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Pell remained doubtful.
"Your Majesty, is this truly necessary? Alabasta is a considerable superpower in the Grand Line; we don't need a political marriage to solidify our status!"
Cobra remained silent for a long time before slowly replying.
"The situation in Alabasta is far more complex than you imagine!"
Though Pell was hailed as the Guardian God of Alabasta, he was ultimately not a member of the royal family and was unaware of certain deep secrets.
Just yesterday, for instance, Auguro suddenly arrived with a person who introduced herself as Nico Robin, the "Devil Child," and requested to view the Poneglyph (Historical Text) housed in Alabasta. Cobra was startled and refused without hesitation.
However, Auguro's next words utterly shocked him.
"Isn't it just the location of Pluton? What's the point of hiding it? You don't actually think the World Government has no clue, do you? They are currently guarding the blueprint for Pluton!"
Auguro spoke casually, as if talking about trivial matters, yet he dropped two pieces of information that could shake the entire world. Both Cobra and Robin were stunned.
The location of Pluton itself and the existence of its blueprints were enough to cause massive upheaval in the Grand Line! How could this be treated like easily discarded trash in your mouth?
"How do you know the contents? Do you also understand the ancient language?" Robin asked with immense surprise.
"I can't read the ancient language! I just happen to know some intel! The truth of history isn't always passed down solely through the Poneglyphs!" Auguro gave a plausible, offhand excuse. He couldn't exactly tell them he had read the original story, could he?
Robin, being rational, immediately stated, "If it's only the data on Pluton, then I don't absolutely need to read it!"
"My goal is to find the truth of history; I am not interested in Pluton."
However, Cobra shook his head.
"No! Since it has come to this, there's no harm in letting you read the Poneglyph!"
"Besides, I also want to know if that Poneglyph records anything else besides Pluton." Cobra was not the only one interested in history! He, too, wanted to know certain truths about Alabasta's past!
Robin later returned to the palace once more, meeting privately with Cobra for a period. No one knew what they discussed.
Cobra's thoughts returned to the present. He spoke gravely, "Although Alabasta can be called a superpower in the Grand Line, you've seen it for yourself: our so-called 600,000-man army was completely useless against a formidable foe like Crocodile!"
"If he hadn't wanted to usurp the throne legitimately, Vivi and I would have been killed instantly!"
"It would be best if Vivi could form an alliance with Auguro! If not, having him as an ally will at least ensure Vivi's survival should Alabasta face future upheaval!"
Cobra vividly remembered Soi Fon's introduction as the Captain of the Gotei 13's 2nd Division! That meant Auguro commanded at least thirteen such Admiral-level individuals!
Even accounting for uneven strength and halving the probability, that was still six or more Admiral-level threats! In contrast, even counting Sengoku and Garp, the Marines only had five individuals of Admiral-level strength or higher!
The formidable power of Auguro's faction was obvious! It was better to embrace such a powerful ally sooner rather than later!
Pell, remembering the terrifying power of Soi Fon and the others, had no rebuttal. At the end of the day, this ocean remained a place where the strong preyed on the weak! Protection from a powerhouse made all the difference.
Auguro was set to leave Alabasta after only a single day. Having learned his location, the Marines immediately mobilized a fleet to capture him and also to escort Mr. 2 to Impel Down.
As Auguro had surmised, Mr. 2's ability was too dangerous. To prevent his death from causing the Devil Fruit to be reborn elsewhere, the World Government decided to lock him up until he died of natural causes!
"Mr. Auguro, please take this Eternal Pose for Jaya Island!" At the harbor, Vivi handed Auguro the Eternal Pose. She also prepared a larger, newer ship for him, named the Desert Rose, as a token of gratitude.
"Mr. Auguro, please continue to watch over Alabasta in the future!" Cobra also spoke with sincerity.
Although Auguro hadn't successfully brought Alabasta into his faction, their alliance was solidified. Cobra had specially found a secluded spot in the palace for Auguro to anchor the coordinates for his Shunpo (Flash Step) portal.
Cobra's worldview was shattered by his initial experience of the portal's speed. Traveling thousands of miles in an instant—even the World Government lacked such terrifying technology! In that moment, he became even more determined to secure his alliance with Auguro.
"Rest assured, both of you! If Alabasta ever faces hardship, we will not stand idly by!" Auguro gave his solemn promise.
Just then, a soldier ran up, breathing heavily.
"Your Majesty! Marine warships have been spotted approaching!"
Auguro looked into the distance, spotting a Marine Vice Admiral wearing a twin-dragon helmet and sporting a fierce expression on the bridge of his ship.
"It's Onigumo (Spider-Demon)," Auguro recognized the man—a prominent representative of the Marine hardliner faction and a participant in the Enies Lobby Buster Call event. He was ruthless, willing to sacrifice his own subordinates if it meant victory in battle!
"We must depart now to prevent this individual from causing trouble for Alabasta under the pretense of our presence!"
Auguro and his crew boarded the Desert Rose and set course for Jaya Island.
On the warship, the lookout reported to Onigumo, "Vice Admiral, the 'Noble Scion' Sith Auguro, bounty 200 million Berries, and his subordinates have been spotted!"
A look of brutal aggression flashed across Onigumo's face.
"Pursue immediately! We must eradicate this scum of the sea!" As a representative of the hardliners, Onigumo only had one method for pirates: utter annihilation!
"Lord Soul King, that warship is catching up!" Yamada Hanatarou promptly reported from the lookout.
Auguro frowned slightly. A Marine Vice Admiral wasn't weak on the high seas. But does he really think he can take on our entire crew alone? Isn't that a little too arrogant?
Soon, Onigumo's flagship caught up. Cannon fire roared, and dozens of cannonballs rained down upon them.
"Growl, Haineko!"
A cloud of smoke and dust quickly enveloped all the cannonballs. As Matsumoto Rangiku swung her arm, all the projectiles exploded harmlessly in the air, looking like a grand fireworks show.
"Lord Soul King!" Soi Fon stepped forward, volunteering for battle.
"I will deal with these bothersome rats!"
Auguro nodded. Unless they taught these Marines a painful lesson, they would never retreat!
"Make it Quick!"
Onigumo, you shall be the stepping stone for my Captain to make her name on the high seas!