War and Profit

Nanohana, temporary conference room.

The people of Alabasta had gathered to discuss the current situation.

"Your Majesty, we've finished our investigation."

Bepo bowed slightly as he reported to Cobra. "The Zoan Devil Fruit User is named Dalton. He's the captain of the Drum Kingdom's Royal Guard."

"Mm."

Cobra nodded, confirming what he had suspected.

He vaguely remembered Dalton accompanying the old king of the Drum Kingdom when he attended the Reverie a few years ago, so there was no reason to doubt his identity.

But the key question was: why was the captain of the Royal Guard being pursued relentlessly by warships from his own kingdom?

He had heard that Dalton was deeply dissatisfied with Wapol's policies. He wondered if that had something to do with it.

"..."

Cobra pondered for a moment, then gestured for Bepo to continue.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Bepo nodded and turned to the next page of the report.

"Thirty-two people from Drum Island were found aboard Dalton's ship. Ten were soldiers, and the other twenty-two were civilians."

"We rescued and detained thirty of the pursuers near the wreckage offshore. They were all members of Wapol's personal guard."

That was the general report of the brief clash.

Cobra stroked his chin, his gaze sweeping over to Aiven Lindsey, who stood beside Crocodile.

If Aiven hadn't stepped in, the incident would likely have turned into a battle along the coastline, and Alabasta would surely have suffered losses.

That would, of course, have been a good thing.

But the terrifying power that had destroyed four warships in an instant had left a profound impression on Cobra!

Since Aiven traveled with Crocodile, he was probably no weaker than a Shichibukai.

Cobra couldn't help but marvel inwardly. Ever since the Great Pirate Era began, more and more extraordinary powers had appeared on the seas.

Alabasta was located on the Grand Line. Though this was the relatively peaceful first half, if someone with that kind of "power" really meant to cause trouble, could he handle it?

In any case, it was a relief that the man was an ally, not an enemy.

"..."

Come to think of it...

Aiven Lindsey?

The name seemed familiar, but no matter how he looked at that face, Cobra couldn't remember where he might have seen him.

It was probably just his imagination...

For now, the most pressing matter was finding out what had happened in the Drum Kingdom.

Half a day later.

With the doctors' care, and thanks to the tough constitution that came with being a Zoan Devil Fruit User, Dalton pulled through despite his life-threatening injuries.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw the people of Alabasta, who had come as soon as they heard the news.

"Mm..."

Dalton murmured a few times, then accepted a cup of water from Vivi.

After wetting his throat, he finally managed to speak.

"Thank you."

Dalton slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard. His gaze swept over everyone before settling on Aiven Lindsey as well.

He still remembered Aiven Lindsey standing firm before he passed out, destroying four warships from a great distance with ease!

Could Alabasta really possess such terrifying power?

The more Dalton thought about it, the more frightening it seemed.

Wapol had truly been spoiled by the old king if he was willing to make an enemy of a superpower of this caliber.

A pointless war would only bring more suffering, so Dalton would absolutely stop the two countries from going to war.

"Are you... His Majesty Cobra?"

Dalton turned to the side and saw a familiar face. "I met you when I went to the Reverie with the old king."

"Mm. I'm glad you're all right."

Cobra smiled and nodded, then began chatting with Dalton.

Nearby, Lindsey and Crocodile watched quietly.

Lindsey, in particular.

He knew a lot about the situation, so he was even more intrigued by Dalton and the strange events in the Drum Kingdom.

"Little Croc, what do you think the Drum Kingdom is after?"

"Profit."

Crocodile answered without hesitation, then gave a dark laugh.

"From the past to the present, when has anyone ever started a war without seeking profit?"

"No other motives?"

"None."

"..."

Lindsey thought it over, but still felt something was off. "What about political motives? Or some historical dispute?"

Crocodile had spotted what Lindsey wasn't good at and explained quietly with a smile. "Those are just outward forms. They're what you show the people."

"The World Government leads the seas today. This isn't an age of warring factions. What can't be settled at the negotiating table?"

Crocodile held an unlit cigar between his teeth and watched Lindsey with interest as he spoke slowly.

"Only profit can spark a conflict of its own accord."

Lindsey nodded seriously. "All right. I think I understand."

Crocodile: "..."

Crocodile: "?"

He froze for a moment before realizing what Lindsey had said.

What did you understand?

You Primitive Man—how could you grasp the meaning of conflict from just a few words I said?

But Lindsey lowered his head and muttered to himself, "Mm. The essence of war lies in its outcome, not its beginning."

"..."

At his words, Crocodile's pupils trembled.

He'd been shocked too many times to get goosebumps anymore, but he still found it chilling to think about.

Aiven Lindsey's Evolution Speed was terrifying. It wasn't just his strength—even his reasoning was evolving at a frightening pace!

Crocodile couldn't say whether Lindsey's words were right or wrong. Either way, they were a "thought."

There was a vast gulf between those who "had thoughts" and those who "went with the flow."

That was the crucial proof of whether a person truly existed.

Before long, Cobra and Dalton finished talking.

Everyone had now learned roughly what had happened in the Drum Kingdom.

Apparently, a war profiteer from the underworld had approached Wapol and exploited his arrogance and brutality to goad him into launching a sneak attack on the shipping routes to Alabasta.

Wapol's goal was simple.

"Since merchant ships doing business in Alabasta have to pass through the waters near Drum Island, I want a share of the profits too!"

That childish remark had made Dalton laugh in sheer fury, and he couldn't hide his disappointment.

This was the Grand Line, where the seas were extremely dangerous. That was why countries tended to help one another when it came to their "territorial waters." The very idea of charging ships a toll was unheard of.

No one could survive alone on these seas!

Cobra frowned. "So who exactly is that war profiteer from the underworld?"

"I don't know. He had his face covered, but I remember what he was wearing."

Dalton described the man's appearance, and Cobra had someone draw him.

After comparing the sketch with his memories, Dalton nodded.

"That's him!"

Lindsey and Crocodile came closer to get a look at the face.

Though the man wore a mask, they both recognized him at once.

Or rather, from the very beginning, the only thing the man had wanted to hide was his face. He had deliberately revealed the organization he belonged to!

At the man's collar was a round, grinning face crossed by a diagonal line!

"The Donquixote Family..."

Crocodile's pupils contracted, and a feral grin spread across his face. "Heh heh heh heh. So [JOKER] has his eye on my prey?"