Chapter 242 Pandaren and History
While Cobra's policy was being implemented nationwide, Sig spent a few peaceful days in Alubarna.
Almost every day, the progress of the chopstick dance mission slowly increased.
However, Sig wasn't just waiting around.
Besides the chopstick dance, he had another thing to do in Alubarna.
"Robin, what have you decided about what I told you before?"
Sig called Robin over and asked.
"Do you want to be my daughter?"
Sig asked.
He had asked Robin this question before in Rainbase City, but they were interrupted by Crocodile's sneak attack, and he didn't get Robin's response.
"I..."
A thoughtful expression appeared on Robin's face.
She had indeed considered this question several times during this period.
When she was held in Sig's arms, the feeling of having someone to rely on gave her, an orphan of Ohara, a rare sense of security she hadn't felt in years.
But every time Robin wanted to agree, she couldn't help but recall Sig's words.
"He said before that I was too old, not suitable..."
A chilling statement.
So after many days of contemplation, Robin still couldn't bring herself to say yes.
"It's okay... Then let's talk about business."
Sig was slightly disappointed, but then he changed the subject:
"Crocodile also relied on information about the Poneglyphs to recruit you as his subordinate, right?"
It was no secret that Nico Robin, the Devil Child, was the only archaeologist in the world who could decipher the ancient text of the Poneglyphs.
Robin had relied on this knowledge to survive among the pirates of the West Blue for years.
"Come with me to the palace later."
"The Alabasta royal family does possess a Poneglyph, but this one is a bit special."
Sig said.
"Special..."
Robin's expression changed slightly.
"Does he mean that this Poneglyph is related to Pluton, the ancient weapon Crocodile mentioned?"
Robin felt a little disappointed.
Pluton was an ancient weapon capable of destroying the world. Although Robin ostensibly worked for Crocodile, she never intended to sincerely cooperate with him.
She couldn't stand by and watch as an ancient weapon capable of destroying the world fell into Crocodile's hands.
"Is Sig similar to Crocodile, an ambitious person who wants to control ancient weapons?"
Robin pondered in her heart.
But then she heard Sig say:
"What makes this Poneglyph special is that, in addition to the inscribed ancient text, it might also have markings left by someone else."
"Robin, you're an archaeologist from Ohara. If you see the handwriting left by that person, you should be able to estimate the approximate time it was inscribed, right?"
At this point, Sig's expression also became serious.
This was also one of the reasons he came to Alubarna.
Not for Pluton... but for the Panda Man!
In the original story, the Poneglyph in the Alabasta royal tomb had Japanese text left by the Panda Man!
Sig wanted to confirm whether the current Poneglyph had the Panda Man's Japanese text.
If so, from what era did it originate?
Having been stalked by the Panda Man for so long, Sig naturally wouldn't let him do as he pleased, so he came to Alubarna.
"That's impossible!" Robin blurted out, refuting:
"The stone used to inscribe the Poneglyphs is extremely hard. Apart from the creators of the Poneglyphs 800 years ago, no one has ever been able to leave a single mark on them."
"Yes, that's what makes this Poneglyph special. The person who left the mark is very special. Perhaps the mystery surrounding him is no less significant than the mystery of the Void Century you want to know."
"Perhaps, he himself is related to that period of history."
Sig said with a solemn expression.
"As for whether there are any other markings left on that stone, Robin, you'll have to judge for yourself."
These words immediately piqued Robin's curiosity.
Robin's dream was to pursue the Poneglyphs and uncover the truth of history. This time, with the chance to see a Poneglyph, she naturally wouldn't refuse Sig.
After saying this, Sig took Robin with him and once again entered the palace, requesting a secret meeting with Cobra.
Unlike before, this time Sig didn't bring any other subordinates, only Robin.
"King Cobra, I actually have another request, and it's related to the Nefeltari royal family..."
Sig went straight to the point, directly mentioning the Poneglyph and the Panda Man.
"What?"
The smile on Cobra's face completely disappeared, replaced by an extremely complex expression.
He didn't even know what kind of expression he should have.
The secret that his family had kept for many years was clearly grasped by Sig.
Not only that, but Sig even knew that the Poneglyph was in the royal tomb.
Frankly speaking, Sig already knew the exact location of the Poneglyph. With the strength Sig had displayed, Cobra knew that if he wanted to take it by force, the entire Alabasta Kingdom might not be able to stop him...
Sig's direct approach left Cobra confused, unable to understand his purpose for a moment.
"Mr. Sig, the Poneglyph is a matter of great importance. Even if you are the hero who saved Rainbase City, I cannot accept such a request."
Cobra pondered for a long time, and finally refused.
As for the Panda Man Sig mentioned, Cobra was skeptical.
"A direct refusal?"
Sig thought for a moment, preparing to reveal more information.
He took out a wanted poster from his pocket and unfolded it in front of Cobra and Robin.
On the wanted poster was a black and white panda face.
The bounty amount was very peculiar: 3,333,333 Beli.
"King Cobra, I've been tracking a mysterious man, and it was he who left the writing on your Poneglyph."
Sig said in a deep voice, observing Cobra and Robin's reactions.
"Over three million Beli? Mr. Sig, are you joking? How could a small-time pirate with a few million Beli bounty sneak into the royal tomb undetected and leave markings on the Poneglyph?"
Cobra frowned, completely disbelieving.
"Don't you... find the Panda Man's bounty odd?"
Sig's brow also furrowed deeply.
"The point isn't the three million Beli, but the number 3,333,333 Beli!"
"Which pirate's bounty would be such a strange number?"
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