She had forgotten her watch—or rather, dared not bring it—so she could not know the exact passage of time. She felt that was for the best.
Time moved quietly, wrapping her in a silence so profound it made her ears ring.
She knew the conclusion. She had no lingering sentiment now. The memories that surfaced unbidden were never happy ones. Perhaps that was why her heart did not waver, even in the face of death.
After a long silence, she suddenly began to speak. Her eyes remained fixed on the Poneglyph.
"Age of Heaven, Year 239. The conquest of Alabasta by Kahira."
Her flat voice began to recite clearly.
"Age of Heaven, Year 260. The Bitein Dynasty of Tamer takes control."
She spun words as if reading the text from the Poneglyph. Her delivery was fluent, never stumbling once.
"Age of Heaven, Year 306. The Great Taph Cathedral is completed in Erumalu."
But this was not what they had sought.
"Age of Heaven, Year 325. The Hero of Oltea, Mamudin—"
"Enough. Stop."
Though several meters away, Crocodile stood behind her, cutting her off.
He had not wiped away the blood he'd shed, yet showed no signs of exhaustion. Emanating a formidable anger, he glared at Miss All Sunday's back.
He could not accept what he was hearing. Not a single piece of the information he desired had been spoken.
That was not it. What he sought was the Ancient Weapon named Pluton. He needed the information pointing to its location, not the history of Alabasta. Miss All Sunday surely understood this.
Crocodile questioned the woman who had fallen silent at his interruption. As he did so, his golden hook was already poised.
"What is the meaning of this, Nico Robin...? I didn't come here for a history lesson. Tell me the location of the Ancient Weapon hidden in this country. It must be written there."
"It isn't."
"What...?"
"There is no mention of 'Pluton' here. Only history is recorded."
The moment those words left her lips, his intimidating aura exploded outwards.
He unleashed a killing intent strong enough to bring a normal man to his knees, yet Miss All Sunday stood expressionless. She even turned to face him.
Looking into his eyes, she knew. He had never intended to let her leave alive.
"You know what happens if you hide it from me. I'm afraid I'm not in the mood for jokes."
"I am not joking. It is the truth."
"Is that so...? Then that is truly unfortunate."
He likely realized it. He knew Miss All Sunday was lying. He suspected the Poneglyph sitting there did indeed point to Pluton's location.
But Crocodile, unable to read the ancient script, could spot the lie but not the location. As long as she remained silent, the information would leak nowhere.
He could not deduce why she had done this, but he had considered betrayal a possibility. Crocodile was not particularly shaken. While he felt a fierce indignation, he had the composure to switch his thinking instantly.
He raised his left arm quietly. Miss All Sunday watched him intently.
He would not blame her for her choice. He would simply find it himself. Having decided, Crocodile turned his weapon on the woman who, until moments ago, had been his partner. His heart did not waver in the slightest at the prospect of stabbing her to death.
"I will accept your choice, Nico Robin. In return, I will give you my answer."
"My. Did you think I came here without preparation?"
With a movement that felt slow, even elegant, Miss All Sunday reached into her coat. She produced a knife and a small vial of water.
Having been by his side for years, she understood his weakness. True, she could not match him in power, but if she struck that weakness, there was a possibility. If there was a chance to survive, she would not deny it.
Who would live, and who would die?
Miss All Sunday calculated that the contest would end in an instant. However, Crocodile did not even consider it a contest. therein lay the difference between them.
That she held water was within Crocodile's expectations. In itself, it was rarely a significant threat. The damage he took from Luffy was substantial, but it would not be a hindrance here.
There was one major factor separating them. Experience in combat.
Miss All Sunday hurled the vial of water.
Crocodile stepped forward, dodging with a minimal movement. But suddenly, thanks to her Devil Fruit ability, an arm sprouted from his shoulder, catching the flying vial.
The attack he had evaded was about to strike him again.
He saw it in his peripheral vision, yet his expression did not twitch. Meanwhile, Miss All Sunday raised her knife and sprinted forward.
"Once you are wet, a knife will pierce you!"
Just as the arm on his shoulder was about to smash the vial...
He stomped the ground violently. Simultaneously, his body dissolved into sand, vanishing from sight.
His movement was too fast; the arm failed to throw the vial in time. Because his entire body had turned to sand, the Hana Hana no Mi ability was forcibly dispelled. Miss All Sunday lost sight of him, and the vial of water fell pitifully to the ground, shattering with a crisp sound.
Shocked, her thoughts lagged for a split second.
He was not sweet enough to overlook that delay.
She felt an impact like a shove from behind. Her body swayed slightly, and immediately after, agony tore through her.
Before she knew it, a golden hook had pierced her chest from behind. She hadn't even sensed the blow.
Crocodile, smiling fearlessly, yanked the hook out with force, seemingly pleased by the spray of fresh blood.
"I will forgive everything, Nico Robin... Because I..."
Miss All Sunday's body collapsed to the floor.
Looking down coldly at her form, Crocodile whispered.
"...never trusted a single soul from the very beginning...!"
Losing interest in the fallen woman, he effortlessly shifted his gaze. He checked the massive stone, the Poneglyph. Unfortunately, he could not read it, but it was undoubtedly a clue. He pondered whether he should secure it for later.
"No matter... Judging by Cobra's reaction, the weapon is in this country. Given time, I can find it. Once I have this nation in my grasp."
There had been a betrayal, but he remained unmoved. Crocodile immediately adjusted his plans. First, he would complete the usurpation of Alabasta.
But the moment he decided this, the Underground Mausoleum began to shake violently.
"What...?! Tsk, was this you?!"
Crocodile's eyes snapped to the fallen Miss All Sunday.
As he suspected, without moving from her spot, she had used her powers to pull the small pillar Cobra had mentioned. Now, the temple, its balance destroyed, was beginning to collapse.
Miss All Sunday was smiling, a look of satisfaction on her face.
She did not refuse her own death. Death was inevitable. But she had managed to strike one final blow.
"You've gone senile. Did you think this would be enough to kill me?"
"Fufu... I just wanted to see..."
"What?"
Blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, Miss All Sunday opened her eyes slightly and smiled.
"...what those who bear the name of 'D' would do..."
For the third time, Crocodile felt that same sensation.
Slowly, he turned around, casting his gaze behind him.
There, standing with fists clenched tight, was Luffy—the boy he had killed twice already.
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