Spandine had never trusted Crocodile. The mission he was tasked with this time was simply to capture the Nefertari Family.
Theoretically, he could have seized them by force. With the strength Spandine brought, Who's-Who alone would be enough to deal with the Nefertari Family.
However, the Nefertari Family was not only allied with Dragon, but Mariejois also needed to maintain appearances and establish a suitable excuse before acting.
Hence, the great battle of Alubarna.
The official narrative served to rightfully brand the Nefertari Family as 'major villains.'
After this, as long as Spandine secured the Nefertari Family, he completely didn't care what Crocodile did next. What did it matter to Spandine if Alubarna or Alabasta became a wreck?
Furthermore, he figured that once the Nefertari Family matter was concluded, Crocodile would definitely receive a 'greeting' from Mariejois, and they would likely send someone to deal with him later.
There was no need for him to personally cross the Warlord!
Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace of Alubarna.
Cobra was seated on his throne, with the young Princess Vivi standing beside him.
Cobra was expressionless, but Vivi looked nervous and scared.
By this point, how could Cobra not see that the general trend had passed? Dealing only with Crocodile and the rebels had already exhausted him mentally and physically.
Even the alliance with Dragon hadn't been enough to change the terrible situation.
Worse, those bastards in Mariejois had engaged in 'kicking him while he's down.' Now, he was branded as an 'enemy of the world,' the great criminal of Alabasta. Alubarna had been breached, and the Royal Palace alone could not hold out for long.
The battle was lost!
"Father, shouldn't we hurry and leave?" Vivi suggested anxiously, looking at Cobra.
"Leave? Where would we go?" Cobra replied, his expression weary.
"According to the agreement with the Revolutionary Army, they will buy us time in this situation. We can leave with the Revolutionary Army," Vivi quickly said.
"Yes, leave with the Revolutionary Army..." Cobra whispered softly.
Then, a gentle smile appeared on his face. He reached out and stroked Vivi's head. "It's time to go, Vivi. It really is."
Before Vivi could speak, Cobra called out, "Igaram..."
"Your Majesty." Igaram, the Nefertari family's head steward, quickly entered the hall.
"Take Vivi, find Lindbergh of the Revolutionary Army, and leave through the secret passage," Cobra instructed.
Igaram looked heartbroken, yet he seemed to have already accepted this reality. He glanced at Cobra, offered no counsel, and merely nodded seriously. "I will absolutely protect Princess Vivi."
It was Princess Vivi who froze, then said anxiously, "Father, aren't you coming? If you don't go, I won't either..."
"It's different, Vivi. I am the King of the Nefertari, the King of Alabasta. This nation has been preserved in the hands of the Nefertari Family for centuries, for a thousand years. Now that I am about to become a fallen king, how can I have the audacity to flee this nation, to abandon Alubarna?" Cobra laughed, his tone carrying a sense of relief.
Before Vivi could protest further, Cobra continued, "You are still young; you represent hope. A pirate's usurpation... Heh, Crocodile will not last long. The people of this nation will eventually know the truth. When that day comes, they will understand that my Nefertari Family has never wronged Alabasta. At that time, you will become the spiritual leader of the Alabastan people. You are the last spark of my Nefertari Family. So go, Vivi, embrace your mission, and leave. I will watch over you, watching you become the new hope..."
Listening to Cobra's words, Princess Vivi's expression was filled with sorrow. However, before she could speak, Igaram struck her neck, directly knocking out the spoiled little princess who had yet to fully experience the hardships of the world.
"Your Majesty..." Igaram looked at Cobra with sorrowful reluctance again.
"Go, hurry... Protect her. You are the only ones I can trust. Also, tell Vivi that the Revolutionary Army is not to be trusted either. At this juncture, I finally understand: people must ultimately rely on themselves..." Cobra said, his voice tinged with tragedy.
It was just that he had come to understand this truth too late.
Just then, a slightly magnetic voice came from the great hall entrance. The voice said, "You are absolutely correct. My superior also often repeats those words: people must ultimately rely on themselves."
Cobra's expression suddenly changed. He looked toward the doorway and asked urgently, "Who are you, sir?"
"Marine Headquarters Commodore Vergo." Vergo's figure stepped in from outside the door.
Hope instinctively flickered in Cobra's eyes. After all, the Marines, in his impression, were decent.
But that hope immediately faded. What a pity. He had been officially confirmed to be collaborating with the Revolutionary Army; there was no way the Marines were here to help him.
"Then, Commodore Vergo, are you here carrying the will of those people in Mariejois?" Cobra asked, feeling exhausted.
"No, you misunderstand. In fact, we Marines have no intention of getting involved in the Alabasta incident. At the same time, I personally hold deep sympathy for Your Majesty. It is simply regrettable that due to my status and position, I cannot help you," Vergo said kindly.
Cobra no longer trusted this kind of kindness. On the contrary, he felt that Vergo's attitude likely meant there was something he could still be used for.
He hadn't stopped learning during this period.
"Then, Sir Vergo, is there something you wish to obtain from me?" Cobra asked again.
Vergo didn't pretend, nodding. "Indeed. It concerns the secret of the Nefertari Family: the Devil Fruit Inheritance technology. If possible, Your Majesty Cobra, please hand this technology over to the Marines."
"At this point, I have nothing left to lose. Even giving this to you makes no difference. But why should I do that?" Cobra chuckled bitterly.
He was so close to ruin that he felt somewhat fearless.
Let come what may!
"Because perhaps, one day, your great revenge will be exacted?" Vergo said cryptically.
Cobra's intelligence was fully engaged now. His eyes lit up, as if he had grasped something.
Just then, footsteps sounded again from outside the door.
Who's-Who and Kalifa, along with the other agents, walked in. Upon seeing Cobra and Vivi, they smiled.
"Target confirmed. Preparing to act," Who's-Who said gravely.
Unlike Vergo, Cobra knew they harbored ill intent the moment he saw Who's-Who and the others; their eyes were too revealing.
Judging by their demeanor, Cobra immediately understood and his expression turned fierce. "CP? Mariejois's dogs!"
"Say what you wish, Your Majesty Cobra. According to the orders from Mariejois, you have been stripped of your status as an affiliated king and the King of Alabasta for violating the law by collaborating with the world's most wicked criminal, Dragon. We hope you will return to Mariejois with us gracefully to face trial and offer your self-defense. Otherwise, forgive us for being rude," Who's-Who said with a constrained smile.
Cobra looked at Vergo and then said, "Help me send Vivi away, and I will give you everything."
Vergo was only following Diarmuid's orders; the CP organization and all that nonsense had nothing to do with him. Furthermore, he wasn't familiar with Who's-Who and saw no reason to give them face. No matter how impressive your CP organization is, can it be more impressive than my Admiral?
Therefore, upon hearing Cobra's words, Vergo smiled. "It's a deal."
"Who are you? To interfere with..." Who's-Who finally looked toward Vergo.
Before he could finish, Vergo had already turned around. Who's-Who's eyes widened in surprise. "Vergo?"
"It seems you know me," Vergo smiled.
Who's-Who asked with a somewhat unpleasant expression, "Is this the will of that Admiral?"
"That's right," Vergo nodded calmly. After a brief pause, he smiled at Who's-Who and asked, "Do you intend to impede the will of that Admiral?"
Who's-Who's expression immediately changed. He quickly replied, "I wouldn't dare. Our director once said that the Admiral's will is our obligation!"
"Then, I shall take Princess Vivi away. You may report the situation here to your director," Vergo said.
"Understood!" Who's-Who quickly responded.
Although this contradicted their orders, Who's-Who knew he had made the correct choice. If anything went wrong, his boss, Spandine, would take the fall!
After arranging all this, Vergo looked at Cobra. "Now, may Your Majesty please hand over what I desire?"
Cobra silently watched Vergo. After all, the previous scene made Vergo seem like he was 'in league' with the CP agents, possessing higher authority and standing.
But at this moment, he seemed to have no choice. If he didn't hand it over, Vivi would definitely be in danger.
If he handed it over, at least there was still hope, hope that Vergo was a man of his word.
After a moment of thought, Cobra nodded to Igaram. "Give him everything he wants, Igaram. Then, allow Vergo-san to escort you to the secret passage."
Igaram finally sighed and said solemnly, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Vergo did not concern himself with the subsequent events. Watching Igaram carry the unconscious Princess Vivi and quickly leave the great hall, he followed them out.
After Vergo left, Who's-Who's attitude toward Cobra inexplicably improved. He said, "Your Majesty Cobra, the fight is over for you here. Please don't make this difficult for us."
But Cobra suddenly asked, "Was that man truly a Marine?"
Who's-Who found Cobra's question strange but still nodded. "Yes, Marine Headquarters Commodore Vergo. Although a Commodore wouldn't usually make me back down, still..."
"Diarmuid. He is Admiral Diarmuid's man, correct?" Cobra asked, his intelligence now soaring.
"That's correct," Who's-Who replied.
'People must ultimately rely on themselves.' That was the exact phrase Diarmuid had told him during the Reverie in Mariejois. Therefore, when Vergo spoke those words earlier, Cobra immediately understood everything.
Thinking of this, he suddenly laughed, standing up. "Let's go. To Mariejois. If I can live a little longer, perhaps I can witness something truly interesting. Hahahaha..."
Who's-Who didn't quite understand Cobra's sudden change in attitude.
But since Cobra was being so compliant, he didn't bother pressing the issue. He nodded. "Please..."