Bold Plan

Crocodile frowned and said in a deep voice, "I expected the World Government to set its sights on you, but I never thought they'd come knocking so quickly. They're simply treating me like I don't exist! You're my subordinate now!"

Robin had long grown accustomed to living in danger, but this time, she was especially terrified.

After considering every possibility, she realized that the only person capable of finding her and mobilizing the World Government's CP Organization was Marine Headquarters Admiral Aokiji!

Even Crocodile would likely struggle to protect her from Aokiji.

Robin understood full well that Aokiji had been watching her from the shadows all these years. Had he finally decided to make his move?

"Boss, what should we do now?" Robin asked, suppressing the turmoil in her heart and forcing herself to remain calm.

Crocodile's face darkened. "Hmph! Who do they think I am? They think they can come and go as they please in my territory? Mobilize every Baroque Works member in Alabasta immediately. Find his location. I'll kill him myself!"

"Understood."

Robin gave him a deep look.

Crocodile added, "Also, Marine Headquarters personnel have just arrived in this country. Put all of Baroque Works' recent operations targeting Alubarna on hold for now, lest we invite unnecessary trouble."

Robin nodded lightly and left with a heavy heart.

Crocodile watched her departing figure, his expression growing even gloomier. "World Government, even you won't stop me from reaching my goal. I will find the ancient weapon Pluton and use it to crush everyone who defies me!"

Elsewhere.

Noki had changed his appearance again and stood guard at the entrance to the casino.

Nico Robin, wearing a purple cowboy hat, brushed past him. She was highly sensitive to the gazes around her, and despite Noki's caution, she still noticed something unusual.

Robin carefully observed her surroundings, then suddenly quickened her pace.

Seeing this, Noki followed her.

Robin led Noki through the streets, weaving back and forth for over half an hour before taking a huge detour and arriving in the desert outside Rainbase.

"Stop hiding. I know you're here!" Robin turned around and said calmly.

Noki clapped his hands and emerged from behind a sand dune. He sincerely praised her, "As expected of the Devil Child. Among everyone I've met, your powers of observation rank among the very best."

Robin stared at the man before her. "You're the same person who infiltrated the casino earlier, aren't you?"

"That's right."

Noki nodded in admission.

Robin looked him over from head to toe. "This appearance probably isn't your real identity either. If I'm right, you should be one of the Marines who arrived in Alabasta today!"

Noki was slightly surprised. "What makes you say that?"

Seeing his expression, Robin became even more certain of her judgment. "At first, I thought you were a World Government agent. The reason you showed restraint in the casino was because you feared Crocodile.

"However, you had countless chances just now to kill or capture me, yet you never acted. That proves you have no such intention. And that man you mentioned earlier... he was Admiral Aokiji, wasn't he?

"Since you're not an agent, the only people connected to Aokiji are Marines."

"An excellent deduction."

Noki had never intended to hide it from her, so he simply had Little Black dispel the illusion and reveal his true appearance. "Then do you know who I am?"

Robin was momentarily dazzled by his transformation. After a brief thought, she answered, "You're Commodore Noki, who once guarded the East Blue and personally slew five thousand pirates!"

"That's right. To be honest, Kuzan is a close friend of mine. He specifically asked me to look after you during this trip to Alabasta." Noki took a few steps forward.

Robin quickly backed away, keeping her distance as she cautiously asked, "What do you mean by 'look after'?"

Noki spread his hands toward her. "Don't worry. If I wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead."

Robin deeply agreed, but she did not relax her guard in the slightest.

Seeing that she remained unmoved and wary, Noki stopped pressing her and continued, "Over the years, you've moved among various organizations, yet you've never settled down. Instead, you've betrayed one after another.

"You already bear the title of Devil Child. Now, every organization you've joined has been destroyed without exception. That practically confirms the outside world's claim that you bring disaster to those around you.

"Kuzan is warmhearted. You're the child his friend entrusted him to watch over, so he wanted to help you no matter what. But constrained by his position, he couldn't get too close to you. He could only observe you silently and refrain from acting. That was the best help he could give you.

"Otherwise, did you really think you could survive for so many years while being pursued by a Marine admiral with your own abilities?

"However, the way you've interacted with others over the years made Kuzan sense danger. If you had simply settled down within some force, even an utterly vicious organization, and were able to trust each other, it would prove that you still retained your humanity. Yet you never found such a place.

"You possess the ability to release the world's most powerful weapon. If that ability fell into the hands of someone without humanity, how horrifying do you think the consequences would be? That is the true reason Kuzan had no choice but to kill you."

After hearing Noki's explanation, Robin felt as though she had been awakened by a sudden revelation. Yet with her identity, how could it possibly be easy to find companions? It was not as though she had never thought of it.

"What does this have to do with the 'looking after' you mentioned?" Robin asked again.

Noki smiled faintly. "Kuzan and I are friends. As an admiral, many things he does are controlled by the World Government. I'm merely a lowly commodore. I have less authority, but more freedom. So I can help him accomplish what he cannot.

"This so-called looking after is simply helping you find a place to settle down—a person you can serve with peace of mind, without having to worry about your safety anymore."

Robin sneered repeatedly. "You make it sound easy. Where am I supposed to find someone like that?"

Noki maintained his smile. "Far away at the ends of the earth, yet right before your eyes."

"You mean yourself? But you're a Marine. If you sheltered me, you'd definitely be expelled from the Marines."

Noki shook his head. "You've seen my ability to change appearances, haven't you? In this world, aside from you, only one person I trust most knows I possess this ability.

"With it, as long as you don't reveal anything, no one will know that I'm the person behind you.

"With my secret support and my connections in the Marines, you'll be absolutely safe."

Robin was extremely intelligent and immediately understood what he meant. "You want to create an organization under a false identity and have me manage it for you?"

"You got half of it right. There's already an existing organization right in front of us, so why would I need to start one from scratch?"

Robin was shocked, her lips forming a circle. "You want to become Crocodile!?"

"No, no. As far as I know, Baroque Works' secrecy is excellent. Until now, you've always been the one issuing orders to the members. Other than you, no one knows who the true boss is. In other words, you're the public-facing boss of Baroque Works.

"So, as long as you say the word and point to anyone as the boss, the members will believe it—as long as that person possesses sufficient strength and status."

Noki took a deep breath and lowered his voice. "I have a plan that can ruin Crocodile's reputation and strip him of his position as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Once that happens, my false identity will step in, kill him, and use his head to apply to the World Government to replace him as a new Seven Warlord of the Sea. By then, no one except you and me will know that Baroque Works has changed owners."

"What a bold idea. You're so certain I'll help you? Aren't you afraid I'll leak this information?"

"Since I dared tell you, I've already made ample preparations to deal with that. Besides, hasn't finding an absolutely safe organization been what you've always wished for?

"As long as I remain in the Marines, I'll need you to help me manage the organization. Naturally, I'll have no reason to kill you. And I have never planned to leave the Marines, which means you'll remain safe.

"Our interests align perfectly. Is there a better arrangement in this world? Do you have any reason to refuse?"

Robin lowered her head and pondered for a long time. "Fine. I'll help you!"

"Then here's to a pleasant partnership."

Noki extended his fair, slender right hand.

Robin hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to shake it.

Noki took Robin elsewhere and explained his plan in detail.

Robin could not help but worry for Crocodile. Covering her mouth, she laughed. "Commodore, you really are sinister."

Several days later.

Inside the royal palace of Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta.

"Commodore, it's been a long time."

Outside the magnificent palace, Princess Vivi, dressed in a gorgeous long gown, welcomed Noki's arrival.

As soon as she heard that Noki had returned to his warship, she immediately had Ain, who was staying in the palace, invite him over using a Den Den Mushi.

This was a small scheme of hers.

Princess Vivi feared that Noki would refuse the invitation, so she first invited Ain to stay in the palace and treated her to fine food and drink every day.

Ain was Noki's only lover. Noki would have to listen to her, at least a little.

That way, Noki would definitely come to the palace.

"Your Highness, the departure for taking you and His Majesty the King to Mary Geoise is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Why did you invite me to the palace ahead of time? Is there something you need?"

Princess Vivi's lips curled into a smile. She elegantly extended an arm behind her in a welcoming gesture. "Commodore, let's go inside and talk slowly."

"Alright!"

Noki agreed and strode into the palace.

Seated upon the throne, a man with medium-length black hair wore a kind and benevolent smile. "You must be Commodore Noki. You truly are an outstanding young man. At such a young age, you already bear the heavy responsibility of a commodore. Your future is limitless.

"I heard that while guarding the East Blue, you brought unprecedented peace and tranquility to all its civilians. A true hero in his youth!"

Noki bowed to him in greeting. "Your Majesty, you flatter me. I merely fulfilled my duties."

Ain was also in the palace. With light steps, she came to Noki's side and smiled. "Noki, His Majesty truly is a good ruler who cares for his country and people. Over these past few days in the capital, I've experienced many local customs. Everyone trusts His Majesty deeply."

As she spoke, Ain deliberately blinked at Noki.

Noki immediately understood. She wanted to tell him that they had invited him here because they had a favor to ask.

It was probably about Baroque Works again.

Worried about her country, Princess Vivi suddenly let out a long sigh. "Commodore, as you know, the Alabasta royal family has recently been framed by unknown individuals.

"Although Alabasta's people are still standing with our royal family and firmly trust us, if we allow matters to continue developing, I fear that one day the royal family will lose that trust. When that happens, the entire country will fall into danger.

"Some time ago, you revealed some information about Baroque Works to me. We followed your instructions and sent people to investigate for a long time, but all our efforts have been fruitless. Could you reveal a little more information to us?

"If you can help Alabasta overcome this crisis, our royal family will regard you as a benefactor for generations."

Vivi was certain that Noki knew the truth. Even if he did not know everything, he surely possessed most of the information.

Noki smiled faintly. "I already made it very clear back then. That was all the information I knew."

He paused before asking in return, "Your Highness, what do you think I've been doing these past few days?"

"Could it be..."

How could Vivi fail to understand Noki's implication? Her heart immediately filled with gratitude and shame.

She was grateful that Noki had taken the initiative to help them without hesitation, and ashamed that she had once suspected Commodore Noki of withholding information.

He must have put considerable thought into helping Alabasta!

"In any case, Your Majesty, you needn't worry too much about Baroque Works. I can assure you that it has nothing whatsoever to do with using Dancing Powder to frame the royal family. As for the truth, you'll learn it soon enough. Please trust me," Noki continued.

Cobra and the Alabasta officials were overjoyed. "Since the commodore has said so, then on behalf of Alabasta's tens of millions of citizens, I would like to express our gratitude in advance.

"Vivi, Commodore Noki has traveled a long way. Quickly take him to a room so he can rest properly. Tonight, I will personally host a banquet in his honor."

"There is no need for a banquet. Alabasta is a member nation of the World Government, and as a Marine, I have a duty to protect it. Please simply permit me to stay at the palace for two days."

"Of course. Commodore, please make yourself at home. Whatever you need, I will do my utmost to provide it!"