One Piece: My Crew Uses Zanpakuto

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Ikki looked at Robin with a hint of apology in his expression.

"Robin, you're the last survivor of Ohara. There are quite a few people at Marine Headquarters who want to capture you, and they won't simply let you walk past them. There are many sharp and powerful individuals stationed there. During our time at Headquarters, I may need you to stay hidden in the gym for a while."

"It's alright, Captain Ikki. I understand it's not safe for me there." Robin shook her head. "Even though Kuzan, Tsuru, Gion, and the others haven't revealed my identity because of our agreement, there are still many people at Headquarters who know pieces of my past. Spending too long in front of those people carries real risk."

She paused, then continued.

"The gym has food, water, and everything else I need. It's right next to the bathhouse, so washing up won't be a problem. Even if I'm here for several days, I'll manage. But Captain Ikki, there is something I'm worried about."

"Tsuru and Kuzan promised not to reveal my identity. But what if they change their minds? Outside Headquarters their power poses no real threat to us, but here it's a different matter. What if they leak my information to have me arrested?"

She held his gaze steadily.

"You must have a plan even for that situation, right? Kuzan and Tsuru are not Gion. They won't show you the same consideration she does."

Robin was well aware of how close Ikki and Gion were, and she understood that Gion owed Ikki her life. Even with her naturally suspicious nature, she was confident Gion would not break her word and expose her.

But she couldn't say the same about Kuzan and Tsuru.

She had no way of knowing how many Marines from her years on the run had memorized her face or could sense her presence. The moment she stepped into Headquarters, someone might recognize her without warning.

That kind of exposure would put Ikki's plans at risk, and not just his plans. It could put his life at risk too. As his partner, Robin had no intention of letting that happen.

When Robin finished speaking, the rest of the crew in the gym exchanged worried looks and turned to Ikki. His strength was considerable, but this was Marine Headquarters.

With the war against the Whitebeard Pirates looming, the Marines had concentrated nearly every powerful force they had in one place. The combat strength gathered there at this moment was arguably the greatest it had been in a decade. Nami, Nojiko, Vivi, and the others were all quietly anxious for him.

"As expected of Robin, always thinking ahead." Ikki smirked. "But don't worry. Even if Kuzan and Tsuru break their promise and reveal your identity, the Marines won't move against me without concrete evidence. They still have a war to deal with."

Beyond that, the people assembled at Headquarters right now were not only Marines. The Seven Warlords of the Sea had also been summoned. If the Marines moved against Ikki, what would the Warlords think?

Would they start wondering whether the Marines might turn on them next? Hancock would certainly stand with him. The other Warlords might begin to waver too, and that kind of fracture could seriously undermine the Marines' campaign against Whitebeard. The top brass knew it, and they wouldn't risk it lightly.

Even setting the Warlords aside, the Marines might simply fail to catch him. With the range of Zanpakuto at his disposal, Ikki had more than enough options to secure an escape. And then there was Gion. Given how things stood between them, he doubted she would simply stand aside if the Marines tried to arrest him. Honestly, if their actions pushed Gion to leave the Marines entirely and join his crew, he wouldn't complain.

That said, Ikki did genuinely trust Tsuru and Kuzan. He didn't believe either of them, both committed in their own way to their sense of justice, would expose Robin's identity.

"If you're that confident, then I have nothing more to say." Robin smiled and stepped aside.

Ikki turned to Kalifa. "Kalifa, your situation is similar to Robin's. I'll ask you to stay in the gym as well."

"No problem, Captain Ikki." Kalifa adjusted her glasses. She was currently being hunted by the World Government and understood perfectly well that showing her face at Marine Headquarters was out of the question. There was no need for further explanation.

"Belo Betty, you're with the Revolutionary Army. Ginrummy, you were formerly with the Beast Pirates. I'd ask you both to keep out of sight for the time being as well."

The two of them had just come aboard. They nodded without argument.

Finally, Ikki looked at Perona.

"Perona, you go into the gym too."

"Eh... me?"

Perona pointed at herself, blinking in surprise.

"That's right."

"Why? I don't have a bounty with the Marines. I don't need to wear a mask around them. Why should I hide from their people?"

Perona pouted, a flicker of genuine grievance crossing her face.

The truth was that she had been quietly looking forward to seeing Gecko Moria at Headquarters, after so long apart. If Ikki was telling her to hide now, any chance of that was gone.

What Perona didn't know was that Ikki had already made up his mind. He intended to cut off any possibility of that meeting happening. As long as she never saw Moria, he could be sure she wouldn't be pulled back to the other man's side.