"What did you say?! The people of Alabasta see Crocodile as a hero?!" Tashigi exclaimed, her face a mask of disbelief.
The other women lost their composure as well, staring at Vivi with identical shock. As they neared Alabasta, the cheerful atmosphere had finally given way to a discussion about the enemy they were about to face. Miss Valentine and Miss Golden Week looked down in awkward silence, not daring to say a word. The reason was obvious.
"I feel like the people of Alabasta are a bit... foolish!" Carmen blurted out, never one to hide her thoughts.
The other women's expressions were similarly dubious. Crocodile had only been in Alabasta for four years, and he was already their hero? They wouldn't believe their own king, who had worked diligently for his people, preferring instead to trust an outsider—and a pirate, no less. It was absurd! They couldn't understand the people's logic.
Even Leo had to agree. He could only conclude the citizens were incredibly naive... or perhaps just simple. Seeing the criticism on their faces, Vivi forced a strained smile. She was the princess, after all; there were some things she couldn't openly condemn.
Sensing her discomfort, Leo patted her shoulder, giving her a reassuring look. "Once we get to Alabasta and deal with Crocodile, all these problems will be solved."
"Yes, I believe you, Leo," Vivi responded, clenching her fists and nodding. She had waited a long time for this day. The people of Alabasta had waited long enough.
Rainbase, Alabasta.
In a smoke-filled office within the casino Rain Dinners, Crocodile lit another cigar.
"Robin, any news on Leo and his crew?" he asked, his voice a low growl.
Behind him, Robin, dressed in her professional attire, shook her head. "Nothing yet. Mr. 2 reported that he found no trace of Leo near Drum Kingdom. If I had to guess, they are coming directly to Alabasta. Judging by the timing, they should be arriving any moment now. They might even be above us as we speak."
Crocodile's pupils constricted, and he shot a sidelong glance at Robin. Did she have to make it sound so ominous?!
"No matter," he sneered. "If they dare to come here, I'll make sure they never leave. Whether it's Princess Vivi, the members of the Leo Pirates, or those two traitors, I will personally eliminate them this time." His eyes were shadowed with malice as he gently stroked the golden hook on his arm. Did they think, after provoking him repeatedly, that they were on par with Whitebeard?!
"Go. Proceed as planned," Crocodile waved her away.
"Understood." Robin walked out of the room with graceful steps, a barely perceptible flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. Recently, she had secretly investigated Leo behind Crocodile's back. Strangely, while there were traces of Kaya and Nami's pasts, Leo seemed to have appeared out of thin air, with no history to be found. Everything about him started after he met Nami. And Nami herself, who had been powerless before, had not only obtained the powerful Weather-Weather Fruit but had grown tremendously stronger after joining his crew. As for Leo, he was utterly inscrutable. Most importantly, multiple witnesses confirmed he had battled the Warlord Dracule Mihawk at the Baratie. He hadn't won, but he had fought the Hawk-Eyes to a standstill, forcing the swordsman to withdraw in frustration.
'It seems the Marines' intelligence work is still lacking,' Robin thought with a slight, private smile. She had not shared this particular piece of information with Crocodile. Theirs was, after all, a relationship of mutual convenience. Crocodile kept her around for one reason only: she could read the Poneglyphs. He needed her.
'Crocodile, how will you handle a man that even Mihawk couldn't defeat?' A trace of mockery curled Robin's lips. She was beginning to regret not seeking out this mysterious man back at Whisky Peak.
As evening approached, the Going Merry finally arrived at Alabasta's capital, Alubarna.
"Vivi!!"
A familiar voice rang out, causing Vivi's body to tremble. She saw her father, Cobra, running out from the palace.
"Father!!"
Tears streamed down Vivi's cheeks as she rushed into his arms. The two embraced, sharing a moment of heartfelt reunion. The royal guards, Pell and Chaka, quickly stepped forward to welcome Leo and the others inside. Igaram had already informed them of everything; they knew Leo was the honored guest here to help them deal with Crocodile and could not be treated with anything less than the utmost respect.
In a private chamber, King Cobra, his ministers Chaka and Pell, and the members of the Leo Pirates gathered.
"Lord Leo," Cobra began hesitantly, "are you truly confident you can defeat Crocodile?" The fate of all Alabasta hung in the balance; he needed a definitive answer. After all, Crocodile was one of the Warlords of the Sea, a force not to be underestimated.
"Just Leo is fine," Leo said, waving off the formality. Vivi was his woman, and Cobra was her father. Such titles felt wrong.
"Yes, Father, you don't need to stand on ceremony with him," Vivi added, sticking her tongue out playfully at Leo.
The intimate gesture gave Cobra pause. Their relationship seemed... rather close. His eyes swept over the other women in the room, and a sense of foreboding dawned on him. Could it be that they...?
"I have a one hundred percent chance of defeating him," Leo stated confidently. "And right now, Crocodile is even more anxious than you are. We can wait here; he will come to us." Leo knew all about Crocodile's desperate desire to get his hands on Pluton. That was the real prize. Dealing with them was, in Crocodile's eyes, merely a side task.
Hearing the absolute certainty in Leo's voice, Cobra finally let out a sigh of relief.
Night fell, enveloping the city in darkness. The sounds of laughter and conversation from the houses gradually faded into silence.
Atop the palace, a whirlwind of sand gathered, slowly coalescing into the form of Crocodile. The moment he appeared, in a room within the palace, Leo's eyes snapped open, and he vanished instantly.
Soon after Crocodile's arrival, several figures appeared in the square below—the four remaining top officers of Baroque Works. Behind them came nearly a thousand lower-level agents, the Millions and Billions. Crocodile's golden hook gleamed with a cold light under the moon.
"Begin," Crocodile commanded, raising his hook. The assembled forces quickly dispersed, moving to carry out their orders.
"I can already smell victory," Crocodile murmured to himself. He closed his eyes, allowing himself a brief, two-second fantasy before opening them again. His burning gaze swept over the palace below, a satisfied smirk twisting his lips. After today, Pluton would be his. With the Ancient Weapon in his possession, the entire world would be his for the taking. He would start by killing that bastard Whitebeard.
Lost in his grand delusion, Crocodile's body dissolved into sand and scattered on the wind.
Everyone had begun their missions. Only Robin remained, standing with a complex expression on her face. After an unknown length of time, she let out a soft, helpless sigh and turned to leave, only to stop short.
The figure standing before her caused a flicker of panic in Robin's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Leo. When did you arrive?"
"We just got to Alabasta today," Leo said casually, his hands behind his head. "I was planning to wait for him here, but it seems Crocodile is in a hurry to die."
"He's already left. Aren't you going after him?" Robin asked, puzzled.
"He can't run. But before that," Leo said, his eyes sweeping over Robin, taking in her mature, alluring aura, "I'm more interested in you."
Robin remained outwardly calm. She understood men and their desires all too well. After discovering that Leo only recruited female crew members, coupled with the defections of Miss Valentine and Miss Golden Week, her sharp mind had already discerned the pattern. So, his sights were finally set on her? What a lecherous captain. Unfortunately for him, he didn't know her background or the danger that came with having her around. If he knew, he'd likely run in the opposite direction.
A smile touched Robin's lips, her eyes curving slightly. "Leo, do you want me to join your crew?"
Leo shrugged, neither confirming nor denying it. As expected of Robin, she catches on fast.
"You seem to like beautiful women," she continued. "But don't you know? The more beautiful the woman, the more dangerous she is."
"Dangerous?" Leo chuckled, looking directly at her. "Are you referring to your background? Nico Robin, the sole survivor of Ohara, with a bounty of 79 million Berries... the 'Devil Child'."
BOOM.
Robin's mind reeled. The smile vanished from her face instantly.
"How... how do you know these things?!" Her voice turned cold.
Leo ignored her question and continued calmly. "To wipe out Ohara, the then-Admiral Sakazuki issued the Buster Call. The current Marine Admirals, Kizaru and Aokiji, were the two Vice Admirals who carried out that mission."
Hearing those familiar names caused Robin's composure to crack again. Both Akainu and Aokiji had profoundly impacted her life. It was only due to Aokiji's momentary mercy that she had survived. But from that moment on, she had begun her life on the run, surviving betrayal after betrayal, weaving lies and deception within various organizations to protect herself. She had built walls around herself, presenting a calm, unapproachable facade.
Leo stepped closer.
Robin's eyes widened, and she instinctively retreated. "You... what are you doing?!"
"Robin, I know everything about you. I understand your pain. You and Crocodile are just using each other. Join my crew. Here, you can find true happiness."
Robin was stunned into silence. If he had invited her before, it would have meant nothing. But since he knew her identity, he understood just how sensitive it was. The World Government had never, for a single moment, stopped hunting her. Even knowing that, he still wanted her on his ship?
"Is your goal the same as Crocodile's, then?!" she asked, her brief moment of vulnerability replaced by the cold rationality forged by a life of darkness and betrayal.
"You mean Pluton? Or my ability to read the Poneglyphs?" Leo shook his head dismissively. "I have no interest in either. First of all, the Pluton that Crocodile wants isn't in Alabasta; it's in Wano Country. All his scheming over the years has been for nothing. Secondly, I have no interest in the Poneglyphs. You won't need to read them for me." He paused, then added, "Of course, you can go see the Poneglyph here for yourself later and confirm if what I'm saying is true."
Robin bit her lip, her resolve finally wavering.
"And if I still refuse?"
"I don't like being refused. So, you only have one choice: join my crew."
"Leo, since you know who I am, you must understand the burden I carry," Robin said, stepping closer to him, her beautiful eyes locked on his.
Leo waved a hand dismissively, a light laugh escaping him. "Robin, I know the World Government hunts you because you can read the Poneglyphs and potentially uncover the history they've sealed away." He leaned in slightly, his expression turning mock-serious. "But do you know what burden I carry?"
Robin shook her head, genuinely curious.
Leo shook his head with a pained expression. "Perhaps you don't know this, but the true master of the World Government is a mysterious woman named Imu. She is the true ruler of the seas. The Marines, even the Five Elder Stars, all answer to her." He placed a hand on his chest dramatically. "And I... I must make her join my crew. I must have her as one of my members." He looked at her earnestly. "So, tell me, which of us has the heavier burden?! You're just being hunted by the subordinates of her subordinates. I'm aiming for the top! I want her!"
Robin: "..."
Although she had no idea who this 'Imu' was, it certainly sounded like the enemy Leo intended to face was far more terrifying than her own. She suddenly felt a strange sense of camaraderie. Maybe... they should team up?
A sense of relief finally washed over Robin.
"So? Will you join my crew?" Leo asked again, his tone softening.
"Hmm..." Robin nodded slowly, a genuine smile finally gracing her lips. "Captain Leo, your story does sound much more exciting than mine."
"Good. You called me 'Captain'. I'll take that as a 'yes'."
I said 'Captain Leo'! Robin thought, but she didn't correct him aloud. For the first time in a long time, a real sense of hope bloomed in her heart.
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T/N :
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