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 a descendant of Nefertari D. Lili, one of the First Twenty monarchs who founded the World Government, and secretly bore her initial D. somewhere 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, who was sick with an unspecified debilitating illness, was allegedly assassinated by the Revolutionary Army chief of staff, Sabo, who denied the allegation. In truth, he was assassinated by Imu and the Five Elders after learning about Imu's existence.

Appearance
Cobra was a man of average height. He had a wrinkled face, a tied-off beard, and long, curly, black hair. He wore a green robe with yellow edging, an orange and beige sash around his waist, and a purple coat. He also wore black shoes and a necklace.

After the timeskip he grew a mustache, his beard had turned completely gray, and only half of his hair was still dark. His sideburns were gray but the upper half of the back and top were black. He wore a lighter colored robe and coat and no longer wore his necklace.

Personality
King Cobra of Alabasta was know far and wide... as a noble leader - a man of great character. Cobra was a fair man, who cared for his kingdom and people even after their rebellion, knowing their misled coup was still only rooted in a desire to preserve the welfare of the Arabastan people. He was loyal to the line of Arabastan kings and the Dynasty, and was willing to face death to prevent Crocodile from seizing the throne. Yet, as a testament to his character, this loyalty to the monarchy is superseded by the compassion toward his subjects and he placed their survival and welfare ahead of his own, even willing to allow the occupation and possible destruction of his capital city if it meant preventing the bloodshed of his people, seeing the lives of his citizens as the true heart of his kingdom.

Overall, he was objective, able to look ahead to the future and not make impulsive decisions. This was shown clearly when Koza demands that he use Dance Powder to assuage the difficulties of the current drought, and Cobra explained that other countries need rain and hoarding it themselves is not a true solution. He still 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. In addition, he was charitable, paying to support the citizens of Koza's village out of the royal family's living expenses without hesitation.

He tried to raise his daughter humbly and somewhat as a normal child, as he was not overly upset when another child 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.

He 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.

Abilities and Powers
As the king of Arabasta, a member of the World Government, Cobra had full authority over his subjects and was allowed to attend the Levely.

In addition to his royal authority over all of Arabasta's troops, Cobra was a reasonably athletic man in his youth, enough to help Igaram fight members of Agotogi's gang hand-to-hand. Though apparently lacking any formal combat training, he even exercised a "technique" known as the King Chop (キングチョップ) on subjects who annoyed him, up to and including his own ministers.

By the time of Operation Utopia, he had become infirm enough to be easily manhandled by Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas (as well as Miss All-Sunday). At the same time, he still possessed enough stamina to survive being crucified through the elbows for several hours.

Some time after the Straw Hat Pirates left Arabasta, he became severely ill, and confined to a wheelchair. By the time of the first post-Summit War of Marineford Levely, his mortality became a matter of open question.

Golden Age of Pirates


After the infamous execution of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger at Loguetown, Cobra read over a newspaper of the events and gravely announced that a terrible age has begun. Igaram and Vivi's mother were with him.

Abduction Attempt on Vivi
Several years later, Cobra responded to a drought that struck Koza's village. He was unable to send rain, but was able to allow the citizens to reside in Alubarna. Around this time, Vivi befriended Koza, and during a kidnapping attempt made on Vivi, Cobra defeated the last remaining kidnapper before Chaka and Pell could arrive. He had Koza treated for the injury over his eye, and asked if he loved the country, to which Koza replied that he did. Igaram, hearing that Vivi was more concerned about the possibility of her new friends sacrificing themselves for her than what might happen to her, was concerned that Vivi was too kind-hearted for a ruler, but Cobra insisted the situation was fine.

To thank Koza for defending Vivi, Cobra allowed Toto to set up a village in Yuba.

Levely


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 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.

Post-Enies 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.

Post-War 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.

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.

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 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 tries to escape with Cobra, he asks him to tell Luffy and Vivi that the entire Nefertari Family bears the name D. He chooses to stay behind and 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 death.

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.

Translation and Dub Issues
For unknown reasons, his name was changed to Nebra in the 4Kids dubbed anime (although the name "Cobra" still remained in some bits of closed captioning during broadcasts). Some fans have speculated that this occurred because contemporary 4Kids property G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 featured a villainous terrorist organization named Cobra.

In the VIZ manga and Funimation's dub of the eighth movie, his name remains Cobra, but like Vivi, his family name is spelled Nefeltari.

Playable Appearances

 * One Piece: Going Baseball

Support Appearances

 * One Piece: Pirates Carnival
 * One Piece: Gear Spirit

Non-Playable Appearances

 * Grand Battle! 2
 * Grand Battle! Swan Colosseum
 * One Piece: Grand Battle! 3
 * One Piece: Grand Battle! Rush!
 * One Piece: Dragon Dream!
 * One Piece: Grand Adventure
 * One Piece: Gigant Battle
 * One Piece: Gigant Battle! 2 New World

Trivia

 * His favorite food was knafeh.
 * His given name, combined with his title, appear to be a reference to the King Cobra.
 * The stylized, upright form of an Egyptian cobra (asp, serpent, or snake), is used as a symbol called a "Uraeus" (literally meaning "rearing cobra") that represents sovereignty, royalty, deity, and divine authority in ancient Egypt.
 * His surname Nefertari may be based on Nefertari Meritmut, the wife of famed pharaoh Ramesses the Great.

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