“This was Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords…” Just like the man who haunted her nightmares, he was also a Logia-type ability user.
People like that had always been, in her eyes, unbeatable existences.
Robin’s gaze flickered as she looked at Moke in the distance.
Robin’s past was one that inspired sympathy.
When she was still very young, her entire clan was slaughtered, leaving her alone to struggle through life in this world.
Her childhood—and even her life afterward—had been filled with suffering.
No matter where she went, she was called the Devil Child.
On top of that, she was wanted by the Marines, with a bounty worth tens of millions of berries on her head.
Because of that, wherever she went, people would hunt her down.
She had constantly searched for powerful backers, using them as temporary shelter.
At the same time, she had experienced betrayal again and again.
That was what had shaped her current personality: she trusted no one.
Her relationship with Crocodile had only been one of mutual use.
She needed Crocodile’s protection, and at the same time, she wanted to find the Poneglyph hidden in the Kingdom of Alabasta.
As for Crocodile, he needed Robin’s ability to read ancient texts so he could locate Pluton.
But now… Crocodile was dead, and the protection she relied on had disappeared.
So she urgently needed a new shelter.
Someone even stronger than Crocodile!
Was there anyone more suitable than him?
A rookie who had just set out to sea, someone who urgently needed all kinds of information and powerful, useful companions.
Was there anyone more fitting than her?
The corners of Robin’s lips lifted slightly.
At that moment, she had come up with a very good idea.
… Meanwhile, Moke, who had successfully dealt with Crocodile, was already heading toward the place where he had hidden his things.
When he arrived, he saw a beautiful woman sitting nearby, watching him with an amused expression.
It was as though she had been waiting there for him.
Moke’s pupils suddenly contracted, because he recognized this woman at a glance.
She was the beloved favorite of countless One Piece fans: Robin.
At this time, she had wheat-colored skin and long, straight black hair.
She wore a white cowboy hat and a matching white women’s coat.
Underneath was a short purple crop top that exposed her midriff.
The front of the top was open, held together only by something like a “shoelace.” Her cleavage instantly became the highlight.
On her lower body, she wore a short purple skirt of the same color, perfectly outlining her long, straight legs.
It had to be said that, although this woman was not yet as charming as she would become a few years later, she already had plenty of capital.
But then again, how did she know he had hidden his things here?
That meant she had already been on this island for quite some time, secretly observing everything from the shadows.
And now she had chosen to appear here… Moke’s eyes narrowed slightly, because a guess had formed in his mind.
“Nico Robin… May I ask what brings you here?” When Robin heard Moke directly reveal her identity, her expression changed slightly.
However, she quickly returned to normal.
Then, the corners of her lips rose, revealing a charming smile.
“I came to discuss cooperation with you.” “Cooperation?” That was something Moke had not expected.
He had thought she would be like in the original story, where she simply boarded Luffy’s ship directly.
Nico Robin said, “I control all of Baroque Works’ intelligence network, as well as its agents under Crocodile.
Of course, that excludes Daz Bonez and the few who appeared today.
After all, they already know that Mr.
0 was Crocodile.
But I’m confident I can persuade them to continue working for Baroque Works.” “Oh?” Moke’s eyes immediately lit up.
He truly had not expected Robin to make such a move.
This was completely different from the original story, where she had joined the Straw Hat Pirates on her own.
Although among Crocodile’s subordinates, there were barely three who could be considered presentable—Mr.
1, Mr.
2, and Mr.
3—Baroque Works had a large number of intelligence personnel.
They might not be good at fighting, but when it came to gathering information in the first half of the Grand Line, they were quite capable.
Having a large intelligence organization under his command would not be a bad thing at all.
The way Moke looked at Robin changed slightly.
“Then what do I have to pay in return?” Robin fell silent for a moment before saying frankly, “When I need it, you must protect me.” Moke smiled.
“You mean from the Marines?” Robin’s pupils shrank.
Because she suddenly felt that the man in front of her understood her extremely well.
At that moment, she actually began to hesitate.
But Moke immediately said with a meaningful tone, “As long as you sincerely join me and don’t harbor any other little schemes, then you are my companion.
Even if a Marine Admiral comes for you, I will protect you and ensure your safety.
I will never go back on my word.” Robin’s entire body trembled.
She looked at Moke with a shocked expression.
At this moment, she completely understood.
The man before her knew her past clearly… And even so, he was still willing to accept her.
That made her feel somewhat… In the past, she had met people who said similar things.
But usually, after saying those words, they would turn around and sell her out.
Yet looking at Moke’s sincere expression, for some reason, she felt a sense of peace.
Moke had already walked over to the place where he had hidden his things and picked them up.
At the same time, he chuckled lightly at Robin.
“If even Crocodile could protect you, do you think I’m inferior to him?
Taking ten thousand steps back, you’ve brought me the intelligence network that Crocodile worked so hard to build.
That alone makes you worth protecting.” Robin listened to Moke’s words.
Thinking about it carefully, he was right… Her heart settled a little more.
Moke, meanwhile, began sizing Robin up.
After a moment of silence, he said, “How about this… Have Mr.
1, Mr.
2, and Mr.
3’s groups go to Asuka Island and seize the sacred sword there.
Once they succeed, have them deliver it to Chef Island.” “As for you, help me find Van Augur and Jesus Burgess.
One of them is a sniper, and the other is a champion fighter.” Robin’s expression tightened.
She understood.
This was a test.
A test for her, for Mr.
1, Mr.
2, and Mr.
3, and also for Baroque Works as a whole.
Robin nodded, then smiled beautifully.
“From this moment on, you are Baroque Works’ Mr.
0.
Your orders are the highest command of Baroque Works.” But Moke suddenly changed the subject.
“Can you really convince Daz Bonez?” To be honest, he still valued Daz Bonez quite highly.
If that man developed his ability to the point of awakening, it would absolutely be terrifying.
And he had that kind of potential!
Robin nodded.
“Of course.” Moke nodded in satisfaction.
“Good.
Then I look forward to meeting you again on Chef Island.” … Marine Headquarters.
Sengoku’s face was so dark it could not get any darker.
Because he had already received the information that Moke had killed Crocodile.
Vice Admiral Tsuru stood at the side and said, “Now that he has killed Crocodile, he has already proven his strength to the world.
I suggest we immediately have Smoker and Tashigi go invite him to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea.” After saying that, she added one more sentence.
“And they must do it before he clashes with the Marines again!”
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