One Piece: The Cryo Doctor on the Straw Hat Ship

Of course, before letting them leave, V did something minor to their bodies.

They were fitted with surveillance prosthetics that were difficult for them to detect.

Once a specially designed signal receiving satellite is successfully launched, everything they see and hear in the navy will become an important source of intelligence for V.

V has always preferred to keep the initiative in her own hands.

After Luffy and the others entered a state of training, he stood alone at the bow of the Going Merry, gazing at the sea with a puzzled expression.

"so……"

"Why hasn't my Desert Princess gift package arrived yet?"

"Could they be lost?"

Chapter 55 Weiwei's Shifting the Blame (Please continue reading~)

What place in the world could be more suitable as a satellite launch base than the Kingdom of Alabasta, a land of deserts yet rich in human resources?

V had his eye on this land long ago.

Instead of fighting over water resources and becoming a rebel, it would be better for him to lead the construction.

CyberTech will transform it into a new era of friendly and harmonious rocket and satellite launch base, providing jobs for the Kingdom of Alabasta.

however……

"Why isn't my eldest princess, Vivi, here yet?"

V looked up to the sky and sighed.

"Damn the butterfly effect! I'll never forgive you!"

……

……

Whiskey Peak.

This is a unique island located at the entrance to the Grand Line, characterized by its peculiar cactus-shaped peaks.

As one of the seven "starting islands" that are first reached after entering the Grand Line, this place is not only a necessary stop on the route, but also the first island that countless pirates experience after stepping into the Grand Line due to its special topography and atmosphere.

On the edge of the island lies a small port town that has welcomed all visiting pirates year after year.

However, what they didn't know was...

This seemingly peaceful island has long been a haven for bounty hunters and is now one of the important businesses under the Baroque Works.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room in the center of town.

Princess Vivi of Alabasta, disguised as Miss Wednesday, an agent of the Baroque Works, is hiding here with Icarum, who is also in disguise.

On the table in front of them was a newspaper from the past few days.

The front page of the newspaper prominently featured the astonishing news that the Straw Hat Pirates had defeated the Navy fleet and routed Vice Admiral Steeles.

The accompanying image shows the Merry breaking through the thick fog, with the straw hat flag on the mast fluttering in the wind.

“Princess Vivi…” Icarus lowered his voice, his finger slamming heavily on the newspaper.

Weiwei interrupted, "When you're at work, you should use your job title."

“…Yes.” Icarum paused, then continued, “MISS. Wednesday.”

"According to the latest information from within the organization, the Straw Hat Pirates have officially entered the Grand Line, and—they just happened to choose the route we are on."

"Accompanying the intelligence was an order not to clash with the Straw Hat crew."

"The Straw Hat Pirates, huh..."

Vivi bit her lower lip tightly, her azure eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

"Single-handedly defeated the naval fleet led by a vice admiral of the Navy Headquarters... The strength of this group is simply unfathomable."

“Yes, Icarus looked at the intelligence on the table and sighed deeply: “If we had such strength, perhaps we wouldn’t have been manipulated by Crocodile for so many years.”

"Shh!" Vivi pointed her finger. "Watch your words! The walls may be overhearing."

"but……"

Vivi picked up the newspaper from the table and looked at Luffy, who was laughing heartily.

After a moment, she suddenly asked:

"Mr.8".

"Tell me, which is stronger, the Straw Hat Pirates or Crocodile...?"

Icarum paused for a moment.

Isn't it said that we should be careful with our words?

He subconsciously looked around to make sure there were no signs of eavesdropping or spying before leaning forward slightly, his thick curly hair almost touching the table.

"Judging from the destructive power and achievements they have shown so far, the Straw Hat crew's ability to defeat the fleet led by the Vice Admiral of the Headquarters is indeed terrifying and enough to shake the Grand Line."

"but……"

He paused, seemingly weighing his words, "If I had to make a comparison, I personally think... at this stage, Crocodile is probably still better."

"Why?" Vivi pressed, a hint of doubt flashing in her blue eyes.

In her view, being able to defeat more than fifty naval warships with the strength of a pirate crew was already an incredible achievement.

“Well…” Icarus explained carefully, “In any case, Crocodile was already a veteran powerhouse who had been famous for many years before he became a Shichibukai.”

"His strength must be unfathomable to be valued by the Navy."

"Secondly, thanks to his status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he founded and operated Baroque Works for many years, and his influence is deeply entrenched and spread across many places."

"Intelligence networks and resource mobilization capabilities are also forces that cannot be ignored."

After saying this, Icarum let out a long sigh, his face filled with worry:

“So, Your Highness… no, Miss Wednesday.”

"To completely overthrow Crocodile is a difficult and arduous task. I think you should get away from this dangerous area as soon as possible and return to Alabasta."

"The people of our country are suffering and being harmed by treacherous people. How could I possibly desert my post in the face of adversity?!"

Vivi rejected Icarus's offer with a direct question, but her eyes shone brightly as she looked at the newspaper.

For some reason, she always subconsciously paid more attention to the Straw Hat crew.

It was as if her subconscious was telling her that the key to breaking the deadlock lay with this group of people.

“Icarim…” Vivi spoke again, lost in thought, perhaps too engrossed in her work to even remember Icarim’s title.

"Do you think there's any possibility... that the Straw Hat Pirates might initiate a battle with Crocodile?"

"In that case, even if they are not Crocodile's match, they will inevitably cause his plan to go wrong."

"We can also take this opportunity to gather more evidence and then report it to the World Government."

"This one……"

Ikaram remained silent for a long time, his thick curly hair casting heavy shadows in the candlelight.

"It seems like it really can!"

He suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

Weiwei immediately began to analyze: "Although doing this carries extremely high risks, a slight misstep could provoke hostility from both sides towards us."

"But considering the outcome, it's a worthwhile move!"

Icarum pondered for a moment, then immediately nodded:

"I understand!"

"I'll go and inform the bounty hunters outside to prepare to 'receive' the Straw Hat crew."

"At that time, it will inevitably cause the Straw Hat crew to become dissatisfied with Baroque Works, thus triggering an even bigger conflict!"

The two became more and more engrossed in their conversation, as if they could already see the Alabasta Kingdom being saved, completely oblivious to the fact that...

An unusually-looking vulture was circling over their roof, recording their conversation through the chimney without reservation.

……

……

"As expected of the Grand Line, it was snowing heavily just now, and suddenly it's as hot as midsummer!"

Standing at the bow of the Merry, looking at the clear sky and the blazing sun, V couldn't help but sigh.

After several days of sailing, the Merry, guided by its compass, was about to reach the first island on the Grand Line—Whiskey Peak.

Upon learning this news, Luffy and his crew suspended their training plan.

After several days of intense battles, the Straw Hat Pirates' three main fighters have all made a qualitative leap in their abilities.

Luffy's Gear Second duration has been significantly increased, while the duration of the side effects of Gear Third has been noticeably reduced.

Although it may still be a while before he can develop domineering aura, V is already pleasantly surprised and satisfied with this progress.

Compared to Luffy, Zoro's progress is even more astonishing!

After devouring the Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri respectively, Ashura and Kaku have reached the 4th rank.

Its grade is comparable to that of Wado Ichimonji, one of the 21 Great Swords.

With the companionship of a powerful sword and the trials of strong individuals, Zoro's understanding of swordsmanship has also progressed by leaps and bounds.

Now, he has officially entered the realm of a sword master, capable of unleashing flying slashes.

In Zoro's own words,

The reason he was able to improve so rapidly was because he was absorbing the swordsmanship of Sterles.

Compared to V's haphazard hacking and slashing based on the strength of his cybernetic body and a series of abnormal abilities, sparring with a disciplined swordsman like this makes it easier to identify one's own shortcomings.

As for Sanji...

Although his progress wasn't as obvious as Luffy's and Zoro's, V, who checked Sanji's body every day, was very clear about it...