Cobra froze for a moment.
"There's no need to doubt it. Quite a few people in the Marines are unhappy with this system too, but reality is reality. The new era that Roger kicked off brought far too much instability. The World Government needs the Seven Warlords of the Sea to stabilize the situation. As for the impact those Warlords have caused... heh."
kane did not continue, but Cobra already understood.
What the World Government wanted was stability. What it wanted was the deterrent power of powerful pirates.
As for what those pirates actually did, they were never all that concerned. As long as it did not go too far, they would mostly turn a blind eye.
And the consequence of that was countries like theirs being ruthlessly poisoned by one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"Is there really no way to abolish this system?" Cobra asked.
"Regrettably, not for now."
Cobra's expression turned grim.
"Still, the birth of any system is meant to deal with a certain situation. When the tides change, naturally, that will also be the moment the system falls apart."
Cobra looked confused.
"Vice Admiral kane, what do you mean by that?"
"It's simple. The Seven Warlords of the Sea system won't last much longer. Because the changes in the world will exceed everyone's expectations."
Cobra was startled.
Seeing his shocked expression, kane smiled as well.
"When the wall collapses, everyone gives it a push. What happened in Alabasta is only the beginning. Besides, as the victim in this matter, don't you have the most right to speak? Not to mention your ancestors were once one of the Twenty Kings."
Cobra's face hardened with resolve.
"I will definitely lodge a formal protest with the World Government. And I will also publicly expose Crocodile's crimes in full detail."
The corner of kane's mouth lifted.
"All right, no more wasting time. None of that has anything to do with this old man. We should go get the Poneglyph now. That was our agreement."
Cobra said nothing more, nor was he dissatisfied. This had been agreed upon from the start.
And in his heart, Cobra even felt it was worth it.
Because just yesterday, he had learned Crocodile's entire plan from him.
It could be said that without kane's help, he had no idea what things would have turned into.
It was no exaggeration to say that the kingdom had been able to stabilize again because of the Marine Vice Admiral before him. Twenty billion Beli in exchange for that, plus a Poneglyph that could bring disaster, was a deal Cobra considered more than worthwhile.
"Report! There is a woman outside asking to see Vice Admiral kane."
kane frowned.
"Who is it?" Cobra asked.
kane's Observation Haki spread outward.
Then he smiled.
"I know who it is. Bring her in," kane said directly.
The guard was taken aback, then quickly left.
Not long after, Robin arrived before the two of them under the guard's escort.
"How did it go?" kane asked.
"It's all been taken care of."
"Very good. Your luck isn't bad."
This woman was none other than Robin, who had gone to deal with the remaining assets in Alabasta.
kane truly had not expected her to come looking for him herself.
"Why do you say that?" Robin asked, puzzled.
"You just happened to catch us on our way to retrieve something."
After speaking, kane turned to Cobra.
"It shouldn't be a problem if I bring her along, right?"
"No problem at all," Cobra replied at once.
"Good. Then let's go."
Cobra glanced at Robin. Though he was very suspicious of the woman before him, he did not pry any further.
The two followed behind Cobra.
"What is it?" Robin could not help asking.
"The thing you've been pursuing."
Robin's expression changed.
"The Poneglyph?"
"Smart."
After receiving kane's confirmation, Robin became visibly excited.
In truth, the whole reason she had cooperated with Crocodile was for the sake of the Poneglyph.
It could be said that, up to now, this was the only pursuit she had left in life.
Very soon, Cobra brought kane and the others to the place where the Poneglyph was stored.
"Vice Admiral kane, this is the Poneglyph our royal family has preserved to this day. It belongs to you now," Cobra said directly.
Hearing that, kane smiled.
Then he turned to look at Robin.
"Had your fill?"
From the moment she laid eyes on the Poneglyph, Robin had been completely drawn in.
By now, she had likely finished reading it.
Robin turned to look at kane without saying a word.
"What does it say?" kane asked.
Robin fell silent for a while.
kane did not press her.
"It really does contain information about Pluton!" Robin suddenly said.
This time, it was kane's turn to be stunned.
Cobra beside him also looked shocked.
Because this was also considered a secret of their kingdom, though it had only ever been a legend.
He himself knew no exact details.
And yet the woman before them could actually read the ancient script.
kane paused for a moment, then laughed.
"I thought you'd make up some bit of Alabasta history to fool me."
"Would you have fallen for it?"
"Do you even need to ask? Anyway, now that you've finished reading it, this old man is putting it away. Consider it your reward for all your hard work these past few days," kane said.
"You don't want to know the exact information written on it?" Robin asked, clearly shocked.
"Why would this old man need to know?"
"That's Pluton! A powerful weapon capable of destroying an entire island with a single strike."
"So what?"
Robin fell completely silent.
"Besides, how are you so sure this old man doesn't already know what's written on it?"
"That's impossible!" Robin blurted out.
"Believe whatever you want. Move aside. This old man is putting it away."
Robin was still in shock.
Could the Marine before her really decipher the Poneglyphs?
But that was impossible!
kane paid no attention to her astonishment.
He directly put the Poneglyph away.
Soon, the three of them returned to the palace.
Robin remained silent the whole way.
Only from time to time did she glance at kane, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Cobra, our transaction is complete. This old man is leaving now."
"Thank you, Vice Admiral kane. If not for you, we..." Cobra began.
"Stop. This old man does things for money. Don't talk to me like that. There's still the remaining payment. Send it to me when the time comes," kane interrupted him directly.
Cobra froze, then revealed a bitter smile.
"I understand, Vice Admiral kane."
"Good that you do. I really took a loss on this one. Next time, it won't be this cheap!"
The corner of Cobra's mouth twitched.
kane did not waste any more words. He directly transformed into a giant dragon, took Robin with him, and shot rapidly into the sky, disappearing above the royal capital.
Seeing this, Cobra's expression turned deeply grateful.
Inside one of Baroque Works' secret bases—
kane looked at the treasure before him and revealed a satisfied expression.
These treasures were worth roughly five billion Beli.
That meant Baroque Works alone had brought kane a total profit of fifteen billion Beli. It was truly a rich harvest.
"This really is the fastest way to make money!" kane sighed.
Then his gaze landed on Robin.
"Very good. You can leave now," kane said directly.
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