Alabasta, Royal Palace.
Cobra and Dr. Clover sighed in unison.
"Sigh... Hasn't the number of pirates in Paradise been increasing a bit too much lately?"
"Can't be helped. It's all part of Blackbeard's scheme... Though he emerged victorious in the Loki Port incident, when 'Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock arrived, she drove him out of Hachinosu... But who would've guessed he'd turn it to his advantage? He dispersed his forces, leading his 'Blackbeard Grand Fleet' back into Paradise to operate independently... This means even if the Angel Alliance catches wind of their movements, they might only intercept a small fraction."
Dr. Clover crossed his arms, calmly analyzing.
"Ordinary pirates wouldn't dare cause trouble in Alabasta due to our large standing army, but Blackbeard's crew is different." Cobra pointed at Alabasta on the nautical chart.
"For instance, there have been several disturbances in Rainbase... Tracing them back revealed they were secretly instigated by Jesus Burgess, captain of the Blackbeard Grand Fleet's 1st Ship."
Hearing this, Dr. Clover also wore a helpless expression.
Currently, most of the Angel Alliance's main forces are locked in a standoff with the World Government in the New World, leaving no spare manpower to deal with Blackbeard.
Because Blackbeard's existence is... peculiar.
He's not threatening enough to shift the world's balance, yet his presence keeps the Angel Alliance's rear on constant alert, straining frontline resources.
That's why the Angel Alliance left an emergency response team in Paradise—to seize any chance to eliminate Blackbeard decisively.
Yet this seemingly brutish fool is actually a meticulous schemer.
In fact, since being repelled by Admiral "Pirate Empress" Boa Hancock, he hasn't shown his face at all.
Strictly speaking... they can't even confirm he's still in Paradise.
For all they know, he might have infiltrated some remote corner of the four seas.
"Still, even without Blackbeard, the pirate issue needs addressing." Dr. Clover shook his head.
"But we can't use conventional methods... Due to the World Government's deliberate propaganda, pirates have become idolized by some civilians, even inspiring new recruits to take to the seas..."
"Even in Alabasta, there are quite a few people like this..."
The two of them understood clearly that these incidents were undoubtedly schemes by the World Government.
Yet such overt conspiracies were, in a sense, unsolvable.
This kind of propaganda from the World Government would not cease until the Angel Alliance completely overthrew them.
Just as the two were about to carefully plan how to deal with the pirate issues in the surrounding areas, a guard rushed into the palace, panting heavily:
"Y-Your Majesty Cobra!"
"What is it? What's so urgent!?"
Cobra was startled by the guard's frantic demeanor and stood up to inquire.
"At the port of Alubarna! A group of pirates came ashore and are now charging toward the palace!"
"What!?" Cobra's face paled in shock. "Where did these pirates come from? Have they lost their minds!?"
"Your Majesty, I don't know either..." The guard looked on the verge of tears. "Chief Bellemere has already set up defenses at the palace gates with her troops, and the city's standing army has begun evacuating civilians!"
"We must ensure the safety of our citizens!" Cobra steadied himself and continued, "Go immediately and contact the standing army stationed outside the city. Have them form an encirclement from the outside in!"
"Yes, sir!"
The guard saluted Cobra and dashed out at top speed.
Cobra paced back and forth in front of the throne before finally stomping his foot in frustration and running out of the palace.
"Your Majesty Cobra, wait for me!"
Dr. Clover tossed aside his documents and chased after him.
Both of them had the same thought in their minds...
These pirates storming the palace were either out of their minds...
Or they were truly formidable.
"At your age, you shouldn't follow me!" Cobra turned back and shouted at Dr. Clover. "Go use the Den Den Mushi to contact the Germa Kingdom! Inform Queen Sora of the situation here and request reinforcements!"
"Understood!"
Hearing this, Dr. Clover made a sharp turn and rushed into another palace.
Cobra didn't even have time to quip about the old man's surprising agility before he strode out of the palace without looking back.
As the king of Alabasta, he had to confront these audacious villains head-on!
...
"Lieutenant Isca, have you gotten a clear look at those pirates?" Bellemere asked loudly as she faced the young woman who had just arrived.
"Reporting, Chief! I couldn't see their faces clearly, but it seems this pirate crew has not only many young members but also several rather burly elderly men..."
The short-haired redhead replied sternly.
Yet there was unmistakable confusion in her eyes.
The current situation was highly unclear.
These pirates clearly possessed considerable strength, yet they hadn't harmed any civilians or the Angel Alliance along the way.
"Youngsters and elderly men... what kind of absurd combination is that?" Bellemere rubbed her temples and turned to the communications team behind her.
"Hey! Have you reached Marineford and the Rescue Squad yet?"
"Marineford says they have no information on this pirate crew... and the Fire Rescue Squad still hasn't responded."
"Keep contacting the firefighting team! What about the special forces and Devil Fruit Users? Be ready for battle at any moment!"
"Yes, Branch Chief Bellemere!"
A unified response echoed from nearby.
The group under Bellemere's command were the oddballs from Baroque Works.
However, they were completely different from their original counterparts—each now wore the uniform of the Angel Alliance, exuding an air of solemn righteousness.
This was especially true for the former chief officers of Baroque Works, who had previously joined the Revolutionary Army and even met Michael.
After the Angel Alliance was established, they were transferred to Alabasta and had been stationed there ever since.
"Listen up, everyone! Be prepared!"
"This time... our enemies might not be pushovers!"
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