Chapter 41: Inferno
So-called "politics" is a terrifying thing. Often, your opponent isn't a foe on the battlefield, but an intangible, invisible thing. Struggling against phantoms until your mind frays and spirit breaks—that is "politics."
...
As a World Government member nation, Cobra bore countless burdens. His people, his kingdom, his family, his allies, the World Government itself… He was a gentle man, but that gentleness did not mask an iron will. No matter the opponent—even if it were the whole world—he would protect Alabasta.
That was the destiny of the royal line. A destiny that, in a distant future, would see him secretly assassinated before Imu's throne by the Five Elders.
...
Back to the present.
The king was in his prime, capable of action.
He consulted with Dalton, grasped the situation, and learned of the Donquixote Family's involvement from Crocodile. Then, he began formulating a response.
...
Crocodile was also strategizing. Doflamingo was unpredictable, a threat that needed containment. Alabasta was his hard-won base; he couldn't let the World Government notice it.
Fortunately, the Poneglyph's involvement meant Cobra wouldn't readily seek Government aid.
Thus, they only needed to deal with the Donquixote "arms dealer."
Crocodile prepared for a forceful response—a Warlord's privilege. "Illegal" pirates could be exterminated without implicating Government affiliates.
The lingering question: Who was the mysterious "fourth party"?
"…"
"Hey, primitive!" Crocodile turned to Vergil, hoping for insight. "Any thoughts?"
"…"
Vergil thought, then blinked, a look of genuine confusion crossing his face. "Actually, I've had a question."
"Oh?"
Both Crocodile and Cobra turned, waiting.
Vergil continued, "Why does it have to be war?"
"Huh?"
The question gave them pause.
Vergil spread his hands. "We know the puppeteers are the 'Donquixote Family' and the 'Fourth Party,' not Wapol. The first two must be smart. If war was the goal, they'd have started one already."
He sat cross-legged, tapping the floor. "But the Donquixotes are controlling Drum from the shadows. The 'Fourth Party' only harasses. So, I think their goal isn't war. They're using the threat of conflict to force negotiations—then they make their real move."
"…"
"…"
Silence followed.
He was right. Both men could have reasoned it out, but they'd missed it—Cobra too focused on his people, Crocodile on the Poneglyph.
Now, the path was clear. Cobra thanked Vergil and refined his strategy.
Crocodile studied Vergil, intrigued. "How did you figure that out?"
Vergil answered simply. "Conflict is for profit. This 'war' yields none. So, they must want something else."
"…" Crocodile was silent, more perplexed. "But why can you see it?"
Vergil blinked, then grinned. "You taught me. I learned."
"…"
"I see."
...
Half a Day Later.
News arrived from Drum Kingdom. Just as Vergil predicted, King Wapol sent a formal "peace invitation" to Alabasta, complete with official letters.
Prepared, Cobra responded promptly.
They agreed to hold peace talks in two days on a neutral, uninhabited island between their waters.
Though anyone could see the talks were a façade for ulterior motives, Cobra would attend.
The reason was simple:
"Everything must have an ending." Cobra gently ruffled Vivi's hair, easing the worry in her eyes. "We cannot fear moving forward. The future must be faced."
...
Two Days Later. The Uninhabited Island.
A barren rock, roughly the size of a port city like Nanohana. Small, but suitable for bilateral talks.
Warships from both nations anchored on opposite shores.
Alabasta's fleet—a dozen warships, several support vessels. While not warlike, the superpower had considerable military reserves. This force was drawn from garrison troops alone.
The Drum Kingdom fleet was surprisingly comparable in size. But a closer look revealed a motley assembly: the original Royal Guard mixed with underworld mercenaries, their ships of mismatched specifications. Wapol made no effort to hide his "backers."
After tedious protocol, Cobra and Wapol disembarked on opposite ends of the island, proceeding to a central tent.
Each brought two guards: Cobra had Pell and Chaka. Wapol had Chess and Kuromarimo.
...
Alabasta's large standing army gave Cobra an edge. Beyond the main fleet, swift patrol boats scouted the surrounding waters, guarding against the possible "fourth party."
Meanwhile, Alvin Vergil and Crocodile waited aboard a small craft hidden within the Alabastan fleet.
A connected Den Den Mushi was concealed within Pell's robes; its twin was in Crocodile's hand. Though against protocol, Cobra allowed the eavesdropping for Alabasta's sake.
Wapol's side undoubtedly had listeners too—the Donquixotes. But both sides were present not just to listen, but to watch for the anticipated "anomaly."
...
Where was the anomaly?
It was coming.
...
BOOM!
A violent explosion, distant at first, then rapidly closing in from beyond the island.
"Hm?!" Vergil's ears twitched. He turned toward the horizon.
Crocodile did the same, and stiffened.
A red glow lit their faces.
Fire.
The sea was on fire.
A tidal wave of flame surged across the water, engulfing several patrol boats, reducing them to ash in moments. Alabastan soldiers leapt into the sea, some frantically activating Den Den Mushi to alert the main fleet.
"Dragon! It's a dragon!"
"A dragon flew over us! Everything's burning!"
(End of Chapter 41)
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