"What happened to Terracotta?"
Cobra had only caught part of the report, but his brow furrowed in concern.
"Terracotta is dead? No way—she was fine this morning."
Igaram's fists clenched tight, his whole body rigid with shock.
"Huh? Something's up with Terracotta?"
Cobra's face hardened as the pieces clicked. He knew she was healthy; sudden death didn't add up. And with her so close to the palace, foul play screamed louder than any accident.
"This stinks of a setup. Someone's gunning for us. Damn—Terracotta's the head chef. We can't screw up tonight's banquet."
Cobra's mind raced. He needed to order a full sweep of the palace kitchens for poison or tampering. But glancing up at Igaram's stunned expression, he bit back the command. Instead, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed the palace directly.
He knew Igaram and his wife were thick as thieves. The guy wouldn't process this right away. Cobra could handle the hunt for the killer later—avenge her properly.
---
In the shadowed rear carriage of the convoy, away from prying eyes.
"Looks like you botched the cover-up. Cobra and Igaram sniffed it out in seconds."
Sora smirked after Ross's recap, shooting Gion a playful jab.
The Gion back at the palace? Just a bat clone, barely C-rank in power. The real deal sat right here with them.
"What was I supposed to do?" Gion threw up her hands, exasperated. "Time was short, the body's already cold. I faked a heart attack, dumped her in the palace restroom—who knew they'd check so fast?"
"Sloppy work," Ross said with a grin, no real heat in his voice. He leaned in to elaborate. "You didn't need the full impersonation. From what you said earlier, Terracotta was set to bolt for Drum Island after grabbing the blood sample. She was already planning her exit."
"Wait—so just ditch the body and wipe the traces?"
Gion's eyes lit up. She'd overcomplicated it.
"Exactly. Skip the act. Destroy the evidence, and if she left Igaram a note about skipping town, he'll buy it no questions asked," Sora added, chuckling.
"Any blowback?"
Gion fidgeted. Espionage wasn't her forte—her Bat-Bat Fruit just fit the bill this time. Sora could've aced it, but her raw strength wouldn't have gotten past Terracotta's defenses.
"Minimal fallout. We'll bump up Cobra's 'funeral' if needed, but keep an eye on Igaram. Gion, you're on watch duty." Ross's smile didn't reach his eyes.
No rush to pull the trigger. Watching folks squirm under pressure? That was half the fun. The endgame was locked in anyway.
Alabasta's setup was unique—no bloated nobility propping up the throne. Just the royal family and the people, locked in mutual support. No wonder Crocodile eyed it later; toppled the king, and the rest crumbled. Commoners? Their gripes were for schemers like him to sweat.
Botch it against Crocodile, and you'd draw World Government heat—and the Marines. But for Ross? Even a messy grab meant backup from those same powers.
Killing Cobra outright? Easy pickings for takeover. But leveraging Queen Titi and Vivi? Smoother sail by far.
Why swing the axe when a gentle nudge works?
"What's the play for Igaram?" Gion asked, still on edge from her earlier slip. The guy's ties to Cobra made him a wildcard.
"Let him drop dead at home. Quiet and clean."
"Won't that tip Cobra off?" Gion's brow creased.
Ross shrugged. "So? I'll stick around Alabasta a bit—let Cobra play tour guide. Igaram vanishes mid-trip. Problem solved."
"Sora."
She caught his drift without a word, nodding with a sly smile. "Got it. I'll cozy up to Queen Titi, steady the palace nerves, and box Cobra out."
No need to ice Cobra yet—house arrest would do. The World Government summit loomed. En route to the Holy Land Mary Geoise, a little "mishap" would seal his exit.
"Shame we don't have the Clone-Clone Fruit. This could've been seamless," Sora sighed.
"We'll snag it soon enough. Owner's holed up in Wano Country. Wrap Alabasta, then we sail." Ross's tone stayed light.
That fruit was gold—fooled even basic Observation Haki. Feed it to a crewmate, and impersonations became child's play. No more masks or half-measures for Cobra swaps.
Alabasta mattered for its roots: Nefertari bloodline, one in a million. And that figure in the sky? Could tie back to their ancestors. Ross wouldn't leave empty-handed—clues or conquest, he'd take it all.
With plans set, the carriage relaxed. Ross lounged on Sora's lap as Stella hand-fed him bites of fruit. Gion fiddled with her bat clone, scouting Alubarna to map the city's pulse for her next move.
---
An hour later, the Super Spot-Billed Ducks barreled into Alubarna's bustling streets.
Igaram, heart pounding, broke from the convoy and spurred his mount toward the palace. His wife's "death" in there? He had to see for himself—accident or ambush, he'd uncover the truth. For her. For them both.
From the shadows nearby, a crimson bat fluttered skyward, trailing silently in his wake.
---
Ross savored the control. Alabasta's throne room awaited, but the real game played in the alleys and whispers. Cobra's banquet loomed that night—a perfect stage for the next act. One wrong move, and the Nefertari line would bend to his will.
But for now, the convoy rolled on, oblivious to the noose tightening.
—
…
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