While Valthior and the others were busy discussing how they might reach the Sky Island,
within the royal palace of Alubarna, another conversation was unfolding.
Cobra and his entourage had just returned—looking rather disheveled.
Just as Valthior and the others were discussing how to reach Sky Island—
Inside the grand hall, the current king of Alabasta, Nefertari Vadiya, regarded his son with visible astonishment.
"You're saying the Roger Pirates are in Alabasta? And they even dug up our Nefertari royal tomb?" Vadiya asked, his tone edged with disbelief.
These people were pirates, weren't they? Since when had they taken up grave robbing as a side profession?
"Yes, Father—but that's not the important part," Cobra replied with a firm nod.
"…What?" Vadiya was momentarily at a loss.
Our ancestral tomb was dug up by pirates, and you're telling me that's not important?
Son, that's not funny!
Before Vadiya could say more, Cobra pressed on urgently. "Do you know the name Jaygarcia Valthior?"
Vadiye, who had been surprised, frowned slightly. "Where did you hear that name?"
"I met him today at the royal tomb. He's now a member of the Roger Pirates. He said he used to be a Celestial Dragon, and that he met you when you attended the Reverie last time," Cobra explained immediately.
Vadiye fell silent for a moment before saying:
"That's true. That was eight years ago, at the previous Reverie. He was about your age back then. I was wondering why I didn't see him this time in Mary Geoise… I didn't expect him to have become a pirate. That's really…"
As the King of Alabasta, in the prime of his life, Vadiye was very different from Cobra, who was still a prince and unaware of many things.
He knew quite a few secrets that couldn't be spoken of.
He had always thought the Nefertari family was already rebellious enough—refusing to live in the Holy Land, refusing to become Celestial Dragons, and often opposing the World Government.
But now—
The Jaygarcia family, one of the Five Elders' lineages, was just as outrageous?
If he remembered correctly, that Saint Valthior should be the heir of the Jaygarcia family. It was widely rumored in Mary Geoise that he was favored by Saint Saturn.
How did he turn into a pirate after just a few years?
At that moment, Vadiye suddenly realized something and looked at Cobra.
"You said they dug up the royal tomb… and you entered an underground chamber? You saw it?"
"I did! I saw the Poneglyph hidden deep beneath our Nefertari tomb!" Cobra said seriously. "Not only that—I also heard them talk about many things…"
With that, Cobra began recounting the "legendary story" he had heard from the Roger Pirates.
As he spoke, Vadiye's expression gradually turned solemn.
The Nefertari family had indeed passed down certain secrets through generations, but they didn't truly know the full truth—much of it was speculation.
But hearing Cobra's account now—
Vadiye felt that what the Roger Pirates had said might actually be the truth.
"Valthior said you have a letter from Queen Lily. Is that true?" Cobra couldn't help asking.
After a long silence, Vadiye nodded lightly.
"Yes."
"Then… Father, what does our ancestor's letter say?" Cobra pressed.
Vadiye looked at him with a complicated expression.
"It's written in ancient script. I don't know what it means. The only thing I can understand… is the signature."
"Nefertari D. Lily?" Cobra swallowed.
"That's right." Vadiye nodded. "I originally intended to tell you these things after you came of age. I didn't expect you to encounter… such unusual people as the Roger Pirates."
"So… we really are part of the 'D' clan?" Cobra was completely stunned.
Everything Valthior had said was now being confirmed by his father, making Cobra believe even more that it was true.
There was a great darkness hidden in history—
And the glory of their ancestors had been tainted by it.
"You agreed to give them 5 billion Berries?" Vadiye suddenly asked, looking at his stunned son.
"Uh… I was a bit confused at the time…" Cobra said awkwardly.
"Then do as agreed," Vadiye said. "Come to my study shortly. I'll make a copy of Queen Lily's letter. Take it with you and give it to them…"
His tone turned complicated as he murmured softly:
"Perhaps… it will be of some help to them."
"Yes, Father." Cobra let out a small sigh of relief.
"Are they still at the royal tomb?" Vadiye asked again.
Cobra shook his head. "No. They came to Alubarna before me. From the way they spoke, they were probably planning to find a tavern and relax or something…"
Hearing this, Vadiye froze for a moment—
Then suddenly stood up.
"You mean they're in Alubarna right now!?"
"That's right. Why, Father?" Cobra asked, confused. Then he added, "Don't worry. Although they're pirates, they don't seem like particularly evil people. They probably wouldn't—"
"I'm not worried about that!" Vadiye interrupted anxiously. "The problem is, Vice Admiral Garp, who escorted me back yesterday, is currently wandering around Alubarna. If he runs into the Roger Pirates, there'll be trouble!"
Everyone knew of the tangled history between Garp and Roger—it was practically legend across the seas.
If those two were to meet here, chaos would be inevitable, and Alubarna itself would bear the consequences.
After pacing back and forth for a moment, Vadiye suddenly called out loudly: "Balleka!"
Moments later, the captain of the royal guard entered—the same man who possessed the Jackal Devil Fruit ability.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders?" Balleka knelt on one knee.
"Do you still remember the scent of Roger and his crew?" Vadiye asked urgently.
"I won't forget it anytime soon," Balleka replied immediately.
"Good. Cobra, go withdraw 5 billion Berries in bank notes. I'll prepare a copy of the letter. Then take both items and follow Balleka to find Roger's group.
"Tell them Vice Admiral Garp is in Alubarna—tell them not to linger and leave immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, Father!" Cobra answered without hesitation.
Soon, they split up.
About ten minutes later, Cobra received the copied letter from Vadiye. Then, together with Balleka, he left the palace to secretly search for Roger's crew.
...
Meanwhile, in Alubarna's entertainment district—
Garp was also strolling through the streets, dressed in Alabasta-style clothing, a headscarf wrapped around his head, holding a chilled fruit drink, leisurely enjoying himself.
Beside him walked another Marine big shot—Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"The escort mission is over. Are you coming back to Headquarters with me, or what?" Tsuru asked casually.
"What's the rush? Don't you want to relax in Alabasta for a few days?" Garp replied carelessly.
"Sengoku and Zephyr were just promoted to Admirals a few days ago. Headquarters must be very busy right now," Tsuru said calmly.
Unlike her elderly appearance during the Paramount War, Tsuru was now only forty years old. Well-maintained, she had no visible wrinkles and was in her prime—beautiful and composed.
"You're such a workaholic…" Garp muttered, then added:
"Not long ago, the G-24 branch reported sightings of the Roger Pirates in nearby waters. This is their first time entering the Grand Line in two years.
"Before this, they've been wandering around the West Blue and South Blue. Even though the New World is so lively, they don't seem interested at all. Who knows what they're up to…
"I've got a bad feeling—they're planning something big."
"You're going after them?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked after thinking for a moment.
"Yeah, I'll give it a shot. If I can't find them, I'll head to the East Blue for a bit, then return to Headquarters," Garp nodded.