Seeing the situation before him, Mr. 5 decided to strike first while everyone's attention was drawn to the straw-hatted guy:
"Nose Booger Fantasy Cannon Barrage!"
He frantically dug his nose and shot multiple boogers like bullets toward Giyu, who had taken advantage of his lack of focus earlier to launch a surprise attack!
However, in Giyu's eyes, the trajectory of the boogers was crystal clear. With just slight movements of his body, he dodged all the attacks, and explosions erupted from the buildings behind him.
Boom! Boom!
Noticing a suspicious-looking guy in the square seemingly attacking Giyu, Luffy's gaze instantly locked onto Mr. 5—who was digging his nose with one hand and making shooting motions with the other—and Ms. Valentine, still floating in the air.
"Ah! I get it! It's you two!" Luffy's anger ignited instantly. "I understand now!! You're the ones who did this to the kind people who welcomed us with open arms, treating us to fine wine and delicious food!!"
"Gomu Gomu no Gatling!!!"
Luffy's roar drowned out everything else. With his belly full of food, he leaped forward and unleashed a storm of punches toward Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine.
"It wasn't us! It was them! It was your two companions who did it!" Ms. Valentine screamed tearfully, desperately dodging while trying to explain.
"Stop lying!! I won't listen!!"
Luffy had fully entered his vengeance mode for the fallen villagers of Whiskey Peak, his countless fists raining down like a tempest.
"It really wasn't us..." Mr. 5's despairing voice was soon swallowed by the barrage of punches.
Thud thud thud thud thud!
After a fierce onslaught from Luffy's rubber Gatling, Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine were completely embedded in the wall like human-shaped murals, seeing stars and utterly unconscious.
Panting heavily, Luffy retracted his fists, looked at his handiwork, and patted his hands with satisfaction: "Done!"
Leaving only the stunned individuals in the scene: Zoro, Giyu, Princess Vivi, Igaram, Ms. Monday, and Nami, who was secretly snickering.
Then Nami leisurely walked over and explained to Luffy what had actually happened.
Whiskey Peak is a town located on Cactus Island in the first half of the Grand Line.
On the surface, it appears to be a welcoming town that warmly receives so-called sea warriors, but its true nature is a base for Baroque Works. The bounty hunters and Million Agents lure inexperienced rookie pirates by disguising themselves as villagers and hosting feasts.
"Eh? Is that so?" Luffy dug his nose, looking completely bewildered.
Meanwhile, Zoro and Giyu were counting the fallen Million Agents on the ground, checking one after another, only to find they couldn't even distinguish who had defeated whom.
Shortly after, Sanji and Usopp also woke up.
Just moments earlier, while verbally competing with Giyu over takedown counts and realizing that three swords weren't as efficient as one, Zoro unceremoniously picked up a bucket of alcohol and dumped it on Sanji's head. "What are you doing!! You moss-headed bastard!!!" And the two started fighting again.
Nami, however, chose a more direct approach—delivering several crisp slaps that left Usopp howling in pain.
"Ow! That hurts! What's going on?? The brave Sea Warrior is here! Don't be afraid!" Usopp clutched his face and leaped up.
Igaram, watching the now fully awakened Straw Hat crew, endured his severe pain and spoke again with a pleading tone: "Everyone... please escort Princess Vivi back to her country! Alabasta needs the help of heroes like you!"
"I witnessed the entire battle just now. I've seen your extraordinary bravery and strength. Only you can ensure Princess Vivi returns home safely! I beg you!"
Luffy casually found a chair to sit on and asked somewhat puzzled, "Alabasta? Where's that?"
Hearing Igaram's humble plea, Vivi sighed helplessly before turning to answer Luffy's question: "Alabasta... is one of the few civilized nations on the Grand Line."
"It used to be a prosperous and peaceful country..."
"But in recent years, revolutionary movements have emerged among the people, growing increasingly intense and plunging Alabasta into chaos..."
"Until one day, I accidentally learned about an organization called Baroque Works. It appears they're the ones inciting the people to riot. But beyond this, we have no other information and can't take action."
"So I asked Igaram, who has always taken good care of me, to infiltrate the organization with me to see what we could discover..."
Usopp marveled, "You're really brave for a princess, daring to infiltrate an organization like that."
"Thank you... Long-Nosed Sir..."
"In the end, we discovered Baroque Works' ultimate goal is to seize the Kingdom of Alabasta. I need to quickly reveal the truth to the public and suppress the national uprising, or the kingdom will be in danger..."
Giyu finally spoke. After hearing Vivi recount everything about her country—how this once thriving civilization had fallen into suffering with someone secretly causing trouble—a flicker of anger stirred within him that even he hadn't yet noticed.
"Then, who is this person trying to seize Alabasta?"
Hearing Giyu's question, Vivi immediately waved her hands: "No, no! If you know, your lives will be in danger too!"
"We don't want to know, hahaha! Just escorting you back to the king is enough."
"Who is it? Tell us, tell us!" Luffy leaned in curiously.
"I can't say..." Vivi lowered her head, but inadvertently revealed the terrifying truth: "Although you're all strong... you definitely can't defeat Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!!"
The moment the name was spoken, time seemed to freeze.
Nami's face instantly turned pale as she screamed:
"You just said it!!?"
"Seven Warlords?! You've got to be kidding! Forget it then! There's no reason to oppose such monsters right after entering the Grand Line! I refuse! Refuse, refuse, refuse!"
Sanji lit a cigarette, deep in thought: "No wonder... back at Twin Capes, you were asking that old man about Crocodile."
"So what!" Luffy wasn't scared at all, instead grinning excitedly with a wide laugh, "Who cares about Warlord? I'll punch him flying!"
Igaram shook his head with difficulty, shattering Nami's last hope:
"But even if you want to back out now, it's too late. We don't know why, but the boss last night... that is, Crocodile has already issued an order to treat your Straw Hat crew as the princess's accomplices and plans to eliminate you all together."
This news pierced Nami's heart like a sharp sword, leaving her frozen in place.
"How could this be?!"
She clutched her head, completely breaking down, spinning in place like a top, "We're done for! We're being hunted by a Warlord! We're dead! We'll definitely die! My treasure... my dreams..."
Just as Nami was drowning in despair, a calm voice cut in.
"I'll help too."
It was Giyu, who had walked over to Nami's side, though his face remained expressionless.
These words were like a lifeline, allowing Nami, who was about to faint, to recover slightly. Looking at Giyu, she recalled how he had sent Mr. 5 flying with a single strike earlier, finally feeling a bit more confident inside.
At least he was as monstrously strong as Luffy and the others.
However, just as the atmosphere eased slightly, Usopp suddenly jumped up again, pointing at the sky: "Hey! Look! It's that damn bird again, the one we saw at Twin Capes that just won't go away!"
They saw the black vulture circling high above, with an otter holding a pen and scribbling on paper.
"Watch me shoot it down this time!" After saying this, Usopp pulled out his slingshot again, loaded a rotten egg, aimed and fired in one smooth motion!