Nico Robin

The crash training had produced remarkable results. In just two short months, Rubick's fighting skills had improved several levels. He was no longer a street thug flailing his fists, but a fighter with a solid grasp of technique.

"Ah~ Another new day."

Rubick washed up and soon arrived at the tavern.

He ate breakfast and inspected the premises as usual, then headed straight to the training ground.

Macron had not arrived yet, so Rubick began his daily training.

Meanwhile, at the back entrance, out of Rubick's sight, Macron eagerly opened the door and invited a woman into the tavern.

"That kid should be training right now. Really, the one I picked this time definitely has talent. He's only trained for two months, and he's already close to catching up with me."

The woman was tall and long-legged, with an hourglass figure and a slender waist that accentuated her sensual curves. She wore a purple off-the-shoulder fitted top, a knee-length skirt, and tall boots, with a thin white shawl draped over her shoulders. Her skin was wheat-colored, suggesting she had spent a long time somewhere hot.

Her most striking feature was the sharply defined nose on her delicate face.

The visitor was none other than Nico Robin. After all her years of making her way through the world alone, she had finally found a decent boss. Her current task was to earn his trust, then achieve her own aims.

Recruiting new talent for the organization was her main job at present.

Robin took off her cowboy hat. Compared to scorching Alabasta, the East Blue, with its four distinct seasons, had far less punishing temperatures and sunlight. She thought it might be nice to visit the shopping district later and buy a pair of sandals.

She chuckled. "I hope you're telling the truth. You haven't found a single qualified member in three years. The boss is very dissatisfied with your abilities."

Macron protested loudly. "You can't blame me! The East Blue is the weakest sea to begin with. Not many people even make it to Loguetown. Besides, the Marine stationed there is Smoker. Logia users are just too strong."

"You can save those excuses for the boss."

After a moment's thought, Macron added, "Still, a new bounty hunter has shown up in the East Blue recently. He's pretty strong. Unfortunately, he has no respect for our organization and refuses to join."

Robin was a little surprised. As the man in charge of an area, Macron was fairly strong. If this bounty hunter he mentioned refused to show him any respect, then the man was clearly at least as strong as Macron.

Otherwise, Macron would certainly have taught him a lesson to uphold the organization's reputation. Since Macron had said nothing of the sort, he clearly had no confidence he could win.

Robin said, "After we meet this recruit, I'll go meet that bounty hunter."

"No problem. That bounty hunter has been active around Hammer Town lately. Oh, and his name is Zoro. He's a swordsman."

The two reached the training ground, but Rubick was nowhere to be seen.

"Strange. That guy trains hard here every day. Why isn't he here today?"

Macron voiced his confusion, then silently cursed Rubick up and down. Letting me down at the crucial moment. What a fine job you're doing.

Just then, five or six security guards ran out of the storeroom behind them, each carrying a machete.

Macron immediately asked, "You lot, what's going on?"

"Boss, some pirates are causing trouble. Deputy Captain Rubick has already gone out front. We just came to grab our weapons."

Macron's eyes darted around, and he waved his men toward the front. Then he gave Robin an ingratiating smile. "Miss Merry Christmas, let's go into the tavern and see how Rubick handles those pirates."

Rubick was the reason for Robin's visit, so naturally she had no objection. "All right. Also, have a cup of black tea and some cake ready. And don't make the cake too sweet."

Macron bowed. "Then I'll go give the cook his instructions first."

They entered the tavern one after the other and saw Rubick standing in front of an overturned table, facing off against a burly man.

Rubick had no idea someone from above had arrived. He was busy threatening the man in front of him.

The tavern had rules for dealing with troublemakers.

Locals were thrown out.

Pirate, beat them up and throw them out.

Marines were escorted out with a smile.

Rubick did his best to look menacing. "One damaged table. You owe us twenty thousand Beli."

The Pirate causing trouble grinned. Though he looked like a hulking brute, he was rather cunning.

He gave a signal with his eyes, and a Pirate beside him immediately clutched his stomach and collapsed.

"Ow, my stomach! There's something wrong with this tavern's booze!"

The customers at the nearby tables stayed put. They were all regulars, and they watched the show while drinking cheap ale and eating snacks.

Something wrong with the booze? What a joke. Wouldn't they know if there was?

Rubick took a deep breath, then slipped both hands into his trouser pockets. "You still have time to pay up."

"Hahaha! That's my line. If you don't pay me two hundred thousand today, I'll smash this place!"

Rubick pulled his hands out of his pockets, revealing Brass Knuckles on his fingers. When he had yet to learn Haki, having a handy weapon gave him an advantage.

Since Rubick had never trained with swords or other bladed weapons, he had chosen Brass Knuckles, which suited his boxing skills.

Without another word, Rubick threw a right hook. His Brass Knuckles whipped through the air toward his opponent's face.

The man was no fool, of course, or he would not have dared come looking for trouble. The moment Rubick attacked, he leaned back and dodged, then drew his machete and slashed at Rubick.

Brass Knuckles had too little reach, after all. Rubick's fist was still a fist's width from the man's face. Faced with the incoming blade, Rubick twisted aside, pushed off the floor, and punched toward his opponent's stomach.

But his opponent swept his machete sideways, forcing Rubick back.

"You've got some moves, kid."

The man gave a crooked grin. "How about joining my Poker Pirates? I'll make you captain of the second combat squad."

Rubick rolled his shoulders. "You talk too much."

One of his opponent's lackeys could no longer stand it and shouted, "Kid, the man standing before you is Ace of Spades, captain of the mighty Poker Pirates' first combat squad! He's a master fighter with a bounty of two million Beli!"

Rubick said in disappointment, "Only two million?"

The reason for his disappointment was simple. A bounty roughly reflected a pirate's fighting strength. If his opponent was worth only two million, that meant Rubick himself was merely on the level of Higuma, the bandit king.

How was he supposed to be happy about that?

Of course, Ace of Spades was not happy to hear Rubick's words either. He barked, "Only two million? You're looking down on me, aren't you, brat!"