Robin Joins

"This is Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai..."

Like the man who had haunted her nightmares, he was a Logia user. To her, people like that had always been invincible.

Robin watched Moke in the distance, her eyes flickering.

Robin's past was pitiful. When she was very young, her entire people had been slaughtered, leaving her alone to struggle through life in this world.

Her childhood and life had both been steeped in pain. Everywhere she went, she was called the Devil Child. She was also wanted by the Marines, carrying a bounty worth tens of millions of Beli.

As a result, she had been hunted wherever she went...

She had constantly searched for someone to rely on, someone who could provide temporary shelter. At the same time, she had endured betrayal again and again.

That had shaped her into someone who trusted no one.

Her relationship with Crocodile had merely been one of mutual exploitation. She needed Crocodile's protection and wanted to find the historical text of the Alabasta Kingdom.

Crocodile, meanwhile, needed Robin's ability to read the ancient script so he could find Pluton.

But now!

Crocodile was dead, and her shelter was gone. She urgently needed someone else to protect her...

Someone even stronger than Crocodile!

Was there anyone more suitable than him?

A newcomer who had just set sail urgently needed all kinds of intelligence and strong, useful companions.

Was there anyone more suitable than her?

The corners of Robin's lips lifted slightly. She had a good idea now.

Having successfully dealt with Crocodile, Moke headed toward the place where he had hidden his things.

When he arrived at the hiding spot, he found a beautiful woman sitting beside it, watching him with an amused expression.

It was as though she had been waiting for him to arrive.

Moke's pupils abruptly contracted, because he recognized this woman at a glance. She was Robin, beloved by every One Piece fan.

At this moment, she had wheat-colored skin and long, straight black hair. She wore a white cowboy hat and a matching white women's coat.

Underneath was a short purple crop top, open down the middle and laced together with something like shoelaces.

Her cleavage immediately became the highlight.

Below that, she wore a short purple skirt that perfectly outlined her straight, long legs.

It had to be said that while she was not as captivating now as she would be a few years later,

she was already exceptionally well-endowed.

But then again, how did she know he had hidden his things here?

So she had been on this small island all along, merely observing events from the shadows.

And she had chosen to appear here...

Moke's pupils narrowed slightly, because a guess had formed in his mind.

"Nico Robin... may I ask why you've come here?"

When Robin saw Moke expose her identity so directly, her expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. Then the corners of her lips rose into a charming smile. "I came to seek cooperation with you."

"Cooperation?"

That was not what Moke had expected. He had thought that, just as in the original story, she would directly ask to board his ship like she had Luffy's!

Nico Robin said, "I possess all of the intelligence networks and agents under Crocodile's Baroque Works. Of course, that excludes Daz Bones and the few who appeared today. After all, they already know that Mr. 0 was Crocodile. But I am confident I can persuade them to continue working for Baroque Works."

"Oh-ho..."

Moke's eyes lit up. He had never expected Robin to pull something like this... This was completely different from the original story, where she had joined the Straw Hat Pirates alone.

Although Crocodile had only three barely worthwhile subordinates—Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and Mr. 3...

Baroque Works as a whole had a large number of intelligence operatives. They were not much good in combat, but in the first half of the Grand Line, they were quite capable at gathering information.

Having such a vast intelligence organization in his hands would be a good thing.

The way Moke looked at Robin changed somewhat. "What do I have to give in return?"

Robin fell silent for a moment before speaking frankly. "When I need it, you must act to protect me."

Moke smiled. "You mean from the Marines?"

Robin's pupils shrank. She suddenly felt that this man before her knew her extremely well. Now, she was the one beginning to hesitate.

But Moke immediately said meaningfully, "As long as you sincerely join me and have no other schemes in your heart, then you are my companion. Even if a Marine Admiral comes, I will keep you safe... I will never break my word."

Robin trembled from head to toe, staring at Moke in shock.

At this moment, she completely understood. This man before her knew everything about her past... yet even so, he was still willing to accept her.

That made her feel somewhat...

She had encountered people like this before. They would say such things to her face, then turn around and sell her out.

But looking at Moke's sincere expression, she inexplicably felt a little reassured.

Moke had already walked over to where he had hidden his things and picked them up. He gave Robin a light laugh. "Crocodile could protect you, so do you think I'm inferior to him? Even setting that aside, you are bringing me the intelligence network Crocodile painstakingly built... That alone makes you worth protecting."

As Robin listened to Moke's words, she thought it over carefully and found that it really was true... Her heart settled a little more.

Moke scrutinized Robin. After a moment of silence, he said, "How about this... Have Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and Mr. 3 lead their teams to Asuka Island and seize the Holy Sword there. Once they succeed, have them deliver it to Chef Island..."

"And you, help me find Van Augur and Jesus Burgess. One is a sniper, and the other is a champion boxer."

Robin's expression tightened. She understood.

This was a test.

A test for her, for Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and Mr. 3, and even for Baroque Works itself.

Robin nodded, then broke into a smile. "From now on, you are Baroque Works' Mr. 0. Your words are Baroque Works' highest command."

But Moke abruptly changed the subject. "Can you really persuade Daz Bones?"

To be honest, he thought highly of Daz Bones. If that man developed his ability to Awakening, it would be absolutely terrifying. And he had that potential!

Robin nodded. "Of course..."

Moke nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Then I look forward to meeting you on Chef Island."

At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's expression was darker than ever.

Because he had already received intelligence that Moke had killed Crocodile.

Vice Admiral Tsuru said from the side, "Now that he has killed Crocodile, he has proven his strength to the world. I suggest we immediately send Smoker and Tashigi to invite him to join the Shichibukai."

After saying that, she added, "We must do so before he clashes with the Marines again!"