Nefertari Cobra didn't say anything more and simply nodded.
"I understand, Vice Admiral Kane."
"Good. Then you've struck a huge bargain this time," Kane said again.
Cobra looked slightly confused.
Kane didn't bother explaining.
"Alright—have your people go gather the money."
"We'll head out first and deal with the rebels."
Cobra froze.
"…Deal with the rebels?"
"Of course."
"My reputation is rock-solid."
"Since I've taken the money, I'll do the job first."
"Otherwise, you'd think I was scamming you."
"Vice Admiral, that's not what I meant."
"Then what do you mean?"
"Vice Admiral…"
"Those rebels only rose up because they don't know the truth."
"Please don't harm them!"
Cobra said quickly.
"Who said anything about harming them?"
"I'll just take you there."
"You explain everything to them."
"They put down their weapons."
"You go back to the capital together."
"During that time—"
"I'll wipe out Baroque Works."
"Once I capture Crocodile—"
"And expose everything—"
"Wouldn't that settle it?"
Kane laid out his plan plainly.
Cobra was stunned.
How could something that determined the fate of a nation—
Sound so simple in Kane's mouth.
"But… will they even listen to me?" Cobra hesitated.
Kane rolled his eyes.
"I'm going with you."
"You think they won't listen?"
Not listen?
Easy.
One roar—
And that would settle it.
Cobra immediately understood what Kane meant.
His expression changed.
"Vice Admiral… you must not harm the citizens."
"This isn't their fault."
Kane grew impatient.
"Do you want this solved or not?"
"You're hesitating like this, and you're supposed to be a king?"
"I already said—it's just intimidation."
"And under Crocodile's manipulation—"
"The rebellion is about to explode completely."
"That's exactly why I'm taking you there first."
Cobra finally stopped hesitating.
"I understand, Vice Admiral."
"I'll make the arrangements immediately."
"Now that's more like it."
"My time is valuable."
"And your country can't afford to wait."
Kane was in a good mood.
Sure, he'd cut 1 billion—
But a Poneglyph in the New World?
Plenty of people would pay a fortune for that.
All he had to do—
Was spread the word that it involved Pluton—
And ambitious fools would come swarming.
Even if they couldn't read it.
1 billion?
That was just the starting price.
Thinking of that—
Kane felt much better.
Soon—
Cobra made the necessary arrangements.
At first—
The ministers were in disbelief.
They couldn't understand why the king would do this.
But this time—
Cobra was unyielding.
He showed the authority of a king.
And the decision was finalized.
Then—
Before the stunned eyes of everyone—
Kane transformed into a massive dragon—
And carried Cobra into the sky.
It was Cobra's first time flying like this.
The shock in his heart—
Was unimaginable.
"Oh right—Cobra."
"Where are the rebels? Which direction?"
Kane suddenly asked.
Cobra was speechless—
But still pointed the way.
Kane immediately flew in that direction.
### Yuba — Rebel Army Base
The rebel leader Koza was in a meeting with his officers.
The reason was simple—
They were preparing to attack the capital.
They lacked one thing—
Weapons.
And now—
They were waiting.
Suddenly—
A commotion broke out outside.
Koza frowned.
A soldier rushed in, panicked.
"Bad news, Commander!"
"There's a giant dragon in the sky!"
"What dragon?"
"That's just a mythical creature," one officer scoffed.
Koza frowned deeper.
"It's real!"
"It's circling above us!"
"And—"
"It's holding someone!"
"That person looks like King Cobra!"
"What?!"
Koza's expression changed instantly.
He rushed outside.
And saw a scene—
He would never forget.
Outside the base—
A massive crimson dragon soared through the sky.
It wasn't enormous—
But the pressure it exuded—
Was overwhelming.
Because it was so close—
Koza could clearly see—
The figure in its claw.
It really was—
Nefertari Cobra.
"…Damn it."
"What's going on?"
"Why is Cobra captured by a dragon?!"
"What should we do?" an officer asked.
"We go check it out first!"
Koza said decisively.
Everyone nodded.
"Vice Admiral—"
"I see Koza."
"We can go down now."
"Oh? Got it."
Kane descended rapidly.
Around the rebel base—
A large number of soldiers had already gathered.
Watching the crimson dragon descending—
Their faces filled with fear.
A mythical creature—
Appearing before them—
How could they not be afraid?
The dragon landed—
Kicking up a violent sandstorm.
For a moment—
No one could see clearly.
Koza wanted to step forward—
But his officers stopped him.
The situation was unclear.
They couldn't risk their leader.
As the dust settled—
Two figures appeared.
One—
Was King Cobra.
The other—
Made everyone even more shocked.
He wore a Marine uniform.
Confusion spread instantly.
What about the dragon just now?
Koza frowned.
He didn't understand what was happening.
"That's King Cobra!"
"Who's that beside him?"
"Why is he wearing a Marine uniform?!"
Voices rose one after another.
Some even shouted—
To kill Cobra on the spot.
Kane smirked.
"Looks like you're quite the failure as a king."
"…You're right."
"It's my negligence that caused my people to suffer like this."
"Their hatred… I understand."
Cobra's voice was filled with regret.
At that moment—
Some rebels charged forward—
Clearly intending to attack Cobra.
Kane's expression turned cold.
Did they think he didn't exist?
A terrifying killing intent—
Exploded instantly.
The charging rebels froze mid-step—
Their bodies trembling—
Their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Kane.
The pressure—
Was suffocating.
Seeing things escalate—
Cobra quickly shouted:
"Koza! I need to talk to you!"
Koza took a deep breath.
"There's nothing left to say between us."
"This country needs to change!"
"No—"
"You must listen to me!"
"This is extremely important!"
"Why should we listen to you?!"
"You took away our rain!"
"Someone like you—"
"Deserves to be king?!"
A rebel officer shouted.
Immediately—
Voices of agreement erupted.
-----------------------◇ Bonus Chapter Rewards◇--------------------------
◇ Every 10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ You can read 60 chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/PlotAtlas
Your support helps the story grow and motivates faster updates.