"Okay."
Seeing Kuina speak so seriously, Vivi nodded obediently, though she only half understood the warning.
"Sister Kuina, Daddy is calling me. I'll come play with you later!"
After hearing Cobra's voice from across the hall, Vivi quickly waved goodbye.
"Go on, go on."
Kuina lazily waved her left hand while continuing to stuff delicious food into her mouth with her right.
The food at the royal banquet was incredible.
Even after training under Saint Roselith Seraphina for so long and tasting dishes from many islands, she still couldn't help admiring the cuisine of Alabasta.
As she happily enjoyed herself, the banquet officially began.
"Distinguished guests, on behalf of the Nefertari Royal Family, I welcome all of you!"
Standing at the highest platform in the banquet hall, Cobra raised a crystal goblet and addressed the assembled nobles, merchants, dignitaries, and foreign guests.
The magnificent hall immediately fell silent.
Beside him stood Princess Vivi.
"Today marks my daughter's tenth birthday."
"Thank you all for traveling such great distances to celebrate this special occasion with us."
Cobra smiled warmly before turning toward Vivi.
Vivi took a small step forward.
"Thank you, everyone, for attending my birthday celebration."
She gracefully lifted the edges of her gown and offered a perfect royal curtsy.
Tonight, Vivi wore a beautiful blue evening dress embroidered with silver patterns. The flowing fabric resembled gentle waves beneath moonlight, while the small sapphire necklace around her neck sparkled brilliantly beneath the palace chandeliers.
For a brief moment, the young princess truly looked like the jewel of Alabasta.
"I hope everyone enjoys the evening!"
The applause that followed was thunderous.
"Princess Vivi is truly remarkable!"
"The pride of Alabasta!"
"She carries herself exactly like a future queen!"
"She's even more beautiful than the rumors claim!"
"Happy Birthday, Princess Vivi!"
Praise echoed throughout the hall.
Many guests spoke sincerely.
Vivi's appearance alone was already outstanding, but what truly impressed people was her maturity and elegance despite her young age.
Meanwhile, another guest was attempting to remain unnoticed.
Saint Roselith Seraphina had deliberately changed out of her Marine uniform before attending the banquet.
A Marine coat would attract too much attention.
Instead, she wore a simple silver-white evening gown.
The design was elegant but understated.
Unfortunately, no matter how modest the dress, her appearance made remaining inconspicuous nearly impossible.
"Teacher, you're late today."
Kuina immediately noticed her arrival.
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"Late?"
"I specifically checked the time before coming."
"Actually, I believe I arrived early."
She glanced toward the stage.
"The banquet seems to have started ahead of schedule."
"Still, Vivi is definitely the center of attention tonight."
Kuina quickly changed the subject.
After all, she herself had arrived much earlier than necessary.
Seraphina merely smiled and let the matter go.
On the platform, Cobra's gaze swept across the hall until he finally located the silver-haired woman attempting to hide near one of the walls.
A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
"Since everyone is gathered here today," Cobra suddenly announced, "I would also like to use this opportunity to share another piece of good news."
The room quieted once more.
Many guests exchanged curious glances.
What could be important enough to interrupt the birthday celebration?
Cobra extended his hand toward Seraphina.
"Rear Admiral Saint Roselith Seraphina of the Marines."
"Please come forward."
The moment her name was spoken, countless eyes turned toward her.
Seraphina immediately sensed trouble.
A very bad feeling rose within her chest.
Slowly, she walked forward.
Cobra smiled far too happily.
"My daughter Vivi has recently formed a close bond with Rear Admiral Seraphina."
"Therefore, after careful consideration, the Nefertari Royal Family has decided to recognize her as Vivi's sworn elder sister."
"From today onward, Saint Roselith Seraphina shall be regarded as a member of the royal family's extended household and a beloved elder sister to Princess Vivi."
The hall erupted into chaos.
Seraphina nearly developed a headache on the spot.
Hadn't they agreed to keep things low-key?
What exactly was low-key about this?
The nobles immediately began whispering amongst themselves.
"A Marine Rear Admiral?"
"So young?"
"She must be extraordinarily talented!"
"Wait a minute… I recognize her!"
"That's the Rear Admiral who appeared at the last Reverie in Mary Geoise!"
"That's right! I remember now!"
Many rulers and nobles who had attended the previous Reverie quickly recognized her.
Their reactions became even more enthusiastic.
After all, such a young Rear Admiral was already rare.
One who had personally served at Mary Geoise was even more noteworthy.
"A pleasure to meet you, Rear Admiral."
"What a remarkable young woman."
"Alabasta truly has excellent judgment."
"Please allow us to introduce ourselves."
One noble after another began approaching.
Seraphina felt her patience rapidly disappearing.
The moment one conversation ended, another immediately began.
By the time the fifth noble attempted to introduce himself, she had reached her limit.
Using the distraction of the crowd, she quietly slipped away.
To ordinary people, the palace security seemed airtight.
To someone possessing powerful Kenbunshoku Haki, however, the numerous gaps were obvious.
Within minutes, she had vanished from the banquet hall entirely.
In the palace gardens behind the banquet hall
"Teacher!"
A familiar voice called out.
Seraphina discovered Kuina sitting beneath a tree while feeding pieces of fruit to a large duck.
The duck was nearly as tall as Vivi herself.
"Run Faster?"
Seraphina blinked.
"That's its name?"
"Yes!"
Kuina nodded enthusiastically.
"Vivi named it."
The duck proudly puffed out its chest as though showing off.
Seraphina couldn't help smiling.
At least the garden was quieter than the banquet hall.
For a while, the two simply enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Unfortunately, peace rarely lasted long in the Grand Line.
Back inside the banquet hall
A powerful gust of wind suddenly swept through the room.
Guests cried out in surprise.
Golden sand began swirling across the floor.
The palace guards immediately became alert.
Then, amidst the swirling sand, a tall figure slowly materialized.
A black coat.
A golden hook.
A cigar clenched between his teeth.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Sir Crocodile.
"The royal family is hosting such a grand celebration…"
"And yet nobody thought to invite me?"
His deep voice echoed throughout the hall.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
"Crocodile."
Cobra stepped forward.
As King of Alabasta, he naturally recognized the man who had recently gained enormous popularity throughout the kingdom.
The pirate whom many citizens already viewed as a hero.
"King Cobra."
Crocodile exhaled a stream of smoke.
"Looks like your kingdom is becoming quite lively."
Although the two men had never truly interacted before, their conversation strangely resembled that of old acquaintances.
"It was my oversight."
Cobra offered a diplomatic smile.
"You should have received an invitation."
"Hmph."
Crocodile neither accepted nor rejected the apology.
Instead, his gaze drifted through the crowd until it landed upon Vivi.
A strange smile crossed his face.
"My adorable little princess."
"We meet again."
His scarred face made the smile appear more unsettling than friendly.
To many guests, it looked less like a greeting and more like a predator taking interest in its prey.
And somewhere beyond the banquet hall, hidden within the palace gardens, Saint Roselith Seraphina slowly opened her eyes.
Even from that distance
Her Kenbunshoku Haki had already sensed Crocodile's arrival.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 155 ON PATREON.
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