Alabasta Capital.
Alubarna, Royal Palace.
As a good friend of the princess and a hero who solved the drought problem.
Roland's group naturally received the highest level of hospitality.
As the host, Vivi spared no effort in leading them on tours and shopping trips.
However, after half a day of shopping, Roland decisively slipped away.
The reason was simple: accompanying women, especially several women, on a shopping trip was truly a torment.
Compared to accompanying the girls shopping, Roland preferred to sit alone and fish; his main job couldn't be forgotten.
On the other side, upon learning of Roland's love for fishing, King Cobra immediately reopened the fish pond in the backyard overnight.
In the past few years, the country had suffered from drought, and the people worried about water scarcity every day.
Cobra, who cared deeply for his people, naturally wouldn't keep the ornamental fish pond in the palace.
Until now.
To provide Roland with the most comfortable fishing environment.
King Cobra ordered the dry fish pond to be refilled with water overnight.
Captain Igaram of the guard even purchased a large quantity of fish at a high price and put them into the pond.
He thought that with so many fish for Roland to catch alone, he would surely be reeling them in non-stop.
However...
What left Igaram and the others dumbfounded was.
They watched Roland fish for an entire day by the pond.
Yet, they didn't see Roland catch even a single one!!!
Once, when the fishing line was taut, they thought a big catch was coming.
But in the end, it unfortunately 'got unhooked,' leaving them with nothing.
For the unhooking of the big catch, Igaram and the other onlookers expressed great regret.
On the contrary, Roland himself was quite satisfied and showed no regret at all.
"Lord Cobra, what exactly is Mr. Roland... Is he an innate fish-repelling physique? Naturally disliked by fish, they just won't bite the hook!"
In the royal pavilion, Captain Igaram was scratching his ears and cheeks in anxiety.
Roland, who was fishing, wasn't anxious yet, but he, the observer, had already started to panic.
He was clearly suffering from an obsessive-compulsive disorder, desperately wanting to see Roland catch a fish.
"Don't worry, Igaram. At least Lord Robin himself is enjoying it. Sometimes, fishing doesn't necessarily mean catching fish... Lord Robin possesses such a mindset at such a young age, he must be a great talent!"
King Cobra gradually became enlightened, looking at Roland with increasing satisfaction.
"No, I really can't stand it anymore. If he doesn't catch a fish soon, I'll go crazy first... I'll go find two good swimmers to dive and hook fish. If the fish don't bite, I'll help!"
Igaram thought of an idea.
At this moment.
Fish: I want to bite the hook too, but where the hell is the hook? How can I bite if there's no hook?
Before Igaram could act.
"Your Majesty, Captain Igaram."
Vice-captain Chaka hurried over, his expression solemn.
"What's wrong, Chaka? Has something happened?"
King Cobra asked.
"It's about the rebel army!"
Chaka said.
"The rebel army? Hasn't the rebel army issue already been resolved? Lord Cobra has already issued a national announcement not to pursue their responsibility. Are they planning to push their luck?"
Igaram was enraged.
"No... no, Captain, actually it's..."
Chaka concisely reported the people's thoughts.
Regarding King Cobra's magnanimity in not pursuing the responsibility of the rebellion, the rebel army, led by Kosa, felt increasingly guilty.
And the families of the rebel army also refused to let the matter drop, insisting that their children actively apologize.
Now, almost everyone in Alabasta wanted all members of the rebel army to kneel before the King and apologize.
"Something seems off... Under circumstances where I'm not pursuing it, everyone managed to reach a consensus in such a short time..."
King Cobra keenly sensed that something was amiss.
"This precisely shows that your Majesty Cobra's wisdom has deeply resonated with the people!"
Igaram, however, didn't think anything was wrong; instead, he felt it was the will of the people.
"Your Majesty Cobra, why don't you take this opportunity to give a speech and inspire the young people?"
King Cobra pondered for a long while before nodding in agreement.
"Then, I'll go arrange it!"
Igaram temporarily put the matter of hooking fish out of his mind and began to get busy.
In the evening.
Vivi, Thor, Nami, and Kuina returned, carrying large and small bags.
"Roland~ Roland~ This is what I bought for you. Open it when it's just the two of us tonight~"
Thor smiled sweetly, presenting the mysterious gift box she had chosen.
"Oh~"
Roland's eyes lit up, and anticipation rose in his heart.
"Brother, this is what I picked for you!"
Kuina also presented her proper gift.
"You're thoughtful!"
Roland patted Kuina's little head.
"And me!"
"I have one too!"
Nami and Vivi also had gifts prepared.
Just as Vivi took out a beautifully wrapped gift box from her bag, a slip of paper fell to the ground.
"Huh?"
Vivi gasped in surprise, picked up the note, and opened it.
The next second.
Vivi's originally rosy complexion instantly turned pale.
Her delicate body trembled uncontrollably, seemingly from fear.
"What's wrong, Vivi!"
Nami asked, puzzled.
Thor and Kuina also cast questioning glances.
Vivi didn't speak, but simply handed the note in her hand to Roland.
[Tomorrow's Apology Assembly, Baroque Works will launch the Utopia Plan]
[The Apology Assembly was instigated by Baroque Works behind the scenes]
[A ship full of Dance Powder will dock at Nanohana Port, framing the King]
[The Air Force at Saint Dora River Royal Port will be attacked by the Million Elders]
...
...
[When the assembly begins, Baroque Works agents will incite conflict between the rebel army and the royal army]
"A bomb is buried under the assembly square, with the aim of annihilating all 100,000 rebels."
"Baroque Works' boss, Crocodile, and all senior agents will invade the palace and seize control of the King."
"Mr. 2 is a user of the Clone-Clone Fruit, and he will impersonate the King…"
The note was signed with a bird emblem.
Robin!
...
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