The Poneglyph

"Never mind how I know." Lott slowly held up two fingers and said calmly, "I came here for just two things. First, I want to see the Poneglyph you've guarded for eight hundred years."

"So you've come for that so-called Ancient Weapon too?" Cobra sighed. It seemed this Ancient Weapon really was quite a draw.

He did not know exactly what was recorded on the Poneglyph they guarded, but he knew it contained information about an Ancient Weapon.

And with those being Lott's opening words upon arriving, he had assumed without a second thought that Lott had come for the Ancient Weapon.

Lott shook his head. "I'm not here for that so-called Ancient Weapon. I just want to take a look at this history."

Cobra knew Lott held the upper hand now. Whatever Lott had come to do, he had no power to stop him. If he obediently cooperated, he might still be able to preserve this country.

In that instant, Cobra seemed to age decades. "And what's your other purpose?"

"Let's leave that aside for now. Let's go see the Poneglyph."

Cobra looked rather dejected. Something their Nefertari clan had guarded for eight hundred years was about to be taken by outsiders.

The Royal Mausoleum.

Robin stood before a square block of stone, quietly translating its contents for everyone.

"I never imagined there would still be someone who could decipher this writing." The last shred of hope in Cobra's heart shattered at that moment.

He had never imagined there really was someone in this world who could read this writing from eight hundred years ago.

Robin continued translating:

"In the year 201 of the Calendar of Light, Nefertari Aranculo came to a desert and led his clanspeople to conquer it and establish a dynasty.

In the year 247 of the Calendar of Light, Nefertari Rex named the desert city Alabasta.

In the year 262 of the Calendar of Light, Nefertari Irukaru was invited to join the Kingdom of God and granted the name Nefertari D. Irukaru.

In the year 303 of the Calendar of Light, Nefertari D. Yofus was forced to join the Alliance Army of the 20 Kingdoms and take part in the war to destroy the Kingdom of God.

The Pluton Key is in Sabu."

Only after listening to Robin's translation did everyone finally learn that this stone recorded the Nefertari clan's history and the location of the Pluton Key.

Cobra stood rooted to the spot. So the secret their clan had guarded for eight hundred years actually involved the secrets of this world.

Lott nodded to Robin. "Make a rubbing."

Then he patted Cobra on the shoulder. "That takes care of my first purpose. Now let's discuss the second."

Cobra's vacant eyes slowly regained their focus. Looking at the young man before him, he said rather dispiritedly, "Go ahead."

"I want you to join our Lott Pirates."

Cobra hurriedly took a step back. "What? You want me, a king, to become a pirate?"

Lott waved a hand. "Of course I'm not asking you to become a pirate."

Hearing Lott say that, Cobra patted his chest and let out a breath. "That's good. That's good."

But Lott's next words left him utterly dumbfounded.

"I mean I want your entire country to come under the banner of our Lott Pirates."

"What!!!!!"

Cobra seriously wondered whether he had misheard. Lott actually wanted an entire country to join a pirate crew!!

Seeing that Robin had finished making the rubbing, Lott waved and headed outside. "Don't be so quick to refuse. I can lay down a few ground rules with you.

First, I won't demand that you in Alabasta do anything cruel or immoral.

Second, I won't make you leave this country or interfere with your lives. I can even give you better lives.

Third, I won't do anything bad in your country.

Fourth, I'll resolve your country's current drought."

Listening to Lott's terms, Cobra felt a little dazed. So far, all these conditions seemed to benefit his country.

He could not tell what Lott stood to gain. Could it be... that he wanted Vivi?

He asked somewhat uncertainly, "Then what can you gain from Alabasta? Or what do you want us to do?"

"Let's go to the office and discuss it in detail."

"Vivi! Why are you still here?"

When Cobra returned to the palace with Lott and the others, he saw a blue-haired girl sitting in the great hall.

Beside her stood a flat-faced, middle-aged man with strangely curled hair.

Zoro: That man's dressed so strangely. Does he have some sort of cross-dressing fetish?

Suddenly hearing Cobra's voice, Vivi rushed up to him and hugged him tightly.

"Father!"

Cobra glanced back at Lott somewhat sheepishly, then whispered softly into Vivi's ear, "Vivi, why did you come back? Why didn't you go far away?"

Vivi raised her head, her eyes red, and spoke in a slightly choked voice. "I knew there was danger, but I didn't want to just run away like a deserter. I'm this country's princess too, and I'm your daughter!"

Cobra stroked Vivi's head, then turned to the curly-haired man beside them. "Igaram, I told you to take Vivi far away. Why did you come back?"

Igaram lowered his head, not quite daring to face Cobra.

Looking at the figure in Cobra's arms, Lott said, "I take it this is Vivi, the princess of Alabasta."

Hearing Lott say Vivi's name, Cobra hurriedly shielded her behind him and stared at Lott warily. "What do you want, Lott! I'll agree to your demands. Just please don't hurt my daughter."

Sigh...

Lott sighed. "Do I really look like such an irredeemable villain?"

Robin covered her mouth and chuckled. "A notorious pirate with a bounty of 1.2 billion-anyone would be afraid."

Kuro nodded in agreement too.

Lott said to Cobra rather helplessly, "I told you, I have no interest in your lives, and I won't harm your country either. We can take our time discussing the details."

The group spent several hours discussing matters in the office.

When Lott walked out of the office, he glanced at Princess Vivi beside him and could not help remarking, "Cobra, you really have raised a fine daughter."

During their detailed discussion just now, Vivi's string of questions and constant suggestions had nearly been too much even for Kuro to handle. Quite a few of her constructive ideas had also given everyone a lift.

She could well be described as a born ruler.

Vivi was now looking at Lott with a slight blush, her eyes full of admiration.

She said softly, "I'm sorry, Lord Lott. We misunderstood you earlier. We didn't know how great you were."

The dream and plans she had heard from Lott in the office were simply unheard of. She could not help wanting to see the flourishing age Lott had described.

Lott smiled. "There's nothing great about it. I've just experienced life among the people at the bottom, and I'm not content with it, so I want to change it. When you get down to it, it's a selfish dream too."

"Lord Lott, I believe that if we work together, this dream will definitely come true." As she spoke, the young girl clenched her little fists, cheering Lott on.

Igaram and Cobra walked behind the two of them. Watching the pair walking side by side ahead, Igaram whispered into Cobra's ear:

"Ma~ mamama~ Say, Your Majesty, do you think Princess Vivi has fallen for Lott? Could Lott end up becoming your son-in-law?"

Cobra nodded. "That sounds rather nice. It's just that Lord Lott doesn't seem to lack women around him. Look at that little orange-haired girl, for instance."