Truth

Although Kyros did not call himself a Sword Master, partly out of modesty—many people on the seas dared to call themselves Sword Masters as long as they possessed the strength of a Vice Admiral.

But universally acknowledged Sword Masters, those who truly commanded everyone’s respect, were far rarer. Figures like that could basically be placed on the same level as Admirals and Emperors!

Now, seeing a small fry like Mr. 1 dare claim he could cut through a Sword Master’s weapon made Kyros burn with rage.

Even if he identified less with being a swordsman than with being a gladiator, that did not mean he lacked any love or respect for swordsmanship.

Since Kyros had rarely taken the initiative to face an opponent, Yota nodded directly. Then he spotted Mr. 1’s companion—a blue-haired woman with a voluptuous figure and rather revealing clothes.

At that moment, the woman looked utterly panicked at the sight of Yota and the others. Clearly, Yota catching Mr. 1’s attack with his head had terrified her.

"Who’s this?" Yota asked, turning his head.

Princess Vivi was still in a daze behind him. She had never expected Yota to appear before her so quickly. Only after hearing his question did she come back to her senses, her voice carrying a hint of delighted surprise. "Her name is Miss Doublefinger. She’s Mr. 1’s partner and a Spike-Spike Fruit user."

"A Spike-Spike Fruit user?" Yota rolled his eyes. Fine, another trash Devil Fruit.

Perhaps it could be fused with the Shove-Shove Fruit to boost its power somewhat.

At that moment, Yota also noticed that Princess Vivi had sustained some injuries. Black spikes like daggers had pierced her fair arms and thighs, and blood had stained much of her clothing red. She had clearly been wounded by this Spike-Spike Fruit user.

While Yota was asking questions, Kyros had already clashed with the Dice-Dice Fruit user.

There was not much to say about this battle. In the original story, Kyros had still managed to grievously wound Diamante, a Float-Float Fruit user who possessed Armament Haki and could turn steel into clothing, with a single slash even after losing one leg.

This Dice-Dice Fruit user was inferior to Diamante in every respect, while Kyros had had his disability healed by Yota. After their time at sea, his experience, swordsmanship, and Haki had all improved considerably. This Dice-Dice Fruit user still tried to endure the attack with his body using the old method, so with a single slash, he vomited blood and collapsed on the spot.

The battle frightened Miss Doublefinger so badly that her entire body trembled. She wanted to flee, but Violet’s eyes held her firmly in place. Like a frog watched by a snake, she stood frozen, drenched in sweat.

Clearly, Violet had continued developing both her Devil Fruit abilities and her Byakugan during this time. Her current display was a sign that she had developed her Byakugan to a certain degree and was on the verge of unlocking its intimidation ability.

When developed to the extreme, the pure Byakugan might not have the destructive power of the Rinnegan or Tenseigan, but it had its own strengths. Violet was only able to surpass the lifelong cultivation of an ordinary member of the Hyuga clan in ability development because she possessed the Glint-Glint Fruit.

Though Violet appeared to be merely a support-type ability user, she was far more capable in combat now than before. She could even exchange a few moves with a Vice Admiral.

Seeing Miss Doublefinger so cowardly, Yota merely curled his lip and swept out a hand wreathed in black energy. He first extracted the Dice-Dice Fruit from the fallen Mr. 1, then directly extracted her Spike-Spike Fruit as well.

"Alright, tell me. Where is your boss now?" Yota asked Miss Doublefinger, who had already lost her Devil Fruit abilities. Miss Doublefinger hurriedly shook her head. "I don’t know. Our boss has always contacted agents like us only one-way. Maybe only Mr. 1 knows his identity!"

Yota had long known that Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai, was behind Baroque Works. He also knew that Crocodile’s objective was the Poneglyph preserved in Alabasta, from which he hoped to find information about the Dark King.

However, only Yota knew such things. Even if he told Princess Vivi and the others, without solid evidence, Princess Vivi would likely only half-believe him. That was why he was actually gathering evidence for them.

"Is that so? Looks like only this guy knows." Yota looked at the unconscious Dice-Dice Fruit user and said to Violet, "He’s yours. Dig out all his memories."

Violet nodded. She formed a strange gesture with both hands and pressed her forehead against the Dice-Dice Fruit user’s. A moment later, she opened her eyes and spoke to Yota.

"What a coincidence. The one behind Baroque Works is also a Shichibukai!"

Though she said it was a coincidence, an unmistakable fury flickered in her eyes. Alabasta had clearly made her think of Dressrosa and Doflamingo.

After all, both involved usurping a nation, both involved princesses, both involved benevolent kings, and both involved Shichibukai. It would have been strange if she had not drawn comparisons.

Of course, Crocodile and Doflamingo were actually somewhat different. Crocodile did not care about Alabasta at all. What he truly wanted was the Dark King hidden here.

But even Mr. 1 did not know much about that, so Violet assumed Crocodile also wanted to seize the country.

"What? It was him?" Princess Vivi cried in shock. "No wonder he kept driving pirates away from Alabasta and was even called a hero by its people."

Violet snorted. "It’s all a routine. These Shichibukai love using this method to disguise themselves."

Yota did not bother with that. "Alright, now that we know who the mastermind is, what do we do next? Princess Vivi, why are you the only one left? Where is your guard, Karmite?"

Princess Vivi’s face turned pale. "Karmite has been captured by my father. No, that isn’t my father—it should be someone impersonating him!"

Yota rubbed his chin. He still remembered this plot. It seemed an okama named Bon Clay had eaten the Imitation Fruit and disguised himself as Princess Vivi’s father.

Originally, this should not have happened so early. After all, it was unknown whether the Straw Hat Kid had even set sail yet. Clearly, it was a chain reaction triggered by Princess Vivi exposing her identity.