Chapter 379: Heading Towards the Crocodile Breeding Base
Although Zhang Da politely rejected Cobra's suggestion that Bell protect them, Cobra always felt that Zhang Da seemed to be a little disgusted with Bell?
He recalled the performance of the Amber Travel Group and it seemed that he didn't need to worry about safety.
As for the suitable identity that Zhang Da mentioned, it is not difficult to understand. The things involved here involve not only the internal affairs of Alabasta, but may also involve the face of the World Government. As civilians, it is indeed not convenient for the Amber Tour Group to participate.
So after a brief discussion between Cobra and Zhang Da, the Amber Travel Group was given a new title - Special Search Operations Team. Zhang Da was appointed as the team leader, and the others were investigators.
However, this position is only responsible for investigating and arresting members of Baroque Works and has no other real power. Correspondingly, if it can be proved that Crocodile is really the boss of Baroque Works, then it is okay to arrest him directly, and the pressure of the World Government will be borne by the Kingdom of Alabasta.
Of course, Cobra hopes that if they really have a conflict with Crocodile during their operation, they can take care of the surrounding situation and not affect the residents.
Zhang Da also happily accepted the commission. This was the purpose of his coming to the palace. He couldn't have come all the way here just to take everyone for a free meal, right?
He glanced at the other people who were eating heartily, and then at the messy table. It shouldn’t be... right?
Never mind, it’s not important. We’re leaving for Yudi tomorrow anyway, so we should just eat and have fun today.
Zhang Da suddenly remembered something and asked, "How is the navy doing? Do we need to meet with Vice Admiral Huoshaoshan?"
Cobra said: "Gaka is in contact with the Navy and the progress of the investigation will be reported every day. It's fine if you want to work with them."
"Forget it, let's investigate our own matter." Zhang Da also felt that acting alone would be more conducive to their framing... and investigating Crocodile.
But just in case, he still got the Den Den Mushi number of Vice Admiral Huoshaoshan.
"That's fine." Cobra nodded, smiling as he watched his daughter playing with the little girl and kitten from the Amber Group.
Only then did Zhang Daye notice that a little loli had sneaked into the team. He looked up and saw Bell smiling and nodding at the door before leaving.
Bell's way of coaxing Vivi is very simple. He just transforms into a falcon and takes Vivi flying into the sky. For a little girl like her who loves adventure, this is the most interesting thing.
Although the king usually forbids Belle to take Vivi flying, this time he was ordered to coax the child.
When Vivi's mood improved, Bell took her to wash up and then sent her to the banquet hall. He thought that the two little girls from the Amber Tour Group should be able to play with the princess.
Weiwei was also looking forward to making new friends, and because she learned there were cats here, she even prepared a cat toy in advance.
Tom had already eaten and drunk his fill, so out of boredom he played with the cat toy with the little girl.
Tom was seen running, waving the cat toy flexibly, and Vivi was following behind him, trying hard to pounce and catch the cat.
Even though Tom was chubby after dinner, he was still very agile and Vivi couldn't catch him for a while, so she had to beg Wendy and Perona to help surround him.
Xia Lulu stood aside with her hands folded, watching with a smile the three little girls chasing a fat ball holding a cat toy.
Zhang Da also took a look at it, and then again. Wait a minute, is there something wrong with the way this cat toy is used?
He glanced at Cobra's expression. The old father looked at his cheerful daughter with a kind face.
Okay, as long as you are happy.
Looking at the whole place, Jackie Chan was probably the only unhappy person. He frowned as he looked at the three little girls who were getting along well with each other. He was worried that the well-behaved Wendy would be led astray by the two problem children. He was also worried that Perona, the troublesome child, and Vivi, the bold and reckless princess, would tear down the palace if they got together.
"Hey." Jackie Chan sighed, and all his worries turned into a warning, "There are so many furnishings and decorations in the room, don't run around, be careful!"
Ikalem also made a worried voice: "Princess Weiwei, don't run so fast, be careful not to fall!"
The two people who liked to worry about the little girl looked at each other and sympathized with each other.
Zhang Da also looked at him and said, "As someone who likes parkour, you are not qualified to give such instructions to others."
Perona turned around and made a face at Jackie Chan, and Vivi followed suit and made a face too. The only thing that made Jackie Chan feel relieved was that Wendy stopped, put her hands behind her back and gave him an apologetic smile.
However, they were soon pulled away by Perona, and the three little ones continued to chase Tom all the way out of the banquet hall.
"I'm sorry, Perona seems to have led the princess astray. It's really a headache." Jackie Chan scratched his hair and said to Ikalem embarrassedly.
"It's okay. Princess Weiwei is..." Ikalem paused. As a minister, it seemed not good to point out the princess' shortcomings in front of outsiders. He quickly pretended to clear his throat as usual, "Ahem, well, well~ I mean, the princess used to have a group of friends of the same age, but most of them moved to Juba with their parents. She hasn't been this happy for a long time."
"Is it such a coincidence?" Ye Yan showed a questioning look on his face. A group of people of the same age suddenly moved away, and they were all the princess's friends. Is this reasonable?
"There's nothing we can do about it." Ikalem said, "Because two years ago, the king decided to build a town in the oasis of Juba as a transportation hub connecting to the western desert of Alabasta. That's when they moved away."
Ye Yan stared at Ikalem with a pair of dead fish eyes. The more he listened to this explanation, the more it sounded like you deliberately sent him to open up wasteland.
"Don't get me wrong. The king didn't force anyone when deciding on the candidates for the new town. He just explained the importance of this town." Ikalem continued, "Those families felt that the king trusted them because he let the princess play with their children. So they also wanted to do something for the country."
At this point, Ikalem smiled and said: "They love this country from the bottom of their hearts."
In this place where the people are simple and honest, the Nefertari family's almost idealistic way of doing things really easily wins people's hearts.
If Crocodile had not used the agents of Baroque Works to infiltrate every corner of the country and used the user of the Mimic Fruit to impersonate the king, it would be hard to say whether the rebel army could be formed.
The most amazing thing is that when the king lost the trust of most people, the princess's reputation in people's hearts was still intact, which is simply unimaginable.
Ye Yan didn't know what to say. Although he was a poor student, he still had some knowledge of history. He had never heard of a country that could be maintained for hundreds of years with such a naive ruling concept.
Three little girls were chasing a cat around. Jackie Chan and Ikalem couldn't let it go and finally followed them.
Cobra was not that anxious. There were no bad guys in the palace. At most, they would bump into things and fall down, which was inevitable for children.
In the past, Zhang Da might have followed suit, because he was worried that Tom would tear down the palace, but now he is much more reassured. In such a long time, Tom didn't even tear down the Amber, let alone such a big palace.
At most, he would crash through one or two walls while running, which was not a big problem. However, if this person, whose style was becoming increasingly abnormal, and Tom were to get together, the lethality might be even greater.
So just eat and drink, and when you’re full just quietly watch Altria’s performance.
After the banquet, Tilagoda was the only one left standing in the palace kitchen. Fortunately, she had the same sturdy figure as Ikalem, otherwise she might not have been able to hold on to the end.
"This is really disrespectful. How dare you call yourself the chefs of the palace? Train harder!" Although Tiraguda was tired, she was still full of energy as she scolded the fallen chefs.
Altria was very satisfied with the meal, not because Dilagda won over the king, but Altria remembered that Zhang Da also said that he would stay in Alabasta for a while, and she felt that she couldn't scare all the chefs at once. The food here is so delicious, she hopes to come more often.
In the evening, Cobra received the consumption list sent by Tilageda: "The food supply of the palace is almost exhausted. Although it is a bit exaggerated, it is not bad."
Alabasta can now be considered wealthy and powerful. After all, the environment has not been ruined by Crocodile. The town of Yuba, as a transportation hub, has begun to take shape, and the entire country is thriving.
Moreover, as a royal family, the Nefertari have no habit of extravagance, so it is no problem to invite the Amber Group to dinner occasionally.
Naturally, they stayed overnight in the palace. At Vivi's strong request, Perona, Wendy and Xia Lulu agreed to stay in the same room with her so that they could tell her stories about their adventures on the sea.
Tom was also invited by Weiwei, but he refused. Tom was still used to sleeping in the same room with his master.
Uncle Long couldn't help but give the little girls a few words of advice, telling them not to stay up too late and that children should go to bed early.
…
The next morning, Alabasta announced the assembly of the Baroque Works Special Search Team.
Cobra, Ikalem and Bell plan to see them off.
Several little girls walked out of the room while rubbing their eyes. After leaving the room, they yawned in unison. It seemed that they did not listen to Uncle Long's instructions last night.
"We have a long way to go today. Can you make it like this?" Zhang Da also looked at Perona and Wendy who were looking listless.
"It's okay ...haah~" Wendy yawned again in the middle of her words, tears welling up in her eyes. She wasn't about to cry, she was just simply sleepy.
"Are you going to the rainy land? Can you take me with you?" Weiwei didn't want to part with the friend she just met.
"No!" Ikalem immediately objected. They were going to Crocodile's lair to investigate the Baroque Works, so how could they let the princess go on an adventure with them?
Zhang Daye didn't want to take her with him either. Crocodile had so many large-scale attack moves, and if he didn't take care of Vivi, she would be dead. Perona at least had some ability to attack and protect herself. Taking Weiwei with her would be a complete burden.
"But..." Vivi held Perona and Wendy's hands and was reluctant to let go.
"Why don't you let Perona, Wendy and Xia Lulu stay for a while? Your condition is not very good anyway." Zhang Da also calculated the combat effectiveness and felt that there was no need to send out all of them. Leaving a few people here can also prevent Lao Sha from stealing the house.
After discussion, everyone decided to let Perona, Wendy and Xia Lulu stay in the palace to rest. After they had rested enough, they could also be responsible for protecting the king.
In order to prevent them from doing anything lawless, Uncle Long also stayed to look after them.
Don't worry too much about their fighting ability. If Perona's ability catches Lao Sha off guard, he will definitely suffer. Wendy's dragon-killing magic can also hurt natural elements. Uncle Long has seastone handcuffs and dragon charms. If it doesn't work, he can try using water. If several people cooperate well, Lao Sha may be stunned.
In addition, Zhang Da also secretly told Uncle Long that once they confront Crocodile, he should contact Lieutenant General Huoshaoshan as soon as possible. By then, even if they were far away in the Rain Land and could not make it back, Lieutenant General Huoshaoshan who was in Albana would definitely catch up.
As for Bell the Falcon and Jaga the Jackal...they can basically be ignored in front of Crocodile.
Cobra had no objection to this. He did not expect to be protected by the children and just thought it was an excuse Zhang Da made up to coax them to stay.
Zhang Da also took out a teaching stick from his inventory and gave it to Uncle Long, telling him that if Perona didn't obey, he could beat her up first and then down - beat her up again and then down.
"I object!" Perona raised her hand in protest.
"Objection is invalid." Zhang Da also slapped her hand away and continued, "If Wendy is disobedient..."
"Huh?" Wendy's face changed and she leaned back slightly, obviously frightened.
Zhang Da also half-jokingly said: "If Wendy doesn't obey, it must be Perona's instigation. Let's teach Perona a lesson."
"What! It's not fair!" Although Perona knew that Zhang Da was saying this on purpose, she was still very angry and wanted to hit him.
Jackie Chan took the pointer and tried it on his palm, then shook his hand: "Why does it hurt so much?"
"It's specially made." Zhang Da also thought that this teaching stick was used by Tom to educate kittens when he was a teacher, so anything Tom's products must be top quality.
"Don't worry, I won't hit your palms casually." Jackie Chan doesn't like to use violence to educate children. "At most, I will make you copy the elementary school student rules dozens of times."
Perona's lips flattened and her shoulders drooped. She might as well let you slap her hands a few times.
…
After arranging several people, Zhang Daye and others were sent out of the palace by Cobra and others. They rode on the Super Fast Duck to leave Albana and ran towards the pier where the Amber was moored on the Santo River.
Crocodile breeding base... No, Crocodile's home base, Rainland, is on the other side of the Santo River. The Santo River is 50 kilometers wide, so it's better to go there by boat.
Seeing Cobra not planning to return to the palace after seeing off the Amber Tour Group, Ikalem reminded him, "Your Majesty, it's time... ahem, well, it's time to go back and handle government affairs. Because of receiving guests, some of the food was stored yesterday."
"I stayed up late last night to look at those things. Just arrange for someone to deliver those official documents." Cobra said, "It's a rare trip for you to come out. Why don't you go and see if everyone has any difficulties?"
"This... you are too willful." Ikalem was a little helpless. You clearly followed the princess secretly every time she went out to play. What do you mean it's a rare occasion for her to come out?
But he did not try to persuade her . The king's favorite thing to do was to understand the people's sentiments. Compared to a report, he preferred to personally confirm how the people were doing recently.
