章 87: Chapter 82
Within the castle, everyone now moved into a smaller room, where many comfortable chairs lied. The guards were standing on Cobra's left and right, who was sitting on one of the chairs.
Similarly, Rowan, Carina, Alfred, and Robin took a seat for themselves, while Farul was joyfully munching onto hays brought by one guard.
"First and foremost, regardless of whether it was done intentionally or not, I, king of Alabasta, thank you for saving this kingdom." Cobra said sincerely as he slightly bowed his head.
"M-my king!!" Chaka exclaimed in surprise, for the king's esteem was not to be lowered by acts such as bowing.
Cobra made a gentle smile, "If the kingdom has fallen into ruins, I would no longer be king, and whether I bow or not would no longer matter. This is naught but a small price to pay."
"And you are welcome." Rowan nodded his head with a serious expression intact on his face, "Crocodile... was not someone that this kingdom could have handled. His strength was superior to Vice Admiral from the marine headquarter—although it may be because of the sandy environment here."
Rowan intentionally highlighted the 'difficulty' in defeating Crocodile. He came here with a purpose after all.
"Yes, I am very aware." Cobra said calmly, "However, apart from Crocodile's matter, something has been intriguing me for some time—what is your reason for coming here?"
'He changed the topic, huh.' Rowan thought within his mind as he observed Cobra with a similarly calm manner, before speaking up, "We came here for two goals. First, to learn about the route to reach sky island. Second,"
Rowan temporarily shifted his eyes and gazed at Robin, before turning his sight back onto Cobra, "Poneglyph. We would like to take a look at it."
There was no point in trying to play a brain game against king Cobra. Not only was the king quite astute and professional in this regard, but Rowan was the worst at this kind of thing, regardless of his intelligence.
All he could tweak was to say that Poneglyph, which he only got to learn after arriving at Alabasta, has been his goal from the start.
Robin's eyes widened, before turning her head to Rowan. Right now, all Robin could think was to wonder if Rowan was after Pluton just like Crocodile.
"Sky island, I am not sure about it, but I can grant you access to my library." Cobra replied with a thoughtful look. Pausing temporarily, he turned his head slightly and placed a hand on his chin.
"As for Poneglyph... I have no idea how you found out that we are in possession of it, however, I would have to ask you why." In truth, Cobra was very shocked inwardly. The possession of Poneglyph was considered an illegal act by the World Government. If this truth got out, his kingdom will be facing unrecoverable consequences.
Also, even if Rowan and his crew knew of the existence of the Poneglyph, what benefit will they gain, when no one is able to decipher the ancient language? Cobra was intrigued.
"We simply want to take a look at it, and nothing more." Rowan stated. He was not going to give away that he's been looking for the secrets behind his heritage.
Cobra gazed at Rowan sternly. He could see that the latter was not willing to tell more than what he just said. He felt conflicted, for he knew that the Poneglyph under their possession must be related to the ancient weapon, Pluton. "That... it may not be an easy decision to make."
"If it's about Pluton, no need to worry about it." Rowan said strongly, ignoring how Cobra tensed up at the mentioning of Pluton, "I just need to confirm something, and I have no interest in whatever weapon that it may be."
The clue from the book indicated one above, one below, and one isolated. However, Rowan would never know how high, how low, and which location is considered as 'isolated.' He had to take every chance he got.
Cobra closed his eyes in contemplation. 'Aware of Pluton... potent pirates... but no one was able to decipher the language… do I even have an option to reject? Does not seem like a case; I cannot risk turning the Grimheart pirates hostile to my kingdom.'
Eventually, Cobra nodded, "I will allow you to view Poneglyph."
"When?" Carina spoke up from her seat.
"Right now." Cobra stood up with a serious expression, gesturing them to follow and exiting the room. The royal guards followed suit, leaving only Rowan and his crew in the room.
Robin stood up from her spot and walked up to Rowan, "If you wish to acquire information regarding Pluton through me, forget it."
Robin did not wish to learn the whereabouts of the so-called ancient weapons. What she desired was the historical texts of the Void Century, and she would never let her ability to decipher the ancient language be used in vile methods.
Rowan too stood up, with him trying to be as sincere as possible. "When we reach the Poneglyph, I won't ask you to tell me what it says. I..."
Rowan hesitated slightly, but albeit spoke, knowing that he couldn't afford to conceal the information to the only person that can read the Poneglyph, "I just need you to tell me, if there is any information regarding the name Youchiha, or... Vasilia."
If he cannot trust his own crewmates, who will he trust? As the captain of his pirate crew, he should be the first to disclose the secret and stay honest. After all, their bonds are forged through faith in one another.
"Vasilia?" Robin's eyes narrowed at hearing a novel name, which she never came across in the Poneglyphs she read during her twenty-year-long run. Subsequently, she saw Rowan's unwavering eyes looking at her.
Eventually, she bit her lips and lowered her head, before muttering, "Fine."
________________
[Yuba, Alabasta]
"How... can this be?" Kanzaki muttered as eight corpses lied in front of him, which were Crocodile, Onigumo, and six Commodores.
Around Kanzaki, many marine soldiers were seen to be staring at the corpses in horror. Alabasta kingdom was located at the early section of the Paradise, and the deaths of these potent individuals could only mean one thing: the victory of Grimheart pirates.
Kanzaki couldn't help but gulp as he sweated profusely. Right next to him was a marine soldier who was holding onto the Den Den Mushi; Kanzaki didn't feel courageous enough to make a report to Sakazuki.
"Vice Admiral Onigumo was a veteran. He served as a marine for over twenty years. And yet, to think a pirate crew of only three years old managed to kill not only him, but also Crocodile..." Kanzaki said in a cold sweat. "What's going on?!"
One marine soldier crouched down and inspected the conditions of the corpses with nervousness. Eventually, he raised his head back up and spoke up, "Rear Admiral Kanzaki! The six Commodores and Crocodile all seemed to have suffered under the blunt attacks—it is most probable that those damages were inflicted by Grimheart himself! As for Vice Admiral Onigumo, he most likely clashed against Flame Empress and Pirate Prince!"
Kanzaki grimaced hearing that. Rowan and his crew's strengths were well beyond their expectations. They knew that the tragedy of the marine base G-11 happened due to the element of surprise, and expected that Vice Admiral Onigumo will manage to suppress the Grimheart pirates. Yet, the result said otherwise.
"C-cover up the bodies and retreat swiftly! The threat of the Grimheart pirates far surpassed our expectation; we do not have enough force to defeat them!" Kanzaki turned back and ordered to his subordinates, who saluted and hastily got to work.
Kanzaki glanced at Onigumo's corpse, which seemed to be in the worst condition. His whole body was burned to crisp, with a very large gash in the middle; he couldn't even imagine how gruesome the battle must have been.
With the corpses all wrapped around white clothes, the marines began to travel back to Nanohana, not even bothering to retrieve the remainders of the missing marine soldiers.
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[Outskirts of Alubarna, Alabasta]
"Halt!!" Dan cried out and raised his right hand, signaling for the hoards of people to stop.
Now, the majestic scenery of Alubarna was visible in front of them. With Yasa Camels and hundreds of people, there is no doubt that they will earn a lot of attention at this rate. The royal army wished none of that, since it will expose their association with the Grimheart pirates.
"What do we do with them?" Carmen raised her eyebrow as she pointed at the Baroque Works agents and the marines.
Dan and Cavendish looked conflicted. The marines have gone back to their usual mix of nervousness and cautiousness, but the agents have completely warmed up to Carmen, Dan and Cavendish.
"Haa..." Igaram sighed, as he too stared back at Mr.9 and Miss Monday of Baroque Works. Although he infiltrated into the organization as a spy, he held some attachment to the colleagues he worked with. "I'll leave the decisions up to you."
"Isn't seven a bit too little for a pirate crew as famous as us?" Cavendish spoke with a wistful look in his eyes.
"Yes." Dan immediately agreed, nodding strongly, "I think... it's time for the establishment of the great Grimheart fleet... but that's not up for us to decide."
"Then what?" Carmen asked impassively, with her arms crossed.
Cavendish grinned before stretching his legs, "Wait here. I am definitely sure that captain already reached Alubarna; I will go ask him about this matter."
Immediately after, under the watch of many, Cavendish abruptly vanished from his spot, leaving the crowd, with the exclusion of Carmen and Dan, to be amazed.
"...Show off." Dan facepalmed. Cavendish's action was completely unnecessary, when Dan already knew the number of Den Den Mushi that the Grimheart pirates were in possession of. "Igaram, you got Den Den Mushi, right?"
Igaram nodded and took out his Den Den Mushi, which was placed within his puffy hair.
"I've already redirected the number of this Den Den Mushi to Alabasta exclusive call service; you won't have to worry about any spying."
Dan nodded in gratitude as he received the Den Den Mushi from Igaram, before pressing the numbers.
"Purururu, purururu. Purururu, purururu- neigh~?!!" To Dan's surprise, it was Farul who received the call!
"Eh, Farul? Is captain or anyone else nearby?" Dan scratched his head.
Carmen was trying her best to hold her laughter back.
"Neigh~!!" All he received was Farul's joyous cry, causing Dan to sweatdrop.
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[Under the 'Tomb of the Kings,' Alubarna, Alabasta]
"Here it is." Cobra remarked, as Rowan and Robin stood in front of the Poneglyph. "Suit yourself."
Unlike the two, Carina and Alfred expressed their disinterest in the Poneglyph, and instead, went to the royal library, to look for the information they required in regards to the Grimheart pirates' next destination. Therefore, only Rowan and Robin followed Cobra to their current location.
"Poneglyph..." Rowan whispered as he stepped forward, intrigued by the large and blue-coloured cubic stone that sat in front of him. "So this is what you meant by the ancient language."
'From generation to generation, Nefertari family has passed down the responsibility to guard this Poneglyph. However, just what does it state in regards to Pluton?' Intently observing the Poneglyph, Cobra couldn't help but ask in his mind.
Rowan turned to Robin, "Robin, does it mention it?"
"You can decipher this language?!" Cobra's eyes widened as soon as he heard Rowan's question, turning to Robin as well.
Robin stood silent, reading through the context. Eventually, she shook her head in disapproval, "No. There is none of the information that you are looking for."
Hearing Robin, Rowan sighed in dejection. "Well, I assumed that it won't be this easy."
Reaching out to the stone, Rowan touched it with the palm of his right hand, gently rubbing off the smooth surface. "What am I supposed to look for-"
Rowan didn't get to finish his last word; he froze on his spot, with his back facing Robin and Cobra, who were confused by his abnormal behaviour.
"...What?!!"
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