Alubarna Palace.
A large group of people were standing outside the study.
Among them were Cobra, Bell, and Chaka from Alabasta, as well as a large group of Marines.
The leader was Garp, the Marine hero with the "Iron Fist," who was traveling with Tsuru!
Cobra sat in a chair, drinking tea, and looked at the group of Marines in front of him.
After the Celestial Dragons ran away, Cobra had prepared for a conflict with the World Government.
He didn't disagree with Rowan's decision at the time, and he would have done the same!
But Cobra was slightly relieved that Garp and Tsuru, two Marine Vice Admirals, had come.
Cobra had attended several world meetings and had met Garp and Tsuru a few times.
In his memory, these two older Marine Vice Admirals were honest, true Marines with relatively gentle ways.
If it were them, they wouldn't blindly follow the Celestial Dragons' orders without knowing the facts, right?
And this was likely the official Marine's position!
…
Nearby, Garp stood with his arms crossed, eyes narrowed, quietly watching the situation inside the study.
He didn't rashly use his Observation Haki, worried that it would be rude to Ryan Rowan.
But even without using Observation Haki, Garp could still feel the strong presence coming from the study.
So, he has Conqueror's Haki, huh?
Garp's eyes moved as he watched Cobra's expression, sighing to himself.
The Alabasta royal family has accepted him, and with Conqueror's Haki, he seems to be "the real deal!"
Plus…
Grandma Tsuru and Rowan had already made several moves in their chess game.
Garp didn't know the rules of Alabasta chess, but he could tell from their expressions that the game wasn't easy.
This is what Tsuru and Sengoku were talking about… a battle of wits?
I still don't get it!
Garp smiled helplessly.
In fact, the legendary Marine Vice Admiral was being modest. He wasn't that he "didn't understand," but that he "didn't bother to think."
For Garp, there were ways more suited to his style!
While he was thinking, Rowan said the line:
"I am the one who plays the game."
As soon as he said this, Garp could clearly see Tsuru's expression change, her fingers clenching tightly.
If Ryan Rowan made any move, his iron fist would hit the man's head first!
Garp was confident.
But then he saw Tsuru lightly shake her finger, signaling Garp not to be so tense.
Garp was a little confused but relaxed, as he absolutely trusted Tsuru's judgment.
…
The game went on for a long time.
About an hour and a half later, Grandma Tsuru placed her last piece and smiled, "It's over."
Rowan nodded. "Yes, I won."
But Grandma Tsuru narrowed her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, you lost."
"Huh?"
Rowan was stunned and looked at the chessboard again.
He counted the pieces again and then said, "Ms. Tsuru, I won, by half a piece."
But Grandma Tsuru reached out and drew a circle in one corner of the chessboard.
"Actually, the rules of Alabasta chess have changed slightly over the past eight hundred years."
She pointed to two of the pieces and smiled, "According to the current rules, I've won half a piece here."
Rowan was stunned, and Igaram in the distance was shocked.
What Grandma Tsuru said was true. The rules of Alabasta chess had been changed a little, but they were all trivial details.
To be able to overturn the entire game based on such small details was unheard of!
What's more, the chief of staff of the Marine Headquarters seemed to be implying something.
"Each era has different rules. When the rules change, the outcome will also change."
Grandma Tsuru slowly tidied up the chessboard, looked up at Rowan, and said slowly, "Don't you agree? Emperor of eight hundred years ago."
Rowan stroked his chin and clicked his tongue before shaking his head.
"I think these rules… are not good."
Rowan looked up at Grandma Tsuru and said with a smile:
"Must change."
Hearing this, Grandma Tsuru's eyes moved, and she understood.
Rowan then stood up, stretched his wrist, and smiled, "You've had a long trip. Why not have dinner and rest?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty. This old woman is a little hungry too."
Grandma Tsuru put the pieces back in place and left the study with Rowan.
…
In the dining room.
Everyone gathered together, eating dinner.
Igaram had to admit that he had never felt so uncomfortable because this dinner was too "normal."
Judging from the people involved in the dinner, this "normality" was the biggest "abnormality"!
Rowan and Grandma Tsuru were like old friends who had been missing each other for years, talking and laughing, from the great writers of eight hundred years ago to the technological developments of today.
Garp in the distance was chatting with Cobra, mostly about things that happened at the world meetings, while marveling at the food of Alabasta.
Vivi sat aside, looking at them.
As for Crocodile, he didn't want to participate in this dinner, but Rowan pulled him over, saying that it would be lively to eat together.
Lively?
Ha!
Crocodile ate steak, sneering inwardly.
He knew that the "liveliness" in Alabasta had just begun!
…
Sure enough.
After dinner.
Garp suddenly stood up, patted his stomach, and smiled at Cobra, "Hahahaha, I ate a little too much. I'm going for a walk!"
Cobra was a little puzzled, but still asked, "Shall we go together?"
"No, no, I like to walk alone."
Garp waved his hands repeatedly and left the dining room.
Then, Rowan also stood up and smiled, "I'm going to take a breath of the night air. You guys continue chatting."
Vivi reached out and said, "Great Ancestor, I want to go too!"
"Let Igaram take you. I want to be alone this time."
Rowan rarely refused Vivi's request.
Hearing this, Cobra's eyes moved, and he seemed to have noticed something.
Crocodile's sneer became even stronger.
The real "big fun" is finally about to begin!
After learning that the leaders of the Marines who arrived in Alabasta were Tsuru and Garp, Crocodile had noticed the oddity:
If they just wanted to get in touch, the Marines could have sent Tsuru alone. Garp was completely unnecessary.
Escort? That's too weak!
That Tsuru wasn't some weak staff officer who needed protection.
Ordinary pirates couldn't hurt her, and those with enough power wouldn't dare to touch her!
So, since the Marines had arranged for Tsuru to contact Rowan, why send an 'Iron Fist' as well?
The answer was obvious.
Crocodile turned his head and discovered that Grandma Tsuru had also left, using the excuse of going for a walk.
His eyes moved, and he struggled inside.
Then, he lit a cigar and, unable to suppress his curiosity, became the fourth to leave after Garp, Rowan, and Tsuru.
Seeing this scene, Cobra basically confirmed his previous guess.
He looked out the window, his expression a little worried.
Ah, can this matter not be simply put aside in the end?
…
Alubarna, desert outside the city.
Night.
It was some distance from the city.
Looking into the distance, all that could be seen of Alubarna was a small patch of light, surrounded by desert.
Two figures walked side by side, leaving four rows of footprints in the sand, which were erased by the night wind.
It was Rowan and Garp.
They walked silently, without a word.
Suddenly, Garp turned his head, as if he had just noticed Rowan's presence, and grinned:
"Oh, what a coincidence, you're taking a walk too?"
Rowan smiled and nodded.
"Yes, what a coincidence."
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