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The moment Arton finished speaking, Nami, Carina, Kaya and the others all tensed up, their eyes snapping to Nico Robin.
We slipped up—Arton didn't log it in the diary, and we couldn't stop him from saying our destination right in front of Nico Robin…
"Given that," Carina thought, eyes fixed on Robin, we absolutely can't let her leave the Sylvan for now.
Nami and Nojiko had the same idea. Whether Arton let Robin aboard later or not, at least until the Enies Lobby operation ended, they could not allow Robin out of sight in case she leaked their heading to the Navy.
Sensing the looks sent her way, Robin needed only a moment to grasp their thinking—and the corner of her lips lifted.
Oops, I've stumbled onto a rather dangerous secret.To keep it, they've only got two choices for handling me: kill me or keep me here for now.But Arton drew so many works with me as the model… I doubt he'll kill me that easily.
Which leaves only: keep me aboard.Carina and the others will find a way to make me stay. What a pleasant surprise.
"No, I think I can stay," Robin said. "Even if Arabasta has two Poneglyphs, no one knows where they are. Since you know there are two, Arton, you must also know their exact locations, right? If possible, I want to follow you and search for them together."
"But then you'd just be working for me, Miss Robin," Arton chuckled.
"Er—Arton, don't you want to know what's inscribed on the Poneglyphs? I can translate them."
"I'm somewhat interested," Arton said, "but it's not like I have to hunt them down. Besides, I already roughly know what one of Arabasta's stones says."
Arabasta had two Poneglyphs: one buried beneath desert ruins; the other within the royal mausoleum. The latter recorded the location of the Ancient Weapon, Pluton—buried in the New World's Wano Country.
With that in mind, Arton didn't particularly need Robin to translate it, nor did he feel any burning desire for ancient weapons to begin with.
Compared to Poneglyphs… Robin gazed into his clear eyes and found no lie there. He truly isn't that interested. So my ability to read them doesn't lure him.
Compared to stone tablets… this body of mine is probably more attractive, isn't it? She rested a hand over her chest, musing quietly.
Chapter 356: You'd Look Perfect in a Tight Qipao
Sadly for Robin, while a pretty girl's body certainly appeals to Arton, it's not enough to make him act rashly. Wasn't Ain proof of that—why she still hasn't fully blended into Arton's crew?
Robin glanced at Ain and sighed softly. "Whatever the case, please let me stay on your ship. As long as you'll take me to the two Poneglyphs in Arabasta, I'm willing to do any work."
"Tch, sounds like I ran my mouth," Arton rubbed the back of his head, helpless. "Once I mentioned the Poneglyphs, of course you'd be even less willing to leave."
"In that case, let her stay with us for now, Captain," Carina stepped up with a suggestion. "Perfect time to have her clean alongside Ain—then we can all take it easy."
"Yeah, Captain," Nami added. "She might even be useful to us."
"Thank you," Robin said to Carina and Nami, genuinely grateful—even if she knew they mainly wanted to keep her from running off and leaking the Enies Lobby plan.
"You two as well, huh… Fine. One more person won't change much. She can tag along for now," Arton waved it off casually. Truth be told, he did want Robin as a crewmate; he just couldn't yet confirm her sincerity. Keeping her aboard might help cultivate that.
"You said you'd do anything, right? In that case, how about you change into something like Ain's—try a tight qipao? I've been really into qipao-clad servers lately." Arton pointed toward Ain.
"I'd be delighted," Robin nodded without refusal.
With that, Arton vaulted up to the Lookout Room. The scuffle with Blackbeard hadn't been hard, but it had still cost him some stamina; a proper rest was in order.
Carina shot Kaya a look. Understanding instantly, Kaya used Shunshin to appear in the Lookout Room, both to keep Arton company and to make sure he didn't jot their Enies Lobby destination into the diary.
"Nami, I'll leave Nojiko to you," Carina said. "I'll handle things here."
"Got it. Nojiko got her stamina totally drained earlier—she needs real rest," Nami nodded, helping Nojiko below deck. Despite their usual bickering, she trusted Carina to manage the Robin situation.
"Miss Robin, you don't mind if we have a proper talk, do you?" Carina folded her arms, expression turning serious.
"Not at all," Robin smiled, following Carina toward the cabins.
As for Ain, she stayed with Uta at the helm to keep the Sylvan on course. With hands short on deck, even if Ain wanted to run to Arton to curry favor, she had no way to do it.
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