"Who's there?!"
Robin's sharp voice cut through the night as her eyes scanned the darkness, alert and calculating.
A shadow dropped from the sky, landing with a soundless grace. He stood upright, his sharp gaze locked on her. A cap sat low on his head, and his unusually long, square-shaped nose made him instantly recognizable.
Kaku.
More shadows moved from another direction, stepping out into the moonlight.
A towering man with a thick frame and calm, unreadable eyes—Blueno.
A blonde woman with glasses and a professional air—Kalifa, her expression emotionless and cold.
And finally, a man in a sleek black suit, his pet pigeon resting on his shoulder like a silent observer—Rob Lucci.
Robin's eyes narrowed, her body stiffened. She recognized the danger immediately. These weren't just enforcers—they were elite.
"Nico Robin," Kaku said, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps. "The Devil Child. We've been expecting you."
Robin rose to her feet, slowly and calmly, but every muscle in her body was coiled and ready. "Who are you?"
"We work for the World Government," Kaku said.
"Cipher Pol agents…" Robin muttered, her voice low and tense.
Kalifa adjusted her glasses. "We're not just agents. We are CP9."
"CP9?!"
Robin's expression darkened. Of all the Cipher Pol units, CP9 was the most feared—an elite assassination and intelligence division, operating outside the law.
"Oh?" Lucci finally spoke, his tone eerily flat. "You've heard of us. That saves time. Then you understand the situation. Come quietly… or you'll force our hand."
Robin's mind raced. She had no illusions about overpowering them. Even if she could escape one, facing all four was suicide. But she wouldn't let herself be captured without trying.
"Don't think of using your power," Kalifa said coldly. "We've studied your ability. It won't help you here."
Robin didn't answer. Her gaze dropped for a split second.
Then she moved.
"Soru!"
In a flash, her figure vanished, reappearing dozens of meters away.
"What?!" Kaku blinked. "That was Soru?!"
"She knows Rokushiki?" Blueno said, surprised.
"She's more dangerous than expected," Lucci muttered. "But she won't get far."
"Soru!"
He vanished in a blur.
Robin ran through the sand, her feet flying, heart pounding. She had trained, studied escape tactics. She knew how to vanish into cities, into crowds.
But none of that mattered if she couldn't get away now.
Suddenly, before she could react, a hand clamped down behind her head.
BAM!
She was slammed hard into the ground, the force of the impact knocking the air from her lungs.
"I warned you," Lucci said coldly, pinning her down.
Robin squirmed beneath him, trying to fight back. But his strength was overwhelming, far beyond hers.
Kalifa stepped forward, producing a small pair of metal cuffs.
Kairoseki.
She clicked them around Robin's wrists.
Immediately, Robin felt her strength evaporate. Her powers vanished. Her limbs felt heavy.
It was over.
Lucci stood up, releasing her now that she was restrained.
"She's secured," Kalifa confirmed.
"Good," Lucci said. "Let's go."
The four CP9 agents turned away from the ruined beach, their captive in tow. Robin stumbled as they forced her forward, her mind spinning.
No warning, no chance to call for help. The Orcas didn't even know she was gone.
And by the time they realized it…
She would already be out of reach.
...
Next Morning – Water Seven
Sanji was the first to rise, his instincts as the cook drawing him up before the sun was fully over the horizon. He stretched, rubbed his eyes, and lit a cigarette as he quietly walked the deck of the Silent Orca.
Something felt off.
He glanced around. The sea breeze was gentle, the city in the distance already starting to stir. But… something was missing.
He checked the quarters, looked over the camp area, peeked around the beach.
No sign of her.
A frown slowly spread across his face.
"…Robin?"
After another few minutes of fruitless searching, his heart began to pound.
"Hey guys," Sanji called, stepping back toward the camp. "I think… we got a problem."
"Aaah… oh, Sanji? What's up?" Stev asked, half-asleep and scratching his head as he sat up from his spot under a tree.
One by one, the crew started waking. Zoro sat up with a grunt, Nami rubbed her eyes, Usopp yawned loudly, and Kaya blinked in the early light.
Sanji's voice was tight with worry now. "Robin hasn't come back. I checked everywhere. She's not on the ship, not on the beach. She's gone."
"Gone?" Alvida's brow furrowed. "That's odd. Robin isn't the type to just vanish without a word."
"You think something happened to her?" Nami's voice now carried a clear note of concern.
Gin glanced toward the sea. "Zino's still missing too."
"But I've got a gut feeling Zino's okay out there," Kruz said, arms crossed confidently.
"Yeah," Zoro nodded. "He's tough. Right now, let's focus on Robin. If Zino comes back and finds out she's gone…"
"He'll be worried," Moris finished, his tone serious.
A quiet moment passed as everyone exchanged glances.
"So… what do we do?" Usopp finally asked, nervously scratching the back of his head.
Sanji looked up, determination in his eyes. "We search. We find Robin before Zino returns."
Everyone nodded, expressions grim but resolute.
Without wasting another moment, the crew split into search teams and dispersed across the island.
Some jogged along the beach, scanning the shoreline and asking locals. Others moved through the bustling markets, flashing a sketch of Robin to curious vendors. A few boarded rented sea bull-yagara and rode down the canals. Gin and Binko headed toward the Galley-La, hoping the shipbuilders might've seen something.
The townspeople, watching a group of pirates suddenly running around in pairs, glanced at them with mild curiosity. Most ignored them—Water Seven was used to strange visitors—but a few stopped to help.
Near the Galley-La Dock One, Gin and Binko showed a picture to a group of shipwrights. One of them, a man with a rope belt and a suspicious glare, narrowed his eyes.
"You seen this girl?" Gin asked.
Paulie, pulling off his gloves, squinted at the paper. "A woman, huh? Can't say I have. Not around here anyway."
Just then, two more figures walked onto the scene—Kaku and Lucci, both dressed neatly, calm and collected.
Paulie turned. "Oh, Kaku, Lucci. These folks are lookin' for a missing crew member."
"Missing?" Kaku asked, walking closer.
"They showed me this." Paulie pointed at the picture in Gin's hand.
Kaku leaned in slightly. "Hm. That face looks familiar…"
"Really?" Binko's eyes lit up. "Where did you see her?"
Kaku paused. "I think I saw her on a wanted poster."
Binko and Gin stiffened.
"Wait… wanted?" Paulie frowned.
Lucci's pigeon cooed—then, in a surprisingly clear voice, spoke.
"That woman is Nico Robin. Her bounty is 79 million Berries. She's wanted by the World Government."
Paulie blinked, caught off guard. "What…?!"
Before more questions could be asked, Gin grabbed Binko's sleeve. "Let's go."
The two darted off, not wanting to draw more attention or spark suspicion about their crew.
Paulie stood stunned, the words echoing in his head.
Wanted by the government…? He glanced at the retreating figures of Kaku and Lucci.
Something wasn't right.
Elsewhere, inside Blueno's Bar, Nami and Sanji sat across from a towering, calm-looking bartender—Blueno.
Sanji tapped a photo on the bar counter, sliding it forward. "Have you seen this woman? Her name's Nico Robin."
Nami leaned in, her tone sharper. "She might've come in recently. Dark hair, quiet, elegant. Please—any detail helps."
Blueno studied the image silently, then shook his head. "Sorry. I haven't seen her in person."
Nami let out a disappointed sigh, but Blueno's next words snapped her attention back.
"However… I do have something that may be related."
He turned behind the bar, pulled open a drawer, and carefully unfolded a wanted poster. He laid it gently in front of them.
Robin's name and bounty—79,000,000 Berries—stared back at them.
"This is her, isn't it?" Blueno asked flatly.
Nami's face paled. Sanji clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing as he scanned the paper.
"Relax," Blueno said, holding up a hand. "I'm not turning anyone in. I only want to confirm—she's part of your crew?"
Sanji didn't hesitate. "Yeah. She is. Do you know what's going on?"
Blueno gave a small nod. "The word is, a high-ranking Admiral sent orders down the line. A specialized team of government agents were deployed. Their target was Nico Robin."
Sanji's cigarette burned lower between his fingers.
"Government agents are after her?" Nami's voice dropped to a whisper. "Then… she might've already been captured…"
She and Sanji exchanged a grim look. The tension between them thickened.
"Thank you," Sanji muttered, grabbing the poster. The two stood up quickly and exited the bar, stepping out into the fading sunlight.
Outside, Nami's hands were shaking slightly. "Do you think… they got her?"
Sanji didn't answer. The possibility hung between them, heavy and unspoken.
...
Inside Galley-La Company HQ.
At the top floor of the Galley-La Office, Iceburg leaned against the windowsill, watching the late afternoon sky over Water Seven. His mind wasn't on the ship blueprints stacked on his desk—it was on the recent chaos in the city.
He had seen unfamiliar faces rushing through the streets, asking questions.
"Pirates, running around like headless chickens…" he muttered to himself. "What are they looking for?"
Across the room, Kalifa, composed as always, adjusted her glasses.
"They seem to be searching for someone," she said. "A missing crew member."
Iceburg turned slightly. "A missing pirate?"
"Yes," Kalifa continued, "Her name is Nico Robin."
The name struck a chord.
Iceburg's eyes flashed with something—recognition, maybe fear—but he quickly masked it. "Nico Robin?" he repeated, feigning ignorance.
Kalifa noticed the flicker but said nothing.
"Should I send someone to tell them to stop disturbing the townspeople?" she offered.
Iceburg waved a hand dismissively. "No. Let them be. Pirates or not, it's none of our business."
Kalifa nodded and returned to her notes, though she kept one eye on Iceburg's expression.
...
Later That Evening – Back at the Silent Orca
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue across the water, members of the Orca Pirates returned one by one to their beach camp near the ship.
Gin and Binko were among the first.
Still no sign of Robin.
Zoro, leaning against the ship's mast, looked up as they approached. "Anything?"
Gin shook his head. "No trace of her. We asked around everywhere."
"We thought we had a lead, but…" Binko frowned, clearly frustrated. "Nothing solid."
"Zino's still not here, and now Robin's missing too," he added, voice low. "This is seriously getting out of hand."
Zoro exhaled through his nose, staring at the darkening sea. "We'll figure it out. We just need to stay sharp."
Gin nodded. "Let's wait for the others. Maybe they found something."
The evening air grew heavier. Shadows lengthened, and the usual chatter of the crew was replaced with anxious silence.
Just then, a group of people came to their ship. There were the same people who ran away after seeing Baral's true form.
"Franky Family?" Zoro frowned. "What are you guys doing here?"
Zambai, who was leading the group, asked with a cold tone, "Did you guys kidnap our boss?"
"Your boss?" Gin frowned. "Who is your boss?"
"You don't know?" Mozu on the side seemed to be surprised.
Binko said, "You guys should just go back. We don't have time to argue with you all. Go away."
"Wait." Gin suddenly raised his hand. He took out a picture of Robin. "Have you seen her?"
"Her?" Zambai and the rest glanced at the picture.
"She is our crew member. She was missing since yesterday," Gin said.
"Another missing person?" Zambai and his group were now in shock.