# Chapter 66: Historical Text, a Gift to Robin
In the rainbase of Alabasta, at the Rain Dinners casino's second basement level, Robin sat in the office that had once belonged to Crocodile.
The space had undergone renovations during this period, expanding considerably. The pool where Crocodile had kept his crocodiles had been converted into a proper sitting area.
As Baroque Works' vice president, Robin found herself busier than she'd ever been under Crocodile. Endless documents and affairs demanded attention daily, leaving her irritated whenever she thought of Bane—their absentee president.
"I wonder where that man is now," Robin murmured to herself.
As if summoned by her words, the transponder snail on her desk began ringing.
Robin had grown accustomed to this routine. Given her current position, senior Baroque Works agents called daily to report their progress.
It made sense—since Crocodile's Utopia plan had collapsed, Baroque Works had been accumulating wealth at an increasingly rapid pace.
After glancing at the transponder snail, Robin's expression brightened immediately. The caller was none other than Bane himself.
After deliberately waiting several seconds, Robin calmly picked up the receiver. "President, do you have instructions for me?"
"Oh, it seems our vice president holds some resentment," Bane said with amusement.
'Thinking about it, I should feel ashamed.' Robin had boldly kissed him when they'd parted, but after leaving, Bane had never contacted her once. 'I really am a scumbag.'
Despite hearing Bane's voice, Robin maintained her composed tone. "How could I dare? After all, I witnessed the previous president's fate with my own eyes."
"Hehehe," Bane chuckled twice, then continued, "By the way, is that encrypted fax machine I asked you to prepare ready?"
Robin's gaze unconsciously drifted to the fax machine on her desk. "Of course, though it hasn't been used yet. Rather pitiful, really."
"There's been some developments here," Bane said, clicking his tongue.
'Why hadn't I noticed before that Robin could be so clingy? Wasn't her character supposed to be that of a scheming, independent queen?'
Before Robin could respond, Bane smiled and continued, "I've been searching for an appropriate gift for you for some time. Today I finally found something perfect—it'll definitely suit your tastes. So, what's the encryption code for that fax machine? I'll photograph the gift and send it over."
"This is the first time I've heard of someone giving a photograph as a present," Robin said with amused complaint, but quickly provided the necessary codes.
On his end, Bane fiddled with his cabin's fax machine.
After a moment, he transmitted a photograph he'd taken earlier.
Robin's machine clicked to life. Though she remained seated in her chair, a pair of hands sprouted from the fax machine. After waiting briefly, they retrieved the image Bane had sent.
After just one glance, Robin's expression transformed completely. She shot up from her chair, crossed to the table in two quick strides, and seized the faxed photograph.
"A Poneglyph!" she exclaimed excitedly. "This is a Poneglyph!"
Indeed, the photograph Bane had sent depicted the historical stone hidden within the golden city of Shandora.
"How do you like this gift?" Bane asked with satisfaction.
Robin finally recovered from her fascination with the Poneglyph image, a brilliant smile spreading across her face. "How would you like me to reward you?"
'A queen is a queen.' Her words carried immediate seductive undertones, causing Bane to feel momentarily shaken on his end of the transponder snail. However, his willpower remained strong, so he quickly deflected with teasing: "Help me manage Baroque Works and make more money for me."
"What an unromantic man~" Robin deliberately purred in that seductive tone. After saying this, she couldn't help laughing, holding the photograph in one hand while asking, "Where did you find this?"
"Sky Island. The golden land of Shandora," Bane replied calmly.
"The golden land!" Robin sounded surprised, though only briefly. She quickly continued, "I didn't expect you to discover this legendary sea treasure."
She'd originally planned to discuss the golden land with Bane, but before she could speak, unexpected findings in the photograph's Poneglyph caught her attention. Changing topics, she said, "Someone reached this legendary golden land before you."
"Did the ancient text on the Poneglyph tell you that?" Bane responded without surprise.
"'I came here to guide this text to its final destination,'" Robin translated the ancient script simply and clearly, then added, "The one who left this message was Pirate King Roger."
"I see," Bane sighed with feigned interest.
This prompted Robin to ask somewhat strangely, "Why do you seem completely uncurious about this?"
"I'm not lacking curiosity about anything. I told you before—I have no interest in that historical period. The reason I photographed this Poneglyph and sent it to you is because you enjoy such things. This is simply my gift, nothing more," Bane responded calmly.
"Hehe~" Robin laughed happily twice, then spoke in seductive tones: "You should know that terrible ancient weapons are hidden within these historical texts. Aren't you tempted by that kind of power? Perhaps the Poneglyph you showed me contains information about world-destroying forces?"
Robin wasn't lying, and Bane knew the Sky Island Poneglyph recorded the location of Poseidon—one of the ancient weapons supposedly powerful enough to destroy the world.
However, Bane knew Poseidon's true identity: Shirahoshi, the little princess of Fishman Island's royal family.
Therefore, this particular Poneglyph held no interest for him. If he ever discovered Uranus's secrets, he might feel slightly more intrigued.
" I'm not interested," Bane responded to Robin straightforwardly.
Before Robin could reply, Bane continued, "All right, all right. I can smell barbecue aromas, and Sky Island's sky beasts are calling to me. I won't talk anymore. Work hard. If I gain something worthwhile in the future, I'll reward you again."
Having said this, Bane hung up the transponder snail without hesitation.
On the other end, Robin stared at the now-silent receiver with a helpless expression. 'That man is truly unpredictable.'
Regardless, Bane's failure to demand information about the Poneglyph genuinely relieved Robin. Whether that man was disguising his intentions or harboring some other conspiracy, at least in this moment he hadn't pressured her, allowing her greater peace of mind.
Meanwhile, Bane had left his cabin and emerged onto the deck.
Looking ahead, a village appeared visible among the distant clouds, with tempting barbecue aromas drifting from that direction.
At this point, Bane and his crew had already departed from the upper yard. Wiper had rung the bell and illuminated Shandora's lights.
Afterward, the Shandians, their long-held wish finally fulfilled, had generously gifted the golden land to Bane.
There had been no alternative. Bane had never concealed his intention to claim the golden land, so Wiper and the others knew they couldn't stop Bane's group. Rather than damaging relationships and creating trouble over the golden city, they'd chosen to offer it freely.
As for Bane, since the Shandians had volunteered the gift, it seemed legitimate, so he hadn't refused at all. With a gesture, his darkness powers had swallowed the golden land entirely. In other words, he now carried immeasurable wealth with him.
After securing the golden city, they hadn't lingered in upper yard for any reason. Wiper had contacted his village in advance to prepare sky beast barbecue, and Bane was naturally eager to sample Sky Island's flavors.
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