The woman standing before them was none other than Nico Robin, a figure whose reputation preceded her, and someone Akira knew well. He understood why she was here and what she was trying to accomplish.
"Who are you? It's better if you don't block our way," Ace said, irritation lacing his voice, a threatening edge to his words.
Robin's eyes narrowed as she extended a hand, halting their progress. "Alabasta is completely under the control of Lord Crocodile. Do you think you can simply walk in with your current abilities?"
Ellie, who had been quietly observing the exchange, was taken aback by Robin's beauty. She had never expected someone described as "inferior" to possess such striking features.
"It's such an enviable appearance... If you became my slave, it would be a great honor," Ellie blurted out, her voice dripping with arrogance.
Robin, unfazed by the insult, gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Half a month ago, someone broke into the territory of the Celestial Dragons and caused a stir that drew the attention of the entire world. From what I've heard, that person stole one of the Celestial Dragon princesses. If I'm not mistaken, that person was you."
Her words cut straight to the heart of the matter. Nico Robin's intellect was sharp—nothing escaped her notice.
Akira, calm and collected as always, nodded. "Since you already know who we are, why not go back and report to Crocodile? He, as the King, must be very interested in my bounty."
A bounty of 100 million Berries would certainly catch Crocodile's attention. Akira knew full well that Crocodile's motivations were driven by greed, and he was in control of Alabasta only for wealth. Akira didn't expect much conflict over that.
Robin's gaze remained steady, her voice tinged with a hint of admiration. "You're right. The bounty is tempting, but someone who's earned a bounty of 100 million Berries is certainly no ordinary person."
Her caution was evident, and Akira could see that she didn't want to make a move without informing Crocodile. After all, she had to play the long game.
Ace, never one to hold back, grinned. "You're right. Someone like her... She would make a pretty good companion, don't you think?"
Robin's lips curled into a sly smile. "First time I've heard such a strange proposition." Her smile was almost mocking, clearly entertained by Ace's boldness.
The world called her a witch, and few dared to accept her for who she was. But here was Ace, casually suggesting she become his companion. Robin's smirk only deepened at his unbothered attitude.
"The rumors spread by the world aren't always worth believing," Ace added with his usual confidence, undeterred. "Without a personal perspective, they're just disappointing."
Akira couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange, though his face grew more serious. "Listen, I'm not here for idle chatter. Crocodile already controls Alabasta. You'll only become his prey. If you surrender now, perhaps you'll find another opportunity. After all, the world values your talents far more than your bounty."
Robin's voice softened, almost coaxing. "I see… You're right. But you're not the only one with choices to make. I have my own path to follow." Her tone was gentle, yet resolute.
Akira's face turned stern. "Sorry, but I have my own path too. I will never agree to this."
Robin's expression betrayed a flicker of disappointment, but it quickly masked itself behind a calm facade. "In that case, I'm left with no choice. As a subordinate of Lord Crocodile, I can't let you go."
With a fluid motion, Robin's power manifested. Countless hands sprouted from the ground, encircling them, ready to restrain them.
"If you report to Lord Crocodile now, you'll be captured without a fight," Robin said confidently, her expression unreadable as she controlled her power.
Akira, however, remained unphased. "Is that so?" His voice was calm, unimpressed by her display.
"No one has ever escaped my grasp," Robin declared, her eyes narrowing with confidence. "Once I wave my hand, you'll all die here."
Despite her words, Akira could tell she didn't want to kill them—capturing them alive was worth far more, especially with the bounty on his head. But she was underestimating him.
Akira snorted lightly. Before Robin could react, he vanished, the air around him rippling as he moved faster than even she could perceive. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind her, unnoticed until it was far too late.
Robin's face shifted to one of surprise, then panic, as she realized her mistake. "Impossible..." she murmured, attempting to summon more hands to restrain him. But Akira had already moved.
He moved with such lightning speed that by the time Nico Robin reacted, it was already too late.
Akira smirked, his voice casual, almost taunting. "I told you before, this trick won't work on me." He stepped back, clearly enjoying the turn of events.
Nico Robin's expression was a mixture of confusion and fear. "How... How did you...? Even if you try, you can't escape."
Robin's hands, her trademark weapon, tried to sprout again, but they couldn't stop the inevitable. Akira's speed was beyond her comprehension.
"It's truly regrettable," Akira said, his voice dripping with confidence, his smirk widening. "It seems your strength is meaningless against me."
In that moment, Robin realized the vast gulf between their strengths. The power Akira wielded was beyond anything she had ever encountered, and she couldn't help but acknowledge the overwhelming gap between them. For the first time, she felt truly outmatched.
"Impossible!" Robin's voice was strained as she attempted to move, but it was futile. Her body refused to obey, every bone and muscle locked in place as if she had been turned to stone. There was no room to resist, no hope of breaking free. The force holding her was complete and unyielding.
Akira now stood just a few steps away, his presence impossible to ignore. Despite the dire situation, Robin's eyes briefly lingered on his face. He was undeniably powerful, but there was something else—his appearance. His features were sharp and handsome, exuding an undeniable charm that even someone like Robin couldn't ignore. It was rare for her to feel disarmed, but here she was, strangely affected by him.
As a notorious witch, Robin had faced countless dangerous situations, and she had always been able to maintain her composure. But with Akira, something about him unsettled her. His power was palpable, yet it was his confidence, his casual demeanor, that left her feeling unexpectedly shy.
"Don't move," Akira said, his voice calm, almost bored. "I've controlled every bone in your body. As long as I remain gentle, you'll die here in due time."
His words weren't a threat, but a chilling promise. The pride in his voice was unmistakable, and despite the gravity of the situation, there was a strange, almost casual arrogance in the way he spoke. He had her completely at his mercy, and he knew it.
For a moment, Robin's usual composure faltered, as she found herself staring into the eyes of a man who was, at that moment, her superior in every conceivable way. And she hated how much that realization stung.
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