Phoenix Reborn In One Piece

Hog was stunned. 

He thought Ryuen must be an idiot to spend 50,000 Berry on those fruits. The worst part was—they didn't even need fruits! 

Hog couldn't help but think he was stuck following a foolish captain. 

Unaware of Hog's expression, Ryuen packed up all the fruits and instantly drew the attention of other vendors. 

These vendors saw Ryuen and Hog as rich fools with more money than sense. 

They swarmed the two, eagerly promoting their products. 

Some even behaved inappropriately, brushing up against them repeatedly. Terrified, Ryuen and Hog clutched their newly bought fruits and ran away, chased by a crowd of shopkeepers. 

~~~~~~

In a secluded alley, a group of men holding wanted posters stared in shock, glancing between the posters and Ryuen and Hog. It was as if they'd uncovered something big. 

One of the men lowered his voice and said, "Confirmed. These are the ones Mr. 0 told us to watch out for." 

"Report to the higher-ups immediately. The Dream Exploration Team has arrived in Nanohana," another man, who seemed to be the leader, said firmly as he watched Ryuen and Hog disappear into the distance. 

"Yes, sir!" 

A subordinate obeyed and quickly vanished into the shadows. 

The scene shifted to Rainbase, at the Rainbases Casino. 

Nico Robin put down a Den Den Mushi and looked seriously at Crocodile. 

"Crocodile, you should've heard by now. The Dream Exploration Team, which was supposed to take a year to reach Alabasta, has already arrived in Nanohana." 

"It seems they also have a permanent log pose to Alabasta. As expected, they're a survey team connected to the World Government," Crocodile said with a serious expression. 

"So, what do you plan to do?" Nico Robin asked directly. 

"This is such a headache. Of all times, they arrive in Alabasta now, just as the rebel army is preparing their sixth attack on Alubarna," Crocodile said, rubbing his aching head. 

Robin didn't respond. She had no intention of offering any advice at such a critical moment. 

"Since they're officials of the World Government, and I'm not only one of the Warlords of the Sea but also Alabasta's hero, what do you think about inviting them to Rainbase as guests? That should be acceptable, right?" 

"Hahaha!" 

After speaking, Crocodile burst into laughter. 

Inviting them to Rainbase and helping them complete the map of Alabasta was as far as he was willing to compromise. 

Otherwise, he would have to ensure the Dream Exploration Team disappeared for good. 

"Understood," 

"Crocodile," Robin said with a charming smile before sashaying out to arrange the invitation for the Dream Exploration Team. 

She went to the casino's confidential office, thought for a moment, and selected two suitable individuals to deliver the invitation. 

At Nanohana. 

Ryuen and Hog finally found a restaurant after shaking off the persistent street vendors. The two were now wolfing down their meals. 

"Hey!" 

"Boss, I heard there's a rebellion happening here, so how come your business is still so good?" Ryuen asked through a mouthful of food. 

Fortunately, the restaurant owner understood him. With a heavy sigh, he replied, 

"Well, to be honest, the rebel army's last attack failed just last month. They were short on supplies, so they lost. 

I heard a lot of people died on the battlefield. 

But since we're near the coast and this is Alabasta's largest port city, the rebels don't dare target this place. 

That's why my restaurant hasn't been affected. But other cities haven't been so lucky." 

The owner's words brought a hush over the restaurant. Everyone there was a commoner of this nation. 

These people couldn't understand how their king, who had once been so wise and always prioritized his people's well-being, could now act so recklessly. 

To protect Alabasta's capital, Alubarna, the king had used the forbidden Dance Powder, causing no rain to fall in other cities. 

Even after being discovered, he continued using it, leaving the people bewildered and frustrated. 

"If you ask me, King Cobra has grown old and foolish!" 

"Exactly!" 

"Using Dance Powder to keep rain from falling elsewhere—he's no longer fit to be our king!" 

"You're right. King Cobra is a criminal now!" 

"Shh!" 

"Are you crazy? The royal army patrols this area all the time!" 

"Hahaha! Are we, the people, not even allowed to talk about what he's done? I'm saying it—Cobra is unfit to be our king!" 

Ryuen's casual question seemed to ignite everyone's pent-up emotions in the restaurant. 

"That's not true!" 

Suddenly, a loud objection silenced the entire room. 

"Hey!" 

"Miss Wednesday, what's wrong?" A man dressed as a prince whispered to the young woman next to him. 

Ryuen turned to look and instantly recognized the woman—wasn't she Princess Vivi? 

What was she doing here? 

"Uh…" 

"Oh, haha, sorry, sorry. I was just thinking about something else. I wasn't arguing with everyone. Please, go on," Vivi apologized with an awkward laugh. 

The people in the restaurant didn't make a fuss and continued their discussion about the war between the rebel army and the royal forces. 

Half an hour later, Ryuen and Hog were finally full. Their round bellies left the other patrons in the restaurant stunned. 

"Burp!" 

"Boss, the bill—how much in total?" Ryuen asked, letting out a satisfied burp. 

"The total for the two of you... is 130,000 Beli," the restaurant owner hesitantly announced, struggling to give the final amount. 

The truth was, these two had eaten so much he was worried their stomachs might burst before they even left the restaurant. 

"Only 130,000 Berry?" 

"That's pretty cheap. Here, 130,000 Berry. Boss, take it." Ryuen slowly pulled the money out of his pocket and handed it to the owner. 

"Oh my... Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!" The restaurant owner gratefully accepted the money. 

"Hahaha~~~" 

"No need to thank us. *Burp*... Seimei Kikan!" Ryuen waved his hand and then used Seimei Kikan, instantly turning the food he had eaten into energy. 

Hog did the same. Just moments ago, their stomachs were round and full, but now they had returned to normal. 

The sight left everyone in the restaurant completely stunned. 

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