Rubick knew all that, of course, but he was confident he could get the Door-Door Fruit. Once he had it, things would be different.
Rubick said, "Alabasta is the ultimate goal. For now, I need to get the Door-Door Fruit. After that, I'll become a Shichibukai, and only then will I go to Alabasta."
"You want to become a Shichibukai?"
"That's right," Rubick said. "Being a Shichibukai would give you some protection, too."
Robin was touched. "You'd be wasting your effort. I'm a member of the Straw Hat Pirates now. Becoming a Shichibukai wouldn't let you protect me. Besides, how would you become one?"
She gave her verdict. "Tyrant Kuma and Empress Hancock both joined the Shichibukai because of their countries. But Sky Country..."
Robin didn't need to spell it out. Sky Country was so insignificant that attacking it wouldn't even be worth the cost. Why would the Marines care about it?
Rubick had plenty of ideas he didn't want to share, or couldn't, so he kept quiet. He pulled Robin close, hoping for a second round, but she stopped him.
"That's enough. I have to go."
"Don't go," Rubick said quickly. "Stay here tonight."
Robin got up. "Don't make this hard for me, Rubick. If I spend the night here, I won't be able to stay with the Straw Hat Pirates."
Rubick watched her bare back, feeling melancholy.
As Robin dressed, she suddenly asked, "How do you feel about Nami?"
"I don't feel that way about her," Rubick said without thinking.
"Really? Haven't you always said Nami was your woman?"
"I was just saying that. She's still a child. I couldn't cross that line."
Robin smiled. "Your country's education really is admirable. Even when you're away from home, you still follow its morals and laws. When I was in