Cobra looked at Tomioka, his eyes earnest: "Mr. Giyuu, as you can see, to resolve this nation's crisis, Crocodile is the root cause, but the incited Rebel Army is equally critical."
He took out a letter from Vivi from his pocket and solemnly handed it to Tomioka.
"Before you arrived, we had already decided that tomorrow we would mobilize our forces and depart for Rainbase to confront Crocodile directly."
He paused, his tone laced with a plea, "If possible, could I ask for your help to take this letter to Katorea and deliver it to Koza, the leader of the Rebel Army?"
"The letter details everything Vivi has witnessed and also mentions you. Compared to us, members of the Royal Family from Alubarna, your presence might make them more receptive."
Chaka crossed his arms, gazing at the sky, and sighed: "But Katorea is a long way from here. Even traveling day and night would take a long time."
Just then, a clear and familiar sound came from outside the door.
"Gah!"
Dash had, at some point, snuck to the entrance of the council hall. He poked his head in, looked around, then trotted in with his unique gait, immediately starting to run in circles to show off his speed.
Pell looked at Dash, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "Oh, right! How could I have forgotten him?"
"With Dash, reaching Katorea within today shouldn't be a difficult task."
Cobra also nodded, his gaze towards Dash filled with trust: "Indeed, Dash knows the roads well; he's the most reliable companion."
Everyone's attention refocused on Tomioka, awaiting his reply.
Tomioka looked at the intelligent fast-running duck beside him, didn't hesitate, and nodded: "Alright."
He took the heavy letter and carefully put it away. Then he asked the question that had been lingering in his mind: "What about Igaram?"
At the mention of Igaram, Cobra's expression darkened again. He took a deep breath, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table:
"I certainly haven't forgotten Igaram's safety. But the enemy is in the shadows; acting rashly would only harm him. That letter at least indicates that the other party temporarily needs him as a bargaining chip, so he is safe."
He pondered for a moment and then stated his plan: "We can dispatch a small number of soldiers, in plain clothes, to secretly patrol the streets and alleys of Alubarna's old town."
"As long as the numbers are small and their actions are discreet, they won't attract the enemy's attention. Once something is discovered..."
A resolute glint flashed in Cobra's eyes, "At that time, I will personally meet with the other party."
Chaka and Pell exchanged glances, both nodding, while simultaneously marveling at how quick and correct His Majesty's decisions were.
Tomioka also nodded. This monarch, indeed, had his strengths, and he had come here precisely to seek advice.
"Mm."
With the matter settled, everyone wasted no more time.
As Tomioka and Dash walked out of the council hall, they happened to meet Batu, who had just finished a stroll in the garden, his face still alight with excitement.
"Big Brother Tomioka!" Batu ran over, his eyes sparkling with joy, "The palace garden is so big! And there are so many flowers I've never seen before!"
Cobra also walked out. He kindly patted Batu's head: "If you like it, you can come visit again sometime."
Tomioka looked at Batu and calmly said: "We're heading back now."
A hint of hesitation flickered across Batu's face. He looked at the magnificent palace, but ultimately nodded, "...Mm. Thank you, Your Majesty."
Although he was still a little puzzled, the king before him didn't seem to be like what everyone said he was.
Cobra also smiled and waved goodbye.
The two people and one duck left the palace and once again stepped onto the streets of Alubarna. After walking about two blocks and turning a relatively quiet corner, Tomioka's footsteps paused.
The footsteps were very light, almost blending into the city's clamor, but the deliberately controlled rhythm couldn't escape his perception.
He even caught a glimpse of a white cowboy hat brim flashing at the alley entrance behind him out of the corner of his eye.
Tomioka stopped and whispered to Dash and Batu: "You two go back first; I'll be there shortly."
Dash seemed to understand, gave a soft honk, and rubbed his head against Batu.
Although Batu was a bit puzzled, he had absolute trust in Big Brother Tomioka, so he just waved his hand: "Okay, then I'll go back with him first, Big Brother Tomioka, come back quickly!"
With that, he and Dash walked towards the direction of their temporary cottage.
Tomioka, meanwhile, turned and walked into a narrower alley off the street.
He turned around, facing the empty alley entrance.
"Come out."
After a brief silence, the crisp sound of heels tapping on stone began.
A graceful figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the alley entrance, leaning against the wall; it was Ms. All Sunday.
Her face still bore that characteristic nonchalant smile.
"You've really disappointed me, little samurai."
Robin's voice carried a hint of teasing, "Didn't the letter say you would come alone?"
"What, after talking with His Majesty, you changed your mind and plan to send soldiers to play hide-and-seek in the alleys of Alubarna?"
Tomioka's pupils instantly contracted. She knew their plan, which they had just discussed in the palace, so quickly?
This country, the Royal Army... had they all become her people too?
"Where is Igaram?" But Tomioka didn't dwell on the issue of information leakage.
Robin gently wagged her index finger, her smile unchanged: "You didn't follow the agreement to come alone, did you? Since you broke the agreement first, I naturally have no obligation to inform you, do I?"
Tomioka silently watched her; her words seemed very reasonable.
He wasn't very good at handling this kind of conversation.
A moment later, Tomioka gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"There's no need for that."
Seeing this, Robin, far from being scared, smiled even more deeply, and spread her hands in an exaggerated gesture:
"Oh my, oh my, is the powerful little samurai going to draw his sword and bully a weak woman like me?"
"Should I scream for help right now? I wonder if the Royal Army will save me?"
Tomioka maintained his expressionless face; he had no idea how to deal with this situation.
Watching Tomioka's unyielding, somewhat flustered, wooden demeanor, Robin seemed to find the amusement reaching its peak.
She reined in some of her playful expression,
"Alright, alright."
Robin waved her hand, "I won't tease you anymore. Let me tell you, the Igaram you're worried about is very safe right now, neither hungry nor thirsty."
"It's just that I still need him to make you help me."
Her tone shifted, becoming subtle: "If you want him to appear safely before you in the end, you need to agree to one condition."
Tomioka silently watched her, waiting for her to continue.
"Tomorrow at noon," Robin's voice lowered slightly, "come to the Royal Palace of Alabasta. You will see me and Crocodile."
This request made a hint of confusion flash in Tomioka's eyes.
Come to the Royal Palace? To find her and Crocodile?
Robin seemed to see through his doubts, "In the end, I will probably also... become that guy's enemy."
She paused, as if mentioning it casually: "His weakness is water. That's all I can tell you."
Water?
Crocodile's ability to manipulate sand instantly flashed through Tomioka's mind.
But his confusion deepened. Why would she betray Crocodile? What was her true purpose?
These thoughts swirled in his mind, but he found no answers.
But in Robin's view, from personally going to Small Garden and witnessing his battle with Mr.1, to a series of other observations, she had already determined that this taciturn samurai possessed strength sufficient to contend with Crocodile.
He was a sufficiently sharp blade, and she needed to borrow this blade to deal with Crocodile.
After all, even if she eventually found information about Pluton, she wouldn't tell Crocodile.
By then, with that guy's personality, he would definitely eliminate her.
She looked at the silent Tomioka and smiled slightly.
"Then."
Robin's figure began to merge back into the shadows, "I'll take that as your agreement."