"Who?"
Everyone in Baroque Works turned their heads, their gazes fixed on the depths of the distant golden desert.
"They've arrived?"
Robin and Crocodile's hearts tightened.
Only the two of them knew why so many people had been summoned here today.
Compared to Crocodile's instant solemn expression, Robin was much more relaxed.
Because the silver-haired group had arrived just in time; any later, and that foolish princess would have truly died.
She could see that Crocodile had already decided to kill.
And she believed that once Crocodile passed the silver-haired obstacle today, he would let none of the others present go, save for herself.
Before the plan truly began, Crocodile would not allow any flaws in it.
To have no flaws, naturally, the fewer people who knew, the better. And to have fewer people know, one would naturally have to silence those who knew completely.
As for herself, she wasn't afraid of anything.
Crocodile wouldn't kill her at this moment.
As for the silver-haired one…
She didn't fear death, she just didn't want to die in vain.
If the silver-haired one truly intended to kill her, just as Crocodile wanted to kill her, she would have no room to resist.
Therefore… her mood at this moment was still relatively relaxed.
At least, this was much better than watching that silly girl die.
*Jingle bells!*
The ringing grew closer, becoming clearer.
Everyone stared nervously at the distant sand dunes. They were all adults; none of them were fools.
Although they didn't know why they had been summoned here today, seeing Crocodile, who had been so arrogant moments ago, now looking so serious,
They should have known that the voice that had come with the ringing was likely the person they were about to face.
Vivi also heard the sound. Seeing Crocodile's rapidly changing expression, a flicker of hope for survival flashed in her eyes.
No one wanted to die, and she was no exception.
She still had to return to the royal palace and personally expose Crocodile's true face.
*Bang*
Crocodile swung his arm, throwing Vivi aside like trash.
Vivi's minor issue was now irrelevant.
Facing the approaching silver-haired figure, he dared not be careless.
"Huuu..."
"..."
Vivi gasped for air. She had indeed been close to death; she had seen true death in Crocodile's eyes.
Now that she was free from Crocodile's hands, which had felt like pincers squeezing her neck, she felt the whole world brighten.
Never before had she felt the greatness of life so profoundly.
So this was what it felt like to be alive, such a wonderful thing!
Vivi panted for a moment before propping herself up with her hands on her knees and quickly standing up.
She turned her head and looked at Karoo, who was lying on the side, and hurried over.
"Karoo, are you alright!"
"Kwa—!"
His voice was full of vigor.
"It's good that you're alright. We'll find a doctor later, just bear with it for now."
Vivi squatted down, stroking Karoo's head, then turned her head, her gaze also fixed on the distant sand dunes.
Anyone who could make Crocodile so serious must be a big shot!
At the very least, they should be on the same level as Crocodile.
She hoped the person arriving was Crocodile's enemy, someone who would defeat Crocodile, even kill him.
Kindhearted as she was, she had never hated anyone so much.
She wished Crocodile would die immediately.
"Ah… no way!"
As they saw the line of camels approaching the sand dune in the distance,
And as they saw the silver-haired figure on the foremost camel,
Everyone in Baroque Works instinctively took a step back.
They stared at Kouta's distinctive pale blue pupils, cold sweat beading on their foreheads, unable to stop.
*Gulp, gulp!!*
The sound of swallowing echoed.
It wasn't that they were useless; it was that the pressure emanating from the other party was too immense!
Even though Kouta wasn't exuding any aura, his staggering bounty of 1.5 billion was enough of an aura.
No one was foolish enough to think that a pirate with a 1.5 billion bounty was someone they, mere pawns, could face.
*Jingle bells!*
*Jingle bells!*
*Jingle bells!*
The camels approached from afar, and soon reached the position where the Baroque Works senior agents had stood earlier.
As for the four senior agents, the moment they saw Kouta, they had already retreated to Crocodile's side.
No matter how arrogant they usually were, it depended on who they were facing.
Now they were facing a pirate with a bounty of 1.5 billion. Standing in front would be seeking death!
"Well now! So many people, all here to welcome us?"
Kouta, sitting on the camel's back, pulled off his waterskin and tossed it towards Igaram, who was lying on the ground to his left, wriggling uncontrollably.
He had sensed the commotion here from a great distance.
He hadn't spoken all along because he didn't know what was happening here and hadn't sensed anyone was about to die.
While Observation Haki wasn't the same as eyes, and could sense a person's presence, he hadn't met Vivi and the others before, so he couldn't know these presences belonged to Vivi.
It was only when he sensed Vivi's extreme despair and Crocodile's undisguised killing intent that he spoke.
He withdrew his gaze from Igaram and turned to look at Crocodile, or rather, at Vivi behind Crocodile.
With a little thought, he understood why Vivi was here.
He had been advancing slowly all along to give Crocodile ample time to gather his subordinates.
And Vivi should have just joined Baroque Works at this time, so it wasn't surprising that she was among the gathered ranks.
Given Vivi's naive and impulsive personality, it was no wonder she couldn't hold back upon seeing the true mastermind behind the harm to Alabasta.
Vivi, after experiencing much after two years, might have been able to restrain herself, but as for now…
Having just left the peaceful royal palace and not yet experienced the harshness of the sea, it was understandable that she couldn't suppress the impulse in her heart upon seeing her enemy.
Looking at Vivi's disheveled state, covered in dust, a smile flashed in Kouta's eyes.
"It's good to suffer a little. This way, you can truly remember today's powerlessness, as well as the consequences of today's impulsiveness. It will also prevent you from being so foolish when you encounter such a situation again in the future."
Kouta's gaze shifted downwards, falling on Karoo behind Vivi, his eyes showing admiration.
This duck could be considered the smartest animal in Alabasta!
And it was exceptionally loyal and devoted.
Braver than most people.
"Doctor Indigo, please, take a look at the duck's injuries!"
"Understood!"
Indigo dismounted his camel.
*Puff, puff, puff*…
He walked towards Karoo. No one stopped him, and no one dared to.
Since Kouta and his group had appeared, a faint, subtle aura had been pressing down on everyone, making them too afraid to make any unnecessary moves.
Seeing Igaram gradually recovering his form in the distance, Vivi felt a slight sense of relief. She turned to look at Indigo, who was approaching, and quickly stood up, bowing to him.
She had heard Kouta speaking earlier and knew that Indigo was a doctor.
"Thank you, Doctor."
"No problem, Karkalel!!"
Indigo grinned at Vivi and then squatted down to examine Karoo's injuries.