Inviting Robin, Setting Sail Again!

The next morning, despite having worked through the night, Luo Wen walked out of his room looking as normal as ever.

After a simple breakfast with Nami and Tashigi, the two women found it strange that Vivi was nowhere to be seen.

But they soon put it out of their minds. Perhaps she was busy dealing with something.

After breakfast, Luo Wen entered a secluded courtyard within the royal palace.

"Hello, Nico Robin."

Luo Wen extended his right hand to Robin and spoke with a smile.

"Hello, Mr. Luo Wen."

Robin hesitated slightly before shaking Luo Wen's hand.

"Mr. Luo Wen, are you planning to turn me in for the bounty?"

A forced smile appeared on Robin's face as she spoke with feigned calm.

Other than exchanging her for bounty money, Robin could not think of any use she had for Luo Wen.

But perhaps that was for the best. Maybe her life should have ended long ago.

It was just a little regrettable that she had not seen a true Poneglyph, nor learned the history of the Void Century.

"Of course not."

"I want to invite you to become the archaeologist on my ship, to become my companion."

Luo Wen got straight to the point.

He did need Beli, but he was not desperate enough for that.

Compared to Beli, he would much rather have Robin's help.

Of course, it was not for some Ancient Weapon. He had no need for such things.

He simply wanted Robin to decipher the four Road Poneglyphs and find the legendary One Piece.

Since he had come to the world of pirates, he naturally had to see the legendary One Piece for himself.

Besides, he was somewhat interested in the Void Century as well.

"If you want the Ancient Weapons, I won't tell you anything."

Robin instantly became vigilant and spoke firmly.

She had not revealed Pluton's location to Crocodile, and she would not reveal it to Luo Wen either.

"Pluton is in Wano Country."

Without any intention of explaining, Luo Wen spoke calmly.

The best way to dispel suspicion was to say it outright.

"How do you know that? Can you read Poneglyphs too?!"

Robin's eyes widened as she stared at Luo Wen in disbelief.

Pluton was a secret Crocodile had pursued for years, something he dreamed of obtaining, yet Luo Wen had revealed it so casually.

At that moment, Robin believed that Luo Wen was not some villain coveting the Ancient Weapons.

Sincerity was always the ultimate weapon!

Robin became intensely curious about Luo Wen. This man was far too mysterious.

"I can't read them. I just happen to know that secret."

"Now, will you join my crew?"

Luo Wen answered honestly and extended the invitation once more.

"I am a darkness the World Government must destroy. Are you sure you want me to join?"

Robin looked seriously at Luo Wen, with no intention of hiding anything.

She did not want to drag others down because of herself, especially a good person like Luo Wen.

"The last archaeologist of Ohara, the only survivor of the Buster Call."

"I generally know your situation, but there's nothing to fear."

Luo Wen spoke confidently.

It was merely a Buster Call. With his current strength, he no longer feared one.

In another two or three months, he could probably shower under a Buster Call without a problem.

"Do you know what a Buster Call truly represents?"

Robin looked at Luo Wen, both annoyed and amused.

Nothing to fear?!

As someone who had survived a Buster Call firsthand, it was the nightmare of her life.

"Ten high-grade warships, over ten thousand elite Marines, and five elite Vice Admirals from Headquarters. That should be about it, right?"

"Put together, they're about equal to three Crocodiles. That's hardly worth fearing."

Luo Wen stroked his chin as he recalled the details.

As he remembered, Sakazuki and Kuzan had both led the destruction of Ohara—the current Admirals Akainu and Aokiji.

But even those two did not frighten Luo Wen.

He could not yet defeat them working together, but with his bug-like [Noble Phantasm: Twelve Labors], dragging things out for twenty-odd days would be no problem.

And if he wanted to run, that would be even easier.

Robin looked at the confident Luo Wen and fell silent.

That was true. The Luo Wen before her was a monster who had severely wounded Crocodile while merely getting his clothes a little dirty.

Thinking of Luo Wen's extravagant record, Robin felt a glimmer of hope as well.

Perhaps this heroic man before her really could live on his own terms.

At last, Robin made up her mind.

"Alright, I'll join your crew."

"If danger comes because of me, I'll leave."

Robin no longer hesitated and accepted Luo Wen's invitation.

After he had said so much, refusing him any further would be rather ungrateful.

Of course, if they truly encountered danger they could not resist because of her, she would sacrifice herself rather than burden Luo Wen.

"Welcome aboard, Nico Robin!"

"Besides, I don't have the bad habit of abandoning my companions."

Luo Wen spoke earnestly with a smile.

His moral standards might not be particularly high, but he still had some principles.

What was more, he had a massive cheat in this life.

He would not wrong himself by doing things he did not want to do.

"Then please take care of me, Mr. Luo Wen."

Robin bent at the waist in a deeply solemn bow.

He won't abandon his companions?

It seemed she had joined a pretty good crew.

Afterward, Luo Wen introduced Robin to Nami and the others.

There were some complications at first, but with Luo Wen mediating, the women ultimately accepted Robin's presence.

As for building deeper trust, they could cultivate it gradually in the future.

That afternoon, the Marines delivered Crocodile's bounty as well: 81 million Beli, along with a new Hunter License.

At the port of Alabasta's royal capital, the fully prepared Windrider was ready to depart.

"Goodbye, Father. Today, I'm setting out on a long voyage."

Vivi tightly clasped Cobra's hands, her eyes slightly red.

After careful consideration, she had still decided to travel onward with Luo Wen.

After experiencing Crocodile's conspiracy, Vivi had come to deeply understand something.

For a country to remain peaceful for the long term, it had to possess its own strong warriors.

She wanted to follow Luo Wen's path and become strong enough to protect Alabasta.

"Vivi, go and complete your adventure."

"Without Crocodile, everything in Alabasta will get better."

Cobra looked lovingly at Vivi, his heart full of tenderness and pain.

Vivi had given too much for this country and for him, her father. It was time for her to have a life of her own.

Besides, with her following Luo Wen, he had nothing to worry about.

This was the hero who had saved their country, the powerful man who had defeated a Shichibukai.

"Mr. Luo Wen, I'm entrusting Vivi to you from here on."

Cobra looked at Luo Wen and pleaded.

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of her."

Luo Wen wrapped an arm around Vivi and replied with a smile.

Feeling Luo Wen's broad arm around her, Vivi wore a sweet smile.

Was it really appropriate to flaunt their affection in front of an old father?

Cobra's lips twitched as he felt like he had taken a devastating blow.

The daughter he had raised for over a decade was gone as of today.

"Then, may you have fair winds!"

Cobra suppressed the complicated feelings in his heart and gave them a solemn farewell.

After speaking, Cobra turned and left, leaving behind only a sturdy silhouette.

"Come on. It's time for us to set sail too."

Luo Wen patted Vivi's shoulder and took her hand as they boarded the Windrider.

"Windrider, set sail!"

Luo Wen shouted.

"Got it, Captain!"

Everyone answered in unison and got the Windrider moving.

The Windrider gradually sailed away from the port.

At some point, Cobra, who had originally turned away, had returned and stood staring blankly at the Windrider's distant silhouette.

Mr. Luo Wen, Vivi is in your care.