Chapter 643

This kingdom was very unfortunate.

It was likely about to become a puppet ruled by Crocodile.

Regarding this, Lu En had nothing to say.

He was merely following orders.

Carrying out the Navy's command.

Nothing more.

As for what would become of the Alabasta Kingdom afterward?

Then there was nothing he could do to help.

At most…

Go warn Crocodile not to be too rampant… …….

That was the absolute most he would do.

After all.

He had no kin nor ties to the Alabasta Kingdom.

He was not the foolish, soft-hearted little brother Little Lufei—drawing a sword to help whenever he saw injustice was something that, for Lu En, had already become a thing of the past.

That hot-bloodedness of his had long since faded with the wear of time.

Even though he was now only five years old.

Pushing down the many thoughts in his head, Lu En prepared to leave the Alabasta Kingdom.

Now.

The matter had already been handled.

Crocodile had agreed to join the Shichibukai.

And this meant…

The main mission of Lu En's trip to Alabasta had been smoothly completed.

With that.

He truly could not find a reason to keep lingering in Alabasta.

Alabasta had no beautiful scenery,

nor a flourishing economic system.

Lu En found it hard to find

a reason to keep staying here.

Even without Crocodile's rule, the Alabasta Kingdom was indeed very poor—not exactly destitute, but certainly not wealthy either.

Compared to…

places like Water 7 and Sabaody Archipelago.

Without a doubt.

Alabasta's environment was simply too harsh.

Water 7 was the truly prosperous place!

Even.

Lu En felt.

that even the East Blue's Loguetown, in a certain sense, was more prosperous than Alabasta.

Thinking it over, he could only conclude in the end.

Perhaps…

it was precisely because of Alabasta's harsh environment that the Alabasta Kingdom was poor.

A cause brought about by the greater environment.

No one could do anything about it.

Unless…

one possessed great willpower.

3.5　Forcibly Remodeling the Environment.

To turn the Alabasta Kingdom into an oasis.

That way, it could attract the growth of trade and commerce.

In time.

Alabasta too would grow increasingly prosperous.

But clearly.

As the king of the Alabasta Kingdom, Cobra, although he was a good king who cared for his people's welfare, he simply did not possess the outstanding means to build Alabasta into a prosperous land.

His personal ability was insufficient; he truly was at a loss.

"Time to go."

Lu En shook his head, flinging all the many thoughts from his mind, no longer choosing to beat his head against a wall.

But just as he was preparing to leave.

Not far away.

A group of guards came walking toward him,

a group of guards surrounding a middle-aged man dressed in splendid attire.

"Hm?"

"He is…"

GLOSSARY:

【Lu En, Crocodile, Little Lufei, Alabasta Kingdom, Navy, Shichibukai, Water 7, Sabaody Archipelago, East Blue, Loguetown, Cobra】

"The king of the Alabasta Kingdom?"

Lu En pondered silently and slowly halted his departure.

He had no objection to listening.

What did this king of Alabasta want to do?