Regarding Robin's skin color, according to her own words, she did get a bit tanned during her years in Alabasta. However, if she moves to a different environment — like a snowy, icy place — her skin gradually becomes fairer again.
This raised another question: Why is Vivi, who's also lived in Alabasta, still so fair-skinned?
After some thought, Su Xiaoqi figured it's probably because Vivi grew up in the palace, rarely exposed to sunlight.
"Robin, now that you've officially joined the Straw Hat Pirates, it's time to tell you some secrets about us."
Su Xiaoqi then revealed the truth about the chat group to Robin. Since she would eventually learn the secrets once aboard Luffy's ship, telling her now was also a way to leave some leverage after he left.
Before Vivi decided whether to join the Straw Hats, Robin was Su Xiaoqi's best planted spy beside Nami — he planned to keep using her to mess with Nami.
However, Su Xiaoqi was surprised that Robin didn't say a word after hearing all the truths — she just kept looking at him intently, which made him a little uneasy.
"Hey, can you stop staring at me like that? People might think I've done something to you."
Robin smiled, "You went through all that trouble for me, and then told me these things. So, what do you want me to do in return?"
"Straightforward."
Su Xiaoqi laughed and told her the tasks she'd need to do. He added, "Don't worry, I won't let you do it for nothing. If you ever have problems, I'll help you solve them."
Vivi laughed, "Why are you still messing with Nami? She's had enough trouble already. I bet the Navy's bounty on her is pretty high now."
"That woman is too arrogant, someone has to stand up for justice," Su Xiaoqi sighed and looked at Vivi. "But if you join the Straw Hats, I'll be even more at ease. You're the person I trust most in the pirate world."
Hearing that, Vivi felt her heart warm and smiled sweetly at Su Xiaoqi, "I'll tell you my answer tonight."
Robin looked thoughtfully at the two, suddenly hatching a sly plan — if she secretly teamed up with Nami later to trick these two, it'd be much more interesting. For now…
"I accept your conditions, consider it repayment for the information you gave me."
Su Xiaoqi nodded approvingly, "Pleasure doing business with you. If anyone asks, just say you joined after I beat you up. And keep your distance from me — or Nami might get suspicious."
Robin twitched her eye corner, "Your personality is truly horrible."
"Thanks for the compliment." Su Xiaoqi smiled and turned to Vivi, "Let's go check on Luffy's situation. Once everything's settled, you'll help with the cleanup."
When Su Xiaoqi, Vivi, and Robin reached the ground, Luffy's battle with Crocodile was entering its final phase. To Su Xiaoqi's surprise, Luffy had somehow already developed Gear Second — something Su Xiaoqi hadn't seen him use during training.
Relying on Gear Second and his flowing blood, Luffy successfully suppressed Crocodile's Devil Fruit power and defeated him.
Su Xiaoqi looked at the two lying on the ground and said, "Vivi, Robin, take Luffy to the palace to treat his injuries. I have some things to handle."
Vivi obeyed without question, fully supporting Su Xiaoqi no matter what. Robin opened her mouth, probably guessing what Su Xiaoqi was about to do, but didn't ask.
She was now part of the Straw Hats. Baroque Works had nothing to do with her anymore. Her relationship with Crocodile was one of mutual use — no feelings involved.
After Vivi and Robin left with Luffy, Su Xiaoqi killed the unconscious Crocodile on the spot. He wasn't like Luffy, who just defeated enemies or sent them flying.
For those who would definitely become his future enemies, he cut them off without hesitation, just like he had eliminated the Shrek Academy members before.
Saiyans like Kakarot were exceptions; most Saiyans, including himself, had a ruthless and cold side.
After finishing with Crocodile, Su Xiaoqi flew to other battlefields to check on things. Any surviving Baroque Works cadres were swiftly dealt with.
---
After that, Su Xiaoqi didn't bother with the Kingdom Guard Army or the Navy gathered at the palace gate — Cobra would take care of them. He headed straight to the rendezvous point with Lu Linglong.
What puzzled Su Xiaoqi was that although he had wiped out Baroque Works, the mission completion notification hadn't appeared.
After thinking for a long time with no answer, he gave up. Staying here a little longer wasn't bad: he could spend some extra time with Zhu Zhuqing and he was reluctant to leave Vivi.
After these days together, Su Xiaoqi realized he might have started to like this gentle, kind, and understanding little princess.
Compared to the hot-tempered Nami, Vivi was far better in every way.
Before anything else, he wanted to ask his big cat (Zhu Zhuqing) how she felt — though Zhu Zhuqing had said she wouldn't interfere if he found another woman, he still wanted to respect her.
Of course, it ultimately depended on Vivi's feelings. If she didn't like him, it was all for nothing.
---
At the meeting spot, the others were dressing Su Xiaoqi up as a Kingdom Guard soldier, with the help of Kaito Kuroba. Su Xiaoqi himself was disguised as Vivi.
They planned to return boldly to the palace led by fake Vivi, then let the real Vivi make a speech to the entire kingdom — perfectly wrapping up everything.
---
"Hey Kaito, Chopper, why are your faces so swollen?"
"Linglong, why the pout? Who bullied you?"
Kaito and Chopper dared not answer. Linglong looked pitiful and said, "Su Xiaoqi, I sacrificed a lot this time. If you don't help me get first place in the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, I'll never forgive you."
Su Xiaoqi whispered, "She didn't hit you too, did she?"
Linglong shook her head, "No, but I lost a lot of 'blood'."
Su Xiaoqi's eyes widened with a strange look, "You got your period?"
"Just started!" Linglong snapped. Then grimaced:
"She said I'm the third mastermind and owe her 50,000 points in emotional compensation, payable within one month. After that, it adds 1% interest daily."
"Zhuqing and Sansan were involved too, but they're fine. Why only me?"
"Obviously because you played the hardest." Su Xiaoqi thought but whispered, "You're so dumb, just give her the points if she asks. Giving her a hammer is better."
Linglong was pitiful, "At first, I thought that too, but Nami said if I don't pay back, she won't let me come play anymore. I still want to visit Skypiea, the Sabaody Archipelago, and Fishman Island."
She blinked at Su Xiaoqi, "Um, can you lend me 50,000 points first? I'll pay you back after the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony."
Su Xiaoqi patted her shoulder,
"Linglong, I'll give you more work at Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, so you can earn more points. As for the 50,000 points — you know I have lots of pressure supporting both old and young."
"Uh-oh, looks like Zhuqing is calling me. I gotta go. You think about it yourself, okay?"