Chapter 53 Nami: It was obviously me first!
Changing an organization takes time, especially a big one.
Baroque Works is large, so it won't show big changes quickly. However, now that Crocodile isn't causing trouble, the Nefertari family is doing much better, especially since Vivi and Kosa, a rebel leader, are childhood friends.
Alabasta as a whole is recovering noticeably fast.
On the third day after Princess Vivi returned to the capital, from the Rainbase, the Nefertari fay announced peace with over 200,000 rebels led by Kosa.
Kosa is the biggest rebel leader in Alabasta. His peace with the Nefertari family means their forces grew to over 800,000 or even 900,000.
The remaining rebels combined are less than half that number, and without Crocodile to lead them, plus Kosa's switch in sides, it's clear to anyone paying attention that the Nefertari family is gaining the upper hand in Alabasta.
Nobles who once supported Crocodile, now unable to reach him, are reevaluating the situation and returning to pledge loyalty to the Nefertari family.
Issues like those with the upper nobility and rebels are slowly being resolved, and the country is starting to stabilize again.
Alabasta's biggest port city, Nanoha
Right now, Bane's Shark Sparbub was busy loading the ship, which was set to sail soon.
Nearly a month had passed since we arrived in Alabasta. This place is so big that we have been traveling around for half a month.
At the port dock, Zoro and Issho were discussing swordsmanship. Issho's presence clearly made Bane less important in Zoro's eyes. Bane rarely talked swordsmanship with Zoro, while Issho was a serious swordsman who got along well with him.
Nami was telling her underlings to carefully load the valuable luxury goods, antiques, and gifts from the Nefertari family onto the ship.
Since taking over Baroque Works, Nami seemed to have changed her mindset. She was no longer as focused on money. She now claimed she would act like an upper-class lady. For example, after eating at the Nanoha Flower Restaurant, she gave the waiter a big tip.
But everyone could see that this behavior was just a phase, and she might go back to her old ways soon.
She may even never forget the tips she gave out.
Bane was sitting in front of a simple barbecue stall at the dock, eating barbecue that tasted like dessert. He tried everything, like grilled scorpions and grilled lizards, and quickly stuffed them all into his mouth without any hesitation.
"It's not enough. I think I still need to go to Sky Island to try those sky beasts," Bane said as he swallowed a piece of camel meat whole, sounding a bit unhappy.
Across from him, Robin sat gracefully with a wine glass in her hand. She rested her chin on one hand and gazed at Bane with captivating eyes, as if she could never have enough of looking at him.
After taking a sip of wine, Bane looked at Robin and said, "What? If you keep looking at me like that, I'll think you're in love with me."
Robin laughed when she heard this. After a moment, she couldn't help but say, "I've been wondering why you fell for me at first sight. "
"What do you mean I fell for you at first sight? " Bane asked while chewing on his barbecue.
"In little garden, you could have easily killed me, but you didn't. Instead, you trusted me and were patient with me. At first, I thought it was because you needed me, but now that Crocodile is dead and Baroque Works is yours, I'm actually not needed. With your skills, you can find someone else, yet you didn't. You went even further and gave everything to me. Actually," Robin paused here. After a moment, she continued, "right now, you haven't put any safety measures in place for Baroque Works. This means that after you leave, I could easily trick everyone and even betray you with the whole organization. "
"I believe you," Bane replied directly, cutting her off.
"Hehe~" Robin chuckled and said, "What do you believe in? I easily betrayed Crocodile for you. I've done this to others many times before. You know that, so why do you still say 'believe me'? "
Bane stroked his chin and thought for a moment before saying, "Beauty? "
"Ah? " Robin was surprised and couldn't respond for a moment.
"Ahahahahaha," Bane laughed and said, "I really like women like you. Is that a good enough reason? "
Beauty should have been the least convincing reason, and Robin naturally didn't believe it. She wanted to argue, but when she saw Bane's admiring gaze, she finally smiled and shook her head, deciding not to question it further.
"Two years at most," Bane suddenly changed the subject and said, "After two years, I promise you won't have to hide anymore. You can show yourself to the world openly. I. . . "
"Honestly, it doesn't matter if it's been two years or twenty. I've grown used to this feeling, and I no longer want to trust other people's promises. I understand how much my identity might trouble you, so I don't want to add any pressure. This might be the only way I can assist you." Robin said softly.
"Okay. " Bane didn't push for any promises. He nodded and remained quiet.
He naturally returned to eating and drinking, while Robin said little. She simply sat across the table, smiling faintly. She watched gently as the man in front of her ate messily.
About ten minutes later, Nami called from the distant ship ladder, "Hey, Bane, everything is arranged. Have you finished eating? "
When Bane heard Nami, he paused, drank what was in front of him, and then turned to Robin, saying, "I guess I need to say goodbye to my beloved subordinate for a while. "
"I don't think sweet talk suits you. It doesn't really move people. " Robin chuckled.
"What a shame. Maybe you just don't see my charm. " Bane replied, pretending to be serious.
Then he stood up and looked at the port behind Robin and the endless desert.
At this moment, Robin also stood up. She lost her usual elegance. First, she stepped on the stool, then on the table. Her white boots kicked the food, and juice spilled out.
In the next moment, she hugged Bane's head and kissed him.
Their lips met, and Bane was a little shocked. But being someone who had trained under the landlady, he quickly reacted. He wrapped his arms around Robin's waist and kissed her back passionately.
Meanwhile, Nami was shocked by the scene! "Hey! " Nami, not one to back down, shouted, "Robin! ! ! Let him go, I was obviously first! "
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