After several days docked, the Going Merry finally set sail again. Under the vast, cloudless blue sky, the little ship glided across the calm sea.
Once they left Alabasta's waters, the hot and arid air gave way to a welcome dampness.
During their brief stop at Nanohana's coast, the Merry had been buried under layers of sand and dust. But thanks to Rainer's tireless undead crew, the ship now gleamed like new—its deck polished so bright it reflected sunlight.
Unfortunately, that shine didn't extend to the crew's mood. Everyone slouched against the railings, faces listless, shoulders heavy with gloom.
"What's with you guys?" Zoro leaned against the mast, annoyed at the sight.
"If you couldn't bear to leave her, you should've just dragged her aboard!"
"What kind of thing is that to say?!"
Already depressed, the crew turned on Zoro with collective scorn.
"Barbarian!"
"Useless."
"Green seaweed head!"
"Green belly wrap."
"Three-Sword Style."
"Wait, Luffy," Usopp interjected, looking puzzled. "Three-Sword Style isn't even an insult…"
"Four-Sword Style!"
"Four-Sword Style isn't an insult either!" Usopp groaned. "You should've called him a dumb lost cause or something!"
"You two blond idiots looking for a fight?!" Zoro snarled, snapping his swords free and charging at Rainer and Sanji.
It wasn't like he was wrong—if they hadn't dragged Vivi aboard, then what good was all this moping now?
Just then, the galley door creaked open.
Creak…
"My, my, things seem lively out here."
A soft, teasing voice drew their attention.
From the doorway stepped a tall, shapely woman with straight black hair falling to her shoulders, dressed in a crisp white blouse.
Robin. With her wheat-toned skin and serene smile, she looked at them with calm amusement.
"Baroque Works!"
"We're doomed—it's a Warlord's revenge!"
"Rainer, get her!"
The cowardly trio panicked instantly. They'd seen her underground in Alubarna, knew she was part of Baroque Works, and now assumed she was here for payback.
Nami immediately ducked behind Rainer, shoving him forward. He scratched his head awkwardly.
"Who are you?" Zoro's hand was already on his sword, eyes narrowed. But the woman didn't seem hostile.
"Does it matter? What a gorgeous lady" Sanji's eyes turned into pink hearts.
"Hello. My name is Nico Robin." Robin smiled faintly, then turned her gaze to Luffy.
"I have nowhere else to go. Captain… may I stay on this ship?"
Luffy locked eyes with her for all of two seconds before grinning.
"Is that so? Then I guess we've got no choice. Sure!"
"Whaaat?!"
"Robin-swaaaan!"
Even Zoro's face darkened. That was way too casual! She was Baroque Works, damn it—at least ask her something!
"Oi, woman!" Zoro pointed his sheathed blade at her, voice sharp.
"You were Crocodile's subordinate. What's your real purpose here? We're not as easy to fool as Luffy!"
"That's right!" the cowardly trio chimed in from the corner, nodding furiously.
But Robin only smiled. She leaned against the railing and answered softly:
"No purpose. I'm an archaeologist. I can read the ancient script. My goal is to find the Poneglyphs and uncover the lost century's truth."
She looked back at Luffy with a knowing smile.
"You want to be Pirate King, don't you? I can be of help."
Help? She was underselling herself. Without Robin, even if they had all four Road Poneglyphs in front of them, they'd never reach Raftel.
"Well… history? A hundred years? I don't get it." Luffy tilted his head, confused.
…You don't know?
Robin blinked, glancing at Rainer in disbelief. This guy's really the captain?
Rainer coughed, eyes darting away in embarrassment.
"Doesn't matter!" Luffy grinned wider. "Sounds awesome! You can stay!"
"Luffy!" the cowardly trio tried to protest again—
—but Robin casually held up a small pouch. Her expression remained calm, almost careless.
"Oh? I seem to have something useless on me."
She loosened the cord, revealing a cascade of red, yellow, and blue gemstones sparkling in the sunlight.
"I love you, Robin-swan! You must stay!"
Nami's eyes went rounder than the jewels themselves as she dashed to Robin's side, drooling at the glittering gems.
With the ship's treasurer bribed, the rest had no chance.
Soon enough, Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp were rolling on the deck in laughter as Robin playfully used her powers. Sanji—well, there was no saving him.
Zoro, on the other hand, looked like he was about to explode.
"Looks like it's just the two of us left, Rainer. Keep your guard up—this woman's dangerous."
Rainer gave him a strange look.
"Sorry, Zoro-chan… actually, it's just you left."
"…What?"
"I'm the one who invited her."
Zoro froze, slack-jawed.
"She's the only person alive who can read the Poneglyphs. She's an indispensable ally for our future."
Family means sticking together. (used correctly)
"Relax, Zoro. You trust Luffy's judgment, don't you?"
"The one person I don't trust is him." Zoro shot back without hesitation.
Rainer: "…"
Meanwhile, at Marineford.
The crescent bay brimmed with warships. Dozens of massive vessels sat docked at the naval headquarters—the absolute bulwark feared by pirates worldwide. From here, the Marines could summon the force to annihilate an island at will.
Behind the square towered the great fortress, its façade emblazoned with the bold, unyielding characters: MARINE.
Inside a meeting hall, Vice Admirals in crisp white coats and golden epaulettes bickered furiously. Their shouting shook the walls, sending passing sailors scurrying away.
"Roronoa Zoro's already at sixty million—shouldn't the captain be at least a hundred?"
"They toppled a Warlord, for crying out loud! The fallout is enormous. At least two hundred million!"
"Don't be ridiculous! Crocodile's bounty never even reached a hundred million!"
"Shut your mouth! Then go fight him yourself, if it's so easy!"
"I—!"
"You what, old mutt?!"
"Enough."
The heavy voice instantly silenced the room.
The man who spoke sat tall and imposing despite being seated. His white uniform glittered with medals, his cap adorned with a perched seagull—the mark of authority. His braided goat beard swayed as he spoke.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Buddha.
"From thirty million to two hundred is too steep," he said gravely. "The World Government wants this covered up. We'll settle Straw Hat Luffy at one hundred million for now. Next?"
Brannew adjusted the den-den mushi projector, displaying two figures.
"The next are the so-called 'Sawblade Duo' from East Blue. They took down Baroque Works agents Miss Doublefinger and Miss Merry Christmas without much difficulty. Combined bounty, twenty-five million."
Sengoku skimmed the reports, then nodded.
"Thirty million each."
The room agreed without debate.
"Now this," Brannew continued, switching the projection again. Two towering oni-like figures appeared, exuding menace even in still images.
"Smoker's report notes these two as the real force behind Crocodile's defeat. They are called Blue Oni and Red Oni. Captain Tashigi also reported being instantly defeated by one of them."
The room went silent. Then a hesitant voice spoke:
"One hundred million… each?"
"That feels too low for their strength."
"Impossible! The captain must have the highest bounty. Lower theirs if we must."
"Then raise the captain's."
"Yes. If he commands men of that caliber, it makes sense."
The argument reignited, louder than before, until Sengoku cut them off again.
"As always, we compromise. One hundred twenty million each. Raise a Straw Hat to one hundred fifty million."
He dropped the papers onto the table. Bounties were not just about strength—they were political, too.
For the Straw Hats, their figures had to be suppressed. The Government could not allow the truth of Crocodile's defeat to spread. By inflating the captain and lowering his subordinates, they kept the story contained.
Misjudging strength due to bounties wasn't a problem. After all, pirates at this level would only be hunted by Vice Admirals and above. If smaller fry wanted to throw themselves at them… all the better.
"There's one more," Brannew added. "Smoker's report mentioned him as well."
The screen shifted, showing a tall blond man, immaculately groomed, glasses perched on his nose, giving him a refined air.
The Admirals leaned forward curiously. Smoker's name carried weight in headquarters. If he bothered to single this one out…