At first, Cobra never really suspected anything.
After all, Crocodile back then had been completely, unmistakably a man.
But later, after Crocodile was recruited into the Marines by Michael, he suddenly transformed into a woman.
And then…
Her appearance was strikingly similar to Titi's.
Cobra even had a vague feeling that if Vivi grew up, she would probably look just like this.
That was when Cobra could no longer help but start doubting.
After some investigation, he was shocked to discover that within two weeks of his sister's disappearance, Crocodile had appeared on the Grand Line.
Her ability was the Sand-Sand Fruit.
Now, while Devil Fruits don't necessarily appear in any fixed place, certain Fruits only manifest in very specific environments.
It's extremely rare, but the Sand-Sand Fruit was one of them.
It would only appear in the desert, randomly replacing the fruit of a cactus.
In fact, one could say that the Sand-Sand Fruit was Alabasta's "Guardian Fruit." But because searching the endless desert was nearly impossible, no one in Alabasta had ever obtained it before.
Now that it had appeared in Crocodile's possession, Cobra could not help but question her identity.
And what ultimately confirmed it for him—were the eyes.
No matter how her appearance had changed, Cobra could still recognize those eyes. Even though they now carried cruelty, cunning, and corruption, the deepest part of them had never changed.
"Looks like… you spent quite some time verifying it."
"She was my only sister, the most noble princess of Alabasta. How could I treat this carelessly?" Cobra shook his head. "Right now I just want you to tell me one thing… is there really a Devil Fruit that can change a person's gender?"
"Of course there is." If Cobra had been completely ignorant, Michael would have never said anything.
But now that Cobra had basically pieced the truth together, Michael saw no point in hiding it.
It was meaningless.
At such a time, trying to conceal it any further was no different from outright admitting it.
So why not just let it flow.
"I see… I see…"
After receiving a definite answer, Cobra's eyes gradually grew wet.
His wife's strange illness had been cured by Michael, and now his lost sister had been found again…
Even someone as resilient as Cobra, far stronger than ordinary men, couldn't stop his eyes from reddening.
To regain what was lost—what greater fortune could there be?
"Don't celebrate too soon. Even if you rush out to reunite with Crocodile now…"
"Her name is Lanlan, Nefertari D. Lanlan!"
"No. Nefertari D. Lanlan is already dead." Michael mercilessly shattered Cobra's illusion. "Now, there is only Crocodile. And even if you meet her, she won't acknowledge you."
"Why? Could it be that she resents me, her elder brother? Is it my fault for failing her, for not protecting her, for not finding her in time…?"
"It has nothing to do with that. She didn't simply disappear back then—she was being hunted. She changed gender twice, and refused to reunite with you, precisely to protect you, and to protect this kingdom."
Michael sighed.
Back then, for both Cobra and Crocodile, there had been no other choice.
Facing the World Government alone, even a mighty kingdom like Alabasta was powerless.
"What do you mean? Hunted? By who!?"
"Do you… really want to know?" Michael's face turned more serious than ever before. "Once you know, there is no turning back."
"Do I look like someone who wants to turn back?" Cobra flashed a fearless smile. "I've already reclaimed the scholars of Alabasta from your hands… so who was it?"
"The World Government," Michael said bluntly. "To be precise, the one who stands above even the Five Elders."
"Above the Five Elders?" Cobra's expression was filled with shock. "So… that person called Imu truly exists…"
Hearing Michael's confession, Cobra immediately recalled the name he had found recorded in the history passed down through the Nefertari line…
Imu.
One of the original Twenty Kings.
"Seems you know quite a lot… it looks like Queen Lily left behind plenty of useful information." Michael nodded. "In short, all you need to understand is this: to Imu, the Nefertari family and Alabasta are an anomaly. He won't allow you to live too well, but he also won't let you vanish entirely."
Cobra twisted his lips, but found himself utterly unable to laugh.
"But the wisest choice you made—was standing in the same camp as me." Michael pressed forward, seizing the moment.
"So, are you interested in working together with me?"
"...Work together to do what?"
"To overthrow the entire World Government, of course."
Michael said it with a cheerful grin, as though he were inviting Cobra to grab a drink at a tavern outside the palace.
Cobra stared at him in shock for a long time before finally speaking.
"...You're not joking, are you?"
"Do I look like the kind of man who jokes with his own head on the line?" Michael shrugged. "Let me reintroduce myself. I am a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, holding the position of Base Commander over both the Alabasta and 'Fish-man branches. Beyond that, I am also the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, and the founder and secret patron of the Cross Guild."
To Cobra's ears, each title Michael spoke weighed heavier than the last.
He couldn't tell anymore—did Michael perhaps suffer from split personality disorder?
How could he stand belonging to completely opposing factions at once?
"So… you simultaneously hold identities in the Marines, the Revolutionary Army, and the Cross Guild?"
"Unite every force that can be united, right? If necessary, I could even take on the identity of a pirate as well."
Michael waved his hand casually, as if to say: don't worry, this was all just standard procedure.
But Cobra suddenly felt nervous, glancing around uneasily.
"What are you looking at?"
"We're talking about something that could cost us our heads! If someone were eavesdropping, we'd be doomed!"
"And you only think of that now?" Michael rolled his eyes. "Relax. Before I even opened my mouth, I had already swept the area with Observation Haki. Other than Igaram and the queen, there's no one else anywhere near the bedchambers."
"That's good, that's good." Cobra let out a breath of relief, then rubbed his face, finally revealing a look like that of a father rejoicing over his daughter's birth. "Let's head to the banquet hall. Plenty of kings must have arrived by now. It wouldn't be proper if I stayed absent any longer."
"You still haven't answered—will you join me or not?"
Cobra looked at Michael with a complicated expression.
"Are you playing dumb with me? After everything you've just said, the very fact that I haven't already fought you to the death proves one thing…"
"I'm already your indestructible comrade!"
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