No words were spoken on the way.
…
Well, after getting that kind of answer, what could Crocodile say?
Arrogant?
Maybe.
But he was also an arrogant person who created a huge empire!
Crocodile knew very well that this kind of guy wouldn't—and wouldn't bother to—lie.
So, as for the information about the Pluto clues, Rowan probably told the truth. He really didn't know any more details.
"This is really troublesome..."
Crocodile tapped off his cigarette ash, reorganizing his thoughts.
…
Evening, sunset time.
The fully speeding land-water delivery turtle carried everyone to Aluja successfully.
The town elder had been waiting there for a long time.
He originally thought that the people who would come would be Bell or Chaka from the Kingdom Guard, after all, their fighting power was very famous in Alabasta.
So when the elder saw the three people who rushed over, he was obviously a little surprised.
Especially when he saw Vivi.
"Vivi, why are you here?"
The town elder went forward and rubbed their little princess's head.
Vivi stood on her tiptoes and replied with a smile, "Grandpa, I came to play!"
The elder kindly pinched Vivi's little face and took out two candies from his pocket, handing them to her.
"Remember to brush your teeth at night!"
Looking at Vivi, who nodded repeatedly, the elder couldn't help but wonder why Cobra would let Vivi come here.
But when he saw the other two people who came with her, all the questions seemed to have an explanation.
One of them was Mr. Crocodile, the national hero who had helped Alabasta solve pirate disasters many times.
His strength was obvious to the people and needed no doubt.
As for the other one...
The elder didn't know him.
He was wearing a suit of sand-colored armor, with an eagle-shaped helmet, and Alabasta-style patterns embroidered on the purple ribbon on his body.
What made the town elder even more concerned was that the aura emitted by that person faintly overcame Crocodile!
The news of Ryan Rowan's revival has only spread in Albana so far, and the residents of the coastal towns do not yet know this big news.
Therefore, the town elder couldn't help but be curious.
Who exactly is that man?
…
Rowan smiled and nodded to the elder who had been looking at him.
Then, he asked the elder about the situation here.
The elder repeated what happened yesterday from beginning to end, adding at the end:
"Those people are very quiet. They have been staying in the tavern and have not caused any trouble. Besides buying supplies, they have not had any other contact with the townspeople."
After thinking for a while, the elder still said, "They don't seem like bad people."
Kind people are used to thinking of people in a good way.
"Thank you."
Rowan nodded with a smile.
Crocodile, with a cigar in his mouth, came to Rowan's side and raised his eyebrows and asked:
"What did you find out?"
Rowan looked towards the tavern and said slowly, "Almost everything?"
"Very good, look over there."
Crocodile pointed to the dock.
The refugees' medium-sized sailboat was still docked in place, with a few pieces of wood for repairs added.
Crocodile explained, "That ship is a common model around the Sabaody Archipelago."
He tapped off his cigarette ash and continued, "So if I were you, I would never touch this group of hot potatoes."
Crocodile is also a person who pays attention to world events.
As smart as he is, he can naturally deduce the origins of the refugees.
Seven days ago, the Fish-Man Fisher Tiger caused the Mary Geoise incident, and a large number of slaves escaped.
Calculating the time, if they sailed without stopping, plus the guidance of the fish-men, it was possible to sail from the Sabaody Archipelago to Alabasta.
In other words—
That group of refugees is very likely slaves who escaped from the holy land of Mary Geoise!
Probably because the supplies ran out and the ship was damaged, they had no choice but to go ashore to repair it.
"Because I want to stay in this country quietly and investigate the clues of Pluto, I am now 'especially kind' to remind you."
Crocodile said with a cigar in his mouth:
"You just offended the World Nobles once. If you now come into contact with a group of fleeing slaves, it is tantamount to offending them again."
"The World Nobles, those conceited bastards, will not let it go if you provoke them again and again."
"So, if I were you, I would ignore them."
Crocodile said seriously:
"Let them buy supplies normally, repair their ships normally, and then leave here normally."
"We—don't know they came here, that's all."
Hearing this, Rowan nodded, "A reasonable proposal, it seems I have no reason to refuse."
Crocodile breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he has the identity of a Warlord of the Sea, he doesn't want to have conflicts with a Marine Admiral, and acting secretly is his strategic style!
But Rowan then said, "But I refuse."
Crocodile's breath caught again.
He took a deep breath of his cigar to calm down, "What exactly do you want to do?"
Rowan handed the scepter in his hand to Crocodile.
The latter took it smoothly, and then suddenly realized something, and stuck the scepter directly on the ground with displeasure, frowning and said:
"Who is going to carry it for you!"
Rowan smiled helplessly, "It's okay to stick it on the ground, after all, it's always a little impolite to communicate with weapons."
He beckoned, signaling Crocodile and Vivi to walk with him.
And Rowan's direction was the tavern used to house the refugees.
"The runaways..."
Rowan murmured, then suddenly smiled happily.
"Now that we're here, why leave?"
Crocodile was stunned, seeming to understand what Rowan was going to do.
I hope it doesn't cause trouble!
…
Port town of Yuba, tavern.
On weekdays, resting fishermen love to gather here, drink a strong drink, and relieve the fatigue of a day at sea.
And since yesterday, many unfamiliar faces have appeared in this tavern that is loved by the residents.
They come from far away in the sea, not knowing where they should go.
They are a group of slaves who were lucky enough to escape from the World Nobles.
There are humans and fish-men.
They once agreed to go to freedom together, but when they were truly in freedom, they found that they had nowhere to go.
That blood-red "Celestial Dragon's Hoof" was branded on their bodies, and was also branded into their destiny, unable to get rid of.
No matter where they go, the words "World Nobles" always make them unable to sleep or eat well.
Escaping from the Sabaody Archipelago all the way to Alabasta, they don't know how many times they escaped pursuit, and they don't know how many separations they endured.
Even if there are strong fish-men, they cannot completely protect humans on the dangerous sea, or even their own safety.
Many people died on that ship.
When they came near the Alabasta sea, they finally couldn't hold on any longer.
They chose to risk going ashore.
Fortunately, the residents of this small town are very friendly.
Even if they found that there were fish-men among them, they did not immediately call the Marines or drive them away, but only asked them not to disturb the residents here.
The people here also provided shelters from the wind and rain.
There's even wine.
…
Rowan stepped forward, walking at the very front, and came to the door of the tavern.
He pushed the door open and entered.
He smiled, thinking of a joke that was very popular in Alabasta eight hundred years ago.
He blurted out:
"A pigeon walked into a tavern."