Let's turn back the clock to…
Well, about four days ago.
At that time, shortly before the Germa Kingdom approached the Aden Kingdom, the "envoy" was still on his way to the Aden Kingdom, steering the ship.
And on the Grand Line, a ship was sailing along the Four Seas Alliance's regular route, heading towards that mythical island suspended ten thousand meters in the sky – Skypiea!
It was the members of the Four Seas Alliance, who had just defeated the Flying Pirate Group and were successfully returning.
Rowan's true form was also among them.
…
Right now, Rowan was silently drinking wine at the bow of the ship, and by the way, admiring the unparalleled beauty that existed above the clouds.
Fisherman Tom, the "Devil Child" Nico Robin, the "Ranger" Hocka, and the "Sand Crocodile" Crocodile were all on this ship.
As for the Sun Pirates, they had already rushed to Fish-Man Village for repairs.
They weren't interested in what Rowan was going to do next, and since Rowan had been kind to them, they naturally wouldn't let their benefactor dwell on things.
Even with Rowan's generosity, some things concerning the Four Seas Alliance's secrets were ultimately not meant to be known by outsiders.
But… outsiders?
To be honest, on the first day of arriving at Fish-Man Village, even Tiger, who had been constantly adventuring at sea, had to admit that if he were just an ordinary fish-man without any followers, he would definitely choose to settle down in Fish-Man Village.
There weren't many places on this vast sea where fish-men weren't discriminated against. Fish-Man Island, their homeland, was one, and the Fish-Man Village in Alabasta was the second.
…
The scene returned to the Four Seas Alliance's ship.
Why weren't the Sun Pirates interested in what Rowan was going to do next?
The answer was actually very simple, because Rowan had already told them what he was going to do –
Archaeology.
…
Nico Robin leaned against the mast, silently observing Rowan, who was sitting cross-legged on the deck not far away.
To be honest, she was very surprised.
Even though her so-called title of "Sole Survivor of Ohara" was very famous and attracted the covetous eyes of countless forces.
But Nico Robin found it hard to imagine that the leader of such a major force would reveal so many secrets to her upon their first meeting!
What had Rowan revealed to her?
All of Skypiea.
Including the magnificent ruins of Shandora;
And also including the "channel" hidden within those complex ruins.
That channel hidden within the ruins of Shandora was entirely made of extremely pure Seastone!
The walls, the ceiling, the stairs, all of them!
That channel constructed from Seastone led straight downwards, like a dead end for Devil Fruit users!
Once such a channel officially appeared on the sea, it would inevitably attract the attention of various forces.
There would surely be some ambitious individuals who would directly launch an attack on Skypiea, attempting to seize ownership of that channel, right?
Therefore, Robin was curious why Ryan Rowan would tell such important information to someone he had only known for a few days.
Wasn't he afraid she would turn around and sell this information to someone else?
Or, did this man possess the confidence to control her, absolutely ensuring that she would not easily reveal the secrets of the Four Seas Alliance?
Robin's gaze shifted, and she fell into thought.
Over the years, Nico Robin's way of survival had been to maneuver between the various forces on the sea, using those major powers as cover to continue her archaeological research.
She didn't want to be tied to one force.
Because once that force was eliminated by the World Government, she would have no retreat!
So, the current Nico Robin was constantly observing Rowan, and she urgently wanted to know where the man's confidence or trump card to reveal everything came from!
As if sensing Robin's gaze, Rowan took a small gulp of strong liquor, turned, and raised his glass to her.
Robin smiled and nodded, then turned away from Rowan's gaze.
But her sight was suddenly overshadowed by a dark figure.
Looking up, she saw the man wearing a black fur coat.
Crocodile, the "Sand Crocodile"!
As one of the former potential targets, Nico Robin knew quite a bit about Crocodile.
In short, this was definitely a very troublesome man, and cooperating with him would be just as dangerous as dealing with Shiki, if not more so!
The reason for this was that this man's "ambition" was too obscure.
If Shiki was a lion roaring wantonly at the sea, then Crocodile was an "alligator" lurking in the marsh.
He used his position as a Shichibukai as a cover, colluded with the World Government, yet never shifted his gaze from his prey.
With the slightest carelessness, he would drag you down and devour you whole!
If possible, Nico Robin really didn't want to deal with both Crocodile and Ryan Rowan, whose true thoughts were so unfathomable.
But with that thought, Robin turned her body, intending to bypass Crocodile.
However, Crocodile seemed unwilling to move.
More accurately, he had come to find Nico Robin.
"Hoo…"
Crocodile took a puff of his cigar, raised his eyebrows, and chuckled sinisterly, "Hehehehehe, archaeologist… are you not excited to go on an archaeological expedition, Nico Robin?"
After a pause, a familiar smile appeared on Robin's face.
"Yes, Mr. Crocodile, to be honest, I was also a bit surprised when Mr. Rowan revealed these things to me on our first meeting."
"You are indeed surprised."
Crocodile nodded, "Let me guess, you're thinking, 'Why would Ryan Rowan tell me such secret information? Isn't he afraid I'll sell this information to others?' – that's it, right?"
At that moment, Nico Robin's expression changed.
She had never expected her thoughts to be seen through by Crocodile!
But after only a few days of interaction, and having hardly exchanged more than a few words, how could he see through her thoughts?
Robin couldn't understand it at all!
…
In fact, Nico Robin had "underestimated" Crocodile to some extent.
If everything had developed normally, and Nico Robin had joined Crocodile's Baroque Works, she would have witnessed Crocodile's true face before the Poneglyph in Alabasta.
To Crocodile, everything around him was within his vigilance.
"Enemies" were like that, and so-called "partners" were also like that!
Such a man naturally couldn't miss Nico Robin's little thoughts.
…
"Hehehe, you look nervous. Don't worry, I don't plan to tell that old guy."
Crocodile's words calmed Robin slightly, but he then changed the subject and chuckled sinisterly, "Anyway, he probably already knows, right?"
"But he doesn't care."
Crocodile's words caused Robin's expression to change several times, and this situation seemed to greatly satisfy him.
Looking at the astonished Robin, Crocodile explained:
"That old guy is actually too lazy to actively hide anything."
"When he first discovered that channel, he tried to conceal information about it, and he furrowed his brow so many times."
"Now, since he's planning to organize a large-scale search for it, it proves one thing –"
Crocodile said slowly:
"He is now capable of dealing with those who would try to get their hands on this channel."
…
Not far away.
Skypiea was getting closer.
---
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