Chapter 45 I choose to awaken the Conqueror's Haki! Usopp: I am the Admiral, and I must pretend to be the best this time!
Nami's words suddenly stopped, her gaze falling on Princess Vivi, who stood nervously in the corner, her hands clasped tightly to her chest, her eyes filled with worry.
"You are...?"
Vivi took a deep breath and stepped forward solemnly: "Please...please help Alabasta!" Her voice trembled slightly with emotion, "Our country is facing an unprecedented crisis!"
As Vivi recounted, a shocking conspiracy gradually surfaced:
Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai, was secretly controlling Baroque Works, attempting to overthrow the Alabasta regime. He used Dance Powder to create droughts, stirring up conflict between the people and the royal family, pushing the entire country to the brink of civil war.
"...The people are killing each other, and all of this is Crocodile's plot!" Tears welled up in Vivi's eyes, "I...I really don't know who else to turn to..."
Just as Luffy was listening intently with his head tilted, a mysterious voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
"Mysterious Choice triggered!"
"Option A: Hand Vivi over to the Marine. Reward: Bounty increased by 50 million Berries!"
"Option B: Ignore the request and continue sailing. Reward: Full feast of Sea Kings roasted meat!"
"Option C: Escort Vivi back to her country. Reward: Special Haki awakening (beginner)!"
Luffy tilted his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly patted his stomach: "Hmm...I'm full now, so roasted meat is out." He looked at Vivi, his gaze more serious than ever, "That sand Crocodile, he actually made the people of a country kill each other..."
His fists unconsciously clenched, and a flame of anger ignited in his eyes beneath his straw hat: "Unforgivable!"
So, I choose C!
"Choice completed: Option C"
"Reward will be issued after the mission is completed"
Luffy suddenly looked up, the shadow of his straw hat obscuring his expression: "We'll help you! That Crocodile...I'm definitely going to punch him flying!"
Vivi's tears finally streamed down her face: "Tha...thank you all!"
Usopp leaned over and patted her shoulder: "Don't worry! With this great me, the Sniper King, no Shichibukai is a match!" Though his legs were still trembling.
Zoro sheathed all three of his swords simultaneously: "It's a good chance to try out new moves on a Shichibukai."
Sanji lit a cigarette: "It's my honor to serve a beautiful princess~"
Nami was also very excited: "Alabasta, I heard it's a very big place. I wonder what kind of treasures we can dig up! We absolutely must go!"
Ron stood to the side, a faint smile on his lips, listening to Luffy's decision, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
"I support Luffy's decision. Crocodile's actions are indeed unforgivable."
As a companion, the reward he sensed would directly elevate his Haki to a new level!
Thinking of this, an invisible pressure unconsciously gathered at Ron's fingertips. Enhanced Haki—this was an upper-middle tier existence in the entire Pirate World.
One must know that even the most powerful figures in the world, their Haki had reached an advanced level.
"Enhanced Haki..." Ron assessed in his mind, "It should be enough to cope with the challenges of the New World."
"With my current strength, combined with enhanced Haki..." Ron's gaze swept over his companions, who were enthusiastically discussing, "Admiral-level combat power is not a problem!"
Nami seemed to notice his distraction and gently nudged him with her elbow: "What are you thinking about?"
Ron came back to his senses and showed a mysterious smile: "I'm thinking...if there might be some special treasure hidden in the desert of Alabasta."
"Really?" Nami's eyes instantly turned into Berries symbols, but then she narrowed them cautiously, "You're not going to dig up something strange again, are you?"
"Probably not."
Ron wasn't sure either, after all, treasure digging could unearth anything.
Additionally, the awakening of enhanced Haki meant that he would truly possess the capital to contend with Marine Admirals and Four Emperors-level powerhouses.
Vivi watched as everyone agreed without hesitation to help Alabasta, and tears of gratitude welled up in her eyes.
She clasped her hands in front of her chest and bowed solemnly: "After the crisis in Alabasta is resolved, the royal family will definitely repay your kindness generously!"
Nami's eyes immediately lit up, and she raised a finger: "No need for other thanks, just give us Berries!" She was already calculating in her mind how much reward would be appropriate.
Vivi couldn't help but smile, nodding seriously: "We definitely will."
Just as everyone was about to board the ship and leave, pushing open the banquet hall door, a tall figure made everyone stop in their tracks.
A man wearing a white suit vest and a Marine coat was lazily leaning against a bicycle.
He wore a green eye mask and seemed to be dozing off, only slowly raising his head when he heard the door open.
"Ara ara...are you finally done talking?" Aokiji's lazy voice sounded.
Nami's face instantly turned pale, and she let out a shriek, darting behind Ron, clinging tightly to his clothes: "You, you said you weren't coming to catch us?!" Her voice was trembling, "Why did you follow us here?!"
The other companions curiously observed the strange man.
Usopp even boldly walked forward and poked the old bicycle with his slingshot.
"Your bike needs to be replaced," Usopp commented in a feigned professional manner, "The tires are worn out, and the brakes probably aren't working well either, are they?"
Nami almost fainted at the sight: "Usopp! Get away from him!" She practically shrieked, "He's Aokiji, one of the Marine's three Admirals!"
"What?!" Usopp's long nose instantly stiffened, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably.
He mechanically turned his head, meeting Aokiji's half-smiling gaze, and immediately felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
At this moment of extreme panic, a thought suddenly flashed through Usopp's mind: if he could boast at this moment...
It would definitely be extraordinary!
Usopp suddenly straightened his back, the panic on his face completely gone, replaced by a profound calmness.
He looked directly into Aokiji's eyes, his voice low and powerful:
"So what if he's a Marine Admiral?" Usopp slowly stepped forward, each step seemingly in rhythm, "In front of me, the Sniper King Usopp, he's nothing special."
"Mysterious Ability triggered!"
"Detected epic boasting scene: Facing Marine Admiral Aokiji!"
"Completion Reward: Fishman's formidable physique (special effect: can swim freely in the sea)!"
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