The Inevitable  

The following day, Igaram and several of his subordinates visited Kanata's ship. They had apparently intended to bring along some snake meat as a souvenir, but as it had been frozen without being properly bled, it was deemed unfit for consumption.

Their business was swift, and they departed without even staying for tea. With all that had transpired, Igaram was undoubtedly a busy man.

Junshi, sipping his hot tea, inquired about the nature of their visit.

"Payment for the wages," Kanata replied. "However, they lack the actual funds, so they mentioned we'd need to travel to Alubarna to collect it."

"...Is that all?" Junshi questioned.

"No. They also expressed a desire for me to accompany them, as a gesture of gratitude for yesterday's incident."

Feiyun, who happened to be present, chimed in, "I didn't sense any ill intent from them," suggesting that it wasn't a trap.

They had offered to provide manpower for carrying the luggage, as it would be burdensome for one person alone. Kanata had declined, however.

"Junshi, you come along too. And Samuel as well. You'll be in charge of transporting the money. If anything happens, you two should be able to protect yourselves."

"Are you assuming something will happen? That's quite cautious of you," Junshi remarked.

"Never trust others too readily. We... well, perhaps not everyone, but at least I am a globally wanted criminal. I have no right to complain about whatever happens."

Even if Igaram held goodwill and Cobra bore no animosity, there was no guarantee that the current king or the Royal Army felt the same.

Anyone, regardless of who they were, could act without guilt if they believed it to be for the sake of good or justice.

Righteousness could sometimes cloud one's judgment. Of course, Kanata was a global criminal. In this case, reporting her would indeed be the right thing to do.

"We're on the run. It's a hassle, but we lack the strength and foundation to directly confront and repel the Navy or the World Government... If we find it disagreeable, we'll just have to gather the necessary power and influence." Said Kanata, gazing into the distance.

If she could reach a level where she could take down one of the Four Emperors who ruled the New World, the Navy would hesitate to make a move... but in their current state, that was wishful thinking.

Simply running away would eventually lead them to a dead end. Pirates who only plundered and lacked productivity wouldn't last long.

They needed to establish a position that the government couldn't ignore, yet would find difficult to interfere with.

"...Being a wanted criminal hinders everything we do."

"It's the path you chose. Do you have any regrets?" Junshi asked.

"There's no point in dwelling on the past. It's just sentimentality. If you lose something, you just have to build it up again."

But in reality, what should they do?

With the risk of a Navy Admiral appearing if they made any rash moves, they were severely limited in their actions. Even running away had its limits.

This would lead to a stalemate. If only they could resolve themselves to confront them head-on, it would ease their minds.

"...Should we just attack the Navy?" Kanata mused aloud.

"You're thinking of something reckless again, aren't you?" Junshi sighed.

"It's just that, if we're being pursued, why not face them once? We'll prepare, of course."

Either way, after causing such a stir in Alabasta, it was only a matter of time before the Navy arrived.

They needed to prepare for an interception before then. If they could move faster, they might avoid contact altogether...

"They're an opponent we'll inevitably clash with eventually. We can't keep running forever."

As long as they were wanted criminals, they would continue to be targeted. It was annoying, but that was their job.

They had trained, but only five of them could be considered true fighting forces. The rest were capable of combat, but their quality was somewhat lacking.

Kanata, Junshi, Feiyun, Zen, and Samuel. For the time being, these five were the only ones they could rely on as their main force. Kuro could be a trump card against Devil Fruit users, but he wasn't exactly adept at direct combat.

David had limitations in his basic physical abilities. Scotch and Sukura were essentially non-combatants.

"Then, I and Samuel will accompany you this time. I'll let George know."

"If the Navy comes while we're gone, tell them to flee to the open sea. Scotch can handle the ship, and we've already purchased the necessary supplies."

"What about us?" Junshi asked.

"I have the Log Pose, so we'll meet up on the way to the next island. We don't have a ship, so I'll lead the way and we'll run across the sea."

Junshi made a bewildered expression at this outrageous suggestion. Certainly, with Kanata's abilities, such a feat was possible, but Junshi found it to be an excessive display of brute force.

"...But it is an effective method..." he conceded.

"It's just a precaution. We can fight if we have to, but it depends on the opponent. With Feiyun and Zen, we can handle most enemies, but officer-class opponents would be a bit troublesome."

Commodore and Rear Admiral level opponents were likely just those who could use Haki to some extent. Vice Admiral level opponents would be those who had fully mastered Haki.

There were giant marines, but with the difference in mass, Feiyun wouldn't be outmatched. Especially if they could use Haki.

Surely there wouldn't be many at the same level as Sengoku or Garp, but it was still best to avoid unnecessary risks. Discretion was the better part of valor.

"We can fight if it seems like we can win. If it's just the people on this island, Zen won't lose."

During their year of training on Little Garden, Zen had demonstrated skills that surpassed even Kanata in terms of pure martial arts. With Haki added to that, there would be no one on this island who could defeat him.

There were no absolutes. Kanata had fought Sengoku, a superior opponent, with a do-or-die attitude and survived. So the possibility of others doing the same couldn't be ruled out.

"I'll let them know. But it's a shame. If I could stay behind, I'd want to fight."

"Zen seemed to be struggling with this country too. I don't really want to cross the desert either." Kanata disliked the heat, but Zen seemed to suffer from it even more.

While he hadn't collapsed from exhaustion, he was constantly sweating when they moved around outside. His high body temperature and the ambient heat caused the sweat to evaporate instantly, making the air shimmer.

The temperature was more bearable near the coast, so it would be easier to fight there.

"...Yeah, this country is tough on him."

"On the other hand, you and Samuel seemed fine, so I'll leave the fighting to you two." Kanata had little intention of fighting herself.

She had fought fiercely the other day, and she wasn't motivated. Stopping the charge and freezing it was hardly what one would call a fight. If she had the motivation, she would have left the battle entirely to them.

Spending time in this country was draining Kanata's energy considerably. Even though the rain had made things a little more bearable, it wasn't like it rained continuously.

"Once we're done here, let's leave this country immediately. I heard Drum Kingdom is a winter island."

"You're quite the opportunist. This doesn't bode well for the future," Junshi chuckled.

"I'd like to avoid summer islands as much as possible, but we don't know much about the islands ahead. Some might say that's the thrill of adventure, though."

At least Kanata and her crew were aiming for the final, uncharted island. They needed to be able to enjoy the journey despite the lack of information, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to continue this arduous voyage.

That being said, Kanata's honest feeling was that she'd had enough of the heat.

***

The capital city, Alubarna.

While they had been warned of the dangers of traversing the desert during the rainy season, it wasn't as if it rained all the time.

It seemed that as long as they avoided the dry riverbeds - known as wadis - that only appeared during the rainy season, travel was possible.

Riding on the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops, the fastest mode of transportation in Alabasta, Kanata and her two companions, along with Cobra and Igaram and two escorts, were making their way towards the Royal Palace.

"So this is the capital," Junshi commented.

"Yes, the entrance is accessible only by stairs, and in case of emergency, all the doors can be closed to fortify the defenses," Igaram explained.

"Hmm... so we have to climb the stairs. Is the city built on higher ground to prevent it from sinking during the rainy season?" Kanata inquired.

"That's right. It's partly due to the original terrain, but there are also wadis that flow nearby during the rainy season."

While the flooding of the Sandora River wouldn't reach this far, smaller sand dunes could change shape due to heavy rainfall.

With the prince present, they were able to pass through the gate without delay.

The Royal Palace wasn't far, and they decided to take the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops through the streets.

"It's quite lively. As expected of the capital," Samuel observed.

"It's dangerous to go outside during this time of year. Most people stay within the city and wait for the rainy season to pass, which makes it a profitable time for some."

"I'm curious to see more, but we don't have much time. Could you hurry it up a bit?" Kanata requested.

"Of course. It was our idea to come here in the first place."

They would complete the procedures at the Royal Palace and receive immediate payment, then be on their way.

It was likely Cobra's consideration, knowing that Kanata's identity as a wanted criminal had been exposed, to have them leave the country as soon as possible.

He had warned that with such conspicuous actions, the Navy would surely catch wind of them. They had been invited to enter the Royal Palace, but Kanata and her companions declined.

"Since you're aware, I'll say it plainly: it's best not to carelessly allow people like us inside the Royal Palace. You might get your throat slit in your sleep someday."

"...At the very least, I believe you wouldn't do such a thing. Prince Cobra feels the same way. Otherwise, he wouldn't have invited you to the Royal Palace, let alone Alubarna."

"Villains are unpredictable. It's best not to trust us so easily."

"I understand. However, you did save Prince Cobra's life." Igaram smiled as he said this.

Kanata scoffed and turned away, responding, "If you were truly concerned, you wouldn't have said that in the first place."

She had heard that it was Cobra's decision to invite them to the Royal Palace and muttered, "I think it's best not to let your guard down around villains just because you saved their life once." The woman who had been charmed by Roger had no right to say such things.

While she was talking with Igaram, Cobra had summoned the person in charge of finances and was settling the wages.

As it would take some time, they decided to wait in the garden at the entrance of the Royal Palace.

"It's hot today," Kanata thought as she looked up at the sky. Suddenly, she sensed someone approaching.

"──Kanata," Junshi whispered.

Kanata pulled up her hood and waited for the person approaching from behind to pass by.

Two imposing figures strode confidently, their coats emblazoned with the word 'Justice'. One was a handsome man with silver hair, blue eyes, and glasses. The other man, wearing a similar coat, had slicked-back black hair and sharp, hawk-like eyes that were directed towards Kanata.

Accompanied by several subordinates, the men stopped in front of a tense-looking Igaram.

The silver-haired man bowed politely with a gentle smile and addressed Igaram.

"──Excuse me. I am Commander Berg from Marine Headquarters. Igaram, I heard that Prince Cobra has returned."

"A marine... I apologize. I believe the prince is currently in his office... Is it urgent?"

"Not particularly. Our term as the stationed unit is nearing its end, so I was hoping to handle the handover and introduce our successors."

"I see... of course. I'll inform the prince, so would you please wait in the reception room?"

"Thank you. We'll wait there."

Berg conversed amicably with Igaram, seemingly unconcerned about Kanata and her companions.

As Igaram led them towards the reception room, Berg turned his gaze towards Kanata.

"...I feel like I've seen your face somewhere before. Have we met?"

Igaram froze. He looked tense, but Kanata shrugged nonchalantly and replied with a straight face, "I get that kind of question a lot. After all, there are many men who want to get close to me. But marine, if you want to hit on me, do it on your day off and outside the Royal Palace."

"My apologies. I didn't mean it that way..."

"It's fine. I'm used to it."

Samuel tried to speak but was forcibly silenced by Junshi. He knew that if this man opened his mouth, he would surely slip up, so he prevented him from doing so.

Igaram, with utmost caution, led Berg and his companions to the reception room. Once they were out of sight, the tense atmosphere finally relaxed.

Without moving their eyes, Kanata and Junshi exchanged a few words.

"...That man is quite strong."

"A Headquarters Commander with that kind of Haki? Titles are unreliable."

It was safe to assume that Kanata's presence had been revealed to the Navy. There was no reason to stay any longer. They should leave this island as soon as they received the money.

After a while, Cobra appeared, looking hurried, and handed them a case, asking them to confirm its contents. While Junshi checked the contents, Cobra, concerned about Kanata, spoke up.

Kanata, knowing that her identity as a wanted criminal had been exposed, responded naturally without any pretense.

"I'll have the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops escort you to the port. I owe you my life, and I don't want to repay kindness with hostility."

"We appreciate the offer of the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops. But it's best not to go out of your way to protect us. It will only make things difficult for you."

"...To be honest, I was wary of you at first. Our Nefertari family was one of the twenty families that founded the World Government eight hundred years ago. I thought you might have come to Alabasta to assassinate me."

The Nefertari family was one of the twenty royal families that established the World Government eight hundred years ago, and the only one that refused to relocate to Mary Geoise.

Cobra initially suspected that Kanata might have come to Alabasta to assassinate him, a member of the Nefertari family who shared the same bloodline as the Celestial Dragons.

"But it was completely unfounded. You all worked diligently, sweat and all, and treated everyone without prejudice. Rumors are unreliable."

"It's true that I killed a Celestial Dragon. I wouldn't have been able to say anything if you had reported me then."

"Even so. I can now confidently say that my decision at the time was correct. After all, you saved my life."

Cobra chuckled and added that his wife, Titi, had scolded him, saying, "Please don't do anything dangerous."

Kanata gave a wry smile in response, and Junshi confirmed that the contents of the case were correct.

The amount seemed a bit high, but it appeared they had added a bonus due to the low number of casualties during the construction work.

"Alright, let's go home."

"Come visit Alabasta again sometime. Next time, we'll entertain you without the Navy finding out."

"I'll think about it." While it was a country she would rather never visit again, Kanata thought she might return someday if they said so. She just wished there was a way to stay cool.

With Cobra seeing them off, they departed Alubarna and made their way back to the port at breakneck speed.

"...Junshi, did you notice?"

"Yeah, there were quite a few marines around."

"Isn't it normal for there to be marines?" Samuel questioned.

"Idiot. They were trying to confirm our identities. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before they set up a dragnet."

Though they were likely still at the suspicion stage, it was best to hurry. Kicking up sand clouds, Kanata and her companions traversed the desert.

***

"Attention all Alabasta stationed units. The 'Dragon-Slaying Witch' and her crew have been spotted. Seal off all ports and immediately surround them."

"Repeat. The 'Dragon-Slaying Witch' and her crew have been spotted. Seal off all ports and surround them. Marine Headquarters has been contacted. Hold them off until Admiral Zephyr arrives."