Chapter 1207 - 706: A Noble’s Blade Is No Match for a Pirate’s

"Isn’t this too fast?"

One of Vegapunk’s avatars, named ’Pythagoras’, said like a diving robot:

"No time to prepare the fruit for us?"

Although after an ability user dies, the ability will turn back into a devil, leaving to reincarnate randomly into a fruit somewhere in the world, even sometimes due to attraction by the next host, it will reincarnate near the host.

But that’s a special privilege only given to top-tier qualified hosts.

Most fruits, actually whoever eats them makes little difference.

Hosts aren’t necessarily destiny attractors; once the fruit is chosen, it must be eaten, and personal will is included in this. If not attracted, the Devil Fruit will automatically go to the side of the next host.

Of course, it doesn’t vanish into thin air; it will mysteriously attract certain people to come and take them, eventually reaching another host.

After research, it’s undeniable that destiny... truly exists on the sea, not saying it can really control the world, but it absolutely has influence.

Except for being attracted by hosts, these large quantities of fruits basically can be eaten by anyone, so there’s the rumor that ’when an ability user dies, placing a bunch of fruit nearby can regain the ability.’

Pythagoras also thought this way. Even if Sage’s qualifications are top-notch, with confidence he can attract those fruits, but placing more, wouldn’t the chances be higher?

"If it’s mine, it won’t escape; if it’s not..."

Sage sneered and said, "It means that the sea has hosts more suitable for them than me. Yet, I don’t agree. In terms of willpower, only I can match them. Not choosing me? Are the devils blind?"

The destruction and power represented by the Tremor the gravity and assimilation represented by the Darkness, don’t they all symbolize him?

Sage possesses a strong desire for power, and it’s very intense.

Without power, nothing can be achieved.

And assimilation and gravity, likewise, his goal is to be a landlord—a ruling landlord—and naturally needs more ’tenants’ to serve him; any kind will do, as long as they follow his will.

He doesn’t need any auxiliary fruit; once the devils reincarnate, they will definitely appear by his side!

Regarding this, Sage is incredibly confident!

...

Alabasta.

"Koza!"

At the position of the royal palace, the two main guardians of the palace, Falcon Bell, and Wild Wolf Chaka questioned Koza, "Why did you choose to do this? You’ve seen those promotions!"

Today’s Koza is no longer as energetic as when he was selected as the Minister of Environment. Since King Cobra’s death and Vivi’s unknown fate, he has shown quite a bit of weariness and aging.

Facing their questioning, he nodded, "I don’t oppose it."

They were holding newspapers in their hands, various kinds. The information on them was simple—all news about how wonderful O’hara is.

Such news alone isn’t a concern; no one can stop the spreading and promotion of world news, just like King Cobra, whose obituary was also published in newspapers, causing them sadness for a long time.

Igaram is also old and lacks the energy to manage much, and now Alabasta’s power is in the hands of the Minister of Environment.

The power of a position, of course, depends on local needs and what authority is weighted.

Alabasta is filled with deserts, with only a few oases, so environment governance is the largest power.

Now that there’s no king, and Igaram isn’t managing, matters fall on Koza.

Initially, he managed fairly well, but ever since this news was released, it’s been different.

This isn’t free news; the headline not only states how wonderful O’hara is but also how the people of Alabasta, unable to survive in the desert, experience beautiful life after heading to O’hara.

The most infuriating part is, Cobra even ordered the lifting of the country’s sailing ban, allowing anyone to go to sea.

All countries, whether adhering or non-adhering, unless truly destitute and the king benevolent, would lift this ban, otherwise going to sea privately is uniformly considered piracy.

Alabasta is certainly no exception; this is a major country, not impoverished, but doing this means sending the local populace to O’hara.

The two of them couldn’t figure it out, so they approached Koza.

"I am also considering the populace."

Koza pursed his lips, solemnly saying, "We can no longer support so many people. Currently, the people have lost faith in the kingdom; Cobra’s dead, Vivi’s fate unknown, so I can only do this."

Besides the royal family in Alabasta... there are other nobles.

If there were only one family, it would be easier to solve.

Though those great nobles are now tightly suppressed by Koza, preventing them from finding a reason to claim greater power, without the king’s deterrence, these people act recklessly.

Not every king is good, nor does every noble follow the king’s orders.

Cobra’s predecessor dealt with things not so well, and it’s only due to his death that Cobra inherited the throne.

And on this point, Bell and Chaka deeply understand.

They are the guardians of Alabasta, not guardians of the royal family; otherwise, they wouldn’t have approached the king so late.

The former king, according to rumors, was no good.

"But you can’t do this... there must be some other way."

Belle is somewhat understanding but cannot accept it.

As for Chaka, currently loyal to King Cobra and Vivi, "Everything should wait until there’s news of Princess Vivi!"

"You think I sought them out?"

Koza smiled bitterly, "Even if I refuse, they would come on their own... It’s not without benefits; they agreed to set up factories in Alabasta and trade with us. It also offers locals job opportunities to earn enough money."

"For those who want to leave, as long as their factory exists, they will leave sooner or later. Better to lift the ban, at least they’re not pirates... We haven’t abandoned them, but I can’t control it anymore."

"Factories..."

Chaka was stunned, "You mean the refinery currently in the desert was set up by the... O’hara? Why target us? Is it because he and Crocodile had a cooperative relationship before and now want to exploit our country?!"

"No, I don’t think they plan that. It’s undeniable that O’hara is far richer than Alabasta."

Koza shook his head, "What they intend, I don’t know, but their presence... is making those nobles wary."

That’s the irony here.

Clearly being the ultimate authority, he can’t move those nobles.

But the Disaster Pirates establishing factories have no fear of them.

Collecting taxes?

The nobles’ knife isn’t as hard as the Disaster’s knife...