“Pull it up!”
“Quick, it is about to fall!”
Amid the loud shouts, workers moved in unison, hauling materials under the blazing desert sun.
As one of the supervisors, the aging King Cobra stood nearby, carefully recording every detail in a thick notebook.
The Moving Crab, a rare creature unique to Alabasta, was seldom seen, yet one had formed a cooperative bond with humans.
Under constant guidance, it tirelessly transported large quantities of construction materials from the port city.
“According to His Majesty’s instructions, construction has begun simultaneously across multiple regions.
However, our 300,000 workers are currently focused only on the central headquarters water transport project.
In other areas, the Royal Family is distributing Berries to recruit additional labor,” Koza said, staring at the bustling scene in disbelief.
His thoughts of Nair had completely changed, replaced with deep admiration.
“This is a massive undertaking involving over a million people.
If it is truly completed…
His Majesty will become the person I admire most in my life.”
“Having such a vision and carrying it out without hesitation is already remarkable,” Cobra replied as he closed his notebook.
“I cannot compare to him.”
His voice carried both pride and relief.
Nair would undoubtedly become the greatest ruler the Nefertari Family had ever seen.
The news spread rapidly.
Sea Headlines provided continuous coverage of the project, even creating a dedicated column titled “River of Life.”
With the combined effort of 300,000 workers, the canal connecting the Sandora River to Yuba, which had long been destroyed, was restored in just one week.
It was now stronger and easier to maintain than before.
In a land without winter, water meant life.
Crops could take root and grow at any time of the year.
Within a month, the transformation was so complete that few could believe this was the same ruined city.
Yuba had become a renewed Desert Pearl.
Inside the palace, Nair sat upon the throne, dressed in a simple royal cloak that reflected the long-standing frugality of the Alabasta Royal Family.
Before him stood an envoy from the World Government.
The man had silver hair and wore a leather mask.
Nair recognized him immediately, Spandam, the man who would later lead CP9 during the Enies Lobby Incident.
Standing beside Nair were the solemn guards, Chaka and Pell.
Spandam bowed, though his smile was clearly insincere.
“Your Majesty, as the rightful King of Alabasta, the World Government acknowledges your position.
However, regarding the former king being detained by your nation’s rebel forces, the World Government expresses strong dissatisfaction.
The Gorosei have decided to dispatch troops to suppress the rebellion on your behalf.”
A cold thought crossed Nair’s mind.
They had remained silent during the rebellion, yet now they appeared when peace had already been achieved.
Pell and Chaka exchanged faint looks of disdain.
This intervention would only destroy the fragile agreement that had been reached.
Worse still, it would halt the River of Life Project entirely.
Nair felt irritation rising, but he restrained himself.
It was not yet time to oppose the World Government directly.
Not before the era of the man who would shake the seas had truly begun.
“I see,” Nair said, his tone steady.
“I am grateful for the World Government’s concern.
However, if troops are to enter Alabasta, suppressing the rebellion would likely require no fewer than 500,000 soldiers. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
The rebels alone number over 300,000, and reinforcements may increase that figure.”
“An Admiral,” Spandam interrupted confidently.
“The World Government can dispatch an Admiral.
With such power, eliminating 100,000 people instantly would not be difficult.
The remaining forces can handle the rest.
All Your Majesty needs to provide is financial support.”
“That sounds reasonable,” Nair replied with a faint smile.
“However, my country lacks sufficient food and water.
Any army would need to rely entirely on supplies from the World Government.”
Spandam’s expression stiffened.
Supporting hundreds of thousands of troops would cost at least ten billion Berries.
“Your Majesty, we are offering assistance for your benefit,” Spandam said, his voice tightening.
He could not understand Nair’s refusal.
To him, spending a smaller sum to crush opposition was the obvious choice.
The so-called River of Life Project seemed absurd in comparison.
No ruler, in his mind, would willingly spend over a hundred billion Berries to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
Why spend so much when the problem could be solved with far less?
Under the silent, disapproving gazes of Pell and Chaka, Spandam finally left in anger, abandoning even the basic courtesies expected of an envoy.
“A greedy and short-sighted man,” Pell thought, his eyes narrowing.
“He could never understand His Majesty’s vision.”
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