Gawain stared blankly for a full two seconds at the Den Den Mushi in his hand that had returned to its slumber...
Is this... really his biological father?
After hastily putting away the Den Den Mushi, Gawain turned back and looked at the anxious Vivi in the distance.
As he watched, Gawain smiled; Vivi's addition was exactly what he wanted.
Although Vivi's abilities and strength are almost insufficient to contribute to the Dark Bird Group's territory.
But the identity behind this girl is quite intriguing.
On one hand, she is the future heir to Alabasta!
Although he could control Alabasta even without her, having her would make Gawain's control over Alabasta more legitimate!
At the same time, Vivi boarding his ship would also deepen his connection with Cobra, further strengthening their cooperation and solidifying their friendship.
Of course, whether Cobra brought Vivi to his place to strengthen their friendship or for some other reason... was unclear.
I don't know then, but it doesn't really matter, does it?
In addition, Alabasta, as the kingdom that has always kept the secrets of Pluton, contains detailed information about Pluton, which is recorded in the underground tomb ruins of Alabasta.
At the same time, the Nefertari Family... is also quite special.
Five years from now, Vivi will become one of the lights that Imu needs to extinguish!
Therefore, Gawain always felt that there was some huge secret behind Vivi that he was unaware of.
Perhaps it's related to Vivi and Pluton, one of the Three Ancient Weapons.
Perhaps it's related to Vivi and that Imu!
In short, Gawain welcomed Vivi's arrival with open arms!
So he pocketed the Den Den Mushi and returned to Vivi and Lucci's side with a smile.
Seeing Vivi's anxious face, Gawain chuckled and gently patted Vivi head.
"Little girl, you've passed the test. Your father..."
At this point, Gawain pondered for a moment, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to describe Cobra's utterly ungrateful behavior.
So he continued speaking to Vivi.
"Although your father was very reluctant, he reluctantly agreed to your decision to stay on my ship!"
"Great, haha!!!"
Across from her, the petite Vivi jumped three feet high, excitedly raising her hands to the sky.
Upon seeing this, Gawain immediately interrupted Vivi's celebration!
Gawain continued speaking to Vivi in a cold voice.
"Wait a minute before you celebrate, Vivi. There are a few things I need to emphasize to you!"
At this point, Gawain pressed on Vivi's shoulder, calming her down.
Then, Gawain spoke seriously to Vivi.
"Remember this, Vivi, no one on this ship is your father!"
Although it's because of your age, we, everyone, will give you plenty of care and understanding.
But...
It's best if something like sneaking off happens on my ship!
You can run away from your home, because Cobra is your father, and she won't lessen her love for you because of your sneaking away!
But for us, little girl, if I find out that you've run away from my ship to somewhere else someday, the consequences will be much more serious!
So, although this time running away from home got you what you wanted, you can't let one experience of satisfaction from running away from home lead you to develop this bad habit!
At this point, Gawain patted Vivi on the shoulder one last time...
Logically, Vivi should have been scared at this point.
Unfortunately, she had been living on Gawain's ship for over a month and was already familiar with Gawain personality.
Before becoming a crew member, she still had a sense of detachment that supported her in fearing Gawain.
But after she received the exact permission...
Faced with Gawain's threat, Vivi blinked her eyes.
"I understand~~~."
As soon as she finished speaking, Vivi gave Gawain a sweet, obedient look and looked at him expectantly.
And Gawain...
He sighed and released Vivi.
"Go find Kalifa and ask her to arrange a room for you, somewhere near Shirahoshi and Uta."
In addition, you can do whatever you want when you're not busy; the Dark Bird Ship has no special requirements for its crew.
If you want to train, go find Gion yourself; if you want to play, go find Uta and Shirahoshi yourself.
If you want to run away from home, then go wash your face and clear your head. That's it.
I'm busy now, little girl, go on."
Gawain waved his hand, shooing Vivi to the distant crew's position.
At this time, everyone was either busy or... hunting various wild animals in the desert.
As the track-laying phase neared its end, most of the work was nearing completion, and apart from key ability users like Gawain who had secured regular assignments, the others gradually found their work much easier.
So Jinbe simply Awakening his Animal Satiety Soul.
Whether it was the scorpion he adored or the lizard Ace loved.
In short, Gawain gets to eat all sorts of fresh food every day...
Fortunately, although the ship's chefs were only of average skill, they had worked in Mary Geoise for many years and were used to all kinds of rare ingredients.
In this respect, they actually have an advantage over most master chefs who can infuse their cooking with emotion...
Gawain, gazing at the Rainbase shadows were still faintly visible, took a deep breath and continued his work.
Meanwhile, in the Alubarna, King Cobra burst into unrestrained laughter immediately after putting down the Den Den Mushi!
He smiled as he looked at his chief bodyguard, who was also the only remaining chief bodyguard, Wolf Chaka.
"Chaka, haha, I knew from the start that Vivi's intentions were off!"
The longer she stayed on the Dark Bird's ship, the more she longed for Gawain and his group!
Sure enough, just five or six days after Gawain left, Vivi ran away to Gawain's place!
Originally, I was planning that if Vivi didn't run away on her own, I would take some time to talk to Saint Gawain and mention the marriage proposal to him!
At this point, Cobra eagerly awaited Chaka's response, his face beaming with anticipation.
He desperately needed to share his joy with others at that moment!
But on the other side...
Not only did Chaka remain silent towards Cobra, but he was also muttering something to himself...
Seeing this, Cobra leaned closer, puzzled, to listen to what Chaka had to say.
Then he immediately heard Chaka muttering to himself...
"Where exactly do I fall short of Pell?"
We're both guardians, and I thought Pell and I would board the ship at the same time...
But they didn't want me... they didn't want me..."
"Cough cough!"
Upon hearing Chaka's words, Cobra coughed in annoyance.
"Chaka, do you really want to leave Alabasta land that raised you?"
No, of course not!
When faced with Cobra's question, Chaka immediately shook his head.
"Of course I don't want to leave here. This is my home, the place where I've lived since I was a child!"
Your Majesty, I just... I just felt slighted...
At first, when I heard that Pell was going to be forcibly recruited by Saint Gawain, I was extremely disappointed.
I was very sad and in pain at that time.
But that's how people are. When I learned that they had only kept Pell, but not me, the wolf who was on par with Pell, I was shocked.
Honestly, this feeling is really unpleasant...
As he spoke, Chaka rubbed his face in frustration. He knew that his feelings could only be described as pathetic...
But he just can't stop thinking about it...
Listening to Chaka's words, Cobra sighed softly.
"Old friend, I've known how you feel for a long time..."
As they spoke, Cobra led Chaka to sit down, and while drinking tea, he spoke to Pell.
"When I was a child, when my father took me to Mary Geoise for the first time to attend the Conference of the Allied Powers."
This is the first time I've learned... what Celestial Dragon are!
At that time, looking at the Celestial Dragon's arrogant and seemingly indifferent expressions, I felt an overwhelming sense of longing!
Especially when my father told me that our family should have been a member of the Celestial Dragon, and that we were also one of the twenty great families who saved the world and established the World Government.
When I heard this news, my state of mind... almost exploded!
The greatest distances in the world are all written in the word "the past".
We used to be one of them, but what about the future...?
Neither I nor my father can now kneel before those who were once our equals...
Just like now, back in Alabasta, you and Pell were two equally powerful figures, the guardians of the desert kingdom.
But he had already arrived aboard the Dark Bird Ship...
Although his departure was not spectacular, he was forcibly recruited.
But in any case, he eventually reached a higher platform!
Maybe in ten years, or twenty years...
At that time, you were still you, but your old friend Pell had already reached a higher place and become someone you could no longer reach.
Just like me and Gawain, who shares the same ancestor as me..."
At this point, Cobra put down his tea and gently patted Chaka on the shoulder.
"See, I understand how you feel, Chaka."
But in any case, what we should truly cherish are ultimately what we have always had.
Perhaps at this moment, Pell is also missing his past life...
So stop worrying about all that and come tell me about Vivi and share my joy with me, haha!"
"Why?"
Upon hearing this, Chaka quickly nodded.
"I understand, Your Majesty. So what did you just say?"
Did Vivi really go to Saint Gawain's ship?
Your daughter ran away, how can you be so happy?
Do you really think highly of Saint Gawain?
"Ha ha!"
Upon hearing Chaka's question, Cobra burst out laughing, slapping his thigh as he did so.
"That's the line, haha, that's exactly what I want to hear!"
Of course I think Gawain is a good candidate, why wouldn't I?
Cobra then started counting on his fingers, one by one.
"First of all, Gawain has the basic requirements: he's tall and good-looking."
Secondly, whether in terms of economic or political strength, this guy is top-tier on the high seas!
Even his personal abilities are constantly growing; this is no longer just a promising stock, this is a complete bull market!
Besides, he's Celestial Dragon. Have you ever seen another Celestial Dragon as perfect as him?
If Gawain hadn't appeared, I would have had to make do with Vivi by finding her a husband who was mediocre in every way and wouldn't take away the highest power in my Nefertari Family.
Vivi is destined to inherit my country; it's impossible for her to marry princes from other countries.
But Gawain is different!
The child of Gawain and Vivi can both purify the bloodline of my Nefertari Family and elevate the status and identity of my grandson.
At most, they'll have a few more children, and one of them can inherit my throne in Alabasta!
Furthermore, given Gawain's status...
His high status makes him the least likely person to covet my family's throne, doesn't it?"