At this moment, Rogers wasn't even sure of himself. After all, it was only the year 1510 of the Sea Circle Calendar—ten years before the story he knew began. Which meant Robin should only be around eighteen. Far younger, far less mature than the composed, sultry figure she would later become. Now, there was still a touch of youthful greenness about her.
And more importantly—Rogers himself was overwhelmed with excitement. Robin's voice was one he had heard hundreds of times in the anime. Of course it rang familiar. And to think he could meet a canon character this quickly? His heart pounded uncontrollably. So he cut straight to the point.
The waitress's pupils shrank sharply, her face paling. Panic slipped through her mask before she could suppress it. She forgot to lower her voice, blurting:
"Who are you? How do you know that?"
With that one outburst, she gave herself away. Worse, a few nearby patrons turned curious glances toward them. Rogers blinked in surprise. Wait… Robin this unstable?
Then again, it made sense. She had been hiding for so long, and now, out of nowhere, some random stranger had just exposed her identity—an identity she had killed to protect. And she didn't even know this man.
Robin's instincts screamed at her to run. Or maybe… silence him first.
"Whoa, whoa—don't panic! I mean no harm!" Rogers raised his hands quickly, desperate not to push her into doing anything rash. The last thing he wanted was Robin bolting—or worse, killing him.
"Why should I believe you?" Her tone dropped lower, cautious now. Thankfully, most people in the bar had already looked away.
"I'm a pirate too! Not the government, not an agent—seriously! Believe me!" Rogers stared at her with what he thought was sincerity.
Robin lowered her gaze, lips pressed thin. She hadn't trusted anyone in… so long.
Seeing her like this, Rogers rubbed his stomach with a grimace. "Miss Waitress, can't you hurry with the food? I'm starving here!"
Her eyebrow twitched. I'm on edge of exposure, maybe flight or death, and this idiot is… asking for dinner?
"I won't tell anyone. Why would I? I wouldn't even be able to fight you if I tried." Rogers put on his best 'helpless weakling' act, then added quickly, "So hurry up already! I'm dying of hunger!"
Robin studied him suspiciously for a moment, then sighed. Without a word, she turned and slipped through the door behind the counter—toward the kitchen. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't a threat.
Rogers watched her leave, a grin tugging at his lips. Robin hasn't joined Luffy yet. That means… this is my chance.
Moments later, Robin returned with two bottles of rum. She set them down with a thud, glaring. "The food will take a while. Drink these first."
Rogers snatched them up like a starving wolf. With a flick of his thumb, he popped the cork and tipped the bottle back, guzzling greedily.
"Look at you," Robin muttered. "It's like you haven't eaten in days."
"Eh, only been a few hours. Zehahaha!" Rogers replied, wiping his mouth.
Robin's lips curled. "That laugh… ridiculous. Like a fool." It reminded her of another man, with his own strange laugh. Maybe all idiots laughed this way.
Rogers downed the rest of the bottle in just a few gulps, then slammed it on the counter with a grin. "No idea why my laugh changed. Ever since I ate the Devil Fruit, it's just been like this. Zehahaha!" (Truth was, the author just really disliked Blackbeard's character…)
At his words, Robin's eyes sharpened. A Devil Fruit user? That made him far more dangerous. She leaned in, palms flat on the counter, voice firm.
"Enough. Who are you, really? And what do you want?"
Rogers didn't answer. He cracked open the second bottle instead, drinking deeply.
Robin smacked the counter, annoyed. "Can't you give me a straight answer?!"
Her voice rose again. Irritated, impatient. She wasn't usually this rash—but this man was testing her nerves.
"Relax." Rogers set the bottle down, waving her off. "I told you. I'm a pirate." He swirled the rum lazily.
Her eyes narrowed. "A pirate? What's your bounty?"
That… hit a nerve. Rogers grimaced. "…Zero. For now. But next time you check, maybe I'll already be wanted."
It stung. Humiliating, really.
Robin snorted. "So you're nothing but a small-time nobody."
"I haven't even set sail yet! But one day—I will become Pirate King!" Rogers shot back, voice heated.
Robin chuckled, low and amused. It wasn't cruel, just dismissive—like the laugh you'd give a child who'd declared he'd conquer the world. Her eyes said it all: foolish dreamer.
"You—" Rogers bristled. Since eating the Dark-Dark Fruit, his pride had swelled. Being laughed at stung worse.
"What is it?" she teased softly, eyes glinting. "Will the future Pirate King strike down a defenseless woman?"
"Tch. As if. I wouldn't lay a hand on you." Rogers turned away with a scowl.
Interesting. Robin found herself thinking he was… amusing, at least. Still, she pressed, voice sly.
"Then what is your purpose, 'Future Pirate King'?"
That mocking lilt in her voice made his teeth grind. But he still answered, gruffly: "I'm forming a crew. Still need crewmates. I was hoping to recruit you."
Robin froze.
"…What?" Her voice leapt in pitch. Shock colored every syllable. The word "pirate" had been spoken aloud, and suddenly the bar quieted as dozens of unfriendly eyes turned their way.
But Rogers didn't flinch. He leaned forward, eyes burning with excitement.
"Well? I'm serious! I think you'd be perfect. Why not join me?"
Of course. Robin wasn't just anyone. She was one of the few people alive who could read the Poneglyphs. If Rogers wanted any shot at Raftel, at the One Piece, then having her now—before fate claimed her for Luffy—was an opportunity too great to miss.
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T/N:
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