"Years ago, didn't Dance Powder appear in the capital?" Kane suddenly asked.
"Do you know what that was about?"
Nefertari Cobra fell silent for a moment.
Then he spoke directly:
"…Was it Crocodile?"
Kane paused slightly.
The king before him wasn't a fool after all.
But he quickly stopped caring.
If Cobra hadn't already suspected something—
He wouldn't have allowed his daughter to infiltrate Baroque Works to investigate.
"Good. Since you already know, this will be much easier."
"…It really was Crocodile? But why would he do something like this?"
"He wants something from your country."
"Pluton."
Cobra's eyes widened instantly.
"How do you know that?!"
Shock filled his voice.
That was one of the kingdom's greatest secrets—
Known only to successive kings.
Even Nefertari Vivi didn't know.
So how did this Marine know?
"Don't ask how I know," Kane said flatly.
"I'm not interested in that thing anyway."
"I'm just telling you—Crocodile is planning to seize your kingdom."
"And the reason Alabasta hasn't had rain for so long—"
"Is because of his powers and the use of Dance Powder."
Cobra didn't accept it immediately.
"How does Vice Admiral Kane know all this?"
"…You don't believe me?"
"It's not that. This matter is too important. I have to be cautious."
"In truth, you've already suspected it, haven't you?"
"Otherwise, you wouldn't have let that little girl Vivi go investigate."
Cobra's expression changed.
"Like I said—don't ask how I know."
"If you believe me, we continue."
"If you don't, I leave."
"…Please, Vice Admiral. Explain everything clearly."
"That's more like it."
Kane briefly laid out the situation.
Cobra's face shifted—
From shock—
To anger.
"How could he do this?!"
Kane looked at him like he was an idiot.
For a king to say something like that—
It was almost naïve.
Cobra quickly realized his loss of composure.
"Vice Admiral… these past three years…"
"Alabasta has suffered too much."
"And I, as king, have been powerless, so—"
"Enough."
"I didn't come here to listen to complaints."
"Same deal—"
"You pay."
"I solve the problem."
Cobra frowned.
"…Aren't you a Marine?"
"The Marines and the Seven Warlords are allies, aren't they?"
"And if all this is true—"
"Isn't it your duty to help us?"
Clearly—
As a king—
He wasn't stupid either.
Kane let out a cold laugh.
He had already prepared his answer.
"Cobra—what I just told you is only my speculation."
"I know the truth, but I don't have evidence."
"And some things—"
"By the time you have proof…"
"It's already too late."
"You don't want this country to fall into total war, do you?"
"And Baroque Works' plan—"
"Will unfold within days."
"Even if you report it to the World Government—"
"It'll be too late."
Cobra fell silent again.
"Right now—"
"As long as you pay—"
"I'll settle everything for you."
"I'll take all the risks."
"Of course…"
"The opponent is one of the Seven Warlords."
"And I'm a Marine…"
"So you understand…"
Cobra looked at him, confused.
Kane frowned slightly.
This guy really didn't get it.
So he continued:
"You don't want your country to keep suffering, do you?"
"And let me tell you something else—"
"Your daughter is in serious danger right now."
"She's being hunted by Baroque Works' assassins."
Cobra's expression changed drastically.
"You know Vivi?!"
"How is she? Is she safe?!"
His voice was filled with urgency.
Anyone would panic hearing their daughter was being hunted—
Especially a doting father like him.
"For now, she's fine."
"But what happens next… who knows?"
"So—what's your answer?"
"It's that simple."
"You pay."
"I handle everything."
"It won't even take long."
"Better than waiting until everything collapses—"
"And I come to clean up the aftermath."
"At that point…"
"Who knows how many people will die?"
"If I act—"
"You won't lose a single soldier."
"Or do you think your kingdom can fight Crocodile?"
It wasn't that Kane looked down on Alabasta—
They simply weren't on the same level.
His tone carried clear impatience.
Sure—
He didn't like Crocodile.
But if someone thought they could get his help for free?
Not a chance.
"Tsk. No sense of business at all."
"Coming to sell a deal like this really is troublesome."
Seeing Kane so blatantly demanding money—
Cobra grew suspicious.
"Vice Admiral… you're a Marine of justice."
"Why are you so focused on money…?"
"You mean why I keep talking about money?"
Cobra didn't answer—
But his silence said enough.
"There's no special reason."
"I just like money."
"No money—no deal."
"Money—everything is negotiable."
Kane said it plainly.
No excuses.
No justifications.
He just liked money.
Once again—
Cobra was stunned.
But thinking about it—
It made sense.
Money…
Who didn't like it?
Then—
He thought about the urgency of the situation.
He took a deep breath.
Seeing his hesitation—
Kane added more pressure.
"If it's too difficult, forget it."
"After all, without evidence—"
"Going against a Warlord carries huge pressure."
"And it's hard to explain to the World Government."
"I still want to enjoy my retirement."
"If it weren't for the fact that I can't stand Crocodile…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But it was enough.
Cobra grew anxious.
Finally—
He spoke.
"…Vice Admiral…"
"How much do you want?"
Kane smiled inwardly.
Finally—
Back on track.
"Well…"
"You've seen it yourself."
"I'm old."
"It's not easy for me to take action."
"And the opponent is a Warlord."
"There's a lot of risk."
"I may know the truth, but I have no evidence."
"Still…"
"I can't stand what Crocodile is doing."
"So taking a little risk isn't a problem."
"I'll give you a discount."
"50 billion Beli."
Kane stated it calmly.
Of course—
He knew Cobra probably couldn't afford that.
But business was business—
Start high.
Negotiate down.
Then—
He saw Cobra standing there—
Completely dumbfounded.
Kane frowned slightly.
"…Did I ask for too much?"
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