Chapter 39 (1/2)
Grandline, Paradise, Alabasta
The next morning Azul had set sail to the next island called Jaya, which was said to be a haven for the sc.u.m of the seas. Pirates. There were no marine outposts on said island so it stood to reason to assume that the island didn't have any laws enforced, hence the right of the strongest dominated said island. After hearing this Azul had been beyond excited about the island. He had been near catatonic in happiness. Maybe he could find some strong opponent there and really let loose?
And so he set sail once again, all the while sporting a gigawat grin spotable for miles.
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After meeting Azul, Nico Robin had been a little out of it, not really in a state of mind to think about the future and how to continue to still achieve her goals. Though after trying to calm down for a while she finally succeeded. Going through all the possibilities that remained as options for her to choose from she, for the first in a long time, decided to pick the direct approach to a problem. And thus she rushed towards the royal palace.
After entering it she spotted the king talking with his advisors and the royal guards which she promptly restrained with her devilfruit powers, sprouting arms which in turn grabbed the unsuspecting guards and turned their arms on their backs and bound their legs, making most fall over. The king, with a surprised expression took in her appearance but didn't find any threatening intentions written in her face and thus remained relatively calm. On the inside though he was formulating plans on how to proceed in the best way, to not hurt his subordinates in the process.
”Greetings king Cobra. I have come with information that could be crutial to your countrys future but demand a certain price for giving said information to you.” Nico Robin said with a small smile on her lips, her posture relaxed.
”I see. And what would be that 'price' as you call it?” The king answered, using his many years of diplomatic experience to hopefully keep his subordinates from getting hurt any further.
”Nothing you cannot give me, I assure you. I simply wish to see the poneglyph that is in the posession of the royal family.”
”The poneglyph? Why could you possibly-? No matter. That is an acceptable price. Now the information if you would, please.”
”Fufufu, not so fast dear king. I will give you the information as soon as we have reached the poneglyph. No second earlier. You may take an assistant with you to send the information to your subordinates on the fastest route after receiving them but nothing else. Now, let us move. My patience is running out...” Nico Robin said, her face turning blank to which the king hurried his steps, leading the woman into the crypt under the royal palace.
”Finally...after all these years I'll get my answers...” Nico Robin murmured with an ecstatic look on her face, completely forgetting about the king who only watched her, wondering what she was talking about.
”Nonono, that can't be... there is nothing written about the void century here. This stone cannot be the only one in Alabasta! There must be! King, is there another one of these here?” Nico Robin asked in a frantic voice.
The kings reply though smashed all her hopes. Years upon years of preparations, pointless. With a selfmocking hollow laugh, Nico Robins back crashed against a nearby wall, sinking down on it, not finding any strength in her legs to keep her up any longer. What was the point anyways?
The king watched her sink down against the wall and had an unreadable expression on his face. Could this woman really read those writings? And if so, why did it crush her so to not find what she was looking for? No matter, his kingdoms security came first. Always.
”You promised me information. I would kindly ask you to now reveal them to me.” The king said in a monoton voice, just like it was common for those experienced in diplomacy.
”Sir Crocodile has been defeated and should by now be on his way to the marines, if not even Impel Down. Baroque Works is thus without a leader and sooner or later the whole organisation will be crumbling down. Though until that happens you should start cleasing your army from Baroque Works agents and make peace with the rebel army. Crocodile was the one that siphoned the lands rain away with the help of his devilfruit. Oh and there is a giant bomb in the clocktower in the middled of the city, strong enough to wipe out every soldier within miles....Now do me the favor and leave me alone...” Nico Robin told the king in a monotonous voice, devoid of any emotions while staring up at the ceiling with blank eyes.