Chapter 21: We Only Recognize Money, Your Majesty!
Moderate Approach.
Cobra felt a little absurd.
He was not a King renowned for his personal strength, but he at least understood what had just happened.
The entire elite guard of Alabasta was completely defenseless before Chen Long.
The opponent hadn't even made a move, and the battle had ended silently.
This was clearly Chen Long displaying his might.
But without a doubt, Cobra was not a King who would be intimidated by such a threat.
So, he cleared his throat, preparing to speak.
But before that...
"An organization? You have an organization? And even a leader?"
Vivi's voice rang out before he could.
The Princess seemed not to be frightened by what had just happened, but was instead questioning with both wariness and curiosity.
"Vivi!"
Thus, Cobra rarely snapped at his daughter: "You promised me earlier that you would just observe from the side."
He was naturally worried about his daughter's sudden action — although the questions Vivi asked were indeed what he wanted to ask, speaking up himself in front of such a monster was inherently dangerous.
"That's correct, Princess."
But to Cobra's surprise, Chen Long's attitude towards Vivi was rather gentle.
"Our organization is called 'Twelve Constellations'."
"As for the leader..."
At this point, Chen Long's words became serious, and he seemed very respectful of that 'leader'.
"I cannot disclose any information about him — but in short, we genuinely wish to cooperate with your esteemed party and bear no ill will."
Saying this, he casually placed down the empty cup in his hand.
"If I truly harbored ill will, I wouldn't have chosen to land in Alubarna, but would have come straight to the capital."
"That rain along the way, that is my 'sincerity', King Cobra."
He saw the metal cup in his hand seemingly melted by high temperatures, emitting wisps of white smoke, then transforming into a ball of crimson molten iron that dropped and instantly pierced through the ground.
That seemed to silently tell everyone present — if he wished, he could easily kill his way into the palace, even assassinating the King and Princess.
...
Thus, the guards looked grim and furious.
King Cobra, on the other hand, fell silent.
But in the depths of his eyes, there was clearly a look of shock.
After a long while, he finally spoke: "Two matters."
"First, you said you want to cooperate, so I need to know what you wish to gain from Alabasta."
"Second, you still haven't provided sufficient proof, so I still cannot trust you — the story you told, if we replaced your 'mastermind' with your organization, it would also hold true."
He seemed not to be frightened in the slightest by the power Chen Long displayed, remaining calm and composed.
"If these two matters are not clarified, even if you take my life here, I will not agree to anything you ask."
Saying this, he subtly glanced at Igaram, making a slight gesture with his hand.
And Igaram naturally understood the meaning of that gesture — if the situation turned sour, he was to protect Princess Vivi and help her escape at all costs.
...
Thus, Igaram's expression became even grimmer.
But at this moment, Chen Long, after hearing Cobra's words, let out a sigh of praise: "Truly worthy of Alabasta's wise King, your will and courage are admirable."
"However, as I said, I am a businessman."
"Of course, I will answer the demands you've raised, one by one."
He leaned slightly forward, raising a finger: "To your first question, what do we need?"
"The answer is very simple — we want Beli."
The moment he uttered these words,
Cobra's expression instantly changed.
"Beli? Only Beli?"
The King said, finding it hard to believe.
He had considered many possibilities — for example, perhaps the other party wanted to force Alabasta into some agreement, or wanted Alabasta's land, or perhaps the hidden treasures of the 'Royal Tomb' that had been concealed for many years.
But he had never imagined that the other party would only want Beli.
It wasn't that Beli was worthless, but rather that money, in many cases, would not be the most urgently needed resource for certain organizations.
"Only Beli... Of course, we also accept other valuables of equal worth as exchange."
Chen Long said with a smile: "I am a very honest person, so I'll be clear about the price — I can help Alabasta bring rain. The scope is one city, and each rainfall will cost two billion Beli."
"Besides that, I will help you deal with the mastermind behind this incident, for a price of five billion Beli. What do you think?"
What did he think?
"There's a big problem, Sir Chen Long."
Cobra, at this moment, spoke decisively.
"Two billion Beli for one rainfall is too high a figure. Even if we directly transport water from neighboring countries, the cost would be far lower than that amount."
"The most I can accept for one rainfall is three hundred million Beli."
"And the mastermind... although I don't know who he is, five billion Beli is far too much — you can't possibly tell me Whitebeard is hiding in Alabasta, can you?"
"The most I can offer is two billion Beli."
He said firmly.
Hearing this, Chen Long slapped his leg: "Absurd! Three hundred million Beli — using my ability also requires stamina; it would cost at least seven hundred million Beli per rainfall."
"As for the mastermind, while not Whitebeard, he is still a troublesome fellow. Moreover, this is a matter concerning the entire country. You pay over ten billion Beli in Heavenly Gold every year, yet you're only willing to offer two billion to save your country?"
Cobra was unwilling to show weakness, and likewise said in a low voice: "Since you know about the Heavenly Gold, then you must also know that we only just paid the Heavenly Gold this year. The national treasury was already almost emptied to begin with, not to mention the problems of settling the refugees after the incident is resolved."
The two then started to argue, each holding their ground.
And finally, the plan was decided.
According to the final plan of the two, Chen Long would bring rain to Alabasta's cities, with each rainfall costing five hundred million Beli.
And to resolve the mastermind behind this incident, Alabasta could offer a bounty of three billion Beli.
After the specific figures were settled, Cobra looked at Chen Long: "However, Sir — although the plan is set, you still haven't given me any proof."
He said this, his expression solemn.
Hearing this, Chen Long smiled.
"This problem isn't difficult, King Cobra."
He extended his second finger, pointing to himself: "I can bring rain, which is a fact known throughout Alabasta today, and something that mastermind absolutely cannot tolerate."
"So, I just need to stay in the palace, and you spread the word that 'Alabasta is about to receive rain'. He will naturally send people to kill me — and then... you will naturally see the proof."
His words were relaxed, even carrying a hint of excitement.
Thus, Cobra's expression instantly faltered, and his gaze towards Chen Long became heavy.
It was clear that he hadn't expected Chen Long to use himself as 'bait': "Are you sure?"
"Of course."
Chen Long responded calmly.
His gaze swept, and he could see the content displayed on the light screen in his eyes.
[Loy Aros (Slice Doppelganger - Dragon)]
[Devil Fruit Slots: 3]
[Current Equipped Devil Fruits: Magma-Magma Fruit LV3, Ice-Ice Fruit LV3, Slice-Slice Fruit (Unavailable)]
"I am sure."
With these words, the agreement was reached.
Cobra didn't say anything more; he immediately instructed Igaram to arrange a residence for Chen Long in the palace.
Afterwards, he quietly watched this mysterious person leave.
And after Chen Long left.
"Father King..."
Vivi, who had been wide-eyed and incredulous since the beginning, couldn't help but look at her father.
She had never seen her King father act like that before — he seemed no longer a King, but a shrewd merchant.
What's more, she still couldn't understand.
"His identity and objectives are still not truly confirmed, and his companion is a wanted criminal who stole the 'Heavenly Gold'. We are a World Government Member Nation, why would you be willing to cooperate with him?"
At this moment, Cobra looked at his daughter.
She was already brave enough, but still too naive.
"Vivi, I want to tell you something."
"Sometimes, when you look at a person, don't just look at what they say, but what they do."
The King said with profound solemnity.
"What he did?"
Vivi frowned slightly.
Cobra said softly: "The other party did indeed bring rain, resolving Alabasta's most urgent crisis."
"The other party certainly possesses the power to easily kill you and me, but he made no move from beginning to end."
"Most crucially, the other party could have actually threatened me with the entire country to make me agree to a higher price — although the national treasury is indeed empty, if we were forced to levy taxes on the entire country, we could still squeeze out a sum of money."
Cobra said softly: "But he didn't. Vivi, why do you think that is?"
...
Vivi fell silent for a moment, then naturally reached a conclusion: "Many people would die."
Under the disaster of seven months of drought, Alabasta's harvest this year was already extremely difficult.
If they were to forcibly levy taxes on the common people again, large-scale famine and death would be almost unavoidable.
And at this point, Vivi understood.
"If he and his 'Twelve Constellations' were truly the cause of the country's lack of rain, then he definitely wouldn't care about the lives of the common people."
"But he chose to concede on this step, so... he's not the mastermind?"
Vivi said in astonishment.
Cobra looked at his daughter with relief.
But then, Vivi became worried again: "But the World Government..."
"We are the Kings of Alabasta, Vivi."
But at this moment, Cobra merely said softly yet firmly.
"We chose to remain in this country, so we only need to be responsible for the people of this country."
"You just need to remember this point."
(The core focus of this book is Devil Fruit abilities, not Haki.
The protagonist will strengthen his body, because it benefits Devil Fruit usage.
But Haki belongs to another type of ability; the protagonist will not acquire it through normal training.
But, but, but,
This doesn't mean the protagonist won't have Haki in the future.
What does that mean?
Even if the protagonist possesses Haki in the future, it won't necessarily be due to Devil Fruit abilities (lol).)
(end of chapter)