"Such a beautiful woman want to marry you, and you actually refused?"
Robin's voice came softly from behind Rolan.
Rolan's mouth twitched. "Cough, cough… I know what's important. You are my most precious treasures; how could I ever betray you?"
Indeed, if he wasn't careful, he might end up losing Robin and the others.
Nami and Lina exhaled in relief at Rolan's words.
Big Mom was stunned. She hadn't expected Rolan to refuse such a beautiful daughter as Gala.
Perospero leaned in, uneasy. "Rolan, think carefully. The person in front of you is no ordinary human."
Rolan glanced at the gathered Big Mom Pirates; they were tense, ready for combat. The air crackled with the sense of impending war.
Rolan shook his head firmly. "I refuse."
Big Mom regained composure and waved at Gala. "Go back. I know you don't want to marry either."
Yet Gala's face remained flushed, half-red. Ever since witnessing Rolan confront Mama, she had fallen for him at first sight.
Big Mom ignored Gala and turned to Rolan. "May I speak with Nico Robin?"
Rolan frowned. Since arriving, he had noticed Big Mom repeatedly glancing at Robin.
Before he could refuse, Robin stepped forward. "It's fine. Let's hear what she wants to say."
Big Mom's eyes narrowed, analyzing Robin. Beauty aside, this woman's strength could not be underestimated.
"I want you to leave the Rolan Pirates and join the Big Mom Pirates."
The rest of Rolan's crew stiffened. Audacious! To try poaching their historian in front of them?
Robin remained calm. "Oh? Why? If you want me to join, you must give me a reason."
Big Mom stuffed a cake into her mouth. "Mamama! As long as you join us, the Pirate King's throne will be within reach. I know you are a scholar from Ohara and can read the poneglyphs."
Robin's pupils narrowed. She hadn't expected Big Mom to know so much.
Big Mom continued, "You haven't seen the Red Road Poneglyph, have you? There are only four in this world. Collect them, translate them, and the Final Island is within reach. I obtain them; you translate them. Together, we reach the Pirate King."
Robin shook her head. "You're mistaken. I know the characters and am interested, but I will not betray Rolan."
Big Mom's lips curled. "So you refuse?"
Robin nodded without hesitation.
"Foolish human, dare you refuse me? Then make your choice." Big Mom stepped forward, the light around her dimming with each pace.
Five steps from Robin, the darkness was suffocating.
Big Mom's pupils became concentric orange and yellow circles. "Stay or life!"
A wave of Conqueror's Haki and soul power radiated outward. Weaker individuals collapsed, unconscious.
Robin's expression remained calm. "I choose life."
Big Mom's smile widened. "Then go die!" She reached for Robin.
?!
Big Mom froze, hand suspended midair. "Stay or life?" she repeated.
"Life!"
Some of her children gawked. "Her soul… didn't emerge. Impossible! She fears Mama not at all."
Big Mom retracted her Haki, frowning. "Why aren't you afraid?"
Robin brushed a wisp of hair from her ear. "Of course not. We hunt gods. Why fear a mere Emperor?"
"Nani!?"
Big Mom froze. The shock Rolan and his crew caused exceeded any she had felt before.
The crowd murmured. They didn't understand the mechanics, but judging by her children, Robin had resisted something extraordinary.
Rolan's gaze returned to Robin as she stepped back. An absolute aura radiated from him, sweeping across the venue.
The audience's pupils contracted, sensing a transcendent presence.
Kuro and the rest of the crew unleashed their full Haki, their anger toward Big Mom unmissable.
Rolan snapped, voice booming: "You fat hag, you keep spouting these ridiculous proposals. Do you think we are made of mud and have no temper?"
Big Mom's composure cracked. This humiliation from a newcomer was unprecedented. Usually, others begged to join the Big Mom Pirates.
She overturned the table, fury in her eyes.
"Rolan!"
"A mere newcomer, who gave you such courage?"
Anger made her pink hair spike like hedgehog quills.
Rolan stood, Conqueror's Haki radiating. Weaker onlookers fell to the ground.
Kuro and the crew also rose, ready for battle.
Enel's grin widened. "I thought no fight would come, but now… excitement!"
Crocodile stroked his Poison Scorpion Hook. "Ah ha ha! Only a Four Emperors-level crew can interest me."
Law gripped Kikoku, anticipation in his eyes. "Let's see how much I've grown against the Big Mom Pirates."
Katakuri's expression darkened, eyes flashing red.
"Quick! Run! The Emperors are about to start a war!"
"Quick… run!"
"Who! Who took my wife away?"
Chaos erupted.
Rolan's eyes pierced the crowd, locking with Big Mom's.
"You dared insult my comrades. I might have to kill you, you old hag."