In a remote town on Cassia Island in the West Sea, the sky was overcast and a light drizzle fell steadily—matching the gloom in young Robin's heart.
Cautiously, Robin cracked open the window, just enough to peek outside. She could clearly see the fishmonger at the door, whispering to a group of Navy soldiers.
The once kind and gentle man now wore a look of manic excitement.
"Hey, Navy, that little girl's bounty is seventy-nine million Berries, right? Right? When do I get paid?"
"Cut the crap. Whether you get that seventy-nine million or not depends on whether we can actually capture that 'Devil Child' Nico Robin."
"Don't worry. I put something in the tea I gave her. That kid should still be fast asleep."
"I hope you're right…"
With that, the fishmonger carefully opened the front door and waved to the Navy troops waiting outside. He pointed upstairs to a locked room in the corner.
"She's in there."
Without hesitation, the Navy lieutenant in charge leapt up to the second floor and kicked the door open.
BANG!
But inside, all they found was a messy, empty bed. Nico Robin was gone.
"What?! Where's my seventy-nine million Berries?!"
The fishmonger, peering eagerly into the room, looked as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped on his head.
Inside the room, the Navy lieutenant stiffened slightly. He pointed to the slightly ajar window.
"She must have escaped through there. Go after her!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Navy soldiers scattered immediately, rushing to search for any trace of Nico Robin.
Meanwhile, the lieutenant slowly turned around—and stopped directly in front of the fishmonger.
"Uh… What are you doing?" the fishmonger asked nervously, suddenly sensing that something was wrong. His once smug expression faded, replaced by unease as he looked into the lieutenant's eyes.
Then he noticed it—somehow, without him realizing, a strange sun-shaped symbol had appeared on the officer's forehead.
Before he could react, the lieutenant moved like lightning, seizing the fishmonger and locking him down with a precise hold. He even dislocated his jaw, preventing him from making any noise.
Thud!
Just then, Robin crawled out from under the bed, calmly dusting off her clothes.
"Mm… mmph…!"
The fishmonger tried to cry out, panicking, as if to warn the officer.
But the lieutenant remained motionless, holding the fishmonger firmly to the ground.
Even as Robin walked up to them, standing right beside the officer, he made no move.
Terror completely overtook the fishmonger. He wanted to beg for mercy, but he couldn't form a single word.
"I was too naïve," Robin said softly, her voice calm and childlike, "In this sea, betrayal and chaos are the true melodies."
Though her voice was emotionless, her eyes burned with sorrow and fury as she looked at the man who had sold her out.
With a thought, Robin gave a silent command. The lieutenant raised his hand and delivered a precise strike to the back of the fishmonger's neck. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed into unconsciousness.
Robin then closed her eyes, relaxing her mind and reaching out once again to that mysterious connection.
"Robin, how are things on your end?" a voice echoed in her mind—it was Yahn.
"Brother Yahn, I used the power of 'Brujería' to control a Navy lieutenant. He's helping me divert the others. We're still in the building for now," Robin replied.
Yahn considered her words, then spoke.
"Robin, you need to leave the island immediately. Once the local base realizes you've escaped, they'll seal off the entire island. And then the World Government's spy agencies will be dispatched to comb the place."
"I understand, Brother Yahn," Robin said with a nod.
"I'll give you a Den Den Mushi number. Contact it as soon as you escape. Identify yourself directly—they'll help you however they can."
Robin hesitated. "Are they your subordinates?"
Yahn shook his head. "No. They're comrades—people who share our ideals. You can trust them."
"I… I understand." Robin paused again, then asked quietly, "If I want to find you… how can I do that?"
"I'll be staying in the North Blue for the next few years. If you get a chance, come see me. I can give you a proper checkup when you do," Yahn replied.
"Mhm."
Robin gave a small nod before cutting off the connection.
"So… Brother Yahn is in the North Sea…"
She repeated the number he gave her, committing it to memory.
Then, using the controlled lieutenant, Robin found a loose-fitting raincoat. She hid inside it, letting the officer carry her as they hurried toward the island's harbor.
Soon, they reached a merchant ship preparing to set sail. Robin used "Brujería's" power again to control a crew member and quietly stashed herself in an unnoticeable corner of the ship.
As the vessel slipped away from the shore, the lieutenant—still under her control—returned to the fishmonger's home. There, he stripped both himself and the unconscious man, and laid down on the bed next to him.
Moments later, the dazed look in the officer's eyes suddenly cleared. He blinked in confusion and looked around.
"Huh? Why am I here? I was responding to a civilian report… about 'Devil Child' Nico Robin… at this house…"
He sat up—and felt a heavy weight on his body.
Looking down…
A slick, greasy, fishy-smelling naked fishmonger was sprawled on top of him.
"You bastard!!"
The lieutenant exploded, slapping the fishmonger across the face with all his might.
As the man groggily woke up in confusion, the furious officer kicked him straight out the window.
CRASH!
That day, the fishmonger found the rain colder than ever before.
"Men! Arrest this scum and take him back to base—I'll be handling the interrogation personally!"
A moment later, the now fully-dressed and seething lieutenant marched out of the house, glaring at the fishmonger with pure rage and contempt.
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Currently at chapter 370 for advance chapters
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