Chalter 139

"Crewmate…"

Upon hearing this word, Aokiji's expression froze abruptly. He lowered his head slightly, scrutinizing the Straw Hat Pirates. "Do you realize how a child of merely 8 years old managed to survive until now? How many people she manipulated?"

"Hey! Don't spout that nonsense! Just leave!" Luffy pointed to the side and bellowed. He didn't want to hear these disconcerting and messy things; he just knew that this guy in front of him was terrifying his crewmate.

However, Aokiji seemed impervious to Luffy's words. He continued to himself, "Whenever she betrayed, she fled, and when someone took her in, she used every means to survive… relying on this instinct, she survived in the underground world through manipulation. But this time, she chose to hide among you guys. Do you understand what that means?"

"Hey, you jerk! Stop talking nonsense about Robin! What's your problem with her?!" Sanji's face darkened, ready to strike.

Sitting down, Aokiji placed his hands on his knees casually. "I don't harbor any hatred toward her. It's just that… she slipped from my grasp once. A long time ago."

He looked at the Straw Hat Pirates. "You'll soon realize your situation, and soon the consequences will come from associating with this troublesome woman."

"Shut up, you ice man! I'll take you down!" Luffy, unable to contain his anger, rolled up his sleeves, and his jet-black Armament Haki appeared on his right arm.

"Don't act rashly, Luffy!" Usopp intervened, hugging Luffy tightly. "He's the strongest Marine! Are you looking to get us all killed?!"

"Oh? Have you mastered Armament Haki?" Aokiji's sleepy gaze sharpened as he examined Luffy's arm. Then, touching the back of his head, he remarked in an enlightened tone, "You're truly naive."

"You don't have to believe me, but the evidence speaks for itself. So far, all the organizations related to Nico Robin have vanished!"

Aokiji seemed inclined to continue, but Robin couldn't take it anymore.

"Shut up!" Fear turned to anger, and she rushed at Aokiji, activating her Flower-Flower Fruit ability. Numerous arms appeared, contorting Aokiji's body.

"What do you want? If you intend to arrest me, then do it!" Robin shouted in hysteria. In her fury, she shattered Aokiji with a loud bang!

"Wow! He's dead!" Chopper gasped in shock.

"Impossible! Everyone, run!" Usopp panicked.

But with a crystalline sound, the shattered ice reformed into Aokiji's solid body. He casually plucked a handful of grass and suddenly froze it into an ice sword.

"Although I didn't intend to take your life…" Aokiji wielded the sword and slashed at Robin.

"Stop dreaming!" Zoro's voice thundered as he intervened. With a clang, Wado emerged from its sheath! His pitch-black Armament Haki surged along his arm and onto Wado instantly. He then fiercely struck at Aokiji.

Aokiji's eyes twitched. "Huh? Your Armament Haki isn't weak either!"

In a brief span, Aokiji witnessed Armament Haki from both Luffy and Zoro, one after the other. This revelation shocked him deeply! Despite having apprehended numerous pirates with Armament Haki in the New World, this was the first time within the first half of the Grand Line.

The rookie pirate group before him had ventured out to sea just a few months ago. To see two formidable wielders of Armament Haki within such a newly formed crew worried Aokiji greatly. His concern wasn't about their immediate battle but the potential dire consequences if this pirate group was allowed to develop unchecked.

Blocking Zoro's slash with his sword, Aokiji faced the challenge. Although Zoro possessed mid-level Armament Haki, Aokiji wasn't a Logia on Smoker's level. Many pirates with high-level Armament Haki had confronted him before, but ultimately, they all fell to him.

Sanji swiftly followed, employing "Leaf Whirlwind" by unlocking the fifth gate of Eight Inner Gates, delivering a powerful kick that shattered Aokiji's sword. However, in an instant retaliation, Aokiji froze Sanji in ice, while the biting cold also spread towards Zoro.

Zoro activated his intense Armament Haki to shield himself, but it wasn't enough. Despite his efforts, the frost began encasing his arms. Realizing their predicament, Zoro swiftly retreated, rescuing Sanji.

In a timely arrival, Luffy emerged, his massive fist covered in jet-black Armament Haki. Aokiji was taken aback, astonished by the Haki on Luffy's fist. He had initially thought Luffy's talent was fearsome, but witnessing it firsthand now, he realized it was not just terrifying, but insanely so.

Observing Luffy's high-level Armament Haki, Aokiji was astonished. Even Mr. Garp hadn't reached such a level at Luffy's age. Facing Luffy's powerful attack, Aokiji understood this wasn't an ordinary strike.

Resolute, Aokiji transformed his right arm into an ice construct, conjuring a menacing ice bird known as "Ice Block: Pheasant Peck." Launching the ice bird at Luffy, it froze everything in its path.

The collision between Luffy's strike and the ice bird shattered it, but the force also halted Luffy's advance. Assessing Luffy and then Robin, Aokiji remarked, "Looks like you've made some good friends! But—you're still you, Nico Robin!"

"No, I'm not the same girl you remember!" Robin gritted her teeth, asserting her transformation.

Before meeting Logan and the Straw Hat Pirates, Robin might have admitted to being the "bad luck" Aokiji mentioned, but now... She had begun to comprehend the true meaning of being a crewmate.

In the midst of integrating into the crew, Robin had gradually begun to regard this place as her home, especially with Logan's presence. Now, she was willing to risk her life to resist anyone who aimed to deprive her of this newfound sense of belonging.

"Resistance is futile," Aokiji remarked lightly, stepping forward and initiating an attack with his Ice Age.

However, before the icy blast could hit Robin, another surge of cold air clashed with Aokiji's technique, resulting in a massive ice burst that shattered the surrounding ice.

Observing the unexpected interference, Aokiji narrowed his eyes and directed his attention to the man standing beside Robin – Logan.

The Marine Admiral recognized him, slightly relieved. "Ah, the deputy head of the Straw Hat Pirates and a mangaka. Logan, right?"

Logan shrugged casually. "Is it an honor to be remembered by a Marine Admiral?"

Aokiji raised an eyebrow. "What arrogance."

"If you wish to continue, we're ready to accompany you. But understand this: You won't take Robin away from us, no matter what!" Logan's declaration prompted the Straw Hat Pirates around to prepare for battle.

Impressed by the pirates' determination, Aokiji hesitated and questioned, "Do you trust Nico Robin so implicitly? What I mentioned is true – all the organizations she joined have met their demise!"

Logan considered for a moment, rubbing his chin before smiling. "Since you're asking that question, let Robin answer it!"

Encouragingly, he looked at Robin, displaying his unwavering support. "Robin, tell him!" Luffy gestured enthusiastically, urging her on.

Nami approached, holding Robin's arm to show her solidarity without words. Chopper and Usopp assisted Sanji, casting supportive glances at Robin. Despite the freezing temperature, the trust exuded by her crewmates warmed Robin's heart.

Taking a deep breath, she gazed firmly at Aokiji and proclaimed, "Thank you for sparing my life! I remember you mentioned that you wanted to see what Saul protected, what fruit the fallen seed would bear."

"Now, I declare...!! I, Nico Robin, vow here! The Straw Hat Pirates are the last crew I'll ever join, and I will never betray them!"

"and Our captain, Luffy..." With that said, Robin looked at Luffy. Luffy seemed to realize something, and grinned happily Then  heard Robin yelling: "He is the man who is going to be The Pirate King!!"