After taking a good look at the surroundings of the Rainbase, I finally entered the Rain Diners. Not wanting to waste time, I did not examine it, but immediately found myself inside the Crocodile's room. Unfortunately, my epic appearance was not welcomed by anyone.
Realizing that I hadn't bothered to track the appearance of Crocodile and Niko Robin with the help of fortune-telling, I just decided to sit here for now and wait for their appearance. However, the Bananavani, huge crocodiles who were clearly aggressive, forced me to keep company. It wasn't hard to scare and discipline them, so I just stroked them, waiting for their owner to appear.
However, it didn't take long, after a couple of hours, Crocodile entered his office with Niko Robin. He got angry at first, but quickly realized that I could force a threat, so he became wary.
Without giving them time to ask questions, I took the initiative.:
- Good afternoon, Mr. Crocodile. Good afternoon, Miss Niko Robin. - keeping up appearances, the first thing I decided to do was say hello. - My name is Kuro Miyago, I have a request for you.
Crocodile froze in place, carefully examining the uninvited guest. His eyes narrowed, and fine lines of irritation appeared on his face. Niko Robin, standing slightly behind, remained calm, only slightly tilting her head to one side in a gesture of polite interest.
"A request?" Crocodile's voice sounded low and strained. He lit a cigar, flicked the lighter, and lazily exhaled a cloud of smoke that contained a hidden warning. — Do you think you can just come in here, put my crocodiles at your feet, and then talk about requests?
Kuro, not paying the slightest attention to the sarcasm, just leaned back in the chair opposite the desk of the boss of Baroque Works, and smiled discreetly.
"You probably expect me to offer a deal or apologize for the intrusion," he began, interrupting Crocodile's possible attack in a calm tone. — But, alas, that's not why I'm here. My target is Miss Robin.
Nico Robin raised an eyebrow, her voice remained soft, but there was a hint of wariness in it. — And what caused such attention?
Kuro turned his head towards her, ignoring Crocodile's searching gaze.
"You are a man who possesses the rarest knowledge about the ancient world,— he continued, glancing at her face. — I'm looking for understanding. Poneglyphs, history… All this is of great interest to me. I need your help in exploring these mysteries.
Crocodile laughed, his voice cutting through the silence.:
"And you decided that just asking would be enough?" If you want to take something from me, boy, you're going to have to prove that you're even capable of it.
I looked at him, now with a slight hint of mockery.
"Prove it?" I snapped my fingers, and in an instant, flames burst out of the air. Before Crocodile could do anything, I disappeared and immediately appeared behind his back. — Tell me, Mr. Crocodile, do you often encounter those who can appear behind your back and leave without leaving a trace?
Crocodile tensed, but did not move. His face took on a cold expression, and his gaze focused on Kuro's reflection in the glass case.
"Are you trying to scare me?" "What is it?" he asked dryly. — It won't work.
"Scare you?" I smiled wider. - no. It's enough for me to understand that I can be both a useful ally and a serious threat.
Robin laughed softly, her arms folded across her chest.
"If you just wanted cooperation, you would have started differently," she said.
I turned back to her, completely ignoring Crocodile.:
"Miss Robin, I don't need your secrets. Only your knowledge. In return, I offer protection. You will not find a power like mine in any of your allies.
Crocodile slammed his hand on the table:
"Have you forgotten where you are?" He leaned forward, glaring into my eyes. — This is my territory, and no one here dictates the terms.
"Your territory, Mr. Crocodile, is guarded by predators, but it was no big deal for me to get in here," I replied calmly. — Your influence is great, but it is not absolute. I have no interest in your business or plans. Only in Miss Robin's knowledge.
I paused, letting the words sink in. Then he added:
"You can use my power if you wish, Mr. Crocodile. If not, I'll just leave, but not without confidence that Miss Robin will consider offering to cooperate.
Crocodile leaned back, thoughtfully exhaling cigar smoke. There was a tense silence in the room.
—You're smart," he finally said. — good. You can talk to Robin, but if you make even one wrong move…
"Make no mistake, Mr. Crocodile, I know exactly where I'm going," I replied with cold politeness, turning back to Robin.
Robin smiled softly and bowed her head.:
— It seems that our conversation will be very interesting.
"Your knowledge is really impressive, Miss Robin," Kuro began, addressing her with a slight smile. His tone was even, without a hint of pressure. — I would like to know more about your point of view on history, especially regarding the lost times.
Robin folded her hands on the table and looked at him with an impassive but searching gaze.
"If you want to hear a lecture, I think you've chosen the wrong place,— she replied calmly. Her voice was soft, but there was a sense of distance in it.
"A lecture?" Kuro chuckled briefly, but then nodded. — Maybe that's what it looks like from the outside. However, I am not looking for an academic teacher, but an interlocutor. Knowledge about the ancient world is rare, and you are one of the few who can shed light on these topics. I am sure that even a small dialogue would be extremely valuable to me.
"Knowledge is something that must be earned, Mister… Kuro, right? She tilted her head slightly, saying his name with a slight hint of caution. "Why should I share them with you?"
"That's a fair question,— he agreed. — I'll say this: I am interested in your opinion. You've probably noticed that many people interpret history through the prism of their interests. Your approach, it seems to me, is different. The personal opinion of a person who sees more than others can give more than dozens of books.
Robin narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze becoming more and more scrutinizing.
—Still, if you're hoping to learn something significant, you're going to have to spend a lot more time than this conversation," she said softly.
"I'm sure of it,— I nodded. "I'm not asking you to reveal your secrets, Miss Robin. Just your thoughts. How do you perceive the ancient epochs? What, in your opinion, were their people, their aspirations? I'm sure such conversations can be interesting for both of them.
She looked away, thinking for a moment. Her voice became a little softer when she spoke, but it still retained a certain wariness.
— People of the past… Do you mean the empty era? Hidden treasure? Or something else?
— No, it's a story. I replied. His tone remained calm, polite, without a hint of impatience. — It seems that we could talk for a long time, if you feel like it. But, of course, I understand that I have no right to insist.
Robin smiled slightly, but her eyes remained wary.
"Maybe, Mr. Kuro. Maybe."