Chapter 335: The Focus of the Contest
Crocodile had arrived. This guy had finally decided to show himself, but he had probably only come after hearing Robin's words through the black Den Den Mushi.
When he appeared at the doorway, Ian couldn't help but give Robin a meaningful glance.
Ian was well aware that Robin had just lied, and she had done so deliberately. Crocodile had been searching for information on the ancient weapon Pluton all along, but the whereabouts of Pluton were only recorded on the Poneglyph. This was precisely why Crocodile had chosen to shelter Robin and cooperate with her. Robin knew this well, so after seeing Ian's rubbing of the inscription, she had deliberately brought up the matter of Pluton.
This was why Ian had said earlier that Robin had a lot of nerve. When he said she had nerve, he didn't mean she dared to fool him, but rather that she dared to provoke a conflict between two Warlords of the Sea—himself and Crocodile!
Yes! This was likely Robin's goal. Just as Crocodile didn't trust Robin, Robin had never trusted Crocodile either. Their relationship was one of mutual exploitation. If it had been before, Robin wouldn't have thought to cause trouble for Crocodile, but that was only because no one capable of opposing Crocodile had appeared. So Robin had seemed to follow Crocodile's orders obediently.
But now, with Ian, also a Warlord of the Sea, appearing in Alabasta, Robin had a chance to stir things up for Crocodile.
What would happen if two Warlords of the Sea fought over intelligence about the ancient weapon Pluton? Robin was eager to see that.
If Crocodile won, he might not necessarily get his hands on the rubbing. Ian could very well escape with it. If Ian won, he might not be able to do much to Crocodile either. Robin was still useful to Crocodile, so if Crocodile fled, he would surely take Robin with him.
The most likely outcome was that both would be severely wounded. In that case, Robin might be able to break free from Crocodile's control?
Everything was uncertain, but Ian had to admit that Robin was really playing with fire. Hadn't she considered that if he and Crocodile joined forces and reached an agreement, they could turn around and pressure her into revealing the location of Pluton from the rubbing? If two Warlords of the Sea teamed up to interrogate her, she might wish she were dead.
Ian thought that a woman as smart as Robin couldn't have failed to consider such a consequence. Yet she still did it. Why?
There was only one explanation: Robin, as Ian understood her, was already harboring a faint death wish.
Her dream had always been out of reach, and so many people stood in her way—the World Government, CP, and powerful figures like the Warlords of the Sea, appearing one after another, all for her ability to decipher ancient texts. No one had ever truly worried about her. She could only lurk in the shadows, guarding against others' schemes while scheming herself. Such a life had become unbearable.
Ian vaguely grasped Robin's state of mind at this moment and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This was a pitiful woman.
So he decided not to hold it against her. Turning around, Ian looked at Crocodile, who had appeared at the doorway, and curled his lips into a mocking smile. Lazily, he said, "Oh, isn't this Lord Sand Crocodile?"
"Brat!" Crocodile bit down on his cigar, staring at Ian with a haughty, cold gaze. "Did you come to my territory just to mock me?"
"Mostly, I think it's pretty low-class for a Warlord of the Sea to resort to eavesdropping," Ian said, spreading his hands and shrugging. "Really classless!"
"Do I need your permission for what I do?" Crocodile shot Ian a cold glare, then ignored him and asked Robin, "Nico Robin, is what you said true? Does the rubbing of the Poneglyph this brat brought contain information about Pluton?"
"Yes, it mentions a bit," Robin nodded.
Robin's scheme to pit Ian against Crocodile was based on the fact that neither Ian nor Crocodile could read ancient texts. As the one who could decipher them, she could say whatever she wanted, and they would have to believe her. That was how she had successfully lured Crocodile here.
Her cleverness lay in not claiming that Ian's rubbing recorded the exact location of Pluton, only that it "mentioned a bit."
This way, even if Crocodile was fairly certain that the true location of Pluton was on the Poneglyph hidden by the Alabasta royal family, he couldn't refute her claim.
Who knew if other Poneglyphs might mention Pluton?
So, even if Crocodile's suspicious nature made him doubt Robin's words, he couldn't afford to let go of the rubbing in Ian's hands. He had to get it by any means, because Crocodile was determined to obtain Pluton.
Ian watched the exchange between Crocodile and Robin with a smile, not interrupting.
"..." After confirming the matter with Robin, Crocodile was silent for a moment, then raised his right hand with its pirate hook and pointed at Ian. "Brat, hand over that rubbing! In exchange, I'll grant you one request!"
It was clear that Crocodile was somewhat wary of Ian. Not only were they both Warlords of the Sea, but Ian had fought against Kizaru on Salamis Island, and the broadcast of that battle had been seen by Crocodile. He knew Ian's strength and wasn't confident he could easily defeat him, which was why he offered this exchange.
Robin listened expressionlessly to the exchange between Ian and Crocodile, thinking that Ian would refuse.
But what Robin hadn't anticipated was that Ian, who also couldn't read ancient texts, had already figured out through various clues that Robin was lying.
Although Ian understood and sympathized with Robin, he didn't intend to go along with her plan.
So, smiling, Ian picked up the rubbing and said to Crocodile, "You want this rubbing? Fine, I'll give it to you!"
Hearing this, Robin was startled, and her eyes, hidden under the brim of her cowboy hat, showed a hint of panic.
Crocodile was also taken aback. He hadn't expected Ian to be so agreeable, and he laughed heartily. "Brat, you're an interesting fellow. No wonder I supported your rise in the recommendation letter back then."
As he spoke, he walked toward Ian, intending to take the rubbing from his hands.
But just then, Ian suddenly pulled the rubbing back and said, "What's the rush? I haven't stated my request yet!"
Crocodile stopped in his tracks. "Fine, speak!"
Ian pointed at Robin, who was beside him, and said, "My request is that I take this lady with me!"
Nico Robin took a step back at this, and Crocodile's eyes widened in shock. Neither of them had expected Ian's request to be this!
"Damn it, are you mocking me!?" Crocodile growled through gritted teeth. "If you take her away, what use is the Poneglyph to me!?"
Exactly! Without the person who could decipher the ancient texts, what good was the rubbing?
Robin, meanwhile, had a sinking feeling. The focus of the conflict between the two men had shifted from the Poneglyph to her, thanks to Ian's words.
It was like going from watching a play to being in one, or from trading stocks to becoming a shareholder. The roles and stakes had instantly changed.
Crocodile, too, was reminded by Ian's words of Robin's importance, and he ordered, "Nico Robin, come stand by me!"
Hearing Crocodile's command, Robin instinctively moved to obey. But at that moment, Ian whispered to her, "If he finds out you're lying, he'll kill you, you know..."
"What do you mean?" Robin's expression changed.
Ian didn't spell it out directly. Smiling, he said, "Come with me. I'll give you freedom and take you to find your dream."
He had a reason for saying this suddenly.
Back on Drum Island, Ian could have taken Chopper with him, but he hadn't. Now, however, he wanted to take Robin, because a thought had struck him.
The Revolutionary Army had been looking for Robin, hadn't they?