Alabasta.
Baroque Works' hidden stronghold.
"What a grand reception. Miss Wednesday, Mr. 8… or should I say Princess Vivi of Alabasta and Captain Icarem of the Royal Guard?"
The dusky-skinned beauty in a wide sun hat and form-fitting leather jacket smiled as she spoke. Surrounded on all sides, her expression showed neither surprise nor fear.
"Miss All-Sunday… do you know who I am?" Vivi's sapphire eyes widened, her voice trembling in shock.
"Of course," Robin replied smoothly. "From the very day you infiltrated Baroque Works a year ago, I knew. You and Mr. 8 rose to officer status so quickly because I supported it behind the scenes."
"What did you just say!?"
Vivi's heart pounded. The realization struck like lightning—Robin had known her true identity from the beginning, yet had pretended otherwise. From the very start, their every move had been under Baroque Works' watchful eye.
If… if they hadn't met Sugisawa Yuuto, what fate would have awaited her and Icarem? The thought chilled her. The ending, she knew, would not have been a happy one.
"Since you knew who we were all along, why didn't you strike us down?" Icarem demanded angrily.
Robin's smile softened. "For the sake of your country, you risked your life to infiltrate a criminal organization. Such courage, such resolve… even I could not bring myself to shatter that fragile hope."
"Hey, Miss All-Sunday… my gut tells me you're not really a bad person," Mirajane said gently, almost instinctively.
Robin's gaze flickered. "No, Mirajane. I'm nothing like you. I am a very, very bad woman." Her tone was calm, but there was a weight behind it.
"You… you know me?" Mirajane blinked in surprise.
"Of course. Fairy Tail guild—your president, Sugisawa Yuuto, already carries a bounty of eighty million. 'Fairy Queen' Erza has left behind countless legends in East Blue. And you, Mirajane, are celebrated not only for your strength but also for your beauty…"
Mirajane's cheeks tinged pink. "N-no, it's not like that, my beauty is nothing special…"
"Miss Mira, don't let yourself be swayed by her words!" Nami cut in sharply, warning her.
"You may have investigated us thoroughly," Juvia shouted, stepping forward, "but it's useless. You're the one surrounded here! You cannot escape today!"
Robin tilted her head, her smile unfaltering. "Surrounded? Tell me—am I surrounded by you, or are you surrounded by me?"
Nami's heart skipped a beat. "What!? Do you have reinforcements hidden here? How many did you bring?"
"Mmhm…" Robin chuckled softly, then shook her head. "Relax. It's only a joke. I came alone."
"You knew this was a trap, and still you came by yourself?" Erza's eyes narrowed, suspicion sharp in her voice.
Robin's gaze met hers, steady and calm. "Because I was curious. Curious about the legendary Fairy Tail… and about your president."
"How convenient," a calm voice echoed as the doors creaked open. Sugisawa Yuuto stepped into the room, unhurried, and stopped directly before Robin. "I was just about to have a chat with you myself, Miss Robin."
Robin's eyes lit with intrigue. "So this is President Sugisawa Yuuto. Seeing you in person… you're even more impressive than the reports."
"There's no need for flattery," Yuuto said plainly. "Let's get straight to the point. Ms. Robin, have you ever considered changing sides? Why not join Fairy Tail?"
The room froze.
The shock was immediate.
"President—what are you saying!?"
"This isn't the plan at all!"
"Why would you invite her!?"
"She's the second-in-command of the enemy organization!"
Nami, Erza, Juvia, and the others all burst out in protest.
Mirajane frowned at first but quickly relaxed, realization dawning on her. She discreetly gestured to Erza and the others.
"I understand," Erza murmured, catching on. The others did too, settling down.
They realized what Mirajane had—that forcing Robin into submission by strength alone would never work. Winning her heart, her loyalty, was the true strategy.
If Robin could be convinced to join them, they would gain an invaluable ally. With her cooperation from the inside, Baroque Works could be dismantled in one decisive strike.
"As expected of the president…" the girls thought in unison, admiration filling their hearts.
Had Yuuto known what they were imagining, he would have been utterly baffled. In truth, he hadn't thought so deeply about schemes or strategies.
His reason for inviting Robin was simple.
Because she was one of the "main characters" in this world. Because she was capable, intelligent, and resourceful. A strong, elder-sister figure who would bring balance and order to Fairy Tail.
And—there was something else.
In this pirate world, one unavoidable truth loomed before him: the Poneglyphs.
Sugisawa Yuuto didn't care about becoming Pirate King, nor about the throne or titles. But… the final island, Raftel, and the treasure Roger had named before his death—the "One Piece"—that stirred his curiosity.
If he wanted to reach the end of the Grand Line, Nico Robin—the one person who could read the ancient stones—was absolutely indispensable.