Luffy looked at Vivi, smiled and nodded, saying, "Exactly! So we need to create a false impression that his goal has been achieved."
"Make him believe that his plan has succeeded."
"Only then will he stop pretending and pursue his true objective~."
Suddenly hearing Luffy mention "true objective," everyone, including Vivi, who was the only one who had just answered the question, became even more confused and bewildered.
Only Robin looked at Luffy with surprise in her eyes, wondering if Luffy knew something.
"True objective? Isn't Crocodile's objective just to take over Alabasta?"
"That's right, Luffy! Didn't Vivi already say that?"
"Why are you suddenly saying such strange things?"
Luffy had long anticipated everyone's doubts. He smiled mysteriously and asked, looking at everyone, "Do you think Crocodile, as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, would go to such great lengths just to take over a country?"
As soon as this question was asked, everyone fell into thought.
Of course, no one could think of anything.
Luffy continued to explain, "Crocodile, as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, has the support of the World Government behind him."
"He can openly engage in piracy and legally plunder."
"It can be said that he has money and status."
"Why would he covet taking over a country?"
"Don't forget, he is a pirate."
"What else can a pirate gain from taking over a country, besides money and status?"
"He wouldn't be thinking of being a good king, would he?!"
After Luffy finished speaking, everyone present fell silent.
Upon careful thought, it was indeed as Luffy said.
Crocodile had no reason to take over a country.
Because he couldn't possibly be thinking of truly being a king beloved by the people.
For a moment, they became confused again.
Looking at Luffy, they asked, "Then if he's not trying to take over Alabasta, what is he after?"
Luffy smiled upon hearing this, looked at Robin, and said, "Robin should know!"
Immediately, everyone's gaze turned to Robin.
Especially Vivi, who asked impatiently, "What exactly is Crocodile's objective?"
"Why does he want to bring this country to the brink of destruction?"
Looking at Vivi's eyes, filled with tears and anger, Robin couldn't help but glance at Luffy again.
This Captain, he didn't seem as simple as she had thought!
Robin slowly began to speak, "He is after the ancient weapon hidden in Alabasta, Pluton!"
As soon as these words were uttered, everyone reacted just like the Baroque Works executives did when they learned of this from Crocodile.
After understanding what Pluton was from Robin, everyone was stunned.
"There's actually such a terrifying thing!"
"So that's it! Is the Shichibukai's goal to conquer the world with Pluton?!"
"If he really gets his hands on this weapon, then wouldn't this world be in danger!"
Everyone was amazed.
Only Vivi couldn't help but burst into tears, her voice trembling.
"To destroy our Alabasta for something like that."
"That Crocodile, unforgivable, absolutely unforgivable!!!"
Everyone looked at Vivi's heartbroken expression and couldn't help but feel sad and sympathetic for her.
At this moment, Luffy gently patted Vivi's back and said softly, "Vivi, don't worry! We will definitely help you save Alabasta!"
The others also stepped forward to comfort Vivi.
"Don't worry, Vivi! With us here, your country will definitely be safe and sound."
"That's right, Vivi! We will definitely help you."
"We will definitely help you teach Crocodile a harsh lesson and drive him out of your country."
"We're here..."
Vivi looked at these people, her face streaked with tears, her heart filled with immense emotion, and she spoke in a choked, trembling voice.
"Everyone…"
Only after Vivi's excited emotions had slightly calmed down did Luffy continue to speak.
"Let's get back to the plan we were just discussing."
"When Crocodile thinks the war has completely broken out and cannot be stopped, he will lower his guard and begin to seize this ancient weapon, Pluton."
"According to what Robin just said, this weapon should be recorded on a mysterious stone inscribed with ancient text."
"Vivi, do you know if there's such a stone in your country?"
Vivi had stopped crying by now, and upon hearing Luffy's words, she thought carefully.
After a moment, she seemed to recall something and spoke.
"Behind the capital Alubarna, there's an area of our royal family's tombs, the Funeral Hall!"
"I remember there's a stone inside with text that I don't understand."
After Vivi finished speaking, Luffy suddenly raised his voice slightly and said to everyone.
"Alright, now I will explain the specific implementation steps of this plan to everyone."
"First, Vivi, you need to write a personal letter, telling your father about Crocodile and instructing them to feign resistance, allowing the Rebel Army to enter the capital."
"Then, Uta will take this letter and head directly to the capital Alubarna!"
"Once the Rebel Army enters the capital and creates the illusion that the King's Army is unable to resist, Uta will then stop them."
"After the Rebel Army enters the capital, this news will surely reach Crocodile. The rest of you will then take Vivi to the capital, pretending to be there to stop this war."
"At this time, the Baroque Works executives should come out to intercept you."
"And Crocodile will also race against time to find the whereabouts of Pluton before the war is stopped by you."
"So Crocodile will definitely seek out Vivi's father to inquire about this matter."
"At that time, let Vivi's father feign cooperation, and when Crocodile finds that stone and lowers his guard, take the opportunity to guide him into revealing the things he manipulated."
"Then what the rest of you need to do is, when you confront those executives, make them admit they are from Baroque Works, Crocodile's subordinates, and secretly record it with an image den den mushi."
"For Crocodile's side, Uta will also hide an image den den mushi in the Funeral Hall beforehand."
"At that time, we will broadcast Crocodile's and all the executives' words live throughout Alabasta."
"This way, the secret of this country will be exposed."
"Finally, we just need to deal with Crocodile and these executives."
After Luffy finished explaining the entire plan, everyone looked at him in astonishment, as if they had undergone a baptism.
Nami couldn't help but grab Luffy's head, pulling it back and forth, exclaiming in surprise.
"I say, how exactly is your brain wired, you guy?"
"Why can you think so clearly about the other party's actions?"
"And aren't you usually quite a dummy? How did you suddenly become so smart this time?"
Luffy rolled his eyes at Nami, speechless.
"You're the dummy, usually!"
"So dumb you haven't even realized that your Captain is the smartest person on this ship."
In fact, Luffy was able to come up with this plan because he understood Crocodile's plan in the original story.
Even if he took Robin away midway, Crocodile surely couldn't have come up with a completely new plan in just a few days.
So, overall, it must be largely similar to the original plan, which allowed him to devise such a targeted strategy.
Upon hearing Luffy's words, Nami immediately bared her teeth, looking ready to lecture Luffy.
"What did you say?"
Just then, Vivi suddenly spoke, her tone somewhat sad, and Nami also took the hint and quieted down.
"If that's the case, wouldn't there still be people from the King's Army who would sacrifice themselves in feigned resistance? The Rebel Army too, surely there would be sacrifices there as well?"
Luffy looked at her seriously upon hearing this, and said.
"Vivi, this is war!"
"A war involving millions of people, it's impossible without sacrifices."
Vivi had sadness in her eyes, lowered her head in silence, and nodded gently, indicating she understood.
During her time with Luffy, she indeed felt that many of her previous ideas were too naive.
Not wanting anyone to die, that was impossible.
Luffy did not disturb Vivi further, letting her quietly accept this fact on her own.
Then he shifted his gaze to Robin and said.
"Robin, I want you to cooperate with our plan."
"Temporarily return to Crocodile's side."
"Didn't you say? Only you can understand those texts, which is why Crocodile is cooperating with you."
"So if you can return to his side, he will surely feel even closer to achieving his goal, and it will be easier for him to reveal everything he has done."
In fact, Luffy had another purpose in doing this: to gain Robin's trust and allow her to completely let down her guard and integrate into their Straw Hat Crew.
After all, telling a plan against an enemy to someone who is still temporarily on the enemy's side certainly carries the possibility of a leak.
The fact that Luffy was still willing to say it showed his sufficient trust in Robin, thereby allowing Robin to trust them as well.
Indeed, upon hearing Luffy say this, before Robin could even reply, the others reacted with alarm, exclaiming one after another.
"Hold on, Luffy! This woman is from Baroque Works!"
"Yeah! Our plan was just overheard by her, if she goes back, won't our plan be exposed?"
"You just said you were smart, how did you suddenly become a dummy?"
"Luffy, you absolutely cannot let Ms. All Sunday go back to Crocodile's side!"
Even the silent Vivi spoke up to dissuade him at this point.
She still harbored some resentment towards Robin.
Robin listened to everyone's doubts about her and did not feel angry; it was to be expected.
She was now just staring intently at Luffy, her heart filled with confusion.
She couldn't understand why Luffy would be willing to let her go back, to trust her so much.
Then, Robin, along with everyone else present, saw Luffy smile slightly and say.
"The plan I just mentioned is the fastest way to save Alabasta and begin its revival."
"If the plan is leaked, then we'll just go and take out Crocodile and his crew."
"They are the culprits harming this country; as long as they are eliminated, this country will slowly recover in the future, it will just take a bit longer."
"So, either way, this country will not fall into Crocodile's hands."
"Besides, Robin is our companion now, and we should trust our companions, shouldn't we?"
After Luffy finished speaking, everyone calmed down.
It was true, as he said, as long as they were there, Alabasta's salvation was only a matter of time, and it wouldn't fail because of one plan.
Thus, they no longer tried to stop him.
Robin, however, stared blankly at Luffy; his last sentence seemed to touch her soul, causing her to tremble suddenly.
As a wanted criminal who had fled countless times to escape the World Government's pursuit, Robin had mingled with countless pirate crews and experienced countless betrayals.
But as for trust, she had never felt it before.
Even as Crocodile's highest-ranking executive, she knew that Crocodile did not trust her.
And now, a pirate crew she had just met, this man wearing a Straw Hat whom she had just come to know, was showing her absolute trust.
Suddenly, Robin grinned and nodded.
"I understand!"
She had never intended to tell Crocodile the secret of Pluton, having long planned to sever ties with Crocodile at the last moment.
And now, Luffy could help her escape from Crocodile, and was even willing to trust her and accept her as a companion.
For Robin, this was the best possible development at the moment.
And one more thing, she felt very happy in this pirate crew...
...
After all the plans were arranged, the going merry, after sailing for a while longer, finally arrived in Alabasta.
They steered the ship towards Nanohana, the city closest to the coast.
After hiding the merry go in a secluded spot, everyone disembarked, officially landing in Alabasta.
As soon as they disembarked, Vivi handed the letter she had already written to Uta and asked Karu to guide Uta.
This was the most urgent matter at hand, and it could not be delayed.
"Karu, Uta, I'm counting on you!"
Vivi looked at Uta and Karu with strong hope in her eyes and said.
Uta smiled and said.
"Leave it to us! Nothing will happen!"
"Quack!"
Karu also let out a cry.
"It says it guarantees to complete the mission!"
Chopper translated from the side.
As an animal, he understood Karu's words.
Then, Uta mounted Karu, waved goodbye to everyone, and immediately set off towards the capital Alubarna.
After Uta and Karu left, Robin also spoke up at this moment.
"Then I'll be going too. Bye…"
Without even waiting for a response from the others, Robin also left Luffy and his group.
At this point, everyone turned their gaze to Luffy and asked.
"What do we do next?"
Luffy rubbed his stomach, chuckled, and casually said.
"I'm a bit hungry, let's find a restaurant to eat first!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of doubts immediately followed.
"I say, you, is this really the time to eat? We're being targeted by Baroque Works right now; if we show ourselves like this, we'll definitely be hunted down."
"That's right! Luffy! We should at least change our clothes first and dress up as ordinary people here. That way, we won't attract Baroque Works' attention."
"Exactly, Luffy! Just walking brazenly down the street like this is very dangerous."
Luffy simply waved his hand at everyone's dissuasion and said.
"No need!"
"Right now, we need to attract Baroque Works to come after us."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned again, looking at Luffy in confusion.
"Why?"
"Doesn't that put Princess Vivi in great danger? They're definitely going to try and assassinate Princess Vivi."
Monkey D. Luffy explained.
"Although we have a plan now, we don't know when Crocodile will start his plan."
"We need to attract people from Baroque Works and get this information from them."
"Only then can we determine the timing of our actions."
After hearing Monkey D. Luffy speak, everyone suddenly looked enlightened, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Monkey D. Luffy.
Compared to Monkey D. Luffy, they seemed to be incapable of thinking.
While everyone was still stunned, Monkey D. Luffy continued.
"Let's split up for now!"
"Go around this town and attract people from Baroque Works, then get information from them."
"Three hours later, we'll meet back here."
After receiving Monkey D. Luffy's instructions, everyone dispersed.
Zoro and Chopper were in one group, Sanji and Usopp in another, and Nami and Nojiko in a third.
Because Princess Vivi was in the most danger, she stayed with Monkey D. Luffy.
The four groups spread out simultaneously, heading to different parts of the town to find opportunities to gather information about Baroque Works' operational timing.
...Mountain.