coobybook Chapter 209 Partners
Chapter 209 Partners
Another month has passed.
……
The first half of the Grand Line, Alabasta.
Beneath the desert lies a mysterious deep pit.
The air was filled with the smell of dusty sand. A huge cubic stone tablet stood in the center of the secret chamber, engraved with ancient characters, and exuded a mysterious aura under the dim light of the lantern.
Historical text!
This indestructible stone tablet records the world's greatest secret.
There are probably thirty such stone tablets, and the maker is unknown.
The historical text of the four red road signs, when deciphered and connected, will provide you with a sea chart to reach the final island.
The other twenty-odd Poneglyphs record the "Void Century" history that the World Government is desperately trying to cover up, including information about the three ancient weapons: Uranus, Poseidon, and Hades.
……
Crocodile stood before the monument, a cigar dangling from his lips, sparks flickering in the darkness.
His eyes held an undisguised, burning desire.
"Found it... the Poneglyph containing information about Hades!!"
……
The past three years.
Crocodile was inspired by Doflamingo's capture of Dressrosa.
But Alabasta is much larger than Dressrosa, and is one of the few superpowers with a population of over ten million.
In order to find clues about Hades in Alabasta, he smears the king, instigates a civil war, and forges his own heroic reputation.
Years of planning and strategizing...
Finally found it!!
He turned his head away.
"Decipher it, Nico Robin. Tell me where Pluto, 'Pluto,' is!"
Robin slowly stepped forward, gazing at the stone tablet.
His gaze swept over the lines of ancient text, his face remaining calm, but his heart was in turmoil.
She saw it...
The ancient weapon capable of destroying an island with a single blow, the Pluton battleship... is in Wano Country!
A chilling shiver instantly shot up my spine.
According to intelligence released by the Navy, that mysterious and powerful nation, which was closed off from the world and famous for its samurai, has now been occupied by Kaido of the Beasts, one of the Four Emperors.
Robin's mind raced.
She and Crocodile were in a relationship of mutual exploitation, and she never intended to actually tell him the news.
The search for information about Hades is a way to fight against that person.
Now we know where Hades is...
Robin has already made up her mind: first, escape Crocodile's clutches, then join any pirate crew aiming for the New World, and finally find an opportunity to enter Wano Country.
Perhaps... even if you can't find Pluto, joining the Beasts Pirates would be a good option.
In the previous epic battle, it was clear to everyone that Kaido had a slight advantage, after all, he survived being attacked by a series of powerful naval warriors and still managed to escape unscathed.
Kaido of the Beasts possesses the power to fight that person!
……
Lowering his fingers from the inscription, Robin turned and said, "These words... do indeed mention information about ancient weapons, but..."
"Its narrative style is very ancient and unique, containing many metaphors and allegories. I need time to decipher its specific location."
……
"Time?" Crocodile's voice turned cold as he drew closer to Robin, his shadow looming over her.
"You're lying to me, saying it takes time to decipher text!"
Robin did not flinch when Crocodile stared at her.
Compared to that person's gaze, yours is so unapproachable.
"Why would I lie to you? Finding Pluto is also my goal, and you are my most suitable partner."
"This is ancient writing. Just learning it is not something an ordinary person can do. I tried to teach you before, but you still couldn't learn it."
"A single character may have more than a dozen interpretations, covering dozens of locations, and a hasty interpretation will be far removed from the original meaning."
"If you don't believe me, just have someone send me food. I'll keep interpreting it here."
……
Crocodile stared at her silently, assessing the truthfulness of her words.
His gaze didn't waver at all...
Really……
After a long silence, Crocodile spoke again, his demeanor regaining its usual calm and control: "Alright, I'll give you time."
"There's no need to stay here and guard it. Make a copy and study it slowly when you get back."
……
"No, rubbing will greatly increase the workload, the depth of each character will be..."
Robin kept saying, roughly, "Don't give orders if you don't know anything. Let me, the professional, handle this. If you want to know about Hades, you have to cooperate with me."
"Stop talking!!"
Crocodile, annoyed, said in a deep voice, "I'll personally bring you food. Don't keep me waiting too long, and don't even try to run away... You should know the consequences of betraying me!!"
……
"Then I'll trouble you. While you're at it, could you also bring me a few buckets of ink and a lot of white paper?"
Robin turned around, seemingly engrossed in his work, and gestured with his fingers in an orderly fashion.
-
-
Meanwhile, a pirate ship arrived in Alabasta.
After defeating Arlong in the East Blue and entering the Grand Line, the Straw Hat crew, who had already gained some fame, traveled through Little Garden and Drum Island, together with Princess Vivi of Alabasta, through the scorching desert.
Vivi's lips were chapped, and her long, sky-blue hair was stuck to her forehead by wind, sand, and sweat.
The hoarse voice repeated over and over: "Hurry up..."
"Hurry! We must stop the conflict between the rebels and the royal army! No more casualties can be allowed!"
The rebel leader and she grew up together, and she believed that as long as the truth about Crocodile being the mastermind was revealed, the war could be quelled!
……
"wrong."
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
Luffy stopped, his face beneath his straw hat unusually expressionless, and his voice, though not loud, was incredibly firm: "Vivi, listen carefully."
"In war, it's impossible for no one to die."
……
Vivi's pupils constricted sharply, her face turning pale: "Luffy, how could you say that! We rushed here all the way to prevent anyone from sacrificing themselves!!"
Zoro gripped the hilt of his sword, while Sanji and the others remained silent.
They knew that although their captain sometimes acted foolishly, he could always see the essence of the matter and make the right judgment at crucial moments.
That's why... he's the captain.
……
"If that's what you think... I'm quitting."
Luffy calmly looked at Vivi and continued, "There are millions of people like dry tinder, about to catch fire. Do you think you can end the war by rushing in and saying 'Stop fighting'?"
"The situation has reached a point where no one can remain unharmed. Even if the fighting is temporarily stopped, the danger to this country cannot be eliminated unless Crocodile is stopped."
Vivi trembled all over, tears mingling with the sand and dust: "But...but..."
"That's a Shichibukai... a powerful figure renowned throughout the seas. You have no idea how strong he is. How could I possibly—"
Bang!
Luffy punched Vivi away, yelling, "How could I not know?!"
Vivi scrambled to her feet and punched Luffy repeatedly in the face, crying out, "If you knew... if you knew..."
"Even if I risk my life, I still can't defeat Crocodile..."
pat-
Luffy gripped her hand tightly.
"Then let's not go alone; at least risk our lives too!!"
"Aren't we partners?!"