Getting Straight to the Point

The development of Devil Fruit abilities relies on the user's imagination.

This imagination blends with the world, creating a wondrous sea.

Like a person drowning in the desert.

Or a sea burning with flames!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

One thunderous roar after another echoed across the sea.

Towering flames burned fiercely, and the surrounding azure gradually turned crimson.

"Wh-what in the world is going on!"

The King's Army soldiers on the patrol boats leaped into the sea to save themselves, then swam desperately towards the main fleet, eventually being rescued.

Although many were injured, the King's Army of Alabasta reacted swiftly, so there were no fatalities.

But...

Soon, the King's Army captain on the ship sensed something was wrong.

"This isn't right!"

The captain's face changed as he looked around, and sure enough.

A vast sea of fire had spread into a circle, precisely trapping their fleet in place, making escape impossible!

"His goal isn't to inflict casualties, but to trap us here!"

"Who is he?"

The captain looked at a survivor.

The survivor, his face full of terror, said with a tremble:

"The sky, dragons in the sky flew over the sea, and there was fire everywhere!"

On the deserted island, inside the negotiation tent.

Those in the tent also sensed the attack in the surrounding waters.

Cobra frowned and looked up at Wapol, who immediately burst into laughter.

"Wha-ha-ha-ha!"

Wapol raised his hands excitedly, "How is it? This is the 'power' my king has just acquired! Are you scared now!"

"..."

This kind of provocation was extremely crude and couldn't make Cobra lose his temper.

However, outside the tent, the towering inferno encircling the deserted island made Cobra extremely wary.

"You bastard..."

Cobra's gaze deepened, revealing a rare look of anger as he stared directly at Wapol, "What exactly did you do!"

"Don't worry, it's just a small display of firepower. I didn't plan on killing anyone."

Wapol laughed excitedly, "So? Now that I've proven my strength, can we finally talk about the toll fee!"

"Your father was an old friend of mine, how could he have a son like you!"

Cobra's brow furrowed tightly.

As he was contemplating a countermeasure, a messenger from the Drum Kingdom suddenly ran into the tent from outside.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty Wapol, something terrible has happened!"

The messenger exclaimed in terror, "Our ships have been destroyed too, and many people are dead or injured!"

"What???"

Wapol's eyes widened instantly, not understanding what had happened.

The plan he discussed with his "advisor" was not like this at all!

According to the "advisor"—Vergo, to be precise—it was only necessary to slightly demonstrate the current firepower of the Drum Kingdom, and Cobra would surely consider paying the toll obediently.

The current situation was completely different from what the "advisor" had said!

Wapol immediately shouted:

"Where is the advisor? Where is he! Tell him to come out here!!!"

Tap...

Outside the tent, footsteps landed lightly, and then the curtain behind Wapol was lifted, and someone walked in.

A white coat, sunglasses, lightning bolt sideburns, and a mask covering the lower half of his face.

It was Vergo of the Demon Bamboo, who had hidden his identity!

Wapol, seeing his "advisor" arrive, immediately went up to scold him:

"Hey! The situation isn't what you described, why are my men being attacked too! You—"

Thump!

Before Wapol could finish speaking, Vergo struck him hard in the abdomen with a bamboo staff, sending him flying.

Blood sprayed out, splattering the ground.

Jace and Crocomon, seeing this, were instantly terrified and huddled together, trembling.

Pushing his sunglasses up, Vergo said coldly, "I told you when we first met, you should call me 'Mister'."

This was Vergo's true nature.

He had only held back until now to complete the mission for his "Young Master," Doflamingo.

As for why Vergo chose to reveal his true nature now, the reason was quite simple.

"As the 'advisor' of your country, I'll answer your question one last time."

Vergo frowned and murmured in a deep voice, "Honestly, even I don't know 'what' attacked your ship..."

It wasn't just him; even Doflamingo was unsure.

But how could Doflamingo be deterred by such a minor issue?

If they couldn't figure out the opponent, then they would abandon all original plans and achieve their goal in the quickest and most convenient way!

"Time is short, let's get straight to the point, King of Alabasta—Cobra."

Vergo, holding his bamboo staff, slowly advanced and said, "You just need to answer my question, and no one will get hurt."

"Protect His Majesty!"

Bepo and Jaka realized the terrifying nature of the man before them, but they immediately stepped forward, their bodies transforming.

The figures of the three men crossed.

Bang! Bang!

In just an instant, Bepo and Jaka were sent flying by the bamboo staff!

In contrast, Vergo only had his clothes slightly torn on the sides, not even breaking his skin.

"Zoan-type Devil Fruit user? The development is too low..."

Vergo shook his head, then stared at Cobra, his expression unchanged, and said, "Does your country truly hide a 'secret'? And what exactly is it?"

"..."

Cobra did not answer, nor could he.

To protect Alabasta, even if it meant death, he would never reveal the Poneglyph!

That was Alabasta's destiny, and the fate of the Nefertari name!

"Tsk!"

Vergo knew very well that Cobra and Wapol were not kings of the same caliber, so he had to find another way.

"You brought this upon yourself..."

He approached Cobra, raised the bamboo staff he held, and was about to strike him.

With the situation having escalated this far, and with unknown enemies surrounding them, Vergo could only capture Cobra first and then slowly search for Alabasta's secret.

In reality, Doflamingo didn't have much information.

They only knew that Alabasta was highly likely connected to the Void Century, but they didn't understand the exact nature of that connection.

A Poneglyph? Or some hidden item?

But no matter what, it was something that could be used to blackmail the World Government!

As long as he obtained this "secret," Doflamingo could use it as an opportunity to coerce the World Government and obtain a Shichibukai position!

"I've always believed that the Young Master can become the 'King' of this sea."

Vergo's eyes behind his sunglasses were ice-cold as he stared intently at Cobra.

"A mere 'King' is no obstacle!"

Swish!

The bamboo staff swung down, about to strike Cobra.

And at this very moment—

Boom!

A massive dark shadow descended from the sky, tearing apart the large tent and crashing directly in front of Cobra, kicking up a huge cloud of dust.

Vergo leaped back with the momentum, dodging the fatal blow, and looked up towards the source.

What greeted him was a deafening roar.

"ROAR--!!!"

It was like some unknown monster, baring its fangs, ready to drag everyone into a terrifying abyss!

The dust gradually dispersed, and Vergo finally saw the person he had anticipated.

He swallowed, murmuring:

"Has the [Demon] arrived..."

"Ha!"

Aiven Lindsay waved away the dust and strode up to Vergo.

"Let's get straight to the point, less nonsense--!"

Spreading his arms wide, he laughed excitedly:

"Come on, let's fight!"