A union of pirates, that is a "pirate alliance"!
As its name suggests, a pirate alliance is when pirate crews band together to achieve a certain goal.
This seems like a very efficient and reasonable approach, but in reality, it's quite the opposite.
Most pirates aren't what you'd call "good people" in the usual sense, so within a pirate alliance, their individual goals often vary greatly...
No.
Strictly speaking, the "primary goal" for most pirates is surprisingly consistent.
That is, "self-interest"!
Pirates in an alliance are always on the lookout for anything that benefits them during their operations, and they try to steer the entire alliance in directions that favor themselves.
As a result, what seems like an unbreakable pirate alliance is, in essence, just a loosely formed operation that falls apart at the slightest touch, unable to make any real waves.
...
Of course, this is just the case for "most" situations.
The key point is that those "very few" pirate alliances are true unions.
The pirates involved in these alliances have clear objectives and comparable strength, meaning there's no possibility of them betraying each other on the spot.
When that happens, that level of "pirate alliance" becomes one of the most unstable factors on the open sea!
This is a situation that the World Government, the Marines, and even other pirates certainly do not want to see!
Of course, this naturally includes that messenger from Alabasta.
...
The messenger had served in the Alabasta military for many years and had seen far more than the average person.
It was precisely because of this that he was so astonished by Rowan's previous words!
"Who said the only 'alliance' on the seas is the Four Seas Alliance?"
"Pirates... can form alliances too..."
Rowan said, slowly arranging the models of various factions on the sand table.
The messenger certainly didn't think his ancestor was being mysterious, because he had never seen Ryan Rowan with such a worried frown.
Up until now, the impression everyone had of the kind and smiling Ryan Rowan, known as "Golden Dawn," was one of gentle warmth.
When facing enemies, Ryan Rowan would display an almost crushing, terrifying dominance, yet even so, he always appeared at ease during battles.
The messenger had participated in that battle in the Devil's Triangle region.
Even when facing the legendary pirate "Golden Lion" Shiki, Rowan maintained that same smiling expression, as if everything was within his control.
...
Of course, it was only "as if."
Because after defeating the Golden Lion, successfully rescuing the Fish-Man Tom and "Devil Child" Nico Robin, and during the return voyage, Rowan had already shown signs of exhaustion.
Indeed, Ryan Rowan, "Golden Dawn," was a legend of the seas, but was "Golden Lion" Shiki any less so?
"Legends" are still "legends." They don't fade with time, nor do they become greater through it.
A legend isn't like fine wine!
In any case, the battle between the two sea legends had left everyone who witnessed it in awe.
...
Time returns to the present.
The messenger saw Rowan's deeply furrowed brow.
The man's eyes were fixed on the sand table in front of him, as if deep in thought.
"Hold your positions."
Rowan suddenly spoke to the messenger. "Tell the garrisons throughout Alabasta to remain in their positions and continue their defensive duties!"
"Yes sir!"
The messenger was still full of confusion, but after talking with Rowan, a layer of mystery had indeed settled upon his heart.
...
In fact, in the messenger's mind, the entire situation had originally been quite "simple."
The Four Seas Alliance defeated the Donquixote family.
The Donquixote family had a deal with the Beasts Pirates.
The Four Seas Alliance indirectly sabotaged the deal between the Beasts Pirates and the Donquixote family, causing the Beasts Pirates significant losses or completely disrupting their plans.
Therefore, the Beasts Pirates were seeking revenge against the Four Seas Alliance.
And the captain of the Beasts Pirates, Kaido "Hundred Beasts," was a mad pirate.
He didn't choose indirect methods of retaliation against the Four Seas Alliance but instead launched a large-scale war directly against Alabasta!
And that was it.
It was that simple.
At least, that's what the messenger—and most of those remaining in Alabasta to defend the country—believed.
But now, Rowan's words had presented the messenger with another possibility.
This battle, surrounding the siege of Alabasta, seemed to be far more complicated than it appeared on the surface!
...
The messenger relayed Rowan's order to various locations in Alabasta via Den Den Mushi.
Naturally, such a strange command confused many soldiers.
The ones stationed at the Fish-Man village were Fish-Man warriors and Alabasta's current king, Cobra himself.
This king could have taken refuge in a safe underground shelter to avoid the war, but he chose to remain here to witness the war's conclusion.
At this moment, the other soldiers were utterly bewildered by Rowan's order.
Even though they were in the Fish-Man village, these soldiers could still feel the strong presence emanating from Oilseed Rape, the port city, miles away!
That unignorable aura came from afar, making it impossible for the soldiers to look away.
"Are... are we really not going to help?"
The Fish-Man soldiers hesitated.
Due to their natural abilities, Fish-Man soldiers gained immense mobility in the water.
Therefore, even if they had to take a longer land or sea route, the Fish-Man warriors would be among the first to arrive as reinforcements.
This was precisely why the Fish-Man warriors were primarily stationed only in their own village.
It wasn't selfishness; they were confident they could reach the battlefield the moment combat broke out!
But now, because of Rowan's command, these Fish-Man warriors, who were already prepared to offer support, were unable to move.
"Mr. Rowan..."
The Fish-Man warriors waited.
"Ancestor..."
Cobra, who was sitting on the ground, pondered.
Why would the ancestor act this way?
Cobra narrowed his eyes, beginning to consider Rowan's intentions.
As the king of a nation, Cobra certainly understood the principle of "balance."
Therefore, he also wondered, since Rowan had shown the strength to deal with the Beasts Pirates, why would the World Government send the Marines to interfere?
Did the World Government truly want to defeat the Beasts Pirates?
No, if that were the case, the balance of power on the seas would be shattered in an instant!
Could it be... another force planning to intervene in this war erupting around Alabasta?!
If so, it could only be a power on the same level as one of the "Four Emperors"...
A sense of unease washed over Cobra.
And at almost the same moment, a chorus of singing reached the ears of Cobra and everyone present.
That was... a children's song?
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