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Sengoku was deeply tempted.
The Warlord of the Sea system was established by the World Government to counterbalance the pirates. It seemed useful and even led to the three-way balance of the Yonko (Four Emperors), the Marines, and the Warlords in the New World.
However, Sengoku knew that whenever they called upon these pirates, they were more likely to cause trouble than to actually work. None of them truly cared about the commands of the World Government or the Marines. They became Warlords purely for their own gain and would deliberately stall or sabotage any compulsory mission.
But Auguro was different. This man wouldn't stand by and ignore evil. When he needed to be called upon, there was no fear of him holding back.
"In that case, let's make contact first! If he is willing, we will recommend him to the World Government to replace Crocodile's position." Sengoku made the final decision. If he could eliminate a major enemy and gain an effective helper, he would certainly be pleased.
As for whether Onigumo would be unhappy, Sengoku wasn't concerned. Though these hardline generals were extreme, they had one excellent trait: obedience. Furthermore, if Onigumo hadn't been defeated in one move, would the Marines even need to go to such lengths to win over the opponent? From any perspective, he had no right to object.
On the high seas, Auguro and his crew were unaware that the Marines had changed their attitude towards them due to Soi Fon's display of power.
They were currently sitting on the deck, silently watching a cabin door.
"Come out! Do you plan to hide forever?" Auguro was the first to break the silence.
Creak!
The cabin door opened, and a graceful figure slowly emerged. Nico Robin smiled.
"I apologize for boarding your ship without permission!"
Auguro felt a strange sense of déjà vu. This scene feels too familiar! Was the achievement reward for defeating Crocodile simply having Robin join the ship?
Auguro shook off the strange thought and waved his hand.
"You helped me; it's no big deal. I just want to ask, what are you planning to do now? Do you intend to stay with us forever?"
Unexpectedly, Robin nodded directly in affirmation. "That's right, I do plan to stay with you."
"Why?"
Robin smiled faintly.
"Because you know the location of the Poneglyphs (Historical Texts)! You even know their approximate content! If I want to find the other Poneglyphs, I naturally have to follow you!"
Well, he couldn't deny it. Truly worthy of being the archeologist of Ohara! She is willing to pay any price to find the Poneglyphs!
"Of course, I won't ride for free!" Robin said, pulling out a stack of documents.
"These are the assets accumulated by Baroque Works over the past two years! Though much of it has been spent, there are still three to four hundred million Berries left. Consider this my payment!"
This was originally the funding for future Dance Powder purchases and propaganda wars, but Robin had managed to steal it all.
"Lord Auguro, I think she's being very sincere! Why don't you agree?" Nami instantly wrapped her arm around Auguro's, her eyes gleaming. The true nature of the money-lover is instantly exposed!
"Additionally, I have some experience in strategy and coordination and can offer you assistance," Robin continued, adding more leverage to her transaction. Having spent years desperately searching for the Poneglyphs, she couldn't give up this rare opportunity to follow someone who held the necessary intelligence!
Auguro pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Fine! Coincidentally, there is a Poneglyph on Skypiea (Sky Island), where we are heading next. You can come along."
Robin's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. Another Poneglyph! Indeed, following this man was the right decision!
Having settled Robin's issue, Auguro specifically checked the system interface. As expected, there was no recruitment reward like the one he received for Nami!
He reasoned that in the original story, Robin wasn't fully integrated into the Straw Hat Pirates until the Enies Lobby incident. His personal charisma couldn't compare to Luffy's protagonist halo. Robin's joining the ship was merely a temporary alliance for her ideal, not a true acquisition.
The group set sail toward Jaya Island. Of course, the documents representing hundreds of millions of Berries had already been snatched and hidden by Nami.
After several days of sailing, Auguro finally reached the waters near Jaya Island.
Just then, Nami suddenly shouted, "Hey! Look!"
In Nami's hand, the Eternal Pose for Jaya was normal, but the ordinary Log Pose was cocked straight up, pointing toward the empty sky.
"Lord Auguro, this must be Skypiea, right? Only an island with a stronger magnetic field can pull the pointer like this!" Nami asked, her eyes sparkling. After all, reaching Skypiea meant finding gold!
"Yes! The location is about right! Now we need to rely on your ability, Rangiku!" Auguro turned and spoke seriously.
Normally, the journey to Skypiea required sailing the ship up the Knock Up Stream to an altitude of 10,000 meters. However, that process was extremely dangerous, with a high risk of the ship being destroyed and everyone dying.
So, Auguro devised a safer method: using Matsumoto Rangiku's Shikai to lift the Desert Rose into the sky. Auguro would tag-team with her to ensure their Reiatsu wouldn't be depleted.
"I'll start then!"
Matsumoto Rangiku drew her Zanpakutō.
"Wishper, Haineko!"
Instantly, a cloud of smoke and dust, like a tornado, lifted the ship steadily from below and carried it high into the sky.
After an unknown duration, a massive white cloud blanketed the area above them. Matsumoto Rangiku was about to fly straight through it when Auguro quickly stopped her.
"That is not a normal cloud; it's the White Sea! It's like an ocean floating in the sky! If we rush in like this, we'll surely suffocate!"
Auguro then specifically looked at Robin.
"And the effect of the White Sea is the same as the true ocean; it can nullify the powers of Devil Fruit users!" If they charged through, Auguro's crew could simply hold their breath, but if Robin were to rush in, she would immediately be in trouble!
Robin understood Auguro's intention and offered a grateful smile.
"Then I'll find a way to fly around it!" Matsumoto Rangiku prepared to change course.
"No need! Rukia, you clear a path!" Auguro turned and signaled to Kuchiki Rukia.
Kuchiki Rukia nodded and drew her Zanpakutō.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
"Some no Mai: Tsukishiro (First Dance: Tsukishiro)!"
Instantly, a gigantic pillar of ice shot up inside the White Sea, piercing both the top and bottom layers. The next moment, Kuchiki Rukia gave a slight wave, and the center of the ice pillar rapidly hollowed out, leaving a passage straight to the sky!
Auguro smiled with satisfaction. "Let's go! We'll head straight up from here!"
Soon, the group saw sunlight streaming in from the top of the passage. They had reached the exit!