"Because I've never left here."
Soran looked at Robin. "Are you a traveler, Miss?"
Robin smiled. "I'm a traveler by ship."
"A big ship? What island did you come from?"
Her eyes lit up like stars. She had so many questions.
But then, a bell rang. The light in Soran's eyes dimmed.
She had to go to work.
"Never-ending work?"
Watching Soran leave, Robin murmured.
She exhaled, her breath a puff of steam.
So much had happened on the Sabaody Archipelago. Her crewmates had disappeared one after another. She didn't know where they were.
In this attic, safe from the blizzard, Robin rested.
But the peace didn't last.
Someone had told the authorities she was there.
The kingdom's guards came for her. The so-called guards had themselves been sent here, as laborers.
"You, outsider! Work! Don't resist!"
"Not a chance."
They were not very strong.
Her Hana Hana no Mi easily stopped the ones who came first.
But when she went outside, and saw the hellish landscape of the bridge, her heart sank.
CRACK!
A whip cut the freezing air.
A man in a guard's uniform was whipping a worker. The man was thin as a skeleton, carrying heavy materials. The whip left a bloody mark on his back.
"Faster! You lazy pigs! Don't waste time!"
The guard bellowed.
As if sensing something, he looked up. He saw Robin, standing on a bridge pillar, looking down at him.
Her eyes were cold. And angry.
"That is not acceptable behavior."
Her voice was not loud, but it was clear.
Other guards gathered.
They had guns.
Guns meant absolute authority. They were why the weapons trade was so good.
But to Robin, they were scrap.
"Sanjū Rō Hanazono: Kōsatsu!"
Arms grew from the guards' bodies. The arms broke their guns. Locked their joints. They fell to the ground.
But there were more guards than she expected.
And they were strong. They had to be, to survive here.
She was getting tired.
Then, a figure appeared.
"Ah. An unexpected encounter. We must act."
A young man in a hat, carrying a metal pipe, nodded to Robin.
He was fast. Strong.
The guards were like paper before him. He knocked them down.
"Strong."
Robin was surprised.
Who would be here, in the East Blue?
A small woman with orange hair ran to Robin. She handed her a thick sweater. "Are you okay? This will keep you warm."
"Thank you."
Robin put it on.
"My name is Koala."
She pointed at the man, who had finished with the guards. "That's Sabo. He's the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army."
"Revolutionaries?"
Robin was surprised. "Why are you here?"
Koala looked at the people around them. Some still worked, numbly. Some watched from the shadows, afraid, but hopeful.
"This country. This bridge. It represents oppression. Slavery. It needs to be liberated. We were planning an operation. We didn't expect to find you here."
Koala looked at Robin.
Robin was even more surprised. "You know me?"
Koala nodded, smiling. "Nico Robin. Archaeologist of the Straw Hat crew. The 'Devil's Child.' Our leader, Dragon, has said you are someone who can change the world."
Someone who can change the world?
The leader of the Revolutionaries knew about Ohara. About the Poneglyphs.
"We just spoke to him. He wants to see you."
"He wants to see me?"
Robin was moved.
At Water 7, Luffy had told her about Dragon. Luffy's father.
She was wary of these Revolutionaries. But knowing the leader was Luffy's father, she felt a little better.
The man called the world's worst criminal wanted to see her, the woman who could read Poneglyphs. What did he want?
Did he know about her and Luffy?
She looked at Soran, who was watching from a distance. The girl wanted to see the outside world.
After a moment, Robin looked at Koala and smiled. "I understand. I will go with you. But,"
She pointed at Soran. "Can she come?"
Koala looked at Soran's kind eyes. "Of course."
...
Meanwhile.
Marine Headquarters. Marineford.
With the arrival of elite Marines from around the world, and the news that the surveillance network on the Whitebeard Pirates was gone, the atmosphere was tense. Like an arrow on a bowstring.
Warships docked.
Famous Marine officers came ashore. They would be the center of the world's attention.
The powerful forces of the Marines, in the name of justice, gathered here.
"All the big names in the Marines are here."
Smoker, two cigars in his mouth, blew out smoke. Tashigi was with him.
Only the best were here.
He noticed a group of female soldiers. All walked in perfect time.
The leader was an old woman. Her hair was white. Her face kind.
Her steps were steady. Her eyes were wise and kind.
Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Smoker. You're here, too."
"Vice Admiral Tsuru."
Smoker, who didn't respect many people, showed respect to her.
She was the Marine Headquarters' Chief of Staff. She had sent Smoker to the East Blue. Even Garp acted respectfully around her.
With her was another woman.
Long black hair. A mole on her chin. She wore a short pink jacket. A sword called Konpira was at her waist. On her leg was a tattoo of a spider.
Vice Admiral Gion. Candidate for Admiral. Codename: Momousagi.
"So, you've fought with Vice Admiral Garp's grandson?"
Gion asked Smoker. "Is he as strong as they say?"
She was curious.
The news about the Straw Hat crew kept getting stranger.
The Sabaody incident was being hidden, but the top Marines knew the truth.
This young pirate, who had fought with Garp and an Admiral, interested her.
Smoker's mouth twitched. He blew out smoke. "Yes. He's a monster."
At Water 7, Luffy had nearly defeated him with one punch.
"A monster who can fight Admirals?"
Gion touched her sword. Her eyes flashed. "I'd like to meet this grandson of Garp."
Smoker changed the subject. "I heard you have a Devil Fruit. Are you going to eat it?"
She frowned. "It's... unusual. The power is strange. I'm not sure if it's right for me."
She didn't want to talk about it.
Ahead, some officers were talking about the Warlords.
"All of them, except Boa Hancock, are gathering at Mary Geise."
Almost all of them would be there.
Would the war begin?
Four days later.
The Navy ship arrived at Impel Down.
Ahead, through the Gate of Justice, a tower appeared on the horizon.
"So. This is it," Hancock murmured.
Warships surrounded the prison. Even from a distance, the pressure could be felt.
The war was near.
Hancock stood at the bow. The wind blew her cloak.
Under her cloak, Luffy was wrapped around her. Hiding.
The ship docked.
Vice Admiral Momonga disembarked.
Waiting for him were Vice Warden Hannyabal. And Chief Guard Domino.
Hannyabal was distinctive.
Bare-chested. A swollen stomach. Protruding brow. Fake beard. A turban. Hair sticking out from the sides.
He shook Momonga's hand.
"Welcome to my prison. Ah... no."
"I am Hannyabal. Vice Warden! This is Chief Guard Domino! Welcome, Empress Hancock. Vice Admiral Momonga. To Impel Down!"
Domino was a blonde woman. She wore brown sunglasses. A tight uniform.
A Warlord visiting at such a sensitive time. Especially Hancock, known for her beauty and stubbornness. They treated her with great respect.
The guards, despite their training, could not resist her.
No one could.
"Orders have been given,"
Momonga said. "Where is Warden Magellan?"
"I'm sorry. He is in his office. Level 4. Blazing Hell."
They all knew why. The Doku Doku no Mi user was probably, again, in the bathroom.
"I see." Momonga said nothing.
"I will guide you. Domino, also. We will go to the Warden. Level 4. Come."
Then Domino spoke. "There are rules. Everyone must be searched."
She looked at Momonga. Then at Hancock.
"The coat, Empress Hancock. Please remove it."
Hancock's heart tightened.
Everyone was searched. Even the Vice Admiral.
It was why Impel Down was said to be inescapable. There were no exceptions.
"Also, these are Kairoseki," Domino said, holding up handcuffs. "Please wear them."
Luffy, hidden, tensed.
They had infiltrated. But he didn't want Hancock to get in trouble.
He couldn't let the Navy know she had helped him.
As Domino moved closer, Hancock looked at her, shyly. "Be gentle."
The professional Domino's eyes turned into hearts.
"Mero Mero Mellow!"
In an instant, Domino and the telephoto Den Den Mushi behind her were both turned to stone.
The room was silent.
Hancock quickly freed Luffy.
He landed on the floor, silent, looking at the stone Domino and Den Den Mushi.
"I can take you no further."
Hancock looked at him. "I must wear those cuffs. They will take the coat. I cannot hide you. I wish I could do more."
"It's enough, Hancock. I couldn't have gotten here without you."
He had sensed the situation outside with his Kenbunshoku Haki. Many warships. Strong presences.
Attacking from the outside would be difficult.
The only way was from the inside.
Now, it was his time.
***
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