Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

Nico Robin nodded. However, seeing that Zane hadn't asked about the Poneglyph at all, she felt a sense of unease.

After hesitating for a long time, Nico Robin decided to take the initiative herself.

"Aren't you curious about what's on it?" Nico Robin pointed at the rubbing she had carefully folded.

Zane seemed to have just realized, saying with a look of sudden understanding, "Oh, that. I'm certainly curious, but it's up to you whether you want to talk about it."

As if he really didn't have much interest in the Poneglyph, Zane didn't even step forward to take back the rubbing. Instead, he went to the wine cabinet nearby and took out two glasses and a bottle of fine wine.

"Want a drink?"

"Uh... sure!"

Zane shook the wine with a smile to signal her. Nico Robin hesitated for a moment before nodding.

She really did need some alcohol right now to give herself a bit of courage.

Placing the wine glasses on the coffee table in front of the sofa, Zane poured the wine into both glasses and handed one to Nico Robin.

After saying thank you, the usually elegant Nico Robin acted like a drunkard, opening her alluring red lips and taking a large gulp.

This scene brought a secret sense of amusement to Zane.

Since he already knew the contents of the rubbing, it was easy for him to guess the reason for her loss of composure.

Poseidon, one of the three Ancient Weapons.

That was the primary content on the Golden Bell's Poneglyph.

The reason Zane gave the rubbing to Nico Robin was partly because she had done a good job as his assistant over the past few days, managing the Hunting Team for him.

On the other hand, it was also a test.

It was exactly as Zane had speculated.

Nico Robin had lost her composure precisely because of the information regarding the Ancient Weapon.

She was hesitating over whether she should tell Zane.

If it were anyone else, she wouldn't even have to think about it; she would definitely choose to hide it.

After all, this was an Ancient Weapon. If it fell into the hands of someone like Crocodile, it would inevitably cause an unimaginable catastrophe.

But Zane made her hesitate.

Her hesitation also had two sides.

First, she was worried that Zane might have already awakened the special ability of the Three-Eye Tribe.

Bringing out the Poneglyph rubbing might just be a way to test her loyalty.

The second aspect was her memory of Ohara being destroyed by the World Government and her life spent on the run.

She thought about how the Three-Eye Tribe was in a similar situation to her own.

She knew very well that the only difference between her and Zane was that Zane possessed the powerful strength to overturn adversity.

To inform, or to conceal?

These two choices kept circling in Nico Robin's mind.

Perhaps she really had drunk the wine too quickly.

After finishing her glass in a few gulps, a flush appeared on Nico Robin's cheeks, and she felt a slight sense of intoxication.

This hint of drunkenness was like the straw that broke the camel's back, finally making her reach a decision.

"Actually, what is recorded on this rubbing is the location of the Ancient Weapon, Poseidon."

With just that one sentence, Nico Robin seemed to have used up all her strength, slumped back into the empty sofa next to her.

Her face, already flushed, grew even redder due to her surging emotions, and her breathing became uncontrollably rapid.

But at this moment, Nico Robin's eyes were exceptionally bright and serious.

She watched Zane closely, as if trying to judge from his reaction whether she had made the right or wrong decision.

"Oh, I see."

Zane's reaction was no reaction at all.

He acted as if he had just heard something very ordinary, responding with a simple nod.

'You've performed well, Nico Robin.'

Zane chuckled inwardly.

She finally hadn't disappointed him.

If she had hidden it, he wouldn't have killed her, but she would definitely have functioned only as a tool in the future, without receiving much of his care.

Conversely.

She was now very much worth cultivating.

"Have you already awakened the special ability of the Three-Eye Tribe to decipher Poneglyphs?"

Zane's reaction was very calm, but it was enough to make Nico Robin's heart race. She couldn't help but look at the third eye on Zane's forehead.

"No," Zane said very honestly.

He truly had not awakened the special ability of the Three-Eye Tribe.

"Then why do you have no reaction at all? This is an Ancient Weapon! Or do you not know what an Ancient Weapon represents?"

"Don't look down on me. I've read no fewer books than you. I know exactly what an Ancient Weapon is."

"However, I have always possessed self-awareness. If given the chance, I naturally want to master an Ancient Weapon, but I know even better that the current me does not yet have the qualification to control one."

Facing Nico Robin's confusion, Zane took a calm sip of his wine.

"....."

Nico Robin was at a loss for words for a moment.

The man before her seemed a bit excessively cautious.

To have defeated two Warlords in succession and yet still be this humble...

This was truly...

Actually, it seemed quite good.

It's better to be cautious; that's how one lives a long life.

With the secret of the rubbing revealed and Zane not showing any signs of coercion, the unease in Nico Robin's heart finally settled.

"By the way, if you have time, I wonder if you could take me to Alabasta. Over the past few years, I learned from Crocodile that Alabasta most likely hides another Poneglyph, and it very likely involves another Ancient Weapon—Pluton!"

Nico Robin spoke up proactively.

Since she had already disclosed information about Poseidon, it didn't matter if she added Pluton into the mix.

Zane thought for a moment before saying, "We'll talk about that after we return from West Blue."

Of course he knew where Pluton was.

But he also knew that she brought up the information about Pluton just because she wanted him to go to Alabasta to find the Poneglyph.

He understood the significance of the Poneglyphs to Nico Robin. Therefore, even though he already knew Pluton's location, he didn't mind helping her.

After all, it would also help boost her favor toward him.

With Zane's promise and the feeling that Pluton was a sufficient lure, Nico Robin was now completely at ease. She even took the initiative to pour wine for Zane and began to chat about trivial matters with a smile.

...

Whiskey Peak was not far from Reverse Mountain.

The New Riding the Wind and Waves arrived smoothly.

'Have we entered the underwater area?'

Walking to the bow of the ship, Zane looked toward the magnificent Reverse Mountain ahead.

With a flick of his Observation Haki, he immediately sensed the massive Island Whale, Laboon, and Crocus hiding within it.

Crocus was the doctor of the Roger Pirates and might even have reached Laugh Tale.

But Zane just sensed him for a moment and paid no further attention.

In his perception, Crocus's aura was not very strong. In other words, the man's combat strength was quite average.

Additionally, he hadn't heard of this person committing any crimes, so there was no value in hunting him.

As for Laugh Tale...

Just like the Ancient Weapons.

He was indeed interested, but he knew very well that this place was not yet something he could come into contact with.

[ Author's Note : If you're loving the story, a power_stone, review or comment means the world!

Want 40+ chapters ahead right now? patre0n.c0m/Royal_ink ]