One Piece : Admiral Falcon is Pissed off again today!

After stepping outside, Michael saw no one around and activated his Observation Haki.

He instantly locked onto Crocodile's location.

Arriving just in time, he heard Cobra's voice...

"Cici, I already know the truth!"

"...I don't understand what you're saying, Your Majesty Cobra." Crocodile shook her head.

"My name is Crocodile, a Marine captain stationed at Alabasta."

With that, Crocodile turned to leave.

But Cobra, agitated, reached out to grab her wrist—only for his hand to pass through crumbling sand.

"I said I don't understand your words, nor do I wish to."

"You shouldn't persist in this delusion... The harder you try to hold sand, the faster it slips through your fingers."

Without hesitation, she walked straight toward Michael's direction.

"I'll leave the rest to you..." Crocodile lowered her lashes, concealing all emotion beneath them.

"Now... isn't the time for reunions."

Without waiting for Michael's response, she strode back toward the banquet hall.

Michael sighed.

The emotions Crocodile suppressed were like undercurrents beneath calm seas—ready to erupt through the surface at any moment, unleashing uncontrollable waves...

Capable of capsizing both personal safety and larger plans alike like fragile boats.

Her departure was the wise choice.

Crocodile's intelligence was undeniable.

But making such decisions required another trait: cruelty.

Toward both herself and others.

Michael turned and approached Cobra.

"You... still lack composure, Cobra." Michael patted his shoulder in consolation.

"Though you're completely one of us now, this isn't the right moment for family reunions."

Cobra remained silent.

Yet the frustration on his face revealed the truth...

He understood, but couldn't restrain himself.

For this typically mild-mannered king, family bonds were paramount.

Whether as an elder brother or comrade, Crocodile's presence constantly reminded him of those years his sister had been missing.

Regret, fear, and guilt assaulted his heart in relentless waves.

That he'd lasted six months before confronting her was already his limit.

"In that case, I'll have to take Crocodile with me for now... It just so happens that I need some extra hands recently. The other members of the SWORD are currently scattered between Marineford and Fish-Man Island, so I can only recruit from nearby."

"That... might be for the best."

Cobra, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.

The expression between his brows revealed a hint of relief and resolution.

Truth be told, how could he not know this wasn't the best timing?

But he urgently needed to hear the answer from the person himself.

He trusted Michael, but when it came to matters concerning his sister, he had to hear it directly from the source.

And from Crocodile's earlier response, Cobra had finally confirmed it.

Such a rebuttal was practically no different from outright admission.

"It's good that you've come to understand this..." Michael slung an arm around Cobra's shoulders as they walked toward the banquet hall.

"But speaking of which, how is your sister so much taller than you? When she was still a man, she stood over two and a half meters tall and even after reverting to her female form, she's still over two meters."

"Cici... she was originally about the same height as me," Cobra said with a bitter smile. "I suppose this is the result of repeated gender transformations? It's precisely because of her current height that I didn't dare confirm it at first—I didn't even consider the possibility."

Michael, however, burst into laughter.

"Anyway, the fact that she's alive is the greatest fortune, isn't it?"

*****

The royal families left overnight after the banquet.

They had already heard that the Revolutionary Army was advancing toward the Grand Line.

Now, these guilt-ridden royals were like startled birds—terrified half to death even without a concrete news.

But Sora didn't leave. Instead, she moved into Michael's estate in Alabasta.

Her brother's home was her home.

After putting all the kids to bed, Michael and his sister Sora sat together in the living room.

Under the bright lights, Michael noticed the worry etched between Sora's brows.

"So... how does the Germa Kingdom plan to choose its location?"

"At this point, it seems Alabasta is the only viable option," Sora said with a slight pout.

"Most of the royals who came today were from 'Paradise,' but unfortunately, none of their nations struck me as trustworthy neighbors."

"But the Germa Kingdom is a militarized nation. Wouldn't you be able to handle any ill intentions from these countries?"

"That's true in theory..." Sora shook her head. "But there's no sense in guarding against thieves every single day. Rather than constantly worrying about potential invasions, it's better to form a stable alliance with Alabasta—a true community of shared destiny."

Michael nodded.

His sister's thoughts aligned with his own.

The problem was...

"The islands near Alabasta don't meet the ideal conditions—either they lack resources or they're too small."

"That's not a big issue," Sora said with a smile. "We can always link them up with Transponder Snail Ships... After all, transforming uninhabited islands will take a long time anyway."

Michael had been about to suggest leasing unused land from Alabasta if necessary...

But since his sister already had a solution, he decided not to press the matter.

Just then, the front door swung open.

Crocodile walked in from outside.

"I'm back."

"Ah, get some rest early... Tomorrow, we're heading to the New World. You and Hawkeye are coming with me."

"Fine."

Sora, watching their casual exchange, suddenly looked anything but calm.

"Wait—Michael, are you living with this woman now?!" She grabbed Michael's ear and twisted it.

"The Angel family does not tolerate flings! When are you two getting married?!"

"Huh?! Marriage?! Me and Crocodile?! Sis, are you out of your mind?!"

Michael's face twisted into pure confusion, utterly baffled by his sister's interpretation of his relationship with Crocodile.

"Don't just focus on me—there's another one behind me," Crocodile said, her lips curling into a wicked, scheming grin.

As if on cue, the door opened again and Stella stepped inside.

"There's actually another one!?"

Even though Sora already had five children, her face still flushed red with anger.

"Disgraceful! How could our family produce such a scummy man like you!?"

Just as Michael was about to explain with a wry smile, the door to the inner room suddenly burst opened.

Hawkeye walked out, still groggy from sleep.

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be nighttime now..."

However, his appearance pushed the absurd scenario in Sora's mind to its climax.

"THERE'S EVEN A MAN HERE!?"

"My little brother swings both ways! Sharing a bed with men and women alike!?"

"Gah—"

"Damn it! Sis! Why did you faint so suddenly!?"

-----------------------------

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