One Piece: The Will of Conqueror is the strongest!

"Hmph, if I encounter a truly powerful opponent, I will make my move."

"However, I, this great one, will not offer to help you on my own initiative!"

Shukaku's words are self-contradictory.

But Brando knew that the trust between the two had grown even stronger, and Haki had already achieved his goal of being stubborn.

Brando wasted no time and brought Shukaku directly to the vicinity of the Alabasta Royal Palace. Then, one by one, they easily sneaked in, activating their Sharingan and proceeding with extreme caution.

They easily exploited the blind spots of these patrolling guards, making intrusion nearly effortless. They randomly picked a guard, used their mental power to invade and read his memories, and then knocked him unconscious.

Then they went directly to Cobra's residence.

"Your Majesty, the people have requested a grand funeral for the death of the Shichibukai Crocodile, and they hope that you can attend in person."

Icarium, the captain of the Kingdom Guard, reports to Cobra about the events involving Crocodile.

“I understand. Since he is dead, let’s do as the people want, for this hero of Alabasta.”

Cobra sensed that something was wrong with Crocodile, but couldn't figure out why.

Now that Crocodile is dead, he doesn't want to cause any more trouble. He just wants the people to believe him. What else can happen when someone is dead?

"A guy who attempted to overthrow this country, disregarded the deaths of ordinary people, and was a legitimate pirate plotting to steal the secrets of the Nefit family—how could such a person have the king of this country personally attend his funeral?"

"It seems that the king of this country is not very intelligent."

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice rang out.

Icarim immediately stepped in front of Cobra, drawing his pistol and pointing it in the direction of the sound, his expression wary.

"Who goes there!"

Ikaram looked nervous.

He never expected that a stranger could sneak into the king's office; this guy looked very cunning.

Brando slowly pushed open the door and walked in. Two guards lay unconscious at the door.

Upon entering, Brando immediately removed his straw hat, revealing his true appearance.

"It's you!"

Cobra immediately recognized the man as the guy who had defeated Crocodile on yesterday's front page.

Ikaram recognized him immediately, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

He was clearly aware of Brando's danger, and he felt that he alone was simply no match for him.

"You just said that Crocodile is plotting against this country, is that true?"

Cobra didn't panic too much.

Instead, he was more concerned about what Brando had just said.

"First, he continuously defeats the pirates who invade Alabasta, becoming a hero of the country. Then, he uses dancing powder to cause drought, and the people who cannot survive begin to rebel against the government, forcing the foolish king to abdicate. Finally, the hero appears to save the country."

"What a wonderful script, isn't it?"

Brando passionately recounted everything Crocodile would do in the future.

However, after hearing these words, Cobra felt a chill of fear. He hadn't expected the plan to be so simple, yet so perfectly suited.

He didn't believe that a pirate would be so kind as to help Alabasta clear out the invading pirates without being after money; he must have some other motive.

He hadn't expected that the other side's target was the entire Alabasta.

"What is your purpose in coming here?!"

Icarum stared sharply at Brando.

Crocodile's affairs have nothing to do with this person, and Crocodile is already dead. This person's special visit must have other reasons.

"It's for Crocodile's other purpose, the historical text about the ancient weapon Pluton, which I want to take a look at."

Brando didn't hide it either.

He's already killed a Celestial Dragon and taken down a Shichibukai, so the World Government hates him to the core. Reading another Poneglyph is nothing to him.

"you!"

Upon hearing Brando's words, Cobra could no longer remain calm. He abruptly stood up, slammed his hands on the table, and stared intently at Brando.

Because he never expected that this secret would be exposed.

This was something the World Government could not tolerate, and it concerned a secret that the Nefit family had kept for so many years. How could he not be shocked?

"king!"

Ikaram didn't understand what was happening.

"You go out first!"

Kobra gave the order directly.

He was well aware of the current situation. If the other party wanted to make a move, Icarus wouldn't be able to stop them, and since the other party knew about Hades, it wasn't appropriate for others to hear about it.

Icarum was somewhat unwilling, but he still obeyed Cobra's orders, left Cobra's room, and closed the door behind him.

"So you, like Crocodile, came here for Hades?"

Cobra felt a bitter taste in his mouth and a strange, unpleasant sensation.

If this gets out, the World Government won't be lenient, but Alabasta is currently powerless to protect this secret.

“We villagers don’t lie. We’re not really interested in Hades. I just want to look at some historical texts.”

"Besides, you can't stop me from doing what I want to do."

Brando was telling the truth this time.

But Cobra refused to believe it, convinced that Brando had come for Hades' message.

He was considering what price he would have to pay to get the other party to give up on this matter.

"The history books are underground in this city, aren't they? Is it this royal palace?"

Brando dropped the pretense and directly stated the approximate location of the Poneglyph.

Cobra stared at Brando in shock. Why had this secret been exposed? Had Crocodile investigated to this extent?

He believed that everything Brando knew came from Crocodile.

"Stop talking nonsense, just use your Sharingan to read his memories!"

Hagi Crane emerged directly from Brando's robes, speaking with some impatience.

Chapter 37: You've got a screw loose, you've been cuckolded too many times!

You're right.

Brando didn't refute Haki, and was currently in the phase of winning Haki's favor.

He's waiting to unlock the special CG so he can show Hagiwara how powerful he is.

Without giving Cobra any chance to speak, he grabbed Cobra's head with his right hand and used his Sharingan to mentally invade and read Cobra's memories.

They quickly located the site of the historical text, an underground chamber in the mausoleum west of the palace, and also learned how to enter it.

Brando let go, and Cobra woke up, though he felt dizzy, as if he had been staying up all night.

"What did you do!"

Kobra's eyes were filled with terror.

Is the secret that the Nefit family has guarded for so many years about to be exposed in his hands?

"You useless king, you can't even protect your own country and people. Crocodile almost caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people."

"If I hadn't killed Crocodile, none of this would have happened. How can you treat the savior of this country with such gratitude?"

Brando immediately turned the tables and accused them.

Brando had been putting on an act in front of Shukaku, but after discovering that Shukaku was even more irritable than him, he stopped pretending.

"you!"

Cobra was speechless.

Although there was no concrete evidence, he felt that what Brando said was true, so he could not refute what Brando said.

"If my dream wasn't just to be a village chief, I would have ousted you long ago and become the king, you good-for-nothing."

"Have the Nefit family been brain-dead all these years? They haven't improved their strength at all, just living off their past achievements and staying in Alabasta, doing nothing of substance and just spending all their time in this country."

Brando can spout off without hesitation.

If it were a small country like Dressrosa, it would be different; this country has a population of tens of millions.

The fact that this country can't even cultivate a single strong individual proves that it's been resting on its laurels and has never intended to strive for improvement. When a powerful enemy arrives, it's left to lament and complain.

"All of this is to keep it a secret, to avoid attracting attention!"

Cobra still managed to retort.

Being too high-profile makes you an easy target.