"Ancient Weapon - Pluton."
"Known as the most dangerous battleship in shipbuilding history, built by the city of Water 7, it can destroy an island with a single shot. It is now hidden somewhere in the world, and only Nico Robin, who can read the Poneglyphs, knows its location."
Roman glanced at the blue-haired princess Vivi.
"And that so-called 'Poneglyph' is buried in the royal tomb of Vivi's family."
This...
"Don't ask me how I know,"
Roman waved his hand to stop the impending questions.
"I can only say that these are facts! Not stories or fairy tales..."
"Currently, Crocodile is publicly known as the 'hero' of Alabasta, actively eliminating pirates and protecting civilians. But in reality, all of this is just preparation for his 'coup.'"
"On one hand, he wins people's hearts as a 'hero,' and on the other, he uses his 'Sand-Sand Fruit' ability to create sandstorms everywhere, causing years of drought in Alabasta..."
"At the same time, he stirs up conflict between the king and the rebels, making them fight each other. — I'm sure when the time is right, he'll come out and eliminate the 'tyrannical' royal army, saving the people from their suffering."
"My father is not like that..."
"You don't need to explain to me," Roman interrupted Vivi.
"You should think about how to explain it to the people, — although it's destined to be a futile effort."
Devil Fruits are like a dimensional attack against ordinary people. And under the double blow of drought and hunger, whether the people have the patience to listen to explanations is a big question.
"So: Nico Robin and Crocodile are in a cooperative relationship."
"Essentially, Nico Robin is just a simple 'archaeologist.'"
"She may not be a good person, but she's not too bad either. — So, when facing her boss, Crocodile, causing chaos in Alabasta and ruining countless lives, she's very conflicted."
That's why this beautiful woman came to warn and give us a pointer.
"Then why doesn't she just take out Crocodile?"
Zoro, with his three swords at his waist, asked. After having his weapon easily knocked away by her, he remained in a vigilant stance, ready to draw his swords at any moment.
"According to you, Roman, Nico Robin has a bounty of 79 million, while her boss Crocodile has a bounty of 80 million..."
Their strengths seem very close, don't they?
"No, quite the opposite."
Roman shook his head. In fact, he's been racking his brain lately. Just thinking about the upcoming fight with Crocodile makes Roman wish he could train twice as hard!
If there were a Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he'd train in there for at least ten years before coming out...
"Nico Robin's bounty of 79 million is because her knowledge violated the World Government's secrets."
"Her strength... considering the special nature of her Devil Fruit ability, at first glance, it's at most 50 million. And once you understand the characteristics of the 'Flower-Flower Fruit,' her combat power is about 30 million."
Of course, this is just Roman's estimate.
"On the other hand, Crocodile's so-called 80 million bounty is from a long time ago. After he did several big things in the New World, he accepted the World Government's offer. So his bounty hasn't increased."
"In my estimation..." Although Roman couldn't see his own face, he believed his expression was very grim.
Even Luffy had a serious look on his face.
"Crocodile's strength should be in the hundreds of millions!"
Whether it's 200 million or 900 million is hard to say... After all, he was once on par with Barrett and later fought Whitebeard! Roman can only hope that when he lost to Whitebeard, he also lost his ambition, Haki skills, and battle IQ, otherwise—
Game over with laughter?
"Honestly, I can't even think of a way we can beat him..."
"Roman, it's not about whether we can win."
Facing Roman's 'harsh truth,' Luffy pressed down his straw hat, his expression serious and his tone earnest.
"It's about the fact that we have to go!"
"...Alright, I respect your decision, Captain."
After staring at Luffy for a few seconds, Roman finally nodded. No matter how much he exaggerated Crocodile's power, Luffy would never back down. Just like Zoro facing Mihawk, even if he couldn't win, he would never retreat!
But:
Crocodile wasn't like Mihawk, who liked to mentor juniors. He was a confident and ruthless guy, full of cunning and wisdom. Forget about defeating him, even escaping from him seemed unlikely...
Could they really rely on Luffy's dumb luck and plot armor?
Absolutely not!
Roman lowered his eyes, the light in them disappearing as he entered 'idle' mode again.
After a moment of silence on the deck, "Ahhh, Sanji! I'm starving..."
"Alright, alright, I'll cook..."
---
As the sun gradually rose, Vivi, now wearing a normal women's shirt, began explaining the weather of the Grand Line. But when she turned around:
"Guys, want to try my special drink~~~"
"Yes!" x3
"Quack!"
Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and even Vivi's mount, Karoo, raised their hands, making the young princess, who had just listened to Roman's words, feel her blood pressure rise!
"Is this really okay?!"
Facing Vivi's question, Nami handed her a drink: a cold beverage made from the oranges planted on the rear deck of the Going Merry. — The oranges were transplanted from Nami's home. They not only adjusted the taste but also prevented scurvy.
"If there's an emergency, they'll get serious right away."
"But... I'm still a bit worried..."
Watching Luffy and the others gathered on the deck, discussing making fishing rods and fishing, Vivi was infected by their cheerful atmosphere, and her serious expression gradually softened.
"On this ship,"
Watching the happy crew, and Roman slowly turning into a 'zombie' while idling at the helm, Nami smiled.
"All worries will disappear!"
"Well... but that guy... Roman..."
"Don't worry, Roman is always like this."
Nami walked towards the helm with her drink, talking as she went.
"Before a battle, he always exaggerates everything seriously, but once in the fight,"
"He's very reliable. I trust him—"
Saying this, Nami had already reached the 'zombie' Roman and handed the drink to his mouth.
"Drink."
Gulp, gulp~~
...Is this the trust between companions?
Watching the Straw Hat Pirates sail towards strong enemies as usual, the blue-haired girl named Vivi couldn't help but feel a surge of envy.
"There it is,"
As time passed, an island appeared in everyone's view.
"That's our next stop, an island called 'Little Garden'..."
"I'm a bit worried about what Miss All-Sunday said..." Facing Vivi's caution, the others didn't think so.
"Our food is running low, we need to gather supplies here..."
This was Sanji's practical approach.
"Adventure, adventure! I smell adventure!"
This is the impatient Luffy.
"Great, I'll go stretch my muscles too."
This is Zoro, who took another nap.
Speaking of which, because Roman has been 'AFK' for a while, everyone's training has unknowingly stopped...
---
——————
Just as the Straw Hat crew was about to step into 'Little Garden,' at Twin Cape, two islands away.
"No, no!"
Facing another easy defeat of 'Roman,' the old man named Crocus shook his head in disappointment.
"You can't learn Armament Haki like this."
"Armament Haki is forged from the indomitable spirit of fighting against countless enemies stronger than oneself! It's the invincible fighting will tempered through battles with beasts, humans, and natural disasters."
"With this burning spirit, you can unleash the power to shatter mountains with your fists, cut the sea with your sword, and become as strong as steel. This comes from the most fundamental soul belief, the purest life force..."
"I understand the theory, Crocus-senpai."
As the distance grew, the 'White Knight' Roman left behind was about to lose its form.
"But the biggest difference between humans and animals is the ability to learn."
"Haki trained through systematic learning will never lose to primitive monkeys who know nothing. You have no objections to that, right?"
"...If you always take shortcuts..."
"Power is power, no matter how it's obtained, it's real."
Must one go through life-and-death trials to be considered strong?
Enel from Skypiea would have something to say about that. — If it weren't for Luffy's Devil Fruit being his natural enemy, his billions of strength wouldn't be diminished at all! Even without Armament Haki, he is still a formidable force!
However:
The Paper-Paper Fruit is not the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, and Roman is not Enel.
"The future looks bleak, Crocus-senpai."
"I don't understand why a newcomer to the Grand Line like you is in such a hurry..."
Facing the old ship doctor's question, Roman smiled wryly.
"My captain is about to face one of the Seven Warlords, 'Crocodile,' so I can't afford to be slow."
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!!!"
"What did you say—"
Facing the anxious Crocus, the gradually dissipating 'Roman' waved his hand.
"Goodbye, senpai."
"Maybe soon, you'll see the news in the papers."
Either the Straw Hat crew defeats Crocodile; or Crocodile obtains the ancient weapon... In any case, it will be today's big news. I just don't know if I'll still be around by then...
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