Although adopting a constitutional monarchy meant surrendering part of their real authority, the nobles were not truly stripped of anything essential.
They were still backed by the state.
Their titles, status, and property remained intact—and could still be passed down through generations.
Power might be reduced, but prestige was untouched.
Moreover, if they were capable enough, they could still enter politics openly—just as Cobra had done—by participating in cabinet elections.
As long as they controlled the cabinet, they could still rule the nation in practice.
Only the name had changed.
Because of this, as domestic situations across the world grew increasingly tense, many kings and nobles began hurriedly cleaning up the messes they had left behind—desperately trying to erase their crimes before public trials reached their doors.
Unfortunately for them, there were gods watching from above.
They believed that by destroying documents and silencing witnesses, they could escape judgment.
They did not realize that, in the eyes of the world's hidden law enforcers, such actions were nothing more than self-deception.
Evidence could be destroyed.
But the sin engraved above their heads could not.
When the executors of the world arrived, that invisible sin would become the most irrefutable proof of all.
…
…
Marineford — Navy Headquarters
Inside the military hospital, Smoker lay silently on his bed, his body wrapped in thick layers of gauze.
His eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.
The headline about Shurima and its newly crowned queen stared back at him.
The ward was quiet—so quiet that only Smoker's heavy, hoarse breathing echoed faintly.
Shortly after Cobra reported Crocodile's crimes to the World Government, the Navy had reacted swiftly.
Smoker was dispatched to arrest the ambitious Shichibukai who had crossed forbidden lines.
At the time, public opinion was full of confidence.
Smoker was strong.
Highly regarded.
Some even saw him as a future Navy Admiral.
After all, all three Admirals were Logia users.
And Smoker, too, possessed a Logia Devil Fruit.
To many within the Navy, his rise seemed inevitable.
Yet no one could have predicted the outcome.
In just a few exchanges, Smoker was nearly killed by Crocodile.
If Luffy had not arrived in time, Smoker would already be dead.
The defeat left more than physical wounds—it shattered his pride completely.
Even now, though his body was recovering, his spirit remained hollow.
He couldn't understand it.
They were both Logia users.
He had once fought evenly with Fire Fist Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates—earning fame for standing toe-to-toe with a legend.
So why…
Why was he crushed so utterly by Crocodile?
What hurt even more was this—
The Straw Hat boy.
The same Luffy Smoker had once strung up and beaten in Loguetown.
That boy had defeated Crocodile.
Smoker had fallen into a deep emotional abyss.
There was no trace left of his former confidence.
Only doubt.
Only frustration.
Only silence.
He clenched his fists beneath the blankets.
I have to do something.
I need to win again.
I need to prove myself.
Smoker rose from the bed, put on his coat, boarded his sea-prism motorboat—
And headed out to hunt pirates.
He would fight.
Again and again.
Until his confidence returned.
…
…
Gaya Island — First Half of the Grand Line
The Straw Hat Pirates continued their voyage after leaving Alabasta, crossing the seas and experiencing countless adventures.
One day, however, something strange happened.
Their Log Pose suddenly pointed straight upward—toward the sky.
In search of answers, they arrived at Gaya Island, a place inhabited by pirates who had once chased the dream of Sky Island—and failed.
These pirates had long since lost their dreams.
They mocked the very idea of Sky Island, laughed at those who still believed in it, and pretended that cynicism made them superior.
They had forgotten that they, too, were once dreamers.
While gathering information and stocking supplies, the Straw Hats clashed violently with local pirates.
And during that chaos—
Luffy received a new bounty.
100 million Berries.
At the same time, they saw another piece of news.
Vivi had become the first queen of the Shurima Empire.
Luffy felt uneasy.
The name Alabasta was gone.
Replaced by Shurima.
Something about it made his chest feel heavy.
But he didn't know how to deal with it—so he chose to avoid thinking too deeply.
Still, when he learned that Vivi was safe, he finally let out a long breath.
As long as she was okay…
He could continue his adventure.
Robin, however, saw far more than Luffy did.
To her, the meaning behind that headline was painfully clear.
Alabasta no longer existed.
Otherwise, its very name would never have been erased.
She also understood the true nature of constitutional monarchy.
Vivi was no longer a ruler.
She was a symbol.
A carefully placed political emblem.
That realization left a faint ache in Robin's heart.
If not for her pursuit of the Poneglyphs…
If not for her alliance with Crocodile…
Perhaps Alabasta would never have been dragged into such chaos.
Perhaps Vivi wouldn't be standing in such a difficult position.
But there was no turning back now.
Robin folded the newspaper, resting her chin in her hand as she gazed at the distant coastline.
How long can I stay with the Straw Hats this time… Sauro?
Am I really worthy of finding the friends you spoke of?
She had been betrayed too many times.
After wandering for over twenty years, her heart had grown numb to it all.
"Hey~! Robin-chan!"
Sanji's voice broke her thoughts.
He gracefully placed a beautifully arranged tea set in front of her.
"This is today's tea!"
"Thank you."
Robin smiled gently.
Sanji immediately began spinning around the deck in ecstasy.
The sea breeze blew softly.
And the journey continued.
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