Chapter 171: Revolutionary Army Headquarters
Grand Line - Offshore of Baltigo
The azure sea was like a quiet sheet of silk, rising and falling with the wind.
In this sea area almost forgotten by the world, a small boat quietly cut through the waves, sailing slowly toward the isolated and desolate island in the distance.
"Hmm~ that's the place," Roy said, standing at the bow and pointing ahead.
In the distance, the island was covered in yellow sand, chaotic rocks, and twisted, jagged ridges. It looked like a wasteland that had been sleeping for a thousand years—no port, no signs of life.
Ace, standing beside him, stared wide-eyed at the barren land. "This is the Revolutionary Army's base? It looks too desolate, doesn't it?!"
Nico Robin analyzed calmly, "That is precisely why the World Government has trouble finding them."
She looked up at the sky, frowning slightly. "Moreover, the magnetic field in this sea area is abnormal. Constant storms interfere with Log Poses and navigation systems... Without special means, you can't dock at all."
Roy looked at the approaching silhouette of the island thoughtfully. "Hmm... doesn't seem to be a place to park the boat."
Suddenly, he grinned. "Whatever, I already notified Brother Dragon anyway~"
Ace seemed to realize something. His expression tightened, and he immediately grabbed the railing. "Oi, oi! Robin, hold on tight!"
"Hm?" Robin looked up instinctively, catching only a glimpse of the mischievous grin on Roy's face.
Before she could react—
"SWISH—!!!"
Space twisted, and with a zip, the small boat vanished from the sea surface into thin air!
Baltigo - Revolutionary Army Base
In the center of a plain paved with yellow sand and rocks stood a military base built of stone and metal.
On the plaza, Monkey D. Dragon stood with his hands behind his back, his cloak fluttering in the wind, his gaze deep.
Beside him stood Sabo, Koala, and the ever-flamboyant Ivankov.
(Note: Thanks to Roy's advance warning, Ivankov was not imprisoned on trumped-up charges and remains free.)
"They'll be here soon," Dragon said lightly, as if he knew everything.
Sabo rubbed his palms excitedly, pacing back and forth. "Big Bro Roy and Ace are coming! It's been so long!"
Koala facepalmed helplessly. "Sabo-kun, you've circled seven times... can you calm down?"
Dragon crossed his arms, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "It has indeed been a while."
Ivankov twisted his massive body, laughing loudly. "Hee-haw! Wonder what that brat is up to now!"
Just as they were chatting—
"BOOM—!!!"
The sky suddenly darkened, as if dark clouds were pressing down!
Everyone looked up instinctively, only to see a small boat plummeting rapidly from high altitude! The sails flapped wildly, casting a massive shadow!
Ace and Robin were clinging to the railings for dear life, feeling like their bodies were about to fly off.
At the bow, Roy had one foot on the railing, arm raised high, his smile unchanged. "Long time no see—!"
Revolutionary Army: "!!!"
"BIG BRO ROY!!!" Sabo screamed, his voice a mix of shock and helpless nostalgia.
"That really is his style of entrance," Koala muttered, her mouth twitching.
Dragon sighed and raised his right hand gently—
"WHOOSH—!!"
An invisible whirlwind rose from the ground like a gentle giant hand, steadily catching the falling boat and setting it down lightly in the center of the plaza. Silent, yet imposing.
Ace jumped off the boat, rolling his shoulders. "Ah—finally here! SABO!!!"
Sabo had already rushed forward, pulling Ace into a bear hug. "Long time no see~ Ace!!!"
The two brothers laughed and wrestled together, while Koala shook her head and sighed.
On the other side, Robin stepped off the boat. Looking at this strange land filled with idealism, she smiled softly. "We're finally here."
Roy walked down, patting Dragon on the shoulder. "Old Dragon, you're reliable as always."
Dragon smiled faintly. "At least more reliable than you."
Ivankov spread his arms wide, laughing. "Hee-haw! Long time no see, Roy-boy~"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Sunlight broke through the clouds again, illuminating the liveliest moment on this desolate island.
Moments Later - Baltigo Training Ground
The setting sun cast long shadows, and yellow sand filled the air. The Revolutionary Army's training ground was boiling over with the clash of flames!
"BOOM!!!"
A scorching Fire Fist slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Another figure moved through the air like a snake, dodging precisely!
Ace and Sabo stood facing each other, wearing identical grins, their eyes burning with long-lost battle lust.
"Haven't seen you in a few months, you've improved a lot."
"Likewise." Sabo shook his burning arm. "But I won't go easy on you."
Koala stood on the sidelines, hugging her arms helplessly. "You two... whenever you meet, it's either fighting or blowing up the training ground... honestly."
The two looked back simultaneously. "Just borrowing the venue~"
Koala: "...Haaah."
Revolutionary Army - Conference Room
Meanwhile, the atmosphere elsewhere was completely different.
Inside the conference room, the heavy wooden doors were shut. Only a few hanging lamps flickered with dim light.
Monkey D. Dragon, Ivankov, Roy, and Robin sat around a long table. The air was thick with solemnity and inquiry.
"With your intelligence network," Roy leaned back in his chair, tone flat but hinting at something, "you should know who she is, right?"
Ivankov pushed up his sunglasses, his smile eerie yet meaningful. "Of course—'Devil Child', survivor of Ohara, Nico Robin."
Robin's fingers tightened slightly, but her expression remained calm as water, as if long accustomed to the weight of that label.
Dragon put down the documents in his hand, looking at her steadily. "The Revolutionary Army will guarantee your safety. We won't force you to do anything you don't want to."
"But sometimes, we do need your mind... especially regarding 'History,' the part the world is most unwilling to face."
Robin looked at Dragon quietly. After a long while, she nodded gently. "As long as I can continue researching the Poneglyphs—this place, perhaps, is where I can truly exist."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried the persistence and stubbornness honed by twenty years of wind and sand.
The atmosphere relaxed slightly—
"By the way, Brother Dragon."
Roy suddenly tilted his head toward Dragon, his tone teasing. "Did you forget to tell her something?"
Dragon paused, then realized. "...Apologies. I was too focused on revolutionary matters."
He looked at Robin seriously, his tone suddenly low and solemn. "Nico Robin, there is something you must know."
"Saul is still alive."
"BOOM—!!!"
This sentence exploded in the conference room like a thunderclap!
Robin's eyes snapped open. Her chair screeched as she pushed back abruptly.
"Wh-What?!!"
Her voice trembled, hands unconsciously gripping the edge of the table. "You mean... that... Giant Vice Admiral Saul?!"
"The Saul who betrayed the Marines for me... who was frozen by Admiral Aokiji...?"
Ivankov wore a rare look of gravity. "It's him."
Dragon continued, "Aokiji didn't kill him back then; he only froze him in ice. Later, due to the fires of Ohara, he successfully broke free. Months after the Buster Call, he led giants back to the ruins of Ohara in secret and retrieved some of the literature the scholars risked their lives to protect at the bottom of the lake."
"After that, he went into hiding in the homeland of giants—Elbaf. He has been living incognito ever since."
"He is still alive."
Hearing this, Robin was completely speechless. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably, tears falling silently from her eyes.
It was as if she had returned to the burning Ohara, watching that simple, honest giant who smiled and told her "There is no one in this world who is absolutely alone," using his last strength to send her out of the sea of fire.
In that moment, twenty years of loneliness and the shadow of being hunted melted away quietly in her tears.
"So... someone... still remembers the will of Ohara..."
"He's still alive..."
Roy sat beside her, his voice gentle as he reminded her, "When you have time, you can go see him."
"That guy must really want to see you again too."
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