Noir and Mr. 2 calmed down after being reprimanded by Robin.
Robin sighed, finally able to calm down and read.
As she lowered her head, she noticed an object on Noir's person.
It was a pendant that had accompanied Noir as he grew up, engraved with his name.
Robin's mind suddenly jerked; she seemed to have seen a similar pendant somewhere before.
When was that?
Oh, right, before Ohara was destroyed, she seemed to have seen it in a book.
Robin asked hastily, "Excuse me, Mr. Noir, what is your full name?"
Noir, caught off guard by the question, instinctively replied, "Kyros D. Noir.
Robin delved into her childhood memories, and the names Kyros and D matched the key words from the book she read as a child.
Noir looked at Robin in confusion, but she seemed lost in thought and said nothing.
With no other choice, Noir followed Mr. 2 back to the ship for a meal.
It was a long time before Robin regained her composure, a slight smile tugging at her lips.
If things were as she thought, Noir might actually be a lot like her.
With thoughts occupying her mind, Noir didn't chat much with Robin during the next few days of their journey.
Soon Mr. 2 accompanied Noir to the borders of Alabasta.
In the vast desert of yellow sand, Noir changed into desert travel clothes.
In both this life and his previous one, this was Noir's first time in a desert.
Noir sneaked up to Robin and asked curiously, "Dear Robin-chan, is Crocodile really going to reveal his identity to meet me in person?"
Robin frowned and said, "Of course not. He'll communicate with you through a transponder snail."
"And can you stop calling me that?"
Noir thought for a moment and said cautiously:
"Beautiful lady?"
"I know, change it."
"Sweetie?"
"Change it!"
"Nico-chan?"
Robin glared at Noir and then said helplessly, "Just use my code name here. Knowing my identity won't do you any good."
Noir shrugged indifferently and said, "No problem, I'm not afraid of the Shichibukai."
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Robin nodded weakly, no longer wanting to explain the power of the Shichibukai. Maybe it really was that strong...
As they continued their journey, Robin remembered what Noir had told her on the ship.
"The poneglyph that describes Pluton is hidden in the underground shrine of the royal palace in the capital."
Robin didn't know how Noir had gotten that information.
Even she and Crocodile, after so many years of infiltration, hadn't discovered this top secret information.
However, she didn't believe that Noir was lying; it wouldn't do him any good.
Now that she knew the location of the Poneglyph, Robin decided to secretly verify Noir's words.
If someone could distract Crocodile...
Robin glanced furtively at Noir.
Sensing Robin's gaze, Noir turned and flashed a big, goofy smile.
Ugh...
Could this guy really be a match for Crocodile?
The long sandy road passed without incident.
After completing his task, Mr. 2 reluctantly left.
Robin and Noir, wrapped tightly against the sand, trudged through the desert for several more days.
Finally, they came to a building in the desert.
"Spider Café?"
Noir stared at the sign in confusion and muttered, "Opening a café in the desert, what kind of genius thought of that?"
Robin pushed open the door and explained, "This is just a drop-off point for Baroque Works' senior agents. It's supposed to be in a private place."
They went inside, and as Noir expected, there wasn't a single customer in the shop.
However, the woman behind the counter was quite striking.
She wore a skimpy crop top that showed off her midriff, with a headscarf and wavy blue hair underneath.
Her blue-framed glasses were very eye-catching. When she saw the customers coming in, she smiled and said, "Welcome back, Miss All-Sunday."
Robin nodded and said, "Paula, get us something to drink."
"No problem."
Paula turned and walked with exaggerated hip swings.
Wow, one step, one wave.
Noir's eyes followed her every move.
"Ahem."
Robin cleared her throat, and Noir quickly sat up straight and looked away.
After a while, two cups of coffee were brought to the table.
Paula gave Noir a flirtatious look, lowered her broad chest and winked playfully before turning back with a sway of her hips.
Noir's eyes followed her again...
Robin couldn't help but roll her eyes.
When Paula was out of sight, Noir finally sat up straight, took a sip of coffee and remarked, "This coffee is really good..."
Robin ignored him and, after finishing her coffee, walked over to Paula and whispered in her ear, "I'm going to contact the boss. Keep an eye on him."
Paula nodded and smiled, "No problem."
After giving instructions, Robin turned and entered a secret room at the back of the cafe.
The secret room was quite simple, with a large table filled with various Den Den Mushi.
Several blue regular snails, black eavesdropping snails, and white anti-eavesdropping snails...
Robin expertly picked up a snail marked "0" and dialed out. The snail immediately changed to the face of a sinister middle-aged man.
"Have you brought the person?"
The snail, now with the expression of a crocodile, spoke.
"He's at the Spider Cafe."
Robin's voice was flat as she said, "His strength is much greater than a senior agent. He's a Logia user."
"Logia?"
The snail's expression showed surprise that quickly turned to joy, "I am very pleased with this subordinate."
Robin scoffed inwardly and said, "He is very confident in his abilities. He probably won't become your subordinate easily."
Crocodile's voice was disdainful as he said, "Relying on the luck of eating a Logia fruit, that's how bold he is."
"I'll make him understand that not all ability users are the same."
Robin remained silent as Crocodile continued, "Bring him in. I'll have a talk with him."
Putting the snail down, Robin went outside to fetch Noir.
Noir, engrossed in watching "Bouncing," quickly followed.
Returning to the secret room, Noir picked up the snail and called, "Moshi Moshi?"
After a moment, Crocodile's voice came through, "Is that Noir?"
"Oh, Sandman, why are you talking like a heartthrob?" Noir replied cheekily.