Chapter 32 : Capturing Robin?

In Water 7,

A man with a muscular physique and striking blue hair, donning swim trunks, stands atop a high vantage point...

And he, naturally, is Franky!

At this moment, Franky found himself bewildered as he gazed upon the scene. It was because he stood within the Water 7, where he served as the head of the Franky family.

The Franky Family, led by him, not only thrived as ship dismantlers in the business, but they were also skilled bounty hunters. Alongside their day-to-day duties, they took on the role of pirate hunters, defending the Water 7 that his teacher held dear.

For the sole purpose of atoning for his sins.

It was precisely because of this that Franky found it even more perplexing to grasp his future self's actions. How had he, of all people, become a pirate?

Wasn't that a complete contradiction? He was a bounty hunter—someone who didn't like pirates, yet he now belonged to their ranks?

Franky wore a look of confusion that mirrored Zoro's initial reaction.

However, amidst his astonishment, Franky found himself lost in thought.

Through the sky live broadcast he had witnessed, it was evident that Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates shared an extraordinary bond. They were willing to fight relentlessly together, even embracing his rogue nature.

This suggested a deep integration into the pirate crew.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Franky couldn't help but question himself. Could it be that his future self genuinely cherished the Straw Hat Pirates?

Or had something happened to alter his very essence during his transformation?

Florian Triangle, the Dark Sea!

In this perpetually sunless and dismal expanse of ocean, a dilapidated, colossal pirate ship slowly sailed.

At first glance, it seemed just as lifeless as the dark sea surrounding it, steeped in an eerie silence. However, upon closer inspection, one particular skeleton stood out distinctly, and it wasn't just because he sported a suit but also had an explosive hairstyle.

If ordinary folks were to witness such an appearance, they'd likely be struck with instant terror.

The scene was simply too bizarre. Yet, this unique skeleton was none other than one of the Straw Hat Pirates—the one who had consumed the Revive-Revive Fruit—Brook!

"Will I defeat Moria?"

"Can I recover my shadow?"

"Will I gain new comrades and embark on another adventure?"

Brook gazed vacantly at the sky. With empty eye sockets, he kept his thoughts hidden from view. However, his desolation was palpable.

Ever since consuming the Revive-Revive Fruit and falling under Moria's grasp, Brook had lost track of how long he'd been stranded in this dark sea.

With no sunlight, no companions to converse with, his days were spent reminiscing and talking to himself.

He yearned for companionship and the solace of conversing, no matter how trivial it might be.

Hence, when he glimpsed the live broadcast featuring his future self surrounded by countless companions and forming deep bonds, Brook was almost moved to tears.

If it weren't for the fact that his shadow had been taken away, trapping him in the dark sea, he would have set sail immediately in search of these comrades depicted in the broadcast.

"Since we're comrades, Luffy and the others will surely realize that my shadow has been stolen."

"They'll return to defeat Moria and help me reclaim it. If that's the case..."

"I shall await their return in patience."

Alabasta!

In this endless desert kingdom, where the scorching sun and fine sand prevailed, cacti were the sole inhabitants. In this barren desert, a slender woman with a cowhide hat walked swiftly.

She was none other than a member of the Straw Hat Pirates—Nico Robin!

Over the years, she had managed to elude the Navy's clutches. Under the protection of Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, she had covertly operated.

However, with the exposure from the live broadcast, it was apparent that the Navy was closing in on her location.

In the past, Crocodile had concealed Alabasta's information single-handedly, concealing their actions and evading Navy pursuit. But now...

With their revelation to the entire world, even Crocodile himself would be unable to shield her any longer. He might even be ordered by the Navy to capture and hand her over.

In pursuit of her dreams and to escape Navy pursuit, Robin had no choice but to leave Alabasta, uncertain of her destination.

Would she seek a hidden refuge or search for her as-yet-unmet comrades? One thing was clear: she could no longer stay in Alabasta.

Robin's intuition was not amiss. At that very moment, at Navy Headquarters...

Akainu, having temporarily abandoned the pursuit of Luffy, shifted his focus to Robin.

"Crocodile, I believe I've come across someone quite remarkable."

With a stern expression, he cast his gaze towards Crocodile, and the other Navy officers, including Aokiji, Kizaru, and even the Fleet Admiral, turned their attention to Crocodile.

Crocodile felt a shiver down his spine because he knew exactly who Akainu was referring to.

When he took Robin under his protection, he had foreseen the possibility of her discovery by the Navy in the future. After all, her origins were far from ordinary.

Even at the tender age of eight, her bounty had neared 100 million, a figure that would prompt the Navy to issue a Buster Call if necessary.

Still, her unique abilities had been enticing enough for him to take the risk, hiding her within his territory.

But he never could have anticipated...

That she would become a member of the Straw Hat Pirates in the future.

Her exposure on the live broadcast had blown her cover, revealing her presence to the world.

Crocodile couldn't help but feel a rush of frustration. With Robin's significance to the World Government, her discovery by the three Admirals and even the Fleet Admiral himself left no room for salvation.

He would be drawn into the situation as well.

His only recourse was to voluntarily hand her over, pretending ignorance.

"I'm not sure why this individual with such a bounty has surfaced within my territory."

"But now that I'm aware of her position and to demonstrate my cooperation..."

"I shall immediately instruct my subordinates to apprehend her swiftly and deliver her to the Navy..."

Crocodile's words were a feigned act of ignorance. He had complete control over Alabasta, and Robin's presence had never escaped his notice.

Akainu and the others understood this but chose not to pursue it. After all, while Alabasta fell under Navy jurisdiction, it still harbored its share of secrets.

Their primary goal was to capture the key figures.

"Well then, I will dispatch the Marines to Alabasta with the hope that you won't deliberately obstruct our efforts."

"The existence of Nico Robin poses a grave danger to the World Government!"

"If you or your subordinates impede our operations even slightly during her arrest, you will bear the consequences!"

Crocodile, upon hearing these words, felt an even deeper sense of alarm. He reluctantly nodded in agreement, concealing his true intentions.

Seeing Crocodile's response, Akainu wore a satisfied expression.

Straw Hat Luffy's connections ran deep, and for now, he remained untouchable. However, could an orphan who had evaded the Buster Call escape their grasp?

Unable to capture Luffy, they would seek to apprehend his comrade.

"Survivor of Ohara..Devil's Child Nico Robin. After all these years, I've finally found you!"

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