Longinus paused, stunned for a moment.
He stared at the young man in front of him—Cobra—who looked every bit the image of an overexcited, over-the-top superfANBOY.
For several seconds, he couldn't react.
This guy… is really the future king of Alabasta?
Though doubtful, Longinus kept a gentle smile.
"Prince Cobra, I—"
"Please don't! Don't call me Prince Cobra!" Cobra waved his hands frantically, eyes shining with excitement.
"Just call me Cobra! Or— or even just Little Co! Little Bra! Anything but honorifics!"
Longinus's body stiffened slightly. For a moment, he seriously suspected the guy might be into men.
But his self-control prevailed; he replied calmly:
"…Fine. We each take a step back. I'll call you Cobra, and you don't call me 'sir' or use honorifics either. Just call me Longinus."
"R-Really? You're sure?"
Cobra trembled from head to toe, face flushed with excitement.
Longinus half-expected him to faint on the spot.
Once Longinus nodded subtly, Cobra took a deep breath and burst out:
"Longinus! I've admired you for so long!
Two years ago, when I saw your quote in the newspaper after you defeated the Blood Blade Pirates—'Power must be the servant of justice'—it changed my life."
"Ever since then, I finally realized the meaning of my existence:
To use the authority entrusted to me by the people to create greater happiness for them!"
Longinus instantly switched to his "saintly persona," speaking sincerely:
"You're doing the right thing.
Power and strength are beasts that must never be released from their cage.
Only justice and truth can restrain them and prevent abuse."
After receiving Longinus's approval, Cobra's excitement only intensified—yet a shadow crossed his face.
"It's a pity… Father refuses to listen to me.
Constant warfare has expanded our territory and influence, but our economy has collapsed.
The people are exhausted.
Alabasta right now is like a barrel of gunpowder placed beside a volcano—one spark and my country will be blown apart."
"So what you're saying is…"
"I want you to help me save my country—before it destroys itself!" Cobra said urgently.
"You want to seize authority from your father?"
"Wha—!? No! Longinus, you misunderstand!"
Cobra waved both hands desperately.
"I want you to persuade my father with your ideals of justice!
He's lost himself in war and destruction—I need you to awaken him!"
"Persuade…"
Longinus felt the corner of his mouth twitch.
A cunning old fox like the current king of Alabasta… moved by justice?
Sure. If he's dreaming.
But Longinus didn't refuse outright.
Instead, he asked carefully:
"Do you have any detailed intelligence?
Something I could use during negotiations?
Something that could make your father feel… guilt, and give up continuing the war?"
"Make Father feel guilty… Does secretly hiring pirates count?" Cobra asked innocently.
Longinus inhaled sharply.
This kid really is a natural-born father-killer!
Hiring pirates wouldn't topple a king by itself, but handled well, it was a powerful bargaining chip.
Longinus maintained a straight face.
"Good. Explain everything to me, thoroughly."
Cobra nodded and lowered his voice.
"As I said before, the people were sick of war. Morale plummeted, and our army weakened. In the early stages, we were losing badly.
So Father secretly contacted the Frenzy Pirates, the Heart Pirates, and the Banner Pirates, having them disguise themselves as Alabastan soldiers.
Their intervention reversed our defeats."
"Cooperating with pirates is the same as bargaining with a hungry tiger," Longinus said flatly.
"I think so too!
Those pirates will one day turn on Alabasta—on a nation that looks powerful from the outside but is rotten within!"
That night, thanks to repeated outbreaks of "women's wars," the banquet collapsed in chaos.
The four-nation peace conference—originally scheduled for the next day—was moved to that very night at Alabasta's king's insistence.
The great hall was spacious and extravagant.
Dignitaries from each kingdom stood behind their respective royals.
Representing the Marines, Rear Admiral Adergin and his officers sat at the front, facing the kings.
"Very well, everyone. Let us begin," Adergin announced.
"Though the Marines remain neutral, in the name of peace, I sincerely hope all four of you can reach an agreement."
The king of Alabasta—seated on the left—raised his chin proudly after sweeping the room with his gaze.
"Since you are all silent, I shall speak first.
To launch this war, our kingdom invested tremendous manpower and resources.
If we are to end this conflict, our losses must be fully compensated."
"Thus, our demand is simple:
You three kingdoms shall pay us a total of 10 billion berries.
How you divide the payment is your own concern."
"Absurd! Ten billion berries of war expenses?
You have no intention of negotiating at all!"
The King of Clete slammed the table.
"Don't be so hasty. I haven't finished."
The Alabastan king continued calmly:
"Given Alabasta's overwhelming advantage in the war, ending it now means losing a great deal of our earned benefits.
Thus, in addition to retaining the territory already occupied, we demand that each of your kingdoms cede a province to us as spoils of war."
He added grandly:
"Ending the war under such favorable circumstances will place great pressure on me—even as king.
Therefore, consider this a concession on my part."
"In my generosity, I will not designate which provinces—we will allow you to choose.
You may begin praising my mercy now."
"Your Majesty of Alabasta," King Louis of Hiska said sternly, "I fail to see any trace of goodwill in your words.
If you came with peaceful intentions, we would welcome you with wine as friends.
But if you intend to threaten us with renewed war, the brave people of Hiska will raise their rifles to drive out the wolves!"
"Heh. Faced with a choice between survival and dignity, I trust you will choose wisely."
The moment negotiations began, they reached deadlock—on the verge of collapsing into war.
Rear Admiral Adergin leaned close to Longinus, whispering desperately:
"Longinus! Get up there! I can't hold this together anymore!"
Longinus took a deep breath.
When did you ever hold anything together?
Why am I always the one fixing things?
He stood.
"Your Majesties, please allow me to speak."
His calm voice radiated a subtle, oppressive authority—one that compelled others to listen.
"The key to negotiation is finding common ground while respecting differences.
Since all of you came here for peace, then I ask for your patience…
and allow me to analyze the current situation."
The hall quieted.
Even the most irritable kings found themselves instinctively waiting for him to continue.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789