Alabasta, a superpower located in the first half of the Grand Line, also known as "Paradise."
With a population exceeding ten million and a standing army of six hundred thousand.
This nation is ruled by the Nefertari family.
A family descended from Nefertari D. Lily, one of the twenty kings who created the World Government.
Back then, they were already the royal family of Alabasta, but instead of staying in Mary Geoise to become so-called Celestial Dragons, they returned to Alabasta.
To be honest, this family is one of the rare good ones in the entire world of One Piece—truly loving their people like their own children, always putting the people first.
Just the fact that they refused to become Celestial Dragons already elevated their status in Michael's eyes.
Not to mention, Alabasta also possesses an extremely vast inland territory.
Looking across the entire One Piece world, this nation arguably has the best strategic depth.
Truly a...
Natural stronghold.
At this moment, Michael began to understand why that guy Crocodile was so intent on stealing this country!
That guy...
Had impressive strategic vision!
Michael suddenly found himself interested not only in Alabasta, but also in Crocodile.
When it came to intelligent people, he had always been... more tolerant.
Following the river mouth into Alabasta, heading toward the capital, Alubarna.
Michael witnessed a level of prosperity and peace rarely seen elsewhere.
Alabasta, in the world of One Piece, seemed like a nation out of place.
After all, this was not the Alabasta after the events of the story—penetrated by Baroque Works, teetering between collapse of monarchy and economy.
A standing army of six hundred thousand—not to mention their combat strength—just the number alone was enough to deter petty criminals.
A Buster Call from the Navy only sent out ten thousand troops!
"Michael, this place... it's so beautiful."
Stella stood beside Michael at the bow of the ship, gazing at the flourishing riverbanks and sighing in admiration.
"I've never seen anything like it."
Stella had once been a wandering singer and had traveled through many nations on the Grand Line.
But she had never witnessed anything like...
The grandeur of a great nation.
"That's why my dream is to let the entire world—all people—live lives as good as those of Alabastans... no, even better than what they have now!"
Stella looked at the side of Michael's face. His platinum-blond hair sparkled under the noon sun.
"By the way, it's already noon. Where are Old Garp and little Robin?"
"Oh, little Robin is teaching Vice Admiral Garp. She said that as the Navy's hero, he should improve his literacy a bit..."
Michael frowned.
Did he just hear that right?
Robin teaching Garp?
But thinking about it... it made perfect sense!
Given Garp's level of education, he probably only barely understood newspapers and the various orders sent by Sengoku.
Robin might only be eight years old, but she was officially a scholar—a true prodigy!
"Michael, are we... almost at the port?"
Stella interrupted Michael's thoughts and pointed ahead.
In that land of both yellow sand and oases, Michael saw a massive port filled with merchant ships and passenger vessels of all kinds.
Yet not a single pirate ship or Navy warship was in sight.
So when Garp's personal battleship sailed into port, it immediately attracted a massive crowd.
"My goodness! Is that a warship? Why is it so much bigger than the ones I've seen abroad?"
"The ship's prow is a dog's head? Is that the Navy's usual style?"
"You uncultured fools! That dog-headed warship belongs to the Navy's hero—Garp himself!"
"Wow!"
...
Alubarna, Royal Palace Hall.
The young King Cobra was currently seated on the throne, exhausted as he dealt with the kingdom's affairs.
Igaram stood at his side in attendance.
"King Cobra!"
A royal palace guard burst in hastily, as if something catastrophic had happened. He completely forgot the usual formalities and rushed straight into the hall.
"Hey! That's way too disrespectful!"
Igaram scolded him, but was stopped by a raised hand from Cobra.
Cobra turned to the guard, showing no sign of blame on his face.
"Don't panic, speak slowly... What happened?"
Igaram's mouth twitched slightly...
Though no one else saw it, he had clearly noticed.
His Majesty King Cobra had happily tossed aside the heavy paperwork on his desk.
He wasn't intrigued by what happened—he just wanted a break!
Of course, that was just a private complaint. Most of the time, King Cobra was indeed a wise and capable ruler.
"Huff... King Cobra, here's the thing. There's a group of Navy personnel requesting an audience outside the palace!"
"The Navy?"
Cobra's interest was immediately piqued.
"Then let them in! Why are you panicking?"
"B-But..." The guard gulped nervously.
"They've brought a huge group of people with them, saying they're here to 'deliver warmth' to Your Majesty!"
Cobra's mouth twitched. His regal expression nearly cracked.
"Ahem... Then let them in. I'm curious about their intentions as well."
"Yes, sir!" The guard bowed and ran out again.
Igaram, however, furrowed his brow and leaned in to whisper in Cobra's ear:
"Your Majesty, Alabasta has never had a Navy branch... Why are they suddenly showing such interest in us?"
"Precisely because we don't know what's going on, we should meet them," Cobra replied, eyes gleaming with insight.
"Every unusual event may be an opportunity to make our nation even stronger."
With that, he sat up straight and prepared to receive the Navy delegation.
A while later, several Navy officers walked into the palace, bringing with them a large group of oddly dressed individuals.
At the forefront of the Navy delegation... was none other than Vice Admiral Garp, the Navy hero!
But beyond the shock, Cobra noticed someone standing half a step behind Garp—another Navy officer with platinum-blond hair.
That hair color... was certainly rare.
"Honorable King Cobra, I am Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp. It's an honor to meet you."
"Um, Vice Admiral Garp, it's not our first meeting... I've attended the Reverie too, remember?"
"Oh, is that so!"
Garp's stern demeanor instantly collapsed, and he was promptly elbowed hard in the waist by Michael.
"King Cobra, I am Navy Headquarters Commander Michael. Vice Admiral Garp has had a long journey, so I will explain everything on his behalf."
Michael stepped forward. His expression and manners were flawless.
"Very well, Michael. Does the Navy need assistance from Alabasta?"
"No, quite the opposite. We're here to assist Alabasta."
Michael shook his head and gestured to the large group of Ohara scholars behind him.
"King Cobra, Alabasta possesses the world's largest landmass..."
"I'm sure promoting education across the country is a serious challenge, isn't it?"
"These over two hundred scholars from Ohara—surely Alabasta has great need of them?"
Upon hearing this, Cobra's expression turned serious.
"Commander Michael... wasn't Ohara subjected to a Buster Call?"
"Oh, forgive me, dear King Cobra. I misspoke just now."
Michael looked as if he deserved death for his mistake, then continued:
"These over two hundred Alabastan scholars—how does Your Majesty plan to allocate them?"
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