While strolling through the night market with the four girls, Link received a real-time report from his Wood Clone, and the corners of his mouth curled up under his mask.
Link's purpose in Water 7 was simply to let the Log Pose set, then head to the next destination. He had no intention of making a move on Lucci!
After all, the system had no loopholes, and gaining experience would only get harder. Therefore, Link needed to let his targets grow stronger.
Lucci's potential hadn't been fully realized yet. In two years, he would become even more powerful. Harvesting him then would maximize the experience gained.
However... Blueno was an exception!
No matter the world, time and space abilities were always the most top-tier and most troublesome abilities.
When such an ability appeared on one's own side, it was incredibly reliable. But if it was on the enemy's side, one probably wouldn't even feel safe while sleeping.
Link knew how ridiculously overpowered the Door-Door Fruit's ability was, which was why he was so eager to eliminate this threat, even if Blueno wasn't as capable as he seemed.
Now that this threat was gone, Link could relax and enjoy touring the City of Water with the four girls.
They not only rode the Yagara Bulls all over Water 7 but also experienced the Sea Train, traveling to several islands near Water 7.
The girls, riding the Sea Train for the first time, were all filled with amazement.
Perhaps in the sea of eight hundred years ago, technology was very advanced. But in the current sea, apart from certain islands with high technology, other places were very backward. This could be seen from the fact that it was still the age of sail.
The Sea Train was truly an epoch-making invention.
For this creation alone, Master Tom was worthy of being recorded in the annals of history, a true world-class shipwright.
And so, Link's group played in Water 7 for a week.
Only after the Log Pose was fully set did they reluctantly leave Water 7.
During this time, Link's sensory jutsu also detected several people with extremely strong physical energy secretly investigating the powerful individuals on the island.
Even Link was monitored for two days.
These people were none other than Lucci and his group.
Clearly, they knew Blueno had been captured and had begun to investigate whether the middle-aged man was a lone wolf or a member of some organization.
Link was initially a suspect, but after seeing that he was only surrounded by women, Lucci's group quickly ruled him out.
Before Link's abilities were fully exposed, it was obvious that no one would think the 'Logia-type Wood-Wood Fruit' would have abilities like Wood Clone and Wood Transformation.
So, they had ruled out the correct answer.
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"Link, there's an extra small tree in the brig?"
The day after leaving Water 7, Carina, as if having discovered a new continent, quickly ran out from the cabin. Looking at Link, who was playing mahjong with Nami and the other two girls, she fired off a series of questions: "Who's the guy sealed in that tree? Is he the thief your Wood Clone caught?"
"Mhm."
Link nodded and said something that made Robin's face drain of color: "That guy is the user of the Paramecia-type Door-Door Fruit, and also a CP9 agent."
"An agent?"
Nami's beautiful eyes widened instantly, while Robin's body trembled uncontrollably.
It was a traumatic reaction. After all, the shadow Aokiji and CP9 had cast over Robin was immense.
Just as Nami in the original story believed the Arlong Pirates were invincible, in Robin's eyes, Aokiji and CP9 were existences even more terrifying than Crocodile.
Carina was the first to notice Robin's reaction. Seeing this quiet, elegant, and always composed older sister now showing a look of fear, she couldn't help but ask with concern, "Sister Robin, are you okay?"
"Sister Robin, what's wrong?"
"Are you not feeling well?"
Nami and Vivi also asked with concern.
Link patted the back of Robin's hand and comforted her with a smile, "Don't worry, that guy wasn't after you. He was an informant responsible for gathering intelligence for some undercover agents in Water 7."
"His ability is troublesome, so I had my Wood Clone secretly capture him."
"Besides... even if they were really after you, you don't have to be afraid."
At this, Link said with absolute authority, "Forget a CP agent; not even a Marine Admiral can take away one of my companions."
"Whoa... Link, you're so cool!"
The girls immediately turned into little fans, their beautiful eyes sparkling as they looked at Link.
Vivi's eyes were filled with an even softer light; if the setting had been right, she would have kissed him on the spot.
Among the four girls, only Vivi and Nami had been 'saved by a hero' by Link. Because of this, their feelings for Link were the most special.
After understanding Link's character, they knew the weight of his words even more.
Robin's heart was similarly struck.
Link's words, just like the condition Vivi had misunderstood, were like a straight pitch, striking right at the core of the mature woman's heart.
At this moment, Saul's words suddenly echoed in Robin's mind.
The doors to her heart, closed for many years, began to loosen.
Even Robin herself didn't notice that the trembling from her traumatic reaction had disappeared at some point, and the paleness on her small face had been replaced by a healthy color.
She once again showed a smile that was no longer a mask but came from the heart, and nodded. "I understand, Link."
There was no gratitude, no moved tears.
But the other three girls felt that some kind of change had occurred in Robin.
That one sentence...
If Link's system had an affection meter, he would definitely see '+1+1+1' symbols for affection constantly popping up over Robin's head.
Just like Boa Hancock, Robin seemed difficult to approach, but she was actually one of the easiest female characters to win over.
Robin, who hadn't turned to darkness in twenty years, only longed to find companions who were willing to protect her.
When such a companion truly appeared, their status in Robin's heart would immediately surpass that of history itself.
Link's conversation with Cobra had easily earned Robin's trust and affection.
Now, these authoritative words made Robin feel a trace of reliance on him.
When Link truly did as he said, willing to stand in front of Robin and shield her from all the 'storms,' the mature woman's heart would instantly change into his shape.
At that time, Robin, like Hancock, would be willing to make an enemy of the world for him, and even die for him