Chapter 209

He finally regained three suitable swords after his three blades were shattered by Hawk-Eye's sword, allowing him to wield the Three-Sword Style again.

Later, the group encountered Clowns Buggy, their enemy in Orange Town; Luffy nearly faced execution, but lightning struck from the sky and saved him—Smoker sensed his danger and moved to capture him, only to be stopped by Dragon…

After this incident concluded.

The Straw Hats left Loguetown and headed toward the Upside-Down Mountain.

Smoker became even more determined to leave Loguetown and return to the Grand Line; that same day, he took Darcy and several marines in pursuit of the Straw Hats toward the Grand Line.

Dragon, who had concealed his identity and seen Luffy off in Loguetown, also departed Loguetown; on his way back to the Grand Line, he received a message from Baratie.

Upon hearing the excited words from the other end of the telephone, Dragon's face darkened with shock, and he immediately turned back at full speed toward Baratie.

A month had passed since Luo En appeared in the East Blue and fought Hawk-Eye Mihawk.

Kaido of the Beasts still showed no movement whatsoever.

The Traveler Luo En had once again vanished without a trace, leaving no sign or stir.

This greatly disappointed many who had come to watch the spectacle.

Some high-up figures on this sea, who fancied themselves beyond the chessboard, holding the pieces and waiting to watch the tiger and leopard fight, were also taken aback.

Within a kingdom on an island of the Grand Line.

A man dressed in a white suit, wearing a cloak, and masked in white stood with his hands behind his back by the window.

"Oh… choosing to do nothing?"

"That's somewhat surprising."

The tall man in an odd suit standing behind him spoke: "I didn't expect Kaido could remain so calm."

"There are two possibilities: he's sensed some shifting winds… and… felt how troublesome that guy is."

The masked man spoke without turning around.

"Probably. But it's a pity—if they destroy each other, it would benefit us; combined with the Marines… we might reduce the Four Emperors to three."

The tall man chuckled.

They were the highest and strongest intelligence agency of the World Government, direct subordinates of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons—CP0.

The masked man was currently the highest-ranking officer of CP0, wielding immense authority, dual-colored Haki, the Six Powers of the Marines, and the power of a Paramecia Devil Fruit—his strength was extraordinarily formidable, though little known to the public.

He and his subordinates were killing weapons hidden in the shadows of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons; even the Seven Warlords of the Sea would dread being targeted by them.

"Look for another opportunity. Any movement from the Revolutionary Army?"

"Probably… none."

"Probably?"

The masked man turned his head slightly to glance.

The tall man's tone grew heavier: "The moment my people tried to make contact, they were immediately detected—all previous agents have been eliminated… now the Revolutionary Army's interior is as sealed as a steel drum, nearly impossible to infiltrate."

The masked man fell silent for a moment, then said: "They're becoming harder to deal with… the Revolutionary Army."

"But fortunately, the Revolutionary Army doesn't have many strong fighters yet—they're still within manageable limits; otherwise, they'd truly become the World Government's greatest threat."

"We mustn't let our guard down. Continue deploying personnel—whether or not we can infiltrate, we must uncover their movements."

"Understood."

…………

After entering the Grand Line, the Straw Hats quickly encountered Princess Vivi.

Upon hearing Luffy's name, she became extremely excited.

The first question she asked made Sanji, Nami, and Zoro tense.

"You're Luffy, right? Then do you know the Traveler Luo En?"

Luffy nodded at her: "Of course I know him. What's up?"

Upon hearing his reply, Vivi grew even more excited—she hadn't come to the wrong person.

She wanted to ask Luffy about Luo En's whereabouts, but she held back for now and first delivered the message Luo En had asked her to pass on at the Spirit Altar years ago.

"I once met him. He told me to tell you he'll wait for you in the New World."

"So we'll meet again in the New World… Good! I understand!"

Luffy slammed his fist into his palm, gazing at the sea ahead, brimming with determination.

"I'll be waiting for you in the New World, Luo En!"

"That, uh…"

Princess Vivi looked at him, hesitating.

"What's wrong? Do you have something else?"

Luffy, hand on his straw hat, asked her.

Under the gaze of the group, Princess Vivi gathered her courage and said to Luffy: "If possible, could you tell me where the Traveler Luo En is now?"

"I don't know."

Luffy answered directly, without hesitation.

Vivi froze: "…Huh?"

"I don't know where Luo En is right now."

"Huh… aren't you friends?"

"Yeah."

"Then where's he now…"

"I don't know."

Vivi was utterly dumbfounded.

Come to think of it… no one ever said that being friends means you must know where the other person is, right?!

Her legs went weak, and she slumped down onto the deck.

Sanji glared at Luffy and roared, "You! What did you just say to that beauty?!"

Luffy tilted his head, looking utterly innocent: "I really don't know."

"You're not allowed to say 'I don't know' to a beauty!"

"Then what am I supposed to say?"

"Luffy, don't pay any attention to this idiot."

"What did you say! You seaweed-headed bastard!"

"Ha?! Who's a seaweed-head, you wanna fight?!"

"Then fight! Who's afraid of who!"

Bang bang!

After Nami's two fists came down, Sanji and Zoro, who had been at each other's throats, instantly fell silent, big lumps swelling on their heads as they collapsed onto the deck.

"So noisy! All of you!"

Nami clapped her hands together and said irritably.

She looked again at Vivi, at her pitiful little appearance, and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh: "Is there something you need from Luo En?"

"I want to beg him to help me…"

Vivi said softly.

"Help you do what?"

Nami crouched down in front of her.

"I want to ask him to help me, help me… save my country."

Vivi truly could hold it in no longer; tears burst from her eyes. "If I can't find him, my country will be destroyed!"

Nami, Sanji, Zoro, Luffy, and Usopp all stiffened at her words.

Nami looked at her seriously and said, "Your country is going to be destroyed? What happened?"

Vivi wiped her tears as she told these people she had just met the whole story from beginning to end.

She had no other choice now but to trust the friends of that man standing before her.

After listening to Vivi finish telling everything.

Usopp broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead: "One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile… This is no ordinary enemy."

"Pirates stealing a country — what nerve."

Sanji lit a cigarette.

"The guy Luo En once slashed into a serious wound… worth a fight."

Zoro's eyes were sharp, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.