The next day.
Igaram and a few of his subordinates paid a visit to Kanata's ship. They had apparently intended to bring a cut of the snake's meat as a gift, but since it had been frozen without being bled, it was inedible.
Their business was brief, and they left without even stopping for tea. With all that had happened, he was likely busy.
Junci sipped his hot tea and asked what their purpose had been.
"Payment of our wages," Kanata answered. "But they don't have the cash on hand, so he said he's going to Alubarna to get it."
"...Is that all?"
"No, he also asked if I would accompany him, partly as thanks for yesterday's business."
Feiyun, who happened to be present, said she "didn't get a bad feeling from him," so it didn't seem like a trap. He had also offered to provide men to help carry the load, since it would be heavy for one person.
She had refused.
"Junci, you're coming too. And Samuel. You'll be in charge of carrying the money. Even if something happens, you two should be able to protect yourselves."
"Assuming something will happen? You're being very cautious."
"Don't trust others too easily. We may be—well, maybe not all of us, but at least I am a globally wanted criminal. I can't complain no matter what happens to me."
Even if Igaram was friendly, even if Cobra bore them no ill will, there was no guarantee the current king or the Royal Army felt the same. Anyone, believing they were acting out of goodwill or justice, was capable of acting without guilt. Righteousness can sometimes cloud one's judgment. Of course, since Kanata was a world-renowned criminal, turning her in would indeed be the "right" thing to do in this case.
"We're fugitives. It's a pain, but we don't have the strength or the foundation to face the Marines or the World Government head-on... If we don't like it, we'll have to build up the necessary power and influence."
Kanata murmured this, her gaze fixed on something in the distance.
The Four Emperors who ruled the New World. If they reached a level where they could take down one of them, the Marines would likely hesitate to make a move... but that was a distant dream for now. If they only kept running, they would eventually hit a dead end. A life of piracy, taking without producing, was not sustainable in the long run.
They needed to establish a position—one the Government couldn't ignore, yet found difficult to attack.
"...No matter what I do, being a wanted criminal holds me back."
"That's the path you chose, isn't it? I thought you had no regrets."
"There's no point in regretting the past. It's just sentimentality. If you lose something, you just have to build it back up again."
But the practical problem remained. If they stood out too much, a Marine Admiral could come flying. They couldn't move freely, and there was a limit to how much they could run. This would lead to a stalemate. If they could just brace themselves and fight back head-on, it would give them some peace of mind.
"...Maybe I should really make a move on the Marines."
"You're thinking of something reckless again, aren't you?"
"It's just a matter of fighting back once instead of always being chased. We'll prepare, of course."
In any case, after making such a scene in Alabasta, it was only a matter of time before the Marines arrived. They had to prepare to intercept them. If they moved quickly enough, they might avoid contact altogether...
"They're an opponent we'll have to face someday. We can't keep running forever."
As long as she had a bounty, she would be a target. It was annoying, but for them, it was just their job.
They had trained, but only five of them could be considered reliable combatants. The rest of the crew could fight, albeit at a lower level. Kanata, Junci, Feiyun, Zen, and Samuel. For the time being, these five would be their main force. Kuro could be a trump card against Devil Fruit users, but he wasn't suited for direct combat. David lacked basic physical ability. Scotch and Scura were essentially non-combatants.
"Alright, then Samuel and I will accompany you. I'll let Georges know."
"Tell him that if the Marines come while we're gone, he is to flee to the open sea. With Scotch, they can get the ship out, and they should have all the necessary supplies."
"What about us?"
"I have the Log Pose. We'll rendezvous on the way to the next island. We won't have a ship, so I'll lead the way, running across the sea."
It was an outrageous proposal. Junci looked exasperated; while such a method of travel was certainly possible with Kanata's powers, wasn't it a bit too much of a brute-force solution?
"But it is an effective method..."
"It's just a backup plan. We can fight, but it depends on the opponent. With Feiyun and Zen, we can handle most enemies, but it gets tricky if they're officer-class."
Commodores and Rear Admirals might have a few Haki users among them. Vice Admirals were all proficient. There were giants in the Marines, but Feiyun's sheer mass meant she wouldn't be overpowered, especially if she could use Haki. It was unlikely they would encounter many at the level of Sengoku or Garp, but it was always best not to take unnecessary risks. Discretion was the better part of valor.
"If it looks like we can win, we can fight. Against the forces on this island, Zen probably wouldn't lose."
During their year of training on Little Garden, he had demonstrated martial arts skills that surpassed even Kanata's. With Haki added to that, there was likely no one on this island who could defeat him.
But nothing was absolute. Kanata herself had survived a life-or-death battle against a superior opponent in Sengoku; it wasn't impossible for someone else to do the same.
"I'll pass on the message. It's a shame, though. If I were the one staying behind, I would have liked to fight."
"This country seemed tough on Zen, too. To be honest, I don't want to cross the desert either."
Kanata disliked the heat, but it seemed to affect Zen even more. He hadn't collapsed, but he was constantly drenched in sweat whenever they were outside. The combination of his high body temperature and the ambient heat caused the sweat to evaporate almost instantly, making the air around him shimmer. It would be easier for him to fight near the coast where the temperature was more moderate.
"...You're right. This country does seem hard on him."
"On the other hand, you and Samuel seemed fine. If a fight breaks out on my end, I'll be counting on you."
Kanata had almost no intention of fighting herself. She had already had a big fight the other day and wasn't in the mood. Whether stopping a charge and freezing an opponent could even be called a "fight" was debatable, but if they were willing, she intended to leave the fighting entirely to them. Being in this country was draining her energy. The rain made it a bit better, but it didn't rain constantly.
"Once our business is done, we're getting out of this country. I heard the Drum Kingdom is a winter island."
"You're a fickle one. At this rate, I worry about our future."
"I'd like to avoid summer islands as much as possible, but we often don't know what lies ahead. Some would say that's the very essence of adventure."
At the very least, they were aiming for the final, uncharted island. If they couldn't enjoy a journey with a bit of uncertainty, they wouldn't be able to continue their travels, which were bound to have more setbacks. That being said, Kanata honestly wanted to be done with the heat.
☆
The capital city, Alubarna.
They had heard the desert was dangerous during the rainy season, but it didn't rain twenty-four hours a day. Apparently, as long as you avoided the dry riverbeds—the so-called wadisthat only flowed during the rainy season—travel was possible.
Riding on the super-fast Spot-Billed Duck Squad, escorted by Cobra and Igaram, Kanata's group of three headed for the royal palace.
"So this is the capital."
"Yes. The only entrance is via the stairs. In an emergency, all the gates can be closed to fortify our defenses."
"Hmm... we have to go up stairs. Is the city built on high ground so it doesn't flood during the rainy season?"
"That's right. It's partly due to the original topography, but there's also a wadi that flows nearby during the rains."
The flooding of the Sandora River didn't reach this far, but the heavy rains could reshape the smaller sand dunes.
With the prince present, they passed through the gate without issue. The palace wasn't far, and they proceeded along the main road on the backs of the Super Spot-Billed Ducks.
"It's lively. As expected of the capital."
"It's dangerous to be outside during this season. Most people wait out the rainy season in the city, so for some, this is their busiest time of year."
"I'm curious and would like to look around, but we don't have much time. Could we hurry?"
"Of course. We were the ones who requested your presence, after all."
The plan was to complete the paperwork at the palace, get paid in cash, and be done. Cobra was likely aware of their true identities and was being considerate, suggesting it would be better for them to leave the country quickly before the Marines caught on to their spectacular display of power.
They were invited inside the palace, but Kanata's group politely declined.
"I'll say this since you're probably already aware, but you shouldn't let people like us into your palace so carelessly. You'll get your throat slit one day."
"...At the very least, I have judged that you are not the kind of person to do such a thing. Prince Cobra feels the same. Otherwise, we would not have invited you to Alubarna, let alone the palace."
"You never know what villains are thinking. It's for your own good not to trust so easily."
"I understand. Still, you saved Prince Cobra's life, and we are indebted to you for that," Igaram said with a smile. "Besides," he added, "if you were planning something like that, you wouldn't say it out loud, would you?"
Kanata looked away. Hearing that it was Cobra who had decided to invite them, she muttered, "I don't think you should let your guard down around a villain just because they saved your life once." This was rich, coming from the woman who had been won over by Roger.
While she was talking with Igaram, Cobra summoned the person in charge of accounting and began settling their payment. Since it would take some time, they decided to wait in the garden at the palace entrance.
It's hot again today, she thought, looking up at the sky. Suddenly, she sensed a presence approaching.
"—Kanata."
At Junci's word, she pulled up her hood and waited for the person coming from behind to pass.
Two powerfully built men strode past, wearing coats with the word "Justice" emblazoned on the back. One was a handsome man with silver hair, blue eyes, and glasses. The other man, wearing a similar coat, had slicked-back black hair and eyes as sharp as a hawk's, which he directed towards Kanata.
The men, followed by several subordinates, stopped in front of a tense-looking Igaram. The silver-haired man bowed with a calm smile and addressed him.
"—Excuse me. I am Captain Berg of Marine Headquarters. Master Igaram, I was told Prince Cobra has returned."
"A Marine... Forgive me. I believe the prince is currently in his office... Is this an urgent matter?"
"Not particularly. My term as the commander of the stationed unit is nearing its end, so I was hoping to arrange for the handover and introduce my successor."
"I see... I will inform the prince. Would you be so kind as to wait in the reception room?"
"Thank you. We will wait there, then."
Berg chatted pleasantly with Igaram, paying no mind to Kanata's group. As Igaram was about to lead them to the reception room, Berg's gaze shifted to Kanata.
"...I feel that I have seen your face somewhere before. Have we met?"
Igaram froze. He looked nervous, but Kanata, remaining perfectly calm, just shrugged.
"I get that question a lot. Many men wish to become intimate with me, after all. But Marine, if you wish to court me, do it on your day off and outside the royal palace."
"My apologies. That was not my intention..."
"It's fine. I'm used to it."
Samuel was about to open his mouth, but Junci clamped it shut. If this man spoke, he was bound to let something slip.
With the utmost caution, Igaram led Berg and his men to the reception room. Only after they were out of sight did the tense atmosphere finally dissipate.
Without moving their eyes, Kanata and Junci exchanged a few quiet words.
"...That man is quite strong."
"With that level of Haki, he's only a headquarters captain? Ranks don't mean much, do they?"
It was safe to assume that the Marines now knew of Kanata's presence. There was no reason to stay. They should get their money and leave the island as quickly as possible.
A short while later, Cobra appeared in a hurry and handed her a case, asking her to confirm its contents. While Junci inspected the money, Cobra spoke, his voice filled with concern. Kanata, knowing her identity was exposed, had dropped the pretense and was acting naturally.
"I'll have the Super Spot-Billed Duck Squad escort you to the port. You saved my life. I have no desire to repay that kindness with betrayal."
"We will gratefully borrow the ducks. But you shouldn't go out of your way to protect us. It will only put you in a bad position."
"...To be honest, I was wary of you at first. The Nefertari family is one of the twenty families that founded the World Government eight hundred years ago. I thought you might have come to kill me."
They were one of the twenty royal families who founded the World Government, and the only ones who refused to move to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. Cobra had initially been on guard, wondering if she had come to Alabasta to assassinate a member of the Nefertari family, who shared the same blood as the Celestial Dragons.
"But my fears were completely unfounded. You worked diligently, broke a sweat, and treated everyone without prejudice. Rumors are truly unreliable."
"The fact that I killed a Celestial Dragon is true. If you had reported me at that point, I would not have been able to say a word."
"Even so. Now, I can say with confidence that my judgment at that time was not mistaken. After all, you saved my life."
Cobra laughed, adding that his wife, Titi, had scolded him, saying, "Please don't do such dangerous things."
Kanata gave a wry smile as Junci confirmed that the contents of the case were correct. The amount seemed a bit high; apparently, they had added a bonus because their help had resulted in fewer injuries.
"Alright. Let's head back."
"Please come to Alabasta again someday. Next time, we will host you in a way that the Marines won't find out."
"I'll think about it."
If possible, she never wanted to visit this country again, but hearing him say that made her think that she might, perhaps, come back someday. If only there were a way to stay a bit cooler.
With a send-off from Cobra, they departed Alubarna and raced back to the port.
"...Junci, did you notice?"
"Yes. There were quite a few Marines."
"Isn't it normal for there to be a few Marines around?" Samuel asked.
"You fool. They were trying to get a look at our faces. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before they set up a perimeter."
It was likely still at the stage of suspicion, but they needed to hurry.
Kicking up a cloud of sand, Kanata and her crew crossed the desert.
☆
"To all units of the Alabasta garrison. The Witch's crew, including the 'Dragon-Slaying Witch,' has been spotted. Seal all ports and surround them immediately."
"I repeat. The Witch's crew, including the 'Dragon-Slaying Witch,' has been spotted. Seal all ports and surround them. Marine Headquarters has been contacted. Hold them until Admiral Zephyr arrives."
***
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