The Corleone Family was a relatively new but rapidly rising underground syndicate.
In just over a decade, it had become the top underground power in the West Blue, thanks largely to its ambitious and cunning leader—Vito Corleone.
This blond man in his thirties wasn't content with ruling the shadows. He aimed to elevate Bakko into the position of base commander of the West Blue's First Marine Branch.
Once that was done, he could forge ties between the underworld and the Marines, solidifying the Corleone Family's influence and ensuring its dominance in the region.
"So this all goes back to me, huh?"
Nao mused silently.
The Corleones only became major players in the West Blue underworld about six months ago. Before that, they were constantly suppressed by the behemoth Capone Family.
Yes—that Capone Family.
The very one Nao encountered during his first practical assessment in the West Blue, when he took part in a live combat exercise.
In that battle, the West Blue's underground alliance, organized by the Capone Family, was crushed. Several pirates with bounties in the tens of millions were either captured or killed.
Even their top fighter, "Giant Bear" Sano, was beheaded on the spot—by Nao himself.
That victory opened the door for the Corleones. They swooped in and destroyed what was left of the Capones, climbing to the top.
Only one direct bloodline survivor remained: the Capone patriarch's nephew, who escaped the encirclement and disappeared.
His name was Capone Bege.
"If I hadn't been assigned to the West Blue," Nao thought, "the next decade would've played out like some twisted Count of Monte Cristo revenge epic."
But now that he was here, Capone Bege wasn't part of the equation anymore.
The Corleones—rotten to the core—would be cleaned up soon as Nao finished his current escort mission.
He shook his head and glanced at Bakko, who sat across the desk.
The effects of the "Lying Mist" had already worn off. Bakko was visibly dazed, clearly confused as to why he had just blurted out so many secrets.
Now locking eyes with Nao, Bakko paled, his voice stuttering.
"R-Rear Admiral, I… I only did what I did because the Corleone Family forced me! I didn't have a choice!"
"Spare me the excuses. When I report you to Headquarters, you can explain all that to the military tribunal."
Nao didn't bother wasting more words on him. Instead, his gaze shifted toward the corner of the room—toward a slender little figure.
He said coldly:
"But before I send you off to Impel Down, I've got some questions for this girl—Annie, is it?"
Honestly, Nao was a little curious.
She looked no older than eight or nine—frail, delicate.
Yet she'd drugged an entire pirate crew without flinching. Had she been trained from childhood by the Corleones as an assassin?
If she was part of that family, she had to be interrogated properly.
And if she had done something truly evil, her age wouldn't save her from justice.
Robin, meanwhile, had been quietly surveying her surroundings, especially the positions of the windows and the main door.
When she felt Nao's cold gaze settle on her, she made up her mind.
Escape.
She knew she didn't stand a chance against a Marine Rear Admiral.
But she had to try.
Someone like her absolutely couldn't fall into Marine hands—no matter what. She had to get out of this base!
Whoosh.
The Hana Hana no Mi activated. Two slender arms sprouted silently from the wall behind Nao, wrapping around his neck.
At that exact instant, Robin dashed for the half-open window on the southern wall.
She was almost there.
Heart racing, she leapt for the windowsill—just a step from freedom.
But then—
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a chubby white pigeon sitting on the sill, staring at her without blinking.
Seeing her charge, the white pigeon suddenly cooed, flapped its wings, hooked its claws into her hair, and violently flung her.
SLAM!
Robin hit the desk like a sack of rice, her vision blurred.
How could a pigeon be that strong?!
Stunned, she turned to find Nao just inches away, staring at her with a curious expression.
He didn't even seem to notice the two arms desperately choking him.
"An unexpected bonus," he said, completely ignoring the constriction around his throat.
He studied the girl before him, then suddenly frowned. Reaching out, he pinched her cheek and rubbed firmly.
"Ow…" Robin winced, nearly in tears. She had no idea what he was doing—until she realized the powder on her face was flaking off like old paint.
Her real appearance, hidden behind disguise makeup, was being revealed.
"I thought so."
Nao let go of her face. He looked into her panicked eyes and said quietly:
"Nico Robin. The Devil Child. Bounty: 79 million berries."
BOOM.
The words hit Robin like thunder.
She'd been recognized.
There was no point running now.
Expression blank, she looked up at him for a moment, then lowered her head and bit her lip in silence.
"A mere underground organizatiofrom the West Blue, and they've got disguise powder that effective? Looked like a whole different person."
Nao's voice was laced with amazement.
"Should've used my scanner earlier… If you hadn't used your Devil Fruit just now, I probably wouldn't have realized it was you."
What's this? Robin thought bitterly.
He catches me, then wastes breath gloating? Or is he celebrating the free promotion that just fell into his lap?
Her spirit dulled. She stared at the desk in a daze.
She'd spent months fleeing, finally reunited with her family—only to be threatened and controlled by a criminal family.
Dragged through hell, again and again.
She was done.
Whether it was dying at the hands of the Marines or being locked away in Impel Down forever—either way beat the endless torment of being under the Corleones.
She didn't want to live anymore.
"No wonder a little girl could take out a whole pirate crew," Nao said idly. "If it was you, it makes sense…"
Robin barely heard him.
Then—
Clap.
He brushed his hands and said:
"Alright, off you go. Just be careful next time. Don't let me catch you again."
"…What?"
Robin's whole body jolted. She looked up in disbelief.
That absurdly handsome young face was smiling at her.
"What's the matter? Still sitting there? Do I need to escort you to the gate myself?"
She hadn't misheard.
He was letting her go.
"B-But…"
She was about to ask why when Nao leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Hey, just be straight with me. So far, working for the Corleones, you've only targeted pirates, right? You haven't hurt any civilians?"
"…No."
Robin answered instinctively, then blinked in confusion.
"But I'm a wanted criminal. Why would you…?"
"CP9 said you destroyed a Marine ship. The World Government issued your bounty. What's that got to do with me?"
Nao shrugged, lounging back in his chair.
"I'm not interested in doing the Government's dirty work. Besides, I'm not the first Marine to let you go. You should be used to this by now."
"…Eh?"
Robin's eyes widened.
Nao winked at her and smiled.
"Yeah, you guessed it. I'm… well, loosely friends with that guy—Kuzan. I know what happened back then."
"But, like he said, just because he let you go doesn't mean he's your friend."
Nao's smile faded.
"So don't work for scum like the Corleones again. I don't care if it's for survival, cover, whatever."
"Kuzan told me—if you ever do commit evil, he'll be the first to come after you."
"But, since I'm in the West Blue, I'll definitely get there faster than him. When that happens, don't expect me to let you off the hook like I did today."
He pointed to the half-open door and tossed the disguise powder he'd taken from her pocket back into her hands.
That was all.
He really meant to let her go.
And he'd even mentioned Kuzan…
The man who had frozen her only friend, Saul, before her very eyes…
Then turned around and gave her a ship, letting her escape from the flames of Ohara.
Robin's thoughts were a mess.
She found herself walking toward the door almost unconsciously.
She paused at the threshold, looked back at Nao—
Should she tell him?
Tell him that she never wanted to work for the Corleones? That they were holding her family hostage?
No.
He was still a Marine.
The Buster Call and Ohara's destruction were scars that couldn't heal.
Even if he let her go, she couldn't trust him. Not yet.
Robin gave a bitter smile.
What am I thinking?
Did I get brainwashed by that warm smile of his?
As if a Marine would cross the sea just to save my family. Ridiculous.
Exhale.
Robin sloppily smeared the remaining disguise powder on her face.
Then she walked out, gently pulling the office door shut behind her.
Just before it closed, Nao heard her whisper softly—
"…Thank you."
He watched her leave through the crack in the door.
People are naturally moved by pity. Especially for someone like Robin, with a tragic past.
He had considered keeping her close, giving her a safe life—one without hunger, fear, or betrayal.
But that was impossible.
Her identity couldn't be hidden.
And besides, would she ever want to live with a Marine?
The horrors of Ohara would always hang over her.
Nao didn't have the charm of a "Face-Face Fruit" user. His smile wasn't magic.
And this was only their first meeting.
Robin was cautious, far more mature than her age, and clearly didn't trust him.
"…Rear Admiral Nao…"
The timid voice snapped him out of thought.
He turned.
Captain Bakko stood there, stunned.
"You… you really let that girl go?"
Nico Robin. The Devil Child.
A walking mountain of promotion points, practically handed to him.
If it were up to Bakko, he'd have bound her and called Headquarters within seconds.
In fact, in his original plan with Vito Corleone…
Once he'd gained enough merit, he'd betray Robin and use her as the final stepping stone to become a Rear Admiral himself.
Bakko couldn't understand Nao's thinking.
But now he felt like he'd stumbled onto some massive secret.
Something involving… Kuzan, perhaps?
Just as the thought formed, Nao looked him up and down—and shook his head in disappointment.
"You really are an idiot," Nao muttered. "If you'd just played dumb and fainted, you'd be fine right now."
"But no—you had to overhear everything and even remind me."
"…What?" Bakko froze.
A chill shot up his spine.
"You… You can't! I'm still a Marine Captain! Even if I—"
CRACK.
The sound cut him off.
His neck snapped cleanly.
Bakko's body slumped to the floor, lifeless.
Nao didn't even look at him.
He walked to the window and frowned slightly.
Traitors were worse than enemies.
Killing Bakko cost him nothing.
"Corleone Family…"
He gazed into the snow, where a small shadow faded into the distance.
Being manipulated sucked.
Bakko might've been a fool, but the fact that some back-alley underworld family dared reach their hands into his command—trying to seize power in the First Branch?
Unforgivable.
Maybe it was time to adjust his schedule.
Before heading to the Lotte Kingdom in New World…
He'd make a little detour.
To wipe out every last rat in that Corleone nest.