The Red the Aloof's situation differed sharply from Golden Lion Shiki's or Whitebeard's. Though they hailed from the same era, the Red the Aloof had endured far greater physical tolls and hidden wounds—all because of one man. The Marines, backed by the World Government, might not boast the rawest power, but their primes lasted the longest. Legendary pirates, meanwhile, often stayed in top form past fifty, thanks to ship doctors and sheer vitality, before any real decline set in.
For the Red the Aloof, that slide had started ages ago. In a few more years, he might not even muster Conqueror's Haki. Still, his faded strength dwarfed what most could handle. Against a Seven Warlord or a Yonko commander, he'd crush them effortlessly—or end them on sight.
"So he's after my Devil Fruit?" Gion's eyes widened in surprise.
She'd never dreamed a legend like him would set his sights on her.
"That's the gist of it," Ross said with a chuckle. "Contact Marine Headquarters. Time to reel in the big one."
He had zero reason to turn down a gift like the Red the Aloof. If recruitment worked, great. If not, it'd still net him an S-rank experience boost. Plus, with the Red the Aloof in play, the Cobra issue might wrap up before the World Conference even kicked off. No Admiral could shield a target from a legend's pursuit. Sure, offing a member state's king would rattle the World Government a bit. But executing the killer on the spot? That'd balance the scales—maybe even look like a win. Fewer bold legends meant safer thrones for the rest.
After wrapping up the chat, Cobra finally shook off his hangover from the night before and rushed over, looking bleary-eyed.
"Saint Ross, when do we head out?"
He rubbed his temples, sleep still clinging to him. That nightmare from last night lingered like a bad rum—Queen Titi drugging him, then going wild with Ross right in front of his face. She'd even moaned his name mid-act, jolting him awake in a cold sweat. Back in his own bed, it hit him: just a dream. Guilt twisted in his gut. After Ross's aid to Arabasta and Titi's obvious affection, how could his mind twist it so dark? He could barely meet the man's gaze now.
"If you're set, we leave now," Ross replied smoothly. "Gion's coming along. Sora and Stella will stay at the palace—mind keeping an eye on them for me?"
"Of course." Cobra nodded firmly. "I'll have Titi look after them personally before we go."
Ross trusting him with his pregnant wife and maids spoke volumes. If circumstances allowed, Cobra would've pushed for Titi's unborn kid to grow up as family with Ross's.
They hashed out the details quick. Titi would handle palace duties, leaving Sora and Stella free to roam as they pleased. Cobra would guide Ross and Gion through Arabasta's outskirts, soaking in the local flavor while scouting spots for the future Jaygarcia District garrison.
Unbeknownst to Cobra, Ross had already looped in Zephyr for secret protection duty at the palace. The Red the Aloof lurked in the shadows—no telling when he'd strike. Even if Gion was the prize, precautions mattered. Ross wouldn't let smooth sailing on his end turn into disaster for Sora.
As for himself? If the Red the Aloof showed before Marine reinforcements, Ross could stall until Zephyr arrived. No S-rank powerhouse in the One Piece world could weather a tag-team from two of that caliber. Even Ross, Devil Fruit or not, couldn't solo a pair of Zephyr-level threats. They'd only slipped those two before thanks to his powers. Any other S-rank would've been cornered.
"What? Igaram's vanished too?"
At the palace gates, as Ross and Gion approached the camel caravan, Cobra's startled voice cut through the morning bustle.
Ross strode over, feigning mild curiosity. Igaram had already handled the burials—Cobra wouldn't dig up a thing.
"Saint Ross, it's just a guard gone missing," Cobra said, forcing a grin. "I planned to put him on palace security, but poof—disappeared."
On the surface, he and Igaram were king and captain, but they were thick as thieves in truth. Cobra figured his friend was holed up, grieving his wife's fate. Never guessed he'd bail entirely. Deep down, he still chalked Igaram's absence to probing Terracotta's death, not some deeper mess.
Theodore had tipped him off at last night's banquet: looked like an accident, no ripples since. Cobra bought it.
"Palace security's a problem now," Ross said, brow furrowing. "Guards vanishing like smoke? King Cobra, I'll shift some of my men to watch over Sora."
No issue there—Arabasta's safe as houses," Cobra assured him, though he greenlit the extra hands without hesitation.
A quiet worry gnawed at him. Trouble for Sora or Titi? He'd never forgive himself. Ross pitching in manpower was a relief.
His own safety? Pfft. Sticking close to Ross beat any royal escort. Gion was the world's top swordswoman, and Ross keeping her glued to his side said it all about her edge.
"Alright then—let's roll," Ross said, nodding approval.
Cobra proved handy in Arabasta after all. With his buy-in, Sora's grip on the capital would tighten fast.
"Please, Saint Ross, hop in the carriage," Cobra offered, waving them toward the lead camel like a seasoned caravan boss—no crown in sight, just desert grit.
"Nah," Ross grinned. "Gion and I want to try the local ride—Arabasta's famous camels."
"But—"
Cobra hesitated. Even broken-in, those beasts had tempers wild as sandstorms.
He needn't have worried. Ross and Gion mounted two of the surliest ones without a hitch—the animals folding like well-trained hounds. Even the fleet-footed camels bowed to them, humble as Cobra himself in their presence.
As the caravan lumbered into the sun-baked dunes, the desert wind whispered promises of adventure—and unseen threats on the horizon.
…
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