Chapter Eighty-One: The Vanishing of Vivi (Please recommend, please vote for monthly tickets)

As the two conversed, Crocodile began to seriously calculate in his mind. Everything Mr. 3 had said made it impossible for him not to pay careful attention to Buffon. If Buffon truly possessed power matching that of Hawkeye, then it was no wonder all the senior officers had fallen at his hands. Coupled with his unparalleled medical skills, if such a man stood in opposition to him, he would indeed be a troublesome adversary.

Yet Buffon had handed over those officers he’d already abandoned to the Navy, while sparing indispensable figures like Mr. 1, crucial to the Utopia Project. This sequence of actions seemed far too arbitrary, and that was what worried Crocodile most. Just how strong must someone be to have the confidence to act so freely and capriciously?

Crocodile lit another cigar, speaking seriously. “That’s right. They know my true identity. If we don’t deal with them, they’ll become an obstacle to our operation. As Mr. 3 said, there are now five of them, plus a pet. They’ve officially entered Alabasta. As for that magician doctor Buffon, none of you are to touch him. I’ll handle this personally.”

After Crocodile finished speaking, Mr. 2 examined the photos in his hand and carefully compared them, only to discover that the curly-browed man they’d mentioned was missing. When he was aboard the Golden Merry, that person had only briefly crossed his path before heading to the kitchen, leaving no chance for Mr. 2 to copy his appearance.

“Mr. 2, make copies of these photos and distribute them to everyone in Baroque Works. If any of them are spotted, kill without mercy,” Crocodile said calmly, then stood and walked toward Mr. 3.

Seeing Crocodile rise, Mr. 3 quickly waved his hands. “Give me another chance! Let me take care of the Straw Hats, and that Buffon…”

But Crocodile didn’t let him finish. He seized Mr. 3’s throat, and the skin on Mr. 3’s face visibly dried and shriveled.

“Mr. 3! Do you know why I granted you such high rank and authority? Your combat ability is inferior to Mr. 4’s. What I value is your willingness to use any means necessary to complete a task! But this time, you’ve truly disappointed me—a useless failure at the critical moment!” With that, Crocodile tossed the nearly mummified Mr. 3 to the ground.

“Water…water, I need water!” Mr. 3 clutched his throat, uttering a hoarse whisper only he could hear.

Crocodile strode to the conference table and pressed a button on its edge. A hidden trapdoor opened beneath Mr. 3, and he fell through. “Since you want water, I’ll make sure you drink your fill!” Crocodile remarked, then returned to his seat.

He turned to gaze through the large windows encircling the secret chamber, where several enormous banana crocodiles swam back and forth. “Perfect—time for the iron gate to feed.”

Crocodile pressed another button. In the space where Mr. 3 had fallen, a gate slid open, and a banana crocodile slithered through, licking its tongue as it slowly crawled toward Mr. 3.

“Miss Allsunday, make a copy of Princess Vivi’s photo as well. There’s no need to actively hunt these people—they’ll come to us on their own,” he said.

At this, Mr. 2 spoke up, “Though Vivi is the princess of this country, she can’t stop the rebel army and royal army from going to war, can she?”

In the face of Mr. 2’s doubts, Crocodile explained, “It’s said that Princess Vivi and the rebel leader Koza were childhood friends. Though she may not be able to stop the rebels outright, she can certainly sow confusion in their ranks. So under no circumstances must she meet Koza!”

“But Mr. 2 didn’t see Vivi on the Straw Hats’ ship. Where did she go?” Robin asked knowingly.

Mr. 2 hadn’t seen her because Vivi had boarded Buffon’s Juventus. Mr. 3 hadn’t seen her because during Hawkeye’s battle with Buffon and when Buffon handed them over to the Navy, she never appeared before him. Moreover, on the road to Rainbase, Buffon and his group deliberately avoided mentioning Vivi’s name; in the inn, Vivi wore Alabasta’s traditional veiled attire and never truly revealed her face.

Thus, in their eyes, Vivi had vanished into thin air.

“No matter the situation, I’m certain she’s returned to Alabasta and is doing everything she can to find Koza. In any case, they must not meet!” Crocodile reiterated.

“Miss Allsunday, use the Transponder Snail to notify all Baroque Works personnel—make sure this group does not enter Cattleya!” Crocodile ordered.

Robin confirmed, “Isn’t there a risk of being overheard using the Transponder Snail?”

“There’s no time left. At this point, even if a bit is exposed, it doesn’t matter. Our Utopia is just ahead. I wish you all a pleasant time—don’t let anything go awry again!”

Upon receiving Crocodile’s order, everyone rose and responded in unison, “Understood, boss!”

Once all the senior officers had left, Crocodile stood and spoke to Robin, “I’ll meet this Buffon myself!”

…

Buffon had finished his research, and the group was enjoying top-tier service in the casino’s VIP suite. Lily was busy sampling all kinds of delicious food, while Vivi continued her conversation with Reiju.

“Miss Reiju, what do you think my father will do once he learns the truth?” Vivi asked, glancing at Buffon as he ate, then lowered her voice. “If Crocodile discovers I’m with you, will…”

Before Vivi could finish, Reiju calmly interrupted, “Trust your father—he loves this country as much as you do. The rebels are the same. If they didn’t love this nation, with so many islands on the sea, if survival was their only goal, there’d be no need to stay and fight. As for your last question—do you really think it will be a problem?”

Reiju’s words left Vivi deep in thought.

At that moment, the VIP door was knocked. Vivi quickly donned her veil and stood behind Buffon, adopting the demeanor of a proper attendant.

“Doctor Buffon, I wonder if you’re satisfied with my arrangements?” Crocodile strode in, seating himself grandly opposite Buffon.

Buffon, savoring his meal, looked up at Crocodile and Robin, replying calmly, “Not bad.”

“Then what’s your true purpose in coming to Alabasta this time? I hope you can give me an honest answer,” Crocodile continued, his tone level.

“To heal and save lives,” Buffon answered coldly, speaking nothing but the truth.