She didn't disappoint me after all."
Robin's smile softened as she watched the cheerful chaos on deck, her once-tense posture now completely relaxed.
"This is truly an interesting pirate crew."
The energy on deck eventually began to settle.
"Luffy, come here for a moment."
Shirogai straightened the collar Sanji had wrinkled earlier and, smiling, guided the confused captain over to Robin.
Luffy blinked curiously at Robin.
"I think I saw you in Vivi's palace! You were with Crocodile… and on the Going Merry before too, right?"
"That's right," Shirogai nodded. "She's Nico Robin, former vice-president of Baroque Works—you defeated her. But she's left that organization, so she's not our enemy anymore."
Facing Robin, he smiled at Luffy's puzzled look.
"She's an archaeologist who's read countless ancient texts. I believe our journey will benefit from someone who can understand history, so I invited her to join us."
Robin gave Luffy a calm, courteous smile.
"Straw Hat Luffy, Captain. May I join you and become your comrade?"
"An archaeologist?" Luffy tilted his head, squinting. "Can archaeologists shoot lasers from their eyes?"
Robin laughed gently.
"No, they can't."
"Then can they shoot lasers from their mouths?"
Robin smiled again and shook her head.
"Nope."
Luffy's shoulders slumped. "Tch, archaeologists sound boring!"
Who the hell taught him that obsession with lasers?
Shirogai chuckled internally. Don't tell me it was Kizaru?
He placed a hand on Luffy's head and said with a smirk,
"But archaeologists can read ancient documents and maybe find out if someone in the past could shoot lasers. That might help us shoot lasers too."
"WOOAHH!!! That's so cool!"
Luffy's eyes lit up like stars. "Alright then! You can join!"
"No way!" Zoro, Nami, and Usopp shouted in unison.
"Luffy! Do you even get how dangerous she is?! You can't just let her on board!"
Luffy grinned wide.
"Don't worry! Shirogai wouldn't invite someone bad. I trust him!"
Shirogai smiled at the others.
"You'll come to understand Robin's value soon. Let's all get along from now on."
"Hmph, don't be fooled, Shirogai!"
Nami glared at Robin, who lounged gracefully on a chair.
"I won't let some shady woman into my room!"
"Alright, I'm calm," Shirogai said lazily, leaning against the mast with arms folded, amused by the scene.
Nami might not understand what the "True Fragrance Law" is... but she'll find out soon enough.
Robin looked at Nami and sighed, feigning disappointment.
"That's truly unfortunate…"
Sanji, meanwhile, was already circling Robin with sparkles in his eyes.
"Robin-chaaaan! You can stay in my room tonight! I'll kick out all the unimportant people!"
The "unimportant people": Luffy, Shirogai, Zoro, Usopp, Chopper.
Zoro rolled his eyes.
"That damn love-struck kappa… you'll fall flat one day."
Nearby, Usopp nodded. "Good call, Nami! We've got to keep our guard up!"
Nami raised her chin with pride.
"Even if she fools everyone else, I won't fall for her act!"
Clink.
Robin gently set a pouch on the table. Inside, something heavy clattered.
"Oh right, I almost forgot."
Resting her chin on one hand, she smiled.
"I brought some of Crocodile's gems with me. I wonder what to do with them?"
Usopp stiffened.
No… that sentence—it hit Nami's weak spot!
Sure enough, Nami's eyes lit up like gold coins, locking onto the pouch like a predator.
"GEMS?! I LOVE YOU, BIG SIS!"
"Hey! Nami! Where's that fiery resolve from five seconds ago?!"
Usopp gawked as Nami practically glued herself to Robin.
"Big sis Robin! You absolutely must sleep in our girls' quarters! Want a warm bed too?"
Robin chuckled, handing the pouch over.
"No need. I only need a small space.
Oh, and I also know the location of several other hidden treasure caches from Crocodile's network overseas."
"EEEE!!"
Nami clung to Robin with sparkling eyes.
"Let's become sworn sisters! Please take me to those places! I'll carry your bag!"
Treasure? Nami was completely gone.
Shirogai smiled as he watched the power of the "True Fragrance Law" at work.
If the Marines really wanted to catch the Pirate King, they could just offer Nami a mountain of Berries.
She'd probably tie up Kaido and Big Mom herself and deliver them to Marineford.
"Zoro! That woman's dangerous! Nami's already fallen!"
Usopp whispered urgently, eyes darting back and forth.
"She's using underhanded tactics!"
Zoro's face was grim, sweat trickling down.
He'd been bled dry by Nami more than once.
And now someone could control her?
She was terrifying.
"Ah, love—it always sneaks in, like lightning from the skies…"
A dramatic voice sang out as Sanji floated down the stairs, bearing a silver tray of desserts.
"These are for you, Robin-chaaaan. Please, enjoy!"
Shirogai smirked.
As expected of Sanji.
Zoro and Usopp glared at Sanji in unified judgment.
"This guy's hopeless," Zoro muttered.
"Never had faith in him anyway," Usopp agreed.
Both looked at Shirogai, who simply waved and smiled.
"Hang in there, you two. The True Fragrance Law awaits."
"I don't get what's going on with Shirogai…"
Usopp sighed, slumping.
"He's great in battle, sure. But in daily life? He's just too chill. Totally useless when it matters!"
Zoro frowned. "Could she have drugged him or something?"
"Is that possible?!"
"Kidding. Still… she does have something strange about her."
Zoro glanced toward the deck.
Sure enough, Luffy and Chopper were laughing and dancing with extra arms sprouting from Robin's [Flower-Flower Fruit] powers.
Zoro turned serious.
"It's up to us, Usopp. We're the last line of defense."
"Yeah! Good thing we're reliable!"
"Hey, Usopp! Look!" Luffy's voice called out behind them.
"Hmph."
Usopp turned around with a scowl. "What now? You're the traitor who got fooled—"
He froze.
Two arms had sprouted from Luffy's Straw Hat, fingers fanned like Chopper's antlers.
Luffy grinned. "I am… Chopper!"
"PFFT—!!"
Usopp burst into laughter, tears flying from his eyes.
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