"The legendary holy land of shipbuilding? What a beautiful island!"
Gazing at Water 7, which resembled a fountain, Nami and Vivi, who were seeing it for the first time, both exclaimed in amazement.
It was also the first time for Robin and Carina. The two, who didn't like reading, seemed to have some knowledge of Water 7, so their reactions weren't as strong as Nami's and Vivi's.
Link formed a single hand seal: "Wood Style: Wood Clone Jutsu."
Branches extended from his back, quickly forming a Wood Clone that looked exactly like Link.
As soon as the Wood Clone appeared, it turned and walked towards the ship's cabin.
Seeing this, Nami couldn't help but ask, "Link, are you having the Wood Clone guard Crocodile?"
"Mhm."
Link nodded and smiled. "My sensory jutsu has detected quite a few strong people on this island. To avoid any accidents, it's better to be cautious."
Link's words were a mix of truth and falsehood. He wasn't wary of Rob Lucci, but of Blueno, the first one to be eliminated by Gear Second in the original story.
Blueno was the user of the Door-Door Fruit, possessing the ability to walk in a different dimension, making him the One Piece world's version of Uchiha Obito.
Not only could he see the outside world from within the other dimension, but he could also hear the sounds, making him nearly unbeatable in terms of intelligence gathering.
Kalifa's powerful intelligence-gathering ability came from Blueno, the only one who didn't join the Galley-La Company and instead opened a tavern outside.
This meant that Blueno often entered the other dimension to gather intelligence on Water 7.
Link had to be on guard against this.
So he specially created a Wood Clone and had it use the Transformation Technique to guard Crocodile.
Although the Door-Door Fruit was powerful, it required opening a door to enter and exit the other dimension, which had a significant wind-up animation.
If Blueno happened to be here, and by chance discovered Crocodile and tried to take him away, Link guaranteed he would be on the ground the moment he appeared.
"Speaking of which... Link, why are you keeping Crocodile? Is he useful for something?" Carina asked curiously.
None of them knew Link's plan, so they were curious why Link didn't kill Crocodile or hand him over to the Marines.
To this, Link only smiled meaningfully. "You'll know when the time comes. It will absolutely make your jaws drop."
"There you go again. Link always loves to keep people in suspense."
The three girls immediately rolled their eyes at Link.
But this action also showed that their relationship with Link had truly improved during this time.
Before the Alabasta incident, the three perceptive girls would not have asked further if they noticed Link didn't want to say something, let alone make a gesture like rolling their eyes.
But now, they would complain.
Only Robin, who had overheard the conversation between Link and Cobra and knew part of Link's plan, looked thoughtful.
Looking at the three cute girls, the corners of Link's mouth curled up slightly. "The reason I'm not telling you now is actually for your own good."
"Alright then."
Knowing that Link wouldn't joke around casually, the three girls could only nod helplessly.
While they chatted, the sailboat arrived at Water 7.
After entering the port and mooring the sailboat, Link's group first bought a local map from a small stall, then rented two of the local specialty Yagara Bulls and headed directly to the central street of Water 7.
During this time, Link did not make Robin wear a veil to hide her face.
The reason CP9 was able to recognize and find Robin in the original story was because they were instructed by Aokiji.
Aokiji first met the Straw Hat Pirates on an uninhabited island, then went to Enies Lobby and gave the Buster Call Den Den Mushi to Spandam, who then informed CP9 that Nico Robin would be going to Water 7.
That was why Blueno found Robin not long after she went ashore.
Link didn't know if Aokiji was aware that Robin was in Baroque Works.
But to avoid being found by the Marine Admiral, Link directly took an unusual route, avoiding the necessary islands and using an Eternal Pose to go straight to Water 7.
Therefore, Robin was very safe on this island and didn't need to wear any disguise at all.
After getting a suite in the most luxurious hotel on the central street, Link was immediately dragged by the three girls to go shopping, starting a massive buying spree.
After sailing on the sea for half a month, Carina and Nami's desire to shop had long been pent up.
Especially Nami; just over a month ago, she was a poor girl who didn't dare to spend money recklessly.
Now, able to control billions of Belly, with just her spending money amounting to several hundred million, Nami went on a frantic spending spree.
But the two girls' frenzy was only for a moment.
Because after having money, they found that they didn't lack anything.
So, the two girls started a massive buying spree for Link.
Especially in terms of clothing. Link had always worn the same unchanging black robe. Although it was very handsome, it was too monotonous.
Carina and Nami began to order custom-made robes of various colors for Link, as well as clothes of other styles for all four seasons.
Vivi also joined in.
When the three girls were discussing, Nami even snatched the designer's sketchbook and drew her inspiration.
It wasn't until evening that Link's group returned to the hotel suite, carrying large and small bags.
After eating and showering, the girls dragged Link out to wander the night market again.
Water 7 at night was even more lively than during the day.
The streets were full of people wearing masks.
Following the local custom, the girls also put masks on themselves and Link.
As they passed through a dim alley, none of the four girls noticed that Link's hand, hidden in his sleeve, secretly formed a seal.
A piece of branch emerged from the ground in the alley and quickly transformed into a Wood Clone.
As soon as the Wood Clone appeared, it quickly formed hand seals again, and its figure and appearance immediately changed into that of a middle-aged man.
Even his clothes changed.
Immediately after, the Wood Clone vanished in a flash.
When the Wood Clone appeared again, it was in front of a tavern.
Walking into the tavern, the Wood Clone's first glance fell on the burly Blueno, who was mixing drinks, his hair styled into two horns.
With his hand hidden in his sleeve, the Wood Clone quietly formed a seal and suddenly called out, "Boss Blueno..."
Hearing his name, Blueno subconsciously looked towards the Wood Clone.
The moment their eyes met, Blueno found that the world had suddenly become pitch black.
The light was snatched away in an instant!
This move was precisely... Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!
Boom—
At the same time, everyone in the tavern heard a loud crash of a wall shattering.
The middle-aged man who had just entered suddenly vanished from his spot, then appeared behind the bar and struck the tavern owner with his palm.
The powerful palm strike sent the tavern owner flying, crashing through the back wall and kicking up a large cloud of dust.
When the dust settled, the extremely curious people who went to look found that both the tavern owner and the middle-aged man had disappeared.
By the time Rob Lucci and the others learned of this news and launched an investigation, they would only find out that a middle-aged man had abducted Blueno.