Super Card System - Chapter 448

Chapter 448: Your Expression Betrayed You

After staying in the town of Nanohana for a couple of days to restock on supplies, Ian and his crew were planning to set sail once again. However, as they were about to depart, two unexpected individuals appeared.

One of them was the current king of Alabasta, Nefeltari Cobra, who had come with his daughter, Princess Vivi. They had secretly arrived at the port of Nanohana, escorted by the captain of the Alabasta palace guards, Chaka, and his comrade, Pell. Just as Ian and his crew were about to leave, the two guards requested an audience with them, saying that King Cobra wished to meet Ian in person.

Ian was surprised but curious about why King Cobra wanted to see him and agreed to the request. When King Cobra and Vivi boarded their ship, Vivi greeted Ian politely before stepping aside to let her father speak with him.

King Cobra carefully examined Ian and then suddenly smiled, saying, “I’m sorry to meet you like this, but my daughter Vivi told me that you’re the brother of Luffy and Zoro of the Straw Hat Pirates, who defeated Crocodile and saved Alabasta. I think it’s only right that I come and thank you!”

Ian glanced at Vivi, surprised that she had revealed their relationship to her father. However, it seemed that she had only told him and no one else. He shook his head and replied, “There’s no need for that. We didn’t really do much for Alabasta.”

But King Cobra disagreed and said, “That’s not true. When you first came to Alabasta, I noticed you. Your fight with Crocodile also made me suspicious of him, which indirectly helped us.”

King Cobra hesitated before continuing, “Although I know that you and Crocodile are not related, may I ask why the vice-president of Baroque Works would join your crew?”

As he spoke, King Cobra glanced at Nico Robin, who was standing nearby.

This was probably the real reason why King Cobra had come. Because Ian and his crew had met the Straw Hat Pirates and Vivi in Nanohana, and because Vivi recognized Nico Robin, she had told her father about it. This had caused King Cobra to feel uneasy.

Ian was also a member of the Shichibukai. After the events in Crocodile’s reign, the entire country of Alabasta was inexplicably resistant to the name Shichibukai. Although Crocodile was arrested, there was still Ian, another member of the Shichibukai, and one of Baroque Works’ top executives was still under his command. It was no wonder that Cobra was apprehensive.

“Don’t worry!” Ian sensed his thoughts and reassured him. “Robin was only coerced by Crocodile at the time. My appearance only gave her another choice.”

Robin’s face remained calm as she heard Ian’s words.

Cobra was also unsure of the true situation, so he could only nod in agreement. Suddenly, he asked Ian, “Ian, do you hate the World Nobles?”

“Huh?” Ian was caught off guard by the sudden question. “Why do you ask?”

Cobra took a deep breath and said, “Actually, the first time I heard of you was during the World Government Summit in Marijoa. Alabasta is a member of the World Government Alliance, and I attended the Levely as well. That was the day you caused a commotion in Marijoa…”

When he mentioned it, Ian also remembered. When he followed Koala and the others into Marijoa, he did see Cobra there. At the time, Koala and her crew were in the warship, transporting Alabasta to Marijoa.

Strictly speaking, this was the second time the two had met.

Ian chuckled at the memory, “Are you asking, because the Nefertari family almost became from the World Nobles?”

Cobra nodded, his expression was serious.

“Yes!’”Cobra didn’t hide anything and nodded. “Our ancestor from the Nefertari family gave up the chance to become a world noble and returned to Alabasta. Strictly speaking, our family also almost became a part of the Celestial Dragons, but now, I am glad for the decision our ancestor made.”

It was clear that Cobra seemed displeased with the actions of the Celestial Dragons. Otherwise, he would not have said such things. Arrogant, overbearing, proud, and corrupt, the so-called world nobles had already been labeled with these tags in people’s eyes. It can be said that not only Cobra, but any wise and visionary head of state with ideals would feel dissatisfaction towards the Celestial Dragons upon seeing them.

Ian didn’t answer Cobra’s question. What could answering such a thing accomplish? So, he changed the subject and invited Cobra to sit down. Then, he asked him, “Actually, there’s something I’ve always been curious about. Since the Nefertari family also almost became one of the world nobles, that means long ago, the Nefertari family also stood on the side of the Celestial Dragons. Then why did the Nefertari family preserve a Poneglyph?”

When Cobra heard the words “Poneglyph,” he suddenly trembled all over, but then he immediately understood. This was probably what Crocodile had told Ian.

After hearing Ian’s question, Nico Robin also stared at Cobra tightly. She knew that Ian had hit the nail on the head!

In theory, after the Celestial Dragons relinquished their power and became the world nobles, they supported and established the World Government, which has been committed to eliminating the impact of the Blank Century. Since the Nefertari family was on the same side as the Celestial Dragons, then if their Poneglyph really records something critical or dangerous to the Celestial Dragons and World Government, then this should naturally involve the Nefertari family.

Moreover, this Blank Century may even threaten the Nefertari family’s rule in Alabasta. If that were the case, this royal family would have tried to destroy it and not keep it around all this time.

Perhaps it’s very difficult near impossible to destroy the Poneglyph, but there must be a way to bury it deep in the ground, for example, instead of placing it so grandly in the royal treasure trove…

Although Ian did not see the Poneglyph in Alabasta with his own eyes because of the Blackbeard Pirates’ incident, he had a general understanding of the Poneglyph situation, which was Crocodile’s real goal in this desert…

Cobra shook his head and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. There is no Poneglyph in Alabasta!”

This answer stunned Ian for a moment, but he then smiled.

Cobra was really cautious. Even though he confirmed that Ian knew about the historical text in Alabasta, he still denied its existence when Ian brought up the topic.

Moreover, after saying this, Cobra stood up and said, “It’s getting late, I won’t disturb your departure. Goodbye!”

He then left with Vivi, who wore a puzzled expression, from Ian’s ship.

As Cobra and his party walked farther and farther away, Ian rubbed his chin, having a mischievous expression on his face.

“What are you thinking about, Captain?” Nico Robin asked, leaning on the railing with her arms crossed. “If you’re thinking of sneaking into Alabasta’s palace to search for the Poneglyph, I’m afraid I have bad news. According to my sources, the Alabasta royal treasure vault has been destroyed. Crocodile destroyed it before he left, so even if you go back, you might not find it.”

“I’m not thinking about that,” Ian shook his head, addressing Robin. “But Cobra’s reaction just confirmed something for me. That Poneglyph, guarded by Alabastains, likely contains information about the ancient weapon known as Pluton.”

Cobra’s reaction had given him away. The more he avoided talking about the historical text with Ian, the more it indicated that he knew something about the contents of the historical text guarded by Alabasta. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so evasive.

As a millennium-old country, Alabasta’s royal family, the Nefertari family, has inherited the throne for generations. The contents of the historical text must have been passed down from a long time ago with the succession of the throne. Even if Cobra knew only a few fragments due to the passage of time, he definitely knew something.

Ian’s mind raced with possibilities as the ship sailed on into the night. The mystery surrounding Pluton and the secrets it held were calling out to him, and he was determined to uncover them.

After all, if this piece of Poneglyph recorded only the true history, he does not have to be so cautious to keep this secret.

Upon hearing Ian’s words, Robin was surprised, then raised an eyebrow and casually asked Ian, “So, Captain, do you also want the Pluton?”

“Well,” Ian saw the nervousness in Robin’s heart and knew she was worried that he, like Crocodile, wanted to use the ancient weapon to overturn the world. So he said, “Robin, let’s talk openly and honestly. You know that I am a member of the Revolutionary Army. Although to be honest, I’m not a very good one, I’ve always had a feeling that these ancient weapons will see the light of day again. So if possible, I still hope to have control over them or have the Army have control over them. Because at least then, I can guarantee that they are within our controllable range…”

Robin was conflicted. She had reservations about Ian and his motives, but she knew that he was the best chance they had to keep the Pluton from falling into the wrong hands. She had not yet revealed to him the contents of the ancient text he had obtained from his Sky Island, fearing that it would be used for destructive purposes…