Chapter 63: Reaching an Agreement, Another Devil Fruit Appears
"A dignified princess of a country, mixed in with a group of bounty hunters? And now Baroque Works is trying to kill you?" Nami sized Vivi up and asked curiously.
It seems this princess before me has quite a story.
Good, I have some time. I'll listen!
Vivi pondered for a moment, gathering her thoughts. Then she said, "Do you know of Alabasta?"
"I do. There's been a lot of news about Alabasta in the papers recently. It seems they're all saying the Revolutionary Army is gathering forces to overthrow King Cobra's rule!" Nami nodded.
Hearing Nami's words, a shadow of sadness crossed Vivi's eyes. She had seen that bad news as well. She saw it and felt anxious in her heart.
"Alabasta was a good country. Although it wasn't wealthy, everyone lived and worked in peace and contentment. It was peaceful and happy. But, starting three years ago, everything changed. Because it hasn't rained for a long time, the lives of Alabasta's citizens have become difficult."
"Around that time, a rumor suddenly spread that the reason Alabasta hadn't had rain for so long was because King Cobra used the forbidden Dance Powder to make it rain in the capital, causing other places to have no rain at all. This has led to the citizens having a very negative opinion of my father."
"But I know my father would never use such a thing. So, I set out to find the mastermind who did this and framed my father, and to deal with them."
"Later, my investigation led me to Baroque Works. In order to find out who the mastermind behind Baroque Works is, I disguised myself as a delinquent and infiltrated the organization, becoming what I am now."
"Igaram was worried about me, so he came along too," Vivi said.
"So that's how it is!" Nami realized. Suddenly, she felt that Vivi was a bit like her. For a moment, she looked at Vivi with a touch of sympathy.
"So, have you found out who the mastermind is yet?" Nami asked.
"I have, but I have no proof!" Vivi said, troubled.
"Why do you need proof?" Nami asked, confused. Vivi's father is the king. As long as he knows who that person is, aren't there a hundred ways to deal with them? It's not like she's some unarmed commoner.
"Because that man is currently Alabasta's hero—Crocodile! Without proof, even if I speak out, the people won't believe me. Besides, he is powerful and influential. If we move against him rashly, I'm afraid the whole of Alabasta will be plunged into turmoil," Vivi said in distress.
"So, I've been trying to gather evidence of his wrongdoing to drive him out of Alabasta without starting an all-out war!"
"But now your identity has been exposed. This time, although they failed to kill you, they definitely won't give up. They'll keep sending assassins after you. What are you going to do now?" Nami asked.
"Yes, what should I do now?" Vivi said blankly.
"I have a proposal!" Nami finally showed her sly side.
"A proposal?" Vivi asked.
"You can hire my Money Pirates to protect you on your way back to Alabasta," Nami said.
"You're willing to accept my employment?" Vivi's eyes lit up. At a time like this, hiring the Money Pirates would undoubtedly be an excellent choice! She wouldn't mind paying a price for it.
"Of course!" Nami smiled faintly. "But since this is an employment contract, it's a matter of you paying and me working! Your Highness, how much are you prepared to pay to hire me?"
"I only have five thousand Beri on me. Is that enough?" Vivi said, a little embarrassed.
"Five thousand Beri is enough for nothing!" Nami's expression changed instantly. But, considering Vivi was a princess, she didn't just tear into her. She smiled again and said, "It's alright if you don't have money now! As long as your family has money, it's fine. I can escort you back first and collect the payment later!"
"Then how much do you plan to charge?" Hearing this, Vivi thought it was acceptable. However, her family didn't actually have that much money, so she was concerned about the price of hiring the Money Pirates.
"One billion! How about it?" Nami crossed her index fingers and smiled at Vivi.
"One billion?!" Vivi was shocked. To her, that price was outrageous. Although she was a princess, her family really wasn't that wealthy. It wasn't that they couldn't produce one billion, but doing so would be a crippling blow to the kingdom.
"As they say, ask for an exorbitant price and then haggle. You can bargain!" Nami laughed.
Hearing this, Vivi felt a little relieved. She raised one finger.
"One hundred million?" Nami asked.
Vivi shook her head.
"Ten million?"
Vivi shook her head.
"You're not going to offer only one million Beri, are you!" Nami said, a bit displeased.
"Is that okay?" Vivi looked at Nami with pleading eyes.
"No way!" Nami didn't even hesitate and shook her head directly.
"But didn't you say I could bargain?" Vivi asked.
"But I didn't tell you to slash the price so ruthlessly!" Nami glared at Vivi in annoyance.
"Then how about ten million?" Vivi offered another price.
"Ten million is too little. It has to be at least five hundred million!" Nami said.
"Five hundred million is too much. How about thirty million? That's the most I can offer!" Vivi said.
"Are you really a princess? You're too poor and stingy!" Nami said, speechless.
"Of course I'm a princess. It's just that Alabasta is really poor. Even as a princess, I don't have much money!" Vivi said with a bitter smile.
Nami completely shut down. She stopped talking to Vivi. Going against a Warlord of the Sea like Crocodile for a mere thirty million was a losing deal she wouldn't make.
Seeing Nami's reaction, Vivi knew the negotiations were likely over.
Just then, Lister spoke up. "I have a proposal, I wonder if Princess Vivi would accept it?"
"Captain Lister, you have a proposal?" Vivi glanced at Lister, her expression becoming slightly more reserved.
Lister wasn't Nami. He wasn't a woman. Towards Lister, she only felt a deep sense of awe. She didn't dare to get close to him in the slightest.
"My Money Pirates can accept your employment without taking a single Beri. We can even help you defeat Crocodile. However, after Crocodile is defeated, all of his wealth in Alabasta will belong to the Money Pirates. How about it?"
"I agree to your proposal!" After hearing Lister's proposal, Vivi agreed immediately without hesitation.
A deal like this might make the Money Pirates a fortune, but Princess Vivi would never lose out.
Using someone else's money to solve her problems and ensure her safety. The more money the Money Pirates took, the more power they would exert. At that point, she might not even need to drag the Kingdom of Alabasta into this vortex; she could rely on the Money Pirates to eliminate the great cancer that was Crocodile.
Vivi had no reason to refuse. Clearly, at this moment, Vivi didn't consider Crocodile's assets as part of Alabasta's wealth. She wouldn't feel any heartache giving it all away.
"Good. I wish us a pleasant cooperation!" Lister extended his hand with a smile.
"A pleasant cooperation!" Vivi also extended her small hand. The two shook hands, sealing the agreement.
Just then, Koren walked over. "Captain, Sister Nami, Your Highness. I've examined that uncle."
"How is Igaram?" Vivi asked quickly.
"His life is not in danger. There's just some damage to his skin and muscles. He'll need to rest for about a week to make a full recovery," Koren said.
"That's good!" Hearing Koren's words, Vivi was finally relieved.
"When will he wake up?"
"It will probably take some time," Koren replied.
"He needs his wounds dressed now, but I don't have any supplies on me. Do you know where I can find medicine and bandages nearby? If not, I can go back to the ship to get them," Koren said.
"I know where a first-aid kit is! I'll take you to get it!" Vivi said quickly. As bounty hunters who lived on the edge, it was impossible not to have some medical supplies prepared.
Vivi stood up and said to Lister and Nami, "Please excuse me for a moment!"
"Go ahead."
After Vivi left with Koren, Nami looked at the time. "It's about time! We should go check the results!"
"Then go," Lister replied, then added, "Same old rule: whoever finds it, it's theirs!"
"Yes!!!" Hearing this, the women walked towards the bathtubs, full of anticipation.
The moment Yuran lifted the canvas off the bathtub where Gem was lying, there was no need to search. They immediately saw a peculiar fruit lying right on top.
"Wow!" The girls gasped in surprise.
"What is it?" Nami looked over.
"Sister Nami, a Devil Fruit appeared right on top! We don't have to search!"
"Oh?" Lister and Nami were instantly intrigued. They walked towards the tub.
Sure enough, as soon as they got close, they saw a Devil Fruit lying right on top, in the very center of the tub.
"In this situation, who should get the Devil Fruit?" Nami looked at Lister.
Instantly, the other girls also turned their gazes to Lister.
"Let's check the other tub first to see if there's anything there. If not, we'll decide who gets this Devil Fruit by drawing lots," Lister said.
"Yes!!" Hearing this, the girls felt a renewed sense of anticipation and walked towards the other tub.
Lister had Akame retrieve the Devil Fruit and place it in a box.
This time, Yuran lifted the cloth. But this time, they didn't see a Devil Fruit. So, the girls tacitly crouched down and began to search.
Soon, Sheele pulled out a peculiar fruit.
"Everyone, look what I found!" Sheele called out joyfully.
Instantly, everyone's eyes turned to Sheele. When they saw the Devil Fruit in her hand, their faces filled with envy.
"Congratulations, Sheele! You're now the second person among us to have a Devil Fruit!"
Although the girls were envious of Sheele, they didn't say anything harsh. They offered her their congratulations.
"Mhm. Later, I hope you can draw the Bomb-Bomb Fruit," Sheele said with a happy smile, then carried the Kilo-Kilo Fruit over to Lister.
"Captain!!!" Sheele looked at Lister with an expectant face.
"Your luck is pretty good. To get Devil Fruits from both tubs." Lister was also very surprised by Sheele's luck.
You have to know, this method of fruit burial to intercept a Devil Fruit wasn't a 100% success. The chance wasn't even one percent. But somehow, they had found a Devil Fruit all three times. It showed just how strong their luck was, and how much the Devil Fruits acknowledged them.
"Since you found the Kilo-Kilo Fruit, you should be the one to eat it."
"Yes, Captain!" Sheele replied. In a few quick bites, she ate the entire Devil Fruit.
Because they had Akame's case as a precedent, they all knew Devil Fruits tasted horrible. So, after eating the Kilo-Kilo Fruit, Sheele immediately ate several delicious fruits to wash away the unbearable taste.
After Sheele ate the Kilo-Kilo Fruit, the other girls stared at Lister, seemingly waiting for his decision.
To this, Lister smiled faintly. "I see you all want that Devil Fruit."
The girls didn't hide their feelings at all and nodded one after another.
"In that case, let's draw lots!"
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