In the chaotic night of Rainbase, one place stood out for its tranquility—a small tavern tucked away in an alley that only opened at night.
"Give me a cold beer," Ron said as he sat at the bar.
"Here you go," the bartender replied, setting down a large, frosty mug of beer brimming with bubbles.
Ron had just picked up the mug when the tavern door creaked open. Nico Robin, wearing her signature cowboy hat and a white fur-lined coat, stepped inside. She walked up to Ron and, without preamble, asked:
"How much do you really know about the Poneglyphs?"
"Definitely more than you do," Ron replied, glancing at her with a smirk. He raised the mug and gulped down the beer in one go, the bubbles fizzing as he drank.
"Ahh—" He set down the now-empty mug with a satisfied expression. "Bartender, another one!"
"Haha, you've got a great tolerance for alcohol, sir. Coming right up!" The bartender laughed, placing another full mug before him.
As Ron waited, he turned to Robin, who was still standing beside him, eyes fixed intently on him.
Resting his arm on the counter and his chin in his hand, Ron grinned and asked, "Do you know who forged the Poneglyphs?"
Robin's eyes widened slightly. It wasn't a question she had considered before.
Ron patted the seat next to him. "Sit, and I'll tell you."
Robin stared at him for a moment before finally taking the seat. Just then, the bartender set down another cold mug of beer in front of Ron. Noticing Robin, he asked, "Would the lady like anything to drink? Our selection may be small, but the quality rivals any big establishment out there."
"Alright, just let me know if you need anything." The bartender moved to the other end of the counter, busying himself with cleaning glasses and giving the two their space.
"Can you talk now?" Robin's gaze was fixed on the black-haired young man beside her.
Ron took a sip of his beer, glancing sideways at her with a smile. "In the latter half of the Grand Line, in the New World, there's a country called Wano."
"In that country, there's a clan known as the Kozuki."
"The unbreakable stone tablets that record the Poneglyphs were forged by the ancestors of the Kozuki Clan during the Void Century, that lost history from 800 years ago."
Robin's heart stirred as she listened to his words. Wano, the Kozuki Clan...
"Is that truly the origin of those stone tablets?" Robin muttered as she processed the information.
Just as she absorbed this revelation, Ron added another surprising statement.
"The head of the Kozuki Clan passed down the method of interpreting the ancient script through generations."
"But unfortunately, the last clan head perished before he could teach this method to his son."
Ron took another sip of his beer, his gaze shifting to Robin at his side. Now, it seemed only this woman—branded by the Marines as the "Devil of Ohara" and the inheritor of Ohara's legacy and will—could decipher the Poneglyphs.
"So, you think that I, the so-called Devil of Ohara, am the only person who can read the Poneglyphs?" Robin, now calmer, asked as she looked at Ron.
"Is that why you want me as your comrade?"
"That's one of the main reasons." Ron propped his head on his hand and turned to her with a grin. "Like you, I'm very curious about what really happened during that void century."
Robin studied him intently, lowering her head in contemplation. After a few moments of thought, she looked up at the black-haired young man beside her.
"What you just told me—is that everything you know about the Poneglyphs?"
"Of course not." Ron took a sip from his drink. "But I'll only share the rest after you agree to join me. That's my condition."
Robin's brows furrowed slightly, her eyes locked onto this mysterious youth, Ron. She spoke softly, "You should understand, knowing everything about me, how dangerous it is to be involved with me. The Marines…"
Ron, meeting her serious gaze, suddenly broke into a smile.
"I'm not joking with you," Robin said, clenching her fists in frustration.
"I know," Ron replied, looking at his glass, which now held only ice. A faint smile crossed his lips.
"But for a true traveler, danger can sometimes be an exciting part of the journey, don't you think?"
"And besides, I believe in my strength to protect a historian who only wishes to uncover the truth and pursue her dreams."
"So, what do you say…" He raised his glass, now only holding ice, toward Robin with a grin. "Will you join me in uncovering the truth of that lost century?"
Robin stared at the smiling young man, feeling a rare, subtle tremor in her heart.
The words Saul had told her before his death echoed in her mind.
"The sea is vast, and someday you will find companions who will protect you."
If it was this person… could he really understand me?
As silence settled over Robin and Ron, the tavern, bathed in dim light, felt peaceful and serene.
Just as Ron was about to raise his glass for a refill, Robin, seated beside him, lowered her head and spoke softly, "If your ship doesn't mind taking on an 'Ohara's devil' who brings danger…."
"Then please, let me join your journey."
Outside, the streets of Rainbase were filled with the sound of gunfire as various underground factions clashed fiercely with Baroque Works agents.
In a dark alleyway, Robin and Ron walked side by side.
"I came to Alabasta and joined Baroque Works, becoming Crocodile's subordinate, all for the sake of finding the legendary Poneglyph said to be hidden in this country. But even now, I haven't found a trace of it," Robin said as they walked.
"The legend says that the stone records the location of an ancient weapon, Pluton. That's what Crocodile wants to know, which is why I cooperated with him."
Robin's voice was calm as she explained.
"The royal family of Alabasta must have hidden it somewhere…"
"I know where it is."
Robin stopped abruptly, turning to look at him in astonishment.
Ron met her gaze with a smile. "I told you, I know more than you might think."
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