Chapter 30: Miss All Sunday.

The Going Merry drifted swiftly away from Whiskey Peak harbor, pushed along by the river current.

"It's foggy, and the moon's gone," Nami said, scanning the sea ahead. "Looks like it's almost dawn."

She glanced down at the Log Pose on her wrist, calculating what environmental changes might come next.

Zoro cracked his neck with a grin.

"I hope Baroque Works sends more people. I need a warm-up."

"There might be a thousand of them chasing us," Vivi said, having already steeled her resolve.

Shirogai, sensing her mood, quietly nestled beside her.

Then, a curious voice broke the moment.

"That explosion back in Whiskey Peak... was it Mr. 5's doing?"

Nami replied casually, "It was Shirogai. Didn't we already say that?"

The voice, amused and unfamiliar, asked again,

"Shirogai? Where is he?"

Nami frowned. "Didn't he say he was going to rest? Wait… who just spoke?"

She realized suddenly—the voice didn't belong to anyone aboard.

"Who is it!" she called out sharply.

Everyone turned.

A woman sat elegantly on the second-floor railing. She wore a purple cowboy hat, revealing healthy bronze skin and a graceful figure. Her demeanor was gentle, but something about her smile made everyone tense.

Zoro's hand went to his sword.

"Who are you?"

Sanji's eyes lit up like stars.

"What a gorgeous lady!"

Vivi, tense and alarmed, muttered,

"No way… It's her…"

The woman tilted her head with a polite smile.

"I just saw Mr. 8 back there."

Vivi's expression darkened.

"So it was you! You're the one who blew up Igaram's ship! Miss All Sunday!"

Nami's tone turned serious.

"Which number is her partner?"

"She's the partner of Mr. 0," Vivi said through clenched teeth.

Nami's face went pale.

"That means… she's the partner of Crocodile… one of the Shichibukai?"

Robin—Miss All Sunday—smiled calmly.

"Oh? So you already know Mr. 0's identity. That likely puts you all on his kill list."

Nami covered her mouth, feigning ignorance.

"W-We don't know anything."

Vivi glared at Robin, furious.

"I found out who the boss was by following her! She's the only one who knew!"

Robin's expression didn't change.

"To be precise, I let you follow me."

"I knew it! And I bet you told Sir Crocodile too!"

Robin closed her eyes briefly, then opened them, smiling.

"Correct."

"What's your real goal?" Vivi asked, her tone sharp.

She doubted Robin's intentions were just about overthrowing Alabasta.

Nami studied Robin carefully. There was something oddly familiar about her. That gentle, almost detached smile…

"It's simple," a calm voice said. "She wants to find the real Poneglyphs—and learn the truth about the Void Century."

Everyone turned.

Shirogai stood beside Nami, hands in his pockets, relaxed as always.

Nami looked at him, then back at Robin. That smile—now she knew why it felt familiar. They both wore the same expression. Calm, indifferent, like the world meant little to them.

Robin had grown up in darkness, hunted since the age of eight, betrayed again and again. Her obsession with the Poneglyphs had become her reason to live.

Shirogai… wasn't from this world. Aside from the Straw Hats, he had nothing he cared about here.

Both carried a smile born from detachment.

Robin's eyes narrowed.

"Who are you? Say it now. If you're here to capture me, I'll kill everyone."

Her smile vanished. The threat was real.

Everyone tensed.

[Host has observed: The user of the Flower-Flower Fruit. Ability acquired: Multi-limb manifestation.]

[Host has observed: Scholar of ancient texts. Ability acquired: Advanced Poneglyph deciphering.]

[Host has observed: Master of espionage. Ability acquired: Perfect-level espionage techniques.]

[Host has observed: Master of deception. Ability acquired: Perfect-level acting skills.]

Shirogai kept smiling. These were all valuable abilities.

Robin noticed the smile and misunderstood. Her mind immediately leapt to the worst possibility:

He knows about me. He might be with the World Government.

She crossed her arms.

"Veinte Fleur."

With a sound like blooming petals, arms sprouted from Shirogai's limbs and the deck. His head, legs, and arms were locked in place.

Robin's voice was cold.

"Clutch."

Crack.

With a sickening twist, Shirogai's body bent backwards in an inhuman shape. The arms vanished.

Vivi's eyes widened.

"Shirogai-san!"

Robin's breathing was uneven.

"I'm not letting anyone take me again. I won't return to that kind of life."

She turned to the rest of the crew.

"Your companion is a World Government agent."

But no one responded.

They were all looking at Shirogai's body.

Zoro sighed.

"Alright, stop faking it, Shirogai."

Robin blinked, stunned.

Shirogai rose slowly, stretching as though he'd just woken from a nap.

"Hey, that was pretty rough. You didn't even hesitate."

"You're not human," Zoro muttered.

Robin stared.

I twisted his spine… and he stood up like nothing happened…

Shirogai looked at her, still calm.

"You misunderstand, Robin-san. I'm not here for you. I just find you interesting."

_

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