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The banquet hall fell into complete silence.
Nefertari Titi stared in astonishment at her husband while Vivi, who was cradled in her arms, struggled to feed herself with a spoon.
"Ancestor Lily," Cobra murmured after a long pause, his expression complex.
"Indeed, this very ancestor," Kojin nodded.
"So, what do you know about her?" Cobra asked.
He only had a vague understanding of her, remembering that she was one of the Twenty Kings who had ruled eight hundred years ago. Beyond that, his knowledge was limited. Perhaps the ancient texts passed down through the generations held more information.
"Eight hundred years ago, the Twenty Kings emerged victorious, and Ancestor Lily must have been among them," Kojin said. "As a result, the Nefertari Family became Celestial Dragons. But does Big Brother know why our ancestor refused to relocate to Mary Geoise back then?"
Kojin smiled faintly.
He was planning to reveal the truth about the Nefertari Family's origins directly, in the hope of instilling a measure of caution in his big brother. This way, he could potentially prevent his brother from being killed instantly when he met Imu in the future.
"I... I wasn't aware of this," Cobra said, his voice filled with confusion. "Could there be a deeper secret to this matter?"
Cobra wondered aloud. He was astonished that his younger brother knew about Queen Lily, yet Kojin seemed to have uncovered something even more hidden.
"The Nefertari Family never belonged with those people in Mary Geoise to begin with!" Kojin sighed softly.
Cobra stiffened, his eyes fixed on his younger brother. "What do you mean by that?"
"To be precise, we were born their enemies!" Kojin said, narrowing his eyes slightly and deepening his voice.
He immediately met Cobra's gaze.
"Our ancestor was Nefertari Lily."
"Her true name should be..."
At that moment, his voice became ethereal. Cobra's body trembled violently, and disbelief flashed in his eyes.
"Nefertari D. Lily!"
A faint crackle of electricity seemed to streak through the banquet hall, the sound of thunder echoing in their ears.
"D!" Cobra murmured, his strength draining away.
Beside him, Titi stared wide-eyed, his face etched with disbelief.
"What the "D" represents has been forgotten by the world over the past eight centuries," Kojin continued, his voice drifting slowly through the air.
"But one thing is certain: it is inherently antagonistic to the Celestial Dragons."
"Throughout history, they have repeatedly launched bloody purges against those bearing the name 'D'."
Kojin's voice drifted out.
Cobra's expression shifted, and he fell silent.
For eight centuries, they had lived as Celestial Dragons, though the Nefertari Family had never fully embraced that way of life, instead forging their own path. But suddenly, the truth was revealed: they were enemies of the Celestial Dragons!
"Kojin... What do you plan to do?"
"Since you brought this up, you must already have some ideas in mind, right?" Cobra asked, taking a deep breath and speaking in a grave tone.
Hearing this, Kojin glanced at Vivi and spoke softly.
"I'm telling you this so that you can prepare and to prevent you from acting rashly when you eventually discover the truth, which could lead to irreversible consequences."
"For now, we must continue to conceal the truth about the 'D'."
"In other words, Big Brother, you remain a Celestial Dragon and the King of Alabasta!"
Cobra nodded, letting out a long exhale.
Confronted with this sudden revelation, his heart churned with turmoil.
Yet, as King, his mental fortitude remained intact, allowing him to quickly regain his composure.
"Secondly, before this matter comes to light, we must make every effort to secretly strengthen the Alabasta Kingdom!"
"More formidable warriors! More powerful weapons! On this front, I will also lend my support to Alabasta," Kojin said with a smile on his face.
"Very well! I think I understand now why you joined the Marines," Cobra said, his eyes flashing.
"Only those who truly wield power have the right to reshape the rules. Only they can bestow upon the world the world the people yearn for!" Kojin sighed.
"I've already assessed the Kingdom's Royal Guard. Their strength might seem passable to Big Brother, but in my eyes… They're far too weak! Their power wouldn't even suffice against some pirates."
Kojin shook his head.
Cobra frowned, his words caught between his lips.
While their family did possess some methods for nurturing powerful warriors, they were mediocre at best, pale in comparison to the resources of the Marines.
"Hand them over to me," Kojin said. "I'll arrange for proper training."
"Given enough time, Alabasta will have a formidable royal guard."
"For now, we remain in the shadows, and we still have a chance."
Cobra nodded. "No problem. This nation is yours too. Proceed as you see fit."
He paused, hesitating slightly.
"As long as it doesn't harm the interests of the common people, I'll endorse your actions."
Kojin smiled faintly. "Big Brother, you're a benevolent ruler, but I'm also a Marine dedicated to Justice."
Cobra chuckled.
The serious conversation ended abruptly, and the brothers returned to their jovial drinking as if nothing had happened. Kojin entertained Vivi with amusing anecdotes, making her giggle and inspiring her young heart.
Although she was only two years old, his niece was remarkably intelligent.
After the banquet, the two of them strolled through the palace grounds.
"During the upcoming Levely, might they target you?" Cobra asked gravely.
"There might be some friction, but nothing serious," Kojin replied.
He smiled and said, "There's no need for you to worry about me, Big Brother. You should focus on protecting yourself."
Cobra chuckled in response. "You're right. Compared to your strength, I'm far too weak. I even have to rely on the Kingdom's guards for protection."
A hint of melancholy crept into his voice.
Although the royal family held immense status and power, they had little control over their own fate. Even a commoner with a blade on the street could pose a deadly threat to their lives.
"They won't act rashly as long as we don't expose ourselves," Kojin assured him.
"I plan to set off for Mary Geoise in three days," Cobra announced. "I've already prepared several proposals of my own."
The Levely was a global summit where representatives from every nation gathered to discuss and decide matters concerning world peace and stability. Some proposals would be rejected, while others would be adopted.
Though the Celestial Dragons looked down from their lofty perch, maintaining the illusion of stability and peace naturally served their interests as well.
"Is that so?" Kojin mused. "I have a few ideas myself, Big Brother. Would you consider adding them to your proposals?"
Kojin suddenly replied, "Of course you can!"
Cobra paused, then smiled.
He remembered when they were children, and the two brothers had raided a hornet's nest. He had shielded his younger brother, only to end up covered in stings himself. A fond smile crept across his face.
'The older you get, the more you appreciate the value of family.'
"However, before you set off, you'll need to change your clothes," Cobra continued. "After all, you'll be representing the Royal Family of Alabasta on this journey."
Kojin was taken aback.
The next day, Kojin, a legendary Marine Vice Admiral, West Blue Chief Commander, and the Marines' most powerful combatant, experienced the true luxuries and extravagant lifestyle of the nobility firsthand.
Although the Nefertari Family had always maintained close ties with the common people, the royal family remained the royal family. Their dignity, attire, and etiquette were all meticulously maintained.
Under the care of a professional barber, Kojin's buzz cut was styled to perfection. A renowned designer crafted a loose silk robe for him, the fabric of which flowed with elegant grace.
"Wow, Vice Admiral! You look even more majestic now, completely exuding a noble aura!" Eveya exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight.
Kojin flicked his sleeve, glanced at himself in the mirror, and nodded in satisfaction. Different attire can truly project different qualities.
Alabasta's distinctive fashion perfectly showcased Kojin's towering, three-meter frame and powerfully built physique, emphasizing his overwhelming presence.
Tall, imposing, and majestic!
He wore a thin, dark brown overcoat layered over a loose-fitting robe and carried Ace, one of the twelve supreme grade Saijō Ō Wazamono swords, at his waist.
Overall, Kojin exuded an aura of nobility, dignity, dominance, and formidable strength.
This was in stark contrast to his demeanor as a Marine Vice-Admiral, when he embodied the authority befitting a high-ranking noble.
Immediately afterwards, a team of professional eyebrow shapers, facial groomers, and pedicurists lined up to enter the room.
As King Cobra, he relinquished all his responsibilities, stroked his chin, and personally supervised his younger brother's grooming.
"Excellent!"
"Levely is just around the corner. With your handsome appearance, younger brother, you're sure to dazzle everyone who attends."
"It would be even better if you could attract the attention of princesses from other kingdoms."
Cobra nodded in satisfaction.
In the blink of an eye, the third day arrived.
Under the protection of the kingdom's royal guard, the entire group made their grand procession to Nanohana Port, where they boarded the kingdom's flagship.
Cobra, Titi, Vivi, Igaram, and virtually all of the kingdom's high-ranking officials were present.
With Kojin's entourage added to the mix, the party was sizeable, yet the spacious vessel felt far from crowded.
"This ship is enormous! And it's so luxurious! "Compared to this, the interior and furnishings of our Battleship are like a beggar's hovel," Eveya exclaimed in awe.
Kojin, however, showed little surprise. Alabasta was one of the strongest nations in the Grand Line, and its royal family naturally maintained a certain level of grandeur.
His mind was focused on what would happen after they reached Mary Geoise.
"Levely..."
"A rare spectacle, indeed!" he murmured, glancing at Vivi, who was nestled in Cobra's arms, her laughter and cheers echoing across the deck as she gazed at the vast sea.
"These people are among the closest I have in this world."
"Not bad at all."
He then turned to Eveya behind him and whispered, 'Vice Admiral.'
Recognizing that he had an order to give, Eveya lowered her voice.
"Notify Crocodile to head to Alabasta immediately."
After a pause, Kojin chuckled softly.
"Let's establish Baroque's headquarters in that Kingdom!"
(End of Chapter)
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