The palace platform was in complete disarray.
Crocodile rose from the pile of rubble, his cold smile tinged with malice. "Nico Robin, hurry up. Unless you want to be drained dry—"
Before he could finish, his pupils suddenly contracted as he instinctively dodged sideways. A cold gleam shot through the air, and a sharp blade pierced straight through his right chest.
This sudden turn of events shocked Cobra and Nico Robin on the scene. Luffy tilted his head, staring at the blade that had appeared out of thin air. "What's going on?"
"Haki..." Crocodile looked down at the aura coiling around the blade embedded in his chest, then sharply turned his head. The space rippled as two figures stepped forward.
When he recognized the newcomers, Crocodile's pupils shrank violently. Gnashing his teeth, he spat, "You! The trash who took in Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine!"
It was Bahr. After Princess Vivi's earnest plea, he had ultimately made the most primal decision.
"Sea Clam King" never retreats.
But Bahr wasn't stupid—there was no need for a head-on clash. That would be asking for trouble. Besides, spatial abilities were incredibly unpredictable, perfect for catching someone off guard. Seeing Crocodile in such a sorry state, he had seized the opportunity to land a sneak attack.
Though ambushing someone wasn't honorable, it was highly effective. Even someone as strong as Garp had been caught off guard before.
Hearing Crocodile call him trash, Bahr raised an eyebrow and looked down at him condescendingly. "Sand Crocodile, getting beaten to this state by a rookie fresh out to sea—you really are worthless."
Honestly, he hadn't expected it to go so smoothly. Though the old bastard had quick reflexes and managed to avoid a fatal wound, he was still severely injured.
And now, with his health nearly depleted, he still had the nerve to act tough? Unacceptable.
Crocodile's face twisted at the barrage of insults—not that it was particularly pleasant to look at in the first place.
"Hey, Sand Crocodile is my opponent!" the Straw Hat Boy suddenly shouted.
Bahr ignored him, continuing to sneer at Crocodile. "After losing to Whitebeard, you lost your spirit too. Trash like you shouldn't stay in this world to embarrass yourself."
While it was unwise to chase a desperate enemy, finishing off a weakened one was a must. He wasn't like the Straw Hat Boy.
With a sharp tug, he yanked the blade free. Blood surged up Crocodile's throat, and the stinging mockery sent his blood boiling. With a choked "Gah!" he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed heavily onto the rubble.
"Mr. Obito, wait!"
Vivi finally snapped out of her shock and frantically grabbed Bahr's wrist before he could strike again. "Crocodile is the mastermind behind this conspiracy! We need him alive to prove the truth to the rebel army!"
Bahr paused, glancing at the unconscious Crocodile before shrugging.
Just a Sand Crocodile—he didn't care. It would've been easy to finish him off. If not for the risk of drawing attention, he would've gladly rolled up his sleeves and fought him for a hundred rounds.
Vivi took a deep breath, then looked up at Cobra, who was pinned to the ground. Clutching Bahr's sleeve, she pleaded, "Mr. Obito, please save my father."
"No problem."
Bahr gently patted Vivi's head before turning his gaze to Nico Robin, who was frozen in fear. Raising an eyebrow, he said, "I don't usually fight beautiful ladies. Release him yourself—don't make me get rough."
Robin's forehead glistened with sweat. Her fingers trembled slightly before the Flower-Flower Fruit Ability binding Cobra abruptly dissipated. Against this mysterious masked man who had instantly crippled Crocodile, she stood no chance.
Betraying Crocodile? For Nico Robin, betrayal was as routine as eating breakfast.
Vivi stiffened, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she had no time to dwell on the small liberties being taken. She rushed over to help Cobra up, her voice trembling. "Father, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Cobra shook his head, his gaze shifting warily to Bahr. "Vivi, who is this—"
"Father, there's no time for that now! We have to stop the rebellion!" Vivi's face burned. She didn't dare admit that this was the "help" she had obtained through an "equivalent exchange."
"You're right." Cobra nodded solemnly, struggling to his feet.
Seeing this, Bahr didn't bother saying more. He had already achieved his goal—there was no need to get involved in the ensuing political drama.
Besides, making a public spectacle didn't suit his low-key style.
As Cobra and Vivi hurried toward the palace below, Bahr prepared to slip away. But his peripheral vision caught Nico Robin, her fists clenched as she stared at Cobra's retreating figure, her expression filled with frustration. He chuckled and said, "Don't bother looking. What you want isn't here."
"You... know what I want?" Robin's body tensed as she stared at the masked man in shock.
Bahr leisurely pulled out a cigarette case, lighting one as he spoke. "The sole survivor of Ohara—of course you're obsessed with historical artifacts."
Robin's pupils contracted violently. This mysterious man... knew about her?
Seeing that he didn't seem intent on attacking her, Robin's back gradually stopped sweating, though her shoulders remained tense. "Historians only believe in evidence they see with their own eyes."
Bahr's gaze swept over her—white cowboy hat, white coat, tight denim outfit beneath, a snug vest accentuating her ample chest, high-waisted shorts hugging her long legs. The very picture of a mature, stylish woman.
The only flaw was her sun-tanned skin from Alabasta's harsh sun. Though not as fair as it would be two years later, it gave her a wild, mature charm that was undeniably attractive.
"Want to see for yourself?" Bahr's lips curled into a smirk as his eyes roamed over her. "Then it depends on what you're willing to pay."
Robin's eyelids twitched. She knew exactly what kind of "payment" that lecherous gaze implied. Instinct screamed at her to refuse, but... the Historical Text was right within reach.
"I... I accept." Nico Robin's expression was grave, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white, nails nearly digging into her palms. Yet she lifted her chin, her voice carrying a desperate resolve. "As long as you let me see the Historical Text."
Twenty years of searching. There were no more leads left—this was her final hope...
Now it was Bahr's turn to be taken aback. He had only been testing the waters, never expecting Nico Robin to actually sacrifice her scholarly dignity for the Historical Text.
But then, thinking about it, he understood.
As Ohara's sole survivor, Nico Robin carried the will of everyone from her homeland.
For twenty years, she had been forced to flee, betray, manipulate, even join criminal organizations—all just to survive and continue her research on the Historical Text.
During this period, Nico Robin would indeed do anything for the Historical Text. She wasn't exactly a good person, but the last shreds of her conscience kept her from becoming truly evil.
It wasn't until she met the Straw Hat Boy during the Enies Lobby incident that she finally changed.
"Deal."
Nico Robin had her obsessions, but that wasn't his concern. He would give her what she wanted, and she would give him what he wanted. Fair and square.
Taking advantage of her desperation?
Please. He wasn't holding a knife to her throat. Nico Robin could have refused. She could have said no. This was her own choice—what did it have to do with Bahr?
Hearing the word "deal," Robin's strength seemed to drain away. Her knees buckled, and she slumped to the ground, gasping for breath. She couldn't tell whether the turmoil in her chest was the humiliation of abandoning her dignity or the exhilaration of finally nearing the truth.
Bahr walked up to Nico Robin and asked, "Do you know where the royal tomb is?"
Robin's head snapped up, a glimmer of light in her eyes. "In the western part of the kingdom. Is the Historical Text hidden there?"
Bahr didn't answer. Instead, he extended his hand and wiggled his fingers. Robin gritted her teeth and placed her palm against his. In the next instant, the two vanished.
The empty palace platform was left with only Luffy, scratching his head as he looked around. "So... what are we supposed to do now?"