
"Nick Robin?" Dionysus wondered.
Suddenly Themis said:
"Ohara's Demon Child."
"Yes, that's it! The eight-year-old girl who managed to get a bonus of nearly eighty million berries! Now what you need to know is why a person like her decided to join Crocodile."
"THAT?!"
"At eight years old..." Demeter didn't know what to say.
"Are you sure, Lady Themis?" Afroita said nervously.
"Without a doubt... I... Let's just say I know very well..."
"It's a long story, but it has nothing to do with this. So don't think about it too much, come on!"
Junior went humming happily and driving everyone crazy, even Themis, although two gods in particular were looking at him.
Junior was quietly drinking while smiling.
"Ha, this is life!"
"It would be true if you didn't have that look."
Junior is surprised when he sees Athena and Apollo together with serious faces.
"Wow, guys! What a scare...! Seriously, that's not right..."
"What do you know about Nico Robin?" Apollo asked directly.
Junior lost part of his smile and seemed a little more serious.
"Why do you ask, Polly? Do you like it?"
"You know very well why; you and Lady Themis know too much about her. Almost... as if you both knew her." Athena suspected.
"Well... you're not on the wrong track, but out of respect for some old acquaintances, I can't tell you anything."
"Funny, because you got really excited when you saw her and she covered your mouth when you were going to say her name." commented the Sun God.
"...Oh yeah?"
Junior turned to them.
"Let's make a bet, if you find your champion by the time we get to Alabasta, I'll tell you everything I know about her, along with one very interesting thing that concerns you to the gods."
Apollo and Athena raised an eyebrow, skeptical but interested.
"What's that...?" Apollo began to ask when they both come to an incredible but strangely disturbing conclusion.
"It has to do with the 'D.', doesn't it?" Athena said cautiously.
Junior's mocking smile and the two hands of him waiting for a handshake from both gods was enough of an answer...
To be continued...