Nefertari Cobra

Nefertari Cobra was the 12th king of the Arabasta Kingdom, the former patriarch of Nefertari Family, husband of the late Nefertari Titi and father of Nefertari Vivi. He was related to Nefertari D. Lili, one of the First Twenty monarchs who founded the World Government, and secretly bore her initial D. in his name. He was a major character throughout the Arabasta Arc and a two-time participant of the Levely, having played a key role in the vote that led to the dissolution of the Seven Warlords of the Sea in the latest one. During the latest Levely, Cobra was murdered by Imu and the Five Elders after learning about the former’s existence and sacrificing himself so Sabo could escape. Nefertari Cobra was the 12th king of the Arabasta Kingdom, the former patriarch of Nefertari Family, husband of the late Nefertari Titi and father of Nefertari Vivi. He was related to Nefertari D. Lili, one of the First Twenty monarchs who founded the World Government, and secretly bore her initial D. in his name. He was a major character throughout the Arabasta Arc and a two-time participant of the Levely, having played a key role in the vote that led to the dissolution of the Seven Warlords of the Sea in the latest one. During the latest Levely, Cobra was murdered by Imu and the Five Elders after learning about the former’s existence and sacrificing himself so Sabo could escape.

Cobra also appeared to have a mischievous side, telling the Straw Hats where the women’s baths were so they could peep at Nami and his daughter. Still he remained humble, and he even bowed before the Straw Hats in the bathhouse for helping his daughter, justifying it by saying that without his clothes, he did not have his status as a king, and was doing it as a father. Cobra tried to raise his daughter humbly and somewhat as a normal child, as he was not overly upset when Koza got into a physical fight with Vivi, as well as letting Vivi simply refer to him as “dad”. He let Vivi have a lot of freedom as a child and play with commoner children. However, he still worried a lot about her and often sneaked after her to check if she was doing okay. Like most fathers, he also wanted what he thinks is best for his daughter and tried to persuade Vivi into finding a husband before he passed away from his illness, but Cobra’s words fell on deaf ears as Vivi told him to send the suitors away, still wishing to remain a free spirit like the Straw Hats. Vivi also berated her father on using his illness as an excuse for her to marry. In addition, he was charitable, paying to support the citizens of Koza’s village out of the royal family’s living expenses without hesitation. Like most of the bearers of the Will of D., Cobra wasn’t afraid of death and was ready to accept it when he knew it was unavoidable. At the same time, Cobra wanted to make sure his last action wasn’t for nothing, as he sacrificed himself to let Sabo escape so he can pass a message on to Luffy and Vivi.

Six years before the start of the story, Cobra was at a Levely to discuss Monkey D. Dragon’s threat to the stability of the world. When Wapol brushed it off, saying that it did not concern him, Cobra berated him for his irresponsible attitude. Wapol attempted to provoke a war by hitting Vivi, but the plan failed when Vivi, knowing the situation’s implications, did not get upset as he had hoped.

Baroque Works False Accusation

Three years later, a drought spread throughout the kingdom, and due to Baroque Works’ schemes, Arabasta’s citizens began to believe that Cobra had hoarded Dance Powder in Alubarna. About a year after the start of the drought, Koza confronted the king and begged him to use Dance Powder to save Yuba, but Cobra refused, stating that other towns needed their help. Koza then vowed to take back the rain by force. At some point around this time, Vivi left with Igaram to infiltrate Baroque Works, which, unbeknownst to Cobra and the rest of Arabasta, were manipulating the situation to start a rebellion.

Arabasta Saga

Arabasta Arc

Cobra expressed his gratitude for Crocodile defeating some pirates that tried to raid Nanohana, not knowing of Crocodile’s true nature. Soon afterwards, Vivi sent a letter to him, revealing the truth about the rebellion. Cobra made the decision to send Pell to Erumalu and Chaka to set up the Royal Army in order to protect it from Baroque Works and Rebel Army. However, Cobra was soon kidnapped by Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas, and Mr.

2 Bon Kurei went to Nanohana disguised as him, falsely confessing to using Dance Powder and ordering the town destroyed in order to incite the rebellion to attack. Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas returned him to Alubarna and left him bound near the Eastern Gate. When Crocodile arrived at the palace, he pinned Cobra to a wall and demanded to know the location of Pluton. Cobra admitted to having no knowledge of it, so Crocodile asked about the location of the Poneglyph.

Cobra agreed to lead him there. Crocodile then had Cobra lead Miss All Sunday to the Arabasta Poneglyph to gather information about Pluton as the Warlord confronted Luffy at the Alubarna Palace. Once inside the Tomb of the Kings, Cobra allowed Miss All Sunday into the Poneglyph chamber so she could read it. After Crocodile’s arrival, Cobra displayed visible surprise when she deciphered the Poneglyph’s message as mere historical records of Arabasta instead of Pluton’s location, seemingly aware that Miss All Sunday was lying to her boss. As Crocodile and Miss All Sunday attempted to kill each other, Cobra took the opportunity to remove one of the columns in the tomb, destabilizing it.

When Luffy arrived there and fought against Crocodile one last time, Cobra witnessed the battle, and was amazed by Luffy’s finishing attack that punched Crocodile through bedrock. After the battle, Robin handed him the antidote to Crocodile’s venom, which he gave to Luffy, telling her that he knew that contrary to what she had told Crocodile, the Poneglyph truly revealed the location of the weapon. He was surprised to hear about the “True History” that Robin had been searching for. Luffy then stood up and managed to carry him and Robin out of the tomb, but lost consciousness shortly after escaping, requiring Cobra to carry him the rest of the way. Cobra’s innocence is proven when Kappa, having regained consciousness and the ability to speak, reveals that the King seen in Nanohana was an impostor.

After Koza said that what he and the rebels had done was unforgivable, Cobra replied that the nation had lost much but gained nothing from the conflict, and now had to move forward and unite. Cobra allowed the Straw Hats to stay at the palace while they recovered from their injuries, and had a great feast to celebrate their victory. Cobra had intended for it to be a quiet feast, but knew that with the Straw Hats, it would turn into a party. They then went to the palace baths and Cobra showed Sanji where Vivi and Nami were bathing. While peaking, he and the others were overwhelmed by Nami’s “Happiness Punch”. Cobra then thanked the Straw Hats for helping Vivi, as her father rather than as a king. The next morning, Cobra tries to peek in on Vivi dressing, but Terracotta repels him, giving him a lump on the head in the process. After Vivi is dressed, Cobra notes that his daughter looks like her mother, and Vivi tells him and Igaram that she has something important to tell them (possibly related to her plan to bid the Straw Hats goodbye), calling him “Father” instead of “Papa”. After Vivi’s speech, in which Igaram serves as a stand-in, Cobra regretfully notes that it is hard for a father to no longer be called “Papa” by his daughter.

Water 7 Saga

Postenies Lobby Arc

After the events of Enies Lobby, Cobra was surprised to see Nico Robin as a member of the Straw Hat crew, noting that she is “unpredictable,” and to see Vivi not surprised by the revelation.

Summit War Saga

Postwar Arc

Weeks after the events of the Whitebeard War, Cobra was informed by Chaka and Pell that a group of pirates have been driven out of the country without much damage. Cobra then wished that all the pirates in the world could be like the Straw Hats. He also read a newspaper article concerning Luffy.

Fishman Island Saga

From The Decks Of The World

Cobra is shown to be bedridden and reading a newspaper. Vivi brought him some flowers and groceries and placed them in his room.

Whole Cake Island Saga

Zou Arc

Cobra departed from Arabasta with his daughter, Chaka, Pell, and Karoo and journeyed to Mary Geoise for the upcoming Levely. Despite being in poor health, Cobra intended to ask the World Government about the Poneglyphs ever since meeting Nico Robin. While conversing with Vivi, he attempted to take advantage of his illness to convince his daughter to find herself a suitor, but Vivi saw through him and turned him down.

Levely Arc

The Arabasta Kingdom participants later arrived at Mary Geoise. Just prior to the Levely, Cobra received a letter from Fujitora and had a meeting with the admiral and Riku Doldo III. Cobra also requested an audience with the Five Elders as well. Cobra later went to the conference room with the other kings and queens to begin the Levely.

Wano Country Saga

Wano Country Arc

During the Levely, Cobra and Doldo were able to convince the other royals to vote for abolishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea system. Cobra later made his way towards his audience with the Five Elders, although he was requested to meet them alone, approving of the condition. Cobra met the Five Elders in front of the Empty Throne, recounted how the World Government came to happen 800 years ago and the importance of the Empty Throne, questioned the Five Elders about his ancestor, Nefertari Lili and one of the First Twenty, and what became of her after she refused to become a World Noble and settle in Mary Geoise, having supposedly never arrived at Alabasta and been missing since. However, the Five Elders stated they could not tell him what happened to her, only stating information about her was lost to history. Being dissatisfied with this explanation, Cobra then asked them about the meaning of the D., stating that a letter written by Lili containing information about the D., had been passed down from generation ever since, gaining the Five Elders’ anger and disapproval over such an inquiry.

Later, while still his having his audience, Imu, who overheard the conversation from their room, made their way to the throne, openly sitting on it in front of the Five Elders and Cobra, shocking the latter. Imu tells Cobra that D. is the name of the World Government’s enemy, and that Lili was responsible for unleashing the Poneglyphs onto the world, the truth of which exists in her letter. They ask Cobra for Lili’s full name, and Cobra, realizing he wasn’t going to leave the room alive, confesses her name is “Nefertari D. Lili”. Imu transforms into some kind of creature and stabs Cobra with an arrow-like appendage just as Sabo, who was eavesdropping, comes to his aid. As Sabo is heavily injured from the attack, Cobra sacrificed himself to allow Sabo to escape and asks him to tell Luffy and Vivi that the entire Nefertari Family bears the name D. He then recites the words of the letter before finally meeting his end at Imu’s hands. Sabo’s sudden arrival was captured by a Den Den Mushi, which is why Sabo became the prime suspect behind his murder.

Legacy

Cobra’s death, despite his reputation as a wise and just ruler, raised the spirits of rebellious people across the world who saw everyone affiliated with the World Government as an enemy. This eventually resulted in the Eight-Nation Revolution, and the Revolutionary Army chose to capitalize on this despite Sabo’s innocence who denied the allegation. The Straw Hat Pirates (the ones who met with him before) were distraught and upset with his death, such as Chopper and Usopp who proclaimed him to be a kind and great king. Cobra’s body was entombed within the rebuilt Tomb of the Kings.