The Desert King's Wrath
Boom!
The entire casino shattered into rubble as the furious Crocodile transformed into sand, flying toward the desert with a trail of dust in his wake.
Aboard the Cloud Ship
Vivi stood at the railing, her hands clasped together as she gazed into the distance with worry. "Sister Nami, will Brother Bai Yu be alright?"
Brother Bai Yu, huh? Nami thought with a smirk. I've only heard you call him that twice, and both times were in the middle of the night.
Nami waved off her concerns. "Instead of worrying about him, you should focus on informing your father. Let him lead the palace guards to clean up the mess. In the meantime, I'll start preparing."
"Thank you, Miss Nami!" Vivi's eyes lit up with gratitude.
The power of the Cloud-Cloud Fruit made it possible for Nami to create heavy rain using clouds, but Alabasta's vast size meant that she needed time to generate enough clouds. Additionally, dispersing the "Dance Powder" that had altered the kingdom's climate required even more effort. Fortunately, Kaya's Healing Fruit could restore Nami's stamina, making the process faster.
In the Desert
Robin gazed at Bai Yu in awe, her mind still reeling from the speed at which he had transported them more than ten miles into the desert. "You… You're so fast," she murmured, feeling a strange mix of admiration and disbelief. Is this the fastest man I've ever met?
Bai Yu chuckled lightly. "Tell me, Robin—what do you think would happen if I took you with me and completely destroyed Crocodile here in the desert, the place he believes is his ultimate domain?"
Robin smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond. "I'm sorry if I'm a burden to you…"
"But," she added with a touch of elegance, "if you defeat someone in the very place where they feel most confident and invincible… it would probably break their spirit."
Bai Yu's smile widened. "Let me teach you a phrase: doubt your existence."
"Precisely." Robin tilted her head slightly, playing along despite her uncertainty. I still can't figure this man out. Some people seem gentle but are brutal beneath the surface.
Sensing her hesitation, Bai Yu said calmly, "You don't need to walk on eggshells around me. I know everything about you. Want me to prove it?"
Robin's eyes narrowed slightly, her skepticism evident. Impossible.
After all, Bai Yu had called her by name despite her hiding on the staircase, using no abilities to eavesdrop. No one had seen her, yet he had somehow pinpointed her presence.
How did he know?
Simple. Bai Yu's Observation Haki could sense a tall woman—exactly 1.88 meters—hiding at the staircase entrance. Although she had suppressed her presence, her height was enough for Bai Yu to confirm her identity.
"Monster Robin," Bai Yu began, his voice soft yet clear. "The eight-year-old archaeologist who earned her doctorate, discovered a giant named Saul, spent five days together, and was ultimately spared by Admiral Aokiji."
Robin's breath hitched. "You…"
For the first time in years, the usually composed Robin was visibly shaken.
He knew details that even the World Government hadn't recorded—things no one else should know.
No one had cared that a young girl was branded a "demon child." No one had bothered to document that she had passed the doctoral examination at eight years old. Only Robin herself had revealed that she was an archaeologist. And as for Saul, the giant she had befriended, no one knew they had spent five days together before he was frozen to death.
Even more astonishing—how did Bai Yu know that Aokiji had secretly let her escape when there were no witnesses?
Robin instinctively stepped back, her arms crossing over her chest as if to shield herself. Can he read minds?
Bai Yu shrugged as if hearing her thoughts. "Let's just say I can read your mind. I know that might make you feel vulnerable, but at least you can be certain of one thing—I understand you, and I will never betray you."
Robin let out a wry chuckle. "You're… the most unpredictable person I've ever met. Nothing you say or do follows any logic I know."
Yet despite her confusion, a glimmer of hope sparked within her heart.
"If you can read my mind," she asked hesitantly, "then… can you read the Poneglyphs as well? If so, please—look into my heart and learn them, so I won't have to bear this burden alone."
Spreading her arms wide, Robin stepped forward, exposing herself completely as if inviting him to peer into her soul.
Bai Yu blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her unexpected gesture. Is she serious?
"Alright!" he agreed without hesitation.
Before Robin could react, Bai Yu stepped forward and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Robin, from now on—you'll never be alone."
"I… I didn't mean—"
"I know," Bai Yu interrupted with a grin. "But you still wanted a hug, right? Otherwise, why open your arms? Don't be shy."
"…You win," Robin sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. Despite herself, she found it hard to suppress the faint smile that tugged at her lips.
Whoosh!
Robin's eyes widened as a sandstorm approached from the horizon, growing larger by the second.
"He's coming—Crocodile is here!" she warned, trying to pull away from Bai Yu's embrace. "Let me go, or you'll die protecting me!"
Bai Yu remained unfazed. "Relax. Let his attack fly for a bit."
"…Maybe dying would be easier at this point," Robin muttered, rolling her eyes as she resigned herself to whatever fate awaited them.
The sandstorm loomed closer, swirling with lethal force—seconds from impact. Robin squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable pain—
BOOM!
The air exploded with a thunderous roar. Dust and debris blasted outward, but instead of pain, Robin felt nothing but the warmth of Bai Yu's arms holding her securely.
Teleportation.
In an instant, Bai Yu and Robin vanished from the sandstorm's path, reappearing several meters away as if the attack had never happened.
Robin gasped, her mind racing to comprehend what had just happened.
Bai Yu gently set her down and offered a confident smile.
"See? I told you—no need to worry. That little crocodile still needs a few hundred more years of training if he wants to catch me."
Robin's lips parted in amazement, but no words came out.
For the first time in her life—
She began to believe that maybe, just maybe—
This man really could change her fate.
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