When they saw Kaito's face clearly, both Cobra and Vivi's eyes went wide.
Vivi gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
"Those eyes... He's Admiral Shikiryū!"
Cobra instinctively nodded, then an expression of overwhelming joy spread across his face.
He didn't care at all that Kaito was sitting on the throne—because to him, a king was nothing compared to a Marine Admiral.
Even a Shichibukai could throw his whole kingdom into crisis—let alone a Marine Admiral whose power far surpassed theirs.
But what thrilled him most was that the admiral who came was Shikiryū!
Among the Admirals, his strength was widely considered the greatest, and his reputation the most honorable. Cobra had done his research—this Admiral Shikiryū never showed mercy to evil pirates.
And not long ago, he had even rescued a kingdom from Blackbeard's clutches. Word had it that he used his powers to help rebuild homes there, practically the perfect Marine Admiral in the people's eyes.
Vivi, on the other hand, looked at Kaito with fiery admiration in her eyes.
She was the vice leader of the "Suna-Suna Clan," and their entire group revered Admiral Shikiryū. When they founded the gang, they even bowed to a photo of Kaito.
Koza was an even more hardcore fan. If he were here, he might've dropped to his knees right then and there.
Kaito was already used to these kinds of reactions. With one hand propping up his chin, he looked at Vivi below with a trace of appreciation in his gaze.
Among all the princesses in the One Piece world, Vivi was the one he admired most.
She had a strong sense of responsibility, always thinking about the bigger picture since childhood. She was even willing to go undercover into the perilous Baroque Works for the sake of her country.
Compared to someone like Kozuki Hiyori—who spent her time thriving as a geisha, relied on others, and only appeared at the end to take the credit—Vivi was unquestionably a charming and admirable royal.
...
Kaito slowly rose from the throne and began descending the steps, walking toward the father and daughter.
Cobra and Vivi watched him approach, feeling an overwhelming pressure bearing down on them. Unconsciously, they both swallowed hard.
When Kaito reached them, he first nodded politely to King Cobra. Then, turning to Vivi, he smiled and said,
"What you said just now... well said. As a princess—you have my approval."
"Eh?!"
Stunned by the compliment, Vivi didn't know what to do. She never imagined she'd be praised by such a towering figure.
Her cheeks turned a soft rosy red as she avoided looking at Kaito's devastatingly handsome face.
Cobra, seeing his daughter gain the recognition of Admiral Shikiryū, was genuinely happy for her—but he also felt a twinge of jealousy.
Not because of his daughter's reaction to Kaito, but because—he too, as a middle-aged man—wished he could earn Kaito's recognition.
Fortunately, Kaito didn't overlook him. Having watched the anime, he naturally knew that Cobra was definitely a responsible and respectable king.
He patted Cobra on the shoulder and said sincerely,
"You're a capable king. I've learned what's happened in Alabasta lately. None of it was your fault. I'll bring this all to an end."
"Admiral Shikiryū..."
Cobra stared at Kaito in a daze. This man who had ruled as king for decades now felt a deep sense of fulfillment—like being acknowledged by a senior figure.
But before he could even put his emotions into words, Kaito had already walked past him and Vivi, heading to the balcony where they had previously stood.
Cobra and Vivi exchanged glances and quickly followed.
Kaito raised his head to look at the sky. A solution had already formed in his mind.
He brought his hands together in a seal, forming the "Ram" sign, and murmured,
"Rain Tiger at Will."
As the technique activated, the once-clear skies over Alabasta darkened as thick clouds began to form. Moist air filled the kingdom as the clouds gathered.
Cobra and Vivi were stunned by the scene above. What were they seeing? Admiral Shikiryū could summon the wind and rain!?
The citizens were ecstatic. They ran out into the streets, eyes full of hope as they gazed at the sky, praying for a downpour to bring relief to their drought-stricken land.
...
Elsewhere in the desert, Crocodile was also watching the clouds above with a grim expression.
Beside him stood a striking woman in a cowboy hat. Her skin, slightly tanned from the desert sun, gave her a vibrant and healthy beauty.
She was Robin, now twenty-four years old.
She, too, found the weather strange. With the Dance Powder at work, how could this be happening?
...
Back at the palace,
Kaito didn't unleash Rain Tiger at Will right away. Instead, his eyes transformed into twin orbs of blazing violet lightning. The clouds above changed again—this time into thunderclouds crackling with purple electric arcs.
A deafening rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. Everyone below froze in place, paralyzed with fear by the apocalyptic display.
Vivi couldn't help inching closer to Kaito, nervously asking,
"Admiral Shikiryū, what's going on with the weather? I... I'm a little scared..."
Kaito lowered his head and gave her a calm smile.
"Don't worry. I just need to send a warning to a few people."
As he finished speaking, the lightning in his eyes exploded into a brilliant flash. The thunderclouds above released their fury.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
In an instant, Alabasta was swallowed by a sea of violet lightning. Thunder roared and screams echoed briefly, then silence fell.
Cobra and Vivi stood frozen in shock. They had no idea what Admiral Shikiryū had just done.
Kaito spoke casually, as if it were nothing.
"I just cleaned up a few so-called 'rioters.' They're behaving now."
"..."
It was the first time the father and daughter had witnessed the power of a Marine Admiral firsthand. They were completely at a loss for words.
Vivi stared at Kaito's calm expression, her heart racing.
Is this the power of a Marine Admiral? He suppressed everything with just a thought?
But Kaito wasn't finished.
He released a vast spiritual net that enveloped all of Alabasta.
A cold, emotionless voice echoed in the hearts of everyone—Crocodile included, even out in the desert:
"This matter in Alabasta has nothing to do with Cobra. From now on, this place is under the control of me, Marine Admiral Shikiryū."
"Damn it!? He's here!?"
Crocodile was the first to react. He could never forget Kaito's voice—especially that overpowering, disdainful tone.
He knew it wasn't arrogance.
It was the confidence that came with absolute strength.
It was Robin's first time hearing Kaito's voice. She stared dazedly in the direction of the palace and murmured,
"Shikiryū...? I wonder who's more terrifying—him or Aokiji?"
...
In the desert, a tall, thin man riding a bicycle came to a stop. He looked up at the cloud-covered sky and sighed.
"Ara ara... So he's here too? Looks like things just got complicated."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo