Nico Robin: Crossroads of the Future

Rain Dinners

Roy gently pushed open the roulette wheel in front of him, a faint smile playing on his lips, his movements unhurried and deliberate.

"If we keep playing this," he said casually, as if it were a casual conversation, "It'll make me look like I'm bullying people."

He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Nico Robin standing opposite him, his eyes clear yet carrying an unfathomable depth.

"How about... we play something simpler?"

He casually picked up a gold chip and flicked it lightly on the table, making a crisp "click" sound.

"Compare the cards, you deal them, it's fair."

Silence fell instantly. All the gamblers held their breath, as if afraid to even breathe would disturb this invisible duel.

Robin paused almost imperceptibly for a moment, her fingertips trembling slightly, but she still maintained her perfect smile.

"Of course," she replied softly, her voice gentle as water, "I'd be happy to oblige."

She took out a brand new deck of cards from the drawer, her silver-white fingers deftly shuffling the cards with a smooth, natural Flowing Water, exuding elegance, precision, and composure.

However, Roy still keenly noticed the faint tremor.

"My hands are shaking so much... Am I that scary?"

He didn't expose her, but just watched her with great interest, as if admiring a refined performance.

First game

Robin deals the cards with swift and fluid movements.

Roy lazily took the card, not even bothering to glance at it, and flipped it open.

Ace of Spades.

A burst of excited gasps erupted from the sidelines!

Robin took a deep breath and flipped over his card—the King of Hearts.

The dealer announced crisply, "The customer wins the first round."

Roy raised an eyebrow and smiled, casually pushing a stack of chips forward with his fingertips.

"Continue."

Second game

As Robin shuffled the cards, the movement of his fingertips subtly changed.

She skillfully guided the flow of cards, precisely delivering the smallest card to Roy's hand.

However--

"3 of Diamonds."

Roy remained expressionless as he flipped the card, as if he already knew the outcome.

Robin unveiled his -- Plum Blossom 2.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Impossible... I clearly..."

She immediately composed herself, forcing a calm smile, "Guest, you've won again."

Roy simply leaned back lazily in his chair, staring at her with a half-smile.

The third set, the fourth set...

They lost every game.

No matter how Robin secretly manipulates the rhythm, angle, and order of the card dealing, Roy is always "just right" to be slightly taller than her when each card is turned over.

9 of spades vs. 8 of spades, Jack of hearts vs. 10 of hearts, 6 of diamonds vs. 5 of diamonds...

It was a matter of millimeters, yet it seemed as if fate had ordained it.

Robin's expression finally changed, and a barely perceptible bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

"He can even predict my dealing style... No, he's toying with me..."

Seventh game

Roy suddenly spoke up, "How about we go all in this round?"

He spoke casually, as if he were only suggesting a coffee with a little sugar.

Robin's gaze sharpened, then he chuckled softly, "As you wish."

The card falls.

Roy reveals the card – 7 of Diamonds.

Robin flips over -- the 8 of hearts.

A collective gasp of regret erupted from the crowd!

"Has his luck finally run out?!"

"After winning six games in a row, they finally suffered a defeat?"

But Robin didn't show the slightest bit of smugness; instead, her heart sank.

She remembered it clearly—she had sent him the Queen of Spades.

"How could it... have turned into a 7 of diamonds?!"

Roy spread his hands, a hint of mockery in his smile, "Oops, a mistake."

She finally realized—he was losing on purpose.

It's about "giving her a second chance," or rather, creating a false impression for her.

Her fingers clenched tightly under the table, her heart pounding like a drum.

He has taken control of the rhythm.

"I haven't won this match from the very beginning."

Roy stretched and stood up, saying, "We've had enough fun."

He patted Ace on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Let's go, it's time to get down to business."

Ace chuckled, twirled his hat, and stood up to catch up. "I'd almost forgotten why we came here."

A collective sigh of regret rippled through the surrounding gamblers.

"How could it be over already!"

"I want to keep watching!!"

However, just as the two were about to turn and leave—

"Wait a moment."

Robin suddenly spoke, her voice still gentle, yet it carried an invisible power.

She stepped forward slowly, a complex glint in her eyes. "Gentlemen, how about... we move to the VIP room and play another round?"

She smiled, her posture still elegant.

Roy paused for a moment, then smiled, turned to look at Ace, and nodded easily. "Okay."

Ace shrugged. "I'm just killing time anyway."

The next second, the three walked side by side into the VIP passage, their figures gradually disappearing at the end of the long corridor leading deeper into the building.

Inside the casino, the buzz of discussion erupted once more.

"A VIP room? Are we going to go big?"

"That guy's not simple, she actually dared to challenge him to another fight?"

"Who exactly are they...?"

Unbeknownst to anyone, behind this gamble lay a turbulent undercurrent, where life and death hung in the balance.

Rain Dinners VIP Room

The heavy, carved wooden door slammed shut, instantly shutting out the noise from the outside world and plunging the room into silence.

The dim yellow light from the wall lamp cast a soft glow, illuminating two figures on the leather sofa.

Roy and Ace sat down casually, looking relaxed, as if they had just come in to find some peace and quiet.

Nicole Robin, standing by the door, remained motionless, her long, slender fingers clenched slightly, her knuckles turning white.

Her eyes were deep and complex, like a traveler nearing the edge of a cliff, hesitant to take the next step.

Roy leaned back on the sofa, a faint smile playing on his lips, his voice languid yet undeniable. "What? Am I that scary?"

Ace also turned to look at Robin curiously, tilted his head, and muttered softly, "Who is she...? The atmosphere is suddenly strange."

Robin took a deep breath, slowly walked to the table, looked directly at Roy, and said in a low voice with a barely perceptible tremor, "Vice Admiral Roy, you... are you here to arrest me?"

The air froze instantly.

Ace was taken aback by these words and instinctively looked at Roy: "Arrest her? Vice Admiral? Wait a minute—who exactly is she?"

Roy didn't respond to Ace, but looked at Robin, his tone calm, even gentle. "Relax, I don't mean to capture you, Nico Robin."

"Boom!"

That familiar name struck Robin's heart like a heavy hammer.

Her breath hitched, her pupils contracted sharply, and her fingertips trembled uncontrollably.

"He... knows. He knows everything."

Her expression suddenly became complex: surprise, wariness, wavering, and struggle intertwined on her face in an instant.

Roy simply gestured for her to sit down.

"Come on, sit down and let's talk."

Robin remained silent for a few seconds before slowly pulling out a chair and sitting down opposite him, his movements very gentle, as if afraid of breaking the balance of the moment.

Ace, still looking puzzled, his lips twitched slightly as he muttered to himself, "Robin?... That demon of Ohara? Is it real?"

Roy turned his gaze back to Robin, his expression serious, his voice low. "I came to you because I hope you won't continue down the wrong path."

"The future you want isn't there with the Crocodile."

"Crocodile," he paused, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes, "Was nothing more than a loser whose beliefs were shattered by Whitebeard."

Robin suddenly looked up, his eyes wide with surprise.

"He even knows that?!"

Roy continued, his tone calm yet each word sharp as a knife. "His ambition is nothing but a false attempt to rebuild his self-esteem, using you as a tool for his Ancient Weapons, for his illusory 'kingdom dream'."

"But you, Nico Robin, are the last spark of Ohara."

"Your knowledge and talent shouldn't be wasted on this dirty game."

When he said this, there was not a trace of frivolity or pity in his eyes, only a profound respect.

A brief silence fell over the room.

Robin lowered his eyes, his fingertips slowly tightening.

"Being hunted, used, betrayed... I've seen too many promises and heard too many sweet words."

She murmured softly, her voice hoarse. "... Why me?"

Roy looked at her quietly, then suddenly smiled, a smile that held a hint of tenderness, yet seemed to distance him from an abyss.

"Because you are the only person in the world who is still willing to protect the truth."

"You know too much, but... you still chose to live."

"The world is vast; there will always be a place that needs you, and there will always be a place that can protect you."

The light in Robin's eyes flickered slightly, like ripples on a lake.

Ace, who was standing to the side, had given up trying to understand and just watched the two talk silently. The more he listened, the more he felt that this woman was not simple.

Robin took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Suddenly, she raised her head, her gaze no longer darting away, and asked in a calm but tentative tone, "What if... I refuse?"

Roy's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes were as sharp as blades.

The choice is always yours.

Silence.

The only sounds in the room were the faint hum of the wall lamp and each other's breathing.

Robin could clearly hear his own rapid heartbeat, as if he were standing at a crossroads of fate, with no way out to either side.

She closed her eyes, and images flashed through her mind: the burning Ohara, her mother's parting gaze, Jaguar D. Saul's smile, twenty years of exile, Crocodile's repulsive ambition...

When she opened her eyes again, her expression was different.

It was a rekindled hope.

"I need to know..."

Her voice was low but firm, "Where is the place you're talking about?"