57 A Woman's Reserve? Nico Robin Joins

"Actually, I intentionally let you follow me," the mysterious woman revealed with a playful lilt in her voice, "so that you could uncover the true identity of the BOSS~"

Nami, taken aback by this revelation, turned to Vivi with a puzzled expression. "What's happening here?"

Vivi, her determination shining through, responded, "What she's saying is true... but don't be fooled by her! Afterwards, we must inform the BOSS that this woman has exposed his identity!"

Nami's confusion deepened. She couldn't fathom what was going on, and it seemed that even Vivi was struggling to comprehend the mysterious woman's motives. Just as she had initially appeared, the woman remained a mysterious and elegant figure.

"You are the one who defeated Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine..."

The mysterious woman's eyes wandered, her gaze fell on Nami, and then swept across the people present, finally stopping on Luffy.

"You are the Straw Hat Pirates, and you are the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates who has gained fame in the weakest sea, East Blue~ Monkey D. Luffy."

"Good afternoon." Luffy chuckled lightly.

Suddenly, it seemed as if a flower was dancing in the air above their heads.

The mysterious woman at the window waved her hand, and the straw hat on Luffy's head flew over and landed on her fingertip.

"You are such a polite child. Good afternoon, Captain Straw Hat. It's quite impressive to have a bounty of 71 million in the weakest sea, East Blue~"

She extended a finger and twirled the straw hat in her hand, then put it back on her own head.

Luffy: ("_")

He was always the one teasing others, but today he was being teased by someone else.

This was unbearable.

"What do you want to do to!?" Zoro's eyes sharpened as he drew his sword.

"You, stinky woman, how dare you insult Luffy-sama!" Bartolomeo, the number one subordinate, couldn't bear it either.

"Is this straw hat special? Why are you so nervous... It's really rude to call me a stinky woman~"

Once again, flower petals appeared and danced in the air. In the next moment, everyone's weapons fell from their hands.

Usopp's slingshot, Zoro's swords, and even Bartolomeo's head were all hit, leaving them dumbfounded.

Luffy's mouth curled up slightly, forming a smile that was not quite a smile.

"That straw hat belonged to the Pirate King, Roger, and later to the Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks, and now it's mine. You still have time to apologize, Nico Robin."

As her real name was revealed in one breath, Robin's delicate figure stiffened slightly.

But compared to her own name, the other two names were even more terrifying.

Pirate King Roger? Four Emperors Shanks?

Could this inconspicuous straw hat have such an important legacy?

"Nico Robin?" Vivi was stunned. "I seem to have heard this name somewhere!"

"Twenty years ago, on the scholar island of Ohara, which was wiped out by the Marine with a Buster Call, she was one of the survivors of the incident, a devil fruit user with a bounty of 79 million at the age of only 8."

Luffy smiled and looked at Robin, revealing her background in detail.

["Teasing me, let's see if you can handle it!"]

However, everyone's focus was clearly different.

The rest of the Straw Hat crew, including Vivi, were shocked by the bounty of 79 million at the age of 8.

Her bounty is higher than Luffy's!

"...How do you know?"

Robin didn't disappoint, changed her previous attitude. Her smile disappeared completely, and her expression became calm and terrifying.

Twenty years ago, when she was still young, she lived in the dark world, experiencing all kinds of betrayals.

Gradually, she learned to betray others before being betrayed.

That's how she survived.

In order to survive, she had to learn to disguise herself. Because she was weak, she created her unique Haki of disguise.

But at this moment, she slightly let go of a part of her disguise.

"In the Ohara incident twenty years ago, Admiral Sengoku, who is now The Fleet Admiral along with Aokiji and Akainu, launched the Buster Call. Aokiji and Akainu were two of the five Vice Admirals who participated in the Buster Call back then."

Luffy spoke expressionlessly, "Isn't it strange to know about such a sensational news?"

Upon hearing the titles Aokiji and Akainu again, Robin's expression became somewhat unnatural.

The events of that year had become a psychological shadow, scenes from that time would appear in her nightmares at night.

The kind-hearted Dr. Clover, the archaeologists who celebrated her birthday with the Tree of Knowledge, the innocent civilians on the island, and the g*...

The faces of the people who perished in the artillery fire, their painful expressions, once again appeared in Robin's mind.

The sound of a virtual scream echoed in their ears...

Nico Robin felt immense pressure, struggling to breathe.

She returned the straw hat to Luffy and gasped, saying,

"Your next destination is Prehistoric Island Little Garden. It's not a good place. The Unluckies has already reported the situation here to the boss, and the assassins will catch up soon."

As she spoke, she took out a permanent pointer from her chest and threw it to Nami.

"This is the closest uninhabited island to Alabasta, a route that even the boss doesn't know about..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Luffy reached out and stopped Nami, taking the permanent pointer instead.

Then, with a bang!

It shattered.

Nami was stunned.

Robin was also stunned, asking, "What are you doing?"

Rarely did she help others, and pointed a safe route for them.

"The adventurous journey will eventually reach its end. Why rush to take shortcuts?"

"Is that so..."

Robin hesitated for a moment, finding the ambitious man interesting. She regained a smile and said, "Then, good luck to you, Captain Straw Hat."

With that, she was about to leave.

Vivi, seeing this, hurriedly shouted, "What are you here for, Miss Sunday?"

"I just saw how serious you all are, sincerely wanting to defeat Crocodile, so I unconsciously helped you this time."

This was not an answer, and the others still couldn't understand her actions.

Taking a hostile stance but doing the work of an ally.

Deliberately reminding them of the pursuers, and even giving them a permanent pointer with a safe route.

But not entirely an ally... she was truly a mysterious woman!

"I also wish you and your country good luck, Princess Vivi. Well then, goodbye..."

Robin smiled and was about to leave the dining room.

"You can't leave."

Just then, Luffy flashed and instantly squatted on the window sill.

He leaned close to Robin's face, almost within reach, their breaths blowing on each other's faces.

Robin's pupils contracted.

How fast... when did he come over!?

What greeted her was a faint smile.

"Since you're going to betray Crocodile anyway, why not join my crew?"

Luffy made the invitation on the spot.

And of course, he would.

As long as he wanted to dominate the Grand Line and reach the final island, Nico Robin was an important force.

Without her, they wouldn't stand a chance!

After all, she may be the only person in the world who could decipher ancient texts.

Hmm, no, wait, there seems to be one more person? But that person is just an alternative, with a much lower priority than Robin.

Upon hearing these words, Robin's expression became blank.

What is this man talking about? He knows her identity and still invites her, or rather, he's trying to steal her away. At this moment, she is still a subordinate of Crocodile, or more accurately, a collaborator.

"What if I refuse..."

"You only have two options: to accept or to agree."

There it is! A choice between two options!

Nami recalled the first time she met Luffy.

Although she didn't know why Luffy invited this woman, she felt that there must be a reason behind it.

Because she was the third person to be actively invited.

The first was her, the second was Zoro, and the third was this woman.

"Are you serious?"

Robin took a deep breath, gazing at Luffy, who was so close, and asked, "Do you know what burden I carry?"

"Do you know what burden I carry?" Robin's eyes flashed with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You are simply being pursued because you can read the true history and potentially uncover the 800-year-old history that the World Government has buried," Luffy explained.

"And I have consumed a god-level Devil Fruit that the World Government has hidden for 800 years.

"You pose a threat to the World Government as you may uncover their dark history."

"And I possess the power to bring down the Celestial Dragons from their pedestal."

Although Robin didn't fully understand the significance of the World Government's pursuit of the 800-year-old Devil Fruit, she grasped the general meaning that Luffy was trying to convey.

In short, they both shared the same plight.

["Is this man sympathizing with me?"]

["No, not purely."]

["Like Crocodile, he also needs my knowledge to decipher the true history."]

After thinking this, Robin regained some confidence.

"I see, but do you know what Crocodile wants?"

"He simply wants Pluton, but I can tell you for certain that Pluton is not in Alabasta."

Luffy jumped down from the window and returned to the table.

Although Robin wasn't stopped from leaving, she didn't rush to go.

She turned around and followed Luffy's gaze, saying with interest, "You seem to know everything, Captain Straw Hat."

She took a step forward and walked to the opposite side of Luffy, smiling at Sanji.

"May I sit here for a moment?"

Sanji's heart raced, unable to resist the charm of a mature older sister.

He immediately stood up and made a gentlemanly gesture.

"Thank you."

Robin thanked him and sat down, once again propping up her chin and gazing intently at Luffy.

Luffy picked up an empty teacup and handed it to Nami, who promptly poured a cup of sobering tea.

"Luffy, what is this Pluton you mentioned?" she asked curiously.

"One of the three Ancient Weapons, Pluton," Luffy casually answered, taking a sip of tea before continuing, "Pluton is in Wano Country. You can go back and tell Crocodile that."

"You don't want me to join your crew?"

"Well, you already called me captain," Luffy laughed, "You're already my crewmate. Don't be shy, you can boldly call me Luffy from now on."

["I clearly called him Captain Straw Hat..."]

Robin couldn't help but laugh. She had never encountered someone so familiar before.

["Truly interesting."]

"You were under Crocodile's command and did many bad things in Alabasta, but you felt guilty in your heart. When you saw Vivi fighting so hard to save her country, you deliberately exposed Crocodile's identity to her. Is that right?"

"Afterward, when you saw her find allies, which is us, you gave her a permanent pose and wanted to help her again."

"You have already betrayed him, and even prepared yourself to be killed by Crocodile!"

Upon hearing this analysis, Vivi and the others were stunned.

"So you're actually a good person!" Usopp exclaimed in surprise.

Robin was not happy. The feeling of having her inner thoughts exposed made her very uneasy.

She didn't want to be a good person. Good people couldn't survive in the dark world!

"I hate it when you say it like that."

"Even if my joining will make you a target of the World Government? Even if I have carried the darkness for 20 years, you still want to invite me? Are you... willing to be enemies with the World Government?"

Robin's expression turned serious.

"I don't care," Luffy smiled slightly. "No one is born to be alone. In this vast sea, there will always be someone willing to accept you. You don't have to be so pessimistic."

Just like what Saul said...

Robin's expression became distant, her thoughts returning to a day 20 years ago, when flames soared into the sky.

The cries of her savior echoed deep in her mind:

"Even if you're alone now, one day you will definitely meet companions. The sea is boundless, and there will always be someone willing to protect you..."

Being born in this world means never being alone forever!

Snapping back to reality, Robin revealed a charming smile. She grabbed Luffy's hand and pulled out a pen from somewhere, writing a series of numbers in the palm of her hand.

After finishing, she got up and left.

As she reached the door, she turned back and made a phone gesture.

"I'll consider it, Captain! I'll convey your words to Crocodile. So, see you in Alabasta~"

Her tone was light and cheerful, even throwing a flirtatious look.

Luffy: "....."

Intentional, definitely intentional.

Nami glared at her, wondering what this woman was up to.

"What do you mean 'consider'? Stupid woman, what attitude do you have towards Luffy-sama!"

Bartolomeo couldn't stand it. "You should kneel down and request to join, and then Luffy-sama, in his great compassion, will agree!"

Upon hearing this, Luffy couldn't help but laugh.

She was prepared to die, how could she possibly kneel down and request...

Shaking his head, he noted down the Den Den Mushi number in his palm.

Robin's attitude just now meant that she had already agreed, seeing through the surface to the essence.

If she didn't agree, she wouldn't have given her contact information.

Could it be a woman's reserve? A woman's pride?

"Get ready, once the Log Pose is fully charged, we'll set sail for the next island!"

Several hours later, around 7 o'clock in the evening.

The fully rested Straw Hat Crew returned to the ship, ready to set sail.

Vivi had a permanent pointer pointing directly to Alabasta, but she handed it to Igaram.

For safety reasons, the captain of the royal guards chose to split the group and set off early as a decoy.

Vivi finally agreed to his request.

Luffy didn't care about this at all. He didn't want to head straight to Alabasta, after all, the islands along the way offered adventure rewards!

Besides, that country was already in ruins, a few more days wouldn't make a difference.

Unlike the original story, Robin didn't go to bomb Igaram this time, so Vivi and the other members of the Straw Hat Crew didn't have such animosity towards her.

In fact, Robin had really helped Vivi a lot.

Once everyone was gathered, a duck appeared on the Merry Go. It was Vivi's mount, and it came along as well.

When Luffy saw this thing, he couldn't help but marvel at the high intelligence of animals in this world, almost on par with humans.

This time, it stayed on the Merry Go as well.

"Very well, everyone is here. Raise the sails, set sail!!"

"Okay!"

...

On the other side, in the Drum Kingdom.

"If a pirate named Luffy lands here later, remember to tell him that I'll be waiting for him in Alabasta for 10 days."

Ace, wearing a brown windbreaker in the icy snow, said to a few men.

"Pirate Luffy? Oh, what's your name?"

"I'm Ace. If you say it like that, he'll understand. Well then, goodbye."

Ace made a cool gesture and turned to leave.

At this moment, the owner of the restaurant rushed out, shouting, "Catch that guy, this bastard ate without paying!"

"If it's money you want, ask Luffy. Goodbye!"

Ace looked cool for only three seconds before quickly running away, disappearing into the snowy night.