Nico Robin wasn't surprised that Arton knew her secret. After all, he was the man who seemed to know this world's past and future. Still, without a diary copy, she never could have learned that about him—so when Arton finished speaking, she very deliberately showed a touch of surprise.
"As expected of the pirate who became a legend even before entering the first half of the Grand Line," she said with a look of astonishment. "I didn't think even my situation could slip past you."
Cunning woman. Carina and Nami clocked the expression at once and tagged Robin as crafty.
Both had drifted across the seas for years; they'd seen plenty of sly people, and Robin fit the mold.
Nojiko, Kaya, Uta, and Tashigi lacked Carina and Nami's mileage, but from Robin's reaction to Arton's question, they, too, sensed she might be even trickier than they'd imagined.
Even so, aside from Nami, Carina, and the former Marine Tashigi, the other three felt no dislike toward Robin. Her behavior hadn't crossed any lines—she was merely acting like someone without a diary copy reacting to Arton. Truth be told, all of them had long been acting as if the diary copies didn't exist in front of him.
"Heh, you're a celebrity yourself," Arton said. "It's normal for me to know a lot about you. More importantly—explain why, as a member of Baroque Works, you said you want to join my crew?"
At that, a trace of difficulty crossed Robin's face. In the past she had a hundred clever scripts to deceive whoever she was talking to. But this was Arton—who knew past and future and even drew numerous works with her as the heroine. That alone proved how well he understood her. If she lied once, he might notice.
And Robin was hoping Arton would take her across the world to find the Poneglyphs. In that case, she couldn't risk being kicked off the Sylvan over a small lie. If that happened, joining later would be even harder.
"Truth is, my joining Baroque Works wasn't sincere," she said after a steadying breath. "I became a member purely for the Poneglyphs. I heard the kingdom of Arabasta hides one. And the boss of Baroque Works happens to be interested in that stone. So, I cooperated with him."
"In that case, you'd at least wait until you got what you wanted before switching sides," Arton replied, arms folded, eyes on her. "What made you decide to become one of my pirates before finding Arabasta's stone? Or was it just talk?"
"This… is also about survival." Robin gave a wry smile and shook her head. "I thought if I said that to you, the odds of you sparing me would be higher. After all, I do have value in certain respects."
"You're awfully honest," Arton chuckled, genuinely a bit surprised. He'd expected excuses; instead, Robin was more forthright than he imagined.
Well, that can't be helped. She knows he's a transmigrator.
Chapter 354: Two Poneglyphs? Robin Overjoyed! (Thanks to a813.. for the ticket)
"Alright, I wasn't planning to lay a hand on you anyway. Since you're safe now, leave my ship." Arton waved her off.
He did want one of his favorite heroines to join, but the current Nico Robin was still adrift, distrustful by habit. Arton didn't have the spare time to grind her trust right now. His main objective was Enies Lobby—time to teach that Celestial Dragon Saint Charlos's sister, Shalria, a lesson.
As for Robin… he'd deal with that after. Arabasta still had the sweet Princess Vivi. Compared to Robin, winning Vivi's trust seemed easier. Whether to invite Robin could wait until then.
"Wait!" Robin called as Arton turned toward the lookout.
"What is it, Robin?"
"Um… the giant sea turtle I was riding got scared off. I can't leave."
"That's easy. I'll give you a lifeboat. Don't tell me someone like you can't sail with a dinghy."
"You flatter me, Arton-san. On the Grand Line, without proper prep, relying on a lifeboat… I'd probably die at sea."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Arton eyed her, doubtful. The Grand Line's weather was fickle, sure—but Robin had drifted for over twenty years. Hard to believe she'd die that easily.
"Even if you don't plan to make me a crewmate," she said with a smile, "please let me stay aboard for now. I won't freeload—I'll work."
"Work? What, you'll help me read Poneglyphs?"
"If Arton-san has a Poneglyph at hand, I'm willing to translate." Robin set a hand to her heart, voice faintly trembling. It was the word Poneglyph—she'd finally steered the talk there, silently praying he'd drop a hint.
"You're overthinking it. I don't have a stone sitting around for you to read," Arton said, stroking his chin as if dredging up memories. "But I do know where some of them are."
"You know where there's a Poneglyph?" Robin's formality ticked up with her excitement.
Arton gave her a sidelong glance, then said evenly, "Where your boss is right now—there's a Poneglyph. From what I know, there might even be two."
"Really?!"
Seeing his nod, Robin was elated. Arabasta not only had a Poneglyph, it might have two. What a surprise…
"Well? Now that you know Arabasta has two Poneglyphs, feeling the itch to rush back?" Arton teased. "Why not take that lifeboat? If you stick with me, who knows when we'll return to Arabasta—my destination now is Enies Lobby."
...
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