"How is this possible? Isn't Crocodile the hero of our country? Why would he do such a thing?"
"Don't forget, Crocodile's original identity was that of a pirate!"
As the ministers babbled in confusion, Cobra suppressed his inner shock and asked gravely, "Mr. Rowan, regarding this matter... can you be certain?"
Cobra was a wise ruler, but he wasn't a forceful one. Even if Rowan were lying, Cobra could simply use Crocodile's death as a scapegoat to suppress the riots and pacify the Rebel Army. But his integrity wouldn't allow it; he sought the objective truth from Rowan.
Faced with Cobra's doubt, Rowan chuckled. "Does King Cobra still not trust this old man? Relax. The 'Dance Powder' incidents will never happen again. In a short while, rain will return to the other cities, and your kingdom's crisis will resolve itself. Oh, by the way..."
Rowan gestured behind him. "King Cobra, let me introduce you. This is the spy I planted by Crocodile's side: Nico Robin."
At Rowan's signal, Nico Robin walked to his side with a calm expression. After witnessing Rowan's true power earlier, she had completely abandoned any thought of resistance. This man was simply too terrifying.
But fear wasn't the only reason for her compliance. Robin realized that this white-haired, white-bearded old man carried an indescribable aura. Being near him made her feel a strange, intuitive urge to follow him. More importantly, he provided a profound sense of safety. On the journey here, she had actually fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep.
For the first time since the Ohara Buster Call over twenty years ago, Robin had slept without one eye open. This sense of security was the real reason she stayed by his side so obediently.
"Nico Robin?" Cobra's brow furrowed. As the king of a superpower, he was well aware of her identity. Wanted by the World Government since she was eight years old with a 79-million Berry bounty—the "Devil Child."
Cobra never imagined that this woman was actually Rowan's plant. Not only Cobra, but Robin herself was stunned by Rowan's claim. Even Vivi was dazed.
So, the reason Mr. Rowan knew Crocodile was the mastermind without even investigating... was because he had Robin as a mole? Vivi's hatred for Robin evaporated instantly, and her lingering annoyance at Rowan vanished with it. Meanwhile, Robin looked at Rowan with a hint of genuine emotion. With a single sentence, he had "whitewashed" her identity in front of the King of Alabasta. She was still a fugitive in the eyes of the Government, but here, she was no longer a criminal.
"I see. So that's how it is." Cobra's wariness of Robin disappeared without a trace.
"However, Robin's current status is still a bit sensitive," Rowan added. "So for the time being, I'll have to trouble King Cobra to arrange a place for her to stay."
Rowan knew his words had bought a bit of Robin's heart, but she was a cautious girl. Total trust would take time. Furthermore, until his relationship with the World Government reached a total breaking point, it wasn't wise to keep her on a Navy ship.
By leaving her in Alabasta, he solved two problems: he gave her a safe haven, and he knew she wouldn't run away because Alabasta held the one thing she craved—the Poneglyph.
Cobra patted his chest in assurance. "Rest easy, Mr. Rowan. Since Miss Robin is your person, I will see to it that she is well looked after."
Cobra was no fool; he understood the weight of the favor Rowan was doing for his country.
Rowan turned to Robin. "Girl, stay here for a while. I'll come back to fetch you later." Before she could reply, he looked at Vivi and teased, "Little Vivi, you know Robin's identity now. Don't go starting any internal feuds. If I find out..."
Vivi, whose anger had mostly subsided, immediately pouted again. "In Grandpa's heart, am I really that bad? Hmph! I'm never talking to Grandpa again!"
The shift from "Mr. Rowan" to "Grandpa" spoke volumes about his new status in her heart.
Rowan burst into a hearty laugh, then turned back to the King. "So, does Alabasta have any good wine left?"
Cobra snapped to attention. "Yes! Yes! Of course!" He turned to Chaka. "Pass the order down—Alubarna will hold a grand banquet tonight!"
With the national crisis averted, a celebration was in order. And the guest of honor was, naturally, Rowan.
As the Jackal Chaka left to make arrangements, Pell the Falcon whispered to Cobra, "Your Majesty, what should we do with Crocodile's body?"
According to Rowan, Crocodile was the villain behind the drought. Once his death was known, the people's anger would have a target. But he was still a Shichibukai. How should they handle the fallout?
Before Cobra could answer, Rowan spoke up.
"Publish it, of course. Tell the world exactly what happened."
Rowan's lips curled into a smirk as he puffed on his pipe. He had taken down another Warlord. He could almost see those five old geezers in Mariejois jumping in rage.
But he wasn't afraid. He had a perfectly valid reason. Alabasta was a founding member of the World Government—one of the original twenty nations. Its status was unique.
By eliminating a threat to such a prestigious kingdom, the Navy was simply doing its job. And on paper, he had been personally invited by King Cobra himself.