O.P.J Chapter 37: Robin

"Ah, Crocodile..." Saitama's curiosity was piqued as he inquired, "Is this guy as tough as they say?"

Princess Vivi's expression turned grave as she explained, "Crocodile may be known as the revered guardian deity of Alabasta, but beneath that facade, he's the notorious mastermind behind the nefarious Baroque Works..."

"80 million berries! That was his bounty even before he became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea," Vivi continued, her voice tinged with awe. "And it's not just his bounty that's fearsome. Crocodile possesses a rare and formidable Logia-type Devil Fruit power, making him nearly invulnerable!"

Saitama's eyes widened with intrigue. "So, he's practically unbeatable?"

Vivi nodded solemnly. "Exactly. Regular marines stand no chance against him. That's why I'm counting on you, Mr. Marine! Please help us contact..."

"Ah, I see!"

Saitama interrupted with a grin, his eyes gleaming with determination as he turned to face Vivi. "I will confront Crocodile and verify the truth. If he's truly guilty, I'll take care of him myself. You can trust me."

"Uhh!"

Vivi's concern etched across her face as she interjected urgently, "But do you realize how mighty Crocodile is? Going alone is suicide!"

Saitama's demeanor remained calm, radiating unshakable confidence. "Don't worry. I'm more powerful than him."

His words carried an air of absolute certainty, despite his unassuming appearance.

However...

Vivi couldn't shake off her doubts. How could this seemingly ordinary man with his lanky frame and unremarkable looks possibly defeat the fearsome Crocodile?

After a moment of contemplation, Princess Vivi bid Igaram farewell and resolved to keep a close eye on Saitama, determined to intervene if needed.

"Sir!"

Vivi pulled her hair back into a sleek ponytail, her determined gaze matching Saitama's stride. "Allow me to join you on this quest, please! I can be of invaluable aid. If we need evidence against Crocodile, I can confront him directly."

Saitama nodded, impressed by Vivi's determination. "Very well, you're in."

Vivi took a deep breath, her royal upbringing giving her composure. "Then, allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Vivi, Princess of Alabasta. And may I inquire about your name?"

"Oh! I'm Saitama," Saitama grinned, exuding a sense of calm confidence. "Once a renowned hero, now a Rear Admiral in the Navy. But I still believe in doing what's right. Pleasure to meet you, Princess."

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Onboard the warship,

Tashigi had taken the duo into custody and locked them up with seastone handcuffs.

The protocol dictated that they should be taken to Enies Lobby for a trial, but Tashigi couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. What if there was another one of the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" lurking on board?

Gazing into the distance, Tashigi spotted Saitama and Vivi approaching. Yet, something seemed off. The air was tense, and her instincts kicked in.

Lost in her thoughts, a sultry voice broke her reverie. Turning around, she beheld a woman of mature allure and scholarly poise, exuding an air of mystery.

"Such formidable Navy officers," the woman remarked, her voice carrying a hint of admiration. "I never thought Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine would be caught by you guys... Are you officers from the Navy Headquarters? The branch wouldn't have this kind of strength, right?"

"Guards!"

Tashigi swiftly unsheathed her sword Shigure from her waist, turning to face the unexpected visitor.

"Tsk tsk, don't give me that menacing look, Miss Navy..." The alluring beauty perched atop the mast, crossing her legs elegantly, and smiled at Tashigi. "I can't say I have a soft spot for the Navy either. If you make a move now, I might just change my mind and cut our little chat short."

Tashigi remained vigilant, not letting her guard down despite the woman's smooth words. She inquired, "Who are you!?"

"I currently bear the title of Miss all Sunday, the esteemed partner of Crocodile in the infamous crime syndicate of Baroque Works," She declared coolly, her eyes scanning the retreating figures of Vivi and Saitama. "However, rest assured, I have no intention of rescuing those two fools you have apprehended, nor do I seek a confrontation with you all. My purpose here is merely to extend a helping hand."

Tashigi stepped forward, her sword glinting in the sunlight, ready for action. Her sense of justice burned fiercely within her, driving her to confront Miss All Sunday.

"I cannot turn a blind eye to your motives," Tashigi declared, her voice firm with determination. "As a member of the Navy, I must uphold justice!"

Miss All Sunday, with her long raven hair swaying elegantly, waved a dismissive hand, exuding an air of nonchalance. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't point such dangerous objects at me," she said casually, her voice oozing with confidence.

In that fateful moment, a mysterious force ensnared Tashigi's hands, leaving her defenseless!

With a sudden jerk, the power yanked her backwards, shattering her attack and sending her crashing down onto the deck.

But just as she was bracing for impact, a figure clad in a cape of justice appeared on the deck, catching Tashigi in mid-fall with ease.

"Hey! You..."

Saitama released his right arm that had been holding Tashigi's slender waist, and glanced at the girl perched on the mast with a disapproving frown. "What do you intend to do with Tashigi?"

In an instant, the tension in the air crackled with an electric intensity.

The once lackadaisical depiction of Saitama's face suddenly shifted to a serious countenance.

Hidden beneath the surface, his entire aura exploded with intensity, like a raging storm that sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Tashigi blushed as she watched in awe, her heart racing at the unexpected change in Saitama's demeanor.

Miss All Sunday, who had been observing from the mast, nearly lost her balance in sheer surprise.

But instead of fear, a strange sense of elation washed over her.

This Marine officer... was much stronger than she had anticipated!

Her cunning plan had been to exploit the brewing conflict between the Marines and Crocodile to her advantage, which was precisely why she had ventured to this location in the first place.

Win or lose, it didn't matter to her.

Her plan was to lure Crocodile into attacking the Marines, so that the monstrous powerhouses from Marine Headquarters would have to intervene and deal with the rogue Warlord who dared to defy their authority.

Then, she would finally break free from his grasp, liberated from his influence once and for all.

However, she could have never anticipated the overwhelming aura of power emanating from the man standing before her now... It struck her with a sense of awe and terror, as if he were a fearsome behemoth in human form, surpassing all expectations.

"A bald and mighty figure... Is that...?!"

"Whispers of a Marine guard in Loguetown who had recently been promoted and left the East Blue."

"Could this be the legendary Bald-Devil!!"

"Please, do not misunderstand, Mr. Saitama," Miss All Sunday said, pausing to assess the man standing before her. "Isn't that so?" Her voice carried a tinge of excitement as she locked her sharp gaze on the man before her. "I've heard tales of your legendary reputation, and your sudden seriousness is quite impressive." She couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue as she assessed Saitama's stoic expression. "It seems Princess Vivi has found herself a reliable ally." Her words were laced with a mischievous grin, knowing well that Saitama was not known for displaying a wide range of emotions.

Saitama's brow furrowed, his curiosity piqued as he gazed at the woman before him. "And who might you be?" he inquired.

"I am Miss All Sunday, partner of Crocodile," she replied confidently.

Saitama's brows furrowed as he fixed his gaze upon her. "What kind of name is that? Miss All Sunday? That's a day of the week, not a name. I demand your real name. I'm tired of this constant game-playing! First, there was someone named after a number, then someone named after an event, and now a day of the week. Enough is enough! So, for the last time... who are you?" His tone was stern and unwavering, leaving no room for evasion.

The girl hesitated, caught between the desire to conceal her identity and the danger of making an enemy of Saitama. But finally, she spoke. "Robin. Nico Robin," she said, her voice soft but steady.

Saitama scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, that's a good name. You should use it."

Relief and a hint of amusement flickered across Robin's face as she chuckled. "Hehe, thank you. So, Mr. Saitama, do you have any intention of joining our Baroque Works studio?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Saitama thought seriously for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I am not good at promoting newspapers, so I'd better pass."

Robin smiled intelligently. "But Baroque Works is not a newspaper company. Let's talk about the real matter at hand, shall we, Rear Admiral?"

------------------------------------------------------------------

(My greatest motivation comes from your support. If you'd like to read more of my work, please visit my Patreon page.).

https://www.patreon.com/Otaku_TNN

Thank you!