Chapter 128. World Vibrates

Aokiji's blood dripped down onto the ice floor, his face was grave as he saw Ryu float in mid air without a single scratch. Never in his life has he ever had such a crushing defeat, his Devil fruit powers were useless, Haki was useless, his battle capability was a joke infront of him.

" Didn't think you would be this Strong."

Aokiji felt bitter when he spoke. He didn't think Ryu would be strong to the point of crushing him like this, even if he joined with other Admirals he doubt whether they could beat him.

Ryu had a smile on his face " Still want to capture me? "

Aokiji could only laugh bitterly.

Ryu " You know, I never harm innocents and those standing there are the same. You define pirates as cruel and merciless but isn't Navy the same. Your so called justice killed off that woman's entire island just to silence them so that they wouldn't continue decipher those ancient scripts."

Aokiji's pupils shrunk when he heard Ryu, he didn't understand how this man came to know of that information.

Ryu continued " Men, Women, children, elderly..... how many innocents did you kill? I have known that group of pirates for these last few days and you know what they are kind and righteousness atleast more than your Navy.

They came to this country to help their friend, someone they only knew for atmost few weeks, now you tell me, would anyone do such a thing for someone they barely knew.

As for your Navy and Justice they gave a free pass to someone as cruel as Crocodile a Warlord position and look what he tried to do.

Atleast in my eyes Pirates and Navy doesn't have a clear definition of good or evil. I believe people are defined through how they live. That's also why you are alive, if it was that heartless Akainu who would go to any length to obtain Justice, I would have killed him."

Aokiji was silent after he heard Ryu, his heart always questioned their so called justice, it only got stronger as time passed. Now Ryu's words struck his beliefs. He took one final glance towards Ryu and left. Marines were watching from a distance, they were terrified when they saw an Admiral being beaten like shit.

Ryu returned to where everyone stood. He had already sensed Robin's arrival, he felt pity for this women, for all her life she ran to survive, she scrapped through garbage to survive, all this time she always smiled because of her promise to that giant. Ryu was inherently kind, he was crazy for battle but his selfless kindness to others was always the best thing about him.

" Why are you here? "

Robin still had that smile " I wanted to see whether you could defeat him and it seems you could."

Ryu " And that's all? "

Robin " Yes."

Ryu " What's you plan from now on? "

Robin " Don't know."

Ryu smiled " Then I have a proposal for you."

Robin " ??? "

Ryu pointed his hand towards Luffy and his crew " Go with them, they may seem like a reckless bunch but when it really matters they will always pull through. And they can give what you always lacked."

Robin still had that smile as he asked " And What's that? "

Ryu " True friends."

Robin's smile froze when she heard that, her thoughts wandered to that fateful day when her life changed completely.

" One day you will meet people who will care for you Robin,

One day you will have friends, just wait for them... don't give up and always smile."

Her eyes slightly misted, since she was sitting with everyone behind her noone saw her face except Ryu. He didn't disturb her, few minutes later she regained her composure.

" Why would you say that? "

Ryu smiled kindly " Don't know."

Robin revealed a radiant smile when she heard Ryu, Luffy who heard the entire conversation was excited at the thought of a new member. Nami on the other hand smacked him silly and warned him of her being dangerous.

Ryu turned to Luffy " Aren't you happy Luffy? You got a new member! "

Luffy pumped his hands into the air " Absolutely!! Mwahahahaha... Ouch!! What did you do that for!!?? "

Nami smacked his head again " You idiot!! She was our Enemy! E!n!e!m!y!, few days ago and now you want her to join us, are you craz..... are dum... just don't speak!!! "

Her gaze changed to Robin " Luffy may trust you but I don't!! "

Robin showed a smile " Oh! Shame, I was going to give these as a welcome gift to you."

She showed her hands and few sparkling gems lay there inside a bag. Nami's eyes glowed like stars as she warmly welcomed Robin.

" I was just kidding! Welcome to our Crew!! Now about that welcome gift."

Robin chuckled as she gave that pouch to Nami, she grabbed it and started counting how much she could earn from this, Zoro who was watching this snickered from side.

Ryu laughed as he watched the bunch of them squabble, he really liked this crew.

As they were enjoying their time, Aokiji returned to Marineford with grave Injuries, Sengoku smashed his table when he heard Aokiji return with grave wounds. From the doctors estimate it would take weeks for him to recuperate.

Sengoku now faced Aokiji who was lying on a chair, his arm was resting on his chest " So how strong is he? "

Aokiji had a solemn expression " Stronger than all three Admirals combined! "

Sengoku went silent, the situation was now tricky. Navy and Ryu had already collided and this was unfavorable when he is that strong.

Aokiji " As long as we don't do anything to provoke him, he isn't a threat."

Sengoku was startled " Why? "

Aokiji " He could have killed me or wounded me even more seriously but didn't, not because he fears us but because he felt that I am not an evil one."

Sengoku " Evil? So you mean to say that he will kill those who are cruel and merciless? "

Aokiji nodded. Sengoku fell silent, seconds later he spoke again " About Treasured Rainbow, those Celestial Dragons are demanding it to be brought to them."

Aokiji shook his head " Impossible. They have already consumed it."

Sengoku rubbed his head " I know, but still we should try to buy some from it. Atleast that way we can minimise the chances of conflict. With their prideful nature if someone didn't heed to their words then they will make a ruckus."

Aokiji agreed " Then send Smoker. He is much more familiar with him."

Sengoku nodded, he left Aokiji to rest

' Another Powerhouse... *sigh* hope nothing goes wrong. Now I have to deal with the aftermath of this battle.'

Next day...

Entire world shook. Pirates, Warlords, Marines, Civilians,... everyone trembled when they read the paper next day. World government tried their best to suppress this new but there was bound to be a leak somewhere.

As the world was still reeling from this shock, another wave hit them. A live stream of how Crocodile plotted against Alabasta was revealed. Navy and World Government was still handling Aokiji's defeat when they received this news.

Sengoku was rubbing his forehead, he cursed Crocodile for confessing everything. Actually he wanted to retrieve Crocodile before that but Ryu seemed to keep a close watch on him. He could only sigh and take care of its aftereffects.

Ryu had used a Genjutsu to control Crocodile, otherwise it's impossible to make him say anything. Cobra was astonished when he saw Crocodile confess everything, with him as evidence Cobra was able to handle the rest. He quickly reassured his people and talked directly to the leader of Rebels.

Luffy and his crew had a great time here in Alabasta, he asked Ryu on multiple occasions to join his crew but Ryu refused. He also challenged Ryu but got beaten till black and blue. Robin watched her new crewmates with interest, Ryu's words still echoed through her mind. Though they seemed wary of her at first but few days later all of them really cared for her.

Nami would often talk to her about various stuff, Chopper was kind of shy, Usopp always boasted, Sanji always waited on her, Zoro would just sleep somewhere if he is not then he is training, Luffy was.... Luffy was the center of all of them.

Her heart warmed, unknowingly her face revealed a smile.

' Friends.... so this is what it feels like.'