36

As Tony and Nami ate and chatted happily, Tony noticed two people watching them intently from a nearby table. One had blue long hair and a face as delicate and pure as a snow lotus, glowing with a soft, warm light like jade. Despite her youthful appearance, she was undoubtedly a little fairy! Tony recognized her immediately—she was Nefertari Vivi, the princess of the Arabasta Kingdom.

Beside her was the captain of the Arabasta Royal Guard, Igaram. With his large, curly hair, he looked quite ridiculous, and Tony had to fight back a laugh.

Vivi looked at them with admiration, already dreaming of the day she could set off on an adventure herself. But as the princess of Arabasta, she didn't have the freedom to choose her path. She quietly asked her bodyguard:

"Igaram, do you think they're bounty hunters? They have so much money, do you think they're very strong?"

Igaram gently replied, "Princess Vivi, perhaps we should return to the palace now. His Majesty the King is waiting for us."

As the captain of the royal guard, Igaram didn't want Vivi to get involved with these people. He subtly changed the subject.

Vivi sighed and pouted, her steps slower as she left the restaurant.

Tony watched their movements, noting that Vivi was likely headed towards a troubled future, given Crocodile's plan for the "Utopia." The poor princess would face immense hardship.

Thinking about it, Tony couldn't help but feel sympathy for her. He could see how kind-hearted and understanding she was, always putting others first and bearing the weight of responsibility. She was the exact opposite of the typical sheltered princess. She loved peace and hated unnecessary conflict, but she was also strong and capable.

And most importantly, she was incredibly beautiful—something Tony couldn't ignore. A rather wicked thought started to form in his mind.

A devilish grin spread across Tony's face.

Nami, noticing the expression, blinked her big eyes in confusion.

After their hearty meal, the restaurant owner warmly led them to their VIP room to rest.

As night fell, Tony looked out the window at the twinkling lights of Arabasta, admiring the view while secretly planning how to approach Vivi's situation.

Suddenly, Tony noticed several shadows outside the restaurant, watching him from various directions.

He closed his eyes, using his Observation Haki to sense their presence.

"One... three... five."

There were five people in total, all keeping an eye on him.

Tony slowly opened his eyes, a murderous intent rising within him. His eyes turned red, and the three-tomoe Sharingan began to spin.

He didn't need to think twice—it was definitely Crocodile's handiwork.

"Hehehe, you came looking for trouble, Crocodile! Don't blame me for what happens next!"

...

As the saying goes, a "dark night with strong winds is the perfect night for murder."

Tony, wielding his Zanpakuto, leapt directly from the window and single-handedly led the group to a deserted beach near the port. This place was quiet and isolated, with very few people around at night.

Although his Zanpakuto, the Ryujin Jakka, wasn't showing its full power yet—some might even say it was just a decoration—it was always by his side. Tony believed in it as his core weapon, one that would not only help him grow stronger in his Devil Fruit abilities, but once he unlocked its Shikai, it would undoubtedly unleash terrifying strength.

The waves gently rose, slowly covering the beach as the tide came in.

Tony stood alone with his back to the sea, his eyes fixed on the figures of the Baroque Works members hiding in the shadows.

"There's no one else here, so stop hiding. What's the real purpose behind all these people watching me? Your boss really knows how to make things complicated..." Tony said, his voice cutting through the stillness.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the dark streets, and the five members of Baroque Works appeared one by one.

The first familiar figure Tony saw froze him for a moment... Nico Robin!

~----------------------------------------------------------

T/N:

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