Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Noble Arashi
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The banquet hall was silent. Nefertari Titi stared at her husband in shock while Vivi, cradled in her arms, struggled to bring a spoonful of food to her mouth.
"Ancestor Lily..." After a long pause, Cobra finally murmured with a complicated expression.
"That very ancestor," Arashi confirmed with a nod.
"So, what exactly do you know?" Cobra asked.
He only vaguely knew bits and pieces about this ancestor, remembering she was one of the Twenty Kings from 800 years ago.
Beyond that, his knowledge was limited—perhaps some of the ancient texts passed down through generations held more clues.
"Eight hundred years ago, the Twenty Kings were the victors, and our ancestor, Lily, was among them," Arashi began.
"Because of this, the Nefertari family became Celestial Dragons. But, brother, do you know why our ancestor never moved to Mary Geoise?"
Arashi spoke with a faint smile, deliberately revealing the roots of the Nefertari family.
He wanted to plant a seed of caution in Cobra's mind, hoping to prevent the tragic outcome of Cobra's potential future encounter with Im.
"I... I don't know," Cobra admitted, visibly puzzled.
"Does this mean there's more to the story?"
Arashi sighed lightly. "The Nefertari family was never aligned with the people in Mary Geoise."
Cobra's body stiffened as he stared at his younger brother. "What do you mean by that?"
"To put it plainly, we were born as their natural enemies," Arashi said, his eyes narrowing.
His voice grew heavier as he continued. "Our ancestor, Nefertari Lily..."
"Her true name should be..." His voice became ethereal, carrying a weight that sent shivers down Cobra's spine.
Cobra trembled, his eyes wide with disbelief as he heard the words.
"Nefertari D. Lily!"
At that moment, it felt as if thunder had cracked through the banquet hall, reverberating in their ears.
"D..." Cobra murmured, his strength seemingly drained from his body. Beside him, Titi stared in stunned disbelief.
"D represents something that the world has largely forgotten over the past 800 years," Arashi explained.
"But one thing is certain—it is inherently opposed to the Celestial Dragons."
"In history, the Celestial Dragons have launched numerous bloody purges against those bearing the D," Arashi continued, his voice calm yet heavy with implication.
Cobra's expression shifted between shock and contemplation as he fell into silence.
For 800 years, the Nefertari family had lived as part of the Celestial Dragons.
However, unlike the others, they had always followed their path, never subscribing to the Celestial Dragons' ways.
Now, the truth was laid bare—they were, in fact, the enemies of the Celestial Dragons!
"Arashi!" Cobra called, his voice firm. "What do you intend to do? Since you've brought this to my attention, you must have a plan."
Taking a glance at Vivi, Arashi spoke softly. "I'm telling you this so that you can be prepared."
"If you discover the truth later and act impulsively, it might lead to irreversible consequences."
"For now, the truth about D must remain hidden," he emphasized. "To the world, you are still a Celestial Dragon and the king of Alabasta."
Cobra nodded, exhaling a long breath. The revelation had shaken him deeply, but he quickly regained his composure as a king.
"Additionally," Arashi continued, "before the truth is exposed, we must do everything we can to strengthen Alabasta's foundation—more warriors and stronger weapons."
"I will personally support Alabasta in this effort," Arashi said with a smile.
"Understood!" Cobra's eyes glinted with resolve. "I think I understand now why you became a Marine."
"Only those who truly wield power can reshape the rules," Arashi said with a sigh. "Only then can they create the world that people truly desire."
"I've observed the royal guards of Alabasta," Arashi remarked. "They might seem competent to you, but to me... they're far too weak."
"They lack the strength even to handle ordinary pirates," he added with a shake.
Cobra frowned, wanting to object, but ultimately held back.
Alabasta did have some training methods for cultivating strong warriors, but compared to the Marines, they were inadequate.
"Leave them to me," Arashi suggested. "I'll arrange for someone to train them. Given enough time, Alabasta will have a powerful royal guard."
"For now, we're still working in the shadows. There's a chance to prepare," he added.
Cobra nodded. "No objections. This kingdom is as much yours as it is mine. Do as you see fit."
After hesitating, he said, "As long as it doesn't harm the civilians, I will support your plans."
Arashi smiled faintly. "Brother, you are a kind and benevolent king, but I am also a Marine devoted to justice."
Cobra chuckled, and the heavy atmosphere between them gradually lightened.
Before long, the two brothers laughed and drank like nothing had happened.
Arashi shared some amusing anecdotes with Vivi, making her giggle uncontrollably and planting a seed of curiosity in her young heart.
Despite being only two years old, his niece was exceptionally intelligent.
After the banquet, Arashi and Cobra strolled through the royal palace.
"At this upcoming Reverie, do you think they might target you?" Cobra asked in a serious tone.
"There might be some friction, but nothing too concerning," Arashi smiled.
"Brother, you don't need to worry about me. Instead, you should focus on protecting yourself."
Hearing this, Cobra chuckled. "True. Compared to your strength, I'm quite weak. I even have to rely on the royal guard for protection," he said melancholy.
Despite the high status and power of the royal family, they couldn't fully control their fates.
Even an armed commoner could pose a threat to their lives.
"As long as we remain hidden, they won't act recklessly," Arashi reassured.
"I plan to depart for Mary Geoise in three days," Cobra said. "I've already prepared some proposals to present at the meeting."
The Reverie was a gathering of nations worldwide to discuss and make decisions on global peace and stability matters.
While some proposals would be rejected, others might be adopted.
Although the Celestial Dragons ruled from above, even they found maintaining a façade of peace and stability beneficial.
"Is that so?" Arashi said with a thoughtful expression. "I also have some suggestions. Would you consider including them?"
"Of course!" Cobra was momentarily stunned before breaking into a smile.
He was reminded of their childhood when he shielded his younger brother from a wasp nest and ended up with a swollen face.
The memory brought a fond, affectionate smile to his face.
"As for your departure, you'll need a wardrobe update," Cobra added. "After all, you'll be representing the royal family of Alabasta on this trip."
Arashi was taken aback.
The next day, as a legendary Vice Admiral, Commander of the West Blue, and one of the most influential figures in the Marines, Arashi experienced the opulent lifestyle of nobility firsthand.
Even though the Nefertari family was known for its closeness to ordinary people, as royals, they upheld a strict sense of dignity in their appearance, attire, and etiquette.
Professional barbers meticulously styled his close-cropped hair, and his outfit—a loose, elegantly designed robe—was tailored by expert designers.
"Wow, Sir! You look even more imposing now, like a true noble," Ivia exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement.
Arashi flicked his sleeve and glanced at his reflection in the mirror, nodding with satisfaction.
It was evident how different clothing could highlight various aspects of a person's character.
The distinct Alabasta style accentuated his towering three-meter frame, showcasing his commanding and powerful presence.
Draped in a thin, deep-brown overcoat with a loose robe underneath and carrying the Supreme Grade blade Ace at his waist, Arashi exuded an aura of nobility, majesty, and dominance.
His imposing aura starkly contrasted his demeanor as a Marine Vice Admiral. Instead, he now embodied the regal dignity of a high-ranking noble.
Following the attire adjustment, a team of grooming professionals lined up to refine his brows, face, and footwear.
Cobra, having set aside all his royal duties, stood by to personally oversee his brother's appearance, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Perfect!" Cobra declared with satisfaction.
"With your striking appearance at the Reverie, you're sure to make a lasting impression on everyone there."
"If you manage to catch the attention of a princess or two from other kingdoms, all the better."
Soon, three days passed.
Under the protection of the royal guard, the entourage departed for Nanohana Port and boarded the royal ship.
Alongside Cobra, Titi, Vivi, Igaram, and other key figures of the kingdom, Arashi and his team joined the journey.
Despite the large group, the ship's vast size made it far from cramped.
"This ship is enormous!" Ivia marveled. "And so luxurious! Compared to this, the interiors of our Marine ships feel like they belong to beggars!"
Arashi wasn't particularly surprised. Alabasta was, after all, one of the most prosperous nations in the Grand Line.
As members of the royal family, it was only natural for them to have such splendor.
His thoughts, however, were preoccupied with the events to come after arriving at Mary Geoise.
"The Reverie," he murmured, gazing at the open sea. "It's truly a rare gathering of power and intrigue."
He glanced at Vivi, sitting in Cobra's arms, laughing and cheering excitedly at the sight of the vast ocean.
"They're among the people I hold dearest in this world," Arashi said softly.
"It's not so bad."
He turned slightly and called to Ivia in a low voice.
"Sir!" she responded, lowering her tone as she noticed his serious expression.
"Inform Crocodile to head to Alabasta immediately," Arashi instructed, a faint smile forming.
"Baroque Works' headquarters," he added with a chuckle, "will be established in this kingdom"
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