Chapter 170: 170: Robin
Nico Robin, passing by the man, paid him no attention. Right now, she only wanted to find the girl who had been willing to sacrifice herself for someone she had just met.
Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice caused Robin to stop in her tracks. The man not far away was looking directly at her.
"Robin, it really has been a long time. It seems you've been doing well these past three months. You've become even more beautiful."
Robin froze, unable to immediately recognize the voice.
Had she been exposed?
If the World Government discovered that the Devil Child had appeared in the Kingdom on the Bridge once again, it would likely disrupt the Revolutionary Army's plans.
Robin did not hesitate. As she turned around, her arms were already crossed, prepared to use the Flower-Flower Fruit at any moment to snap her enemy's neck.
On the snow-covered bridge deck stood a bare-chested man with powerful pectoral muscles, looking back at her. His slightly flushed body radiated heat, dispelling the surrounding cold.
Robin's first thought was how comfortable it would be to hug such a warm body during winter.
Her gaze moved from his firm abdomen to his broad chest before finally reaching his rugged, chiseled face.
Robin's fox-like eyes widened in disbelief.
The identity of the man before her was completely unexpected.
Only after repeatedly confirming that she was not mistaken did she exclaim in surprise.
"Aether, why is it you? Aren't you supposed to be in the New World?"
Over the past three months, she had been following world events closely. Luffy's participation in the Marineford War, Whitebeard's death, and the rise of the new Four Emperors had all shocked the world.
Aether's actions had astonished her as well. He was exactly the kind of man she remembered.
She never expected him to arrive silently at the Kingdom on the Bridge disguised as a slave laborer.
She refused to believe there was no special reason behind his appearance.
Aether skillfully picked up a towel, wiped away nonexistent sweat, and spoke with emotion.
"I'm here to experience the life of a slave. I think life in the Kingdom on the Bridge isn't bad. Everyone working together like this seems quite joyful."
"..."
Even Robin, who possessed excellent composure, felt the corner of her mouth twitch.
The answer was simply too absurd.
"Aether, stop joking. Did you come here because of the Kingdom on the Bridge? I don't believe the world's strongest man would appear here without a reason."
At that moment, Robin's eyes shone with anticipation.
She had originally harbored concerns about the plan to liberate the Kingdom on the Bridge, but if the "Pirate King" joined them, success would be guaranteed.
Seeing her hopeful expression, Aether scratched his cheek.
His main reason for coming to the Kingdom on the Bridge was that he could not find the Revolutionary Army's headquarters.
After all, White Clay Island, Baltigo, was notoriously difficult to locate. Otherwise, the World Government would have discovered the Revolutionary Army's base long ago.
In the original timeline, only Blackbeard had managed to find Baltigo after Jesus Burgess infiltrated Sabo's group. The confrontation that followed devastated the entire island before both sides eventually withdrew.
Although the final result was never clearly stated, Aether believed it had most likely ended in a stalemate. Otherwise, none of the Revolutionary Army's senior members who later appeared would have survived unscathed.
During the Marineford War, he had forgotten to ask Ivankov for a Den Den Mushi, leaving him no choice but to search blindly.
Since he could not find Baltigo, he decided to try his luck at the Kingdom on the Bridge instead.
According to his memory, Robin and the Revolutionary Army should have already liberated this place in the original story. The current deviation naturally attracted his interest.
His gamble had paid off.
He had found Nico Robin.
As long as Robin was here, finding the Revolutionary Army would no longer be difficult.
As for liberating the Kingdom on the Bridge, that was merely a secondary objective.
Still, there was no harm in allowing her misunderstanding to continue.
Aether replied with a serious expression.
"Not really. I don't have much interest in the Kingdom on the Bridge itself. What interests me is your reason for being here, Robin. I heard that three months ago, you worked with the Revolutionary Army to launch an uprising here. Have you returned to liberate the slaves once again?"
"Yes. I came back for that reason."
Robin admitted it directly.
Based on her understanding of Aether, he was not the kind of man who would stand by and do nothing.
Robin suddenly stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
Looking up at the bare-chested man before her, she asked softly,
"Aether, may I ask for your help in liberating the Kingdom on the Bridge?"
"Of course. No problem. All you need to do is owe me a favor. Equivalent exchange."
To be able to obtain the assistance of the Pirate King for nothing more than a favor, Robin's eyes sparkled.
"That is truly my honor. Apparently, my value is comparable to a kingdom."
Aether looked at the gentle and elegant woman before him, shook his head, and spoke what he considered the plain truth.
"Don't underestimate yourself, Robin. Even setting aside the fact that you're the world's last historian, simply being who you are makes you precious. You're a beautiful treasure of the sea."
Others might not understand, but Aether knew Robin very well.
He knew how gentle and kind she truly was.
In terms of beauty, she was not much inferior to Hancock.
Moreover, she shared many similarities with Reiju. Both were strong, understanding women.
"Then I shall graciously accept your compliment. However, my strength is limited, so please be lenient when the time comes for me to repay that favor."
The beauty opposite him smiled warmly.
Even Robin felt happy being praised by such an exceptional man.
Their casual conversation attracted the attention of several nearby guards.
The squad leader's expression immediately turned fierce.
"That brat actually dares to slack off."
They had been searching for an excuse to cause trouble, and now one had practically fallen into their laps.
However, as they slowly approached, every single one of them silently collapsed onto the ground.
Aether's peak Conqueror's Haki was more than capable of achieving such a feat without drawing attention.
The slaves, who had long been pushed beyond their limits, watched the guards fall.
After confirming that no other guards had noticed, they gathered their courage and threw the unconscious men into the sea.
From a height of several thousand meters, it was the perfect method of disposing of evidence.
Robin paid no attention to the guards' fate.
Instead, she reached out and grabbed Aether's hand, intending to lead him away.
"Big Brother Aether!"
At that moment, a blonde girl came running over, panting heavily.
Even her thick clothing could not hide the sweat covering her body, and exhaustion was written across her face.
When Robin saw who it was, a look of delight appeared in her eyes.
The girl was Soran, whom she had not seen in a long time.
Soran did not immediately recognize Robin.
Instead, she happily spoke to Aether.
"Big Brother Aether, I've asked around and found out the population. The entire Kingdom has about 130,000 people. Also, this is the map Grandpa Reino drew for us. When can we start the operation?"
"Don't worry, Soran. Within the next couple of days."
Soran nodded immediately.
She trusted Aether completely.
Most people did not believe Big Brother Aether could liberate the bridge, but Soran was different.
Having witnessed his god-like power with her own eyes, she was filled with absolute confidence.