A flicker of as expected passed through Robin's mind.
She smiled gently.
"My value isn't in direct combat."
As she spoke, a small bloom opened across the captain's desk. From the wood sprouted an ear… and then an eye.
"I can gather information," she continued calmly. "My ability is well suited for intelligence work. I'm confident that my usefulness outweighs the risk my bounty brings. Please allow me to join."
She deliberately adopted the expression of a young girl whose fate rested in someone else's hands.
At the same time, her peripheral vision remained fixed on Louis.
If he truly intends to seize control through conspiracy… this is where he becomes anxious. My intelligence ability would threaten any hidden plan. He should now emphasize my danger—or even question my motives outright.
Louis stared at the eye and ear growing from the table.
His nose nearly twisted in irritation.
Why won't this sticky candy just fall off already?!
He couldn't hold back.
"Captain," he said sharply, raising his voice despite himself, "if she can grow an ear, she can grow a hand. If she can gather intelligence, she can assassinate someone!"
He pressed forward.
"She claims she's weak—but does that make it true? And she just conveniently shows up asking to join? That kind of Devil Fruit ability… what if she turns it on you? Captain, I'm saying this for your sake. We absolutely cannot take her in!"
Direct hit.
Robin's eyes gleamed faintly with satisfaction.
She masked it instantly, adopting an indignant yet restrained look.
"Captain," she said softly, "until I prove my loyalty, you may assign your most trusted, most capable subordinate to supervise me."
Louis froze.
Most trusted… most capable…
That was—
Him.
Isn't that just me?!
If he watched her, she would also be watching him.
If the World Government came after her and he tried to run, he'd be stuck under her gaze.
That would be a disaster.
Robin calmly completed her internal deduction.
Now he should fall silent. Without strong justification, pressing further would expose him. He must cut his losses—maintain the appearance of loyalty to the crew while avoiding being assigned to monitor me.
Louis noticed the change in Captain Medica's expression.
The captain was tempted.
Stopping Robin from boarding was becoming increasingly difficult.
So he needed damage control.
If Robin joined, the Tequila Pirates were doomed. But whatever happened, he could not be the one assigned to keep watch over Nico Robin.
Otherwise, when the Marines—or worse—arrived, he wouldn't even have the option of fleeing.
He had been forced into piracy.
He had earned his current position through competence and risk.
Still… after three years together, perhaps he could give the captain one final piece of advice.
When we dock later, I'll quietly purchase a few extra lifeboats for him. And some rum. Leave them stocked just in case.
Food wasn't a problem. Aside from Robin, no one on the ship possessed a Devil Fruit. They could fish.
On the run, no one needed luxury.
Rum and raw fish were survival enough.
With that decided, Louis lowered his voice.
"Well… since she's willing to accept supervision, her loyalty can be ensured. In that case, perhaps we should take her in. Trust those you employ; don't employ those you distrust. If you assign me to watch her, won't that just breed resentment?"
Robin nearly laughed.
The pleasure of seeing through someone was intoxicating. In her long life on the run, such moments of clarity were rare luxuries.
After the brief thrill passed, she felt oddly reassured.
A man she could completely predict was, in a sense, safe.
She had already labeled him: an ambitious subordinate with thoughts of usurpation.
No proof—but if ambition existed, he could eventually become useful.
Captain Medica considered the situation.
Bardell's reasoning wasn't without merit.
At that moment, Robin cast a subtle glance at Louis and mused privately:
Very well, Captain. I'll let you live a few more days. Consider it payment for passage.
She had decided.
During the voyage, she would keep an eye on Louis Bardell—the supposed schemer.
If she openly admitted she was merely hitching a ride, he wouldn't dare act against her. Temporary confinement was a small price for someone of her "importance."
Besides—
With the Hana Hana no Mi, solid combat ability, and superior observational skill, her own safety was assured. Even under supervision, she could vanish whenever she pleased.
And she admitted it.
Now that she had some capacity for self-preservation, she indulged in small amusements.
Life required entertainment.
Otherwise, the combined pressure of the World Government and the Marines would have crushed her long ago.
Convinced she could keep Louis in the palm of her hand, Robin adopted a serious tone.
"Captain Medica, I have modest navigational knowledge. I'm also familiar with the sea routes of West Blue."
Several arms bloomed from the desk.
With elegant precision, she drew a detailed map of West Blue.
She marked reefs.
Seasonal winds.
Island clusters.
Local specialties.
Everything was exact.
Louis and Captain Medica stared in stunned silence.
This wasn't "modest knowledge."
This was leagues beyond the crew's current navigator.
If this counted as "a little," what were they? Illiterate?
Louis and Medica exchanged a glance.
Both saw the same confusion in the other's eyes.
Robin finished the final stroke.
"I'm sixteen. I can handle anything. Please allow me to join the Tequila Pirates."
Captain Medica had been holding himself back.
That restraint shattered instantly.
She might claim her expertise was limited to West Blue—
But she was a navigator.
And expansion required ships.
Ships required navigators.
As for loyalty?
She had already provided the solution herself.
Assign a trusted subordinate to supervise her.
Yes.
Supervise.
Not monitor.
Of course not.
Merely… ensure Miss Robin felt at home aboard the Tequila Pirates.