Seeing Guts's serious expression, Nami rolled her eyes, quickly calming herself down.
That's right why was she even worried? With a monster like this guy as her captain, what was there to fear?
"Maybe it's because you don't have much of a reputation yet," Nami replied after thinking for a moment.
Ever since crossing into this pirate world, Guts often ran into these strange little experiences people looking down on him as if he were just some random nobody.
It felt… odd. Back in the shinobi world of Naruto, he'd never once experienced something like this.
When Nami said that, Guts couldn't help but fall into memories.
From the time he was a child, he had already displayed overwhelming strength.
Naturally, there were never any of those laughable plots where some arrogant fool picked a fight just to get smacked down.
No, the wars of the ninja world didn't leave room for that.
By participating in the Second and Third Ninja World Wars, he had built up his reputation in one breath, rising straight to the peak. Being underestimated was simply impossible.
But here, in the world of One Piece, fame was measured by one thing: bounties.
And Guts, a man with neither a bounty nor reputation, was naturally dismissed with contempt.
"I thought I didn't care about fame at all," Guts muttered, raising his hands with a mock sigh.
"But I didn't expect it would cause so much trouble being without it. Guess I was born to be an 'ordinary' man who doesn't know how the world works~~"
"…"
Nami was left speechless. This was the same man who had just defeated Garp and now he had the gall to spout something so shameless?
Robin, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow slightly. It was the first time she had ever met someone so casually ignorant of her presence.
She had originally come to Whisky Peak after hearing rumors that Marine Hero Garp had passed through not long ago.
Who wasn't afraid of Garp's reputation?
Even if the chances were slim, Crocodile had still sent her, his vice president, Nico Robin to make sure there were no leaks. If Garp had noticed anything, that would be a disaster.
And yet, when she arrived… she found the entire town already unconscious.
Under those circumstances, naturally her suspicion fell on Guts and Nami aboard the large ship docked nearby.
Down below, the conversation between the two continued as if nothing had happened...
"So," Guts asked with all seriousness, "how does someone improve their reputation?"
In a way, Guts's situation wasn't too different from Rocks D. Xebec. Despite his overwhelming strength, he wasn't a pirate anyone knew of.
Only after making a massive scene did Rocks finally earn his first bounty.
Nami blinked thoughtfully.
"It's nothing complicated… either you defeat some powerful enemy, or you stir up chaos like Buggy by doing lawless evil."
"If you don't want a bounty on your head, the first option is definitely better."
"That's it."
Guts drew out the words in a long, exaggerated tone, pretending to have just reached enlightenment.
But before his voice had even faded...
"Then tell me," his voice suddenly whispered right behind Robin's ear like a ghost.
"Would the 'Devil's Child' with a bounty of seventy-nine million be enough?"
Robin froze, heart jolting. She spun around and there he was.
Guts sat casually atop the observation deck's wall, looking down at her with a grin that said he was staring at a walking bounty poster.
"…How do you know that name?"
Robin's disbelief forced her eyes downward. Nami was still on deck alone.
She turned back up, only to find Guts exactly where he had no business being.
Seven, eight meters up, perched atop a cannon like it was nothing.
Impossible!
How had he moved from the deck to that height in an instant?
And worse he had called out her real identity. That alone made her blood run cold.
Her instincts screamed, and before she could think, Robin activated her Hana Hana no Mi. Four arms sprouted from Guts's back, ready to break his posture
But the instant they emerged, a crushing presence washed over them. Like frightened kittens before a Dragon's roar, her arms shattered into scattered petals.
Robin's breath caught. That… that wasn't normal intimidation. It was something monstrous.
"Devil Fruit powers," Guts smirked, stepping closer until he stood eye-to-eye with her.
"In some ways, they're entertaining toys. But the woman who supposedly sank six warships at the age of seven… doesn't seem all that impressive to me."
Robin's heart gave a tremor, but twenty years in the underworld had trained her mask well.
She steadied her expression, raised her hands lightly, and forced a professional smile onto her lips.
"I didn't expect you to be this strong," she admitted smoothly.
"If possible… may I work under you instead? Truth be told, I'm not very satisfied with my current employer's benefits."
Guts studied Robin in silence for a moment... then burst out laughing.
"Really? Fine. But if you ever get the urge to betray me… make sure you're prepared to lose your life."
Robin's mature features stiffened. That sharp line hit deeper than she wanted to admit.
It was as if he could read her mind. And in a way, he had guessed her perfectly.
Ever since the age of seven, she had drifted between gangs, criminal organizations, and pirate crews.
Whenever her identity was exposed or whenever she found a stronger shelter, she abandoned the old without hesitation.
Why should she feel guilty? None of those people were good to begin with. Everything she did was simply to survive in a world this cruel.
To uncover the secrets of the Poneglyphs.
To avenge her mother.
To honor her hometown.
"If someone like you handed me over to the government for seventy-nine million Berries," Robin said calmly,
"it would be their gain… but your loss."
After all, she was the one later known as the "brains" of the Straw Hats. And when brute force failed, strategy was her greatest weapon.
Guts tilted his head, intrigued. He had no need for special techniques... he could practically hear the truth in her words. Still, he pretended ignorance, just to see where she'd take it.
"Oh?"
Robin seized the chance, her voice turning smooth, almost like a guide explaining things to a child.
"It seems you're troubled by the issue of reputation. In that case, have you considered the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"They are government-sanctioned pirates, free to plunder as they please, untouchable by Marine pursuit."
"Each one commands the strength to topple a nation. If you were to defeat even one… your fame would soar instantly, to the very top of the world."
She paused, then dipped her head respectfully.
"If you don't mind, I would be willing to guide you."
Guts chuckled, lips curling into a wide grin.
"So what you really mean… is that while I'm fighting a Warlord, you'd use that moment to run for your life."
The casual way he said it sent a chill through Robin's spine. For a moment, her mask nearly cracked.
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