Bane had Robin by the throat, while some of the surrounding Bounty Hunters looked eager to make a move.
But before Bane could say anything, the clever Robin took the initiative and ordered, "All of you, back off. Can't you see that Mr. Bane and I have something to discuss?"
As the second-in-command of Baroque Works, Nico Robin actually held greater authority than Crocodile among these low- and mid-ranking members.
That was because the low- and mid-ranking members had no idea they were working for Crocodile. They only knew there was a mysterious, powerful boss behind them. Over the years, that boss had solved many problems they considered difficult, demonstrating his strength and capability. But they did not know who that boss was.
Nico Robin, on the other hand, had sufficient influence among these low- and mid-ranking officers as the Vice President.
The moment she spoke, more than a dozen Bounty Hunters silently stepped back. Bane then released Nico Robin and set her down, looking around as he said, "All right, you all clear out too. Go outside the camp and keep an eye on those two giants who might start fighting again at any time. And don't let those dinosaurs disturb me!"
With a swish, the remaining Bounty Hunters around them finally dispersed as well. But although they appeared to be following Bane's orders, there were probably still a few infiltrators among them.
Bane did not care about those people, nor was there any anger over being "betrayed." In his view, once Crocodile was dealt with and his assets swallowed up, these people would all be working for him.
What was there to care about?
By then, they would all be "family." Any betrayal after that would be worth getting angry over and punishing.
The enormous camp quickly emptied out. Several hundred underlings guarded the camp's perimeter, wary of one another. Only Bane, Zoro, and Nami remained inside the camp to entertain Nico Robin.
"Zoro, get a clean set of utensils and let our guest try the local specialty," Bane casually instructed.
Zoro promptly got up, took out a brand-new set of tableware from nearby, and placed it at the empty seat.
Nico Robin looked at the three of them, then sat down gracefully in the empty seat. She even took the initiative to say to Zoro, "Young man, please pour me another cup of wine."
Zoro raised a brow, seemingly appreciative of her nerve. He uncorked his wine flask on the table and poured Nico Robin a full cup.
Nami had sat down by then as well, but she still could not quite understand what was going on. So she sensibly kept quiet and sat silently to the side.
Bane had returned to his seat and, as if nothing had happened, began wolfing down grilled meat again. As he ate, he ladled out a large bowl of "fish soup" with Mosasaur meat in it and set it before Nico Robin. "Give it a try. It tastes pretty good."
Nico Robin picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and ate it naturally, even calmly taking a sip of wine.
About ten minutes later, Bane picked up a napkin from the table and wiped his hands. Then he lit a cigar and looked at Nico Robin. "So, explain why you came, Nico Robin. You didn't come all this way just to deliver these seventy-nine million Belly to me, did you?"
"I assume you have already noticed that there are people among your subordinates who belong to us." Nico Robin also picked up a napkin from the table and elegantly wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth.
"Of course. And there are quite a few of them," Bane said indifferently, cigar clenched between his teeth.
"Perhaps I should introduce myself first. As you said, I am indeed a wanted criminal with a bounty of seventy-nine million Belly from the World Government. But at the same time, I am also part of the Grand Line's most mysterious organization..." Nico Robin wanted to use her identity to pressure Bane and regain some leverage.
But before she could finish, Bane raised a hand to stop her. He slowly exhaled smoke and said, "Not the entire Grand Line. You might barely qualify in the first half. I know about you—Baroque Works, a massive criminal organization hidden in the shadows. You're its second-in-command, its Vice President."
Nico Robin had clearly not expected Bane to know so much. But she soon seemed to guess something and said with feigned distress, "It seems there are also some people among my subordinates who chose to betray me. How troubling."
In her view, someone among those who had boarded Bane's ship must have betrayed and sold out the organization, allowing Bane to learn this information.
Bane calmly shook his head. "It's not because anyone sold you out. I already knew all this. Not just about you, but also the boss behind Baroque Works—the current Shichibukai, Sand Crocodile, Crocodile. Tsk, that guy really is interesting. A pirate who got addicted to playing national hero in Alabasta?"
When Bane named Crocodile so precisely, Nico Robin was genuinely shocked. Very few people in the organization knew anything about Crocodile. Only a handful of the highest-ranking numbered officers knew some details.
Ignoring Robin's astonished gaze, Bane lifted his chin slightly and asked again in a somewhat arrogant manner, "So there's no need for introductions. State your purpose, Nico Robin."
Before coming here, Nico Robin had always believed that she was the one with a plan and a strategy, the one using preparation against the unprepared, and that she should have held every advantage.
But once she actually met Bane in person, she suddenly realized that all her plans and strategies were empty talk. The assessment she had made of Bane based on the tiny amount of intelligence available and her own deductions had been completely wrong!
Since when had I, like Crocodile, picked up the habit of arrogance? Robin regretted inwardly.
Was this what it meant to become like those around you?
That left Robin unsure how to begin.
Originally, she had intended to say that she was representing the great Crocodile in recruiting Bane.
But clearly, Bane's words just now showed that he knew a great deal about Crocodile and had no respect for him whatsoever. Wouldn't saying that now just be awkward?
For the moment, Nico Robin could not find a better reason, so after thinking briefly, she forced herself to say, "I have come on behalf of Mr. Crocodile. He has heard of your exploits. Perhaps you know that he also had many unpleasant dealings with the Whitebeard Pirates in the past, so he admires you greatly and hopes to invite you to move forward together with him."
"Very well, I understand the intentions of the esteemed Mr. Crocodile." Bane nodded noncommittally, then looked at Nico Robin with a meaningful gaze. "And what about your intentions?"
"Mine?" Nico Robin pretended not to understand. "I already said that I came on behalf of Mr. Crocodile."
"But that does not mean you came to see me only on his behalf." Bane tapped the ash from his cigar, then said disdainfully, "And Crocodile thinks he's worthy of recruiting me? If he came in person to talk to me, perhaps we could exchange a few words."
Nico Robin did not respond to that. She only said with feigned helplessness, "It seems difficult for us to reach a consensus here. If Mr. Bane needs Mr. Crocodile to speak with you personally, then I will convey your wishes to him afterward."
What she meant was to test the waters and see whether she could leave.
Would it really be wise to offend a Shichibukai over her?
Seeing Nico Robin's attitude, Bane shook his head helplessly. It was only because he rather liked Robin, and because he would need her to take over Crocodile's operations later. Otherwise, if it were someone else going in circles here, he would have twisted her head off.
A moment later, Bane said, "Then let me put it plainly, Nico Robin. I need you to help me take down Crocodile. Are you willing to cooperate?"
Before you continue