Chapter 207

"How are you still alive!? Can't that guy die!? That's Kaido!"

Moria's shrill voice echoed throughout the entire castle.

Ghost Princess Perona floated in midair, covering her ears.

"Lord Moria, please lower your voice!"

"Oh, sorry…"

……

【ps: The New Year is over; starting tomorrow, updates return to normal】

183, Reactions from All Sides, Vivi's Hope

Calm Belt, Snake Island.

"That man is still alive?!"

Old Lady Niu stared at the newspaper in her hand, a flicker of shock in her eyes.

And he's even matched that Hawk-Eye in swordsmanship… Has that man grown stronger again after two years?

Empress Boa Hancock sat atop the high throne, one long leg crossed over the other, her breathtakingly beautiful face wearing a smile that could topple nations: "I told you long ago—he wouldn't die."

"Snake Queen, you seem unusually concerned about this man."

Old Lady Niu asked her: "Is it because he attacked the Holy Land Mary Geoise?"

"That's one reason."

Hancock rested her chin on her hand, her long straight black hair loosely cascading down her back, her deep blue eyes half-lidded, languid and exquisitely beautiful.

"Any other reasons?"

"My intuition."

"…"

……

Grand Line, Alabasta.

Crocodile stared at the newspaper in his hand, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his cigar-stuffed mouth.

"Still alive… That's wonderful."

"I still have a score to settle with you—if you'd just died like that, I'd have been furious…"

Crocodile touched his chest; beneath his clothes lay a long, deep slash stretching from left shoulder to right waist.

Even today, it still ached faintly.

It was the unforgettable mark left by that man.

The newspaper in Crocodile's hand turned to yellow sand; his eyes brimmed with ferocity as he growled out a few words:

"Traveler… Luo En."

…………

Grand Line, Whiskey Peak.

Princess Nefertari Vivi, aged sixteen, disguised as Miss Wednesday and hiding within Baroque Works, stared at the newspaper and murmured softly: "You really are still alive…"

She gazed at the photo in the paper, a complex expression crossing her delicate face.

Two years ago, she had already learned who that mysterious boy was—the one she'd met in the Altar Hall of the Alabasta Palace that night.

The photos repeatedly appearing in the newspaper perfectly matched the unforgettable image of that mysterious boy in her mind.

She had also learned his name.

Luo En.

Traveler Luo En.

Captain of the Sky's Misfortune, a notorious criminal wanted by the Marines and the World Government.

Even Crocodile feared him greatly—and had been gravely wounded by him in his youth.

After growing up, Vivi gradually understood what he meant by the New World, and the significance of the stone tablet he had taken.

"East Blue… did you go to the East Blue? Will you pass through Alabasta again?"

A glimmer of hope and longing flashed in Vivi's eyes.

Today, Alabasta was nearly eighty percent under Crocodile's control; even her father, the king, had fallen into his hands, and the rebel forces were growing stronger by the day. Even as princess, Vivi was powerless in the chaos of present-day Alabasta.

She had no choice but to flee Alabasta, infiltrate Baroque Works, and seek evidence proving Crocodile's collusion with the organization to overthrow the entire nation—hoping to convince the domestic rebels and perhaps still avoid civil war.

But after infiltrating Baroque Works, Vivi realized how deep the waters ran; with only her own strength, achieving this… the hope was slim.

But if that man returned to Alabasta, perhaps he could solve all these problems…

Princess Vivi silently hoped within her heart.

By the way.

He once told me to tell someone named Luffy that he'd wait for him in the New World.

Luffy… is he his friend?

If I find this person named Luffy, will I be able to see him again?

Princess Vivi's eyes brightened slightly.

She immediately began inquiring about the man named Luffy.

…………

In the New World, the news of Traveler Luo En's return after two years had shocked many.

"That kid may be trouble-prone, but he's definitely got guts! Gura gura gura!"

Whitebeard laughed heartily.

Marshall D. Tich, still a member of the Second Division, held a wooden barrel of sake and grinned foolishly at Ace, who crouched nearby: "Ace Captain, you were right after all."

"Of course."

Ace grinned at the newspaper in his hand: "He's my target—I could never die so easily, even if the opponent was Kaido."

Ace looked around at the Whitebeard Pirates' crew captains and members: "I still remember who lost bets to me—pay up your Beli right now."

"Why the rush? We know, we know."

"I'll give it to you later."

"I spent all my money on liquor lately—no cash now, I'll pay you later."

Whitebeard, still hooked up to his IV, watched their laughter and play, and couldn't help letting out a deep "Gurara!" as he tipped the wine gourd to his mouth.

"Old Man, he was already able to severely wound Kaido two years ago. After lying low for two years, if his strength has risen another level, he might truly become the next Red-Haired."

Ma Erke, crouched beside Whitebeard, spoke up.

Whitebeard took a swig of wine. "Becoming the next Red-Haired isn't that simple. That man is one even I must take seriously. His strength is even more unfathomable than Kaido's. The boy has great potential, but he's still not at Red-Haired's level—not him, nor his crew."

"Even so, facing someone who can rival the Four Emperors—shouldn't we do something? Make friends… or…?"

Ma Erke asked.

Whitebeard shook his head. "Do nothing. Let's see what Kaido does next."

"Do you think Kaido will declare war on him?"

"Hard to say. But… the Grand Line's about to get lively."

Whitebeard drank deeply from his gourd.

…………

Upon hearing the news, both the Whole Cake Island and the Red-Haired Pirates remained silent, just like the Whitebeard Pirates.

For a time, all eyes in the New World turned to Wano Country, where the Four Emperor Kaido resided.

Waiting to see what Kaido would do.

………………

As the sea trembled and boiled over the news,

in the East Blue, Loguetown.

Daz Bones had also learned the news from the Marines who had come from the branch to take custody of the pirates.

"Huh?! The traveler Luo En, who vanished at sea for two years, appeared in the East Blue just the other day?! And fought Mihawk?!"

Daz Bones stared at the Marine soldier before her, utterly astonished.

"Absolutely true. The matter has already been reported to Headquarters."

"Has Officer Smoker found out yet?"

"Probably… not yet."