"!!!"
Robin and Nami simultaneously spotted the Marine uniform on Zoro.
"This is bad!"
Robin's heart sank sharply.
She hadn't expected Marine reinforcements to arrive so quickly!
She had already lost the best chance to retreat.
Right now, she had to notify Mr.0 about the Marines' large-scale landing in Nanohana!
"…"
Robin's gaze instantly hardened with resolve. Her grip on Nami's arm loosened slightly, and her other hand reached into her chest pocket.
Inside, she kept an emergency Den Den Mushi — one that only she and the boss possessed.
This was the final option.
Just as Robin pressed the Den Den Mushi, Nami broke free from her restraint.
"Ha—"
"I'm saved!"
Instinctively, she pulled out her Marine ID from her chest and shouted loudly:
"G-3 Marine Branch, Seaman Recruit Nami, requesting immediate backup!"
"Hmm…?"
Zoro's eyes swept over Nami.
A Seaman Recruit from G-3?
Did G-3 recruit new soldiers recently?
But before he could think further, his attention was firmly drawn to Robin.
He stared at her face, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.
Not only was his sense of direction sharp — his instincts and memory were also excellent.
On the way to Alabasta, during a strategic meeting, Rayne Hawke had specifically emphasized one thing.
This was G-3's first large-scale joint operation, with the mission to completely eradicate Baroque Works.
But among all the targets, there was one person in particular who required extreme caution.
"…"
Zoro recalled Hawke pulling out a wanted poster, saying this was a special target personally designated by Admiral Aokiji.
The photo was of a cold-faced young girl.
And right now… the facial features before him — that high nose bridge, those deep, sharp eyes — unmistakably matched the grown-up version of the girl in the poster.
"'Devil's Child'… Nico Robin?"
Zoro tested cautiously.
"!!!"
Robin's body stiffened instantly, and a sharp sense of danger surged within her. She instinctively stepped back.
She was exposed!
"Hahaha!"
"As expected, my sense of direction is flawless!"
Seeing Robin's reaction, Zoro grinned broadly, feeling a rush of triumph.
That damned curly-browed cook!
He'd only gotten promoted to Lieutenant Commander because he lucked out on Skypiea, taking down two priests ahead of everyone else!
But this time was different!
He'd caught the special target personally marked by a Marine Admiral!
A walking—
Achievement!
Would Hawke-sama even dare deny him military merits and rewards now?!
This time, he didn't even care about bonuses or treasure.
All he wanted was a promotion!
To surpass curly-brow!
He could already imagine Sanji's frustrated, infuriated face — the thought filled Zoro with pure satisfaction.
"Oi, you. Orange-head."
Zoro waved at Nami, signaling her to come behind him.
"Get behind me."
"Orange-head???"
Nami glared at his Marine Lieutenant uniform, suppressing her anger, then jogged behind Zoro for cover.
"Shing—"
The Wado Ichimonji slid half an inch out of its sheath, and a surge of sword intent instantly locked onto Robin.
Robin's pupils constricted sharply.
Such a strong swordsman!
Just the faint pressure from his blade made her feel like countless invisible blades were pressing against her body.
She had no doubt — if she made even the slightest move, she'd be cut into pieces in the next instant.
Her gaze dropped to the small, inconspicuous emergency Den Den Mushi at her feet.
The alert… had already been sent.
Mr.0… Crocodile… would he come to save her?
Or would he treat her like so many others had in the past — a disposable pawn, discarded at a whim?
"Forget it…"
Robin's lips curled into a faint, self-mocking smile.
Live or die, stay or escape… those were problems for later.
Right now, resisting was pure foolishness.
"I surrender."
Robin slowly raised her hands, her voice calm.
"Hmph. At least you know your place."
Zoro nodded in satisfaction, sliding Wado Ichimonji back into its sheath.
"Let's go. I'll take you to Hawke-sama."
"Hawke-sama?"
Nami couldn't help but ask upon hearing the familiar name.
"Are you talking about G-3 Branch Commander Hawke… Commodore Hawke?"
"Commodore?"
Zoro paused mid-step, turning to glance at Nami, pride flashing in his voice.
"That's ancient history."
"Rayne Hawke-sama is now a Rear Admiral at Headquarters!"
"Boom—"
Thunder seemed to explode in Nami's head.
A Rear Admiral?!
Her eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.
From the time she'd left East Blue's 16th Branch until arriving in Alabasta, how long had it even been?!
In such a short time… Commodore Hawke — no, Rear Admiral Hawke — had already been promoted again?!
"…"
Beside her, Robin, who had been maintaining a calm composure, stiffened slightly upon hearing the name "Rayne Hawke."
So…
The man leading the Marines in this lightning-fast purge of Nanohana… was him?!
The story of the G-3 Branch Commander's bombardment and annihilation of Mock Town had long spread throughout the underworld.
As Baroque Works' chief intelligence officer, she had, of course, investigated this rising figure known as the "Blood Hawk."
A man who rose from the weakest of the Four Seas — East Blue — carving a bloody path by slaying pirates until he reached Marine Headquarters.
A ruthless hawk among hawks, a staunch believer in "Justice Through Slaughter," infamous for his merciless, brutal methods.
No wonder…
No wonder he dared to defy the Shichibukai agreement and directly make a move against Alabasta!
Robin's gaze grew increasingly complicated.
To think she had fallen into this man's hands…
She couldn't help but wonder—
…
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Nami bombarded Zoro with questions.
"How's the food at G-3?"
"Are salaries paid on time?"
"What's the training regimen like?"
"And just how exactly did Hawke-sama get promoted?!"
"…"
Veins throbbed on Zoro's forehead.
As he endured the endless barrage of noise, he tried hard to focus on their direction.
Something felt off.
This street… looked familiar.
Zoro stopped, scratching his green short hair, staring at a nearby alley, deep in thought.
"Oi, why'd you stop walking?"
Nami caught up, confusion written all over her face.
"Shut it, Orange-head!"
Zoro snapped back furiously, "It's your nonstop yapping that's messing up my sense of direction!"
"Sense of direction?"
Nami froze for a moment, then stared at him like he was an idiot.
She raised her hand, pointing at the alley.
"Five minutes ago, we passed through here — heading that way."
She pointed toward the opposite street.
"Ten minutes ago, we passed the same spot — heading the other way."
"This isn't 'messing up your sense of direction' — you've been going in circles!"
"Boom—"
Zoro's face flushed dark red.
"Y-You're lying!"
"Ha?!"
That was it — Nami exploded.
She punched Zoro squarely on the head with a dull "thud."
"I'm lying?! You think I can't tell, you clueless road hazard?!"
"And stop calling me Orange-head!"
"This is vibrant tangerine hair, got it, you damn moss-head!"
Fuming, Nami grabbed Zoro by the collar, roaring,
"Now tell me! Where's Hawke-sama?!"
"T-The… docks…"
"Good."
Nami released him, straightened her clothes, then grabbed Zoro's ear and started dragging him along.
"Come with me!"
Following behind them, Robin silently observed the comedic scene.
A faint, imperceptible ripple stirred within her calm, deep eyes.
...
Meanwhile, the battle in Nanohana was drawing to an end.
Against G-3 Branch's slaughter machine, Baroque Works agents were fragile.
Hawke didn't even need to issue fresh commands.
Smoker, Hina, Kujaku, and the others — after clearing their respective zones — simply checked their maps and immediately led their forces toward their next predetermined targets.
To wipe Baroque Works off the map entirely.
This was their true mission.
...
At the docks.
Hawke was just about to head to Crocodile's stronghold — Rainbase — together with Hibari.
At that moment, a fiery orange-haired girl came storming over, dragging a green-haired Marine by the ear.
Following behind them was a calm, elegant black-haired woman.
Hawke's lips curved faintly.
"Oh? What's this situation?"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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