I collect everything in the One Piece world.

Before she could finish speaking, her gaze was inevitably drawn to the blood-soaked, chaotic scene surrounding Mosen.

The sight of Corudh's body, cut in two, and the heavy stench of blood in the air made Vivi feel uneasy.

"Ugh!" Weiwei's face turned deathly pale in an instant. Her stomach churned violently, and she couldn't help but bend over and dry heave, tears streaming down her face.

Karu, the running duck beneath her, shifted its feet uneasily, quickly turned around, and let out a soft "quack quack".

"Your Highness!" Icarus's expression changed, and he hurriedly stepped forward to support Vivi, blocking her view with his body, his heart filled with regret and self-blame.

He was so busy dealing with the scene and dealing with Morsen that he forgot the princess might come along, and he didn't expect the battle to be so fierce and bloody. This was not something the princess should see.

"I...I'm fine..." Vivi suppressed her discomfort, pushed away Icarus's hand, and wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

Although his face was still pale, his eyes unexpectedly became firm quickly.

This is the real world. She is a princess of a country and a future adventurer. How could she be stumped by such a small problem?

"I'm so sorry, everyone, please excuse my poor performance." Weiwei's voice was still trembling slightly, but she tried her best to remain calm.

"It's so good that none of you were injured. These villains who dared to commit violence in the capital deserved to die!"

Then she looked at Mosen, and although her face was still pale, she mustered up her courage and extended an invitation to him: "I wonder if you all have time? I would like to invite you to the palace for a chat, to show my hospitality, and... to express my gratitude for what happened last time."

After speaking, she looked at Mo Sen nervously, her hands unconsciously twisting together.

This invitation was actually something she came up with on a whim, but if Morsen agrees, she will have someone inform her father.

Icarum listened intently, her eyelids twitching. My Princess! Didn't we just agree on something? Why the sudden need to "express gratitude"?!

Icarim was torn between his inner thoughts and his own, but seeing the look in Princess Vivi's eyes and the terrifying strength that Morsen had just displayed, he ultimately swallowed back his words of dissuasion.

Well, since the princess has spoken, he naturally can't say anything more. But he wonders if His Majesty the King will find it a bit sudden.

As Ikaram pondered this, he sighed inwardly, took a half-step forward, and bowed slightly, tacitly acknowledging and adding to Vivi's invitation: "We would be honored if you would grace us with your presence and come to the palace. This place... can be handled by us."

Mosen raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over Princess Vivi's pale but excited face, and then at his three companions beside her.

Nami blinked and muttered softly, "The royal palace... I wonder if there are lots of treasures there..."

Bakara covered her mouth and chuckled, "Haha, I've never seen what the royal palace looks like before..."

Robin, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought, a deep glint in his dark blue eyes. He had previously discussed with Morsen the piece of the Poneglyph that the kingdom controlled, and this might be an opportunity…

Mosen noticed the change in their expressions and nodded to Princess Vivi and Icarus: "In that case, we shall accept your invitation. Thank you for your invitation, Your Highness."

Chapter 106, The Harmonious Dinner, King Cobra's Reminder

Alabasta Royal Palace, banquet hall.

A pristine white linen tablecloth covered the long table, silver candlesticks gleamed with a warm light, and a dazzling array of exquisite Alabasta specialties were laid out.

Mosen and his companions were having dinner with King Cobra and Princess Vivi at the table.

The atmosphere was not as somber or distant as expected; on the contrary, it was surprisingly harmonious and relaxed.

King Cobra, seated in the main seat, was conversing with Morsen with an approachable smile on his face.

To be honest, he was initially very wary, worried that this unpredictable "collector" would become arrogant and unruly because of his power.

However, after several rounds of conversation, he realized that he had worried too much. Although Mo Sen had his own sharp words and demeanor, his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and he handled things properly.

He was more like a well-informed and powerful adventurer and traveler than the "vicious" criminal portrayed in the newspapers.

In contrast, Mosen had prepared himself for a monarch who was wary and deliberately kept his distance before he arrived.

But Cobra's sincerity and generosity surprised him; the king was more approachable and real than the cartoon character he had imagined.

He did not put on airs, and his words were full of a sense of responsibility for the country and its people. His love for his daughter Vivi was also evident. Although he was called a king, he was more like a wise and kind elder.

Princess Vivi was sitting next to her father, her bright blue eyes sparkling, and she was asking Morsen all sorts of questions about adventure with great interest.

Mosen was quite patient and told her some interesting stories, which made the little girl exclaim in amazement and yearn for them.

Bakala and Nami weren't idle either; they took the time to chat with Vivi about girly topics, such as Alabasta's distinctive clothing and jewelry designs, which shop in the capital had the most delicious pastries, and where to buy the best spices.

When she was in a good mood, Bakara even brought out several pieces of jewelry from her own collection, which were completely different from the Alabasta style, for Vivi to appreciate, which broadened the princess's horizons.

Although Robin is not talkative, her extensive knowledge and profound understanding of history and ancient legends deeply impressed Cobra.

The two even had a brief discussion about some of Alabasta's ancient customs and legends.

In short, everyone enjoyed the meal, and the previous awkwardness and suspicion quietly melted away in the relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

Cobra's image of the "dangerous wanted criminal" was gradually replaced by that of a "principled, capable, and insightful adventurer."

Mosen and his group also felt the sincerity and value of this desert king.

As dinner drew to a close, the waiters cleared away the plates and replaced them with tea and delicate desserts.

Cobra's smile faded, his expression turning serious. He picked up his teacup, looked at Morsen, and said earnestly:

"Mr. Morsen, Miss Robin, Miss Bakara, and Miss Nami. Please allow me, on behalf of the Alabasta royal family and myself, to express my sincerest gratitude to you."

He paused, and as his thoughts turned, his tone became somewhat heavy: "To be honest, after the Crocodile incident, we also intensified our investigation into the remaining forces and materials of Baroque Works."

"But the deeper we investigated, the more frightened we became. What that man was after was far more than just wealth or power. The ruthlessness of his methods and the meticulousness of his plans were beyond our imagination."

"If you hadn't been there in time to thwart him... we probably wouldn't have noticed until his plot had gone deeper and caused irreparable damage."

"By then, who knows what kind of mess he will make of this country, and how many innocent people will suffer."

Cobra's gratitude was heartfelt. He was well aware that Morsen and his group's intervention at the time might not have been specifically for Alabasta, but it did prevent the kingdom from sliding into a more dangerous abyss.

So no matter what, he will always remember this kindness.

Upon hearing this, Mosen put down his teacup and calmly replied, "King Cobra is too kind. We were just there by chance."

"Speaking of which, a king as diligent in governing and loving his people as you is rare on this sea."

These words were certainly not just polite talk. After all, during his voyage, Morsen had seen pirates who preyed on ordinary people, corrupt nobles, and even naval parasites like Captain Rat who colluded with pirates.

It is rare and truly admirable that a monarch like Cobra could dedicate himself to maintaining national stability and caring for the lives of his people.

Hearing Mosen's straightforward and sincere approval, Cobra felt quite comforted.

He devoted his life to this country, and the fact that outsiders like Mosen recognized him so highly was undoubtedly the greatest affirmation of him, which made the smile on his face even more genuine.

However, Cobra then seemed to remember something, put down his teacup, frowned slightly, and said with a somewhat serious expression, "Speaking of which, there is something I need to remind everyone of."

"According to the latest feedback from our royal guards and intelligence personnel, it seems that official forces have also quietly entered Alabasta with your arrival."

"And... now I've followed you and infiltrated the royal capital, Albana."

"Official forces?" Mo Sen's eyes narrowed slightly.

“Yes.” Cobra nodded, his tone grave. “It’s not entirely certain which side it is at the moment.”

"It could be a special forces unit of the Navy, or it could be a secret agent directly under the World Government, or the CP organization..."

Upon hearing the code name "CP," Robin's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but her expression remained calm.

"Their actions were extremely secretive. If we hadn't strengthened our surveillance of the capital and our investigation of suspicious individuals, and if their unusually high level of attention to your group hadn't revealed even the slightest clue, we probably wouldn't have been able to detect it."

Cobra continued to explain, "At present, all I know is that they are few in number but extremely capable and secretive. However, since their target is clearly you, I'm afraid they have ill intentions."

He looked at Mo Sen, his eyes filled with a sincere reminder: "Therefore, please be extra careful in the future. Try to travel in groups when you are in the capital these days, and pay attention to anything unusual around you."

Mosen thought of the bounty hunter group from that afternoon, and a knowing look flashed in his eyes. Sure enough, trouble never comes alone.

“Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty.” Morsen nodded slightly, his face showing little tension. “We will be careful.”

"It seems the days ahead will be much more exciting than we imagined, but trouble is bound to come sooner or later, so it's better to deal with it sooner rather than later."

Since undercurrents have begun to stir, there won't be just one wave; Mosen was already mentally prepared.

Chapter 107, CP Agency, Fox Hunting Squad

[East China Sea, Xixis Island]

A shirtless, black-haired youth was sharing a strange-looking fruit with a blue-haired youth wearing an eye mask.

Although the fruit tasted terrible, it was a rare treat for the two unfortunate souls who had been shipwrecked.

After they forced themselves to eat the fruit, flames suddenly erupted from the black-haired youth's body, startling the blue-haired youth.

While Mosen and his entourage were enjoying drinks with King Cobra in the royal banquet hall.

In Albana, the capital of Alabasta, in an inconspicuous warehouse in the back alley of a bar, the official forces mentioned by King Cobra are operating covertly.

The warehouse was dimly lit, with only a single lamp hanging above the central wooden table, illuminating the four figures sitting around it.

They were dressed plainly, but the cold, capable aura they exuded was completely out of place in this chaotic environment.

They are the elite squad "Fox Hunt" of the World Government's CP9, and their main target this time is Nico Robin, the Devil Child.

Captain Rhine, with a resolute face and cold eyes, stood with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the man sitting to his right.

"How is it, Gale?" Rhine's voice was flat and devoid of any emotion: "Has the target's location been locked?"

The man being questioned was thin with ordinary features, but his nose was unusually high and his nostrils twitched slightly from time to time, as if he was trying to distinguish some flavors.

Hearing Rhine's words, Gale also showed a confident smile: "Don't worry, my 'sense of smell' tells me that we are very close."

He took a deep breath, as if savoring the invisible clues in the air: "That unique scent is right here in this city. I just went for a walk and I can basically confirm that the source is in the direction of the palace, with an error of no more than a hundred meters."

Gale's confidence stems from his Devil Fruit ability; the Zoan-type Dog-Dog Fruit in Bloodhound form grants him a sense of smell beyond human imagination.

As long as he has ever come into contact with the target, even if it is just a lingering scent, he can lock onto the target like the most accurate hunting dog and track it for thousands of miles.

Nico Robin's scent had been deeply imprinted in the deepest part of his olfactory memory since the beginning of the mission.

Rhein nodded upon hearing this, having no doubt about Gale's judgment, which was the most reliable guarantee for their team to track their target.

Then, his gaze turned to the female member sitting on his left: "Ella, do you have any leads?"

Upon hearing this, Ella, who had a delicate appearance and a capable demeanor, took out a small, folded intelligence report from her bosom and spread it out on the table.

“Gail’s direction is correct, and it corroborates my intelligence.” Ella said, pointing to several marks on the briefing with her fingertip.

"Shortly after the auction ended this afternoon, the target and her companions, including the collector Morsen, were ambushed by the bounty hunter group 'Hyena' on their way back to their lodgings."

"The battle ended quickly. The 'Hyena Gang' was completely wiped out, including their leader, 'Hyena' Corrudo, who was basically dead."

"But strangely enough, Princess Vivi of Alabasta suddenly appeared and invited them to the palace."