In the corridor, Jin led Nico Robin through one room after another, searching for any trace of CP9.
Unfortunately, it was as if they were deliberately avoiding him—none of them showed up.
This left Jin feeling rather helpless.
"Looks like they're all afraid of you," Robin said with a soft smile.
"And you're still smiling?"
Jin shot her a glance.
"If we don't catch them soon, how are we supposed to free you?"
This woman was far too calm—so calm it felt as if the one wearing Seastone handcuffs wasn't her at all.
"But rushing won't help either," Robin replied.
"They won't just come out and let you beat them."
"You really are composed when danger hits."
"Well, aren't you protecting me, Mr. Ninja?"
Robin blinked playfully. "You won't let me get hurt… right?"
At this moment, there was no trace of the woman who had been crushed by fear of the Buster Call earlier.
She looked completely relaxed—like she was taking a stroll through a private garden.
"That part is true," Jin rubbed his chin.
"But if that's the case, you might not get to personally see how I stop the Buster Call."
"Then we should catch them sooner," Robin said.
She said it with a serious expression.
Now that she had chosen to believe in Jin, she wanted to witness with her own eyes how he would stop the Buster Call.
More importantly… she wanted to help.
She wasn't a fragile flower that could only be protected. Once the Seastone handcuffs were removed, she could become real combat power.
As a companion, how could she watch her partners risk their lives for her while doing nothing herself?
Jin glanced at her.
From her expression, it was clear her heart didn't match her relaxed tone.
She was anxious—but she didn't want her anxiety to affect him, so she deliberately kept things light.
If that was the case…
Then he would try something.
"Robin, do you trust me?"
"Ninja-sama, what are you saying…"
Robin smiled, then her expression turned serious.
"Jin, I trust you. One hundred percent."
"Whatever you want to do—do it. Don't worry about me."
Although Jin had only just joined the Straw Hat Pirates, and this was her first time meeting him—
his actions had already completely earned her trust.
More than that, this man was willing to face the Buster Call for her.
What reason did she have not to believe him?
At this moment, even if Jin pointed a gun at her, Robin would assume there was an enemy behind her.
That was the level of trust he had built.
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Jin smiled.
"Alright. I understand."
"So what are you planning to do?" Robin asked curiously.
"How should I cooperate?"
"Wait a moment."
Jin walked into a nearby room. A few seconds later, he returned holding something that looked like a scroll.
"Here. Keep this on you."
Robin looked at it curiously.
"What is it?"
"Just a scroll."
"Oh."
She nodded and didn't ask further.
"Where should I put it?" Jin asked, looking her over.
"Put it in my chest," Robin said calmly.
"With what I'm wearing, that's the only place it'll fit."
"In your chest…"
As she leaned closer, Jin hesitated.
She was wearing a dress.
Noticing his reaction, Robin rolled her eyes.
"You carried me the whole way earlier. Now you're embarrassed?"
"But this side of you is rather cute, Mr. Ninja~"
"Giggle~"
She laughed softly, clearly amused.
She hadn't expected that the man bold enough to challenge the Buster Call would react like this.
Jin: "..."
Was he… being teased by a mature woman?
"Alright," Robin said gently.
"Do what you need to do. My hands are cuffed, so I can't help—you'll have to do it yourself."
"Don't make it sound so strange!!"
Jin quickly stuffed the scroll into her chest.
"Alright. Don't let it fall out."
"You pushed it in that tightly—there's no way it'll fall out…"
Jin turned his gaze away.
Mature big sisters really were hard to deal with.
"So what are you going to do?" Robin asked.
Jin didn't answer immediately.
He scanned the surroundings first, and after confirming there was nothing unusual, he leaned closer and spoke in a lowered voice.
"I'll leave you in a room for now. After I deal with the enemy, I'll come back for you."
Robin was slightly puzzled, but she still nodded.
"I understand."
Jin must have some kind of plan—and CP9 might be nearby—so she didn't press him for details.
Once the fighting was over, she would understand everything.
He stopped in front of a door and opened it.
This time, the room was completely empty.
Jin gently guided Robin inside.
"Wait here."
"Before the Buster Call arrives, I'll at least take down one CP9 member."
"Remember—don't move around, alright?"
"Okay," Robin replied obediently.
"I'll stay here and wait for you."
Jin nodded, then closed the door.
After scanning the corridor once more and confirming there were no enemies nearby, he sprinted toward the distant staircase.
A short while later.
Inside the room where Robin was waiting—
A strange door slowly opened in midair.
A hand reached out first.
Then appeared a head shaped like a bull.
"So foolish," a calm voice sounded.
"Leaving her alone like this."
Blueno stepped out from the air-door, his expression cold.
Robin's pupils shrank as she turned around.
Standing in the doorway of air was a tall figure, looking down at her without emotion.
"It's you…"
"Didn't you tell him," Blueno said calmly,
"that I'm a Door-Door Fruit user?"
"Nico Robin."
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