Chapter 78: To Be a Light in Your Despair

"Quick! Nico Robin's been spotted! Right here in this town!"

"Really? We can't let her get away this time!"

"That slippery little brat, she really knows how to run! This commendation is definitely ours!"

Alerted by the report, the Marines mobilized immediately, preparing to capture Nico Robin. Successfully apprehending her would be a major achievement. She was just an eight-year-old girl; the credit was practically being handed to them on a silver platter. The Marines receiving the orders were buzzing with excitement.

The plan targeting Nico Robin was set in motion.

After being rejected by the pirates, Robin fought back tears and fled towards a deserted area. She didn't dare expose herself to public view; these people would sooner see her dead, eager to trade her life for bounty money.

Helpless, lonely, pitiful little Robin hid from everyone, eking out a meager existence in the shadows. No one would offer her aid. When hungry, she could only forage for wild fruits. If there were none, she had to betray her own principles and steal food just to survive. Everything was for survival – not just for herself, but more so for her deceased mother, for Saul, and for the people of Ohara. She was the one who would inherit and carry their will.

With her Devil Fruit ability, finding food wasn't actually that difficult for Robin; she hadn't quite sunk to the level of scavenging through trash yet. After days on the run, she still wore the same thin dress. Though she now resembled a little beggar, it served as a natural disguise. After all, most people looked down on beggars, and it was precisely this inconspicuousness that had allowed Robin to escape danger multiple times.

From the shadows, Doflamingo watched Robin's every move, waiting for the show to begin. He wouldn't reveal himself easily, not until the critical moment.

"Nico Robin, struggle a little more vigorously now. Let me see what you're capable of," Doflamingo chuckled softly. "What will you do now, hmm? Fuffuffuffu..."

Robin huddled in a deserted alleyway, hugging her knees, utterly helpless. For now, she could only lick her wounds in solitude; no one outside wished her well.

What do I do? Even the pirates wouldn't take me in. What on earth am I supposed to do? Robin thought desperately, despair creeping in.

"Quick! Don't let Nico Robin escape!" "That little brat! When I catch her, I'll make her pay!" "Search alongside us! We absolutely cannot let her get away!"

Just as despair threatened to consume her, Robin heard the sudden noisy shouts. To avoid revealing her location, she activated her Flower-Flower Fruit ability, sprouting eyes and ears on distant surfaces to gather information from the streets.

The truth was cruel. Oh, how Robin wished none of it were real!

Hearing the news of the hunt for her, Robin's face turned even paler. The Marines knew she was on this island and were actively searching. Most chillingly, the local residents were helping the Marines hunt her down, determined to capture her.

She couldn't stay here. Robin's first instinct was to flee, to leave this island immediately. If the people here wouldn't accept her, surely someone, somewhere else, would. She clung fiercely to Saul's words – Saul wouldn't lie to her!

Her resolve hardening, Robin gritted her teeth and stood up, preparing to escape this hell. Though small and alone, her resilience was deeply moving.

"Interesting. Keep it up, Nico Robin. Struggle with all your might!" Doflamingo mused unseen.

People always try everything to save themselves when they aren't utterly broken, fighting desperately just to live. Yet, the harder they struggle, the more helpless they become when faced with true hopelessness, inevitably falling into the abyss of despair. But, if even a single sliver of hope appears at that moment, they will cling to it like a drowning person, refusing to let go.

This was Doflamingo's exact intention. He would become the single ray of light in Nico Robin's despair, warming her, becoming her only lifeline. He would make her realize that someone did care about her. He would be the "nakama" Saul spoke of. Then, naturally, everything would fall into place. The rest he would leave to time, slowly dismantling the defenses around Nico Robin's heart.

Robin truly was devilishly clever. Knowing the streets were crawling with people searching for her, she deliberately disguised herself. Although her idea of a disguise was simply smudging dirt on her cute little face to look more like a beggar, it was the best she could manage under the circumstances. Hopefully, it'll fool them! Clutching this fragile hope, Robin hurried towards the port. She had to leave this island of despair.

"Sir, you've arrived. We've already notified the Marines as you instructed," a man in a black suit reported respectfully the moment he saw Doflamingo approach.

"I know. You've done well," Doflamingo said impassively. "However, there's one more thing I need you to do."

"Your orders, sir! I'll see it done!" the subordinate replied immediately, trembling with fear and eagerness.

"Go and inform the Marines right now. Tell them you saw Nico Robin heading towards the port, attempting to leave the island disguised as a little beggar. Tell them to lock down the coastline immediately. Prohibit all passenger and cargo ships from leaving. Under no circumstances can Nico Robin be allowed to depart," Doflamingo stated his purpose clearly.

"Yes, sir! I'll inform the Marines at once!" The lackey didn't dare delay. This was a man who killed without blinking; hesitation could be fatal. A flicker of pity crossed his mind for Nico Robin – attracting the attention of such a terrifying figure was truly unfortunate.

Marines are just a bunch of incompetent fools, Doflamingo thought with disdain. Relying on them is never wise. He knew their typical uselessness well. HQ Marines might be decent, but the Marines in the Four Blues? Forget it. A pack of useless gluttons. Relying on them to catch Nico Robin? Pigs might fly first.

Doflamingo wasn't about to pin all his hopes on the Marines. After sending the lackey off, he also contacted the local mafia bosses, instructing them to help the Marines control the departing ships. He even had them spread rumors, inciting the civilian population to join the search for Nico Robin. Furthermore, he didn't overlook the pirates. He ordered them to stay put, remain bystanders, and absolutely forbid them from interfering – except, if necessary, to prevent Robin from leaving.

Everything was meticulously prepared. Now, he just had to wait for the little fish to swim into the net.

Relying on her powers and sharp wit, Robin managed to evade notice and finally reached the coast. Her plan was to sneak onto a ship and escape. But what she saw plunged her into despair: the coastline was entirely controlled by Marines. Passenger and cargo ships were forbidden from leaving. To prevent anyone from sneaking aboard, all passengers and cargo were being subjected to thorough checks. This completely shattered Robin's hopes.

No, it can't end like this. There has to be a way. I absolutely cannot get caught, Robin bit her lip, desperately fighting back tears, trying to encourage herself.

If I can just get onto a pirate ship! Pirates and Marines are enemies; they won't follow Marine orders! The closer she edged towards despair, the faster Robin's clever mind worked, instantly grasping a potential solution.

Ah, but if only things were truly going according to your plan, little Robin!

No sooner thought than done, Robin decided to sneak onto a pirate ship. So what if they wouldn't accept her? She just needed to hide aboard.

Did Doflamingo not anticipate Robin's little scheme? To eliminate every possible escape route, he had spared no effort.

With Doflamingo's command hanging over them, the pirates wouldn't dare leave the island. They were terrified; they feared death more than anyone. Perhaps pirates on the Grand Line might face death fearlessly, but this was the West Blue. Individuals with true backbone were scarce here. They lacked the courage to defy Doflamingo's orders. Moreover, why would they risk incurring his wrath for a mere child like Nico Robin? Wasn't it better to stay alive and see what the future held?

Indeed, the Marines and these pirates were utterly foolish! If Doflamingo hadn't laid such thorough groundwork, Nico Robin might actually have escaped.

Robin had already slipped onto a pirate ship. No one noticed her arrival. She hid inside an empty wine barrel. Though cramped, the enclosed space offered a sense of security.

"Useless fools," Doflamingo muttered, observing everything from the shadows, annoyed by their lack of vigilance. Now he would have to arrange for the Marines to be informed of Robin's hiding place.

"Rest assured, sir, consider it done!" Receiving yet another order, the same lackey scurried off happily.

Shortly thereafter, a large contingent of Marines completely surrounded the Strongman Pirates' ship.

"Strongman Pirates! You are surrounded! Hand over Nico Robin immediately! She's more trouble than you can handle!" Marine Lieutenant Sunny Olivares from the West Blue division shouted at the pirate crew.

"Damn you! What right do you Marines have to accuse us of hiding Nico Robin?! We can't stand that brat either!" yelled the furious captain of the Strongman Pirates, Martin the Strongman. "You think we're afraid of you Marines? Bunch of weaklings!"

Martin was seething. He'd already been roughed up and humiliated by Doflamingo earlier with no outlet for his anger. Now the Marines dared to provoke them? Did they really think he was some easy target? This was the perfect chance to vent his frustration.

Hidden inside the barrel, Robin paid close attention to the commotion outside. Her heart leaped into her throat when she heard the Marines had surrounded the ship. However, when she heard the sounds of fighting break out between the two sides, her suspended heart settled slightly. But escaping now was impossible. Robin could only pray the pirates would manage to repel the Marines. Otherwise, today would surely be her last.

"Charge, men! Show these pirates what we're made of!" Lieutenant Olivares roared. "We absolutely cannot let Nico Robin escape! This is a huge opportunity – our hopes for promotion and wealth are right here! Since these pirates dare obstruct our path to success, we have no choice but to fight to the death!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" "Die, pirates! You disgusting scum!"

Interfering with someone's path to fortune is akin to killing their parents. These pirates dared to block the Marines' opportunity, and today, casting aside their usual incompetence, the Marines charged with bloodshot eyes, fighting like madmen.

"Brothers! Show these Marines what we're made of! The Strongman Pirates are not to be trifled with!" Captain Martin rallied his crew, leading the charge against the Marines.

Observing from the darkness, a faint smile touched Doflamingo's lips. Pirates and Marines tearing each other apart – nothing could be better for him. He hadn't planned on letting any of them live anyway. Them killing each other just saved him the effort.

Doflamingo's precise goal: give Robin hope, then plunge her back into despair. Manipulate her again and again.

The Strongman Pirates fought fiercely. The captain, especially, lived up to his name, his powerful physique moving with surprising agility, his massive fists felling countless Marines.

However, the mounting casualties only seemed to spur the Marines on. Gamble big, win big. Their future and fortune were on this ship; they threw themselves into the fray with abandon.

More than anyone, Robin desperately hoped the pirates would win. But there was nothing she could do now. All she could do was resign herself to fate.

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