M.F.S [Deleted]

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Listening to the endless arguments of his ministers, Cobra raised his hand and said, "Enough. Leave me for now. I will think about how to handle this."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, but in the end, they obeyed and exited the room.

As they left, Igaram, the captain of the royal guard, hesitated before speaking. "Your Majesty…"

Cobra interrupted, "Igaram, you should leave as well. I need some time alone to think."

"Understood."

Igaram, though reluctant, complied. Having grown up alongside Cobra, he understood the king's heart better than anyone. Cobra was a ruler who loved his people as his own children.

But precisely because of his compassion, this crisis weighed on him unbearably. His kindness had inadvertently created this predicament, and now he was trapped.

The kingdom of Alabasta was besieged, their cries for aid unheard. Alone in his chamber, Cobra's thoughts churned with regret and frustration.

Suddenly, the shrill ringing of a Den Den Mushi broke the silence.

"Buru~~~ Buru~~~"

Cobra's head snapped up. "What's this?"

His eyes fell on a Den Den Mushi he hadn't used in years—one connected to the underworld. He had once considered it unnecessary, believing his reign wouldn't require dealings with such forces.

Yet here it was, buzzing insistently. After a moment of hesitation, Cobra picked it up and answered.

"Heh heh heh…"

A faint chuckle echoed through the line, followed by a calm yet chilling voice.

"King Cobra, I see you've decided to answer."

Cobra's face darkened. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The voice belonged to someone Cobra couldn't immediately identify. This Den Den Mushi was connected to numerous underworld factions, making it impossible to pinpoint who was speaking.

The mysterious voice continued with a faint smile, "Who I am doesn't matter right now. What matters is this—do you want to save Alabasta? I can help you. Tonight, come alone to the Scarlet ruins. If you want your kingdom to survive without becoming a puppet, this is your only chance."

"Buru~~~"

The line went dead.

Cobra stared at the Den Den Mushi in silence, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

---

Scarlet Ruins.

Once a bustling city, now nothing but ruins, swallowed by the unforgiving sands of the desert. It lay west of Alubarna, the capital, abandoned long ago.

Meanwhile, at the ruins, a figure stood amidst the crumbling buildings.

Joey, hands clasped behind his back, gazed out at the desolate landscape. Behind him, Broyé asked cautiously, "Big Brother, are you certain Cobra will come?"

Joey replied warmly, "Broyé, whether a king is benevolent or ambitious, do you think they'd willingly let their kingdom become a puppet?"

Broyé nodded slowly, beginning to understand.

Such was the nature of humanity.

Joey smirked, toying with a deck of cards in his hand. "Cobra… Don't disappoint me."

Nearby, Cabaletta manipulated the sands, honing his Devil Fruit abilities.

The powers of Mythical Zoan fruits were uniquely complex.

For instance, the Azure Dragon fruit could breathe fire, summon fierce winds, unleash thunderous roars, and even generate flame clouds.

The Phoenix fruit, in contrast, was simpler—granting near-immortality by rendering attacks ineffective, though its widespread usage drained stamina significantly.

The Yamata-no-Orochi fruit allowed for regeneration akin to resurrection—unless all eight heads were severed at once, the user could recover indefinitely. It also boasted an indestructible tail, a nod to the legendary Grass Cutting Sword.

Then there was the Sphinx fruit. Its abilities were peculiar—it could control sand but not create it, a limitation that was frustrating at times.

Joey observed Cabaletta's training thoughtfully, musing to himself, "If I can acquire the Suna Suna no Mi (Sand-Sand Fruit), it would perfectly complement Cabaletta's abilities."

Lost in his thoughts, Joey waited.

As the night deepened and the ruins grew colder, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the silence.

"Huff… Huff…"

Breathing heavily, King Cobra arrived at the ruins. Spotting the faint light emanating from the remains of a castle, he quickened his pace.

The doors creaked open.

Cobra froze, staring in shock at the man before him.

"The Head of the Charlotte Family?"

Joey smiled calmly. "Yes, that's me. But who I am doesn't matter, King Cobra. What matters is that I can help you."

Cobra's heart tightened.

"Help…"

That single word was both a lifeline and a heavy burden.

Joey continued, his smile never wavering. "You need my help, don't you? Alabasta is crumbling, and I am your only hope."

Cobra, a compassionate king but no fool, understood immediately. Nothing in this world came free.

"What do you want in return?" Cobra asked warily, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Joey's eyes gleamed. "What I want is simple. Alabasta's decision-making council has 15 nations, with 5 currently watching from the sidelines. If Alabasta survives this crisis, they'll remain loyal to you."

Cobra's frown deepened. "And? What is it you truly want?"

Joey's tone turned firm. "Two years from now, I will establish Totto Land—a kingdom of many nations. Your role will be to ensure that Alabasta and 15 other nations approve Totto Land's membership in the World Government as a decision-making nation. Additionally, Totto Land will not pay the Heavenly Tribute."

"Impossible!" Cobra blurted without hesitation.

"Heh heh heh…"

Joey chuckled darkly. "King Cobra, do you truly believe you have the luxury of refusing? Or the time to debate? You have three minutes to decide."

"You should know that 'To have a Choice, You need to have power.'"

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