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"Hey hey hey... no way..."
Looking at the massive smoke slowly dissipating in the sky, Mr. 9's face instantly turned pale.
He quickly shouted to Usopp in horror:
"Why are you attacking them?!"
The Unlucky Pair...
Even though they were only ranked 13th among the agents, everyone in Baroque Works knew they were "special members" who could directly communicate with the boss!
If the boss found out they died right before his eyes, wouldn't he be done for?!
However, just as Mr. 9 was thinking this...
BOOM!!!
A violent explosion suddenly erupted from the turbulent sea.
Although much smaller than Usopp's Tabasco Star, it was still powerful enough to easily destroy a small sailboat!
Usopp slightly shrugged at Mr. 9. Though he didn't speak, his expression seemed to prove...
His choice had been the right one!
"They were here to eliminate us," Vivi, who had returned to her princess demeanor, said with a frown as she approached.
"Huh?" The stunned Mr. 9 showed a confused expression.
Vivi sighed and explained to her clueless teammate: "Our mission! Don't forget, we haven't completed the task of hunting Laboon yet, and now we're aboard another pirate crew's ship..."
"I think the two of us have probably been placed on Baroque Works' elimination list."
"How could this be possible?!" Mr. 9, well aware of the cruel rules within Baroque Works, immediately lost all color in his face and collapsed to the ground in despair.
However, one person's misery is another's joy.
In contrast to Mr. 9's grief, the Straw Hats were surrounding Usopp with amazement.
Zoro clicked his tongue in admiration: "That's impressive, Usopp! You actually created such a powerful ammunition!"
Sanji couldn't help but agree: "Seems like I really can't underestimate you anymore!"
The power displayed by the Tabasco Star was enough to threaten a Vice Admiral or a pirate with a bounty over 100 million Beri!
Combined with Usopp's incredible long-range shooting ability, he had now said goodbye to any notion of being "weak"!
"Ahahaha~"
"It's nothing! Compared to you guys, I still have a long way to go!"
Usopp immediately put on a proud smirk when receiving appreciation from his crewmates.
"I have to thank Nami for approving my research expenses, allowing me to advance my development much faster!"
After speaking, he opened his satchel again to put away his slingshot.
But at that moment, a dark gleam suddenly flashed from the gap in his bag.
The sharp-eyed Zoro and Sanji immediately noticed...
Usopp's backpack was filled with jet-black ammunition!
Each piece exactly the same as the Tabasco Star he had just used!
Gulp!
Zoro and Sanji were both startled, and their expressions changed as they looked at Usopp.
So many Tabasco Stars—even they couldn't handle that many!
When did Usopp become so formidable?!
Clearly, on this ship, you couldn't let your guard down for even a moment!
Influenced by Usopp, Zoro and Sanji immediately decided to increase the difficulty of their own training.
At that moment, Luffy suddenly shouted excitedly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Look, people are coming out!"
"Huh?" Everyone immediately looked ahead.
On both sides of the harbor entrance in the middle of Whiskey Peak, a large number of villagers had gathered, holding banners and cheering loudly:
"Welcome to the Grand Line!!!"
"Pirates, welcome to Whiskey Peak!!!"
"..."
"..."
With harvest-festival smiles on their faces, all the residents welcomed the Going Merry as it entered Whiskey Peak.
"That's strange. Are people in the Grand Line always this welcoming?" Nami asked, observing the unexpected reception.
However, when Red saw this, the corner of his mouth raised slightly: "Obviously, someone's setting us up as targets."
Who would have thought that these seemingly hospitable ordinary people were actually all members of Baroque Works!
However, Red, who was determined to reach Alabasta as soon as possible to conduct his experiments, didn't intend to let the Straw Hats get too entangled with these minor figures.
"Stop waving at them, Luffy!"
Looking at Luffy standing on the bow of the ship still enthusiastically waving back, Red called out helplessly to the unsuspecting captain: "Don't you realize that... their eyes are fixed on your head worth a hundred million Beri!"
"These guys are all bounty hunters from Baroque Works!"
"Ah?! Really?" Luffy looked dumbfounded.
"Well..." At this moment, Vivi approached and said apologetically to Red and the others: "I'm familiar with the people in charge here. Let me talk to them."
"That would be best." Red nodded.
There was really no need to waste time on a group of low-level bounty hunters.
The Going Merry docked at Whiskey Peak's port.
As soon as Luffy and the others stepped off the ship, a tall man with curly hair walked over and personally presented a wreath to Captain Luffy.
But before he could deliver his prepared speech, a look of surprise flashed across his eyes.
This man was none other than Igaram, the captain of the Alabasta Royal Guards who had infiltrated Baroque Works together with Vivi and successfully assumed the position of Mr. 8!
Because there were too many onlookers, Vivi immediately winked at him.
Under Igaram's confused gaze, the Straw Hats were welcomed into the town.
A grand "welcome" banquet soon began in the city's tavern!
During the feast, everyone ate and drank, seemingly falling comfortably into the gentle countryside atmosphere.
The dim moonlight cast shimmering rays across the silent town.
Night fell quietly.
All the bounty hunters gathered together. But now, they had long shed their amiable daytime appearances. Each held a weapon, with expressions of excitement and bloodlust on their faces.
This was their true nature!
Swoosh!
The tavern door was quickly pushed open.
Under the moonlight, countless blades gleamed with a cold light.
But the next second...
"...What?"
The expressions of all the bounty hunters suddenly changed.
They looked in confusion at the Straw Hats, who were quietly enjoying drinks in the tavern, astonishment evident on their faces.
"You... you... why aren't you unconscious?!" one of the lead bounty hunters couldn't help but blurt out.
They had spent the town's entire alcohol supply trying to get this group drunk!
If they failed, they would face terrible hunger in the coming days.
However, hearing this question, Luffy, who was sitting on the table stuffing food into his mouth, immediately frowned in displeasure.
"What! I thought you were good people?!"
"It turns out just like Red said, you actually have ill intentions toward us?!"
"Then..."
"Don't blame us for being rude!"
Shing!
Zoro suddenly drew his sword from his waist, and a powerful fighting spirit rose from his body.
"My first battle in the Grand Line?!"
"It just so happens that I haven't completed today's training yet..."
"I hope you can provide me with enough of a challenge!"
"Why are you all talking so much?!"
Nami quickly assembled her Clima-Tact, bright lightning flashing around it, and reminded everyone:
"Don't forget to leave a few alive to tell us where the treasure room is!"
"As you wish, Nami-swan!"
Click!
Sanji lit a cigarette.
Next to him, Usopp silently put on his goggles, then with a subtle step, retreated behind everyone.
"They're certainly energetic!"
Red, calmly sipping a cocktail at the back, was the only member of the Straw Hat crew who didn't intend to participate in this battle.
Crack!
Luffy suddenly clenched his fists and raised the corners of his mouth slightly: "Let's go, guys!!!"
BOOM!!!
Like a lit firecracker dropped into water.
Following Luffy's command, the Straw Hats transformed into tigers and pounced on the group of bounty hunters who looked like predators but were actually lambs awaiting slaughter.
The sounds of weapons clashing and pained screams suddenly filled the air.
"Impossible! How can they be so strong?!"
"Run! The woman with the lightning is coming!"
"Don't go that way! That love-cook in the suit is right there!"
"Wait! That long-nosed guy looks weak! He's this group's weak point!"
KABOOM!!!
The violent explosion that instantly engulfed dozens of people caused the bounty hunters who were about to rush toward Usopp to freeze in horror.
Nearly a thousand bounty hunters were surrounded by just a few members of the Straw Hat Pirates, with no escape route!
Just half an hour later...
The bounty hunters, as helpless as newborn lambs, had all been defeated by Luffy and the others.
Meanwhile, Igaram, who hadn't participated in the battle, watched the allies Princess Vivi had brought to deal with Crocodile. His hands, holding their wanted posters, couldn't help but tremble.
"As expected of pirates with such impressive bounties. Their strength is truly amazing!"
"With their help, perhaps the Kingdom of Alabasta can be saved!"
Hope flashed in Igaram's eyes.
However, at that moment, a voice suddenly came from behind him:
"It seems the boss's information was indeed correct."
"You really are spies from Alabasta who infiltrated Baroque Works!"
"If that's the case, then I'm sorry..."
BOOM!!!
Just as Nami was sitting on a defeated bounty hunter, desperately shaking him to find out the location of the treasure room...
A deafening explosion suddenly erupted from a high tower at the edge of town.
Seeing this, Red smiled slightly, then turned his gaze away, an expectant look on his face:
"Is it finally here..."
"My first... collection."