As her knees touched the deck of the Dark Bird Ship, Vivi cautiously glanced at Gawain.
If her embarrassing fall displeased the Celestial Dragon, it would bring great trouble to her country!
It's not surprising that Vivi would think that way. When Vivi was six years old, Cobra took her to the last Reverie.
That was seven years ago, in the year 1512 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
At that year's Reverie, Vivi, who was standing next to Cobra, was violently knocked to the ground by Wapol, the king of the Drum Kingdom.
Keep in mind that Wapol has a mechanical body. After eating the Munch-Munch Fruit, his body is essentially a super factory for manufacturing Wapol Metal.
So after being knocked down, Vivi immediately felt excruciating pain.
However, because she was at the Reverie, and because Cobra was educating her in the same way he would educate a prince.
So, at that time, Vivi remembered one thing very well.
We must not cause trouble at the Reverie, and even less should we create excessive disturbances in Mary Geoise, which is not far from the Celestial Dragon.
Any small problem at the Reverie could escalate into a major issue that will cause Alabasta huge trouble!
So, Vivi, who was only six years old at the time, endured the excruciating pain but dared not even utter a sob. This incident remained a shadow in the girl's heart.
So when Gawain saw the unparalleled pain and worry on Vivi's face...
Gawain was somewhat taken aback.
He couldn't help but move his lips, checking his smile.
That's right, the smile on my face was indeed a gentle one, not a threatening one.
You must know that ever since he set foot on this sea, although he bears the identity of Celestial Dragon, he has relied on his words and smile!
Wherever he went, people rarely showed him the same trembling, trembling expression that Vivi now wore.
After all, Gawain is a man with mastery of leadership, persuasion, charm, and affability.
Moreover, Gawain does remember Vivi!
In Gawain's memory, Vivi a kind-hearted, strong woman who left home at fourteen to join Baroque Works as an undercover agent, saved the country at sixteen, and attended the Reverie in place of her father, Cobra, at eighteen.
So why is Vivi so afraid?
While pondering, Gawain gently waved to the people kneeling on the ground.
"I am Gawain, the patriarch of the family. It is a pleasure to meet you all."
"Cobra, and your little princess, please don't be so polite, please rise!"
As he spoke, a tiny current suddenly shot out from Gawain's hand.
The next instant, the kneeling crowd felt a slight movement in their knees.
It was as if they'd been electrocuted in the knee by a lighter; they instinctively stood up!
This is because Gawain directly affected their neural responses through the electrical current!
After getting up, recalling that faint electric current, Cobra looked at Gawain with even more amazement.
"Saint Gawain!"
"I can only exclaim in amazement, "Cobra said.
"Was that lightning power just now? You really are a strong person who can stand up to Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks!"
And you actually called me a senior!
I... I..."
As he spoke, Cobra was deeply moved.
Although their family has always considered their status as descendants of the Twenty Kings an honor, in this day and age, which World Nobles would still look up to them?
But today, the patriarch of the Gawain Family, descendants of the Twenty Kings, actually addressed him, the patriarch of the Nefertari family, as a senior...
Although it was just a small matter, compared to Gawain's colleagues, Gawain seemed to shine with divine light in Cobra's eyes!
Across from him, seeing the light in Cobra's eyes, Gawain smiled and nodded at Cobra.
Cobra may have been a competent benevolent emperor, but his only redeeming quality was his kindness towards his people.
His emotions were obvious at a glance; he lacked any of the depth a king should possess.
Gawain then ignored Cobra and turned to look at the four people behind him.
Needless to say, Vivi, the little girl filled with lingering shadows, was currently nervously pursing her lips, acting as a perfect listener.
As for the other three...
Gawain approached Cobra with a smile, patted Cobra on the shoulder, and said...
"You were frightened by the battle between Gion and Hancock, weren't you, senpai?"
Don't worry, they're just talking.
Also, this is my Gawain's Dark Bird Ship, not the World Government's Mary Geoise!
So please make yourselves at home; I don't like you all being too formal."
With that, Gawain led the five of them toward the rest area, waving to Kalifa as they walked.
Seeing Gawain's actions, Kalifa nodded slightly, then expertly arranged for her subordinates to prepare all the necessary food and water for everyone.
Following the tables and chairs arranged by the Logistics Department, Gawain sat down by himself and picked up a piece of matcha cake from the table.
Vivi was still carefully observing Gawain 'Gawain every move, noticing his actions and silently making notes in her mind.
Saint Gawain likes matcha cake.
To her surprise, just as she was muttering to herself, Gawain chuckled mischievously.
Then, Gawain placed a specially made bite-sized matcha cake, about the size of a finger joint, directly in front of Vivi.
"Little princess, what is your name?" Gawain asked with a light laugh.
Upon hearing Gawain's voice, Vivi blinked in surprise, then quickly and respectfully replied.
"Saint Gawain, I am Nefertari Ve... Huh?!!"
Before she could even say her name, Gawain had already stuffed her mouth full.
Startled, Vivi sipped the cake in her mouth, bewildered by its melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.
Meanwhile, Gawain grinned, a mischievous grin on his face, and patted Vivi on the head.
"You're clearly not that old, yet you insist on acting like a little adult. Isn't that boring?"
So, do what kids do, like play around a lot like those two silly kids on my boat!
At this point, Gawain gestured for Vivi to look towards the vast swimming pool in the distance, which resembled a lake.
At that very moment, Shirahoshi was lying on the edge of the pool, spraying water at the fleeing Uta.
Yes, she really did put water in her mouth, and then she really did spray water out of her mouth...
Her gullible appearance made Vivi's eyes widen in surprise.
Meanwhile, Gawain, sitting there, waved to Cobra.
"Cobra, I consider you family. After all, we share the same ancestors, and our ancestors were related in some way."
So, I don't mind you seeing me in this lazy and cheerful state on my boat."
"Yes... yes..."
Cobra was stunned, staring in disbelief at everything around him.
In the distance, Rayleigh and Issho, who were fishing, were laughing heartily with their catch, while Jinbe, looking dejected, was stealing a tree to build a fire.
Shiryu in the training area to practice swordsmanship with Lucci. Lucci was soon covered in wounds, but through this training, his Armament Haki gradually became more proficient.
Kuma would occasionally help Lucci heal his wounds, or he would look through the book he was carrying, which was full of Gawain's various Quotations and daily records.
As for Shakky, she was at the edge of the forest, bonding with over six thousand pigeons.
While playing with the pigeons, Shakky also had to communicate with members of the Black Ice Terrace from time to time, or answer and make various phone calls.
As for Hancock and Gion, they're having a good fight...
This atmosphere astonished Cobra; in his eyes, it was more than just lazy and cheerful—it was downright disrespectful!
However, he turned to look at Gawain, and when he saw the kindness and gentleness on Gawain's face...
He let out a heavy sigh.
Unexpectedly, Saint Gawain was such an easygoing World Nobles. Wouldn't it be much simpler for him to ask Gawain for a favor?
Thinking of this, Cobra felt a little relieved, and then he said to Gawain with a sigh.
"Saint Gawain, your ship made me feel at home. It's such a warm and relaxing environment!"
But all of this is built on your shoulders as captain. Only with your current mindset and character can this ship be as happy as it is now!
As for me, well, to be honest...
The reason I've made a special trip to visit you is that I and my country have encountered some trouble!
I... excuse me, I don't think I've introduced my subordinates to you yet!
At this point, Cobra licked his lips in Dawu. Gawain had shocked him so much that he had forgotten all his manners!
He quickly pointed to the people behind him.
First, she pointed to Vivi was gently chewing on the cake.
"This is my only daughter, Nefertari Vivi. Like her mother, she has beautiful long, light blue hair and is a very proper princess."
Cobra finished speaking, Vivi quickly straightened up. She puffed out her mouth, which was full of cake, like a hamster and chewed frantically until she finally swallowed the cake in time.
Then, Vivi looked at Gawain curiously and bowed slightly in greeting.
"It's an honor to meet you, Saint Gawain."
"I'm honored too, Vivi, this is a small gift for you."
Gawain nodded to Vivi, and at the same time, he lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa with his finger.
Suddenly, an eagle head pendant on Gawain's lapel detached and floated in front of Vivi.
"Here's a simple little trinket for you to keep as a toy," Gawain said, nodding.
Upon hearing this, Vivi was overjoyed; Saint Gawain's gentleness was increasingly etched into the little girl's heart.
Vivi had seen Celestial Dragon before and knew Celestial Dragon very well, so her impression of Gawain grew uncontrollably!
Meanwhile, Cobra continued to point at the person with the huge, wavy hair.
"This is my guard captain, Igaram."
"Saint Gawain, because Igaram tends to sing when he's nervous, please don't let him greet you; it would be very impolite."
"Ha ha!"
Upon hearing this, Gawain burst out laughing and waved to Igaram.
"Dude, that's quite an elegant little quirk of yours. As for being impolite..."
It's alright, just say it. As long as you don't insult me on my ship, I generally won't consider anything else rude.
"Yes, sir!!"
How could I possibly insult the great Saint Gawain?!
With permission, Igaram began to sing directly to Gawain.
Seeing Igaram's excited yet nervous expression, Gawain chuckled as he recalled Igaram's identity.
Isn't this Igaram the one who, a year into the original story, infiltrated Baroque Works with fourteen-year-old Vivi?
With such large, wavy hair as his defining feature, where does he get the confidence to think he can perfectly infiltrate the enemy?
While Gawain was pondering, Cobra continued to introduce the last two people to Gawain.
"Saint Gawain, these two are the deputy captains of my kingdom's guard."
At the same time, they are also the strongest warriors in the Kingdom of Alabasta.
The one with black hair is Wolf Chaka, the user of the Dog-Dog Fruit in Jackal form!
The one wearing the white headscarf is Falcon Pell form of the Bird-Bird Fruit!
Those two are the guardians of our Alabasta, and they have defeated many pirates who invaded our country!
Them..."
"Bird-Bird Fruit!!!"
Before Cobra could finish speaking, Shakky was more than a kilometer away, suddenly looked up from the flock of pigeons.
The next moment, Shakky released the pigeons and ran wildly towards Gawain!
Meanwhile, Rayleigh and his group, who were rebaiting their fish at the bow of the ship, all looked in the direction of Cobra!
They abruptly put down their fishing gear and quickly gathered behind Gawain, looking curiously at the man wearing a white headscarf, whose Falcon Pell were furrowed in surprise at the crowd.
Rayleigh then gave Gawain a quick wink.
"Captain, did you hear that? This guy is actually Devil Fruit User the incredibly rare Bird-Bird Fruit!"
"Yes, sir!"
Yi Xiao nodded excitedly.
"Sister Shakky has been talking about the Bird-Bird Fruit a lot lately, and as a result..."
With that, Yi Xiao gently patted Gawain on the shoulder, and then left.
Gawain understood what Yixiao meant; Yixiao had obviously gone to the Black Ice Terrace to gather intelligence on Pell.
True to Yixiao's style, if Pell is a good person, then everything is up to fate.
But if Pell has any problems, such as a bad record...
He absolutely had to get his hands on that Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Falcon for Sister Shakky!
Countless cadres share the same thought as Yixiao. The lack of Bird-Bird Fruit has been a problem for Black Ice Terrace for a full month, causing the intelligence department to spend a lot of money but have difficulty achieving results.
After all, this place is all sea. If we rely solely on spies to monitor one ship after another constantly moving on the ocean, the manpower and financial requirements would be astronomical.
Building such a massive intelligence agency would take as long as rebuilding CP1 to CP0.
Even the Cipher Pol was not as proficient in intelligence Morgans.
This is the influence of the Bird-Bird Fruit on intelligence. Every non- Mythical Zoan user of the Bird-Bird Fruit, while destined to be weaker than various Mythical Zoan, also possesses the special potential to observe the entire world!
Beside them stood the Dark Bird Group officers who had suddenly gathered and were now eyeing them menacingly.
Having long been aware of the identities and capabilities of these officials, Pell genuinely felt a strong urge to run away.
Just as Pell was panicking, Shakky had already rushed to Gawain's side.
"Bird-Bird Fruit, Eagle Form!"
As soon as she stopped, she excitedly said to Pell.
"It is truly an excellent Devil Fruit. The eyesight of a falcon is far superior to that of a seagull or a pigeon, and the stamina and carrying capacity of a falcon are also greater than those of a pigeon."
The advantage of pigeons lies in their stealth and small size, making them suitable as a tool for special surveillance.
Falcons can be used to develop high-altitude reconnaissance projects, and with their high carrying capacity, we could even use this Devil Fruit to compete with Morgans for newspaper jobs!
At this point, Shakky looked at Gawain without any politeness. Although she didn't say it aloud, her eyes were clearly filled with determination.
And Gawain...
Facing the gazes of his companions and subordinates, Gawain gently rubbed his hair.
The cadres under my command are a very diverse group, which is one advantage, because they can clearly reflect the level of approval for my plan at different levels.
On the other hand, it is clear that such a complex group would find it difficult to respect the attitudes of the World Government Member States.
Judging from their menacing gaze towards Pell, Gawain could guess how they usually viewed the countries of the world...
So, Gawain gently pressed his right hand.
"Guys, don't frighten our guest. King Cobra is here to visit."
As for Pell, I will extend an invitation to him at the appropriate time.
I think there aren't many people in the world who could refuse my invitation.
So, you all go on with your own business. Let me and Senior Cobra have a proper chat first."