Once Robin had offered her "token of sincerity," everything moved quickly.
A matter that could win someone's loyalty naturally had to be entrusted to the most reliable person available. And surely Miss Robin would be satisfied. Ability aside, Bardell was easy on the eyes. Young girls tended to care about appearances—if not consciously, then at least subconsciously.
"Bardell, I'll leave Miss Robin in your care," Captain Medica said, uncorking a fresh bottle of tequila and pouring himself a glass. "Make sure she feels the warmth of the Tequila Pirates."
Louis stared at him, dumbfounded.
Medica smiled warmly. "When you handle something, I don't worry."
Robin watched the exchange with quiet amusement.
Go on, she thought. Force out that reluctant smile. Accept the task to preserve your image of loyalty.
Using the wrong premise, she had perfectly predicted Louis's reactions again and again.
Unlike in the original events of her life—where she had wrongly assumed the Straw Hat Pirates would abandon her in danger—this time her reasoning was flawed, but her conclusion happened to be correct.
I brought this on myself, Louis cursed inwardly.
He forced a stiff smile. "Understood, Captain."
Refusing wasn't an option. If he behaved strangely, Medica might grow suspicious.
Years ago, Medica had survived an assassination attempt by a Devil Fruit user who could perfectly imitate others. Since then, the captain carried deep paranoia. That incident had even cured him of certain… indulgences.
Though the assassin had been killed, Medica's fear of being replaced never fully faded.
If the captain ever began to suspect that Louis himself had been "swapped," explanations would come too late.
Grinding his teeth, Louis nodded.
He had intended to drive the "Devil Child" off the ship. Instead, he had just volunteered to babysit her.
After pouring Robin a small glass of tequila, Medica lifted the bottle.
"Today we drink as comrades. From this moment on, Nico Robin is one of us.
"Bardell, as of today, you are the First Mate. Fulfill your duties well. Miss Robin is an honored guest aboard this ship—see that she's properly attended. With her joining us, the plan I've long prepared can finally begin!"
Robin drained her glass in one smooth motion.
Medica beamed in satisfaction and chugged straight from the bottle.
He drank tequila like it was vodka.
Using the excuse of "organizing her belongings," Robin dismissed Louis.
He had no grounds to object. In truth, the navigator was the real soul of a ship. Compared to that, the title of First Mate felt almost ceremonial.
And with the captain's explicit orders, as long as Robin's requests didn't violate crew rules, he was obligated to comply.
"I'm furious!"
Inside a tavern on the island, Louis slammed his palm against the table. The precarious yet relatively safe life he had built felt like it was slipping away.
As the former boatswain, he had once managed duty rotations and discipline. Plenty of pirates used to curry favor with him.
"Boatswain—ah, sorry, First Mate!" one of the squad leaders laughed, patting Louis on the back. "Calm down, calm down! What's worth getting so angry about? Hey! Rum for everyone!"
The bartender cast them a cautious glance and quietly served several glasses before returning to polishing his cups.
"It's First Mate now," Louis muttered, lifting his rum. "Boatswain's Hill's job. Don't call him the wrong title—he's not exactly broad-minded."
First Mate?
The position had been vacant for years. And now Bardell had climbed into it after just three years?
The pirates around the table masked their irritation.
Captain's favoritism is obvious…
Sure, Bardell was competent. Strong. Quick learner. Literate.
But still.
Outwardly, however, their smiles grew even more eager.
"First Mate, that's good news! Why the long face?"
"Yeah, exactly!"
Louis downed a second glass and snorted.
"You wouldn't understand. We've taken aboard a big shot. But the captain doesn't fully trust her yet, so I've been ordered to keep a close watch until she proves herself."
He let the implication hang.
"Hmph. If you ask me, she's trouble. Should've thrown her overboard already. Give it time—I'll think of something."
He waved casually to one of the crew.
"Buy a few more lifeboats. And stock up on rum."
"First Mate, why so many?"
"For combat preparation. Is that a problem?"
The pirate didn't dare question further and hurried off.
At the counter, the tavern owner leaned toward the bartender and whispered, "Take a few more drinks over to those gentlemen. Don't charge them. Show goodwill."
If the pirates didn't rob him, he'd consider it a blessing.
The bartender nodded silently and approached Louis's table.
The pirates were boasting about how they'd "help the First Mate deal with the problem." Louis glanced at them with open disdain.
All talk. No ability.
He scoffed.
"Go ahead. Just don't say I didn't warn you. This one's… heavyweight. Over 50 million Berries."
He deliberately didn't reveal Robin's true bounty.
Too many ears.
If her 79 million Berries were spoken aloud and someone recognized her, he might end up collateral damage.
Take the bartender, for instance. Smooth movements. Efficient work.
Could be a professional.
Could also be an informant planted by the Marines.
If he let slip Nico Robin's identity while drinking, the consequences would be catastrophic.
He was about to steer the conversation elsewhere—
"Hehe. The First Mate seems quite relaxed."
Robin's voice floated beside him.
She had approached soundlessly.
Louis stiffened.
Robin's eyes swept briefly across the bartender before she ordered a glass of fruit wine.
Then she leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"I know your secret."
Her smile remained gentle.
"Shall we find somewhere private to talk?"