"Who knows?"
The black-haired woman propped her chin on one hand, her smile carrying both amusement and danger.
"Maybe because our dear Miss Wednesday vanished without saying goodbye…"
"Miss All Sunday?" Nami tilted her head. "Who's that supposed to be?"
After Vivi's brief explanation, Nami quickly understood — Baroque Works' agents always operated in pairs: one man and one woman, never alone.
And the woman standing before them — calm, elegant, unreadable — was Crocodile's partner.
"What?!" Nami exclaimed.
But her surprise didn't last long.
When her eyes met Nojiko's, the corners of their mouths curved upward in unison.
Both women thought the same thing.
Prey, delivered straight to the door.
"She's the only one who knows the boss's true identity," Vivi said gravely. "We were following her trail when we discovered Crocodile's secret."
"Oh, you mean when I let you follow me," the woman corrected softly.
Her tone was light, teasing — but her eyes were sharp enough to draw blood.
"Why?" Vivi demanded. "Why would you help us?"
As Crocodile's closest ally, Miss All Sunday had no reason to betray him.
Unless…
"Perhaps," the woman murmured, brushing her fingers across her cheek, hiding half her face behind a curtain of black hair.
"Because you're too earnest. Too pure. So desperate to find the truth that you stumbled into it by accident."
Her smile deepened. "After all, you're the princess who dares to defy Baroque Works itself — all for the sake of her kingdom."
She paused. Her next words dripped like honey — and poison.
"Oh, and one more thing… bad news."
"Your identity as the princess of Alabasta has already been exposed."
"What?!"
The three girls exclaimed in unison.
"Exposed, not exposed — it makes no difference."
Ron's lazy voice drifted from his chair.
"What storm could a man like Crocodile possibly stir up?"
He reached for the drink on the table, completely unfazed.
But before his fingers could touch the glass —
It vanished.
And reappeared in the woman's hand.
She took a sip, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile.
"Hmm… not bad."
She wiped her mouth with a fingertip, the movement as graceful as a whisper.
"Though next time, don't reach for what's already mine."
"Oh?"
Ron's eyebrow arched, his grin spreading.
"Robin-chan… you've got guts."
He rose from his seat.
In the blink of an eye, his figure blurred.
A low crack echoed across the deck — the sound of air splitting under speed.
The Marines's Soru, one of the Six Styles.
By the time the woman blinked, he was already behind her.
He leaned close, his breath warm against her ear.
"Since you've already stepped onto my ship," he murmured, voice low and teasing, "where exactly do you think you can run?"
"You used to work with Crocodile. That means you know his movements, don't you?"
"Then…"
His voice softened, dangerous as silk.
"As your new captain, I'll have you lead the way."
"...!"
Robin's body went rigid.
He knows my name?!
Her pulse quickened, heart slamming against her ribs.
How long had it been since anyone had caught her off guard like this?
The warmth of his breath brushed her ear, stealing her focus completely.
She didn't even dare to move.
"Ron," Nami said suddenly, narrowing her eyes. "How do you even know her name?"
"Ah, that's—"
"It's from Mihawk, right?" she interrupted dryly, folding her arms.
Ron blinked, then chuckled. "You're learning to preempt me now?"
Nami rolled her eyes, lips twitching.
The two shared a brief look — full of unspoken understanding.
No words needed.
That kind of connection only came from countless nights spent studying maps, deciphering secrets, and outsmarting fate together.
Nojiko and Vivi exchanged helpless smiles.
They couldn't help wondering — if Mihawk ever found out he'd become Ron's "universal excuse," how would he react?
Probably with that same blank face, followed by a slow, terrifying blink.
"I see…" Vivi muttered, blinking. "So Miss All Sunday's real name is Nico Robin."
Her gaze drifted toward the pair.
Ron had returned to his chair; Robin, however, stood perfectly still — pale, stiff, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
It was almost comical.
For the first time, Vivi saw the infamous woman looking… lost.
And somehow, it made her feel oddly sympathetic.
"Hey," Nami said, smirking playfully. "Ron's right — you're bold, Robin. Stepping onto our ship without permission?"
She winked. "Sorry, but until we take care of Crocodile, you're staying here."
She assumed Ron's "new captain" remark had been just another of his jokes — one of his countless ways to keep the mood light.
"Don't worry," Nojiko added with a mischievous glint. "You can guide us straight to him."
"Take care of… Crocodile?"
For the first time, genuine disbelief flashed across Robin's face.
Their voices carried no fear.
No hesitation.
Only quiet confidence.
As someone who had seen Crocodile's power up close — his ruthless cunning, his sandstorm of death — the casual tone left her stunned.
They spoke of him as if he were just another bounty.
Ron smirked. "What's wrong, Robin-chan? You look pale."
He leaned back in his chair, voice dripping with mockery.
"Don't tell me you're actually scared."
His words hit her like a spark to oil.
A shiver ran down her spine.
She turned, ready to retort — but he was gone.
Gone so fast she didn't even see him move.
When her eyes found him again, he was lounging comfortably in his chair, one leg over the other, smiling lazily.
"You're smart," he said. "So I'll only say this once."
"You're free to move around. We won't tie you up."
"But if you try to leave…"
His gaze darkened, and his voice dropped to a whisper.
"…you won't like what happens next."
Robin swallowed hard.
She could still feel the chill of his presence behind her, even though he was meters away.
For the first time in a long while, she was the one being hunted.
The realization hit her like ice.
I've walked straight into a lion's den.
Or perhaps… a wolf's.
But she quickly steadied her breathing, forcing calm back into her voice.
"Even if I can lead you to Crocodile," she said quietly, "you have no idea what you're walking into."
"You'll be throwing your lives away."
Her warning was sincere — but not out of compassion.
She simply didn't want her own plans disrupted by a reckless fool.
Yet as she looked into Ron's eyes — calm, confident, and faintly amused — a single thought flashed unbidden through her mind.
Could he really…?
Could this man actually be capable of killing Crocodile?
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