"Interpersonal Communication Manual (Trial Version)"
"Subject: Nico Robin"
"Status: Hesitant, wavering"
"Hobbies: History, archaeology, truth"
"Suggestion: Win her over to our side"
Tomioka's gaze swept over Robin, whose expression was conflicted, then looked at Cobra, who, even nailed to the wall, was still trying to win her over with the demeanor of a king.
A scholar…?
For someone only eight years old to have such an enormous bounty placed on her by the World Government, there must be a hidden story beyond normal comprehension.
Should he trust her?
Tomioka didn't like to speak idly; once he spoke, it meant genuine trust, not merely using her to win the current battle.
"Nico Robin, you wouldn't… actually be considering their ridiculous proposal, would you?"
Crocodile's deep, cold voice broke the silence, with a hint of urgency.
Robin was the most crucial piece in his plan, the only remaining Ohara scholar in the world; only she could decipher those ancient texts, there was no substitute.
"If you are truly foolish enough to choose their side, I promise, I will bury every single one of you in this desert!"
But then, he changed his tone, as he liked comprehensive victories, even in words:
"However, looking at it another way, even if you join them and somehow manage to defeat me, what then? You should be well aware of how much your head is worth to the World Government."
"Most importantly, as you can see, the Marine is on this island."
"If the Marine arrives, do you think the Alabasta Kingdom, a World Government nation, would defy the will of the World Government for a child of the devil like you?"
Crocodile was still smiling sinisterly, as if he had already envisioned the scene, "Alabasta Kingdom discovers and apprehends the most heinous criminal, handing her over to the World Government."
"See what a great headline that is? I've even thought of it for them."
"But it's different with me."
He spread his hand, making an inclusive gesture towards Robin, "You are my partner, you can continue to live the same life as you did at Baroque Works! You see, you've been here so long, and I've never handed you over."
"Wouldn't you agree, Nico Robin?"
Crocodile spoke a lot in one breath, some true, some false, all for his ultimate goal.
But the most core and truthful point was that he had indeed provided Robin with a long-term, relatively safe refuge.
"Do you also want to destroy this country?"
Tomioka spoke, his voice calm, yet it struck the most sensitive and fragile part of Robin's heart.
He looked at her, awaiting an answer.
Robin knew the moment to answer had arrived.
Once she denied it, it would mean a complete break with Crocodile.
She could have, like in the past two decades, used ambiguous words to maneuver, swaying the situation to her advantage.
But at this moment, she found she couldn't.
Behind her was the solemn oath issued by King Cobra, and before her was Crocodile's naked threat. The tragedy of Ohara, the soaring flames and the destruction of the Tree of Knowledge, once again flooded her mind uncontrollably.
To let another nation, a repository of history, be destroyed because of herself… that statement was too heavy.
Robin lowered her head, her hands clasped tightly together, her face even a little pale.
Destroying a country… Ohara was destroyed like that, completely wiped off the map.
If Crocodile succeeded, would Alabasta still be the original Alabasta? And where would its citizens be displaced to?
Finally, she slowly shook her head.
This was an incredibly difficult choice, meaning she was about to lose the sanctuary that had protected her for four long years, and would once again embark on a life of fugitive being hunted by the world.
"Good," Tomioka's response was simple and direct.
"Then come join my pirate crew! Hehehehehehe!"
Luffy immediately chimed in, his face beaming with a smile, as if he was already ready to introduce Robin to the others on the ship.
"Nico Robin!!!!!!!! You!!!!!!!!"
Crocodile's sanity was instantly consumed by fury. She was the most crucial link in his plan. The current intertwining feelings of frustration from his plan's collapse and the anger of betrayal drove him completely insane.
"Desert Spada!"
His arm instantly turned to sand, forming a massive sand blade, carrying a hatred that might have been caused by missing Pluton, and directly slashed towards Robin, who had just made her choice!
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash."
Tomioka's figure moved almost at the same moment Crocodile attacked. In his Mark state, his speed was pushed to the extreme, appearing between Robin and the sand blade.
His nichirin blade cut a smooth arc, striking the sand blade!
"Clang!"
The sand blade shattered in response, scattering into grains of sand. But Tomioka could feel that Crocodile's current sand blade was something his present strength could handle.
However, what was even more critical was that layer of black armor called Haki, its hardness far surpassing any defense he had encountered before, even harder than the necks of Upper Rank Demons.
Tomioka took another deep breath, pushing his Breathing Style to its limit. He poured all his will and strength into his left arm, which gripped the hilt of his blade.
He clearly felt his grip strength continuously increasing, as if the hilt was about to brand itself into his palm.
A scorching power surged into the nichirin blade, and the blade began to warm, then rapidly became scalding hot. Finally, the entire blade was like it had been thrown into a forge, turning a fiery, incandescent red!
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
He charged at Crocodile again, his blazing blade carrying terrifying high temperatures, unleashing a fierce slash like a raging torrent!
"Don't you understand?! Before Haki, kneel!!"
Crocodile roared, covering his golden hook with Armament Haki. That deep black directly met Tomioka's blazing blade slash!
"Clang—!!!"
This collision was deafening!
The scorching red blade and the pitch-black hook were locked together, erupting in dazzling sparks and distorted heatwaves. Tomioka could feel the astonishing recoil from his blazing blade and the oppressive force of Haki.
But he didn't retreat. The power of his Mark and the scorching heat of his blazing blade allowed him to withstand this previously unmatchable force, creating a temporary stalemate!
A flicker of surprise crossed Crocodile's face, quickly turning into deeper ruthlessness.
"Tsk!"
He hadn't expected the opponent's reddened blade to be able to directly contend with his Haki, but this stalemate also gave him an opportunity!
"Goodbye, one-handed bastard!"
Crocodile's other hand silently transformed into a sand blade, "Desert Spada!", slashing directly at Tomioka, who was fully resisting the Haki!
However, a figure he had consistently ignored appeared behind him with a speed that surpassed his expectations.
"So fast, this feeling..."