Whether in terms of strength, speed, or the level of Observation Haki, the assassin was far superior to Robin. Coupled with the fact that she was currently at her most relaxed state of mind, by the time Robin sensed the sneak attack, the dagger was already less than a meter away from her.
However, a childhood spent as a fugitive in constant fear and the relentless training she had undergone since joining the investigation team meant Robin did not simply wait for death.
As she reached out to grab the Felyne-paw canister she had just put away, she activated her fruit powers against the attacker while simultaneously retreating with all her might to fight for a sliver of survival.
Baby-5, who had begun helping the Donquixote Family in their conquests from a very young age, was equally quick to react.
Even before the look of trance had completely faded from her face, her body was already in motion. One of her legs kicked toward the assassin while rapidly transforming into a firearm.
Yet, facing the combined counterattack of the two women, the assassin acted as if he hadn't seen them at all. He neither dodged nor parried the incoming strikes, lunging toward Nico Robin in a suicidal stance...
"Bang!"
Baby-5 "leg gun" fired a bullet that struck the assassin ribs, but the opponent movements did not falter for a single moment.
The arms sprouting from the assassin body locked onto several of his vital joints, yet Robin felt as though she were clutching solid stone she still failed to cause him any obstruction.
Furthermore, the Felyne combat suit, her final insurance, was sent flying through the air by some invisible force.
Finger Pistol and Iron Body!
Robin pupils shrank violently.
Although she had not yet clashed with CP agents or the Marines under Sherwin protection, Robin was not at all unfamiliar with the Six Powers.
Who could blame them when their team had a "cheater" who had read the walkthrough?
And as for why the opponent didn't use the Six Powers to attack her directly, but instead chose the more cumbersome dagger...
Was she worried about Sherwin noticing something was wrong?
Robin quickly deduced the other person line of thinking.
As for why she had the leisure to let her mind wander during such a critical moment, it wasn't because she felt unable to dodge and had simply given up, but because...
Who told you that I can't transform just because the cat-paw canister was knocked away?
Robin suddenly felt a surge of gratitude.
Back then, Sherwin had insisted that Haibara Meow and Purah Meow add a redundant "transformation" sequence to the combat suit. She had thought it was just another instance of Sherwin eccentric tastes.
Even though the explanation that "using a fake transformation sequence can confuse the enemy" sounded plausible enough, now it seemed...
It was incredibly plausible!
"Clang!"
Under the assassin astonished gaze, his dagger was easily blocked by a layer of soft fur that looked like it possessed zero defensive power. The Nico Robin before his eyes had once again turned into that palico Felyne-kin form from before.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
After all, the point of attack had been her neck. Even with the protection of the combat suit, Robin still felt some discomfort.
However, it was merely discomfort.
Robin rubbed her neck and cautiously stood in front of Baby-5, sizing up the person who had ambushed her.
An ordinary face, an ordinary height—the type of person who would disappear the moment they were dropped into a crowd... It certainly fit the profile of an agent.
"Whose subordinate are you?! Why don't I recognize you?!"
Baby-5 was the first to ask, as the individual before them was dressed exactly like a common thug of the Donquixote Family.
However, as an officer who was "needed" by everyone, Baby-5 recognized about ninety percent of Doflamingo subordinates, even the fodder.
Most importantly, given the strength the opponent had just displayed, they were more than qualified to be an officer. How could they possibly still be a common thug?
"To fail at such a small task, what a piece of trash!"
The one who answered was Joseph, the second tallest of the three CP0 members who had hurried away earlier.
His eyes behind the mask heartlessly swept over Robin, Baby-5, and the assassin, finally landing on Lao G, who was cratered into the ground, his fate unknown.
"Doflamingo subordinates are also trash! To think I went through the trouble of healing his injuries."
His words served as an answer to Robin previous doubts.
Only...
If Lao G had been healed by CP0, what about the others?
A trace of worry naturally rose in Robin heart, but she quickly put it to rest—
How could Doflamingo men possibly be a match for the Felynes? With that time, it was more practical to worry about her own safety and Baby-5.
As Joseph stepped out from his hiding place in the shadows, Baby-5, who was aware of Robin identity, instantly understood what was happening.
Without hesitation, she transformed both of her hands into weapons and took a combat stance against the CP0 agent.
"Forgive me, my lord, please give me another chance!"
The CP agent dressed as a common thug cried out in terror.
However, the only response he received was a Flying Finger Pistol from Joseph.
Since the plan to use the Heavenly Yaksha hand had failed, the only option left was to eliminate everyone who knew the truth.
The members of the CP organization had always acted with cold-ruthlessness, let alone the most specialized unit, CP0... Joseph appearing now didn't even bother with a disguise.
And with the other party appearing so brazenly, his intentions required no further explanation.
Robin heart sank as she whispered to Baby-5 beside her, "Make as much noise as possible, then run toward Sherwin and the others!"
However, before she could even finish her sentence, Joseph had already flickered into existence within five paces of them.
His finger, coated in Armament Haki, was just like that previous dagger—stabbing straight toward Robin throat at a speed neither of them could react to.
To be precise, Robin Observation Haki had reacted, but her physical body could not keep up.
Therefore, she could only watch helplessly as Joseph hand, halfway through its thrust toward her...
Was carried away from his body by a flying slash.
Hunter Style: Ruinous Heavens!
"Good thing I felt like some lowlife was trying to harm me just now and specifically used Observation Haki to search the area."
Holding the Longsword, Sherwin walked over with a grim expression and stood in front of Robin. "You CP0 people... don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
As he spoke, he pointedly glanced at the shadow behind Joseph.
"Sister Robin! Are you okay, meow?!"
(=ΦωΦ=)
Klee Meow threw herself into Robin arms and asked with concern.
Robin smiled as she stroked her head, then gently shook her own.
As for Haibara Meow and Shermie Meow, who had been staying on Sherwin, neither of them followed.
Haibara Meow direct combat strength was not quite sufficient, and Shermie Meow ability was best suited for putting out fires, so Sherwin left them at the VIP seats to keep an eye on Doflamingo...
After all, Law was constantly being pummeled if no one watched, he might just bite the dust in an instant if they weren't careful.
Joseph, whose arm had been severed, tensed his muscles and used techniques from Iron Body to forcibly stop the bleeding from his wound. He glanced at the arm lying on the ground and retreated a few steps without saying a word.
"You should be aware of the World Government attitude toward Nico Robin, Hunter."
The shortest one, Guernica, spoke as he walked out from the shadows Sherwin had glanced toward, with the tallest, Gismonda, following closely behind.
"As long as you are willing to hand her over to us, whether it be Famous Blades, Dyna Stones, or Devil Fruits, we can find them for you."
"And if I refuse?"
Sherwin raised an eyebrow and asked in return.
Klee Meow, who had returned to his shoulder, cooperated by baring her claws and teeth. "You can forget about bullying Sister Robin, meow!"
"Then... we'll just have to find another opportunity later." Guernica spoke with a matter-of-fact tone, making no attempt to hide his intentions.
"After this failure, we will be even more cautious in our assassination of Nico Robin. I just wonder how long you can protect her, Lord Sherwin."
With that, he and his two companions prepared to leave.
"Did I say you could go?"
Sherwin swung his blade once more, sending out a flying slash that cut off their path. "You attack my companion and think you can just walk away as if nothing happened? There no such thing as a free lunch!"
"That right! Klee Meow is going to blow you all away, meow!!!"
(=`Д=)
The little Ragdoll cat quickly pulled a bomb out of her backpack.
"Do you really intend to make an enemy of the World Government?!"
A hint of panic finally flickered across Guernica calm face. He spoke rapidly, "Do you no longer want your Warlord title?!"
"Pah! Taking in Robin was a condition we agreed upon from the start! You are clearly the ones looking for trouble!"
Although Sherwin could tell they still didn't truly intend to have a complete fallout with him, he wasn't about to let them leave so easily it didn't sit right with him.
So...
He'd take another two arms before talking!
Sensing Sherwin resolve, the three CP0 agents stopped speaking and simultaneously took up defensive stances.
Just as the battle was about to break out, a cracking sound rapidly approached from the distance...
"Kaka-kaka..."
"Hmm?"
Sherwin looked down. Without anyone noticing, several cracks of varying sizes had already appeared in the ground beneath their feet.
"Rumble—!"
The ground gave way, and everyone fell together with the collapsing floor toward the depths below...
"Eh? Klee Meow hasn't even thrown the bomb yet, meow?"
(=ω=)
The little Ragdoll cat looked at the compressed Jumpy Dumpty in her paw, a look of complete feline confusion on her face.