The atmosphere on the field turned strange at once. Buggy continued wailing, "Ow~ That hurts like hell!"
Then his other arm was snapped off by the power of the Flower-Flower Fruit and fell to the ground.
"..."
Robin stared at the arm lying on the ground, stunned for a moment. She warily took two steps back, but a calm smile appeared on her face. "Hehe, Red Nose... How did you know my name?"
Buggy, who had still been howling, instantly perked up and snapped, "Don't call me Red Nose! My name is Buggy!"
Robin smiled faintly as she used the power of the Flower-Flower Fruit to bind Buggy even tighter. "All right, Red Nose."
"Er... Well, Miss Robin, why ruin such a romantic first meeting by making such a scene? Wouldn't it be much nicer to sit down, have a couple of cups of delicious tea, and take our time talking?" The arm around his neck twisted Buggy's head ninety degrees, but he still did his best to express himself, speaking to the sky.
"Now that you mention it, it really is a romantic encounter, Red Nose. Your idea is so tempting."
Robin's faint smile never wavered, but there was something unsettling about it.
"What a sly woman..." Buggy muttered. His whole body suddenly fell apart, and without anything to support them, the six arms turned into petals and scattered through the air.
Buggy's body reassembled, and he wore the cunning grin he seemed to have at all times. "You're too rough, Miss Robin."
"A Devil Fruit User..." Robin showed little surprise, as if she had expected this. She calmly asked, "Did you follow me here to hand me over to the government, or to claim my bounty?"
"Neither. We have the same goal: those ruins." Buggy bowed like a gentleman, though the gesture looked rather out of place. He didn't seem to care. "I can't read the complicated writing on the parchment, but you should be able to. Why don't we pool our strengths, become temporary partners, and search for the Ancestral Ruins?"
"Partners... How interesting. Since you know my name, you must also know that I'm the Child of the Devil, a woman who survived while countless companions betrayed me, someone who walks in the darkness." Robin gave a half-smile, and a trace of self-mockery flickered in her eyes.
Anyone who had read the original story knew that Robin's past was truly tragic. After the Navy erased her homeland of Ohara with a Buster Call, she had wandered the seas alone ever since, struggling to survive amid the betrayals of her companions.
During the few minutes they had spent together, Buggy had gotten a clearer sense of the faint sadness and loneliness emanating from her—or perhaps it was simply a distinctive air about her.
Buggy smiled. "I don't care about whether you've betrayed people in the past. What matters is what we get in the end. As a pirate, I need treasure and wealth, but I don't think you're after such mundane things. You want something more interesting. I don't think we have any reason to clash. Without conflicting interests, you probably won't have a reason to betray me, and the same goes for me."
Robin was taken aback. It was the first time she had heard someone speak so plainly, without hiding their ambition.
Buggy continued, "If we can be friends, why become enemies?"
Robin chuckled. "Red Nose, you're an interesting man. I have no objections to working together."
Buggy: "Don't call me Red Nose!"
Robin: "Hehehe~ All right, Red Nose."
Is she naturally this sly?
At last, with their goals aligned, Buggy and Robin reached a temporary peace agreement. They would cooperate until they had finished exploring the Ancestral Ruins on the island.
Buggy glanced at Robin, who stood a head taller than him. At 188 centimeters, with her heels adding to her height, she had a perfect figure and an elegant air about her. Put her on a stage, and she'd be a top model. Then he looked at himself: a 175-centimeter frame and a naturally red nose. Compared to her, he suddenly felt his motivation drain away...
Buggy quickly banished his negative thoughts and tried to sound her out. "Miss Robin, what brought you here?"
"Red Nose, asking a lady about her private affairs is rather impolite." Robin's answer left no opening.
According to the original story, Robin should have been working for Baroque Works as Miss All Sunday. So why was she here? Had Crocodile sent her? No, probably not. The two of them were supposed to be allies in name only, and Robin wouldn't sincerely work for Crocodile. Since she had come to Gali Island, she had probably received some information or found a treasure map, just like him...
Buggy rapidly ran through the possibilities in his mind. As someone who had transmigrated, he did his best to use his knowledge of the story to his advantage. Considering the ancient cuneiform they had just found, these Ancestral Ruins were not so simple.
Along the way, Buggy tried to get closer to Robin, but her guard was so high that he came away empty-handed.
The two walked through the primeval forest, pushing aside the long, narrow leaves that obstructed their view. Then the forest suddenly opened up before them.
A ravine more than twenty meters wide split the forest in two, with a stream flowing along the bottom. Tiny bubbles rose to the surface, and dark shapes could just barely be seen swimming back and forth beneath the water.
Buggy pushed a boulder the size of a barrel over the edge.
The rock rumbled downward. Suddenly, a giant crocodile shot out of the stream, jaws gaping. Its sharp teeth and powerful jaws crushed the boulder to pieces in one bite, then it plunged back into the water.
That incredible bite force... Buggy drew a deep breath and stared at the ravine in dismay. "Miss Robin, I think we should take a look at the map on the parchment."
"Of course, Red Nose." Robin opened the parchment and looked it over. "There's a rope bridge about three hundred meters south. We can cross there."
"Three hundred meters south..." Buggy murmured. Then he used a rock to scratch a marker into the ground, so Cabaji and the other pirates could follow it later.
Watching Buggy, Robin smiled faintly. "What a thoughtful captain."
Buggy didn't reply. After marking the way as they went, the two arrived at the rope bridge. The planks that served as its walkway were rotten, and the iron chains connecting the two banks swayed precariously. The whole bridge looked dangerous.
Buggy tugged hard on one of the chains. It wasn't as weak as it looked; in fact, it was surprisingly sturdy.
"Miss Robin, I'll go first and check the way." He tried to earn her trust and goodwill. He admired and respected the Straw Hat Pirates from the original story, and if he could bring Robin aboard his own ship, she might give them a welcome boost in strength.
Robin chuckled, her laughter as clear as silver bells. "Red Nose, you're surprisingly chivalrous!"
Buggy arranged the words in his mind. A crew is meant to protect one another, Nico Robin-chan!
"Let my burning friendship reach your heart and water your withered Flower Field, Miss Robin!"
He hesitated. It was far too embarrassing, so he didn't say it aloud. Instead, he paced onto the rope bridge, taking tiny, cautious steps. Robin followed at a short distance.
As he walked across the swaying bridge, Buggy's mouth went dry and his heart raced. He looked back at the unruffled Robin and suddenly found her captivating. He jolted, thinking, Could this be the legendary suspension-bridge effect?
Buggy turned forward again and took a step. Before his foot could land on the plank, there was a crack. The loose board fell away and dropped into the water.
That really was dangerous... Buggy couldn't help letting out a breath of relief.
"Red Nose." Robin looked at Buggy with a straight face. "If you fall, the crocodiles below will tear you into several steaks. Your blood will splash over the fresh meat like ketchup, whetting their appetites."
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over Buggy's head. The warmth drained right down to his toes, and every trace of romantic fantasy vanished. His face darkened. "Don't make it sound so terrifying!"
Before you continue