"Ahem, ahem! So you're the scholars from Alabasta!"
Cobra truly lived up to his reputation as one of the few wise monarchs in the world of One Piece—his mind worked faster than most.
Michael had only slightly changed the way he addressed them, and Cobra immediately grasped the deeper meaning behind his words.
"Igaram! Don't just stand there—get accommodations ready for our Alabasta scholars... no, actually, settle them directly in the royal palace!"
Although Michael and Cobra had instantly come to a mutual understanding, the king still chose to proceed with caution.
After all, with so many scholars from Ohara rescued, it was better not to let them be seen in public just yet. Let the storm pass, and then they could be given new identities.
"Yes, Your Majesty, Cobra-sama."
Igaram accepted the order immediately and left the throne room with the scholars, led by Clover.
Garp still looked confused and hadn't fully caught on.
"Huh? That's it?"
"What else did you expect?"
Michael rolled his eyes at the old man.
"This was a mutually beneficial arrangement from the start. Did you think we'd need to drag it out with endless negotiations?"
Both Michael and Cobra were smart enough to know that their time was too valuable to waste on haggling over petty details.
"Commander Michael, thank you for returning Alabasta's scholars to their homeland," Cobra said seriously. "Now, tell me—what do you need from me?"
No detours, no double-speak—straight to the point.
Michael appreciated dealing with people like this.
It saved time and effort.
"Your Majesty Cobra, you're refreshingly straightforward." Michael nodded. "Then I'll be direct as well: I want to establish a Marine branch here in Alabasta."
The moment Michael finished speaking, Cobra's expression changed.
Not out of rejection, but because he began weighing whether this deal was worth it.
Over two hundred highly knowledgeable scholars—people who could contribute immensely to the nation—were now under his protection.
Knowledge was the foundation of civilization.
However…
In exchange, was he really going to allow the Marines to set up a branch in Alabasta, essentially letting the World Government extend its hand into his country?
Any other World Government affiliate nation would have agreed without hesitation. After all, this was the perfect way to cozy up to the Government and the Marines.
But the Nefertari family was different.
As descendants of one of the twenty kings who founded the World Government—who had the chance to become Celestial Dragons but chose instead to return to their homeland—they knew better than anyone what the World Government and those so-called "Celestial Dragons" truly were.
That's why Cobra had always refused to let the Marines station themselves in Alabasta.
It was also why he had poured the nation's resources into building an army of 600,000 regular troops.
Though he favored peace, he refused to let his country fall under the absolute control and exploitation of the World Government.
"I understand your concerns. But rest assured—the person in charge of this Marine branch… will be me."
"But you're still a Marine."
"Yes, I am." Michael nodded. "But your goals and mine… are surprisingly aligned."
Taking two steps forward, Michael looked Cobra in the eyes and continued:
"As a member of the Nefertari family, which once had the chance to become Celestial Dragons, you know better than I do what the World Government and the Celestial Dragons truly mean for the world."
"They bring more harm than good."
Upon hearing these words, Cobra's first instinct wasn't to answer—or to pretend he hadn't heard such heretical talk—but instead to glance at Garp.
To his surprise, the previously lively Garp was now standing still… sound asleep.
A massive snot bubble had formed on his nose.
"Vice Admiral Garp… is he…?"
"Please, Your Majesty Cobra, don't worry about him." Michael chuckled. "What do you think about my proposal?
"Our goals… at least the majority of them… are the same, aren't they?"
"You want to keep your country free from the World Government's influence. I want to free the Marines from the World Government's control.
"In essence, we're after the same thing."
...
"Michael, did Cobra-sama really just agree to your request like that?"
Stella, who had witnessed the entire exchange in the throne room, couldn't hold back her question.
"This is basically going against the entire World Government! And he just agreed?"
"Why not? Everything he's done for this country has been to shake off the World Government's influence."
"Ahem, ahem, alright, Michael—best not say things like that in public."
Garp, who had appeared to be fast asleep in the throne room, had already woken up.
Or rather—he had never actually fallen asleep.
The old man might seem like a brainless brute, but his acting skills were top-notch, and his political instincts razor-sharp.
The moment he sensed Michael was about to have a dangerously rebellious conversation with King Cobra, he decided to put on an award-worthy performance of "deep sleep."
Michael knew Garp was on his side.
But no one else did.
So Garp figured—might as well play the role all the way.
"But seriously—is this plan of yours actually going to work?" Garp asked in a low voice. "You might've gotten Cobra to agree to building a Marine branch, but whether it actually happens depends on Sengoku."
He didn't spell it out, but Michael got the message.
This decision ultimately rested with Sengoku.
And right now, Sengoku was still aligned with the World Government.
The Ohara incident might have shaken his stance a little—but there was still a long way to go before he'd change sides completely.
"Also, why Alabasta? Don't tell me it's because of the 600,000 troops stationed here. Is this place one of the three troop bases you mentioned, outside of Wano?"
"Of course not." Michael shook his head. "Alabasta isn't a troop base—it's a base of operations."
"Base of operations?"
"To me, Alabasta is what Baltigo is to Dragon-san… You get it now?"
A wise ruler.
No World Government influence.
A strong economy capable of supporting cultural and ideological growth.
Most importantly—here, everyone knows of Alabasta, but not the World Government.
It's not like in some countries, where the Government is worshipped like a god.
With such excellent conditions, this country was perfect for early-stage development as a base of operations.
From the deserts and oases of Alabasta… the first sparks would ignite!
After leaving the Alabasta royal palace, the group returned directly to their warship.
Awaiting them on deck, Bogart immediately reported two big pieces of news.
"Vice Admiral Garp! We just received intel from Marine Headquarters!"
"Rebellion in the Sorbet Kingdom! Monkey D. Dragon has led the Freedom Army into battle!"
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