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After three years of betrayal and deception, Robin had learned the hard way not to trust others easily. If she still did, the World Government would have captured her long ago.
At first flustered, Robin now took a closer look at the man holding her. She froze, recognizing him.
"You… you're the Flying Admiral, Alex?!"
She looked around, her shock intensifying as she confirmed that his face matched the wanted poster etched into her memory. Remembering what Alex had just said, she quickly pieced things together. Indeed, for someone like him, the amount of her bounty was trivial.
That could only mean one thing…
"So, you want me to help you read the poneglyph?" Robin ventured, a glint of understanding in her eyes.
Three years of navigating the West Blue had taught her how valuable the knowledge of an Ohara survivor was. Recognizing Alex's identity and his apparent interest in her skills, Robin felt her instincts kicking in. If she could attach herself to someone with Alex's power, she could not only survive but also pursue her goal of studying the poneglyph.
Even if he intended to use her, she could use that to her advantage, working toward fulfilling the dream of piecing together the lost history of the world.
"I'm not interested in the history itself," Alex replied, surprising her. "Your other talents are what I value. You'd make an excellent manager."
Robin blinked, momentarily taken aback by his response, which seemed to stray far from what she expected. But his two companions reacted instantly.
"Boss?! Is she really the one you meant?" Maria and Yamato's eyes widened as they looked Robin over, eager to see what Alex saw in her.
Robin's mind raced, her curiosity piqued, but she chose her words carefully. "Are you sure? The main poneglyph contain records of the three Ancient Weapons..."
She bit her lip, realizing she'd spoken too hastily. She hadn't meant to bring up the Ancient Weapons, especially given that Ohara was destroyed for that very reason. But something about Alex's dismissive attitude toward her history skills had unsettled her, loosening her control.
Alex only chuckled. "The Ancient Weapons? I might know more about them than you do."
His answer offered no further detail, and instead, he asked, "So, are you willing to come with me?"
Despite the disbelief still stirring within her, Robin held her response back and simply nodded. "Yes… I'd like to be your manager."
She didn't fully grasp what a "manager" might entail, but if it meant securing a stable position alongside someone like Alex, it could pave the way for her to pursue her own goals in due time.
Alex observed her with a knowing expression. He understood the guarded look in her eyes; after the trauma she'd endured, it was only natural that Robin's heart remained closed off. Trusting others was a risk she couldn't take easily. But Alex knew that with time, if she stayed by his side, her loyalty would deepen on its own.
Thanks to his Observation Haki and his knowledge of her past, Alex felt confident he could gradually earn her trust. He had a knack for understanding people's hearts, and Robin would be no exception.
As Robin finished answering, the restaurant owner returned with a tray of freshly prepared dishes. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Robin sitting with Alex, but quickly composed himself, placing the food on the table with a beaming, deferential smile before quietly slipping away.
Alex pulled out a chair and motioned for Robin to sit. "Eat up, and when you're done, you'll be leaving with us," he said calmly.
Robin glanced around at everyone present. Accepting her new situation, she hesitated only briefly before picking up her utensils and beginning to eat. She took each bite hurriedly, as if she hadn't had a decent meal in years—and perhaps also because she didn't want to keep Alex waiting.
Watching her, Yamato seemed to catch her hunger. "That looks good… I'm starting to feel hungry again!" she exclaimed.
"You just ate!" Black Maria scolded, lightly knocking Yamato on the head. Then, her gaze softened as she looked at Robin, and she stepped closer, gently encouraging, "Don't rush, just take your time."
The sight of Maria's comforting presence next to Robin almost gave the impression of a mother-daughter scene—though Alex couldn't help but feel the irony, considering that Robin was actually older than Maria. Still, the moment had a strange, endearing quality to it.
Once Robin finished what she assumed was her "farewell meal," Alex led everyone back to the ship. With a graceful lift-off, the ship soared into the air, leaving the stunned dockworkers below in awe as they watched it fly away.
As the ship settled into its journey, Alex observed how efficiently his crew managed their duties. With a fleet built for a crew of hundreds, the ship was well-supplied, needing no additional provisions.
After Robin and Laffitte had chosen their quarters and familiarized themselves with the layout, Laffitte approached Alex with an inquisitive look. "Captain Alex," he began, "there's something I've been wondering since we left the island. Maria… she called you a 'shogun' earlier."
While aboard, Laffitte had taken stock of the ship, noting that it wasn't the typical pirate vessel he'd expected. Apart from Alex and his key allies, the crew consisted mostly of chefs and women dressed in kimonos, some of whom played the shamisen and koto.
Alex nodded. "That's right. Though I'm known as the Flying Admiral, I've never formed a pirate crew. Maria calls me 'shogun' because I currently rule a country."
Maria chimed in, eager to clarify, "The country Mr. Alex governs is none other than Wanokuni in the New World!"
Laffitte's jaw dropped. "Wanokuni? Truly unexpected," he said, clearly surprised. "I can see where a 'manager' might fit in… but I'm curious—what role would I play in all this?"
Alex turned to Laffitte, reading the anticipation in his gaze. "In Wanokuni, under the shogun's command, there's a role called the Oniwabanshu, which is responsible for internal security and external combat operations. I see you as one of its members. Your combat abilities will be essential in our external missions."
A fierce light came into Laffitte's eyes as he clenched his fists, thrilled by the prospect. "I'll use my strength to make your vision a reality," he said, his voice brimming with conviction.
Alex nodded approvingly. "With some Haki training in the New World, you'll be unstoppable with your abilities."
As they sailed away from the island, Alex's understanding of Laffitte's talents only deepened. Seeing the full extent of his Devil Fruit powers, Alex could understand why even someone as calculating as Blackbeard had kept Laffitte close.