Chapter 9 — The Price of History and the Power of Gods
Robin heard the disdain in Lucien's tone when he mentioned the World Government and sighed inwardly. If even the World Government couldn't scare him, then Crocodile certainly didn't stand a chance either.
But she couldn't just leave with him—not yet. Alabasta still held a Poneglyph, one of the ancient stones inscribed with the lost history of the Void Century. She couldn't miss this chance.
With a faint, helpless smile, she turned to him.
"My dream is to decipher all the Poneglyphs and uncover the truth of the Void Century—the 100 years erased from history by the World Government."
"If you promise to help me fulfill that dream, I'll become your divine consort."
"No problem," Lucien said without hesitation.
Robin blinked, unconvinced by how easily he agreed.
"You may not realize it, but the president of Baroque Works is none other than one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Crocodile."
"He wants to overthrow the Kingdom of Alabasta and is using me to decipher the Poneglyph hidden there. Once I do… he'll likely kill me."
Lucien showed no reaction. In fact, he considered whether this "information gap" could be used to draw her closer, to make her more willing to rely on him.
"So," Robin continued, her voice cool but resolute, "before I become your consort, I need to read the Poneglyph in Alabasta. If you truly intend to make me yours, then come for me when the time comes."
"I believe even a god would allow such a small act of free will, don't you think? If you won't even let me read the Poneglyph I've come so close to, how can I trust your promises?"
"No need to complicate things," Lucien replied calmly, as if he already knew how it would end. "We'll just go to Alabasta and kill Crocodile. Baroque Works doesn't even know he's their boss."
"When it's over, I'll personally take you to read the stone."
Robin gave a small laugh and raised an eyebrow teasingly. "I saw you bring two other women aboard your ship earlier. Are they your consorts too? Don't tell me even gods are slaves to worldly beauty."
"The desires of gods surpass those of mortals," Lucien said without shame. "Every divine consort I take strengthens me. In a way, they help me cultivate power."
"They make you stronger?" Robin asked with a tinge of disbelief.
"It's the nature of the Goro Goro no Mi," Lucien replied with practiced ease. "Once we've developed its potential together, you'll understand."
He said it so naturally that even the most absurd explanation became acceptable. After all, it was One Piece—devil fruits could do anything. Don't ask how. Just blame the fruit.
Robin blushed but said nothing more. She turned away, placed the books she'd gathered into her satchel, and gestured for him to lead the way.
Lucien stepped forward, picked her up gently, and leapt back to his skyship—Little Zhenyan.
A moment later, the sea turtle they'd borrowed stared up sadly from the waves below.
Sea Turtle: "What about me?!"
---
Far across the sea from Lucien's crew, the Foxy Pirates sped along in their ship, the Sexy Foxy. Known for playing Davy Back Fights—a pirate game where you bet your crew—they were among the few pirate crews who valued antics more than raw power.
Only someone like Luffy would lower himself to such ridiculous games instead of using brute strength. Most others would crush Foxy and move on.
"Captain!" shouted Piculus, peering through a telescope. "I think the Navy was just attacked! There are sailors collapsed on deck—might be dead!"
"What?!" gasped Silver Fox Foxy, snatching the telescope and looking through it. Sure enough, a Marine ship was drifting, its deck scattered with unconscious (or worse) sailors.
"Do we still head that way, Captain?" Piculus asked nervously. "If they're still nearby, we'll end up like that too."
"Damn it!" Foxy cursed, pounding the railing. "What happened to Hamburg and Porche?!"
"Forget them! We've already got some prisoners. Let's not die for them!" Piculus begged.
BOOM!
A blinding flash of lightning appeared above the ship. Foxy turned—too late. A massive foot made of crackling thunder smashed into his face, slamming him into the deck.
Lucien hovered above, lightning dancing in his eyes. "Silver Fox Foxy, user of the Noro Noro no Mi."
He smiled darkly. "I'll be taking that Devil Fruit."
"C-Captain!" the Foxy Pirates cried out in panic. Their leader was flattened in a single hit. Who could resist someone like that?
Lucien's eyes glowed with lightning. Using Observation Haki, he locked onto each of them.
[Thunder Technique: Lightning Eyes]
Two searing beams of lightning fired from his gaze. Wherever his eyes passed, pirates fell screaming—some burned, others electrocuted. The smell of scorched wood and flesh filled the air as fire consumed the ship.
Despite the destruction, Lucien's control was precise. Foxy was alive, barely—his fruit had to be taken intact.
Lucien extended his hand, summoning white lightning that wrapped around Foxy's body. A pale pink light—a Devil Fruit's essence—was ripped from his soul.
He pulled out an apple and infused the fruit's power into it. Slowly, the apple morphed, signaling that the Noro Noro no Mi had transferred successfully.
Lucien smiled. "Alabasta awaits."
"Judgment of God."
He vanished in a crack of lightning.
As for Foxy's treasure? Not worth the trouble. His Observation Haki detected barely a few million Berries. Lucien wasn't hurting for cash.
Once he acquired a spatial ability—like the Door- Door Fruit—looting would be easier.
---
Three days later — Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat behind his desk, frog-framed glasses perched on his nose. His long beard was tied into its usual braid. Beside him, Admiral Aokiji (Kuzan) lay sprawled on the couch in full nap mode, legs crossed, mask over his eyes, and clearly on paid leave.
Puru Puru!! Puru Puru!!
Kacha!!
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Urgent report!" shouted a frantic voice. "The user of the Goro Goro no Mi has resurfaced! He's kidnapped Marine Captain Tina!"
The Den Den Mushi's eyes mirrored the panic of the speaker.
Sengoku's pupils shrank.
---
To be continued…