Chapter 103: At Your Service
Though still a new member of Baroque Works, Vivi held a high position due to her strong professional skills and was well aware of the headquarters' location.
Led by her, the two quickly arrived at Rain Dinners, the heart of Rainbase and Alabasta's largest casino.
While Baroque Works couldn't rival organizations like the Donquixote Family in sheer power, it was nonetheless a massive, transoceanic criminal syndicate operating across the four seas and the first half of the Grand Line. It boasted a large staff and numerous elite personnel.
Consequently, its headquarters was luxurious, a sight unmatched by ordinary underground organizations.
Guards were stationed throughout the entire building, but with Vivi leading the way, no one questioned them. Perhaps, given Baroque Works' strength, they weren't afraid of infiltration—they were simply confident in their security.
The two walked through several corridors and around numerous corners before arriving at a large hall.
Several figures sat on sofas in the hall, each radiating a cold aura—clearly Baroque Works agents.
At that moment, a female voice, tinged with sarcasm, rang out.
"Well, well, isn't that the intern Miss Wednesday? How surprising that the Black Dragon didn't kill you."
Vivi glanced over, her brow furrowing as she whispered to Rhodes, "That's Miss Doublefinger. She loves to look down on us interns."
"No, no, no, I'm not looking down on interns. I'm just targeting you specifically."
Miss Doublefinger slowly approached and said in a very cold tone, "The weak have no right to survive in this world, and you're pathetically weak."
"Yes, senpai."
Vivi subconsciously remained respectful, lowering her head and not daring to argue back.
Miss Doublefinger nodded with a hint of satisfaction. She glanced at Rhodes and was slightly startled, feeling a sense of familiarity, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
"Who is this..."
"I came back this time to recommend him to join the organization as my partner," Vivi said quickly.
Baroque Works followed the principle of pairing male and female agents together for optimal efficiency. Miss Doublefinger's partner was Mr. 1, Baroque Works' most powerful agent.
"Partner?"
Miss Doublefinger asked dismissively.
Partners were usually equally skilled, and Vivi's strength was obvious to everyone. This must be another weakling. She lost interest and slowly walked away.
Vivi breathed a sigh of relief.
Rhodes, however, didn't mind, even finding it somewhat amusing. As expected, the narrower one's perspective, the more likely they were to develop such peculiar attitudes.
A truly powerful person never despises the weak; their gaze is always fixed on what lies ahead.
While contemplating this, the two arrived outside a room.
Vivi knocked on the door, and a pleasant voice, familiar to Rhodes, echoed from within.
"Come in."
Vivi opened the door, and they entered.
They were greeted by a woman in business attire sitting behind her desk. Without even looking up, she said, "What do you need?"
Vivi didn't reply, but locked the door behind her.
The crisp click of the lock echoed through the room.
Robin, who had been somewhat languid, suddenly sharpened her gaze, realizing the situation wasn't ordinary. She decisively activated her ability and reached for the distress signal.
But at that moment, a cold voice suddenly rang out from behind:
"You'd better not move, Nico Robin."
Feeling the gentle touch of a hand on her neck, Robin's expression froze. She stiffly raised her head, not even daring to look back. Maintaining her composure, she said, "Who are you? Baroque Works' operations have nothing to do with me. I'm just a part-time employee here."
"I can take you to see the boss. Please don't make this difficult for me."
Faced with an unknown and formidable enemy, Robin almost immediately surrendered.
"Tsk tsk."
Rhodes said, feeling the slight trembling of her tense body beneath his palm. He couldn't help but smile slyly. "Stand up," he ordered.
Robin obediently stood up.
Robin was probably twenty-seven this year, in the prime of her womanhood, having reached near-perfect development in every aspect. Her form-fitting business outfit perfectly accentuated her voluptuous figure, showcasing the alluring charm of a mature woman.
Rhodes, however, felt somewhat frustrated.
Robin, in her high heels, stood over 1.9 meters tall, significantly taller than him.
Feeling somewhat annoyed, Rhodes's actions were naturally less than gentlemanly. He patted Robin's hip, motioning her away from the desk.
The desk probably had some kind of alarm system, and Rhodes didn't want to trigger it just yet.
Having escaped Rhodes's immediate vicinity, Robin finally found her opportunity.
With a sudden leap, she spun gracefully, crossed her arms, and suddenly activated her power.
"Treinta Fleur..."
Silently, three or four pairs of arms sprouted from Rhodes's body, attempting to twist his neck and arms, trying to bend them forcefully.
But no matter how hard those arms strained, they couldn't move Rhodes's body even slightly—like an ant trying to shake a tree, completely overestimating its own strength.
"The power of the Hana Hana no Mi?"
Rhodes reached out and pinched the arms on his shoulders, surprised to find that the touch of those arms was almost as real as actual human limbs, even sensing body temperature!
No wonder this ability had captured so many people's imagination.
But now, Robin was completely stunned.
It wasn't because her power was completely ineffective against Rhodes, but because she had recognized his identity.
The legendary Dragon Slayer, a young powerhouse who rose to fame at age seventeen, a young warrior who had terrorized the underworld!
How could this person be here? And why did he harbor hostility towards Baroque Works?
A series of questions flooded her mind, and even Robin, known for her composure, was momentarily bewildered.
Robin was different from Vivi.
She had witnessed the Buster Call firsthand, had seen the power of the Marine Admirals, and being usually responsible for gathering intelligence, had a clear understanding of the powerful forces on the seas.
Crocodile, a pirate who had fled from the New World, was undoubtedly no match for Rhodes, the dragon-slaying swordsman. Perhaps even stronger opponents who had been defeated by Rhodes might struggle against him.
Robin quickly decided she had to change employers!
After all, she and Crocodile had only a mutually beneficial relationship, so there was no psychological burden at all.
Under Vivi's stunned gaze, Robin transformed her attitude almost instantly, explaining Crocodile and Baroque Works's plans for seizing national power in complete detail.
She even produced a wealth of hard evidence to support her claims, constantly emphasizing her employee status and completely distancing herself from any blame, selling Crocodile out entirely.
Seeing Robin's tactfulness, Rhodes decided not to push further. He nodded and made an offer:
"You're quite capable. I'm in need of a skilled secretary. Are you interested?"
"At your service," Robin replied, finding no reason to refuse.
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