As these words left her lips, everyone turned to look at her.
Nami raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in her eyes: "Whose partner is she?"
Vivi's face grew even more solemn, her azure eyes filled with deep fear. "She's Mr. 0's boss's partner."
Nami's eyes widened instantly, her fingers clenching: "Mr. 0... Crocodile? She's a Shichibukai's partner?"
Vivi nodded, her expression even more complex, seemingly with a hint of hidden anger.
Just then, Luffy interjected: "Huh? Is she a bad guy?"
Luffy's tone was as innocent as ever, with a touch of curiosity.
Vivi bit her lower lip, anger and fear intertwined on her face: "She's the only one who knows the boss's identity!
I only found out the boss's true identity by following her!"
"Hehe..." A cool, clear laugh came from the ship's railing.
Nico Robin still maintained her elegant posture, one hand propped on her chin, a meaningful smile playing on her lips:
"More precisely, I let you follow me."
The air on the ship instantly grew tense. Kai quietly leaned against the ship's side, his sharp eyes scanning the distant sea, but he remained silent.
Nico Robin had a faint smile on her face, exuding an indescribable elegance, a composure as if everything was under her control.
"What the heck, so she's a good guy after all," Luffy pouted.
Vivi's brows were tightly furrowed, her gaze sharp. She suddenly clenched her fists, a hint of anger in her voice:
"I knew it, you told Crocodile that I already knew his identity, didn't you?"
Nico Robin smiled faintly, her tone still calm: "Correct."
"Looks like she's a bad guy," Luffy spoke up again, his expression full of conflict.
"Then you should say less!" Zoro impatiently glared at him.
Vivi ignored the others, her gaze fixed on Robin, suppressed anger in her voice: "What exactly is your goal?"
Nico Robin gently raised her hand, a hint of playfulness in her eyes: "Goal? I just saw you were so serious, so I kindly offered to help."
Her tone was light, even a bit nonchalant, "To save your country, you're going against Baroque Works.
As a princess, your choice is truly... absurd."
These words were like a match, instantly igniting Vivi's fury.
Her delicate face was now filled with anger, her azure eyes seemingly burning with flames: "Don't underestimate me!"
Her voice was high-pitched, echoing across the deck, carrying an indescribable power.
Zoro snorted softly, his wado ichimonji slowly unsheathing, the blade glinting coldly.
Sanji, standing nearby, a playful smile on his face, leaned slightly forward, ready to attack at any moment.
Usopp drew back his slingshot, a hint of uncertainty in his voice: "Sanji, do you understand the situation?"
"No," Sanji said, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his eyes keenly fixed on Robin, a smile playing on his lips,
"But when I see Princess Vivi in danger, I can't help but step in."
Nico Robin sighed softly, the faint smile on her face gradually fading.
Her gaze swept over everyone, a hint of impatience in her voice: "Please don't point those annoying things at me."
The next instant, she gently raised her hand, and as her palm turned, one arm after another grew from behind everyone.
The arms were as flexible as vines, instantly knocking Nami and Usopp's weapons to the ground.
Nami's expression changed slightly, while Usopp gasped: "What the hell is that!"
However, she immediately noticed something was off. Kai stood still, his expression calm, even a cold smile playing on his lips.
Zoro's sword was not sheathed, but held even tighter.
Sanji had one hand in his pocket, still maintaining his kicking stance.
Luffy, on the other hand, grinned, completely unfazed.
The arms on them couldn't move them an inch.
"This..." Nico Robin's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of unease rising in her heart.
Kai slowly took a step forward, his gaze fixed on her, a red glint flashing in his pupils.
His voice was low and powerful: "Miss All Sunday, or rather, Nico Robin. Compared to your boss, I'm more interested in your past."
These words were like a sharp knife, instantly piercing her heart.
Nico Robin's normally calm face suddenly changed, her pupils contracting sharply.
She stood rooted to the spot, her composure and calmness replaced by an undisguised shock.
"You... how do you know?" Her voice trembled for the first time, a hint of panic in her eyes.
The others on the ship were already used to it. Zoro tilted his head slightly, a cold smile on his lips;
Sanji lit a cigarette, leaning leisurely against the mast; Luffy tilted his head, seemingly unconcerned by any of this.
"Under these eyes of mine," Kai said slowly, his gaze like sharp blades, "you have no secrets."
Nico Robin felt her heart sink, her former confidence and composure instantly crumbling.
She knew that this man in front of her was not as simple as he seemed.
"These people..." she murmured softly, her gaze sweeping between Kai and the others, "they truly are worthy of being a pirate crew with a bounty of two hundred million Berries."
However, she knew in her heart that she was now completely exposed under this man's gaze.
Even though she had seen countless dangerous situations, at this moment, she felt an unprecedented pressure.
"Nico Robin," Kai's voice sounded again, low and calm, "Don't try to hide anything. In front of me, you have no secrets."
Kai stood in the center of the deck, his halberd gently tapping the floor, the cold metallic clang echoing in everyone's ears.
The chilling light in his eyes seemed to freeze the air.
He spoke, his voice low and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority.
"Go back and tell your boss," Kai paused, raising his chin slightly, his eyes sharp as knives,
"Tell him to wash his neck and wait. We, the Straw Hat Pirates, will utterly defeat him. He will become our first stepping stone to fame on the Grand Line."
As soon as he finished speaking, Luffy, standing beside him, showed his signature wide grin, gently clenched his fist, and nodded seriously:
"Hehe, I'll be the one to send that Crocodile flying!"
After the initial shock, Nico Robin regained her composure.
Her deep eyes sparkled in the morning light, her red lips parting with a meaningful smile:
"It seems our boss is really in trouble."
Kai's gaze was unwavering, looking coldly at Robin: "Isn't that exactly what you want, Nico Robin?"