Robin and King Cobra stood before a massive stone tablet, tall and weathered by time.
Robin's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"It's a poneglyph! What's written on it is…"
She leaned in and carefully read the ancient inscriptions.
"…"
Moments later, she stepped back, visibly disappointed.
"It's just the location of Pluton…"
Crocodile had been obsessed with uncovering information about the Ancient Weapon Pluton. But Robin's true interest lay in uncovering the secrets of the Void Century.
King Cobra, pinned to the ground by arms sprouting from behind him, asked tentatively, "Did you understand what it says?"
Robin remained thoughtful. "King Cobra… is this the only poneglyph in your kingdom? Are there no others?"
Cobra nodded sincerely. "This is the only poneglyph we have guarded for generations. There is no second."
"Guarded, huh…" Robin sighed deeply.
Thump, thump…
Footsteps echoed through the stone corridor behind them.
A sneering voice followed.
"Kuhahahaha… So this is the royal secret of Alabasta, hidden for centuries? What a pain it was to find it!"
It was Crocodile's voice.
He had arrived too quickly. Had the Straw Hats been defeated?
Robin had planned to leave immediately, but now, with Crocodile arriving sooner than expected, her plan was disrupted.
She turned, watching as Crocodile stepped from the shadows.
"You're fast."
Crocodile chuckled darkly. "Did I interrupt your escape plan?"
"Escape? I wouldn't dream of it."
But as he stepped into the light, Robin's expression shifted slightly.
"Your clothes…"
This Crocodile was dressed entirely differently.
"Strange, isn't it?" he said, grinning.
Then, with a snap of his fingers, his features began to shift—face, height, even his build—until the figure standing before them was none other than Shirogai Yamikuro.
He smiled at Robin's stunned expression.
"Just joking, Miss Robin. Surely you don't mind?"
Robin studied him closely and replied with a composed smile, "So it's The Plunderer. Using Bon Clay's Clone-Clone Fruit ability, I presume? Impressive."
Cobra, who had tensed when "Crocodile" appeared, finally relaxed. Realizing it was Shirogai, he no longer feared for his life—or the need to activate the tomb's defensive mechanisms.
Shirogai turned to the poneglyph.
"This is it?" he asked, smiling.
"Miss Robin, would you be so kind as to translate it for me?"
Robin nodded and began reading aloud.
"It says: In the 239th year of the Celestial Era, Casira conquered Alabasta. In the 260th year, Peter was ruled by Dima. In the 306th year, Elmar completed…"
In the corner, Cobra's face twisted in confusion. This wasn't the history passed down by his ancestors.
Shirogai studied the tablet.
"So, this poneglyph records Alabasta's royal history—not information about Pluton or its location. Looks like Crocodile's efforts were wasted."
Robin nodded, her tone casual. "Indeed, his plan has failed."
Shirogai sighed. "What a shame…"
"My business here is done. I'll be leaving."
Robin turned to go but paused when Shirogai recited aloud:
"One day in the future, its purpose will be revealed again…"
Robin's foot stopped in mid-air.
"…Therefore, we temporarily bury it in Wano Country…"
Her eyes widened.
That line was part of the poneglyph.
"You!"
She turned sharply toward Shirogai, astonished. "You can read the poneglyphs?!"
"Heh…"
Shirogai smiled.
"Miss Robin, tell me if I translated anything incorrectly."
"But how?! Only the archaeologists of Ohara could read the ancient text!"
Robin's breath hitched. Her chest rose and fell as she struggled to process the revelation.
"Don't be so shocked, Miss Robin…" Shirogai began, but then paused.
He raised his hand slightly, fingers curling as if gripping invisible threads.
After a few moments, he turned to Cobra and said calmly, "Let's talk later. We should leave now. The final act is about to begin, and you're a crucial piece in it, Cobra-sama."
He approached the king.
"Wait! Treinta Fleurs: Clutch—!"
Robin quickly made the Flower-Flower hand gesture to restrain him.
But before she could complete the attack, Shirogai snapped his fingers and smirked:
"Twin Bloom: Crimson Bind."
Whoosh!
Two scaled, crimson arms sprouted from Robin's waist and clamped down on her wrists with overwhelming force.
She gasped. "Huh!"
She struggled, but the grip was unyielding.
These weren't her own arms. They weren't even human.
She was stunned.
She'd seen Shirogai use the Flower-Flower Fruit back on the Going Merry. But now, she realized—this wasn't her ability at all.
Her duplicated limbs always mirrored her own body.
But these arms…
They were something entirely different.
Shirogai helped Cobra to his feet and gave Robin a knowing look.
"Miss Robin… Don't forget, I know the Flower-Flower Fruit's ability too."
"Is this… really the same power?" Robin whispered in disbelief.
She stared at the arms holding her. Then, softly smiled.
"This is the first time I've felt restrained by my own ability…"
Shirogai tilted his head.
"With Baroque Works about to collapse, you'll be out of a job soon. If you haven't decided where to go…"
He gave a half-smile.
"Why not consider sailing with us?"
Robin looked surprised.
"Are you… inviting me to join the Straw Hat Pirates?"
"I'm only the Vice Captain," he replied coolly. "It's the Captain who decides who gets to join. But I think he'll welcome a talented archaeologist like yourself."
Robin smiled bitterly.
"If I board your ship… I'll bring danger to all of you."
"I know," Shirogai said without hesitation.
"CP9, CP0, Marine Headquarters, even all three Admirals might chase you."
"…"
Cobra's eyes widened.
Who was this woman to warrant such pursuit?
Robin stared at Shirogai.
"…You really do understand the risks."
As he passed her, supporting the king, Shirogai leaned in and whispered:
"Believe me—if that happens, we won't be the ones in danger."
He walked toward the corridor, his voice echoing behind him:
"Miss Robin, we'll talk again once we're aboard the ship!"
Robin stood silently.
His power… she'd felt it before.
But this man's confidence. It wasn't arrogance. It was certainty.
After he disappeared, the arms restraining her vanished.
Two crimson, scale-patterned petals drifted through the air, settling into the dust of the tomb.
Robin smiled.
"What a terrifying ability… truly worthy of the name "Plunderer."
She turned her gaze to the poneglyph that spoke of Pluton and let out a soft sigh.
All she wanted was the truth behind the Void Century… but too many enemies stood in her path.
In twenty years of betrayal, she had learned to betray others first.
She was no longer the naive girl she once was—now a masterful, calculating spy.
Could someone like her… really be invited onto a ship again?
As she walked down the shadowed corridor, a bitter smile crossed her lips—tinged with the smallest trace of hope.
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