Infiltrating the Alabasta Royal Palace

However, Shukaku still refused to cooperate with Brando, because the impression Brando had left by threatening it at the start was simply too deep.

But Brando could clearly feel that their favorability had risen by quite a bit. It was probably not far from escaping the negatives.

At the same time, Brando opened a channel that allowed Shukaku's chakra to flow freely through the meridians in his left hand. Shukaku directly controlled its own chakra, manipulating sand into a miniature Shukaku that appeared beside Brando.

It was a little over thirty centimeters tall, just enough to stand on Brando's shoulder.

The other tailed beasts were not particularly willing to come out, but Shukaku was different. It loved coming out to play around.

Before long, Brando arrived in Alubarna, the royal capital of Alabasta, with Shukaku.

Brando did not use the Transformation Technique. He simply wore a hat and a long robe, concealing most of his figure.

He was not dressed like that on purpose. The sunlight in this country was just far too intense.

"What are you doing in a place like this?"

"The strongest force in this world is called the World Government, right? If we defeat them directly, we can prove how formidable Ninshu is."

Shukaku rarely got to be this free.

After coming to such a crowded place, it felt a little bored. Its hands were itching to try out just how strange this world's Kekkei Genkai really were.

"I came to find this country's daimyo and teach him a lesson, so he'll understand Ninshu's might. While I'm at it, I'll investigate this world's secrets."

"Besides, I'm too weak right now. The strong people in this world are formidable too. It feels like there should be people who can reach Madara Uchiha's level, so I can't beat them yet."

Brando adjusted his wording slightly as he answered Shukaku.

Then he took the opportunity to play up his misery, explaining how powerful the enemy was. It was not that he was weak; it was that the enemy was too strong.

"Hmph. If we encounter a true powerhouse, I'll make a move."

"But I won't take the initiative to help you!"

Shukaku's words contradicted themselves.

But Brando knew that the trust between them had risen another step. Haki Crane had already achieved the milestone of being stubbornly tsundere.

Brando did not waste any time. He brought Shukaku near the Alabasta royal palace, then used Soru once or twice to infiltrate it with ease. At the same time, he activated his Sharingan, remaining cautious in all things.

He easily slipped through the patrol guards' blind spots. There was almost no difficulty in the infiltration. He casually found a guard, invaded his mind with spiritual power to read his memories, then knocked him unconscious.

He then headed straight for Cobra's residence.

"Your Majesty, the people have requested that a grand funeral be held for Shichibukai Crocodile. They hope you will attend in person."

Igaram, captain of the royal guard, reported to Cobra on the matter concerning Crocodile.

"I understand. Since he is already dead, let us proceed according to the people's wishes, for this hero of Alabasta."

Although Cobra felt that there was something off about Crocodile, he could not find any evidence.

And now that Crocodile was dead, he did not want to stir up further trouble. As long as the people were satisfied, that was enough. The man was already dead—what else could happen?

"A legal pirate who sought to overthrow this country, disregarded the deaths of ordinary people, and plotted against the Nefertari Family's secret... and the king of this country is actually going to personally see him off at his funeral?"

"It seems this country's king is not very intelligent."

A strange voice suddenly rang out.

Igaram immediately stepped in front of Cobra. He drew his pistol and aimed it toward the source of the voice, his expression alert.

"Who's there?!"

Igaram looked tense.

He had not expected a stranger to make it all the way to the king's office. Anyone capable of that was clearly dangerous.

Brando calmly pushed open the door and walked in. Two guards lay unconscious outside the entrance, having been knocked out by him.

After entering, Brando removed the straw hat from his head, revealing his face.

"It's you!"

Cobra recognized him at once as the man from yesterday's newspaper headline, the one who had defeated Crocodile.

Igaram recognized him as well, and cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

He clearly knew how dangerous Brando was. He felt that he alone might be completely incapable of stopping him.

"Was what you said earlier true? Did Crocodile really plot against this country?"

Cobra was not overly panicked.

Instead, he was more concerned with what Brando had said just now.

"First, he constantly defeated the pirates invading Alabasta and became the hero of this country. Then he used Dance Powder to cause a drought. The people, unable to survive, began rebelling against the government and forced the foolish king from his throne. Finally, the hero appeared and saved the country."

"What a wonderful script, isn't it?"

Brando vividly described everything Crocodile had planned to do in the future.

But after hearing those words, Cobra felt a wave of lingering fear. He had not expected the plan to be so simple, yet so perfectly suited to the situation.

He had never believed that a man born a pirate would be so kind as to help Alabasta clear out invading pirates without seeking money in return. There had to be some other motive.

He had not expected the man's target to be all of Alabasta.

"What exactly is your purpose in coming here?!"

Igaram stared sharply at Brando.

Crocodile's affairs had nothing to do with this man, and Crocodile was already dead. Yet this man had specifically come here, so there had to be another reason.

"It is for Crocodile's other objective—the Poneglyph concerning the ancient weapon Pluton. I want to take a look at it."

Brando did not hide it.

He had practically killed a Celestial Dragon and taken down a Shichibukai. The World Government already hated him to the bone. Looking at one more Poneglyph was nothing at this point.

"You!"

After Brando said that, Cobra could no longer remain calm. He abruptly stood up, bracing both hands on the desk as he stared fixedly at Brando.

He had never expected this secret to be exposed.

This was something the World Government would never permit, and it concerned a secret the Nefertari Family had guarded for so many years. How could he not be shocked?

"Your Majesty!"

Igaram did not understand what had happened.

"Leave first!"

Cobra directly gave the order.

He understood the situation clearly. If Brando wanted to act, Igaram would not be able to stop him. Moreover, since Brando knew about Pluton, this was not something others should hear.

Though Igaram was unwilling, he still obeyed Cobra's order. He left Cobra's room and closed the door behind him.

"So you are here for Pluton as well, just like Crocodile?"

Cobra's mouth felt bitter, and the situation seemed exceptionally troublesome.

If this matter was exposed, the World Government would not show mercy. Yet Alabasta no longer had the strength to protect this secret.

"People from our village do not lie. I have no interest in Pluton. I only want to look at the Poneglyph."

"Besides, whatever I want to do, you cannot stop me."

This time, Brando was telling the truth.

But Cobra simply could not believe him. He was convinced that Brando had come for information about Pluton.

He was considering what price he would have to pay to make Brando abandon this matter.

"The Poneglyph is beneath this city, isn't it? Under this royal palace?"

Brando stopped pretending and directly stated the Poneglyph's approximate location.

Cobra stared at Brando in shock. Why had this secret been exposed? Had Crocodile already investigated this far?

He believed that everything Brando knew had come from Crocodile.

"Why waste time talking? Just use the Sharingan to read his memories!"

Haki Crane crawled out from Brando's robe and said impatiently.