In just a blink of an eye, the dozens of Marine Tashigi had brought to capture Nojiko were all dealt with.
And Tashigi herself was instantly surrounded by continuously growing giant plants.
Countless vines attacked her one after another.
Tashigi continuously swung her sword, cutting off vine after vine, her body constantly retreating.
In less than three seconds, she was driven out of the broadcast range by Nojiko.
At this moment, Nojiko smiled faintly.
"This is just a warning, Miss Swordsman!"
"If you get any closer, I'll have to get serious."
Hearing Nojiko say this, Tashigi was immediately startled.
Such strength, instantly dealing with dozens of Marine and driving her away, was only a warning?
Tashigi couldn't believe it.
But as a Marine, she couldn't back down.
After steadying herself, she gripped her sword again and charged forward.
However, this time, Nojiko no longer used plants to obstruct her.
Instead, she shook her head as she watched Tashigi rapidly approaching, her expression becoming serious, and she said coldly.
"Since you won't listen to reason, then I can only say I'm sorry, Miss Swordsman!"
With that, Nojiko waved her right hand, pulling a vine from the plants on the ground.
At the same time, a streak of black appeared on her right hand.
After the black attached, it continued to spread towards the vine.
In the blink of an eye, the vine in her hand turned into an ink-black iron whip, looking incredibly hard.
Nojiko and Nami, with the assistance of Luffy's heaven-defying comprehension, both displayed extremely strong talent in Haki.
Nami excelled at Observation Haki, and its coverage was extremely wide, allowing her to perceive all auras within a large range.
Nojiko, on the other hand, excelled at Armament Haki, and its power was even comparable to Zoro and Sanji's performance.
Ever since Nojiko used Armament Haki Infusion, her entire aura suddenly changed, transforming into a powerful female warrior.
Smoker's pupils trembled when he saw this scene.
He "247" hadn't expected that even a seemingly inconspicuous crew member like Nojiko would be so powerful.
Looking at Tashigi, who was still unaware of the disparity, Smoker immediately gritted his teeth and cursed.
"That foolish woman..."
With that, Smoker suddenly transformed into a cloud of smoke and flew over the heads of the crowd.
"Tashigi, come back!"
Smoker shouted loudly.
But it was too late.
When Smoker spoke, everyone in the world saw it.
Nojiko casually swung the vine in her hand, causing a thunderous roar in the air.
The powerful energy even solidified the air, leaving traces like transparent barriers in the path of the whip.
And when Tashigi raised her sword to block the whip, at the very moment of contact, she spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying.
Nojiko did not aim for a killing blow; otherwise, she could have controlled the whip to go around Tashigi's back and strike her directly, instead of hitting her sword.
But even so, Tashigi still suffered a considerable injury.
Immediately, the entire world instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked at the woman holding the black whip in disbelief, their eyes filled with shock and fear.
"So strong!"
"Is this the strength of the Straw Hat?!"
"Every crew member is an absurdly powerful monster!"
"I can't imagine how strong their Captain, Straw Hat, must be!"
"Is such a pirate crew really just a rookie pirate crew? What a joke?!"
At this moment, the world was left with a deep impression of the Straw Hat Pirates.
All members are monsters!!!
A certain island in the New World.
Shanks looked at the scene in the video, his eyes filled with shock, and he couldn't help but exclaim.
"Luffy, that guy, has recruited a bunch of incredible people!"
Lucky Roux nodded repeatedly and said.
"Each of these crew members has shown incredibly strong combat power; they will all grow into very powerful beings in the future."
"Boss, I think these people might even surpass us in the future!"
"Hahahaha..."
At these words, the Shanks Pirates burst into laughter.
Shanks's gaze sharpened, filled with anticipation.
"I eagerly await that day!"
...
Flower Shop Square.
After Smoker arrived on the scene, he gritted his teeth and angrily looked at Nojiko.
"You bastard..."
Although he didn't want to work for the World Government, he wouldn't stand idly by while his subordinates were injured.
So at this moment, even though he suspected he might not be able to defeat Nojiko, his anger was still ignited, and he prepared to fight her.
Just then, he heard a chorus of dissatisfied whispers behind him.
"Marine, what are you doing?"
"Why are you attacking the Straw Hat?"
"They are helping to save this country, yet you are stopping them! Are you in league with Crocodile, trying to destroy this country?"
"That's right! Marine! It's bad enough that you don't help save this country, but you're also stopping the heroes who are trying to save it. Is this your so-called justice?"
"If you are truly just, then stay away from the Straw Hat!"
"Stay away from the Straw Hat!"
Listening to the growing number of voices condemning the Marine and the justice they represented, Smoker's teeth ground together, and his brows furrowed, trembling uncontrollably.
Justice was something he had always pursued.
Yet now, what were they doing?!
"Idiot!"
Smoker cursed, blaming himself for not stopping Tashigi earlier.
At this moment, Tashigi's somewhat pained voice came from behind him.
"Sm... Smoker Captain!"
Smoker looked over and saw Tashigi had already gritted her teeth and gotten up.
"Let's go, Tashigi!"
"Forget this live broadcast!"
Smoker told Tashigi, then turned to Nojiko and said,
"Let my subordinates down! We won't attack you anymore!"
Nojiko didn't doubt him and let those people down.
After all, with so many people watching, she believed Smoker wouldn't go back on his word.
...
Holy Land Mariejois!
Watching Smoker leave with his Marine subordinates on the screen, Saint Nasujuro frowned and said angrily,
"That Navy Captain dared to defy orders!"
Pitte Saint said coldly,
"I've heard of that Navy Captain; he always seems to be disobedient."
Saint Mars frowned and said in a deep voice,
"Are there no other Marines near Alabasta?"
Saint Warcury looked at the live broadcast, his eyes filled with rage, and said,
"It's useless. Alabasta is too far forward on the Grand Line; the forces stationed there are inherently weak."
"And the Straw Hat's combat power far exceeded everyone's expectations."
"I don't think that Navy Captain, even if he had attacked, would have been a match for that woman from the Straw Hat."
"We... underestimated the Straw Hat!"
Satan Saint nodded upon hearing this and said,
"That's right! What we should be considering now is how to deal with the Straw Hat. If we leave them alone and let them grow, they will definitely become a very big hidden danger in the future."
After Satan Saint finished speaking, the five of them all frowned and fell into deep contemplation.
...
Flower Shop Square.
When Smoker returned to the crowd with Tashigi and their group, a sudden exclamation rang out in the square.
"He's here, it's Straw Hat!"
With that cry, everyone immediately looked towards the screen.
In the first frame, Luffy and Vivi entered the picture.
"Father?!"
Vivi cried out in concern and ran towards Cobra, who was lying on the ground.
This exclamation also caught the attention of Crocodile, who was about to act.
...
After Crocodile disappeared from the screen.
He went to the house where Robin was, where the Poneglyph was located.
Having learned that his actions and words were secretly broadcast live, Crocodile's eyes were now filled with infinite rage.
Knowing that he could no longer obtain this country, he placed all his hopes on Pluton.
After arriving next to Robin, Crocodile angrily asked in a deep voice,
"How is it, Ms. All Sunday?"
"Read what you saw to me quickly, read every word!"
Upon hearing Crocodile's words, Robin began to read from the stone tablet.
"Kashi conquered Alabasta in the year 239 of the Celestial Calendar!"
"In 260, Teyima dominated the Bitone Dynasty!"
"In 306, Eruma built the Taffo Cathedral!"
"In 325..."
As Robin read each word, Crocodile's expression grew increasingly enraged, and his eyes began to twitch again from fury.
He interrupted Robin, saying angrily in a deep voice,
"Wait!"
"I'm not interested in this country's history at all."
"Quickly tell me what I want to know..."
"Where is Pluton, the world's most evil weapon, hidden in this country?"
"Tell me quickly!"
Crocodile's fingers curved into hooks, and with the effort, the veins on the back of his hand and forehead all bulged, like small snakes, looking extremely terrifying.
Robin, however, feigned innocence and said calmly,
"It's not recorded here!"
"This only records the history of the country!"
"Not a single word mentions Pluton!"
Crocodile's expression suddenly darkened upon hearing this. He released his tensed hand and let it drop.
Then, he said in an extremely sinister tone,
"Is that so? That's truly regrettable!"
Crocodile's eyes shifted, glancing at Robin.
His expression was cold and filled with chill.
He said coldly,
"Although you are an excellent partner, I still have to kill you here!"
Robin's expression remained unchanged; she had long expected this.
And Crocodile continued,
"Four years ago, we made a contract."
"I would lead you to the location of the Poneglyph, and you would tell me the whereabouts of Pluton."
"But... you ultimately broke the agreement!"
Crocodile suddenly let out a cold laugh...
"Even so, I won't take my anger out on you."
"Do you know why, Nico Robin!"
Robin didn't answer, just quietly watched Crocodile, while simultaneously using her ability to grasp a tube of water from her clothes.
Then, she saw Crocodile suddenly curl his lips, revealing a sinister smile.
"Because from the very beginning... I never trusted anyone!"
As Crocodile finished speaking, he raised the hook on his hand, preparing to attack Robin.
Robin had already taken out the water in her hand, ready to splash it on Crocodile.
Just as both were about to make a move, they suddenly heard a rapid sound of footsteps behind them.
At the same time, a cry of "Father" reached their ears.
Crocodile turned his head at the sound and saw Luffy and Vivi enter the royal tomb.
Seeing Luffy, the rage in Crocodile's eyes was instantly ignited, and he said in a deep voice,
"I've been waiting for you..."
Crocodile was halfway through his sentence when he heard Luffy shout,
"Stop, Robin!"
Crocodile looked over in confusion and saw Robin holding a tube of water in one hand, formed by her ability, and a dagger in her other hand.
Both hands were prepared to attack him simultaneously.
Crocodile's weakness was water; once he got wet, his body couldn't elementalize, and he would naturally be injured.
However, it was Luffy who stopped Robin's action.
Then, they heard Luffy say coldly,
"Leave that guy to me!"
Robin had originally intended to sneak attack Crocodile while he was distracted by Luffy, but she didn't expect to be interrupted by Luffy.
But since things had come to this, she had been discovered by Crocodile and certainly wouldn't succeed.
So she quickly moved away from Crocodile.
Crocodile looked at Luffy and Robin, who seemed to have a rather harmonious relationship, and immediately frowned, looking coldly at Robin and saying,
"Nico Robin! So you had betrayed me long ago."
"At that time, I was still wondering why you were able to escape from Straw Hat's hands?"
"At first, I thought you only came back to me because you believed you could only find the Poneglyph by following me."
"But now it seems I was deceived by you, Nico Robin!"
"Are you… with Straw Hat now?!"
Robin looked at Crocodile, speaking indifferently.
"Didn't you also say you never trusted me?"
"So, you have no right to say I betrayed you, do you?"
Instead of getting angry, Crocodile laughed when he heard that.
"Gwahahahahaha…"
"You're right, Nico Robin!"
"We are both people who trust no one; neither of us has the right to accuse the other of betrayal!"
Saying that, Crocodile suddenly ignored Robin and looked at Luffy, sneering.
"Do you know, Straw Hat?"
"This woman has been a World Government fugitive since she was eight."
"Since then, she has survived by joining other pirate crews."
Upon hearing Crocodile suddenly utter these words, Robin's pupils immediately constricted, and she shrieked with all her might.
"Shut up!"
Crocodile saw Robin's angry and panicked expression, but the smile on his face only deepened as he continued with interest.
"This woman has joined countless pirate crews."
"And the ultimate fate of every pirate crew was destruction."
Robin's eyes were completely filled with rage at this moment, and she shrieked, her mouth wide open, with immense fury.
"Didn't I tell you to shut up?!"
As she spoke, Robin once again picked up the water and dagger from earlier, preparing to charge at Crocodile.
However, this time, Luffy once again spoke up to stop Robin.
"Stop, Robin!"
"Let him speak!"
Robin looked at Luffy, tears in her eyes, stunned, with reluctance and despair.
She knew that if Luffy knew about her past, she would have no chance with his pirate crew.
That's why she was so desperately trying to stop Crocodile.
Because she really liked the atmosphere of Luffy's pirate crew and enjoyed the feeling of being trusted.
So… she didn't want to lose it.
But now… she was stopped by Luffy.
This also completely extinguished the last glimmer of hope in Robin's heart.
Her eyes were filled with despair, her gaze hollow, and she slumped powerlessly to the ground, sitting there.
In an instant, she seemed to lose all hope for this world.
She had always lived to find the true history, always wanting to find trustworthy companions.
However, this time, she had approached Crocodile with full hope.
She thought this was the closest she would get to the true history, but the stone only contained information about Pluton.
If she hadn't met Luffy's group, Robin might have lost the will to live the moment she saw that stone.
But now, her last shred of hope that kept her alive was also extinguished by Crocodile.