One Piece: Wielder of the Void

73. Nothing

Now you can access Illustrations on my Patreon made by me with chapters for example like this one.

Vote for more chapters!⭐⭐⭐

---

After all, Vivi is the princess of Alabasta. No matter what, it wasn't her place to interfere in matters that weren't hers to handle.

She was beloved by the people, yes, but duty and rank often placed constraints even on the most earnest of intentions.

No one expected her to change the tides of fate herself.

Cobra sighed, his brow furrowing as he reflected. He sat in his office, the midday sunlight casting long shadows across the room, giving him a weary look.

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, then spoke in a tone that held both fondness and frustration. "I suppose I haven't disciplined her enough over the years. Vivi's spirit, her independent thinking I always thought it a strength."

"But now... I wonder if I've let her become too bold. I can't imagine how else she developed such a strong will."

Chaka, seated across from him, gave a small, knowing smile. He had known Vivi since she was a child.

In her, he saw the same spark, the same relentless determination that had defined Cobra's youth.

But his smile quickly faded as his thoughts turned serious. His gaze fixed intently on Cobra, and his voice took on a weighty tone.

"what do you think of King Anos?" Chaka said.

Cobra blinked, somewhat taken aback. "King Anos?" he repeated, collecting his thoughts. "Well... he's brilliant, I'll give him that. And incredibly capable. He managed to lift his Kingdom out of poverty and into prosperity in what, two or three years?"

"A remarkable achievement. He's an exceptional young leader there's no doubt about it." He paused, noticing Chaka's penetrating gaze. "Why do you ask?"

Chaka's expression grew more serious, almost as if he were probing for a truth Cobra might not yet see.

"I'm not asking about his governance," he replied, his tone sharpening. "I'm asking about the man himself. Outside of his role as king, what do you think of him?"

Cobra tilted his head, intrigued but slightly cautious. "Outside of his role? We haven't had much personal interaction beyond official matters," he admitted.

"But from what I can tell, he's a remarkable conversationalist. Polite and respectful. He manages his duties with a maturity and poise rare for his age. Even I wasn't so refined when I was his age, and I'd already assumed the throne."

Chaka gave a slight nod but seemed unsatisfied. "So it seems," he said, his words laced with a hint of something almost ominous.

"But it's not about age or refinement. You've underestimated him, Don't just say you couldn't match his level at his age. Even now, I doubt you could reach it."

"What... what do you mean?" Cobra asked, now fully focused, a thread of confusion winding through his voice. He'd rarely seen Chaka this intense.

With a sigh, Chaka leaned forward, lowering his voice as if to share a closely guarded secret. "I'm not talking about his governance or his manners. What I'm saying is... this king has hidden strengths, strengths that go beyond what we can comprehend."

"He may even be stronger than I am, and possibly... his entire Kingdom might be powerful beyond what we could ever imagine."

Chaka let his words sink in, and the silence that followed was thick with unspoken fears.