The first half of the Grand Line.
A large royal ship bearing the Alabasta royal crest sailed across the endless blue sea.
Cobra sighed. He pushed the document in front of Aiden and tapped it with his finger.
"This Reverie is mainly about making the Seven Warlords of the Sea an official system."
Seeing that Aiden did not seem too surprised, Cobra continued.
"Actually, this system has been debated within the World Government for a long time. It has been delayed because the Government factions could not agree on who would control them. But according to reliable sources, the seven suitable candidates have already been finalized."
Cobra tapped the document again before continuing.
"Because of this, the Reverie was suddenly moved up. The goal is to vote as soon as possible and give those seven pirates legal status and permission to act under the Government. In return, they must accept the Government's summons and help the Marines keep other pirates in check."
Cobra looked at Aiden.
"Although many World Government member nations have complaints about this, I feel this might be a strong medicine. After all, the number of pirates has surged since the start of the Great Pirate Era, and the Marines are struggling to hold the line alone. If we can use pirates against pirates... maybe it can bring a new balance to the sea."
"Aiden, how do you view this system?"
Hearing Cobra's words, Aiden looked down at the tea in his cup and almost laughed.
Use pirates against pirates?
This was probably the biggest dark joke in the world.
Who would have thought that this kind king, who still held hope for this system, would become the biggest victim of that very system in the original timeline?
Crocodile, who was about to become a Warlord, would coil around Alabasta like a viper in the future. He would suck the country dry and almost destroy this ancient nation with thousands of years of history.
"Cobra."
Aiden raised his head. His fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"Does anyone in your country raise sheep?"
"Huh?" Cobra froze for a moment. He did not understand how the topic suddenly jumped there, but he still nodded. "Of course."
"Then what if one day, to stop wild wolves from outside from eating the flock, someone suggested going into the deep mountains to catch the seven fiercest tigers and keeping them in the sheepfold as guard dogs?"
Aiden leaned forward and looked at Cobra.
"That person says that as long as they give the tigers a legal hunting permit and make them promise to only eat animals outside, they will behave."
"Do you think that when those tigers get hungry, they will go all the way outside to hunt dangerous wolves, or will they turn around and eat the sheep right beside them?"
The sea breeze lifted the corner of the document on the table, making a soft rustling sound.
Cobra did not answer at once.
Even Chaka and Pell, who were standing in the distance, fell quiet.
Tigers and sheep.
"This is the true nature of the Seven Warlords."
Aiden leaned back in his chair and picked up his teacup again.
"Pirates are pirates. Giving them a legal title won't change what they are. With that title, they will only hurt people more openly, and call it legal."
"Letting a wolf into the house is already dangerous, let alone a tiger."
Cobra stayed silent for a long time.
Only when the hot tea in his cup stopped steaming did he finally let out a breath and give a bitter smile.
"Letting a tiger into the house..."
He rubbed his forehead.
Aiden did not reply. He just drank his tea quietly.
Right then.
Quick footsteps broke the peace on the deck.
"Cobra! Rear Admiral Aiden!"
The ship's navigator ran over, covered in sweat. He tightly gripped a newly received telegram paper in his hand.
"Something... something happened!"
"Fars Island, where we were scheduled to stop for supplies, just sent a highest-level emergency alert! They are refusing to let any ships dock!"
Cobra stood up at once. "Is it a pirate attack?"
"No... not pirates."
The navigator swallowed before speaking again.
"It's an internal rebellion! According to the news from there, an armed force calling themselves the Revolutionary Army suddenly intervened in the situation on Fars Island three days ago. They... they overthrew the local lord and are arresting and judging the local rulers across the island!"
"The entire island is now on lockdown. The World Government has classified that sea area as a rebellion zone."
The Revolutionary Army?
Aiden stopped touching his cup.
He touched his chin.
Dragon had just sought him out not long ago, trying to pull him into his group. Even though Aiden had refused him, he did not expect that man to turn around and cause such a huge commotion.
This was the first half of the Grand Line, not some remote area in the Four Blues. To cause such a massive incident right now, on the required path to Mary Geoise...
It really wasn't a wasted trip.
Since Dragon had come to the Grand Line, he had to stir things up before leaving. That really fit him.
Cobra gripped the edge of the table.
"What about the civilians on the island? Has the war affected the innocent? Should we go take a look? If we can mediate in the name of helping civilians and Alabasta, maybe we can reduce some casualties."
"Cobra! Absolutely not!"
Chaka, who had been silent, suddenly stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Please reconsider! That is a battlefield now, and it involves rebels fighting the World Government! Your safety concerns all of Alabasta. You absolutely cannot risk your life!"
"That's right!"
Pell also stepped in front of Cobra, ignoring etiquette.
"Don't forget, the Queen is still waiting for you in the palace right now! She is carrying the heir of this country in her womb, and this is when she needs you the most! If something happens to you out here, what will the Queen do? What will this country do?"
Cobra opened his mouth, as if he wanted to argue.
But when Pell mentioned the Queen, he stopped.
In the end, he let out a long, helpless sigh.
He looked at Aiden, as if wanting to hear his opinion.
"Let's detour."
Aiden did not hesitate.
"Since the Revolutionary Army has already controlled the situation, they won't slaughter the innocent. There is no point in us going over there now."
"Since you also say so..."
Cobra nodded. Although he felt some regret, he also knew what was most important.
"Then let's change course. But besides Fars Island, where else in this area can we restock on freshwater and food?"
The navigator quickly spread out the sea chart. His finger traced across it and finally stopped on a small black dot that was easy to miss.
"There is a place! About a half-day journey off the main route, there is a small country named Kalga."
"Kalga?"
Cobra frowned. He clearly had never heard of this name.
"Yes, it is a non-World Government member nation."
The navigator next to him pushed up his glasses and added an explanation.
"It is a barren country. Because the land is poor and produces very little, they cannot afford to pay the heavy Heavenly Tribute. Because of that, they have never been recognized by the World Government and are not protected by the Marines."
"I heard... that country is looted by pirates all year round. To seek protection, the current king has been selling off resources as fast as possible over the past few years, just to secure a seat as a World Government member nation."
The navigator sighed.
"Although it is not very rich there, it should be enough as a temporary supply point."
"A non-member nation..."
Cobra looked down at the chart for a moment.
On this sea, without the protection of the World Government's flag, he knew better than anyone exactly how difficult it was for a small country to survive.
"Then let's go there."
Cobra waved his hand and set the route.
"Perfect. We'll buy more local supplies at market price. It can also be considered a small bit of help for that struggling country."
"Yes! Adjusting course immediately!"
As the helm turned, the massive royal ship drew a white arc on the sea surface and sailed toward the waters of the Kalga Kingdom.
On the deck, under the sunshade.
"Here, try this. This is Sun Tea, which can only be grown in the royal oasis of Alubarna. The annual yield is no more than ten pounds."
Cobra sat in the wicker chair opposite Aiden. He personally picked up the small teapot and refilled Aiden's cup with black tea.
The amber tea swirled in the cup. It gave off a special aroma that mixed desert spices with clear spring water.
"Cobra, you can just let the servants do this kind of thing."
Aiden leaned back in his chair and took the cup.
After spending the last two days together, he had pretty much figured out the king's temper.
As long as they weren't discussing official business, Cobra had no royal airs at all in private. Especially toward Aiden, he treated him almost like family.
"It's only when I'm with you that I can catch a bit of a breather."
Cobra put down the teapot and looked toward the distant horizon.
"When I'm in the palace, I am the king. I am the ruler of a nation. Every day, I face nothing but official reports and yes-men ministers. It's rare for me to come out, so just treat this as chatting with me to relieve my boredom."
Not far away.
Pell and Chaka stood nearby without saying a word.
Especially when they saw Cobra actually pick up the teapot to pour tea himself, Pell clenched his jaw. His knuckles turned white from clenching his fists, and he almost couldn't stop himself from rushing over.
That was King Cobra.
As the ruler of Alabasta, even when facing high-ranking officials of the World Government, the King had never lowered himself like this.
But this Marine named Aiden was just sitting there, not even rising from his seat. He was comfortably accepting the King's service.
Pell gritted his teeth.
"This guy... he actually dared to let the King pour him tea? Does he really think he's a big shot?"
If he had not been severely reprimanded by the King yesterday, he definitely would have rushed over right now to teach this arrogant Marine a lesson.
"Endure it."
Even though Chaka offered advice, he crossed his arms tighter and kept watching Aiden.
"The King's attitude right now is too unusual. What kind of spell did this kid put on him?"
"Hmph, I think he's just a pretty boy who only knows how to climb the ladder."
Pell scoffed. He forced himself to look away.
"Just wait. If we really run into danger, he'll still have to rely on us. I'll see how he keeps acting like a young master then."
Under the sunshade.
Aiden took a sip of the black tea. The unique sweetness melted in his mouth, and his body relaxed.
Although he did not know what Cobra had imagined in his head, the king's personality was indeed likable. He did not put on airs, and he was reasonable. That honest respect and kindness made it hard to feel any ill will toward him.
"Speaking of which, this Reverie..."
Cobra pulled a gold-stamped document from the pile of papers beside him. The relaxed look from earlier faded as he brought up official business again.
He rubbed the World Government symbol on the document with his thumb.
"Aiden, you serve in the Marines, so you should have heard the rumors, right? About the most important topic of this meeting."
"Which aspect are you referring to?"
Aiden put down his teacup and shook his head.
"I'm usually busy with my official duties. I really haven't paid much attention to what those big shots in Mary Geoise are arguing about."
"That's no surprise. You are on the front lines, after all."
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