As an archaeologist, Nico Robin was particularly sensitive to the word "history."
She traveled among the various powers on the sea, all to use their strength to find lost Poneglyphs.
Robin always felt that what was called "history" should be something quite heavy and serious.
That's how she thought, and that's how the people of the former Archaeologist Island, Ohara, also thought.
But now, Ryan Rowan, who came from eight hundred years ago, known as the "Golden Dawn," presented a completely different viewpoint—
Whether it was the chaotic wars of eight hundred years ago, the World Government of the intervening eight hundred years, or even Nico Robin herself, all of it was part of history!
Everything in the world is "history," and everything in the world is also creating "history."
There's no right or wrong way to view this, and for an archaeologist, it's simply another way of thinking.
But undeniably, in a sense, Rowan did answer Nico Robin's question:
He didn't "choose" to appear in this era; rather, "Ryan Rowan appearing in this era" itself was part of history.
It was a kind of "inevitability."
"We are all scribes of history."
— Nico Robin found Rowan's answer very interesting, enough to make her want to do some small things, so she asked:
"What do I need to do?"
"Go to Sky Island. There's something there you need to look at for me."
"Sky Island, huh…"
Robin thought for a moment, smiled, and said, "To reach tens of thousands of meters in the sky, one must surely be well-prepared. In that case, I'll wait patiently…"
Before Robin could finish, Rowan nodded, confirming:
"Alright, let's go now."
"…Huh?"
Robin blinked, and after a moment, she understood what Rowan was talking about.
Go to Sky Island now?
They had just had a big fight with that Golden Lion and had successfully captured the owner of the Pluton blueprints.
Shouldn't they be returning to their base now and then making plans?
Why did Ryan Rowan want to go to Sky Island right now? Was it that urgent?
Crocodile finished one cigar and lit another, returning to the crowd.
Looking at Nico Robin, whose expression was constantly changing, Crocodile patted her shoulder and said with a dark smile, "Relax, archaeologist."
Robin turned her head and looked at Crocodile.
Of course, she recognized the man before her—one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the "Deserted Crocodile"!
This man was an ambitious schemer, no less so than the Golden Lion.
If she hadn't heard news of Crocodile's activities within the Four Seas Alliance, Robin might not have trusted him and would have cooperated with Crocodile instead of the Golden Lion.
In terms of sheer dangerousness, Crocodile was no less than the Golden Lion!
And now, this incredibly dangerous man was patting her shoulder and telling her to relax?
Robin didn't quite understand the situation.
Crocodile, however, seemed very relaxed. He smiled slowly and said, "You don't need to think so much. That old man probably didn't think that much either."
"He just wanted to do it, so he did—that's all."
Hearing Crocodile's words, Nico Robin thought for a moment, and her serious expression eased slightly.
At least this Ryan Rowan didn't show the visible ambition that the Golden Lion did.
But what Crocodile said next made Robin's nerves tighten again.
"But I know what kind of person you are, Nico Robin."
What Crocodile was referring to was Robin's previous way of life.
It was her series of actions, using her value as an archaeologist, to move between various powers on the sea, using them as stepping stones to escape the World Government's pursuit.
Crocodile had long seen through Nico Robin's methods.
"Perhaps being brought onto that old man's ship wasn't in your plan, but you would have eventually used the Four Seas Alliance as one of your 'usable shields' to evade the World Government, wouldn't you?"
Crocodile approached Robin from behind.
A few beads of cold sweat trickled down Robin's forehead.
Ryan Rowan felt like an abyss, while Crocodile was more like a mountain covered in blades!
The man called the "Deserted Crocodile" was "obviously" dangerous.
Just interacting with him required extreme caution; one wrong step and you could be cut to pieces by the blades on that mountain!
But what Crocodile said was somewhat unexpected for Robin.
He leaned close to Robin's ear and whispered softly:
"Hehehehe, don't be so scared. I'm here to warn you to be careful."
Robin turned her head and saw a strange glint in Crocodile's eyes.
"After all, you might be the only one on this sea who can read Poneglyphs."
"If you get kicked out too early, it'll be much less fun, won't it? Hehehehe…"
Crocodile patted Robin's shoulder in a "supportive" manner, then turned and left.
Robin's mind was still replaying Crocodile's words.
She turned her head and looked back at Rowan, who was happily chatting with others.
Suddenly, Robin had a vague feeling that Rowan's peripheral vision was indeed watching her!
Robin couldn't help but shiver.
The ships of the Four Seas Alliance, carrying everyone, headed for Sky Island.
…
Time returned to a little while ago.
A total of three ships departed from Alabasta. One of them was the one Rowan was on, heading for the Devil's Triangle.
The other two took a detour across the sea and headed straight for the Red Line.
Their destination was the North Blue's Aden Kingdom, where the Four Seas Alliance had just established a fixed route!
After the fixed route was established, travel between Aden Kingdom and Alabasta had become much faster, with more frequent exchanges between merchant groups.
But these two ships, which appeared to be merchant vessels, quickly launched a small, fast boat after passing the Red Line.
This boat carried one person and headed for Aden Kingdom at extreme speed!
…
Meanwhile, a massive fleet was gradually approaching Aden Kingdom.
Surprisingly, the transportation used by this fleet was a group of giant sea snails!
These snails carried large buildings, connected by various devices, making the fleet resemble a maritime kingdom!
This iconic scene would surely be familiar to any North Blue resident.
Because it was a terrifying legend that spread throughout the North Blue—and indeed, across the entire sea.
Germa 66, approaching Aden Kingdom!
(End of this chapter)
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