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The Straw Hats' departure didn't cause much of a stir. Only the newcomers of the same period felt regret for them, just like a fox mourning the death of a rabbit.
Daichi carried Nico Robin, and in his hands were two Road Poneglyphs. Under the gaze of various forces, he returned to the resort.
Both Nico Robin and the Road Poneglyphs were crucial factors for reaching Laugh Tale. Everyone wanted them, but no one was foolish enough to try and snatch them.
The various forces had long reached a consensus: they'd rather not find the great treasure than easily offend Daichi. Moreover, in this struggle, the Beast Pirates already had the upper hand.
Most importantly, Daichi wasn't someone who hogged everything for himself. This was one of the biggest reasons they treated Daichi with such deference.
Even if they couldn't become the Pirate King, they still wanted to see the great treasure!
Hoenn Resort, inside the courtyard.
Daichi glanced at the island.
Kaido was still fighting Red Hair, and the intense clash of Conqueror's Haki made the entire island tremble. It was unknown how long it'd take for a victor to be determined.
There was plenty of time.
Daichi came to the hall and put Robin down.
Robin hugged herself, her face devoid of color. Besides her spirit being shaken by Daichi, the condition of her crewmates also made her extremely worried.
Especially Luffy!
Daichi placed the four Road Poneglyphs in front of Nico Robin. As he'd expected, Straw Hat had obtained the last Road Poneglyph.
Now, the coordinates were complete.
Daichi looked down at Robin.
"Robin, you should know that I've already shown mercy."
Robin's eyes darkened.
She certainly knew this. Her crewmates not dying was already his greatest kindness. It was just that she couldn't accept it for a while.
Daichi's undeniable command.
"Translate the coordinates."
"Yes, Daichi-san."
Robin replied bitterly.
She had no other choice. If she didn't obey his command, it would only lead to more severe consequences, and her crewmates might even lose their lives.
She also knew that even without her, Daichi could translate the ancient text, for example, by ordering Vegapunk.
Four Road Poneglyphs, four coordinates.
Soon, Robin provided the answer.
Inside the secret room, a dozen excellent navigators huddled together, sweating profusely as they calculated the exact location based on the four coordinates.
"The latitude's wrong!"
"Maybe it's underwater!"
"100... No, it's about 200 meters!"
After a full day, the navigators finally reached a consensus: Laugh Tale was located in an uninhabited sea area deep in the New World, approximately 200 meters underwater.
"As expected."
Daichi looked at the New World sea chart.
As he'd inferred, it was indeed located 200 meters underwater, which was why it hadn't been found by pirates.
Next, the most important thing was to wait.
Daichi came to the rooftop and looked at the two figures fighting in the center of the island.
After an unknown amount of time, Robin, wrapped in a coat, came to Daichi's side. "Daichi-san, I want to follow you to Laugh Tale. There are still things I must know!"
"You may."
Daichi nodded slightly.
A small matter.
Robin bit her lip unwillingly.
If possible, she'd hoped to travel to Laugh Tale on her crewmates' ship and realize her dream of "deciphering all history" with their help.
But that was no longer possible.
Just now, she'd learned from Kikara that Daichi had sent people to return her crewmates to their respective hometowns.
Including the heavily injured Luffy.
The Straw Hats' journey was over.
Only Zoro remained, wishing to continue pursuing his goal of becoming the "World's Greatest Swordsman," and Mihawk was on Lodestar Island.
She was the same.
She still had a mission to complete. This was not only her dream but also carried the last wishes of the Ohara scholars.
Daichi pointed to the spot next to him and smiled, inviting, "Sit down and rest for a bit. You can see a very nice view from here."
"View..."
Robin was in a low mood, but she obediently sat down. When she saw the two people fighting on the coast, she quickly understood what Daichi meant by the view.
"Zoro!"
Zoro was dueling Mihawk!
Robin's eyes dimmed, and her spirits sank.
"I hope Zoro won't be cut in half, and doesn't die from excessive blood loss. It'd be terrible if he were chopped up and thrown into the sea to feed the fish. Speaking of which, I always feel that Three Sword Style is very strange..."
?
Daichi subtly glanced at Robin.
Couldn't this woman wish for something good?
However, one thing wasn't wrong.
In this duel, Zoro was bound to lose.
"That kid's committing suicide."
Daichi gave his assessment.
The defeat and disbandment of the Straw Hats had a huge impact on Zoro's body and mind. In Zoro's current terrible state, it was impossible for him to defeat Mihawk.
That kid knew this, but he still challenged Mihawk, seemingly wanting to end his dream this way, or perhaps to fulfill the end of the Straw Hats.
Robin clenched her hands, clearly aware of this as well.
But she had no reason to stop him.
In fact, she also didn't know where her future should go. After fulfilling her dream, she didn't know where to go, what to do, and she didn't know the meaning of living.
Just like two years ago in Water 7, she'd also made a self-destructive choice.
The Hoenn government wasn't her home.
Calm words entered her ears.
"When things here are over, you should return to Ohara. I plan to rebuild Ohara and need a knowledgeable scholar to help oversee it."
"Rebuild... Ohara?"
Robin murmured, her heart instantly calming down.
"That's right."
Daichi explained calmly.
"History carries everything about humanity and shouldn't be forgotten. By knowing history and remembering history, people can understand where their roots are and can better move toward the future."
"Roots..."
Robin kept repeating it, and suddenly, the courage to live surged within her heart.
"Why choose me?"
"Because, that is your home."
Daichi smiled as he looked at Robin.
This girl had worked for him for two years, which was quite hard. And having left her hometown at the age of eight and wandered for more than twenty years, it was time for her to go home and see.
Robin lowered her head, her hands on her lap wet with tears.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Daichi waved his hand.
On the coast.
Mihawk held his Black Blade Yoru, his sharp eyes filled with anger.
"Roronoa Zoro, I know about the Straw Hats' predicament, but this is not a reason for you to degenerate. Your current performance greatly disappoints me!"
"Don't speak!"
Zoro's eyes were bloodshot, and the scene from that day kept replaying in his mind, especially the image of Luffy's limbs being severed.
He couldn't even protect his captain, watching him get his limbs cut off. What right did he have to become the "World's Greatest Swordsman"?
"Mihawk, this is the end!"
"Three Sword Style: Secret Technique!"
Zoro spun his two swords with his hands, releasing the Three Sword Style Secret Technique with the sword in his mouth, just like the first time he'd met Mihawk.
Mihawk also raised his sword.
"A defeated dog who lost his captain, then let me personally cut you down."
"Three Thousand Worlds!"
The next moment, the two crossed paths.
"Thud!"
Zoro fell onto the beach, blood flowing from beneath him.
Mihawk retracted his black blade, his eyes clouded with gloom. After a long silence, he sighed and turned to leave.
He wasn't surprised by Zoro's madness.
Just like that day two years ago, Zoro, in order to help Straw Hat become the Pirate King, had abandoned his swordsman's pride and knelt before him to beg for tutelage.
In his heart, the safety of his crewmates had long surpassed his own dream.
"Don't just throw your life away, you idiot!"
"You are... my only disciple!"