Playing Cat and mouse

(AN: Surprise! It's another chapter! Bet you didn't expect this even though I told you to expect the unexpected in the last chapter! Hope you enjoy reading!)

March, 1514

Navy HQ

A few days after Bastille's defeat

*BAM!*

"You bastard! How dare you teach the secret techniques to an outsider?! Now there is a pirate crew who know the rokushiki!"

In the fleet admiral's office Sengoku was shouting at Garp who, like always, didn't give a fuck about it.

"Bwahaahaha! He really went and taught other brats about it!"

"This is no laughing matter!! Don't you know that the world government might aim for him now, to prevent the secret techniques from spreading outside their control?!"

"…Do you want some tea for stress?"

"FUCK YOU!"

*Munch*Crunch*Munch*

"What's done is done, why get worked up over something you can't change? The old geezer up there will most probably not publish all of this but instead increase his bounty. Not too much to not make others suspect anything and not to little to lure some more bounty hunters. Probably between 20 and 50 million bellys. Similar for the two brats who have shown the rokushiki. That guy who took down a hundred soldiers, according to the reports he has a powerful devil fruit so he most likely will get a bounty as well."

"… Where do you always hide the rice crackers?"

"You can't have any!"

"I don't want any! Stay focused for a bit longer damnit! There is another thing that worries me. According to the report, he had twin swords that look the same as Shiki's. On top of that, his vice-captain demonstrated a power that somehow resembles a weakened version of Shiki's. Do you follow?"

"They beat Shiki and luckily obtained his devil fruit."

"Most likely since we don't know for sure. The thing is those five don't know what you told me about Jackson so they will most probably just think he got them by luck or something. The problem is that he knows rokushiki and beat Bastille, so they will pay some attention to him from now on."

"You're saying they will learn about his strength at some point. Are you worrying they might send admirals to prevent him from growing?"

"Worse. Sending admirals for a 12 years old and his crew of 6 would damage our and their reputation so I fear that once they learn about his actual strength they might send CP-0 agents without us knowing."

"Isn't it fine then? By the time they notice his actual strength he might be too strong to get killed off silently. More importantly… how do you personally, not as the fleet admiral but as yourself, view all this."

"…Dont hate me for this but if I'm being honest I would rather see them imprisoned or dead then them spreading the rokushiki…"

There was silence after Sengoku answered.

"Another question. Can you make me some of that expensive green tea?"

"Get out!"

"Bwahahaha! Really now when was the last time you pulled that stick out of your ass?!"

"I SAID GET OUT!"

Sengoku really held himself back otherwise he might have jumped at Garp while he left his office. Just a few seconds after he left, the door opened and Garp's head peeked inside.

"If you don't want to make it can I borro-"

*Crash*

He was interrupted by a chair that flew against the door he closed just in time.

West Blue

Jackson POV

"My plan worked!"

After the fight with Bastille we left Toroa and arrived in the Kano country a few days later. In this country nobody really cares if you're a pirate since no one dares to cause trouble here thanks to the Happo Navy.

We went to an inn to get us rooms where I found a notice on one of the beds.

"If you're interested in what is written on the Poneglyphs meet me in a cave 10 miles northwest from the northern gate after the sun set. Come alone."

This has to be Robin or the world government is preparing a trap for me.

I'm going regardless so no use thinking to much about it.

Leaving Sabo to explain to the others where I went after sun set I arrived at a cave around the area I was told about.

There were no signs of anyone but observation haki soon revealed a person inside the cave.

As I wanted to go in and meet said person a mouth appeared on the ground next to an ear.

"… Seeing this is somewhat strange."

"Please excuse me not meeting you in person but I have my reasons for that."

"Sure. So let's get to the main topic. You know something about the Pineglyphs?"

"Not so fast. First I have to confirm a few things. How do you know about the Poneglyphs?"

"From my grandpa."

A lie obviously but no need to let her know.

"Yes I heard about that but who is your grandpa?"

'Should I tell her? It might scare her off… whatever since we're already here there is no way I'd let her run away.'

"Navy's Vice-Admiral Garp."

"…"

There was no answer. The mouth and and ear disappeared and I sensed her walking off but that's okay.

'There has to be an exit from which she will leave so as long as I sense her location I can just follow her.'

Thinking this, my recruitment mission continued.

Robin POV:

'Damn it turned out to be a waste of time. In the worst case scenario this was a trap to lure me out.'

Thinking about the kid I met just know I couldn't help but get agitated.

During my search for locations of Poneglyphs I happened to hear some rumors about some kids.

Said kids turned out to be pirates, searching for someone who could translate the Poneglyphs. This is suspicious in itself but if they knew a few locations than I could benefit greatly from them.

In the end he turned out to be untrustworthy. Claiming that Garp was his grandfather was probably because he has a high enough rank to know about Pineglyphs and is somewhat known as a free spirited personality. Still for a pirate to claim to be his grand child is ridiculous.

Since his source of information turned out to be questionable there was nothing more left to discuss. This is a safety measurement that saved me quite a few times already.

A while later I left the cave system through another exit.

"So you are the mysterious person."

!

"Who?!"

A voice startled me out of my thoughts and made me turn to the side.

"You are… Jackson?!"

"So you know about me? I'm glad since that should make this a bit easier."

"But how? You weren't supposed to know about this exit point."

"You're exceptionally calm despite your surprise. I like that."

"Why did you follow me?"

"You are Nico Robin aren't you?"

So he recognized me.

"Just tell me what you want already!"

First let's gain some time and search for a way to leave this place.

"You should already know that I want you to translate Poneglyphs for me."

"Your source of information is questionable so how can I trust your words?"

"Questionable? But I'm really Garp's grandson even though just by adoption and unofficially… I think I kinda understand what you mean but I still need you to join my crew."

"And if I refuse?"

"Sorry but that's not an option."

!

I immediately prepare to use my devil fruit but before I could attack I felt my power leaving me. My muscles tended up to the extreme and something seemed to block air to enter my lungs.

My lips were dry and something was beeping in my ears loudly. The world around me slowly lost its color and became grey.

My body refused any command or movement and I felt like an ant in front of a titan about to get squashed.

'Is that why he is called the Goliath?'

Just when I felt my vision turning blurry and darkening the strange sensations stopped all at the same time as if it was an illusion.

'Dangerous! I don't stand a chance against him!'

"If I really wanted to harm you there would be no need for tricks of any sort. I really need your help and I can offer you my help and protection in return. There might be no trust between us yet but give me a chance and I'll prove my sincerity to you."

"… I've heard that quite a few times… I can't give any more chances."

"Then don't. Don't give any chances, just join my crew and see for yourself."

That's what you're saying now but you already made clear that not joining isn't an option

"… You already told me I don't have much of a choice in this matter. So please take care of me… captain."

"… likewise."

And like that I joined a pirate crew, not knowing yet that I would see them as family and friends in due time.