Alubarna, the Royal Palace.
King Cobra wearily rubbed his temples. The crisis with the Rebel Army had temporarily subsided, but countless matters still needed sorting. Just as he was about to stand and stretch his stiff body, the air before him suddenly rippled, as if a stone had been tossed into a calm lake.
Cobra instantly tensed, but when he saw the figure stepping out from the distorted space, his shoulders relaxed slightly. "Ah, it's you, Obito. We've been searching everywhere for you."
He remembered—this was the very ability that had dealt a heavy blow to Crocodile. That's why he hadn't immediately called for guards.
Bahr waved his hand dismissively. "No need to trouble yourselves. I'm just a passing traveler."
Cobra's eyes were filled with sincerity. "Please don't be modest, Obito. Your assistance was nothing short of a lifesaver for our kingdom."
He was grateful that the Straw Hat crew had escorted Vivi home, but if not for this man's sudden appearance and defeat of Crocodile, Alabasta might have already been plunged into irreparable ruin.
"It was nothing," Bahr said with another casual wave, then got straight to the point. "I came to ask a small favor of the king."
Cobra was momentarily taken aback but quickly bowed slightly, his posture humble. "Please, speak freely. If it's within my power, I won't refuse."
Seeing Cobra's earnest expression, Bahr suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. "It's nothing major. I need an Eternal Pose to Sabaody Archipelago."
Honesty was the ultimate weapon—especially when he had ulterior motives involving the king's daughter.
"An Eternal Pose?!" Cobra's eyebrows shot up in surprise before he composed himself. "Of course. I'll communicate with the Marines stationed in Alabasta, but it will likely take about four days for them to arrange it. If you don't mind, Obito, you're welcome to stay in the palace in the meantime so we may express our gratitude."
"No need for gratitude. I'll come back in four days to collect it." With that, Bahr vanished into space before Cobra could respond.
He knew full well that staying in the palace would mean safety and royal treatment, but he also understood the principle of "favors come with strings attached."
How could he possibly make a move on Vivi if he was freeloading under her father's roof?
Business was about fairness. Since his condition involved the king's daughter, there was no need to "morally blackmail" him further. Honesty was the best policy.
Cobra stared at the fading ripples in the air, murmuring to himself, "This Obito... truly comes and goes like a shadow."
In the living room of a certain inn.
Nico Robin, Daz Bones (Mr. 1), Paula (Miss Doublefinger), Mr. 5, and Miss Valentine sat in silence, exchanging glances.
Suddenly, the air rippled, and Bahr materialized in the room. Daz Bones and Paula, unaware of the situation, couldn't hide their surprise but said nothing.
"Boss~, you're back!" Miss Valentine cooed, immediately sidling up to Bahr and wrapping her arms around his. Her voice was sickly sweet—the epitome of a "lemon."
Bahr pulled Miss Valentine onto the sofa with him, then glanced at Daz Bones and Paula. "Alright, explain this."
Nico Robin was one thing—he'd brought her back himself—but the other two...
Miss Valentine explained, "Boss~, after you left, I found Paula collapsed on the ground. I couldn't just leave her, so I brought her back. On the way, I spotted an injured Mr. 1 and figured I'd bring him along too."
"How charitable of you!" Bahr leaned back lazily on the sofa, pinching Miss Valentine's waist. Who knew their assassin organization had such a soft heart?
"Boss, Paula is very capable," Miss Valentine purred, shooting Paula a meaningful look before whispering in Bahr's ear, "She can make drinks and desserts, and she can also..."
She and Paula had already discussed this beforehand. It would be a pleasant surprise for the boss.
Bahr's eyelids twitched. If he remembered correctly, Paula had run a "Spider's Café" as a front in Alabasta. After being defeated by the Straw Hats and escaping the Marines, she'd apparently managed a bar at some point.
But that wasn't important. What mattered were Miss Valentine's whispered words.
Bahr looked Paula up and down. Her striking blue wavy hair was wrapped in a colorful headscarf, sunglasses perched on her nose. Her purple-patterned halter top accentuated her curvaceous figure, exuding an air of mystery and style.
Not bad. She was a beauty.
Paula, catching Miss Valentine's hint, rose gracefully and sauntered over to Bahr. Her tall frame swayed seductively as she slid onto the sofa beside him. "Pleased to meet you, Boss."
She'd already heard about this mysterious boss from Miss Valentine and learned from Nico Robin that he'd even wounded Crocodile.
With Baroque Works destroyed and the Marines hunting them, aligning herself with a powerful boss was clearly a smart move.
As for the cost... She was no naive girl. What was there to hesitate about?
"Heh..." Bahr smirked, shamelessly wrapping an arm around Paula's slender waist. "Good. You're hired."
A mature, alluring woman like Paula was impossible to refuse. What an unexpected windfall!
Besides... She'd given his "Nami-chan" a hard time. How could Bahr not "avenge" Nami properly?
Nico Robin, sitting quietly to the side, glanced at Bahr, now flanked by two women. For some reason, her throat felt dry, and she took a sip of water.
This man had very low standards when it came to women.
Daz Bones looked up at Bahr. "I want to sail with you."
In high spirits, Bahr replied offhandedly, "Fine, you can stay. Just pull your weight."
Mr. 1 was the strong, silent type—cool-headed, decisive, and never half-hearted in his missions. Keeping him around would save trouble.
As for him being Crocodile's right-hand man? Please. Bahr hadn't even hesitated to target the Straw Hat Boy—why would he care about a washed-up "Sand Crocodile"?
With matters settled, Bahr stood, arms still around Miss Valentine and Paula. "Alright, stay put in the inn for the next few days. We'll set sail once I get the Log Pose."
Then he turned to Nico Robin, who had remained silent the whole time. "You're in charge of organizing things. Don't cause trouble."
As Baroque Works' former vice-president, this arrangement made perfect sense. Keep her busy with work—or busy in other ways. Very comfortable.
"Understood, Boss."
Nico Robin watched as Bahr led the two women into the bedroom. When the soft click of the door echoed through the room, she slowly rose and turned to Daz Bones and Mr. 5, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
"Gentlemen, I hope we can maintain our previous... pleasant working relationship."
—Wait, wasn't this guy supposed to be loyal to Crocodile?