"Actually, the Sabaody Archipelago is a pretty good place."
Cyrus turned his head and said to Robin.
"The Sabaody Archipelago?" Robin paused, then nodded after a moment of thought.
"It is indeed a good place. As the gateway to the New World, anyone who wants to go there must pass through it. But because of that, it must be very chaotic."
Robin could imagine the Navy establishing a Naval Base on the Sabaody Archipelago to intercept pirates, but if the numbers were too great, she feared the Navy wouldn't be able to stop them all.
"The chaos doesn't matter. After all, it can be considered the center of the world."
If Robin could think of it, he naturally could as well.
And because he knew more, he had an even better understanding of the situation there.
But it was indeed a good place.
However, to establish an association there, he would need to have sufficient deterrent power.
So, in the end, strength was the foundation of everything.
But for now, the improvement of his strength had entered a certain stage.
According to the data-based display of his abilities, everything except for Conqueror's Haki had more or less reached the stage of complete mastery.
As for his Devil Fruit Ability, Cyrus estimated that to break through complete mastery, he would probably have to touch upon the awakening of the fruit.
His Swordsmanship had also reached the stage of complete mastery.
If he broke through, he would probably become a so-called Master Swordsman.
The same was true for his Two Colors of Haki.
If he surpassed his current complete mastery, he would likely grasp more uses or functions of the Two Colors of Haki.
But right now, Cyrus's goal was actually to improve his Conqueror's Haki.
Since he possessed Conqueror's Haki, he definitely had to master the technique of Conqueror's Haki coating.
He naturally didn't want to run off to Wano Country to find Kaido.
Therefore, his target was Rayleigh, who was hiding in the Sabaody Archipelago.
As the Pirate King's first mate, Rayleigh's strength was beyond question.
The Three Colors of Haki plus his Swordsmanship made him one of the top powerhouses in this world.
Rayleigh knew the technique of Conqueror's Haki Emission.
If he hadn't grasped this technique by the time he reached the Sabaody Archipelago, fighting or learning from Rayleigh were both viable options.
It would all depend on the situation at the time.
Once he mastered this technique, his strength might soar again.
In his normal state, relying on Conqueror's Haki coating, he might even be able to compete with the world's top powerhouses.
"Someone is watching us." Robin said to Cyrus in a low voice.
"Someone has been watching us ever since we landed on this island."
Cyrus pulled his thoughts back and replied softly.
"No, these people now seem different. Perhaps they've recognized you." Robin said this without turning her head, instead using her Observation Haki to lock onto the people staring at them.
"It could also be Crocodile's subordinates."
"Are you saying this place is also controlled by Crocodile?"
Robin was stunned.
Although Cyrus had mentioned Crocodile earlier, she hadn't really connected the people watching them now with him.
"Let's go. Whether it is or not, consider it a greeting. Let that guy know I'm here."
After speaking, Cyrus stood up, tossed a few Belly notes on the table, and left the tavern.
Robin got up and followed.
The people watching them in secret never got close, and they even switched out in several waves.
In the short distance from the tavern to the docks, they had already been replaced five times.
"Be very cautious."
Cyrus, whose Observation Haki enveloped the entire island, was naturally aware of the situation on it.
"If that's the case, why not just grab someone and ask about Crocodile's whereabouts?"
Robin suggested in a hushed voice.
The suggestion seemed good, but these lookouts didn't necessarily know Crocodile's whereabouts.
If he showed that he was targeting him, the guy might deliberately hide from him.
If that was the case, it would be better to head directly to Alabasta.
Cyrus and Robin boarded their ship and left the island.
...
Not long after the ship departed, several figures arrived at the docks.
"It should be him, no doubt."
"The boss told us to keep an eye out for this person's whereabouts. I didn't expect him to actually show up."
"Report to the boss immediately. He seems very concerned about this matter."
The few of them conversed in low voices for a moment before turning and heading back to the town.
...
Alabasta, Spider's Cafe.
This was the headquarters Crocodile established after founding Baroque Works.
After learning that Pluton was buried in this desert kingdom, Crocodile had entrenched himself in Alabasta, attempting to find the hidden Ancient Weapon.
However, a legend was, in the end, just a legend.
Because it was an Ancient Weapon, he naturally didn't want to leak the news.
But he needed someone to help him decipher the ancient information.
Crocodile was currently not paying attention to other matters, including Cyrus.
But Robin, who was with Cyrus, made him very concerned.
From the news reports about Cyrus, he could see that a woman had appeared by Cyrus's side back in the West Sea.
"Nico Robin!"
Upon receiving the message from his subordinates hidden on Cactus Island, Crocodile uttered the name in a low, deep voice.
He knew about the Ohara incident.
He also knew that Nico Robin had a bounty on her head.
It was highly likely that Nico Robin possessed the ability to decipher the Poneglyphs.
"Cyrus!"
Crocodile bit down on his cigar, his expression grave as he looked at the newspaper laid flat on the table before him.
There were two methods now.
One was to snatch her away, but if the reports were true, Cyrus was very strong.
The other was to cooperate.
But if they cooperated, it meant that news of Pluton would be known to others.
This was also unacceptable to him.
Smoke drifted up, obscuring Crocodile's eyes.
"Boss, shall I make a move?"
A sturdy, buzz-cut young man standing beside him spoke up.
"You're not strong enough!" Crocodile shook his head.
"If they land in Alabasta, inform me immediately. I will personally meet this man."
Crocodile was thinking about how to snatch Nico Robin.
...
Cyrus, on the other hand, was thinking about how to subdue Crocodile.
On the ship heading to the Kingdom of Alabasta, a terrifying aura would appear and disappear from Cyrus's body, then appear again.
Robin, who was on the same ship, was having a terrible time.
Although Cyrus's Conqueror's Haki could now be controlled, he naturally had to try all sorts of things to find the technique for coating.
It was inevitable that Robin would be affected.
But understanding what Cyrus was doing, Robin naturally didn't speak up to stop him.
"This is also a way for you to improve. If you get used to this pressure, you'll be much less affected when you encounter opponents who also have Conqueror's Haki in the future." Cyrus said.
"An opponent like that is your opponent. Don't expect me to be able to deal with someone like that." Robin said with a sigh.
"That's not necessarily true. After all, you have a grand ideal of your own. Maybe you have the disposition for Conqueror's Haki too."
Cyrus turned his head and smiled at Robin upon hearing her words