165. Alabasta

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Suzu turned her head and glanced at Anos, curiosity brimming in her eyes, but she still did as he instructed.

This time, however, the preparation wasn't perfect. But Anos didn't seem anxious.

After all, it was just the beginning. He wasn't in a rush to distribute the Devil Fruits.

In no time, all twenty-plus small boxes containing Devil Fruits were opened.

Suzu gave a brief introduction to each one. Most of them turned out to be Zoan and Paramecia types.

It wasn't surprising. Even the Celestial Dragons couldn't hoard all the most powerful fruits.

While these weren't the rarest or strongest, they were still valuable. Strength could be enhanced in many ways, and even the more "common" Devil Fruits had their uses.

Every fruit existed for a purpose; none were truly useless. Anos already had plans for these twenty-plus Devil Fruits.

"Put them all away. After that, why don't you join me for a meal?" Anos said casually to Suzu.

"No, Your Majesty. Once I finish here, I still have other duties to attend to," Suzu replied with a polite smile.

"Fair enough," Anos said, not insisting. His invitation was merely a gesture of courtesy.

Now that the abilities of the Devil Fruits had been identified, Suzu's task here was complete.

After everything was settled, Anos remained in the courtyard. He spent the entire day there, deep in thought, carefully planning his next moves.

There was no need to prove his strength to anyone now. What he required was time to grow familiar with his abilities and strategies. Anos wasn't one to meddle unnecessarily in external affairs.

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Ten days passed.

During this time, Anos had barely left his residence, staying either in his room or in the courtyard.

He focused entirely on mastering his abilities and ensuring his Haki didn't spiral out of control. Only after confirming he was in full control did he step out.

In the palace hall, Anos and Losta were the only two present, standing in the grand space.

Losta stood respectfully at the base of the steps, while Anos, instead of taking his throne, stood beside her.

"Your Majesty, we're ready to depart for Alabasta to discuss cooperation. Do you have any additional instructions?" Losta asked with a tone of professionalism.

"I don't have many concerns. Alabasta's development could benefit us greatly, but the weight of these negotiations falls on you. Opening markets on the Grand Line will be a challenge, but the rewards could be immense."

"Though you'll be far from home, I trust you'll represent the Tru Kingdom as if you were still within its borders," Anos said with a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. No matter where I am, I'll remain loyal to you and our kingdom," Losta said firmly, bowing deeply.

"This mission may keep you there for up to three years. During that time, I expect you to ensure every aspect of our arrangement is executed flawlessly. The outcome of this partnership will play a vital role in our country's future development," Anos explained.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Losta said confidently.

The plan involved relocating nearly half of the factories in the Tru Kingdom to Alabasta, sparking an economic collaboration that would allow the Tru Kingdom to reduce domestic strain while benefiting from Alabasta's strategic position within the World Government.

"When you encounter talented individuals during your travels, try to recruit them to our cause. I trust your judgment in how best to handle this," Anos added.

"Understood," Losta replied, nodding.

As the conversation continued, Losta asked, "Is there anything specific I should relay to King Cobra of Alabasta?"

"No need. King Cobra wouldn't want to hear from me directly. Focus on implementing the economic system we've outlined. Once that's in place, we can discuss other opportunities for collaboration," Anos said thoughtfully.

---

This time, Losta was the best choice for the mission. Ambitious but highly capable, she had consistently proven her ability to deliver results.

Anos trusted her fully, knowing her ambition would drive her to succeed, not falter.

For the next half hour, they reviewed details about Alabasta. Though the kingdom had no unusual conditions, their partnership offered mutual benefits:

Alabasta would gain economic infrastructure, while the Tru Kingdom would profit from enhanced production capabilities and access to Alabasta's standing within the World Government.

Everyone seeks to secure their own interests. For Anos, Alabasta's factories were a means to an end, allowing his kingdom to flourish without overburdening its resources.

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