In the earlier news, when Nico Robin saw that the Warlord of the Sea, Gecko Moria, had been attacked and absorbed into the Arlong Pirates, she had already anticipated that such a scenario might unfold today.
However, she knew all too well that her current boss, Crocodile, was an extremely proud and ambitious warlord.
This "Sand Crocodile" would never willingly submit to another's command like Gecko Moria.
In her calculations, if Crocodile refused to surrender, then she would simply have to change allegiances once again and find herself a stronger boss.
After all, she had done such things countless times during her twenty years of life on the run.
Moreover, as the so‑called Demon Child, she was destined to stand on the opposite side of the World Government. And the Arlong Pirates were now the fiercest force against both the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
So if she ended up joining the Arlong Pirates, just as Gecko Moria had, it wouldn't be unacceptable.
"Greetings, esteemed leader of the Arlong Pirates."
Nico Robin removed her cowboy hat and bowed respectfully before the man known across the seas as the God‑Slayer.
"Your ability to decipher the Poneglyphs may be of little use to me personally, but I do find myself in need of a capable secretary. I imagine you'd be interested in such a role."
Souta Kiryuu approached Nico Robin with a faint smile. With Dr. Vegapunk already in his ranks, Robin's knowledge as an archaeologist wasn't exactly irreplaceable. After all, Vegapunk had essentially memorized the entire library of Ohara, storing that knowledge within his vast mind. Robin, by comparison, specialized only in archaeology and the reading of ancient texts.
"A capable secretary? The kind of secretary who handles everything?"
Nico Robin's professional smile curved into something sly, her tone carrying a subtle teasing edge. This was a woman who had survived two decades in the underworld, a veteran with a streak of darkness and mischief.
"If that's what you want, then yes, everything."
Souta chuckled. Still, this slightly sun‑tanned version of Robin, weathered by Alabasta's sun, wasn't exactly his type. He preferred pale‑skinned beauties with an air of refinement.
"Do you believe me if I said I could shatter that fake smile of yours with a single sentence? That I could make you cry from the heart?"
Souta leaned close, whispering into Robin's ear as he passed by, then stepped out of the secret passage and into the luxurious office beyond.
"Oh? I'm intrigued. You're not planning to kill me, are you?"
Robin followed after him, her tone indifferent. Years of living on the run had hardened her heart beyond measure. Fear? Tears? Those had long since ceased to exist for her. At worst, it would be death. And in truth, living had been exhausting. Only Ohara's will had kept her moving forward all this time.
Still, she noticed something strange—the masked figure who had been by Souta's side was suddenly gone. An eerie spatial ability, no doubt, from some Devil Fruit power.
"So you don't believe me."
Souta smiled softly, glancing at Robin's still‑present professional grin.
"Is that the line? 'So you don't believe me'? Sorry, I don't feel anything from that."
Robin replied with a sly twist of her smile, refusing to step into the conversational trap he was laying. She could almost predict that Souta intended to propose some kind of bet or challenge.
So she cut off his rhythm outright.
"..."
"You do realize you're risking offending your new boss? One way or another, you'll repay me a hundredfold."
Souta's gaze deepened. For this woman to speak so casually to a notorious new tyrant like him—it clashed with her role as a seasoned underworld survivor.
"Another line. Was that the one?"
Robin's smile didn't falter. She acted as though the so‑called God‑Slayer was nothing to fear.
"Hahaha! With a secretary like you, my days ahead will never be boring."
Souta burst into laughter, finding himself more and more intrigued by this sharp‑tongued woman.
"Nico Robin… Jaguar D. Saul didn't die. And most of Ohara's books were moved to Elbaf."
Souta's tone shifted, growing serious as he looked her directly in the eyes.
"!!! What?!"
The professional mask crumbled. Robin's eyes widened, her pupils shrinking to pinpoints as she stared at him in disbelief.
"Do you think I could be the kind of person Saul once told you about—the one you can truly trust with your life?"
Souta pressed further. Robin's mind reeled. Saul had once said she would one day find companions worth trusting, friends she could entrust her very life to.
"He… he really didn't die?"
Robin's nose stung as her throat tightened. She had seen Saul frozen solid by Aokiji's ice. She had watched Ohara burn under the Buster Call's merciless destruction. How could he have possibly survived? And the books of the Tree of Knowledge—saved as well?
"He didn't die."
Souta's firm words broke through her disbelief. And for the first time in decades, the woman who had mastered the art of the fake smile felt her eyes well with tears. Her hand flew to her mouth as sobs spilled out.
"Go on, cry. Do you need a shoulder to lean on?"
Souta offered her a handkerchief gently. For Nico Robin—just as with Nami—he carried a special kind of protective impulse. Maybe it was an obsession, maybe something else.
"Thank you… You really did make me cry from the heart."
Robin took the handkerchief, smiling weakly through her tears. The sight stirred something in Souta, a sudden urge to shield this fragile woman who had suffered so much.
"Don't look at me with such pity, boss. Still, I appreciate the news… and your sympathy. It truly makes me happy."
Robin steadied herself, wiping away the tears as her professional poise returned. Yet behind her eyes, there was now a flicker of hope—a spark of genuine joy she had thought forever lost.
"This isn't pity."
Souta's eyes locked onto hers, his words serious. Robin held his gaze for a long ten seconds before looking away, unsettled by the intensity.
"Let's discuss work, then. What exactly would my duties as your secretary entail?"
Taking a deep breath, Robin composed herself, stepping naturally into her new role. Crocodile was already her former boss.
"Of course, you'll do what secretaries should do. For starters, summon all the Baroque Works members back to Rainbase."
Souta smirked. In his mind, this sultry secretary was destined to rise to an even higher position—perhaps one day, his wife.
"... I see. So you've done your homework. Even Baroque Works is within your sights. I'll help you gather those agents."
Robin replied calmly, but her thoughts ran deeper. Souta wasn't just after Crocodile—he intended to devour everything Crocodile had built. His appetite was enormous.
"In fact, I know more about you than you realize. Almost everything, really. Perhaps one day, I'll take the time to know you even deeper."
Souta laughed as he exited the grand office, heading toward the battlefield where Crocodile and Enel clashed.