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After all, Vivi is the princess of Alabasta. No matter what, it wasn't her place to interfere in matters that weren't hers to handle.

She was beloved by the people, yes, but duty and rank often placed constraints even on the most earnest of intentions.

No one expected her to change the tides of fate herself.

Cobra sighed, his brow furrowing as he reflected. He sat in his office, the midday sunlight casting long shadows across the room, giving him a weary look.

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, then spoke in a tone that held both fondness and frustration. "I suppose I haven't disciplined her enough over the years. Vivi's spirit, her independent thinking I always thought it a strength."

"But now... I wonder if I've let her become too bold. I can't imagine how else she developed such a strong will."

Chaka, seated across from him, gave a small, knowing smile. He had known Vivi since she was a child.

In her, he saw the same spark, the same relentless determination that had defined Cobra's youth.

But his smile quickly faded as his thoughts turned serious. His gaze fixed intently on Cobra, and his voice took on a weighty tone.

"what do you think of King Anos?" Chaka said.

Cobra blinked, somewhat taken aback. "King Anos?" he repeated, collecting his thoughts. "Well... he's brilliant, I'll give him that. And incredibly capable. He managed to lift his Kingdom out of poverty and into prosperity in what, two or three years?"

"A remarkable achievement. He's an exceptional young leader there's no doubt about it." He paused, noticing Chaka's penetrating gaze. "Why do you ask?"

Chaka's expression grew more serious, almost as if he were probing for a truth Cobra might not yet see.

"I'm not asking about his governance," he replied, his tone sharpening. "I'm asking about the man himself. Outside of his role as king, what do you think of him?"

Cobra tilted his head, intrigued but slightly cautious. "Outside of his role? We haven't had much personal interaction beyond official matters," he admitted.

"But from what I can tell, he's a remarkable conversationalist. Polite and respectful. He manages his duties with a maturity and poise rare for his age. Even I wasn't so refined when I was his age, and I'd already assumed the throne."

Chaka gave a slight nod but seemed unsatisfied. "So it seems," he said, his words laced with a hint of something almost ominous.

"But it's not about age or refinement. You've underestimated him, Don't just say you couldn't match his level at his age. Even now, I doubt you could reach it."

"What... what do you mean?" Cobra asked, now fully focused, a thread of confusion winding through his voice. He'd rarely seen Chaka this intense.

With a sigh, Chaka leaned forward, lowering his voice as if to share a closely guarded secret. "I'm not talking about his governance or his manners. What I'm saying is... this king has hidden strengths, strengths that go beyond what we can comprehend."

"He may even be stronger than I am, and possibly... his entire Kingdom might be powerful beyond what we could ever imagine."

Chaka let his words sink in, and the silence that followed was thick with unspoken fears.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

He continued, voice soft yet firm, "I happened to witness something unusual. King Anos was supposed to meet with his royal guard's captain. While I didn't expect anything strange, what I saw changed my view entirely."

Cobra leaned in, captivated. Chaka's tone hinted at something far beyond mere curiosity. "What did you see?"

"There was a presence in that room," Chaka began speaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "The captain of the Royal guards was there, but his movements... he was so skilled that he could have left without anyone noticing. And that's just the guard."

"King Anos himself... his power was something else entirely. I could feel it, just faintly, but it was enough to tell me he's far stronger than he lets on."

Cobra's mind raced, struggling to grasp the implications of Chaka's words. His old friend, who had fought alongside him and seen countless battles, was rarely shaken.

For him to speak of another's strength in such reverent tones it was unsettling.

"What do you think he's hiding?" Cobra asked, his voice barely audible, his gaze distant.

"That's something you'll have to find out for yourself," Chaka replied, leaning back in his chair with a heavy sigh. "I can't go digging into matters like these without drawing attention. But whatever it is, be careful. There's more to this king than meets the eye."

A pause lingered between them, filled only by the distant sounds of the palace.

Finally, Cobra broke the silence, his voice tinged with resignation. "Chaka, even if Anos has his agenda, we still need this alliance. What he's offering could change the future of Alabasta."

Cobra's tone carried a weight of responsibility. Even if he harboured doubts, his duty as king demanded that he place the well-being of Alabasta above personal concerns.

Whatever Anos's motives, the benefits of this partnership were undeniable.

For days now, the princes and ministers of Alabasta had reviewed the potential impacts, and each one had come to the same conclusion: cooperating with the Kingdom of Tru was in Alabasta's best interests.

Chaka, though uninvolved in the intricacies of these negotiations, was no stranger to the contents. He had a good sense of the stakes involved.

"King Anos is a complex individual," Chaka said, choosing his words carefully. "But regardless of his power, there's no denying his character. Compared to many rulers I've encountered, he has shown considerable restraint. Were it any other king dealing with Vivi's... forwardness, they might have responded far less graciously."

He gave Cobra a knowing look, his voice softening with an almost fatherly warmth. "Anos is doing his best to keep things civil."

Cobra managed a faint smile. "Perhaps you're right. I'll go and apologize in person later. I can't afford to let a misunderstanding grow between us."

With a sigh, Cobra shifted his gaze back to Chaka. "So, you'll be staying in Alabasta a while longer?"

Chaka's eyes darkened, his expression turning thoughtful. "For now. With the New World divided among the Four Emperors, the first half of the Grand Line may not be as calm as it seems. It's wise to prepare."

"Yes, we've anticipated this," Cobra replied, though his voice was weary. "But even knowing it's coming... what can we do?"

Chaka gazed at his old friend, sympathy softening his features. He knew how heavy the weight of leadership could be.

---

Meanwhile, as Cobra and Chaka conversed in the palace, Anos had already moved far away.

Utilizing his unique ability, he'd departed without anyone's notice, vanishing in an instant with a subtle shift of the air.

Although he'd left, his departure hadn't been broadcast. Two members of the Royal Guard remained stationed outside the chamber, preventing anyone from entering.

Anos preferred to keep his movements discreet, ensuring no one could easily trace his actions or intentions.

Down at the Alubarna port, the Tempest floated peacefully, its dark silhouette cutting an imposing figure against the water.

Unlike the busier sections of the port, only a few ships were docked alongside the Tempest.

It was a modest port, big enough to hold only five or six ships, with limited activity that suited Anos's purposes well.

As Anos stepped aboard, the crew was in various states of relaxation and activity, attending to their duties or taking a moment's respite.

No one expected their king to return so suddenly, and his presence on the gangway instantly commanded attention.

"Your Majesty," the guards stationed near the entrance greeted him with deep bows.

"Daiki hasn't returned yet, has he?" Anos asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

One of the guards, looking slightly surprised, answered, "Not yet, Your Majesty. Captain Daiki & others are still away. Would you like us to contact them?"

"No need," Anos replied, his gaze scanning the ship. "Where's the woman he brought back?"

The guard hesitated briefly before answering, "The woman Captain Daiki brought back is in the room ahead."

The Tempest was a two-story ship, and with the guard's guidance, Anos swiftly found his way to the designated quarters.

Upon reaching the room, he paused momentarily, sensing the energy within. A small smile crossed his face, and he continued forward with calm confidence.

He hadn't expected to be caught up in this situation, but perhaps it would bring an unexpected turn to the alliance with Alabasta.

And with that, he knocked gently before stepping inside, already sensing the complexities that lay ahead.

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