Chapter 21: We Only Accept Cash, Your Majesty!
"A moderate?"
King Cobra felt the claim was a bit absurd.
He wasn't a warrior king, but he understood exactly what had just happened.
The elite royal guard of Alabasta had been neutralized in an instant. Ryuji hadn't even lifted a finger, and the battle was over before it began.
This was a clear show of force.
But Cobra was not a king easily cowed by threats.
He cleared his throat to speak. But before he could...
"An organization? You have an organization? And a leader?"
Vivi's voice rang out first.
The princess, seemingly unbothered by the terrifying display of power, was now leaning forward, her face a mix of wariness and intense curiosity.
"Vivi!"
Cobra scolded his daughter, a rare occurrence. "You promised to only listen."
He was worried. While Vivi's questions were the same ones he had, speaking out of turn in front of such a monster was dangerous.
"That's right, Princess," Ryuji said, surprisingly gentle with her.
"Our organization is called 'The Zodiac'."
"As for our leader..." Ryuji's tone became respectful. "I cannot share details about him. But rest assured, our intent to cooperate is genuine. We mean no harm."
He set down his empty cola glass.
"If I had ill intent, I wouldn't have landed at Elumalu. I would have come straight here."
"The rain I brought along the way... that was my 'sincerity,' Your Majesty."
As he spoke, the metal cup in his hand began to hiss. White smoke rose from it as it melted into a glob of red-hot molten iron, dripping onto the floor and instantly burning a hole through the stone.
It was a silent message: If I wanted to, I could easily burn through your palace and kill you all.
"..."
The guards' expressions darkened with anger. Cobra fell silent.
But deep in his eyes, there was shock.
After a long moment, Cobra spoke. "Two things."
"First, you say you want to cooperate. I need to know what you want from Alabasta."
"Second, you still have no proof. I cannot trust you. The story you told... I could easily replace your 'mastermind' with your own organization, and it would make just as much sense."
He remained calm, unfazed by Ryuji's power.
"If these two points are not cleared up, you can take my life right here, but I will not agree to anything."
He made a subtle hand gesture to Igaram. Igaram knew it well: If things go wrong, protect Vivi and run at all costs.
"..."
Igaram's face set in grim determination.
But Ryuji just laughed. "Worthy of the Wise King of Alabasta. Your will and courage are admirable."
"But I told you. I am a merchant."
"I will answer your questions."
He leaned forward, raising a finger. "Your first question: what do we need?"
"The answer is simple. We want Berries."
As he said this, Cobra's expression cracked.
"Berries? Just... money?"
The king was incredulous.
He had imagined many possibilities—political leverage, land, or perhaps the ancient secret hidden within the Royal Tomb.
But he hadn't expected them to just want money. Not that money wasn't valuable, but for an organization with this kind of power, it usually wasn't the priority.
"Just Berries... though we accept other equivalent treasures," Ryuji chuckled. "I'm an honest man, so here are my prices. I can bring rain to Alabasta. One city, one rainfall... 2 billion Berries."
"And to deal with the mastermind behind this drought... 5 billion Berries. How does that sound?"
How does it sound?
"That is a major problem, Sir Ryuji," Cobra said immediately.
"Two billion for one rainfall is extortionate. Even transporting water from neighboring countries would cost less."
"I can offer 300 million Berries per rainfall."
"As for the mastermind... I don't know who he is, but 5 billion is absurd. Unless you're telling me Whitebeard himself is hiding in Alabasta?"
"I can offer a maximum of 2 billion for his head."
Cobra was firm.
Ryuji slammed the table. "Ridiculous! 300 million? Using my ability takes stamina! At least 700 million!"
"And the mastermind isn't Whitebeard, but he's tricky. This concerns the fate of your entire nation! You pay over 10 billion a year in Celestial Tribute, but you'll only pay 2 billion to save your country!?"
Cobra didn't back down. "If you know about the Tribute, you know we just paid it! The treasury is empty! Not to mention the cost of resettling the refugees after this is over..."
They went back and forth, arguing like market hagglers.
Finally, a deal was struck.
Ryuji would bring rain to Alabasta's cities for 500 million Berries per session.
And for eliminating the mastermind, Alabasta would pay a bounty of 3 billion Berries.
Once the numbers were settled, Cobra looked at Ryuji seriously. "However. The terms are set, but you still haven't given me proof."
Ryuji laughed.
"That's easy, Your Majesty."
He held up a second finger, pointing at himself. "I can bring rain. That is now a known fact in Alabasta. And it is something the mastermind absolutely cannot tolerate."
"So, I will stay here in the palace. You just need to spread the rumor that 'rain is coming to Alabasta.' He will naturally send assassins to kill me. And then... you will have your proof."
He spoke lightly, with a hint of excitement.
Cobra was stunned. He hadn't expected Ryuji to use himself as bait. "Are you sure?"
"Of course."
Ryuji replied calmly.
In his vision, the screen displayed his current status.
[Roy Amos (Slice-Clone - 'Ryuji')]
[Fruit Slots: 3]
[Equipped: Magma-Magma Fruit LV3, Ice-Ice Fruit LV3, Slice-Slice Fruit (Inactive)]
"I am sure."
With that, the agreement was reached.
Cobra ordered Igaram to prepare a room for Ryuji in the palace. Then, he watched the mysterious guest leave.
Once Ryuji was gone...
"Father..."
Vivi, who had been staring wide-eyed the whole time, looked at her father. She had never seen him like this—haggling like a merchant instead of a king.
"His identity and goals are still unconfirmed. And his partner is a criminal who stole the Celestial Tribute... We are a World Government member nation. Why are you willing to work with him?"
Cobra looked at his daughter. She was brave, but still young.
"Vivi, let me tell you something."
"Sometimes, don't look at what a person says. Look at what they do."
"What they do?" Vivi frowned.
"He did bring rain, solving our immediate crisis," Cobra said softly.
"He does have the power to kill us easily, but he hasn't made a move."
"Most importantly... he could have threatened the entire country to force me to pay more. The treasury is empty, yes, but if I taxed the citizens to the bone, I could squeeze out more money."
Cobra looked at her. "But he didn't, Vivi... Why do you think that is?"
"..."
Vivi thought for a moment, then realized. "Many people would die."
After seven months of drought, the harvest was ruined. If they taxed the people now, mass starvation and death would be inevitable.
"If he and his 'Zodiac' were truly the ones causing the drought, they wouldn't care if the people lived or died," Vivi realized with surprise. "But he backed down on the price... so he's not the mastermind?"
Cobra looked at her with pride.
But then Vivi worried again. "But the World Government..."
"We are the rulers of Alabasta, Vivi," Cobra said, his voice soft but unyielding.
"We chose to stay in this country. Our only responsibility is to the people of this land."
"Remember that."