"Actually, Sabaody Archipelago isn't a bad place."
Don turned his head toward Robin as he spoke.
"Sabaody Archipelago?" Robin blinked, then nodded after a moment's thought.
"It really isn't. As the gateway to the New World, anyone who wishes to enter must pass through it. But because of that, it's bound to be chaotic."
Robin could easily imagine the Marines establishing a base there to intercept pirates. But even then, with so many passing through, the Marines could never stop them all.
"Chaos doesn't matter much. After all, that place is practically the center of the world."
What Robin could think of, Don naturally could too. And knowing more than her, he understood Sabaody's situation even better.
Still—it was indeed a good place.
But if he wanted to establish an association there, he would need sufficient deterrent power.
In the end, strength was the foundation of everything.
And for now, his strength had reached a plateau.
According to the [System]'s data, aside from Conqueror's Haki, most of his abilities had already reached the stage of complete mastery.
As for his Devil Fruit powers, Don estimated that breaking past mastery would likely require touching upon awakening.
His swordsmanship too was at full mastery—one step further and he might become a true "Great Swordsman."
Both Armament and Observation Haki were the same. Beyond complete mastery, he would need to uncover new functions and applications.
For the moment, however, Don's target was Conqueror's Haki.
Since he possessed it, then naturally he had to master the art of infusion.
He certainly had no intention of running off to Wano to learn from Kaidou.
Which left only one target—Silvers Rayleigh, hidden in Sabaody Archipelago.
As the right hand of the Pirate King, Rayleigh's strength was beyond doubt.
Three forms of Haki combined with masterful swordsmanship had made him one of the world's top-tier fighters.
And Conqueror's Haki infusion was among the techniques Rayleigh wielded.
If Don failed to comprehend the technique before reaching Sabaody, then crossing blades—or even learning directly—from Rayleigh would suffice.
It would all depend on the situation.
Once he grasped that technique, his power would surge again. With Conqueror's Haki infusion, even in his base state, he could challenge the strongest in the world.
"Someone's watching us."
Robin's quiet words broke his train of thought.
"They've been watching since we landed on this island," Don replied just as softly.
"No… these ones feel different. I think they might have recognized you."
Without turning her head, Robin locked onto the watchers with her Observation Haki.
"They could be Crocodile's men."
"You mean… even this place is under Crocodile's thumb?"
Robin hesitated. Don had just mentioned the sand crocodile earlier, but she hadn't connected him to the men shadowing them now.
"Come on. Whether they are or not, consider this a greeting. Let him know I'm here."
Don rose, dropped a few Berries on the table, and strode out of the tavern.
Robin followed at his side.
The men trailing them never approached. Instead, their faces kept changing—five groups had already swapped out from tavern to dockside.
"They're cautious. There's a good chance it really is him," Don murmured, his Observation Haki sweeping across the island like a tide.
"If that's the case, why not just grab one and ask where Crocodile is?" Robin suggested in a hushed tone.
The idea was sound, but those stalkers might not know his exact whereabouts. Worse, tipping his hand might drive Crocodile into hiding.
In that case, it was better to head straight for Alabasta.
Don and Robin boarded their ship and set sail.
Not long after they left, a few figures gathered on the dock.
"It had to be him."
"The president told us to watch for his movements. Didn't think he'd really show up."
"Report to the president immediately. He's been waiting for this."
They whispered among themselves before slipping back into town.
…
Alabasta, Spider's Café.
This was the headquarters of Baroque Works, established by Crocodile.
Ever since learning rumors that the ancient weapon Pluton was buried in Alabasta, Crocodile had entrenched himself in the desert kingdom, searching for the weapon in secret.
Legend was legend, after all. Because of its nature as an ancient weapon, he was careful not to let the information spread.
But he needed someone to decipher the ancient texts.
And so, when the report from Cactus Island reached him, Crocodile's sharp eyes narrowed.
"Nico Robin."
He muttered the name lowly.
He knew of Ohara. He knew the name on the bounty list.
And if the woman with Don was truly Nico Robin, then she likely had the ability to read the Poneglyphs.
"Don."
Crocodile bit down on his cigar, his gaze fixed on the newspaper spread across his desk.
Two paths presented themselves.
Take Robin by force—yet if reports were true, Don was dangerously powerful.
Or cooperate. But cooperation meant sharing the secret of Pluton's existence.
That, he could never allow.
Smoke curled up, veiling his sharp eyes.
"Boss, want me to handle it?"
A muscular, buzz-cut subordinate spoke up.
"You're not enough."
Crocodile shook his head.
"If they land in Alabasta, alert me at once. I'll meet him personally."
In his mind, Crocodile weighed how to seize Nico Robin.
At the same time, Don was considering how to bring Crocodile under his banner.
Aboard the ship bound for Alabasta, a fierce pressure surged and receded again and again from Don's body.
Robin, forced to endure it at close range, looked rather strained.
Don's Conqueror's Haki was already under directional control.
But to find the rhythm of infusion, he had to experiment endlessly.
And Robin couldn't help but be affected.
Still, she knew what he was trying to achieve—and did not stop him.
"This is training for you as well," Don said calmly. "If you can adapt to this pressure, future opponents with Conqueror's Haki will affect you far less."
"That sort of opponent is your enemy, not mine. Don't expect me to handle them."
Robin sighed softly.
"That may not be so certain. You have grand ambitions too. You might well possess the potential for Conqueror's Haki yourself."
Don turned and smiled at her as he said it.
…
END OF CHAPTER
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