In the forest, the atmosphere suddenly solidified, and even the air became heavy.
The tall man in the white suit stood idly in the sunlight.
He took off his eye mask and yawned.
But the moment he looked at Robin, her heart sank abruptly.
"Ah, you've really become a clever woman, Nico Robin."
The familiar voice pierced her Soul.
Instantly pulling her thoughts back to that nightmarish childhood.
Her breathing suddenly quickened, cold sweat broke out on her forehead, and her body trembled slightly.
"How could he be here..."
Robin bit her lower lip, forcing herself to calm down.
But the fear in her eyes was impossible to hide.
She slowly spoke, her voice low and heavy:
"Among the Marines, only three hold the title of Admiral."
"Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru."
"Above them all is only Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"And one of those known as 'the World Government's highest fighting force' is him—Aokiji!"
As soon as these words were uttered, everyone gasped!
Usopp's eyes widened, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
He was almost collapsing to the ground, his voice trembling as he said:
"That... that kind of guy... why is he here?!"
"An... anyway, let's go!!!"
As he spoke, he grabbed Robin's arm, trying to pull her away.
But just then—
Aokiji's gaze suddenly shifted, landing on Nami.
"Hmm?"
Nami shivered, her hairs instantly standing on end, as if she had been targeted by a poisonous snake, a chill running through her heart.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
She forced herself to calm down, gripping her weather egg tightly, ready to fight at any moment!
However, Aokiji put on a serious expression and suddenly said blandly:
"There's also a captivating Young Miss here... Are you free tonight?"
Silence—
The air seemed to become utterly still in that instant!
Everyone was stunned!
The next second—
"Pervert!!!"
Nami's face instantly flushed red with shame and anger, and she directly swung her weather egg, ready to strike!
But Sanji was faster than her!
"What did you say?!"
Sanji's eyes instantly turned fiery, veins bulging on his face, his anger reaching its peak!
"You tall pervert! What did you just say to Miss Nami?!
Try saying it again! I'll kick your head off right now!!!"
Aokiji, however, remained in his lazy demeanor, even waving his hand and sighing helplessly.
"Oh my... I can't stand you guys..."
He yawned and said in a faint tone:
"Did you listen to what I said properly?"
"Didn't I say I was just out for a walk?"
"Besides, you guys are a bit too much, see..."
Lin Ning's brows furrowed slightly, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"What does 'a bit too much' mean?"
Luffy also caught the key phrase, frowning as he asked:
"What 'see'?"
Aokiji scratched his head, saying nonchalantly:
"Oh my... I forgot, never mind."
"Hey!!! Don't be so vague when you speak!!!"
Usopp and Sanji roared almost in unison.
Usopp pointed at Aokiji, stamping his foot in anger:
"What exactly is this guy up to?!"
He suddenly turned to Robin and asked loudly:
"Robin! Did you mistake him for someone else?! How could someone like this be a Marine Admiral?!"
However, before Usopp could finish speaking—
"Slap—!"
Lin Ning slapped the back of Usopp's head!
"I told you to learn Observation Haki properly, but you wouldn't listen!"
Usopp squatted down, holding his head, complaining with a wronged expression:
"Why did you hit me?!"
But at this moment, no one was in the mood to heed his complaints anymore.
Everyone stared intently at the man before them, their hearts racing, their hairs standing on end—
This was Marine Admiral—Aokiji!
One of the World Government's highest fighting forces!
His appearance here was definitely no coincidence!!!
The atmosphere in the forest remained tense, but Aokiji's demeanor showed no tension at all.
He shrugged lazily, sighing softly:
"Hey, hey, how can you look at people like that? That's not very polite."
His tone was like a casual conversation between old friends, completely lacking the authority an Admiral should possess.
Then, he leaned lazily against a rock and continued:
"My principle as a Marine is 'Lazy Justice.'"
Usopp and Sanji exchanged glances and exclaimed:
"It's exactly like your appearance!!!"
Sanji grumbled speechlessly:
"Is there really a form of justice that fits one's personality so perfectly in this world?!"
Aokiji was too lazy to explain, he yawned, rubbed his neck, and suddenly said:
"Anyway... oh, sorry, I'm a bit tired of standing."
With that, he actually lay down directly in front of everyone, resting his head on his arm, casually lying on his side.
Nami's forehead veins bulged, looking at him in disbelief.
"Hey, hey, weren't you just sleeping while standing?!"
Aokiji blinked, saying with a matter-of-fact expression:
"Isn't that normal? People always get lazier and lazier."
Nami: "..."
Everyone: "..."
Is this guy... really a Marine Admiral?!
But Aokiji then sobered his joking expression and slowly spoke:
"I'll be direct."
"I'm not here to capture you, so you can relax."
As soon as he said this, the tension in everyone's hearts eased slightly.
However, before they could fully relax.
Aokiji's next words made their nerves tense up again—
"But... I still need to confirm one thing."
His gaze shifted slightly, falling on Robin.
Robin's heart tightened, her fingertips trembled slightly, but she still tried to remain calm, looking at Aokiji with sharp eyes.
Aokiji continued:
"Nico Robin, who disappeared after the Alabasta incident, I just came to confirm her whereabouts."
"Sure enough... as expected, she is indeed with you."
Robin's eyes instantly became even more terrified, but she didn't respond.
Sanji snorted coldly:
"Tch, this guy, still as lazy as ever."
Usopp swallowed, staring at Aokiji, gritting his teeth:
"But... but then again.
Does his attitude of completely disregarding people also count as an Admiral's demeanor?"
Aokiji ignored them, instead stretching lazily and saying to himself:
"Well, anyway, I still need to write a report for headquarters."
"After adding Nico Robin, your Straw Hat's total bounty will change again."
Everyone was slightly startled, all staring at Aokiji, waiting for his next words.
Aokiji narrowed his eyes, casually counting on his fingers, muttering:
"Two 300 million, one 200 million... plus 79 million... uh..."
He paused, then suddenly showed a confused expression, scratching his head lazily:
"Oh my... never mind, I don't know, well, I'll calculate it later."
"..."
Zoro's temple veins throbbed, and he said with a grim expression:
"Hey, calculate it properly for me!!!"
Aokiji: "..."