Chapter 31
"Igaram, are you trying to get us killed?"
Watching Arlong's retreating back, Mr. 9 sidled up to Igaram and whispered harshly.
Igaram's smile vanished, his face expressionless. "We haven't had work in ages. Everyone needs the money."
Mr. 9: "Money we can't spend if we're dead."
Igaram played his trump card. "I have powerful sedatives—strong enough to drop a Sea King."
Mr. 9's expression shifted. Thinking of the 880 million bounty, he gritted his teeth. "Let's do it."
"I'll set up the ambush."
With that, Mr. 9 hurried off.
Igaram slipped into a side alley, weaving through until he reached an ordinary house.
He knocked six times in rhythm.
The door cracked open. Mr. Wednesday peeked out, confirmed no tail, and let him in.
"I have a plan to destroy Baroque Works."
Igaram wasted no time, speaking rapidly.
"Too risky?"
Miss Wednesday looked worried after hearing it.
"How much worse can Alabasta's situation get?"
Igaram countered.
Doing nothing offered zero hope.
Fighting gave at least a sliver of a chance.
"Please." After a long hesitation, Miss Wednesday agreed.
…
"Miss Wednesday, Miss Valentine—where are you?"
Arlong was getting frustrated [○?｀Д′? ○]. He had wandered all day without spotting his targets.
"Captain Arlong, bang bang bang… the banquet is ready—we're just waiting for you."
Igaram caught up from behind, speaking respectfully.
"Forget the banquet."
Arlong waved it off and grinned.
"I'd like to meet Miss Wednesday. Can you introduce us?"
"Captain Igaram!"
"Uh…"
Igaram's pupils contracted d(?Д?*).
His cover was blown.
He quickly put distance between them and aimed his saxophone.
Ready to fire dozens of bullets at any moment.
"Relax."
Arlong raised his hands. "Won't hurt you. If you don't want your identity exposed, take me to her."
Vivi's identity was already compromised at this point.
Baroque Works assassins were either on the island or en route.
"What do you want?"
Igaram glared fiercely at Arlong.
Even if he died, he wouldn't let harm come to Princess Vivi.
Dry Vivi—no, complete the mission and gain strength.
Of course, Arlong wouldn't explain.
He dangled the bait.
"If I'm in a good mood, I might solve Alabasta's problems."
Arlong hit Igaram's weak spot.
He and Vivi had infiltrated Baroque Works to save their kingdom.
An opportunity now dangled before him—fake calm was impossible.
Plus, his earlier plan was to pit Arlong against Baroque Works.
Now Arlong delivered himself—why refuse?
Weighing pros and cons, Igaram lowered his saxophone.
Suppressing his excitement, he warned, "If you harm Miss Wednesday, I'll haunt you as a ghost."
"Heh~"
Arlong chuckled.
Ghosts reminded him of the Ghost-Ghost Fruit.
Wonder if he could block negative hollows.
Igaram led Arlong back to the secret base and knocked.
Miss Wednesday looked puzzled. "Igaram, why are you—"
She swallowed the rest.
Arlong's menacing face and sharp nose filled her view.
After Igaram's earlier report, Miss Wednesday had studied Arlong's exploits.
Left the Sun Pirates, hid in the East Blue for eight years.
Silent until he struck—shocking the world.
Inspirational!
That was Miss Wednesday's take on Arlong.
"Not welcome?"
Arlong smiled at the beauty.
"Miss Wednesday—no, Nefertari Vivi."
The cool, badass Princess Vivi.
Vivi was stunning—curvaceous figure, practical outfit.
A mischievous grin made her look like a delinquent—zero royal elegance.
Her disguise was flawless.
[Ding! Detected a beauty meeting system requirements. Host, please improve relations as soon as possible.]
Identity exposed, Vivi's pupils shrank щ(?Д?щ). She glanced at Igaram.
This wasn't the plan.
Igaram looked helpless—who knew how they were exposed?
"Not just me—your enemies know too."
Arlong pushed Vivi inside.
"Baroque Works senior agents Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine are coming. Too late to run."
"What?!"
Vivi and Igaram exclaimed (((?Д?))) .
Vivi forgot Arlong's earlier rudeness and started packing to flee.
Arlong didn't stop her. He glanced at the simple room, found a stool, and sat.
Igaram gritted his teeth, approached Arlong, and bowed ninety degrees.
"Please, Lord Arlong—help Princess Vivi. Help the Kingdom of Alabasta."
Vivi froze, then bowed too.
Her loose halter top slipped, revealing a generous expanse of snow-white skin.
36D, perfect teardrop shape.
No response.
Vivi glanced sideways at Arlong.
Following his gaze, she realized she was exposed.
She raised a hand to cover—then thought of Alabasta's suffering people and lowered it.
Arlong caught her little movement. He looked away and leaned back lazily.
"What's in it for me?"
Igaram was about to promise when Arlong added,
"Crocodile is strong. Think carefully—one chance."
"Lord Arlong, you even know the mastermind behind Alabasta's chaos!"
Vivi's face lit up with excitement.
She and Igaram had infiltrated Baroque Works for ages and only uncovered scraps.
"Yeah."
Arlong nodded. Transmigrator basics?
Alabasta had plenty more trials ahead!
"Lord Arlong… can I have time to think?"
Vivi looked at him pleadingly.
A chance to save the kingdom—she didn't want to miss it, but feared Arlong might lie.
"Princess Vivi, Alabasta's future rests on your decision!"
Arlong "kindly" reminded.
He had experience with this "kindness."
Vivi bit her lip, torn inside.
"Lord Arlong, water."
While talking, Igaram brought a glass.
Arlong glanced at him, then drank most of it.
He set it down. "Good water—nice and sweet."
Seeing sweat bead on Igaram's forehead, Arlong teased,
"Captain Igaram, feeling hot?"
"Fine, thank you for your concern, Lord Arlong."
Igaram thanked him, then probed, "Lord Arlong, any discomfort? Dizziness, perhaps…"
Arlong shook his head. "Now that you mention it… yeah, a bit dizzy."
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