Chapter 176 Robin's Vigilance
Heavy footsteps approached from the distance, growing louder with every second.
The members of the hunting team stationed at the camp immediately looked toward the sound.
Within their line of sight, a massive silhouette soon emerged from the lush, dense forest.
It was a giant elephant the size of a small hill, and beneath it was Manlong, holding the beast aloft with both hands.
"Brother Manlong is back!"
"Hiss... Brother Manlong actually caught an elephant that big!"
"I've encountered that giant elephant before. I tried to slash it with my blade, but its hide was so incredibly tough that I couldn't even leave a scratch. I can't believe Brother Manlong took it down."
The camp erupted in cheers.
Seeing Manlong return while hoisting the giant elephant, the hunting team members rushed forward to give him a warm welcome.
Following him, others arrived.
Baby 5, Nico Robin, Wyper, Bones, and Bon Kurei returned to the camp one after another, each bringing back the prey they had hunted.
Although it had only been a few days, the members of the hunting team had clearly grown accustomed to life on Rusukaina.
Every day, they would leave the camp to battle fierce beasts in the forest, then bring their defeated quarry back to serve as the day's food.
Manlong set the giant elephant down and handed it over to the cooking team to be prepared.
He then sat cross-legged on the ground, expertly undergoing a check-up by the medical team led by Chopper.
"No major issues, Brother Manlong. You just need to apply a bit of medicine," Chopper said after a moment, wiping sweat from his forehead and giving his instructions with a look of relief.
During their time on Rusukaina, the hunting team had naturally suffered some casualties.
This kept Chopper, the chief doctor of the medical team, incredibly busy.
It was a good thing the other doctors in the unit were also exceptional; otherwise, he wouldn't have had any time to train at all.
"Thanks for your hard work!" Manlong said, gently patting Chopper's head.
With his high medical skill and adorable nature, it was truly hard for anyone not to like Chopper.
Manlong treated him with great care.
Whenever Chopper went out to train, Manlong would specifically accompany him to ensure the little guy didn't accidentally end up in a beast's stomach.
"Hehe!" Chopper beamed, clearly enjoying the head pat.
Suddenly, Manlong's movements stiffened. A crimson glint flashed in his eyes as he whipped his head toward the distance.
"On guard!"
His smile vanished, replaced by a look of grim seriousness. He surged to his feet and let out a deep, booming command.
"What is it, Brother Manlong?"
"Is there trouble?"
"What happened?"
The atmosphere grew tense.
Manlong's warning immediately silenced the chatter in the camp. Showing their excellent reflexes, the hunting team members rose and prepared for combat.
Baby 5 and Nico Robin, who had been sitting together and chatting, followed Manlong's gaze with wary eyes.
The former transformed her arms into machine guns, while the latter crossed her hands before her chest.
They were fully prepared for a fight.
Rustle, rustle...
The faint sound of fabric rubbing against vegetation reached their ears.
As the hunting team stood on high alert, several figures soon emerged from the dense forest at the edge of their vision.
"Don't be nervous. We are the Kuja Pirates. Mr. Zane is an acquaintance of ours," Sandersonia shouted, seeing the group ready to strike at a moment's notice.
"The Kuja Pirates?" The hunting team was momentarily stunned.
They were certainly familiar with the name.
After all, before their captain left, he had mentioned that Amazon Lily was nearby and that he was going there to clear things up.
"Greetings, we are members of Zane's Hunting Team!" As Zane's assistant and the team's chief manager, Nico Robin stepped forward with a polite smile after observing the newcomers for a moment.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
'This must be the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, the woman the world hails as its greatest beauty.'
She looked at the arriving Kuja Pirates.
Without a doubt, the most striking figure was Hancock, who stood at the very front.
As Nico Robin approached, her analytical gaze was immediately captivated by Hancock.
Her breath hitched, and she couldn't stop herself from looking on in awe.
She was too beautiful.
Even without saying a word or making a move, Hancock commanded the space.
Standing before the Kuja Pirates, Hancock was like the world's most perfect masterpiece, radiating an unparalleled charm.
This was an effect that even the hunting team members couldn't escape.
Their initial wariness vanished.
As the Kuja Pirates appeared, every eye was drawn to Hancock.
Except for a rare few, most of the hunting team stood frozen, their eyes turning into hearts as they stared at Hancock with pure infatuation.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Gunfire erupted.
"Hey! What are you idiots doing? Don't embarrass the Captain!"
Machine gun fire sprayed into the sky.
Amidst the noise, Baby 5 glared at the infatuated crowd with annoyance.
"Ah!"
The gunfire snapped the crowd out of their daze, and Baby 5's scolding made them realize how they were acting.
Their faces flushed red in an instant as they hurriedly looked away, not daring to glance at Hancock again.
"Honestly, she's just a bit pretty. What's there to gawk at?" Baby 5 huffed, finally lowering her weapons.
Her gaze then fell on Hancock.
'She really is gorgeous...'
Despite being a woman herself, Baby 5's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Hancock, her eyes inevitably turning into hearts.
"Hey, Baby 5! Stop that!"
Baby 5's antics naturally drew the attention of both groups.
Nico Robin had been satisfied with Baby 5's scolding of the men, but seeing Baby 5 succumb to the same infatuation gave her a headache. She quickly activated her ability.
An arm sprouted from Baby 5's back and delivered a sharp pinch to her waist.
"Ow! That hurts!" Baby 5 cried out.
Seeing the arm on her back, she immediately realized it was Robin's doing and glared at her.
But it was to no avail.
Nico Robin was already ignoring the equally useless woman.
"Are you and she also subordinates of Mr. Zane?"
Just as Robin turned back to the Kuja Pirates to speak, Hancock suddenly pointed at her and Baby 5.
Robin looked surprised but nodded with a smile. "Yes, we are both subordinates of the Captain. We are also responsible for looking after his daily needs."
'She focused on Baby 5 and me the moment she spoke.'
'That's not a good sign.'
The fact that she said she knew the Captain meant he had already successfully made contact, and things were likely amicable.
But this woman...
Nico Robin fixed her gaze on Hancock.
She was stunning.
No matter how many times she looked or from what angle, the woman's face and figure were flawless.
The charm radiating from her every movement made even Robin's heart race.
But that was precisely why.
'I need to be all the more vigilant.'