The magnificent Alabasta Royal Palace stood at the end of the steps, its white megaliths looking solemn under the gloomy sky.
Unlike the oppressive clamor of the market outside, here was an inviolable silence; guards stood on either side of the palace gate, scanning every approaching figure.
Batu stopped at the foot of the long staircase, his small hand unconsciously tightening its grip on Tomioka's black robe sleeve. "Big Brother Tomioka, this is it... We can't go in, this is the King's place."
Tomioka's gaze passed over the child, directly towards the tightly shut palace gate and the guards in front of it.
He did not respond to Batu's dissuasion, merely took a step, steadily ascending the first stair. Batu was stunned for a moment, watching Tomioka's unwavering back, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and jogged to follow him.
"Stop!"
Almost as soon as they approached the palace gate, two guards simultaneously stepped forward, crossing their long halberds to block their path. One of the guards sternly shouted, "Who are you two? Don't you know this is a forbidden area of the Royal Palace?"
"I know," Tomioka replied calmly.
This overly direct answer made the guard pause, and his face immediately showed the anger of being teased. "You know? You know and you still dare to trespass here?!"
[Interpersonal Communication Guide (Trial Version)]
[Target: Royal Palace Gate Guards]
[Hobbies: None currently]
[Status: Alert]
[Suggestion: Bring up Vivi! Quick!]
The usual text suggestion abruptly appeared in his field of vision.
Bring up Vivi? Tomioka didn't quite understand the logical connection, but this guide occasionally gave such seemingly inexplicable suggestions. After a brief silence,
"Bring up Vivi."
The air solidified.
"Huh?" The guard's face was filled with confusion, his earlier anger turning into greater annoyance. "You fellow? What on earth are you babbling about?"
The other guard also furrowed his brows: "Is Princess Vivi someone you can address directly?!"
"Big Brother Tomioka!!! Let's go quickly!!!"
Batu was terrified by the situation, pulling hard on Tomioka's robe corner. "They won't let you in! If we provoke the Royal Army, we'll be arrested!"
"Even a child knows better than you what the Royal Palace is!" The guard snorted coldly.
"Leave immediately!"
Tomioka looked at the resolute guards in front of him, then at the towering palace walls.
This suggestion seemed to have the opposite effect. He silently observed the height of the walls and the distribution of the guards, temporarily abandoning the idea of entering through the front.
It seemed he would have to find an opportunity to climb over the wall from the side later.
Just as Tomioka was about to turn and leave.
"Gak--!"
Just then, a sharp and familiar cry came from inside the Royal Palace.
Immediately after, a yellow figure darted out from the gap in the palace gate, rushing straight towards Tomioka!
It was Dash!
It excitedly circled Tomioka, constantly rubbing against Tomioka's arm, which was covered by his black robe, emitting joyful caws, appearing exceptionally affectionate.
This stunned everyone.
"This... This is... Princess Vivi's mount?" One guard watched Dash continuously rub against Tomioka, somewhat incredulous.
"How could... how could it be so... towards him...?" The other guard was also dumbfounded, his eyes revealing great confusion.
Batu curiously watched Dash, even gently stroking its feathers.
"Wow! Big Brother Tomioka, it seems to really like you!"
Just as the guards were exchanging glances, a steady and slightly authoritative voice came from inside the palace gate:
"What's wrong, Dash? Why did you suddenly run outside?"
As the voice spoke, a figure slowly walked out of the palace gate.
He had a neatly trimmed beard, wore a blue inner garment, and an outer purple robe symbolizing royalty, exuding a composed demeanor.
Tomioka had seen this face on the going merry. It was the guise Mr.2 had once assumed during his performance, the King of Alabasta, exactly the same.
"King Cobra!" The two guards immediately put away their weapons and stood at attention.
"Two unknown individuals have arrived outside, and they claim to know Princess Vivi," one guard quickly reported, pointing at Tomioka, who was playing with Dash.
"However, it seems Dash recognizes him..."
King Cobra's gaze passed over the guards, landing on Tomioka, who was affectionately entwined with Dash.
"You are?"
"Vivi's companion."
King Cobra's gaze lingered on Tomioka's black robe for a moment. "This guest," he said slowly, his tone polite.
"If it's convenient, could I ask you to remove your robe?"
Tomioka untied the fastenings of his robe and pushed the black robe back. The red, yellow, and green haori underneath, as well as the Blade at his waist, were revealed.
When King Cobra saw that Tomioka's right sleeve was somewhat empty, his earlier doubts vanished. He remembered that in the letter Dash had carried, Vivi had mentioned a black-haired samurai among her companions who, though he only had one arm, was trustworthy.
He had once dealt with hundreds of low-ranking officers at Whiskey Peak with another green-haired samurai, and had also fought against Mr.1, a high-ranking commander of Baroque Works, in Small Garden.
He was, without a doubt, a strong individual.
The solemnity on King Cobra's face softened. He turned to the guards, "You've worked hard, and done very well. However, this indeed is our guest from Alabasta."
"Yes... Yes, King Cobra!" The guard immediately responded, a hint of shame and relief flashing across his face.
The other guard also quickly bowed to Tomioka in apology: "I am very sorry, sir, I misunderstood you just now!"
"It's nothing." Tomioka rearranged the black robe he had taken off.
"Please, follow me." King Cobra nodded at Tomioka, then turned and walked into the palace, a hint of imperceptible urgency in his tone.
Only then did Batu recover from his immense shock.
He looked at the majestic King, then at the calm-faced Tomioka, and then at the once-unattainable Royal Palace gate, his small face filled with astonishment.
He... they could really go in? Into the place where the King lived?
"Come on." Tomioka looked down at Batu.
"Coming! Coming!" Batu jolted, a smile of excitement and disbelief instantly blooming on his face. He quickly jogged a few steps, closely following behind Tomioka, eagerly entering the Royal Palace.
Although he didn't like the King, nor the Royal Army. But, the Royal Palace of Alubarna, he had passed by before, and he didn't even dare to peek inside. His grandfather had only taken him past here and told him that this was where King Cobra resided.
That was all.
And now, he was inside.
A place Grandpa and Papa never visited, I've reached it.