Chapter 48: Demon Child - Nico Robin

Evening.

New World, Fortis Kingdom, Royal Palace, 2nd Floor, Dining Room.

It was now time for dinner. That means that work time is now over except for the palace maids who work until 7pm. Their work was finished after cleaning all the dinner utensils used. Ars and the other higher-ups of the Fortis Kingdom were currently in the dining room of the second floor of the royal palace eating their dinner quietly.

"Kaijin, have you cleaned the five units of the first type of house that were previously completed yet?" Ars asked while stopping his eating activities.

"Not yet" Kaijin shook his head, "Because you said earlier that the house will not be under construction yet. I still haven't cleaned it up."

"Then tomorrow before you start the construction work. Clean the 5 units of the house. We will continue the construction of the house."

"Continue?" Kaijin raised his brow, "Is the current funding enough?"

"Enough" Ars nodded and continued, "There has been an upgrade before because the requirements for the upgrade have been met."

"Enhancement? Does it have anything to do with points?" Shiina asked.

"Yes" Ars nodded, "Previously the point limit that I could get was only 50 points. However, now I can get 100 points for every second. That way, the amount that can be obtained every day has increased compared to before. We can continue construction of the house that will be occupied by us and the royal family."

"I understand" Kaijin nodded, "I will do it tomorrow before starting work"

"Who will get the five housing units, Ars?" Isshiki asked with great interest.

"Three housing units will be used by me, Hashirama, and Jouichirou. Meanwhile, the other two housing units will be given to the Pradance Kingdom and the Ryugu Kingdom. They should find a place where they can rest when they come here."

"Regarding the Ryugu Kingdom, is it okay to give the house to them?" Lowellmina asked, "Especially regarding their size. The house would not be enough for them to enter. Only Queen Otohime could possibly be enough to enter that house."

"No need to worry about that" Ars said, "I will try to get a tool that can help them manage their size problem. The device will later be installed in their house when they want to enter the house. Their bodies will eventually shrink to normal body size."

Ars' gaze then looked at Myrd, "The fellowship building will be finished tomorrow, won't it?"

Myrd nodded, "Yes. It is possible that the fellowship building can be completed during the day."

"When the building is finished, you can clean it right away so that at night we can manage the problems of the facilities and equipment there" Ars said, "I want meetings and talks between us leaders to be carried out as soon as possible. So that the many problems that are currently happening in the other two kingdoms can be resolved immediately."

"I see." Myrd nodded.

Ars' gaze then turned to Rin, Lowellmina, Eina, and Nezuko, "After tonight's dinner, you guys go get ready. I'll be waiting for you on the 4th floor of the game room to teach you computer problems" Ars' gaze then looked at Gin and Isshiki, "Gin, Isshiki, please help for a moment"

"We understand." Gin and Isshiki nodded.

Grand Line, Kingdom of Alabasta, Rainbase City, Casino Crocodile.

"Extraordinary…"

"He won again..."

"How many times has he won ?… "

"Calculating the moment. At least that guy has won 10 times in a row and now he has won over 500 million berries in just a few minutes."

Currently inside Crocodile's Casino. Everyone present is gathered at the roulette table guessing what color the ball will go to. Black or White. If someone guesses the ball will go to black and the ball goes to the black city. That person will later get a profit of 2 times the value posted by him. Meanwhile, if you guess wrong, all the values that are installed will be directly taken by the dealer.

The face of Bandar who was holding the game was pale. Because this is the first time he has found someone so great in the game.

The person who became the center of attention at that place was Hashirama, whose face is now full of enthusiasm because he could win so many games by luck and has gotten a lot of benefits from this game.

Meanwhile the people who were playing with Hashirama right now were also full of enthusiasm. Because they are also currently getting a lot of advantages by following the choices set by Hashirama. Even many people today want to try to play. However, due to the lack of a place to play. They can't do it.

"Unlucky! I have to hurry–"

"What's with the commotion that's going on right now?" Suddenly a female voice was heard from behind the casino manager.

The manager immediately turned around and saw a woman with mature brown skin wearing a fairly thick white coat and a cowboy hat already behind her. The Manager's gaze was instantly excited and said, "Vice President!"

"No need to be polite" Robin immediately said, "What's with the crowd gathered at this time?" asked Robin again.

"This…" The manager immediately explained everything that had happened to Robin.

Robin was quite surprised to hear this and immediately aroused her interest because no one had ever won that much in this place and this was the first time anyone had done so.

"Vice President, do we have to tell the president what is currently going on?" The manager asked again.

"Don't tell the President. We will see the situation first." Robin was quite interested in who always won in the game and immediately walked towards the table.

Many people who saw Robin's arrival immediately paved the way and when the bookie of the Roulette game saw Robin's arrival, her face immediately turned full of joy because she had survived.

"Vice President!" exclaimed the city with great joy.

Robin nodded and his gaze went straight to the person who currently held the most chips. When Robin saw the person's face, her face immediately turned full of surprise, "How is that possible?!" Robin exclaimed with a face full of surprise.

Robin's voice immediately attracted the attention of everyone there including Hashirama who was playing his chips. Hashirama looked directly at Robin and his gaze immediately filled with joy, "Finally you came too..."

"Coming too?" Robin was surprised to hear Hashirama's words and continued, "Why is a big person like you here?" Robin asked with a face full of curiosity and at this moment there was a feeling of joy in Robin's heart.

Because Robin is currently planning to escape from Crocodile but still does n't have the chance to do it. However, in front of her was currently someone who could help her escape. Robin definitely would n't miss this opportunity.

"Great people?" Everyone muttered in confusion.

"I came here because of you" Hashirama said calmly.

"Because of me?" Robin's eyes were full of hope and joy to hear this.

"Currently our kingdom is understaffed in the finance department. Our king wants to recruit you to join the staff of the finance department in exchange for you to get our full protection and also you will be able to get what you are currently looking for. Our kingdom has a book that records the complete history of this world and if you want to join our kingdom or in other words you become a citizen of our kingdom as well as a staff in the finance department. You can access the book, how? Of course, you will also get a salary and also a house allowance that will be given to you. You can live in peace in our kingdom without being afraid of being the target of those who chase you."

Everyone who was there immediately fell silent hearing this and began to find out the identity of the person in front of him.

"Wait !… This person… Isn't he… the Crownless Emperor – Hashirama Senju!" Instantly one of the people who were there remembered the news about Hashirama.

Everyone was immediately surprised to hear the words of that person. While Hashirama himself didn't really care about that and his gaze was fixed on Robin. However, even though they knew the identity of Hashirama. No one moved from that place because the popularity that Hashirama had built was good popularity and not bad popularity for example committing murder and others. Hashirama got a fugitive for daring to attack the World Government where many people hate the World Government, especially the people who are currently in the Casino room.

It could be said not to be afraid of seeing Hashirama. Everyone in the room was very excited to see Hashirama's presence there.

" What ?!" The casino manager was immediately surprised to hear Hashirama's identity, "Damn it! How could such a big person be here? I must immediately inform the President about this." Without waiting for a long time the Casino Manager immediately left the place.

"How? Do you accept this?" Hashirama asked back with great interest.

"Are you going to betray me, Nico Robin?" Crocodile suddenly appeared beside Robin using his ability.

"Crocodiles?!" Robin was very surprised by the appearance of Crocodile beside her.

The people who saw Crocodile's appearance were immediately taken aback and started to take their distance in a safe position. Because they knew that with Crocodile's appearance in that place something big would definitely happen.

Crocodile's gaze stared at Hashirama Senju seriously, "Crownless Emperor - Hashirama Senju. Does such a big person have no shame in taking one of my subordinates?"

"Have no shame? I still have shame. Even though Nico Roin is currently your subordinate. However, he has the choice to choose the path he wants to take. He has the right to choose" Hashirama said calmly without fear and looked at Robin, "You can choose Robin. If you want to come with me. You don't have to be afraid of the Crocodile threat. I will protect you even if Crocodile dares to try to take your life. I will kill him right away. This is a direct order from His Majesty. However, if you really choose to stay with him. I 'll get out of here right away. You are free to make your choice."

"Nico Robin" Crocodile's gaze became serious and cold looked at Robin, "You better choose the right one—-"

"I'm out, President" Robin without waiting for a long time immediately cut off the conversation from Crocodile, "Besides, I'm not your subordinate. I am only building a cooperative relationship with you and not being your subordinate."

"Do you know the consequences of betraying me?" Crocodile's gaze became extremely cold and intent had escaped his eyes.

The guests who were there immediately fled feeling the killing intent of Crocodile. Even Robin was currently breaking out in cold sweat feeling the killing intent.

Instantly an extremely terrifying pressure hit Crocodile's body. Crocodile's face at this moment immediately turned full of fear as this pressure directly hit his soul. Crocodile's body which was previously standing upright immediately knelt down and slowly turned his head to Hashirama who was staring at Crocodile with a cold gaze.

"Do you dare threaten people from our kingdom? Do you want to die here, Crocodile?" Hashirama's voice was very different from before. It was extremely cold and left a very deep impression of killing intent.

"You haven't decided on that yet" Crocodile replied forcefully, "She still—"

"Not. I've decided to join him" Robin interrupted Crocodile's words again, "I'm already a citizen of the Fortis Kingdom and no longer the person you work with, Crocodile"

"God damn it!" Crocodile cursed angrily, " Is that what you gave me in return after I gave you protection, Nico Robin?!" Crocodile asked in a forced tone.

"I've said it before, haven't I? The two of us do not have a superior and subordinate relationship but a cooperative relationship . I helped you take care of the organizational matters you created while you helped protect me. Neither of us owes each other any debts."

Crocodile grew even more furious at this. Crocodile wanted to kill Robin right now. However, Crocodile also realized that he couldn't possibly do it especially now that his body couldn't move at all even if he tried. Crocodile's current strength can be said to be very weak especially in his physical strength. Crocodile is someone who looks like Ace. He relies heavily on his devil fruit abilities and forgets to increase his physical and spiritual strength. This also caused Crocodile to be unable to move under the spiritual pressure released by Hashirama.

Robin looked at Hashirama, "I've made up my mind. I will take the job as well as become a citizen of your kingdom."

"Good choice" Hashirama smiled then continued, "Oh, yes. Can you help me exchange these chips I won?" Hashirama asked with a cheerful smile, "You are the Vice President here. Of course you can do it, right?"

"Sure" Robin nodded and immediately took the chips Hashirama had and took them to the administration desk. Robin immediately took out a large amount of cash from the safe and handed it to Hashirama, "Here's all the money for your chips"

"Thank you" Hashirama immediately put all the money into his storage bracelet.

Robin and Crocodile who saw this were immediately shocked. However, neither of them dared to ask. Robin herself would save it for later, while Crocodile at this point knew she couldn't possibly get the answer from Hashirama.

Hashirama's gaze then turned to Robin, "Do you have any luggage? We will rest at the hotel tonight and continue our journey tomorrow."

"I do have it" Robin nodded "Could you wait a minute?"

"Yes" Hashirama nodded, "You can go get it, I will wait for you here"

Robin immediately left the place to take his belongings in the room occupied by her.

"Say it, Hashirama. Why did you invite him to join your kingdom? Is it because of his abilities?" Crocodile asked while looking at Hashirama seriously even though his body was still being suppressed by Hashirama's spiritual power.

"We invited her because we needed a genius and smart staff. Our kingdom has huge funds and it is difficult for anyone to manage. We also cannot recruit someone who has below average academic ability to manage the fund . Robin is the best choice because of the intelligence he has." Hashirama replied calmly, "Regarding his abilities, why do we need them? We're not interested in ancient weapons, we're not interested in the One Piece treasure . If we are interested in such things. We don't need to use Robin's abilities. Because we ourselves can get it if we want it"

Crocodile fell silent at this.

"Say Hashirama. When you fought Whitebeard, did you beat that old man to a pulp?" asked Crocodile.

"Why are you asking that question?" Hashirama asked in confusion.

"Just answer!" said Crocodile in an unconscious tone of hearing.

"Not bad" Hashirama didn't know about the grudge that Crocodile had against Whitebeard, "At least, I beat him until he couldn't move"

"Hmph! Feel it Whitebeard" Crocodile muttered with a feeling of excitement.

"Do you have a grudge against Whitebeard, Crocodile?" Hashirama asked with interest.

"That's none of your business" Crocodile immediately refused to give an answer regarding this matter.

It didn't take long for Robin to come back with a suitcase containing all of his equipment.

"Have you brought all the equipment?" Hashirama asked.

"Yes" Robin nodded "Everything is in the suitcase"

"Okay. Then, let's go." Hashirama and Robin immediately walked out of the Casino and by the time the two of them had gotten out of the pressure that was pressing down on Crocodile's body it disappeared.

Crocodile heaved a sigh of relief as the pressure pressing down on his soul instantly dissipated, "What was that power just now? Is that his devil fruit ability? No, that's different from the reported information. That ability is not a devil fruit ability. That ability Hashirama used… It's almost like Armament Haki ability" Crocodile muttered seriously, "Could it be an advanced level of Armament Haki ability?"

Crocodile is a pirate who once sailed in the New World. This is what causes Crocodile to know the ability of Haki. However, Crocodile's own knowledge of Haki only reached the basic level and had not yet reached the advanced level. Because of that, Crocodile only came to the conclusion that the ability that Hashirama had released earlier was an advanced Armament Haki ability. He didn't know that there was still a next level after the advanced that was the highest level.

"I think I need to find someone else to replace him…" Crocodile muttered as he disappeared from the location and left it to his staff to take care of everything there.

Crocodile currently had no sense of revenge against the Fortis Kingdom. Not that he didn't, because Crocodile realized he couldn't possibly do it. Just the presence of Hashirama alone made Crocodile unable to fight back. Especially the people within the Fortis Kingdom. Crocodile realized that the Fortis Kingdom was not an ordinary kingdom, especially the World Government which had strong powers, did not dare to take action against them and was willing to follow the orders given.

The strength that Crocodile currently has is very weak and the strength of his troops is also weak. In addition, Crocodile also believed that even if he got the ancient weapon - the pluton he had been looking for, he would not be able to defeat the Fortis Kingdom especially considering Hashirama's words where Hashirama said that if they wanted they could get the ancient weapon.

Besides that, Crocodile had a little gratitude towards Hashirama for beating Whitebeard so badly that he couldn't move. This information is very important information for Crocodile and can be used by Crocodile when he meets Whitebeard later.

Before meeting Hashirama. Crocodile has a plan to get the kingdom of Fortis after obtaining the ancient weapon - Pluto . However, after meeting in person and talking to Hashirama directly. As a smart person, Crocodile knew that it was impossible for him to take revenge or take the power of the Kingdom of Fortis. This is what makes Crocodile throw away the feeling of revenge and begin to rearrange his plans since Nico Robin is not with him anymore.

Crocodile must come up with a plan that will help him get the ancient weapon he wants.

Meanwhile at Hashirama and Robin's side.

The two of them had arrived at the hotel where Hashirama was staying. Hashirama immediately opened a room for him right next to his. The two of them went straight to their bedroom floor.

"You rest tonight. We 'll be right back tomorrow. If possible, we will travel before 7am so we can get there before 8am."

"Before 8 am? How could we possibly get there when your kingdom seems to be in New World territory?" Robin asked strangely.

"I have the ability to fly. We can fly there at high speed. Tomorrow I will carry you while all your things will be put in the storage bin. We have to go back soon because I have a lot of work to do."

"Flying ability? Don't you have the ability to manipulate objects?" Robin asked strangely, "Are you a dual devil fruit user?"

"No, you are wrong" Hashirama shook his head, "I am not a user of devil fruit abilities. While my flying ability comes from the ability to manipulate my spiritual energy."

"Not a devil fruit user? Spiritual energy?" Robin asked back with great interest.

"Well, it's going to be quite long to explain." Hashirama said while scratching his head.

"No problem. I have enough time. After all, it wasn't too late yet. I can hear your explanation. Also, how about you explain to me about your kingdom? After all, I also need to know it, right? Also regarding the King of your Kingdom as well as the person who will be my boss when I work. I want to know now so I can get to know them better."

"I guess it's fine" Hashirama nodded, "Where do you want to talk? In my room or in yours?"

"I don't mind in any room," Robin said with a smile.

"Then we'll just use your room. My room is currently still in a state of disarray and very uncomfortable to use for talking"

Robin nodded and immediately opened her room. The two of them immediately entered while Robin immediately put his suitcase in an empty place then immediately went to sit on the sofa together with Hashirama.

"Okay. Then let 's start from our kingdom first."