The ship soon arrived at an harbor that was exclusive to the ships that were not affiliated to any organizations, which in other words meant Pirates. Everyone was excited as along the shores they could see many people being building or remodeling the ships. It meant that the people here were specialized in ship building.
This was great news for everyone.
"Merry, we will soon make you better, and then we can set sail again." Ussop was very happy, thinking that at this place they would get some much-needed rest and recuperate.
"Zoro, you guard the ship, and we will go and exchange the gold for some money." Nami said.
"Doctor-san, do you want to come with me?" Robin said she wasn't interested in the part about exchanging gold for money.
"Calling me a doctor doesn't make me happy at all, you idiot." Chopper got into his usual routine and started dancing, while being happy.
"Let me join you. Vivi gave each of us a walkie-talkie that would help us contact each other. When you get to Iceburg-san, do call us." Ken said. There was no way he was going to leave Robin now. There were CP9 agents here, and he was pretty sure that these people would be more serious with them than they were in the actual story.
Their bounty was already high, and even though CP9 were arrogant, that didn't mean that they didn't do their job effectively. Robin was their target from the get-go, along with Franky. So both of them were on Ken's main agenda.
Though Robin found it odd that Ken had decided to join them, she didn't refuse. Vivi soon gave each of them a very long-distance walkie-talkie, and the crew divided into two teams. One was Robin, Chopper, and Ken. And the others were Sanji, Nami, Luffy, and Ussop.
Zoro and Vivi would safeguard the boat. Vivi wasn't ready to go because she was a princess, and it might not look good for the kingdom if some people recognized her. Her face had already been posted in different newspapers, and thus she needed to avoid the limelight for the moment.
"Guys, go and have fun. Bring some beautiful clothes for me." Vivi said.
"You got it, Vivi." Nami said, as she felt a little bad for not bringing Nami. Both Nami and Vivi were particularly close to each other. But there was nothing that could be done. After getting there, everybody was on their way.
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Luffy and his gang went straight to the jewelry shop. Nami knew that this was too much gold to be sold in one shop, and in order to not cause huge suspicions and problems, they had decided to go to multiple shops. Though they weren't afraid of problems, at the end of the day, they were pirates, so any small problem might become a big one with them.
Especially with the idiot Luffy in the group.
Meanwhile, Ken and his small gang went around the whole place of Water 7, and apparently there was a small festival that was happening in the main square where many people wore masks. Robin was a little excited to see the local customs and culture.
Ken was also having a good time. In his previous life, he had always wanted to go to Venice. Since that dream always remained a dream, Water 7 fulfilled that void. In fact, he was pretty sure that Water 7 was much better than Venice.
He had heard a lot about how Venice wasn't the same as it once was and blah blah, but here everything seemed to be in perfect place. There were clean streams of water running throughout the whole city. The yagaras were very well trained and took people around the city.
If this place had been in his previous life, it would have been a huge destination. Robin and Chopper indulged themselves among the people. Chopper even went on to buy a mask for himself. They walked among the people who wore masks and were busy dancing and enjoying their time.
But a few steps inside the grand plaza, Ken stopped and also held the hand of Robin. She got confused and looked at Ken. She was confused because she was sure that Ken didn't have any romantic feelings for her, so why suddenly did he catch her hand? But once she looked at his face, she got serious.
Even Chopper noticed the change and stopped.
"What is it?"
"Something that I have been waiting for a long time." Ken spoke in a serious tone. But his voice was also quivering. Shaking in excitement.
"Ken.. You are making me scared. Is there any danger?" Chopper asked.
"Danger? No. It's just danger for somebody else." Ken replied, and as if to put a verification stamp on his words, a tall, 7-foot man wearing a huge mask appeared near them. He looked bulky and had huge muscles.
Robin stiffened in his position as she wondered how this man had come so close to him while Ken was still holding her hand.
"Nico Robin, we are from CP9."
The man whispered in her ears. Ken didn't stop this small interaction. Chopper was also surprised, as he saw the man but didn't hear what he had just whispered; only Ken did.
Ken, seeing the whole body shape, knew who the agent of CP9 was. Blueno. The one with the door-to-door fruit That fruit too was quite broken, and if this guy had some brains and character, then maybe he would have been a great adversary.
But all went to waste due to being a side character. Blueno, after speaking of his identity, chose to sidestep and leave. He was confident that Nico Robin would take the right step and choose to safeguard the lives of straw hats. Their names would always be accompanied by horror for those who knew of them.
He didn't put the straw hats in his eyes even though they had such a high bounty and just thought of a new bunch of upcoming pirates who didn't know anything about the world.