"Lady Fox?"
Feeling the peculiar gaze emanating from beneath this mysterious woman's mask, Sengoku couldn't shake a sense of unease. He couldn't help but ask in confusion:
"...Is there a problem?"
Stussy immediately realized the strangeness in her own gaze and snapped back to her senses, offering a smile.
"Nothing at all. Admiral Sengoku truly lives up to his reputation as the 'Resourceful General' of the Navy—you've grasped the crux of the matter in an instant."
"While in the North Blue, Doflamingo-sama did indeed clash repeatedly with Rogers Daren. Their relationship was like water and fire."
"While serving as one of the Shichibukai, he maintained neutrality. But once he assumes the position of Captain of the God's Knights, Rogers Daren will almost certainly move against him."
Hearing the woman's praise, Sengoku straightened his back with a touch of pride and chuckled.
"You flatter me, Lady Fox. I merely understand Daren's character."
How well did he understand?
Stussy's lips twitched slightly.
"I have urgent matters to attend to. I shall return to the Holy Land now. Red Port will be in your capable hands, Admiral Sengoku."
Without further pleasantries, Stussy chose to take her leave. For she felt she was on the verge of losing control and bursting into laughter.
"Understood."
Sengoku nodded.
...
Red Line Continent, Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Lavishly decorated carriages glided smoothly along the wide thoroughfares. Bright, colorful flowers adorned both sides of the broad, sunlit avenues, while streamers and balloons drifted through the sky.
"It's clear the World Government is placing great importance on this inauguration ceremony..."
Inside a carriage flying the Alabasta flag, King Cobra lifted the curtain to gaze at the streets. The sight of the brand-new buildings, intricate streetlamps, and fountains outside filled him with admiration.
The Kingdom of Alabasta, a Member Nation of the World Government, ranked among the foremost powers in both military might and economic strength during the first half of the Grand Line.
Spanning vast tropical desert landscapes, this nation boasted a fierce populace and a formidable standing army exceeding 500,000 troops. Its military prowess granted it significant influence within the World Government.
King Nefert Cobra of the Alabasta Kingdom was a man in his mid-thirties. He sported medium-length black hair, had slightly tanned skin, and a stern, resolute expression. He was dressed in an aristocratic robe in the Alabasta style.
"Didn't they say the World Government was broke? But the pace of planning and rebuilding this town doesn't look like they're short on funds."
Seated beside Cobra, the man with peculiar golden curls was his trusted confidant and right-hand man—Igaram, Captain of the Guard of the Kingdom of Alabasta. Igaram gazed at the brand-new, bustling city—one that could even be called extravagantly opulent—and murmured his admiration.
Consider this: it had been only two or three short months since that world-shocking "Mary Geoise Attack." Yet as their carriage journeyed from Red Port into the sacred grounds of Mary Geoise, not a single trace of war's devastation was visible. Everywhere stood pristine white-walled, blue-roofed buildings. Paved roads gleamed clean, streets were spotless, flowerbeds bloomed along the curbs, and bustling shops lined the avenues... exactly as one imagined the 'Holy Land' should appear.
The sheer beauty of the surroundings was breathtaking, as if the bombing that had nearly obliterated half of Mary Geoise had never occurred.
"Eight hundred years of government heritage—a mere Rogers Daren is insufficient to shake it."
Cobra shook his head slowly upon hearing Igaram's words. His gaze drifted through the carriage window, lingering on the distant landscape. From this vantage point, they could faintly make out undulating, verdant mountains in the distance, and the Celestial Stairway seemingly concealed within Sea Clouds.
"Is that so?"
An untimely voice cut through the silence abruptly. Cobra froze. Igaram also stiffened, then his pupils contracted sharply as if realizing something, his expression shifting dramatically. They both whipped their heads around, eyes widening instantly.
For, unnoticed, a figure had materialized within the smoothly rolling carriage.
Black cropped hair, clad in rugged military attire—dark trousers and gleaming black combat boots. Eyes blazing with intensity, bright and defiant, a cigar still unlit between his teeth.
"—You!?"
Cobra and Igaram's expressions paled. They seemed to want to react, but the figure's hands simultaneously clamped down on their shoulders. An unimaginable force, as if crushing down from the void itself, pressed them both back into their seats under that grip.
"No need to be so tense, King Cobra. I mean you no harm."
Daren smiled.
Cobra's expression froze. He gritted his teeth, observing with suspicion for several seconds. Only after confirming no one had noticed the disturbance inside the carriage did he lower his voice and growl:
"Are you trying to get me killed, you little brat, Daren!?"
During King Neptune's wedding on Fish-Man Island, Cobra had interacted with Daren and formed a favorable impression of his smooth, well-connected demeanor. Yet he never imagined that same smooth-talking brat, who'd navigated the Marines with such ease, would pull off such an earth-shattering "feat" as declaring war on the World Government. And now, at this sensitive moment, he'd infiltrated Cobra's very carriage!
This wasn't Alabasta—it was the sacred ground of the Celestial Dragons! The headquarters of the World Government! If anyone saw him, the consequences would be unimaginable!
"Relax, no one will notice."
Daren shrugged dismissively.
"Besides, if they do, just say I threatened you."
Cobra gritted his teeth:
"Do you really think the government would buy that?"
Daren paused, then pondered:
"You have a point. Even if it's an act, we need to make it convincing. Otherwise, it won't hold up."
Cobra snapped:
"Good to know!"
Suddenly, Daren's eyes lit up.
"Then we should disable one of your arms. That way, if we're discovered, they'll believe you were threatened."
Cobra immediately broke into a broad smile:
"I trust you won't be discovered."
Igaram beside them: "..."