112. Meeting in the Alley

Chapter 112: Meeting in the Alley

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the narrow alleyways of Nanohana. The air was thick with the scent of salt and spices, mingling with the faint tang of smoke from the day's cooking fires. Goku leaned against the rough adobe wall of a deserted building, his arms crossed, his straw hat tilted low over his eyes. The faint hum of the bustling town echoed in the distance, but here, at the edge of Nanohana, the world was quiet—almost eerily so.

He had been waiting for what felt like hours, though in reality, it had only been a few minutes. His senses were on high alert, every nerve in his body attuned to the slightest shift in the atmosphere. And then, he felt it—a familiar ki, subtle but unmistakable, approaching from the shadows. His lips curled into a faint smile, though his expression remained guarded. He knew who it was before she even stepped into view.

From the darkness, a figure emerged, her silhouette framed by the faint glow of a distant lantern. Robin—Miss All Sunday—walked with her usual grace, her cowgirl outfit replaced by a more subdued, flowing dress that swayed gently with her movements. Her raven hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her dark eyes glinted with a mixture of curiosity and caution as they met his.

"You're late," Goku said, his voice calm but carrying a hint of teasing. He pushed himself off the wall, standing tall as she approached.

Robin raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Fashionably so," she replied, her tone light but laced with the same cautious edge that always seemed to linger between them. "I had to ensure I wasn't followed. Marines have been crawling all over Nanohana since your little… display earlier."

Goku chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, that was a bit of a mess. But hey, it got the job done. Smoker's probably still trying to figure out how I slipped away."

Robin's gaze flickered over him, assessing. "You've certainly made a name for yourself since we last met. Fifty million berries is no small bounty for a rookie."

He shrugged, his grin widening. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises."

There was a brief pause, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Their last meeting had been… intense, to say the least. Goku had made it clear where they stood, and Robin had reluctantly accepted her role as his informant. But now, standing face to face in the dimly lit alley, the dynamic felt different—awkward, yet not entirely uncomfortable.

"So," Goku began, breaking the silence, "what's the update? Crocodile still playing the hero?"

Robin's expression darkened slightly, her playful demeanor fading as she shifted into business mode. "He's more dangerous than ever. The people of Alabasta are completely under his spell. They see him as their savior, while he quietly pulls the strings behind the scenes. The rebel army is growing stronger by the day, and if things continue as they are, this kingdom will tear itself apart."

Goku's jaw tightened, his earlier levity replaced by a steely resolve. "We can't let that happen. Vivi's counting on us to stop him."

Robin nodded, her eyes narrowing as she continued. "Crocodile's plan is twofold. He's using the rebellion to destabilize the kingdom, but his true goal is Pluton. He believes the ancient weapon is hidden somewhere in Alabasta, and he's willing to burn the entire country to the ground to find it."

Goku's fists clenched at his sides, his ki flaring briefly before he reined it in. "That bastard… He's not getting his hands on Pluton. Not while I'm still breathing."

Robin studied him for a moment, her gaze softening slightly. "You've changed since we last met," she said, her voice quieter now. "You're more… focused. Determined."

He met her eyes, his expression serious. "A lot's happened since then. I've got people counting on me now—my crew, Vivi, the people of Alabasta. I can't afford to mess this up."

"Well you have only three more days until Operation Utopia takes place." She continued. "The numbered agents have already been gathered and are on their way to meet Crocodile where he will impart on them the final details of the operation. "

Goku leaned back against the wall for a moment. He pushed off of it and then looked to the sky in contemplation.

"Three days is not enough time," he said. "So who are the agents that have arrived?"

"Well there is Mr. 1 and his partner Miss Doublefinger. They are both devil fruit users." She answered. "There is Mr. 2, he is also a devil fruit user."

"Wait, Mr. 2 is alive?" Goku asked in shock. "I fucking blew up his ship with him on it. How did he survive it?"

Robin's eyes widened in surprise. It only lasted a moment however as she regained her composure.

"Well he was barely alive but alive nonetheless," she continued. "The other agents are Mr. 4 and his partner Miss Merry Christmas. She has a devil fruit ability so be mindful."

There was another pause, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Robin's lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but she hesitated, her usual composure faltering for just a moment. Goku noticed, his brow furrowing slightly.

"What is it?" he asked, his tone softer now.

She looked away, her fingers brushing against the folds of her dress. "I… I've been thinking about what you said back then. About being part of your crew. About… being your woman."

Goku's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by her sudden candor. He hadn't expected her to bring that up, especially not here, not now. But he recovered quickly, his usual confidence returning as he took a step closer to her.

"And?" he prompted, his voice low.

Robin's gaze flicked back to his, her expression unreadable. "I don't know what to make of it," she admitted. "You're… unlike anyone I've ever met. You're reckless, impulsive, and yet… you have this unwavering belief in yourself and your crew. It's… intriguing."

Goku smirked, though there was a hint of sincerity in his eyes. "Intriguing, huh? Well, I'll take that as a compliment."

She rolled her eyes, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "Don't let it go to your head."

They stood there for a moment, the tension between them shifting into something lighter, more familiar. Despite the awkwardness, there was an undeniable connection—a mutual understanding that went beyond words.

Finally, Goku broke the silence. "Look, Robin… I know this isn't easy for you. Working with me, going against Crocodile… it's a lot. But I need you to trust me. We're going to stop him, and we're going to save Alabasta. Together."

Robin studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded. "I'll do my part," she said. "But don't think for a second that this means I've fully bought into your… grand vision."

Goku chuckled, his grin returning. "Fair enough. But hey, one step at a time, right?"

She shook her head, though there was a faint smile on her lips now. "You're impossible."

"And yet, here you are," he teased, his tone light but carrying a deeper meaning.

Robin's smile faded slightly, her expression turning serious once more. "Don't make me regret this, Goku."

He met her gaze, his own expression softening. "I won't. I promise."

For a moment, they simply stood there, the weight of their shared mission pressing down on them. But there was also a sense of camaraderie—a fragile trust that had begun to form between them.

Finally, Robin stepped back, her usual composure returning. "I should go. Crocodile will be expecting a report soon."

Goku nodded, though there was a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Be careful," he said. "And if you need me, you know how to reach me."

She gave him a small nod, her expression unreadable once more. "I'll be in touch."

With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows, her figure blending seamlessly with the darkness. Goku watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face. Despite the awkwardness, their meeting had gone better than he'd expected. Robin was still a mystery, but she was also an ally—and that was enough for now.

Robin had only taken a few steps into the shadows when Goku's voice cut through the quiet alley, low and teasing. "Leaving so soon, Robin? I thought we were just getting started."

She paused, her back still to him, but she didn't turn around. "I told you, Goku. I have a report to make. Crocodile doesn't take kindly to delays."

Before she could take another step, Goku was suddenly in front of her, his movements so swift and silent that she hadn't even seen him move. He stood there, his arms crossed, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he blocked her path. The faint glow of the moonlight caught the brim of his straw hat, casting a shadow over his eyes, but she could feel his gaze on her, intense and unwavering.

"Crocodile can wait," he said, his voice smooth but carrying a hint of challenge. "You and I, on the other hand… we've got some unfinished business."

Robin raised an eyebrow, her expression calm but her heart betraying her with a slight flutter. "Unfinished business? I wasn't aware we had any."

Goku chuckled, stepping closer. "Oh, come on, Robin. Don't play coy with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

She sidestepped him, her movements graceful and deliberate, but as she tried to walk past, his hand shot out, catching her wrist. He pulled her back gently but firmly, her back now pressed against his chest. His other hand rested on her waist, his grip firm but not painful. She could feel the warmth of his body against hers, and for a moment, she froze, her breath catching in her throat.

"Goku," she said, her voice steady but with a faint edge of warning. "Let me go."

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke, his voice low and teasing. "What if I don't want to? What if I think you're not being entirely honest with me?"

Robin's cheeks flushed, though she refused to let him see how much his proximity affected her. She tilted her head slightly, her tone cool. "And what exactly do you think I'm lying about?"

Goku's smirk widened, and he turned her around to face him, his hand still on her waist while the other lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes, now visible beneath the shadow of his hat, were intense, searching hers for any sign of hesitation.

"You tell me," he said, his voice softer now, almost a whisper. "You said I was 'intriguing.' That's it? That's all you feel about me?"

Robin's lips parted, but no words came out. She was caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone, the way his eyes seemed to pierce through her defenses. For a moment, she felt exposed, vulnerable in a way she hadn't allowed herself to be in years.

She quickly regained her composure, her expression hardening as she placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back slightly. "Don't flatter yourself, Goku. You're not as special as you think you are."

He laughed, a deep, rich sound that sent a shiver down her spine. "Oh, I think I am. And I think you know it too."

She sidestepped him again, this time more forcefully, and began to walk away. But before she could get far, his hand shot out once more, catching her wrist and pulling her back to him. This time, he spun her around so quickly that she stumbled slightly, her hands instinctively gripping his shoulders for balance.

Goku's arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close as he leaned in, his face inches from hers. Robin leaned back, her hands still on his shoulders, her breath coming a little faster now. She could feel the heat of his body, the strength in his arms, and for a moment, she was tempted to let herself fall into him.

But she didn't. Instead, she turned her head to the side, her voice firm. "Goku, this is ridiculous. Let me go."

He didn't move, his gaze locked on her profile. "Come on, Robin," he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "You can't tell me you don't feel something. I know you better than that."

She hesitated, her resolve wavering for just a moment. But then she shook her head, pulling away from him. This time, he let her go, his hands falling to his sides as he took a step back. His expression was unreadable, his eyes hidden once more beneath the shadow of his hat.

Robin turned to leave, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't understand why she felt so… disappointed. She had wanted him to let her go, hadn't she? So why did it feel like a loss?

She had only taken a few steps when she felt his hand on her wrist again, pulling her back to him one last time. Before she could protest, his lips were on hers, his kiss firm but not forceful. It was a kiss that demanded a response, and despite herself, Robin found her hands gripping the front of his shirt, pulling him closer as she kissed him back.

For a moment, the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in the dimly lit alley. The tension between them, the unspoken words, the lingering doubts—all of it melted away in that single, electrifying moment.

When Goku finally pulled back, his breath was slightly uneven, his eyes searching hers. "See?" he said, his voice low and teasing. "I knew you felt something."

Robin's cheeks flushed, and she quickly stepped back, her composure slipping for just a moment before she regained control. She straightened her dress, her expression calm but her heart still racing.

"Don't push your luck, Goku," she said, her tone cool but with a faint tremor that betrayed her true feelings.

He grinned, his usual confidence returning. "Oh, I'm just getting started."

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]