Chapter 23 Bounty Hunter
The outskirts of Arupana.
There was an area of farmland and houses nestled next to an oasis. This village was established by King Cobra of Alabasta to resettle the civilians who lost their homes due to the sandstorms.
However, unlike the deserted place it used to be, today it was very lively.
The reason for the excitement was clear: the king and princess of Alabasta had come to visit.
King Cobra had obviously come here secretly. The reason was simple. Just look at Princess Vivi playing with the ordinary civilians in the distance.
"Isn't it strange? The princess of this country actually appears in the homes of ordinary civilians and plays with their children?"
"Maybe this is a symbol of peace in this country."
King Cobra, who was hiding in the corner, felt a little relieved when he heard the words of these villagers.
On one hand, he was happy that his daughter had made friends. On the other hand, he was glad to see that she could appreciate the suffering of the people because only then could the future Vivi become the queen who could shoulder the responsibility of this country.
However, as the king, he couldn't stay there forever. Seeing his daughter's happy appearance, he couldn't bear to take her away just yet.
He was about to give the order to Captain Igaram to protect the princess while he returned alone when a sound broke through the sky above.
Cobra was very familiar with this sound. When he looked up, he saw a huge eagle descending from the sky. It landed next to him and transformed into a humanoid figure.
This transformation naturally caught the attention of the civilians. Everyone looked on with curiosity and fear. They had never seen Devil Fruit powers before, so when they saw a massive peregrine falcon turn into a human, they were understandably frightened. But Vivi rushed towards him with a happy face.
"Bell! It's you! Why are you here?"
"Bell!?"
The name stunned everyone present, and then they exclaimed with surprise.
"Is that Bell, the patron saint of Alabasta and one of the kingdom's strongest warriors?"
"It's really him!"
"Amazing!"
"Your Highness, Vivi!"
Bell looked at Princess Vivi fondly, then turned to Cobra with a serious expression.
"Your Majesty, Captain Igaram, you must return immediately. It's no longer safe here!"
Vivi was stunned, and Cobra felt something was amiss. He asked seriously, "What happened?"
Bell nodded. "I just received information that a large number of pirate bounty hunters have suddenly gathered around the royal city. Their numbers are extremely large, at least tens of thousands. Chaka has put the royal army on alert."
"What!"
Not only Cobra and Igaram, but also Vivi and the nearby civilians were shocked.
"What happened?" Igaram asked anxiously. "Is someone going to attack Alabasta?"
Bell shook his head. "Your Majesty, Captain Igaram, according to the information we received, those pirate bounty hunters are here to capture two wanted criminals from the World Government."
"Wanted criminals!?"
Seeing the confused looks on the king and captain's faces, Bell took out two bounty posters from his coat.
The first showed a defiant black-haired boy surrounded by countless bloody bats under the moonlight, and the second showed a little girl who looked seven or eight years old.
"Vampire Gnar"
"First bounty: 45 million Beli."
"Zoan: Bat-Bat Fruit User."
"Dead or Alive!"
"Devil's Child: Nico Robin"
"Bounty: 79 million Beli."
"Paramecia: Flower-Flower Fruit User."
"Must be captured alive!"
The young Vivi and Koza looked at the two photos on the bounty posters with extreme curiosity.
To them, there didn't seem to be anything strange about the two photos, especially the second one. Wasn't it just a child about their age?
But Cobra and Igaram understood the implications.
A bounty of one hundred million Beli was a number that would make any pirate force jealous.
"Are these two wanted criminals heading towards Alabasta?" Cobra asked.
Bell nodded. "According to the information we received, they landed in Nahana five days ago. Moreover, according to the rumors among the bounty hunters, this pirate named Vampire Gnar may possess a Devil Fruit that is not an ordinary Zoan but a legendary phantom beast species."
"What!!! A phantom beast species!!!"
Cobra's expression changed drastically. He seemed to understand why these bounty hunters were so eager to capture this pirate.
Vivi, on the side, asked with some confusion, "Father, what is a phantom beast species?"
Cobra didn't explain and immediately asked, "Any more news?"
Bell nodded with a solemn expression. "According to the pirate hunters, this Vampire Gnar killed thousands of people in one night at the entrance of the Grand Line, in a town called Whiskey Peak..."
"!!!"
Not just Cobra, but Igaram, Vivi, and Koza all turned pale. Killing thousands in one night was a terrifying concept.
But Bell wasn't done. "In addition, Nico Robin, the Devil's Child, is currently with this pirate. Their combined bounty is at least 100 million Beli. Moreover, if the Phantom Beast species is confirmed, the bounty on Vampire Gnar may increase even higher..."
By this time, Cobra didn't hesitate anymore.
"Igaram, come back with me. Bell, take Vivi back to the Royal City and tell the villagers in all surrounding areas to find a place to hide. If necessary, let them enter the Royal City to take refuge..."
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
As Cobra left in a hurry, the entire village started moving towards the royal city.
"Your Highness, Vivi, let's go back too!" Bell urged.
Vivi initially wanted to agree, but seeing Koza and a group of companions who had just recognized her as their deputy leader, she shook her head.
"Bell, I want to go back with them!"
Bell was stunned. He wanted to refuse, but seeing the princess's determined look, he nodded reluctantly.
"I understand, Your Highness. Then, it's up to you to lead the civilians here into the royal city. I will guard the sky and inform other villages..."
"Um!"
Vivi nodded happily and said excitedly to Koza and her Sand-Sand Group friends behind her, "Koza, this is our first mission together. Let's protect everyone and move towards the royal city."
Koza and the other kids' excitement boiled over. They didn't know fear yet, but the idea of protecting adults thrilled them.
So, under the leadership of Vivi and her friends, the entire village of civilians began to move quickly towards the royal city.
The capital of Alabasta, Arubama.
This city stood on a high mountain, surrounded by five gates that allowed entry into the royal city.
However, at this time, the area was heavily guarded, and no outsiders were allowed to enter or exit.
Outside the three gates facing the west, a large group of bounty hunters with evil and greedy faces had gathered.
In the distance, many small black dots were slowly approaching.
Inside the Royal City, Robin and Zala, wearing cloaks and hats, had already passed through the Santo River's waterway and quietly infiltrated the Royal City...
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