Chapter 361: Target—Nico Robin
Brett left Totto Land and returned to Fish-Man Island. After Katakuri handed him the rubbing of the final Road Poneglyph, he'd assembled all four.
Now he only needed to find someone capable of translating the ancient text, then he could obtain Laugh Tale's location and find that legendary great treasure to become the new Pirate King.
Oh, wait.
Forget about Pirate King.
Luffy said the Pirate King was the freest person in the world, but Brett didn't crave individual freedom.
As Brett set course for Fish-Man Island, news of the three-way Emperor battle on that New World island finally spread across the entire world.
The whole world had been watching this war unfold—a climactic clash between the new Pirate Emperor and the established ones. Everyone had wondered who would emerge victorious.
But when the war's outcome actually appeared, people remained stunned and utterly astonished.
"Charlotte Linlin joined that war too? So Red-Hair faced two Emperors simultaneously?!"
"How is that possible? Didn't Red-Hair have Hawkeye as reinforcement? That monster's strength doesn't fall short of Charlotte Linlin!"
"Who could've predicted the war between the Red-Hair Pirates and Beasts Pirates would escalate to such proportions?"
"But Red-Hair still won in the end."
"Can only say Kaido was unlucky—Katakuri chose that exact moment to rebel against Charlotte Linlin!"
"This way Katakuri's completely seized Charlotte Linlin's legacy. The Pirate Emperor position changed hands!"
"The New World is becoming more chaotic by the day."
People could only sigh.
The already chaotic New World now had one additional Emperor and one replacement.
What would that turbulent sea become next?
People couldn't guess.
While the New World's upheaval set the entire world ablaze, Brett had already returned to Fish-Man Island. He summoned Jinbei and Tesoro.
"So Katakuri actually succeeded?"
The moment they met, Tesoro burst out eagerly. "Hahaha! That guy's incredible! I knew he could do it! This means we have three Pirate Emperors on our side, right?"
"That's right."
Brett nodded lightly.
"Wait, Brett—" Jinbei's eyes widened in surprise. "You and Katakuri—"
He'd never heard about this!
"Oh right, I haven't had time to tell you yet."
Brett smiled somewhat awkwardly. "Anyway, Jinbei, you just need to know Katakuri's my friend. The Charlotte Family are our allies going forward."
"Oh..."
Jinbei pressed his lips together, nodding lightly.
His heart pounded. Brett had quietly accomplished another unbelievable feat.
"So why'd you call us here?"
Tesoro asked expectantly. "After Charlotte Linlin, is it finally Kaido's turn?!"
"Excellent! I've been wanting to move against that guy for ages—especially since Doflamingo's still under his command!"
Yes—Brett and Tesoro's old rival Doflamingo was currently with the Beasts Pirates.
"No rush. Before that, there's something more important to do."
Brett said solemnly. "I've now assembled all four Road Poneglyphs. I'm heading to Laugh Tale next."
"Eh..."
Tesoro and Jinbei froze simultaneously.
Their eyes seemed incapable of blinking. Expressions completely rigid, they'd both transformed into statues.
Then—
"No way!"
Tesoro slammed the table, unable to stop himself from standing with a bang. He exclaimed in disbelief, "Brett, you're joking, right?!"
Even the usually composed Jinbei couldn't help showing panic. He hurriedly asked, "Brett, are you serious?"
Not that they were overreacting—they both understood what finding four Road Poneglyphs meant.
It meant Laugh Tale. It meant the great treasure. It meant all the world's secrets!
"Why would I joke about this?"
Brett shook his head seriously. "Of course it's true."
"It's actually true!"
Tesoro excitedly pumped his fist, pacing restlessly around the office. "Brett! You're absolutely incredible! So next—are you becoming Pirate King?!"
"I have no interest in being Pirate King. I just want to visit Laugh Tale."
Brett smiled. "To see what happened eight hundred years ago. What history the Government erased from this world."
Of course, more importantly—to probe Lord Imu's hand, discover his trump cards. Know yourself and your enemy, after all.
"The only thing missing now is someone who can decipher the Poneglyphs for me." Brett said seriously.
"Ancient text—that's definitely troublesome."
Jinbei's excited smile faded somewhat. He agreed earnestly, "Since Ohara's destruction, we haven't heard of anyone studying ancient languages across the seas."
"Then only that woman remains."
Tesoro said. "Ohara's last descendant—the Demon Child, Nico Robin."
"That woman must know how to decipher ancient text."
"Dragon's people are also searching for her, but they haven't found any trace."
Brett said. "Makes sense. If her whereabouts were easily discovered, the Government would've executed her long ago."
"But we can only try searching for her, can't we?" Tesoro spread his hands helplessly.
No—actually there was a second person.
And finding him would be far simpler than locating Nico Robin. Just another trip to Wano.
But Brett disliked the Kozuki clan. So he didn't want to seek out that man called Kozuki Sukiyaki.
Fortunately, at this point in time, finding Nico Robin might not be as difficult as imagined. In fact, quite simple.
After all, in the original story that woman had entered the Grand Line a year ago. By now she'd probably received Crocodile's invitation to join Baroque Works.
Wasn't this an opportunity?
"I'm going to Alabasta."
"Eh?! Why?!"