Grand Line, Alabasta.
Western region of the kingdom, the Royal Mausoleum.
This was the burial ground of generations of the Alabasta royal family. Towering pillars stood in solemn rows, filling the place with a sense of awe, yet because of the war, all the guards stationed here had been sent to suppress the rebellion.
The few that remained had already been killed by Crocodile, stirring a deep sense of guilt and pain in Cobra's heart.
Crocodile coldly led the two of them to the entrance of the royal hall and looked at Cobra.
"Alright, speak. Where is the Poneglyph?"
Cobra let out a faint sigh. Clutching his injured arm, he walked to the entrance and pushed a seemingly ordinary stone beast statue aside with force.
Clatter, clatter…
The sound of chains and machinery echoed as the ground of the nearby lawn split open, revealing the entrance to an underground passage.
Crocodile snorted. "You people sure like your tricks."
Ignoring Cobra, he walked straight inside, with Robin following closely behind. After a brief hesitation, Cobra followed as well.
* * *
Inside the underground hall, Robin looked at the solemn structure and the carved patterns on the walls, then said, "This is where royal burials are held, isn't it."
Cobra seemed a little surprised that she knew the customs. "That's right. This is the place for royal funerals, and the Poneglyph is behind that door. But let me make one thing clear. What our royal family has protected for generations is only that. As for this so-called Pluton, there has never been any information passed down."
Robin nodded. "The truth of this world runs very deep. It's normal that kings of World Government nations don't know everything."
Boom!
Without another word, Crocodile controlled the sand and blasted the door apart.
"Enough with the nonsense."
He slightly turned his head, his cold gaze locking onto Robin. "Don't disappoint me, Nico Robin..."
He had reached the final step, and there was no room for error.
Robin smiled faintly. "Of course."
Satisfied, Crocodile nodded and walked in first, with the other two following.
Inside the chamber beyond the door, there was only a massive square stone, covered in unknown inscriptions.
The Poneglyph.
At the shattered entrance, Cobra collapsed weakly onto the ground and leaned against the wall, quietly waiting for death. Having lost too much blood, he no longer had the strength to stand.
Time passed slowly.
Cobra's consciousness began to fade. With a bitter smile, he thought that at least he would die in his own family's tomb. Forcing himself to stay awake, he looked at Robin. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
The sound of Crocodile drawing on his cigar became more frequent as he stared at her.
Robin ran her hand over the Poneglyph and spoke without turning around, "Is there anything else?"
Cobra was slightly surprised and replied weakly, "That's everything. If you're not satisfied, there's nothing I can do. I have already kept my promise."
A bad feeling rose in Crocodile's chest, and his voice turned cold. "What exactly is written on it, Nico Robin... Read it out loud..."
Familiar with him, Robin naturally knew he was already angry. Still, as she looked at the text, she began speaking calmly.
"Year 239 of the Age of Heaven. Kahira conquered Alabasta.
"Year 260. The Bitien Dynasty was ruled by Tymar.
"Year 306. The construction of the Great Taph Temple was completed in Erumalu.
"Year 325..."
Crocodile's expression changed, and the more he listened, the more something felt wrong.
"Enough! I didn't ask you to repeat history! I want the location of Pluton. Tell me now! Where is Pluton?!"
Robin's hand paused on the Poneglyph, yet her expression did not change. "Unfortunately, this only records history. The word 'Pluton'… it doesn't even appear."
Her calm words struck like thunder, hitting Crocodile straight in the heart.
More than twenty years of planning, more than twenty years of patience, and this was the result. He was on the verge of losing his mind.
Bloodshot veins filled his eyes as the world seemed to spin for a moment before he steadied himself, a growing madness rising within.
Boom!
He grabbed Robin by the throat and slammed her against the Poneglyph. The impact forced a muffled groan from her lips, and a trace of blood slipped from the corner of her mouth as she was pinned firmly against the stone.
Crocodile's voice turned wild. "That's not right! It has to be written here! You dare fool me?!"
Whether it was written or not, he could not accept that it only contained history.
Robin struggled briefly but could not break free. With a soft sigh, she said, "That is what it says. I have no reason to lie to you."
Her words calmed Crocodile a little. He stared at her, eyes locked, searching for any sign of deceit.
Then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again and slowly exhaling. "So that's how it is. What a pity. You were once an excellent partner, but now, you will die here..."
Crocodile did not believe her. He trusted his own judgment. The information could not be wrong. It had to be written there. This woman was impossible to tame.
She had betrayed him.
He raised his left hand, the golden hook aimed at her head.
Robin did not struggle.
Even after everything she had learned from Carlo, including Haki, Crocodile was far stronger than before. There was no way to break free. The gap in strength, even in their abilities, was overwhelming.
There was no fear in her eyes, only a faint sense of clarity.
That thing... it could never be revealed to him. No matter the reason, it was impossible.
Still… it was finally her turn.
In her vision, figures seemed to appear. The professor, Saul, her mother, and Lorca.
Robin slowly closed her eyes. 'So it ends here… but… this death feels meaningless… I have failed your teachings, Mr. Lorca…'
* * *
High above the Royal Mausoleum, deep within the clouds thousands of meters in the sky, three figures stood atop a massive cannon shell, floating silently.
Sensing what was happening inside the ruins, Soter glanced at Carlo. "Not making a move?"
Carlo remained calm, his gaze fixed below. "There's still time."
Even if Crocodile's attack was only a centimeter away from Robin, with his teleportation ability, he could appear instantly and pull her out.
Right now, however, his attention was on someone else.
"Now this is an unexpected bonus."
He looked at the drifting snow cloud rushing toward the entrance of the ruins.
The Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo.
Delivered right to his doorstep. If he didn't deal with him now, it would almost feel like a waste.
* * *
Inside the ruins.
Buzz!
Crocodile's golden hook was coated in Armament Haki as it swung toward Robin's head.
Suddenly, a furious roar echoed from the distance.
"Blizzard Dragon King!!!"
Boom!
A deafening explosion and violent tremor shook the underground chamber. In an instant, endless snow flooded the entire hall. Amid the raging blizzard, Cobra was shielded within a dome of snow, while Crocodile and Robin were swallowed whole by the storm.
In the chaos, Sabo took form. His right hand shaped into a dragon claw, hardened with Armament Haki, collided directly with the golden hook, while his left hand struck toward Crocodile's arm joint.
Boom!!!
Crocodile's expression darkened as he stared at the intruder. His body turned into swirling sand, rapidly absorbing and dissolving the snow. His gaze shifted downward to his right hand, which felt slightly numb.
Robin was gone.
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