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Initially, Nico Robin thought Ikki was just joking.
She felt that his claimed knowledge of many Poneglyphs across the sea was merely an excuse to gain her cooperation. From the beginning, she hadn't really believed him.
All she expected was that Ikki would achieve his goal and allow her to examine the Poneglyph hidden in Alabasta. But that Poneglyph should have been in Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta—not buried beneath the desert sand before her eyes.
Seeing that what Ikki had said was true, Robin gradually began to believe that his claim about knowing the locations of many Poneglyphs might not be a lie after all.
'If he really didn't lie, would it be possible to see more Poneglyphs by staying with him?' At this moment, Robin's eyes regarded Ikki with newfound fascination.
"Make the most of your time, Nico Robin," Ikki said, pointing to the Poneglyph in front of her. "How long will it take you to decipher this Poneglyph? If it takes too long, just memorize this location and you can return after I defeat Crocodile."
In the original story, there was no mention of how long it took Robin to decipher Poneglyphs. To be safe, Ikki decided to ask.
"Just a moment, let me look," Robin replied, turning and placing her hand on the Poneglyph. Her eyes moved quickly over the ancient text, occasionally murmuring words to herself. After a few seconds, she spoke again. "Ten minutes. Just give me ten minutes."
"Ten minutes? Then I'll wait for you," Ikki nodded and used his Flame Breathing to create a ball of fire above them, illuminating the dark chamber. "I'd feel uneasy leaving you here alone."
Though the probability was small, Ikki felt he might worry if Robin encountered Crocodile during his absence.
"Thank you," Robin said gratefully, and began to quickly read the Poneglyph before her.
As time passed, Ikki, with nothing else to do, simply leaned against the stone wall and observed Robin's serious expression.
Meanwhile, in Katorea, an outlying city of Alabasta...
"What? The rebels have already left?" Vivi held a local citizen by the shoulders and asked in disbelief.
"Yes, they've been gone for a while," the man replied honestly, though somewhat confused by the woman's urgency. "It seems they received some news and have already headed toward the capital, Alubarna."
"Damn it, we're too late!" Vivi released the citizen's shoulders, regret filling her heart.
"Vivi, don't worry," Nojiko said, patting her shoulder reassuringly. "They can't have been gone for long. If we hurry now, we might catch up with the rebels."
"Thank you, Nojiko," Vivi nodded firmly. "Now is not the time for regrets. Nojiko, Nami, please join me in heading toward Alubarna at full speed."
"I'll inform Captain Ikki about what's happening here while we travel," Nami said, taking out a small Den Den Mushi from her pocket.
After realizing the rebels had departed, the three women quickly disappeared into the streets.
After they left, a man with his face hidden beneath a scarf emerged from a corner. "That blue-haired woman is Princess Vivi! And there's another woman with short blue hair and a woman with orange hair!" he muttered to himself. "I need to tell the boss about this."
The man narrowed his eyes and quickly took out his Den Den Mushi to dial Crocodile's number, reporting what he'd seen.
"So those three women are heading toward the rebels?" Crocodile's voice came through the snail. "And they're moving unusually fast? Are they not ordinary people?"
"Interesting... I want to see what kind of help Miss Wednesday has found," Crocodile continued with a chilling laugh. "Keep watching the situation in Katorea. I will personally intercept our Princess Vivi."
Back in the underground chamber...
"...I understand. Since Koza isn't in Katorea, you can head straight to Alubarna without concerns," Ikki said into his Den Den Mushi. "This doesn't conflict much with our previous plans. I'm about to confront Crocodile here. Once I defeat him, I'll join you."
"Don't worry," he continued. "Don't forget, my Zangetsu can also be released. And both my Water Breathing and Armament Haki can counter Crocodile's Sand-Sand powers. I need to go now. Continue with your mission."
After a few more instructions, Ikki hung up and pocketed the Den Den Mushi.
"Have the rebels actually left? This is somewhat inconsistent with the information we received earlier," Robin frowned, looking slightly confused.
"Perhaps something happened suddenly, causing Koza and the others to decide to move toward Alubarna," Ikki suggested. "However, since they just left, even if they're on horseback, Nami and the others should be able to catch up. More importantly, are you finished here, Nico Robin?"
"I've completed the translation," Robin replied. "I didn't expect this Poneglyph to actually record the rise, fall, and changes of Alabasta throughout its history. But since this Poneglyph records Alabasta's past, could it be possible that there isn't actually a Poneglyph in Alubarna as I thought? Have I been mistaken from the beginning?"
"Don't overthink it," Ikki said, walking up to Robin and lifting her into his arms. "Let me carry you back to the surface. You'll be safe once I deal with Crocodile. Even if I don't stay with you afterward, your life won't be in danger."
"Mr. Ikki, do you mean that after you defeat Crocodile, you'll let me go?" Robin asked doubtfully while holding onto his shoulders.
"What, you want to continue following me?" Ikki smiled and pushed hard against the ground, breaking through the ceiling above and returning to the desert surface. "Shouldn't you yearn for freedom?"
Immediately afterward, he left a trail of dust across the desert as his figure quickly disappeared.
'Leave? Perhaps I can't do that now,' Robin thought, holding tightly to Ikki's shoulders, a slight smile curving her lips. 'If you truly know where other Poneglyphs are...'
Ikki had found the Poneglyph beneath the desert using his Observation Haki, which nearly confirmed to Robin that he hadn't been lying. After finally finding someone who knew the locations of Poneglyphs, how could she let him go so easily? Robin began to consider the possibility of staying with Ikki.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Rain Dinners in Alabasta.
"The boss has left?" Robin frowned slightly, looking at the casino manager before her.
"Yes, Miss All Sunday," the man replied, rubbing his hands together nervously. "Sir Crocodile seemed to have urgent business and left abruptly some time ago."
"Do you know where he went?" Robin asked.
"No... I don't know. As you're aware, the boss never tells us his whereabouts. Perhaps he went to deal with some pirates again."
"Alright, I understand. You may return to your duties," Robin dismissed the manager, then turned to look at Ikki. "I'm sorry, Mr. Ikki. I couldn't get you to Crocodile. Shall I try contacting him on the Den Den Mushi to learn his location?"
With that, Robin took out the communication device she carried.
"Yes, let's contact him," Ikki agreed, having already used his Observation Haki to confirm that neither Crocodile nor any senior Baroque Works agents were present in the casino.
With Ikki's permission, Robin quickly dialed Crocodile's number. As soon as the call connected, Crocodile's angry voice came through.
"Miss All Sunday, you've betrayed me!"
"What? Why would you say that, Mr. 0?" Robin responded, noticing people turning to look at them because of Crocodile's loud voice. She took Ikki's hand and led him out of the casino.
"Haha, are you still trying to deny it, Nico Robin?" Crocodile's voice dripped with fury. "You clearly reported to me that you had killed Miss Wednesday. Then why is that woman still alive?"
"Is the disappearance of Mr. 1 and Mr. 2 related to you? I'm curious as to why you betrayed me. Don't you want to see the Poneglyph? Or are you simply betraying me because your life is threatened? This so-called Ikki, does he really have something that frightens you?"
Through reports from his agents who had observed Nami, Vivi, and Nojiko, Crocodile already knew that behind these three women was a captain named Ikki.
After a pause, Crocodile continued: "Forget it. No matter why you betrayed me, I will never let you go. When this is over, I will come find you, so wait for me! Also, Nico Robin, is that man named Ikki with you right now?"
Hearing this, Robin glanced at Ikki beside her. After seeing him nod slightly, she immediately replied, "Mr. Ikki is indeed by my side. Would you like to speak with him, Mr. Crocodile?"
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Author's Note: If you're enjoying this story, I have additional chapters and content available on my personal website at ficnest.com. Thanks for reading!