One Piece : Admiral Falcon is Pissed off again today!

Alabasta, a country located in the first half of the Grand Line's "Paradise."

With a population exceeding ten million and a standing army of six hundred thousand.

The nation was ruled by the Nefertari family.

This family descended from one of the twenty kings who founded the World Government.

They were originally the royal family of Alabasta but chose to return instead of remaining in Mariejois as so-called "Celestial Dragons."

To be honest, this family was among the rare good people in the entire One Piece world, truly loving their citizens as their own children and prioritizing their welfare above all else.

Just their refusal to become Celestial Dragons had already earned them high marks in Michael's book.

Not to mention, Alabasta possessed an exceptionally vast territory.

Across the entire world, this country could be said to have the most superior strategic depth.

What a...

Natural stronghold!

At this moment, Michael began to understand why Crocodile was so determined to seize this country!

That guy... Had pretty sharp strategic insight!

Michael now found himself not only intrigued by Alabasta but even somewhat impressed by Crocodile.

He had always been more... tolerant toward people with brains.

Entering Alabasta through the river mouth, they advanced toward the capital, Alubarna.

Michael witnessed a level of prosperity and peace rarely seen elsewhere.

Alabasta stood out like an anomaly in the One piece world.

After all, the current Alabasta wasn't the crumbling state it would become after the events of the story—infiltrated by Baroque Works, with both its monarchy and economy on the verge of collapse.

A standing army of six hundred thousand—regardless of combat effectiveness—was enough to intimidate any troublemakers just by the sheer number.

The Marine's Buster Call only mobilized about ten thousand people!

"Michael, this place... is so wonderful" Stella stood beside Michael at the ship's bow, marveling at the bustling scenes along both riverbanks.

"I've never seen anything like it."

As a wandering singer, Stella had traveled through many countries across the Grand Line.

But she had never encountered anything like Alabasta's...

"So my dream is to make sure everyone in the world can live like the people of Alabasta... no, even better lives than they have now!"

Stella gazed at Michael's face, his platinum hair gleaming in the sun.

"By the way? It's already noon—where are Garp-san and Robin?"

"Oh, Robin is giving Vice Admiral Garp a lesson right now. She said as the Marine's hero, his education level should be a bit higher..."

Michael frowned.

Did he... hear that correctly?

Robin teaching Garp?

But thinking about it, that made perfect sense!

With Garp's level of education, he could barely read newspapers and the orders issued by Sengoku!

Though Robin was only eight, she was a certified scholar—a genuine little genius!

"Michael, up ahead... is that the port coming into view?"

Stella interrupted Michael's thoughts, pointing into the distance.

Amid the desert-and-oasis landscape, Michael spotted a massive harbor crowded with merchant ships and passenger vessels.

They are no pirate ships or Marine warships.

So when Garp's personal flagship sailed into port, it immediately drew a massive crowd of onlookers.

"Oh my god! Is that a warship? Why is it so much bigger than the ones I've seen abroad?"

"And the figurehead is a dog's head? Is this the standard design for Marine warships?"

"You uncultured fools! A warship with a dog's head figurehead can only belong to one man—the Marine Hero, Garp!"

"Wow!"

...

Alubarna, Royal Palace Throne Room.

The young King Cobra sat upon his throne, diligently attending to the affairs of the kingdom.

Igaram stood by his side, serving as his attendant.

"Your Majesty, King Cobra!"

A palace guard rushed in frantically, as if he had witnessed something extraordinary, completely forgetting proper decorum as he barged into the throne room.

"Hey! You there, this is utterly disrespectful!"

Igaram scolded the guard, but Cobra raised a hand to stop him.

Then, Cobra turned to the guard, his expression showing no trace of panic.

"No need to rush. Take your time… What exactly happened?"

Igaram's lips twitched…

Though no one else noticed, he had seen it clearly.

His Majesty Cobra had happily tossed the heavy stack of documents onto the desk.

He wasn't just curious about the situation—he was clearly looking for an excuse to slack off!

Of course, Igaram kept this thought to himself.

After all, King Cobra was, for the most part, a wise and capable ruler.

"Huff… Your Majesty, it's like this—a group of Marines has arrived outside the palace, requesting an audience!"

"Marines?" Cobra's interest was instantly piqued.

"Well, let them in then! Why are you so flustered?"

"B-but…" The guard swallowed hard. "They've brought a large group of people with them, claiming they're here to 'deliver goods' to Your Majesty!"

Cobra's lips twitched and the dignified expression he had been maintaining nearly cracked.

"Ahem, well then, summon them in. I'm quite curious about their intentions."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guard saluted before rushing out again.

Igaram, however, frowned deeply and leaned in to whisper to Cobra.

"Your Majesty, Alabasta has never had a Marine branch established here… Why would the Marines suddenly take such an interest in us?"

"Precisely because we don't know, we should meet them, shouldn't we?" The young Cobra's eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

"Every unusual event could be an opportunity to strengthen our kingdom."

With that, he straightened his posture and waited for the Marines to enter.

After a short while, several Marines strode into the throne room, leading a large group of oddly dressed individuals.

And at their head… was none other than the Marine Hero, Vice Admiral Garp!

But after the initial shock, Cobra's gaze shifted to the Marine standing half a step behind Garp—a man with striking platinum-blond hair.

That hair color… truly rare.

"Your Majesty King Cobra, I am Marine Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp. A pleasure to meet you."

"Uh, Vice Admiral Garp, this isn't our first meeting… I did attend the Reverie, you know."

"Oh, right!"

Garp's previously serious demeanor instantly crumbled, only for Michael to jab him sharply in the back.

"Your Majesty, I am Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander Michael. Vice Admiral Garp is weary from his journey, so allow me to explain the situation from here."

Michael took a step forward, his expression and demeanor was flawless.

"Very well, Michael. Is there something the Marine requires from Alabasta?"

"No, quite the opposite. We've come to assist Alabasta."

Michael shook his head, then gestured toward the large group of Ohara scholars behind him.

"King Cobra, Alabasta possesses the largest land area in the world..."

"Education must be a significant challenge, wouldn't you agree?"

"These over two hundred scholars from Ohara—I imagine Alabasta has great need for them?"

Upon hearing this, Cobra's expression immediately turned grave.

"Lieutenant Commander Michael... wasn't Ohara subjected to a Buster Call?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear King Cobra, I misspoke just now." Michael wore an expression of utter remorse before continuing.

"Your Majesty, how do you plan to accommodate these 200-plus scholars from Alabasta?"