Since beginning her life on the run at age eight, Nico Robin had lived ten years of precarious existence.
When night fell, she would extinguish all light sources—even the slightest rustle could trigger her alert nerves.
She habitually planned her actions based on worst-case scenarios, avoiding any behavior that might reveal her value.
For ten years, she had never enjoyed a single peaceful night's sleep.
...
This wasn't cowardice, but an obsession with "surviving."
She truly wanted to know if there were companions out there on the sea who could accept her, like Saul had.
If not for those words, she would have given up long ago—living like this was too exhausting...
During this time, she had tried many jobs and attempted to join pirate crews.
But whenever her identity was exposed, she would be betrayed by employers and abandoned by comrades.
...
Only the chairman.
Robin clearly remembered that day in Kano Country when she met the chairman, and the first words from this seemingly cunning and ugly man:
"Demon Child Nico Robin! Want to be my partner?! Heheheha!!"
Such simple words.
This was the first time someone had invited her to be their partner even after learning her true identity.
And...
This person somewhat resembled Saul—ugly, with a strange laugh.
Is this... what companions are like...
For once, Robin spent days in the Jasmine Society where she could sleep peacefully.
...
"Why?"
"You were... willing to accept me..."
Why abandon me?
I was standing right before you, ready to sacrifice myself to protect you.
I was...
I was already...
...
Ignoring Robin's hollow gaze, Big Jasmine barked: "Of course because you still have use value!"
"Such a beautiful Devil Fruit User can provide far more value than just seventy-nine million berries!!"
"See? You're serving as my bargaining chip for survival right now!!"
...
Use... value...
Is this the only connection between people?
Listen carefully—something shattered in Robin's eyes.
...
"Lord Griffin! You can enjoy her before sending her to prison! I haven't used her yet, even if you break her—"
Big Jasmine nervously turned around, curling up as he knelt before Griffin, half his face pressed against the ground with an obsequious smile.
Crack—clang—
His body froze into ice crystals, and in the next moment, Griffin flipped his palm.
Boom!!
The frozen form shattered into countless ice fragments, instantly dissipating into cold mist.
The one called Big Jasmine disappeared without leaving a single trace.
This scene reminded Robin of the past once more.
...
...
"What... happened..."
Kisqi, who had fainted from the impact of Griffin's Conqueror's Haki, gradually woke up. Scanning her surroundings, she spotted the fur coat Big Jasmine had dropped when he fell, immediately showing disgust on her face.
"Damn bastard!! How dare you use your ability to control me! So disgusting!!!"
"Bitch! Ugly freak! Maggot in a cesspit!..."
"Unlike that guy, you're not being controlled by your ability."
A mocking smile curled at the corner of Griffin's lips. "Nico Robin, are you really that easily used?"
"It's enough to make me laugh out loud."
...
...
Robin slowly raised her head, the emptiness in her eyes replaced by cold indifference.
"Is it funny?"
"Wanting to survive, wanting to gain companions... is that funny?"
Griffin crossed his arms and shook his head. "That's not what's funny. What's laughable is you, Robin."
"You knew he was using you all along, yet you couldn't let go of that false warmth, deceiving yourself into believing it was real."
"False warmth is better than none at all - isn't that thought itself ridiculous?"
...
...
Robin clenched her fists tightly, her voice hoarse as she hung her head. "So what... I'll find real companions someday... someday..."
Crack—
Griffin gripped her chin, forcing her lowered face upward.
His eyes held no warmth, only scrutiny, as if evaluating a piece of trash about to be discarded.
"Look at yourself now. You don't even believe that yourself, do you?"
...
Robin tried to turn her face away, but the pressure from his fingers forced her to meet those icy eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Robin spoke coldly: "Why say so much? Isn't your purpose here me?"
"I'm the criminal you're hunting. Just take me back to complete your mission, Marine."
"This kind of life should have ended long ago."
...
Griffin released her face, expressionless. "Let me be direct - Kuzan sent me."
"To judge whether letting you live back then was the right decision, based on your current state."
...
"Is that so..."
Robin smiled bitterly. "Destroying my hometown and killing my mother wasn't enough? Do you find amusement in toying with my life too?"
"Yes, it's quite entertaining." Griffin smiled as well.
"But you're too weak. Someone without any will to live isn't even worth killing."
Griffin crouched down, his sinister sneer burning into Robin's eyes.
"Let's play a game."
"You said you'd find companions someday, right?"
"Let's bet on it!"
"Just like before, whenever you find so-called companions, I'll kill them!"
"Until one day, when you find someone willing to protect you with their life, I'll admit you were right..."
"Then I'll kill that companion who wants to protect you too!"
...
Robin's pupils trembled violently, her voice shaking as she shook her head. "How could this be... How could you be like this? Weren't you the one who saved—"
"That was just acting for the crowd. I have to maintain my positive image after all."
Griffin's smile widened. "Humans are complex creatures. How can you determine someone's nature from just one aspect?"
"I know one more thing..."
"The one who captured your mother back then was Saul. He let her return to Ohara, leading to her encounter with the Buster Call—"
"Don't you dare say that name!!!"
For the first time, Robin interrupted Griffin, assuming a stance with her arms crossed over her chest. Countless arms materialized from all directions, attacking Griffin!
...
Crack—crack—
Before the arms created by the Bloom-Bloom Fruit could reach him, they were all frozen solid.
...
Having to play psychologist repeatedly - I didn't develop special Armament Haki for this kind of work.
And repeating plotlines makes me feel utterly bored.
Ice-encased arms clustered behind Griffin like the wings of this demon, or like a throne.
Then came words that would haunt Robin like a nightmare in the days to come.
"You want to kill me?"
"Then despise me, loathe me, exhaust every ounce of your strength, and cling desperately to life."
"Run away."
"Come find me again when you possess power equal to mine."
——
The ice spread, carrying a bone-piercing chill.