That night, deep beneath the Shogun’s castle in the Flower Capital.
A long flight of stairs plunged into the darkness, crisp footsteps echoing down the dim corridor.
Caesar held a torch aloft as he descended the stairs.
This area lay directly beneath Kozuki Sukiyaki’s secret chamber, connected to the seabed under Wano—the very place where one of the four Road Poneglyphs pointing the way to Laugh Tale was hidden.
Firelight flickered faintly against the darkness, and quiet settled over everything.
As the air grew damp, Caesar finally reached the bottom.
The massive red Poneglyph loomed before him, moss clinging to the corners of its crimson stone face, sitting in silent repose within the gloom.
Caesar raised his hand, and a card depicting a beautiful woman suddenly materialized in his palm.
The card shattered with a flash of golden radiance, and a seductive figure clad in black leather appeared out of thin air before him.
Creak…
Her leather boots stepped lightly onto the rotting wooden floor.
Nico Robin quickly steadied herself, her crimson eyes sweeping the surroundings with caution before settling warily on the man in front of her.
“My apologies for keeping you locked away for so long, Miss Robin.” Caesar hooked a finger, and a faint crimson mist drifted off Robin.
As the mist dissolved, her dark eyes returned to their natural black.
Noticing the pajamas Caesar was wearing, Robin’s eyes glinted slightly as she quickly extrapolated useful information from his words.
“It seems a considerable amount of time has passed.
Where are we?” “Wano.
The stronghold of Kaidou of the Beasts, one of the Four Emperors.” Caesar looked at her with appreciation.
“You’re remarkably calm.” “Well, my memory is still stuck back in Sleeping Town.” Robin smiled faintly, suppressing her inner unease.
“So, Mr.
Vampire, have you aligned yourself with Kaidou of the Four Emperors?” “For now.
But in another two or three months, it’ll be time for us to leave.” Caesar gave a soft laugh and slowly raised his hand, pointing a slender index finger behind her.
“Though before that…
didn’t I make you a promise?
The Poneglyph…” Robin followed the direction of his finger.
When the crimson Poneglyph came into view, her pupils trembled.
“This is…” “A Road Poneglyph.” Caesar said casually, “Unlike ordinary Poneglyphs, the text on this one details how to reach the final island, Laugh Tale.
But it’s only one of four; the other three are elsewhere.” Robin looked at Caesar in surprise.
His demeanor was completely different from back in Sleeping Town.
In Sleeping Town, beneath his polite and elegant facade, she had sensed a tight strain, followed by a touch of youthful arrogance after he gained his power.
Now, his air was easygoing and composed, his frame slightly more muscular than before.
Beneath that tranquil exterior lay the distinct aura of a slumbering beast, exuding an indescribable pressure.
“So…
how much time has actually passed?
Was I sealed away?” “Sealed…
you could put it that way.” Caesar offered an apologetic smile and briefly explained what had transpired during this time.
“My luck wasn’t great that day.
I had just awakened my Conqueror’s Haki when Kaidou happened to pass overhead via Skypiea.
He noticed us, and from the time he dragged me back here until now, about two months have passed.” “Two months…” Robin gave Caesar a complex look.
“This doesn’t seem like the power of a vampire.” “That’s my secret…
Just consider it part of my Devil Fruit ability for now.” Caesar pressed a finger to his lips.
“A lot has happened over these past two months.
Given your unique background, I kept you stored away.
Of course, time was completely frozen for you, so to your perception, only a moment passed.” “And releasing me now…
is that to fulfill our deal?” “That’s part of it.” Caesar nodded gently.
“The other part is that I now have sufficient strength to protect you.” Robin looked at him with intrigue.
“Protect?” “Aren’t you my secretary?” Caesar spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“As the boss, isn’t it my duty to protect my subordinate?” Recalling their previous conversation back in Sleeping Town, Robin’s eyes flickered.
“Speaking of which…
Boss, you still haven’t given me news about Saul.” “He’s in Elbaf, the land of the giants.” Caesar said calmly, “I don’t know the exact details of what he’s been through over the years, but if you want to find him, I suggest you wait a little longer.” “Why?” “Though I don’t particularly care about such things, it seems you’re the only one who can bring the truth of history to the world.
Of course, I don’t care much about the world either…” Caesar’s tone turned earnest.
“If I have to state it simply…
I need you.” Robin let out a soft chuckle.
“My, that sounds almost like a confession.” “I’m not joking…” Caesar smiled slightly.
“The world and its history don’t matter to me.
But you—someone who can influence the direction of the world’s future—matter to me very much.” Hearing this, Robin’s smile waned slightly.
“Then, Mr.
Caesar…
what is your objective?” “I want to try…
flipping this ocean upside down!” Holding the torch aloft, Caesar stepped forward.
The firelight shone upon the crimson Poneglyph, breathing a touch of life into the ancient stele.
“To drag down those high-and-mighty swine from their perches, to bring freedom and hope to every corner of the world, to become the sole emperor of all beneath the heavens, uniting the world and bringing the four seas to heel—to achieve a monumental feat unprecedented in history!” The young man’s voice echoed forcefully through the gloom.
Robin opened her mouth slightly, staring at Caesar in surprise.
“That is truly…
a magnificent dream.” “An ambition,” Caesar corrected with a chuckle.
“You might not believe it, but back in my homeland, that’s an ambition every man has harbored at some point.” In fact, more than one person has actually achieved it…
Robin hesitated.
“Just…
the two of us?” “Three now,” Caesar laughed.
“Kaidou’s daughter is my girlfriend, and her strength is on par with his right-hand men.
We’ve agreed to set sail together.” Robin: “???” Kaidou’s daughter?
Your girlfriend?
What on earth happened in these past two months?
Remembering the photos of Kaidou she had seen in newspapers, Robin couldn’t help but picture a monstrous, muscle-bound woman five or six meters tall, carrying a spiked club, with fangs and blue skin.
She then looked at Caesar’s tall, handsome frame.
Robin said in a complex tone, “It seems you’ve had a very difficult time.” “You seem to be thinking about something quite rude…” Caesar glanced at her.
“Yamato is actually very beautiful!
Just a bit tall.” “How tall?” “Around two point six or two point seven meters.” Hearing this, Robin looked at Caesar with an even more disrespectful gaze.
“I have ways to change my size!!” “Oh my, I’m sorry…” Her pleasant laughter dispelled the oppressive atmosphere of the dark vault.
“So, what is your answer?” “…I look forward to working with you, Boss,” Robin said with a subtle smile.
Caesar seemed to know a great deal about the Poneglyphs, which was precisely what she needed.
And as Caesar had pointed out, her ability to influence the future of the world was something he required as well.
From that perspective, joining him was her best option.
She was unsure whether this choice was right or wrong, but at this stage, she didn’t have any better alternatives.
“What I’m more curious about now is what we’ll do over the next few months.
Are you going to seal me away again?” “Your wanted poster is still from when you were a child, right?” Caesar had no intention of stashing Robin away again.
“I’ve already secured real power in this country, so I can arrange a suitable identity for you.
Of course, you shouldn’t flaunt your Devil Fruit powers recklessly.” As Caesar spoke, he casually tossed a ring to Robin.
Robin caught it reflexively, and a sudden wave of weakness washed over her entire body.
“Is this…
Sea Prism Stone?” “Wano is the origin of Sea Prism Stone.
The craftsmen here possess the skill to process it.
In fact, the Poneglyphs you seek were originally carved by the Kozuki clan, the former ruling family of Shoguns in this land.” Caesar explained, “Keep the ring on at all times.
Wearing low-purity Sea Prism Stone long-term will quickly help you adapt to the draining effect.” Robin looked at Caesar.
“Aren’t you curious about Laugh Tale?” “I’m not interested in that place.
Besides, simply arriving at Laugh Tale doesn’t make someone the Pirate King.
Before that, one has to complete a full circumnavigation of the Grand Line.
My current plan is to gather a few companions first.” “Does Mr.
Captain intend to become a pirate?” “I don’t care much about labels.
For all I know, I might pick a fight directly with the World Government on a whim halfway through.” Caesar led the way with the torch, and Robin followed silently behind him as they headed back to the surface.
Early the next morning, in the Shogun’s Castle.
Yamato woke up with a yawn and reached out toward her side, only to wrap her arms around empty air.
“Hmm?” Bleary-eyed, Yamato pushed herself up and opened her sleepy eyes.
“Caesar?” “Over here,” came Caesar’s voice from near the window.
Yamato looked toward the sound and discovered her man enjoying breakfast in the company of another woman.
She was a strikingly beautiful woman with pale skin, her hair tied in a gentle low ponytail.
She wore a sleeveless short kimono top with a black kimono draped over her shoulders.
Her fair legs were crossed, the soles of her feet showing a healthy rosy hue.
She leaned subtly toward Caesar, her posture clearly deferred to him.
“Huh?” Yamato rubbed her eyes and sat up, looking at them in surprise.
“Caesar, is this a new woman you brought back?” “Hehe…” Seeing Yamato’s adorable, clueless reaction, Robin covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
When Caesar had claimed Yamato was beautiful earlier, she hadn’t quite believed it, given how deeply Kaidou’s fierce image was burned into everyone’s minds.
Only now, seeing Yamato in person, did she agree with Caesar’s words.
She was indeed a stunning beauty—no exaggeration to call her the most gorgeous woman Robin had ever encountered—and her demeanor was genuinely pure and charming.
After all, very few women in this world would react so casually upon seeing their partner in intimate proximity with another woman.
Caesar gestured toward Robin.
“This is our future companion.
For now, she’s staying by my side under the guise of a concubine.
You can just call her…
Ah Bin?” “Call me Veya,” Robin said smoothly.
“Ah Bin sounds dreadful…” “Veya?” Caesar raised an eyebrow.
The name was likely derived from her mother’s name, Olvia.
The latter letters did sound much nicer than his suggestion.
“Oh!
Nice to meet you!
I’m Yamato!
Kaidou’s daughter!” Yamato sat up with a rustle and dropped onto her knees in front of Robin, hands resting on her knees.
“So Veya is Caesar’s woman, right?” “My explanation went right over her head…
oh well.” Robin covered her mouth with a quiet chuckle.
“Aren’t you angry?” On the way back last night, Caesar had briefly summarized the events of the past two months.
Robin had found it hard to believe: in just over two months, Caesar had seized Wano’s political control and even won over Kaidou’s daughter!
How had he pulled it off?
Just because he was handsome?
Or…
because he could alter his size?
“Angry?” Yamato scratched her hair.
“Isn’t it great that people like Caesar?” Robin blinked, then turned to Caesar.
“To find such a pure-hearted girl, Boss, you really are lucky.” “Indeed…” Caesar nodded in complete agreement.
Yamato was so innocent that it occasionally gave him a twinge of guilt.
“Haha…” Hearing Robin’s words, Yamato beamed.
“Veya is a great person too!
And super pretty!” “My, hearing that makes me quite happy.” Robin rested her chin in her hand with a gentle smile.
“Speaking of which…
how old are you, Yamato?” “Twenty-two!” Yamato answered enthusiastically.
“What about you, Veya?” Robin chuckled softly.
“Two years older than you.” Caesar grinned.
“I’m eighteen.” Robin’s smile vanished instantly.
“Honestly, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, no one was asking about your age.” “Caesar is only eighteen?” Yamato looked surprised and began counting on her fingers.
“That means I’m four years older than you!
Doesn’t that mean I’ll age faster than you?
Plus, you have the Vampire Fruit, so you can stay young forever…
That’s troubling…” “Don’t worry, I’ve already thought of a solution.” Caesar had considered the problem of lifespan and age limits long ago.
The One Piece world contained items capable of bypassing lifespan constraints.
Since the Vampire Fruit—which originated from official game lore—existed in this reality, then the legendary Pure Gold couldn’t merely be a baseless myth either!
Pure Gold!
From the movie *Heart of Gold*: a legendary substance created through alchemy whose unique radiation could freeze a person’s youth and halt diseases!
It had to be said that the One Piece world was truly magical.
If brought into the *Harry Potter* universe, such a treasure would easily dwarf the value of the Philosopher’s Stone.
Nicolas Flamel had lived six hundred years using the Elixir of Life, aging until he was decrepit and fragile to the bone.
Yet the little girl in *Heart of Gold* hadn’t changed a bit after two hundred years.
That item was something he was definitely going to get his hands on!