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Although the injuries on her body had been healed, Nico Robin still wasn't clear about the specific abilities of Ikki and the others.
She didn't have the slightest desire to act rashly.
"Miss All Sunday, why did you want us to know that Crocodile is the mastermind behind Baroque Works?" Vivi asked.
By now, Vivi understood that Nico Robin had deliberately let her follow, leading them to discover the identity of the boss behind Baroque Works.
"Who knows, perhaps I feel a little sympathy when I see a princess who cares about her country and people," Robin replied.
"Hmph! What about those assassins just now? They came directly for me, right? Did you tell Crocodile my identity?"
"That's right! After all, I am considered a member of Baroque Works."
"You claim to be a member of Baroque Works, yet you still revealed Crocodile's identity to us? Or is this just a game to you?"
Hearing Vivi's question, Nico Robin lowered her head.
After a moment, she raised her head and looked at Vivi again.
"If I say this is indeed a game, will you kill me, Princess Vivi?"
Vivi placed her hand on the handle of Sode no Shirayuki at her waist, staring intently into Nico Robin's eyes.
Suddenly, the surrounding atmosphere grew tense.
But soon, Vivi removed her hand from the sword's handle.
Nico Robin, the partner of Crocodile, the man behind Baroque Works.
Vivi naturally despised such a woman.
But Vivi also recognized that she only discovered Crocodile's identity through Nico Robin's deliberate guidance.
Although she didn't understand Robin's specific motives, it was enough to soften her hostility toward Nico Robin.
"Okay, let's stop here, you two."
Ikki stepped between Nico Robin and Vivi.
"Oh, is Captain Ikki going to help me plead with Princess Vivi?" Nico Robin cupped her chin with one hand and regarded Ikki with interest.
Ikki ignored Nico Robin's teasing and addressed Vivi:
"Vivi, killing this woman will not help save Alabasta."
"Even more, her death might drive Crocodile to become more aggressive, potentially accelerating his attack on Alabasta."
"While I'm confident I can handle Crocodile, if the rebellion erupts before we reach Alabasta, there will be nothing we can do even after we arrive."
"Instead of killing her, it's better to utilize her presence. Perhaps we can restrain Crocodile somewhat."
Others didn't know it, but Ikki himself understood.
Before Nico Robin betrayed Crocodile, he still valued her role.
If Crocodile couldn't contact Nico Robin now, he might choose to expedite his infiltration and invasion of Alabasta.
And if Nico Robin could deliver favorable information to Crocodile about Vivi, Ikki believed Alabasta's situation might improve.
"Haha, Captain Ikki seems very confident."
"Are you really certain I'll help you?"
Nico Robin covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Yes, Captain Ikki."
"This woman is Crocodile's partner. Although I don't understand her thinking, using her must be extremely difficult and dangerous."
Vivi turned to look at Ikki with serious eyes.
"That's not necessarily true."
Ikki raised the corners of his mouth and turned to look at Ikaros, Nami, and the others.
"Nami, Ikaros, and Nojiko."
"I'll leave this to you."
"I'll take Robin and Vivi to the cabin."
Hearing this, Nami and the others immediately nodded in agreement.
"Miss All Sunday, please come with me. I believe we need to have a proper conversation."
"And Vivi, our training was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas."
"Now that the crisis has been resolved, let's return and continue practicing."
Ikki patted Vivi on the shoulder and led the way toward the cabin.
Originally, he had planned to let Vivi train for a while before challenging "Tomioka Giyu's Sword Shadow."
But now that Vivi's Zanpakutō Sode no Shirayuki had achieved Shikai.
The challenge of "Tomioka Giyu's Sword Shadow" could be advanced.
Although in terms of swordsmanship and techniques, Vivi still lacked advantages.
But the power after Sode no Shirayuki's Shikai more than compensated for it.
"Please, Miss Wednesday."
Nico Robin smiled softly and followed Ikki.
Vivi pursed her lips and did the same.
'System, I want to conduct three draws!'
[The lottery begins...Congratulations to Host for winning the 'Intermediate Conqueror's Haki Awakening Potion', C-level Nutritional Potion X10, and 'Conqueror's Entanglement Skill Awakening Potion'.]
[Note: 'Conqueror's Entanglement Skill Awakening Potion' requires the user to possess Conqueror's Haki before it can be used.]
'Conqueror's Haki? This is perfect timing.'
Ikki was overjoyed when he saw the prizes he had won.
In front of Vivi and Nico Robin, he took out two bottles of Conqueror's medicine and drank them one after another.
As soon as the medicine entered his stomach, it transformed into a warm current and spread throughout Ikki's entire body.
Ikki could clearly feel a powerful force awakening within him.
"Captain Ikki, what are you planning to do with this woman?"
In the cabin corridor, Vivi finally approached Ikki out of curiosity and asked.
As for the potion Ikki consumed, as his companion, she knew he was enhancing his own strength.
"Vivi, you mentioned before that nearly all Baroque Works operations are directed by Miss All Sunday," Ikki replied. "Consider this—if we can secure her cooperation, couldn't we guide Baroque Works agents to act in ways that benefit us?"
"Crocodile only created civil unrest in Alabasta by controlling Baroque Works. If we can influence the organization through Miss All Sunday, we might delay or even prevent the civil war."
"And aside from Crocodile himself, we might be able to capture all the senior Baroque Works agents with her help."
After hearing Ikki's words, Vivi couldn't help but consider the possibility.
"Haha, what a dangerous idea. Captain Ikki seems very confident about gaining my cooperation."
Nico Robin slightly raised the corners of her mouth and smiled.
After hearing Nico Robin's words, Ikki turned to glance at her and said:
"I'm somewhat confident. Miss All Sunday... Perhaps I should call you Nico Robin."
"Nico Robin? Captain Ikki, are you saying she is the Devil Child with a bounty of 79 million Berry?"
Vivi looked at Ikki in surprise and asked.
"That's correct!" Ikki nodded slightly, "Although the photo on her wanted poster is still from when she was a child."
Nico Robin, whose identity was revealed, frowned and said:
"Captain Ikki, do you intend to use my identity to blackmail me into cooperating with you?"
She quickly dismissed the idea herself. After being captured by Ikki and his crew, her identity was no longer a secret. They could simply use their strength to threaten her.
"Nico Robin, you cooperate with Crocodile probably because of the Poneglyphs," Ikki stated.
"Poneglyphs?" Robin's frown deepened. "I didn't expect Captain Ikki to know about them. But why do you think I'm pursuing the Poneglyphs?"
"Based on your background and status as an archaeologist, it's a natural conclusion," Ikki replied with a smile, though he wouldn't reveal that his knowledge came from elsewhere.
"As for the Poneglyphs, I actually happened to learn the location of some while collecting information on famous swords. I wonder if Nico Robin is interested."
"Oh, really!" Nico Robin smiled, obviously skeptical of Ikki's claim.
"Yes, it's just talk, so naturally you don't believe me," Ikki shrugged and continued:
"But, Robin, do you truly think you'll find what you seek by following Crocodile?"
"To be honest, Vivi is my partner now, and I've already decided to deal with Crocodile. I don't think he has any chance of taking you to see what you want to see."
"And now that you're in my hands, your movements are restricted. Under these circumstances, I suggest you take a chance and believe me."
"Perhaps I really can lead you to the Poneglyphs you want to find."