Alabasta Kingdom, Atla Mountains. A large amphibious turtle, raising clouds of dust, pulled two carriages and stopped at the entrance of a wooden villa. From the luxurious carriage in front, Nico Robin reached out to open the carriage door, stepped out of the vehicle, stood at the villa entrance, and raised her hand to knock on the door. Knock, knock, knock—!
Before long, Vivi, wearing a black bunny girl outfit, with her hair tied in a high aquamarine ponytail, and wearing black-rimmed glasses, opened the door. Nico Robin: "(•ิ_•ิ)?" "May I help you with something?" Being scrutinized by Nico Robin with such a peculiar gaze, Vivi's pretty face couldn't help but blush, and she secretly cursed Sephiroth, that scoundrel, in her heart.
A few days ago, after successfully applying for the position of secretary, on her very first day of work, Sephiroth forcefully required her to wear this embarrassing work uniform... In order to investigate the truth behind the dancing powder incident and expose the Umbrella Corporation's conspiracy, Vivi ultimately endured the shame and wore the bunny girl outfit. "I'm looking for Mr. Sephiroth...
May I ask who you are?" Nico Robin inquired with a somewhat puzzled tone. Vivi lightly coughed, suppressing the chaotic emotions in her heart, and explained with a serious expression:
"I am General Manager Sephiroth's secretary, Nana!" "Uh!? Is... Is that so? Your secretary's attire is certainly quite special." "It's not like I wanted to dress like this..." Vivi mumbled slightly discontentedly.
"Miss Nana, could you please inform Mr. Sephiroth that I wish to see him?" "Well... The General Manager went out to inspect the progress of the construction site, he's not inside..." Before Vivi could finish speaking, a voice came from not far away. "Yo! You're here so soon! Did you bring the goods?"
The two turned their heads towards the sound and saw Sephiroth, wearing a black suit, walking towards the villa. "Of course I brought them..." As she spoke, Nico Robin walked to the back door of the second carriage, unlocked it, and revealed stacks of neatly piled, carriage-full of ten thousand Berries banknotes, which were displayed before their eyes.
Sephiroth lightly stroked his chin and muttered:
"I was just saying that casually back then. I didn't expect you would actually bring them out! If I had known, I would have set the price higher." Hearing this, Nico Robin couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle:
"This is already nearly half of the Organization's liquid funds; if it were any higher, I'm afraid we couldn't have produced it..."
After estimating in his mind that the amount inside the carriage should be correct, Sephiroth unhooked the front carriage from the rear money-carrying carriage, drew his butcher knife, opened a spatial portal, and pushed the carriage filled with Berries banknotes into his personal space. "Alright! Since the money has been delivered, you can leave now!"
Sephiroth clapped his hands and said with a smile. Nico Robin pouted slightly, saying with a hint of dissatisfaction:
"You're really heartless! I have a lot I've been wanting to say to you." "Uh!? Alright! Then let's talk somewhere else." Hearing this, Sephiroth scratched his head awkwardly. He redrew the butcher knife from his waist, opened a spatial portal, and stepped inside.
Seeing this, Nico Robin didn't hesitate and directly followed him inside. ......... On the summit of Atla Mountains, a spatial portal suddenly opened, and Sephiroth and Nico Robin walked out from within, standing on the edge of the cliff. Due to the altitude, from the cliff on the mountaintop, one could perfectly overlook the entire view of the distant city of Rainbase. "Long time no see!
"Do you still recognize me?" Nico Robin raised her hand and removed the white half-mask she'd been wearing, revealing her fair, delicate features to Sephiroth. Though she might not have noticed it herself, a faint tremor of unease colored her words.
She didn't know if the man before her still remembered her after all these years—or if she'd been entirely forgotten. "Honestly, women change so much as they grow up. I wasn't even sure if I recognized you... Nico Robin."
"Is that so? I have changed quite a bit, haven't I? Even this mask..."
Robin gently traced the edges of the slightly worn mask in her hands. Her eyes moistened, tears threatening to spill. Seeing this, Sephiroth sighed softly, his voice tinged with regret.
"You must have suffered a lot over the years, haven't you? I'm sorry. I didn't give you enough help back then."
Fourteen years ago, Sephiroth's power was newly established and still unstable. His own strength hadn't yet reached a level where he could confidently face any enemy, and he didn't know how long he could remain in the Marines, always ready to leave at a moment's notice.
At the time, to avoid drawing the attention of the ever-watchful CP Organization, Sephiroth chose not to take Nico Robin under his protection. He only offered what assistance he could within his means. After all, in the original timeline, any organization or power that sheltered Nico Robin inevitably faced devastating attacks from the CP Organization.
Sephiroth hadn't wanted to take that risk. Driven by a lingering sense of guilt, even after he later attained the strength of a Four Emperor and left the Marines, he never actively sought out Nico Robin. It had been his choice to abandon her, after all.
No matter how thick-skinned or shameless he might be, he couldn't bring himself to ask her to follow him again.
"No! You gave me more than enough help back then. I've always been grateful to you," Nico Robin said, her gaze steady and sincere as she looked at him.
Over the years, she'd relied on the power of various organizations to search for the poneglyphs. But in her inexperience, she'd been tricked multiple times by the World Government's CP Organization, lured by both true and false information about the poneglyphs.
The CP Organization's "fishing" tactics were designed to capture those who sought to uncover historical truths, imprisoning—or even executing—them. Because of this, Nico Robin had been captured by the CP Organization more than once.
If Sephiroth hadn't taught her techniques to grow stronger, she doubted she could have escaped their relentless pursuit. Seeing that Nico Robin truly didn't seem to hold any resentment toward him, Sephiroth felt a small weight lift from his chest. He chuckled lightly, teasing her.
"Speaking of which, your skin is so fair now. I remember it used to be more of a wheat color..."
Nico Robin raised her hand, brushing her fingers across her smooth, pale cheek. She smiled.
"Ah, that's thanks to your Umbrella Corporation's whitening products. They're expensive, but they really work!"
"I see."
"Your secretary, Nana... her background isn't simple, is it?"
"Yeah."
The polished version with improved flow and natural dialogue while preserving all content:
"I'm speechless that a princess from Alabasta would come here as an undercover agent..."
Nico Robin's eyebrows shot up. "Princess Vivi? Working undercover at Umbrella Company?" She leaned forward, genuine curiosity coloring her tone.
Sephiroth's jaw tightened. "You can thank Baroque Works for that mess with the dancing powder incident..."
Robin covered her mouth, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
"Your little stunt caused quite the headache for Umbrella Corporation." Sephiroth crossed his arms. "Tell me—how does it feel working for Crocodile these days?"
Robin's smile turned razor-sharp. "We're using each other, nothing more. I want the poneglyphs hidden in Alabasta...while he chases rumors of the ancient weapon Pluton."
"The poneglyphs?" Sephiroth's lips curved. "I wonder if you're interested?"
Robin's eyes lit up. "Really? You must tell me everything!" she breathed, leaning in with undisguised excitement.