"That was entertaining," Lucas said, descending from the sky to where Zoro was sitting, sipping some booze.
"I told you I didn't need any help," Zoro grumbled as Lucas landed next to him.
"It appears so," Lucas responded with a grin. "Then I'll handle those ones," he added, nodding toward the new threats.
"Uh... Mr. Five and Ms. Valentine," Igarappoi, defeated and on the ground, groaned as the two figures appeared.
"All of you lost to a swordsman!? How pathetic," Mr. Five sneered, his disdain clear.
"We underestimated our enemy. Please, help us," Mr. Nine pleaded, desperation in his voice.
"That you have. But our mission is a little different, you see," Mr. Five replied coldly. "Secrecy. That's our organization's creed."
"It seems a certain someone from a certain kingdom infiltrated Baroque Works," Ms. Valentine added, her tone icy.
"Wha..." Mr. Nine exclaimed, his eyes wide in shock. Before he could react, Igarappoi attacked the two agents, throwing explosives at them. "Please run!" he cried as he hurled the bombs.
"Well, this took a wild turn," Zoro commented, watching the chaos unfold.
"Indeed. Arg, I'm out of popcorn," Lucas said, tossing the empty box aside with a sigh.
"All that just to take a few more breaths," Ms. Valentine mocked, floating above and landing a kick on Ms. Wednesday's head, causing her hair to come loose. "Now isn't that a fitting look for you," she taunted.
Ms. Valentine landed back next to Mr. Five, as Igarappoi tried to buy some time for Ms. Wednesday to escape. His attempt failed, and he was blown back next to Ms. Wednesday.
"Wait, what is going on? Why are you attacking us?" Mr. Nine said, panic in his voice
"Wait, what is going on? Why are you attacking us?" Mr. Nine said in panic, seeing his partner being assaulted.
"Rest assured, we aren't after you, Mr. Nine. The spy—or rather, spies—we are after are Igaram, head of the Alabasta Kingdom royal guard, and none other than Alabasta's princess herself, Princess Nefertari Vivi," Mr. Five revealed, pulling out a picture of Princess Vivi. Mr. Nine gasped in shock as Vivi knelt beside Igaram, checking to see if he was okay.
"You monster!" she cried out, her voice filled with rage. But there was nothing she could do against two people with Devil Fruit powers.
"This is really entertaining, isn't it? Wanna step in?" Lucas said, hovering above as he watched the unfolding drama with Zoro.
"It's none of my business. Besides, didn't you say you would handle them?" Zoro replied, keeping his eyes on the scene below.
"Now then, Ms. Wednesday and Mr. Eight, after being found as spies, you will now be eliminated under the direct orders of our boss," Mr. Five said, nonchalantly picking his nose. Ms. Wednesday stood her ground, ready to defend herself.
"Don't underestimate me!" she cried out, her voice trembling with determination.
Mr. Nine stepped in front of her, his resolve clear. "Although I don't understand what is going on, you're still my partner. Go, I'll hold them off," he said, charging forward with a battle cry. "Nekketsu Nine Konjoh Bat!"
Before he could strike, Mr. Five launched his own attack. "Nose Fancy Cannon!" he shouted, flinging a booger at Mr. Nine and blowing him away with great force.
Vivi's eyes widened in horror as she watched Mr. Nine get thrown back, her heart pounding with fear and anger. "Why are you doing this? We trusted you!" she screamed, tears welling up in her eyes.
Mr. Five smirked, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "Orders are orders, princess. And you, my dear, have been a thorn in our side for too long."
"This is really something, isn't it?" Lucas mused, his eyes flicking between the combatants and the chaos below.
"Yeah," Zoro replied, his grip tightening on his swords. "But it's their fight. Let's see how they handle it."
The air was thick with tension as the battle for survival and justice unfolded. Lucas and Zoro watched, slightly suprised at the force of the booger cannon they just witnessed.
"That's one hell of a booger," Zoro gasped, watching in disbelief as Mr. Nine was blown away with great force. Vivi, realizing she had no chance of survival, quickly called for Carue and made a break for it.
"She ran away," Ms. Valentine remarked, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Doesn't matter. She won't get far. After her, Ms. Valentine," Mr. Five commanded, sprinting after the fleeing princess. Meanwhile, heavily injured, Igaram made his way to Zoro and Lucas, grabbing Zoro's leg in desperation.
"Mr. Swordsman... Please allow me to make an unreasonable request. I beg of you, lend us your strength," Igaram pleaded, his voice filled with desperation.
"What the! Get offa me! Just because you're sucking up to me doesn't mean I'll help you," Zoro responded, trying to free his leg, but Igaram held on tight.
"Please, I beg of you. Those two possess abilities far beyond my capabilities. I can't protect the princess on my own. Please, protect her for me," Igaram implored, his voice breaking.
"Please, as the head of the royal guard of Alabasta, I swear you shall be rewarded accordingly," he added, his eyes filled with hope.
"Great reward, you say?" a voice echoed from above them. "Alright then. I think a billion Berries should do," the voice continued as the others looked up.
"Nami!" Zoro exclaimed, seeing her sitting there. He had thought she was asleep.
"A... A billion?" Igaram gasped, the staggering price catching him off guard.
"Weren't you out cold along with the others?" Zoro asked as Nami came closer to them.
"Oh, please... How could I let my guard down so easily? I was only pretending to be drunk," she said with a smirk, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"I'm more surprised at how you appeared out of nowhere after hearing money getting involved," Lucas remarked, shaking his head in amusement.
"Come on, what'd you take me for, huh? I'm just concerned that a precious life is at stake, and a princess's life no less. But I can't shake off the fact we'd also be risking our lives, so of course, we should be compensated. And I think a billion Berries is a fitting price for the job. Don't you think so, Mr. Head of the Royal Guard? Can you guarantee us a billion Berries?" Nami pressed, leaning over to Igaram, her eyes narrowing.
"I... I can't guarantee such a sum, but I'm sure that as long as you protect the princess and guarantee her safe return, you can directly negotiate with her yourself and receive such an amount," Igaram said, his voice trembling.
"Basically, what you're saying is that we have to save her first, huh?" Nami remarked, crossing her arms.
"Please, there's no time for negotiations. The princess's life is currently in danger," Igaram warned, his voice urgent.
"Haa... Fine, fine. We'll save your little princess first," Nami replied, rolling her eyes. "Alright then, Zoro, Lucas, go," she commanded.
"Why do we have to help you with your dirty money?" Zoro grumbled, glaring at Nami.
"I mean, as long as I can get a piece of the cut, I'm down," Lucas said with a grin, ready to take on the challenge.