Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Vivi's question, filled with worry and anger, prompted a moment of surprise from Mr. 2 before he recognized her. "Vivi. So you are Cobra's daughter?" he said, realizing the identity of the person confronting him.
Mr. 2 responded in a calm tone, trying to assuage Vivi's fears. "Don't worry, I just remembered his face, and didn't use his identity to do bad things," he assured her.
However, Sanji, ever the perceptive one, added his thoughts from the side. "It's just that it's not time yet to use it. Otherwise, you wouldn't remember that face without a purpose," he remarked, implying that Mr. 2 had some intention behind remembering the king's face.
Zoro, typically less interested in lengthy discussions, had a more straightforward approach. "Just cut him off," he said quietly, indicating his readiness to resolve the issue with his usual method.
Nami, ever the voice of reason, expressed her exasperation with Zoro's simplistic solution. "Is that all you have in mind?" she complained. Then, turning to Vivi, she offered some reassurance. "Whether he did something or not, since he's caught by us now, it's fine," she comforted her.
With these words, Nami showed a meaningful smile and slowly approached Mr. 2's side. In a gentle yet firm tone, she said, "Just let him tell the truth, it's too simple." Her confidence and approach suggested that she had a way to get Mr. 2 to reveal any secrets he might be hiding, ensuring that Vivi's concerns would be addressed.
The crew had a clear plan of action, guided by Nami's instructions. Sanji, always quick to respond to Nami's requests, swiftly apprehended Mr. 2. However, what happened next was unexpected and left everyone, especially Nami, in disbelief.
Nami, following her usual approach, took out a puppet talisman from her cleavage, intending to extract information from Mr. 2. This talisman was typically effective in compelling others to speak against their will. But to the surprise of everyone on the Golden Merry, the puppet talisman had no effect on Mr. 2.
Confused and seeking an explanation, Nami looked towards Bai Ye. Bai Ye, with a helpless shrug, offered an explanation, "It seems that this ladyboy's will is very firm." Bai Ye was aware that the puppet talisman's effectiveness depended largely on the mental strength and willpower of its target. Mr. 2, as it turned out, possessed a strong will, rendering the talisman ineffective.
Mr. 2, seemingly amused and delighted by this turn of events, let out a hearty laugh, "Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho!" Despite the odd situation, there was something about Mr. 2 that commanded a peculiar kind of respect or awe. He stopped laughing and addressed everyone seriously, "In this world, there are only two kinds of people, either men or women." After a brief pause, his expression changed to one of charm, and he declared loudly, "However, I am different! I am a woman! And also a man! So, I am the strongest!!"
On the deck of the Golden Merry, Mr. 2's proclamation, coupled with his unique identity as a transvestite, created a strange yet memorable moment.
Bai Ye found the whole scene rather bizarre, yet it was clear that Mr. 2's passionate declaration had struck a chord with some of the crew members – specifically, the trio of Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper, whom Bai Ye considered to be a bit foolish at times.
Luffy joined in with Mr. 2's enthusiasm, shouting, "Oh oh oh! That's great!!" Usopp, always ready with a comment, added with a chuckle and a rub of his nose, "Is this your path? Hahaha." Chopper, looking at Mr. 2 with admiring eyes, exclaimed, "Your way is the strongest!!"
Their reactions, however, were quickly met with Nami's disapproval. Boom! Boom! Boom! She punched each one in turn, frustrated by their silliness, and exclaimed, "Idiots? You!"
Bai Ye, watching this unfold, shook his head. He couldn't help but notice that since Chopper had joined the crew, the boat's atmosphere had increasingly leaned towards the ridiculous. However, Bai Ye was also concerned about the failure of the puppet talisman on Mr. 2. Given Mr. 2's key role in the crisis in Alabasta, as portrayed in the original story, Bai Ye felt it was unwise to simply let him go.
Killing or imprisoning Mr. 2, a senior cadre of Baroque Works, seemed like a waste. Bai Ye saw potential in persuading Mr. 2 to switch sides, which could greatly aid in exposing Crocodile's conspiracy with minimal effort.
With this in mind, Bai Ye decided to engage further. He smiled and addressed Mr. 2, "Speaking of it, you don't seem to know. The reason why your mission is to kill Mr. 3 is because of Vivi."
Bai Ye, with a knowing look, began to unravel the mystery that had eluded Mr. 2. "Because Vivi knows the identity of your boss," he said calmly.
This revelation visibly shocked Mr. 2. Despite his long tenure in Baroque Works, he had never once seen the boss, making this information particularly startling. Bai Ye, noticing Mr. 2's reaction, turned to Vivi with a request. "Can I trouble you to repeat the matter? The truth about the Baroque Works," he said.
Vivi, though initially surprised by Bai Ye's request, nodded in agreement. "No problem," she replied. She had come to trust Bai Ye's judgment implicitly, confident in his intentions. The rest of the Straw Hat crew also showed their support, encouraging her to speak.
After Vivi explained the situation, Mr. 2 was visibly taken aback by her revelations. "What? The boss of the Baroque Works turned out to be Crocodile, 'Desert King' Sir Crocodile?!" he exclaimed in disbelief.
"That's right," Vivi confirmed, "and his so-called establishment of an ideal country is just a cover for his real plan to steal the authority of the king of Alabasta." Her expression was grim as she shared these truths.
Mr. 2's reaction to this was a mix of shock and disbelief. The idea of someone stealing the power of a country, especially one that was a member of the World Government, was almost unfathomable to him.
Noticing Mr. 2's bewildered expression, Bai Ye voiced what Mr. 2 was likely thinking. "It's unbelievable, isn't it?" he said, empathizing with the shock that Mr. 2 was experiencing.
Bai Ye continued to unravel the complex situation surrounding Crocodile and his ambitions. "Even if Crocodile is one of the Warlords of the Sea, a legal pirate recognized by the World Government and the Navy, he still harbors aspirations to become king on the Alabasta throne," he explained.
With a knowing half-smile, Bai Ye looked at Mr. 2. "Neither the World Government nor the Navy will tolerate such a thing," he said. Bai Ye's statement wasn't based on mere speculation. The implications of a pirate openly becoming the king of a member country of the World Government were significant. It could lead to other member countries losing trust in the World Government's authority.
Bai Ye was aware that similar situations had occurred before, like with Doflamingo, who was a former Celestial Dragon and not just any ordinary pirate. He knew that Crocodile was aware of the limitations of his position. Publicly, Crocodile spoke of building an ideal town, but his real goal was to uncover the secrets of ancient weapon - Pluton.
Mr. 2, absorbing this information, seemed to realize that something was amiss. "Mr. 0, does he want us to be cannon fodder?" he pondered aloud. After a moment of contemplation, Mr. 2 looked up at Bai Ye, his curiosity piqued. "Then, little friend, what is your purpose in helping Princess Vivi?"
Mr. 2 expressed his intrigue. "Crocodile's bounty may not be as high as yours and your crewmates, but if you underestimate his strength, you might be in for a surprise." He regained his composure, even playfully winking at Bai Ye. "If you approach this matter carelessly, you will die..."