Chapter 53: The Second Crewmate, Nico Robin
Nico Robin seemed a bit nervous.
The man in front of her was a terrifying figure, someone bold enough to slaughter the Celestial Dragons.
"It seems I don't need to introduce myself."
"So, would you like to become my crewmate, Nico Robin?"
Sanders smiled as he spoke.
Robin hesitated for a moment, glancing in Crocodile's direction.
"Don't worry, Crocodile isn't a match for Issho."
Crocodile was indeed strong—much stronger than when he first appeared in the original story. But he still wasn't on Issho's level.
That blind old man possessed the true strength of an Admiral, much more impressive than Ryokugyu.
It was hard to imagine how Crocodile had been defeated by Monkey D. Luffy, who had just arrived at the Grand Line and didn't even know about Haki.
Was it because his will and spirit had been crushed by Whitebeard?
Crocodile shared some similarities with Gecko Moria.
At least Moria had managed to survive an encounter with Kaido, but ten years later, he had deteriorated into little more than a has-been.
Robin was stunned.
Crocodile wasn't a match?
Crocodile was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
Yet this man in front of her casually claimed that Crocodile wasn't a match for the blind man.
"Do I really have a choice?"
Robin smiled bitterly.
Crocodile was already being held off, and the others stood no chance against a pirate with a bounty of 2.4 billion.
She didn't even have the right to make a choice.
"Of course, you have a choice," Sanders replied with a smile.
"I know you're the sole survivor of Ohara, and I'm aware of everything you've gone through over the years."
"You know about Ohara?"
Ohara had been completely erased by the World Government, and most people in the world had no idea that such an archaeological sanctuary had ever existed.
"Of course, and I also know who let you escape."
Sanders spoke softly.
Robin recalled Sanders' former Marine status and his recent battle with Admiral Aokiji, and it suddenly made sense to her.
"Why are you recruiting me? To decipher the Poneglyphs?"
Robin asked.
She didn't bother to mention the kind of forces that would hunt her down.
That meant nothing to the man before her.
Even the dreaded Buster Call, which had caused her so much suffering, would mean nothing to him.
"That's part of it. I am indeed interested in the Void Century," Sanders nodded.
"You said I wouldn't reveal the Poneglyph's contents to Crocodile."
"How do you know whether what I say is true or not?"
"It doesn't matter," Sanders replied. "If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to."
"You're not interested in knowing the location of Pluton?"
Robin asked curiously.
After all, Pluton was one of the three Ancient Weapons, capable of destroying an entire island with a single shot.
Even the World Government, the Marines, and the Yonko coveted its power.
"I already told you—I know where Pluton is."
"You don't think I was lying to the Sand Crocodile, do you?"
In this day and age, did no one believe the truth anymore?
Issho had been much better about it—he believed Sanders without question when he said he knew the whereabouts of both Pluton and Poseidon.
At that moment, the building they were in began to collapse.
The commotion from Issho and Crocodile's battle was no small thing.
"Let's continue this outside."
Sanders grabbed Robin by the shoulder, and in a flash, they were standing outside on an open field.
After taking a moment to regain her composure, Robin asked seriously:
"You really know the location of Pluton?"
"Not just Pluton, I know where Poseidon is too," Sanders said.
"I even have the Poneglyph that records the location of Poseidon in my possession."
Robin's eyes widened in shock.
She hadn't expected that not only did Sanders know the location of Pluton, but he also knew about Poseidon, one of the three Ancient Weapons.
And he had a Poneglyph?
Just who was this man?
If what he said was true, how many secrets did he hold?
Could he read the Poneglyphs too?
"If you want proof that I know, I can take you to see the Poneglyph guarded by the royal family of Alabasta."
Sanders said casually.
Alabasta's army of 600,000 sounded intimidating, but it wouldn't be a problem for him.
If push came to shove, he could sneak in and see it for himself. He already knew where the Poneglyph was stored.
"Have you made your decision, Nico Robin?"
"If you become my crewmate, you'll be free to live your life as you choose."
"You'll be able to pursue your dream of deciphering the Poneglyphs and uncovering the history of the Void Century."
"You'll be able to tell the world, under the name Nico Robin, that Ohara once existed!"
"You won't have to live under an alias, constantly hiding and running."
"You won't have to fear the World Government's pursuit."
"You won't have to fear the Buster Call."
"Not even the Marine Admirals will be able to harm my crewmates."
After listing the benefits of joining, Sanders extended his hand and looked seriously at Nico Robin.
"To live freely..."
Nico Robin looked up at Sanders.
In the sunlight, his already towering figure appeared even more imposing.
She didn't want to live in fear every day.
She didn't want to experience betrayal, abandonment, and being sold out at every turn.
She wanted to live freely.
She wanted to travel to islands and nations openly, like everyone else.
She wanted to fulfill her dream of uncovering the lost history.
Everything Sanders said was what she had been yearning for deep down.
After a long moment, she extended her right hand and placed it in Sanders' large hand.
"I am willing to become your crewmate."
"Hahahaha."
Sanders lightly grasped Robin's hand and laughed heartily.
"Then, Miss Archaeologist, let me give you some good news: Saul is still alive."
"Consider that my gift to you upon our first meeting."
Robin stood frozen in place.
Memories from long ago resurfaced in her mind.
In her ears, she seemed to hear that giant's peculiar laughter once again.
"Dere-shishishishi, dere-shishishishishi..."
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
"He... he's really still alive?"
Robin's voice was choked with emotion.
The name Saul brought back painful memories from her childhood.
"Of course. He's in Elbaf, and he took the books that the Ohara scholars saved with their lives there as well."
"Thank you!"
Robin covered her face with both hands, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
To know that her friend from childhood was still alive was the best news she could have ever received.
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T/N:
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