Chapter 286: Aokiji
After hearing Robin's simple yet complex past, the former king Artoria scoffed, "What? Just because they interpreted past history, they destroyed an entire island? Such a World Government isn't worth keeping."
"..." Robin's forehead began to sweat, feeling as though she had boarded the wrong ship.
Even though Artoria and her Holy Sword were cursed and corrupted, causing her thoughts to turn, her fundamental goals and ideals remained unchanged.
She had simply transformed from a knight-king, pure for the sake of her ideals, into a tyrant willing to enforce her ideals even through oppression—Artoria [Alter].
"In the short time we've been sailing," Artoria paused, continuing, "I've observed the lives of many common people... In the villages and towns, the residents live with a numb look, their faces devoid of any vitality."
"My master, I've received your wish to overthrow the World Government." Artoria spoke with great determination, "Let's lead the way and eliminate those small fry, slaughtering those high and mighty, useless nobles and kings."
[Artoria [Alter]'s affection increases, bond level remains unchanged.]
Everyone: "…"
"No, we don't have the strength to directly confront the World Government yet." Eric shook his head, "And we need to stay here a few more days to verify my hypothesis."
'Since so many eyes saw Akame and Kurome take Robin, Aokiji, that old man, should have gotten the message by now.'
'What will you do, Aokiji...?'
The arrival of a new member didn't stir much commotion, as Captain Eric often brought new members aboard.
Robin also didn't agree to hold a welcome banquet, much to the disappointment of the duo who had been looking forward to eating a lot at the banquet.
Perona murmured softly, "It's like you two don't usually eat so much…"
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"Ahh..." A tall man scratched his head, looking frustrated, his wide eye patch failing to hide his expression.
"Troublesome, Nico Robin has actually fallen into this guy's hands." A lazy lion woke up in an instant, his brows rising, and his eyes flashed with sharp light.
Holding the intel given to him by his subordinates, Aokiji murmured softly, "You took Nico Robin... what's your goal, Darren Eric ?"
"'Demon's Child' Nico Robin can read the historical texts, and Eric , that audacious pirate, together... Could it be, he's after the ancient weapons?!"
Aokiji couldn't sit still. If possible, he wanted to immediately bring another colleague to the West Blue and capture Eric , but having two admirals leave the Grand Line to go to the Four Seas would be unrealistic.
After thinking for a moment, Aokiji seemed to have made up his mind and stood up from his lounge chair.
A navy ship, leaving the New World, crossed the calm belt and headed toward the West Blue.
◇
"Captain, how much longer will we stay here?" Robin asked Eric , who was standing at the edge of the ship.
"Mm?" Eric asked in return, "Do you have something urgent to attend to?"
"No." Robin shook her head, "It's been ten days since the residents of the town saw me. The Navy headquarters must have gotten the message by now. Staying in one place for this long, I'm worried we'll attract their attention…"
"You still don't get it, I'm actually waiting for the Navy headquarters to send someone..." Eric said.
"!" Robin's eyes widened, fear evident on her face. She said with great urgency, "The Navy headquarters isn't something you can handle so easily! Do you think it'll be like the local fleet, where people like Perona or Weevil can take care of it alone?!"
"Don't worry, I'll protect you. Besides, the meeting with Aokiji was a bit rushed. I have some things to discuss with him."
"..." Robin suddenly heard his name, fear mixed with gratitude in her eyes.
She feared Aokiji's strength and indifference, but also appreciated his leniency that had allowed her to escape death.
Robin lowered her shoulders, "Since it's your command, Captain, I understand."
When Robin addressed him with a respectful tone, Eric was about to speak...
"Captain, I see Admiral Aokiji, he's riding a bicycle towards us on the sea!" Karoo, stationed in the lookout tower, reported.
"Finally, here he comes..." Eric calculated the distance in his mind. "He's quite fast. I thought we'd have to wait a few more days."
"Let's go, Robin." Eric patted Robin's shoulder, "At least you should see your old acquaintance. Without him, you wouldn't have escaped the fire of the navy's cannons."
"..." Robin silently followed behind Eric .
"Ka-ka-ka"
The sea froze beneath the bicycle's wheels, creating a narrow ice path stretching from afar.
"Ahh..." Aokiji looked at the steel warship rising from the distance. "Are the Dawn Pirates still here? It feels like they've been waiting for me…"
This was quite different from Eric 's usual style. Whenever he exposed himself in the Navy's sight, he would usually stay in one spot for only two or three days before vanishing.
In those two or three days, the fleets sent by the Navy headquarters would never make it in time to capture Eric , and the naval branches around here weren't even close to matching Eric 's group. High mobility and high concealment were why the Navy's higher-ups were so troubled by Eric 's group.
In these few days, three fleets jointly sent by several nearby Navy branches were completely wiped out by "Explosion Artist" Deidara and a huge helmeted man alone.
As a result, Deidara's bounty was updated, and Weevil, after his transformation, appeared on the bounty poster again due to his drastically changed appearance.
"Explosion Artist" Deidara, bounty 180 million berries.
"The Steel-faced Man" bounty 110 million berries.
Deidara was thrilled to finally have his title changed to "Explosion Artist," something he had wanted for a long time.
As for Weevil, his name appeared only because the Navy had never learned his true name, and Kurome had never referred to Weevil by name in front of them.
Aokiji also received word from nearby Navy branches, learning that the Dawn Pirates had been docked on this island for nearly ten days with no sign of leaving. So, he decided to ride his bicycle over alone.
'Considering their ability to snatch Devil Fruits, was Eric 's goal me?' Thoughts flashed through Aokiji's mind, but he still resolved to meet him.
'But, the relationship between me and Robin, only the two of us knew back then…' Aokiji's expression turned slightly confused. 'Could it be that she told Eric about it?'
At this point, Aokiji wasn't backing down. He was a Navy Admiral, and even if his burning sense of justice was extinguished by a single cannonball, it wouldn't change his mission of capturing pirates!
The narrow ice path finally connected to the island, and Aokiji's bicycle finally reached land.
Eric , Kurumi, Scáthach, and Artoria stood before him, while Robin, who had once been a little girl thirteen years ago, stood with a face full of pain behind them.
Aokiji scratched his tousled hair and gave a wry smile, "Ah, so the target is really me?"
He set up his kickstand and parked the bicycle to the side, "Where's the 'Queen of Ice' Esdeath? Or do you think four people are enough to take me down, 'Kui Long Eric '?"
"Didn't account for Robin's combat power?" Eric smiled, "I just wanted to meet you. No intention of fighting."
"If Esdeath knew, she'd definitely want to fight first, and who knows how it would end."
"Is that so... Did you tell Darren Eric about our relationship, Nico Robin?"
Robin kept the same expression as before, not saying anything.
"No." Eric explained for her, "She didn't say anything. I learned it from another source."
"You?" Aokiji sized Eric up carefully. "At your age back then, you were at most seven or eight. During the Ohara incident, Nico Robin was the only one who survived, everyone else..."
Aokiji's meaning was clear to everyone present.
"Eric 's words are true." Artoria suddenly spoke, "I swear on the honor of a knight."
"Ahh, another charming young lady..." Aokiji suddenly displayed a lecherous look, "Got time tonight?"
Artoria calmly refused, "Sorry, I'm already Eric 's sword and shield. I can't accept your invitation."
"Is that so... What a shame."
"Stop trying to seduce my crew members right away!"
"By the way," Aokiji scratched his cheek, "It seems you have a bit too many female crew members."
(END CHAPTER)
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