Robin said no more. She exchanged a glance with Vivi and Merry, and the three politely took their leave, quickly exiting Iceburg's office.
Walking along the bustling street, Vivi asked in confusion, "Robin, what's wrong? Is there something problematic about that secretary?"
Vivi had noticed Robin's urgency.
Robin's expression grew serious. She lowered her voice, "I suspect that secretary, Kalifa, is from the World Government."
"What?!"
Both Vivi and Merry were shocked.
Robin's instincts were sharp.
People who spent years navigating the underworld carried a certain scent. Though Kalifa hid it well, for Robin, that very instinct was what had kept her alive all this time.
Especially after encountering Aokiji, she'd kept her guard up constantly. Water 7's location was too sensitive—Enies Lobby and Marine Headquarters were both nearby.
Regarding Kalifa's identity, Robin quickly explained, "The World Government has a direct-affiliate secret intelligence agency called CP9. They're masters of a superhuman martial art known as Rokushiki, skilled in infiltration and assassination. The aura around that secretary beside Mr. Iceburg, along with certain details, makes me highly suspicious. We need to find Luffy and the others as quickly as possible. This place might not be safe."
They were currently in one of Water 7's more prosperous districts—an entertainment area where many gangsters and pirates frequented. The crowd was diverse.
Vivi didn't doubt Robin's words. She immediately grasped the severity: "Then let's hurry and meet up with Luffy and the others!"
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy."
Robin said calmly. Using her power, she silently sprouted several eyes along the surrounding walls, observing the situation. "Intelligence agents sent by the government are completely different from Marines—they conceal their identities and operate in secret. Right now, we're in the dark while they're in the light."
Not long after leaving Iceburg's office, Robin had already briefly exchanged two moves with someone she suspected was a CP9 member. The opponent had used Soru and Shigan. Though Robin had quickly escaped using her abilities, the other party had undoubtedly confirmed her presence in this area.
They needed to relocate quickly.
Robin pulled Vivi and Merry, swiftly turning into a relatively secluded alley.
She had Vivi and Merry hide behind a pile of clutter, while she herself used her Hana Hana no Mi to sprout eyes and ears at the alley entrance and along the walls, anxiously monitoring the activity outside.
Time ticked by, second by second. The atmosphere in the alley grew increasingly oppressive.
Robin's tension didn't ease with their temporary safety—it intensified. She noticed that among the flowing crowd outside, more than one pair of eyes seemed to casually sweep toward this alley.
Vivi took deep breaths, forcing herself to stay calm.
She understood—these people were after Robin.
First a Marine Admiral, now World Government spies. The burden Robin carried was far heavier than she had ever imagined.
About ten minutes later, what Robin dreaded most still happened.
A tall young man wearing a cap with a long nose appeared silently at the alley entrance. His gaze, precise as a searchlight, locked directly onto Robin and Vivi's hiding spot in the dark alley. He spoke calmly:
"You're in there, aren't you? Devil's Child, Nico Robin."
The air froze instantly.
Silence hung in the alley for a moment. Robin knew hiding was pointless. Her cool voice emerged: "How did you find me?"
"Sound. I can hear your breathing. And the one beside you—that's the Alabasta princess who was abducted by Straw Hat, isn't it?" CP9 agent Kaku stood at the alley entrance, his tone utterly flat. "Come with us."
"Who are you?" Robin attempted to gather more information.
Kaku was absolutely confident in his abilities and didn't mind revealing things. As he walked into the alley, he said calmly, "World Government's direct secret espionage agency, CP9 agent, Kaku."
So it really was the CP intelligence agency.
Robin wasn't surprised. Seeing him approach, she didn't hesitate. She crossed her arms before her, activating her ability instantly.
"Sanjū Rō Hanazono: Kagi Tsume!" (Thirty-Flower: Clutch!)
Amidst swirling petals, thirty arms suddenly sprouted from Kaku's body, wrapping around his neck, joints, and everywhere, squeezing tightly—attempting to snap his neck and dislocate his joints in an instant!
Yet Kaku didn't move an inch. His face showed no trace of panic.
He let those arms strain against him, only murmuring softly:
"Tekkai!" (Iron Body!)
In an instant, every muscle in his body hardened like steel. No matter how the thirty arms Robin created strained, they couldn't budge him in the slightest!
Kaku gazed calmly toward Robin's position and said, "My Doriki is second only to Lucci's. You can't defeat me."
Just then, Vivi took a deep breath, sprang from behind the debris, and thrust both hands forward!
"Gale: Impact!"
A powerful whirlwind materialized from nowhere, howling as it surged toward Kaku.
Kaku hadn't expected Vivi to be a Devil Fruit user either. Caught off guard, the fierce wind blasted him back several staggering steps, slamming him against the alley wall.
"Go!"
Vivi grabbed Robin's hand, and they seized the moment to dash out of the alley, racing toward the crowded areas.
"An unexpected bonus, huh."
Kaku dusted himself off, showing no hurry to give chase. He simply pulled out a Den Den Mushi and murmured a few brief words into it.
Robin and Vivi hadn't run far before they were blocked at the exit of another street.
A towering, muscular man in a black suit stood before them like an iron tower, a white pigeon perched on his shoulder.
His gaze was ice-cold, as if regarding prey.
Beside him stood several others:
The long-nosed Kaku from earlier, a muscular man with a horned headband, and Kalifa in her secretary attire.
And slung over the horned man's back was an unconscious pervert wearing only swim trunks.
"Nico Robin. You cannot escape."
Rob Lucci stated flatly, expressionless.
Cannot escape. Cannot escape.
The pigeon repeated.
Robin's heart sank to rock bottom.
The elite of CP9—practically all of them were here?
Expressionless, she spoke calmly, "So? The legendary CP9 has been lurking on this island all along. What exactly is your objective?"
"That's none of your concern. What matters now is that you've become one of our targets as well. Nico Robin."
Lucci laid his cards on the table directly, his tone brooking no argument: "You're coming with us. If you cooperate willingly, we won't lay a hand on the Straw Hats."
"It's a very simple transaction. What will you do, Nico Robin?"
***
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