Mature Older Sisters Are Indeed Difficult to Deal With

In the corridor, Xi Yan led Nico Robin from room to room, searching for traces of CP9, but unfortunately, the enemy seemed to be afraid of him and never showed up, which left Xi Yan a bit helpless.

"They really seem scared of you," Nico Robin said with a smile.

"Still laughing."

Xi Yan shot her a glance. "If we don't catch them soon, how can I free you?"

This mature woman was far too calm, as if she wasn't the one bound by Sea Stone handcuffs.

"But rushing won't help either," Nico Robin said. "They're not going to just walk up and let you hit them."

"You're way too relaxed. You'll settle down once danger hits."

"Isn't the ninja here protecting me?" Nico Robin blinked playfully. "You won't let me get hurt, right?"

At this moment, there was no trace of the woman who had just been terrified of the Buster Call. She looked like she was strolling through a garden.

"That's true," Xi Yan said, rubbing his chin. "But that means you might not get to see with your own eyes how I stop the Buster Call."

"Then let's catch them sooner," Nico Robin said.

Hmm, serious face.

Since she had decided to trust Xi Yan, Nico Robin wanted to witness firsthand how he would stop the Buster Call.

At the same time... she also hoped she could help.

She wasn't some fragile vase that needed protection with no combat ability. Once those Sea Stone handcuffs were off, she could become a powerful fighter!

As a partner, how could she just watch her Partners fight desperately for her and do nothing?

"You, you," Xi Yan said with a helpless smile, casually opening a door beside him. "Then let's hope we run into those guys soon."

"Creak~"

As the Great Gate swung open, the scene inside came into view.

An empty room, just a few wooden pieces of furniture, nothing else.

"No luck," Nico Robin said.

"Hmm, I need to think of something..." Xi Yan mused.

"Boom!!"

Suddenly, a loud crash came from the High Ground, accompanied by a massive tremor, as if something powerful was attacking the High Tower itself.

"That's quite a commotion," Xi Yan said.

"Looks like everyone's fighting hard..." Nico Robin clenched her fists.

She wanted to join the fight too, but she couldn't. Right now, she was just a burden locked in Sea Stone handcuffs.

Without Xi Yan's close protection, she could be taken away at any moment by that Door-Door Fruit user.

That wouldn't help her partners—it would only cause them trouble, especially since Xi Yan had gone through so much trouble to snatch her back!

Xi Yan glanced at Nico Robin. From her expression, her heart didn't match her words.

He figured Nico Robin was probably anxious inside, but she didn't want that anxiety to affect him, so she deliberately spoke lightly.

If that was the case... then let's give it a try!

"Robin, do you trust me?"

"What are you saying, ninja-san..." Nico Robin smiled, then her face turned very serious. "Xi Yan, I trust you. One hundred percent!"

"Do whatever you want to do. Don't worry about me."

Even though Xi Yan was just a newcomer to the Straw Hat Pirates, and she had only met him for the first time...

His actions had already won her complete trust!

Besides, this man was willing to face the Buster Call for her... what reason did she have not to trust Xi Yan?

If Xi Yan pointed a gun at Nico Robin right now, she would probably think there was an enemy behind her!

That was the trust his actions had earned over this time!

Seeing Nico Robin's very serious expression, Xi Yan smiled and said, "Alright, got it."

"What are you planning to do?" Nico Robin asked curiously. "How do I need to cooperate?"

"Hold on."

Xi Yan first stepped into the room beside them, then came out a few seconds later. "Here, put this on you."

Looking at the scroll-like object in Xi Yan's hand, Nico Robin asked curiously, "What's this?"

"Just a scroll."

"Oh."

Nico Robin nodded and didn't press further.

"Where should I put it?" Xi Yan said, sizing up Nico Robin.

"Put it in my bosom," Nico Robin said. "With this outfit, that's the only place I can keep it."

"In your arms..."

Seeing Nico Robin lean in, Xi Yan hesitated. Wasn't she wearing... a dress?

At Xi Yan's reaction, Nico Robin rolled her eyes at him. "You carried me all the way here just now, and now you're shy?"

"But this look on the ninja is really amusing~"

"Giggle giggle giggle~"

Nico Robin laughed heartily. She really hadn't expected that a man bold enough to challenge the Buster Call could act like this.

Xi Yan: ...

Was he being teased by an older sister?

"Alright, do what you need to do." Nico Robin said. "My hands are tied now, so I can't help you. You'll have to do it yourself."

"Don't make it sound so weird!!"

Quickly stuffing the scroll into Nico Robin's bosom, Xi Yan said, "There, don't lose it."

"You shoved it in so tight, I couldn't lose it even if I tried..."

Xi Yan looked away. Mature older sisters really were tough to handle.

"What are you going to do?" Nico Robin asked curiously.

Xi Yan didn't answer. Instead, he first scanned the surroundings, and only after seeing nothing unusual did he 'quietly' tell Nico Robin, "I'll put you in a room for now. Once I've taken out the enemy, I'll come find you."

Though puzzled, Nico Robin nodded. "I understand."

Xi Yan probably had some battle plan, and with CP9 possibly nearby, Nico Robin didn't intend to press for details.

Once the fight was over, she'd know everything anyway.

Walking up to a door, Xi Yan opened it with the same trick. This time, it was an empty room.

Xi Yan pushed Nico Robin inside and said, "Wait for me here."

"Before the Buster Call arrives, I'm taking down at least one CP9."

"Remember, don't wander off!!"

"Alright, I understand. I'll wait here obediently." Nico Robin played along.

Xi Yan nodded, then closed the Great Gate.

After scanning the area and finding no trace of the enemy, he ran toward the stairs in the distance.

A moment later, in Nico Robin's room.

A peculiar door gradually opened from the air, and a hand reached out from within, followed by a bull-like head!

"Doing something like that... how foolish." Blueno said.

Hearing Blueno's voice, Nico Robin's pupils shrank. She turned to see a tall figure standing in the Air Door, staring at her expressionlessly.

"You..."

"Didn't you tell him I'm a Door-Door Fruit user?"

"Nico Robin."