---

Daiki steadied himself, allowing his turbulent emotions to subside, while his eyes returned to their usual colour from the intense blood-red that had earlier consumed them.

As he composed himself, a mocking smirk crossed his face.

He knew Crocodile had already fled, but there was no satisfaction to be had from chasing him down. For now, his interest was in another matter.

His gaze shifted to Robin, who was still seated on the ground, visibly shaken.

The young woman seemed frozen in place, her breathing unsteady, as if she were trying to process the surreal chaos that had just transpired.

Slowly, Daiki walked toward her, his steps measured and deliberate, each one amplifying the sense of foreboding that seemed to fill the air.

When he finally stood before her, Daiki spoke with a chilling calm, "Can you read the Poneglyphs?"

His voice, sharp and unyielding, sliced through the silence, jolting Robin from her daze.

She blinked, disoriented, her mind scrambling to catch up with the question.

Though she could hardly process the gravity of her situation, she managed a slight nod, acknowledging her ability.

Still, her heart pounded with apprehension. She wasn't sure what he intended, but she knew resistance was not an option.

"Read what's inscribed," Daiki commanded, his tone leaving no room for defiance.

Robin hesitated, her gaze shifting to the ancient stone, as she struggled to find her voice.

"I... I can't decipher... all of it," she stammered, her words barely audible.

Daiki's eyes narrowed, studying her closely. "Just tell me where it mentions the ancient weapon Pluton. That's all I need," he replied with an almost eerie calm.

Swallowing her fear, Robin took a shaky breath and finally responded, "The South Blue… an island shaped like a wine jar."

She wasn't certain what this man wanted with the information or if he shared Crocodile's ambitions.

All she knew was that revealing the truth was her only hope of survival.

Daiki's expression shifted as he processed her words. Baterilla Island… The name lingered in his mind, and for a moment, a glimmer of recognition crossed his face.

He knew the island she spoke of, and the realization sent a chill down his spine. It was a place he hadn't expected to be drawn to in this way.

A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by the soft rustling of the ancient chamber.

Then, without warning, Daiki raised his hand and struck her shoulder, rendering her unconscious in an instant. His expression was devoid of sympathy.

Survival in this world demanded a level of ruthlessness, and he wasn't about to make exceptions.

Daiki glanced down at the unconscious woman and then pulled a sheet of paper from his coat. With practised ease, he made a rubbing of the Poneglyph's inscriptions, careful to capture every detail.

This information would be vital, and he couldn't afford to overlook a single line.

Once he finished, Daiki examined the stone, considering his next move. Perhaps I should destroy it, he mused, eyeing the towering relic. Summoning his Devil Fruit ability, he struck at the stone with full force, but to his astonishment, his claws left not even a scratch.

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The Poneglyph's hardness defied his powers, an indestructible testament to a lost era.

After a moment's contemplation, Daiki dismissed the thought of destruction.

There was no point in lingering. With the Poneglyph's secrets recorded, he turned his attention back to Robin, lying still on the floor. Without hesitation, he scooped her up, her unconscious form limp in his arms.

As he ascended from the underground palace, the dim light of the outside world gradually enveloped them.

Emerging onto the grassy surface above, Daiki scanned his surroundings.

The crocodile was nowhere in sight, and he wasn't surprised. That man was no fool; he would have fled the moment he realized he was outmatched.

Daiki simply gestured to the Royal Guards members nearby, signalling them to withdraw.

They obeyed instantly, vanishing from view as swiftly as they had appeared.

Meanwhile, outside the palace walls, Crocodile was sprinting through the shadows, clutching his stomach in pain.

His mind raced, both seething with anger and brimming with frustration.

He had lost Robin, failed to secure the Poneglyph's secrets, and encountered an opponent far stronger than he'd anticipated.

Yet, despite his rage, he understood the need for caution. Vengeance would have to wait.

As he reached the outskirts, he cast one last glance back toward the palace, bitterness etched on his face, before slipping away into the desert.

---

Inside the palace, Anos and Cobra sat across from each other, their conversation far removed from the weighty matters of the kingdom.

Their dialogue had turned light, even playful, a rare moment of levity in times like these.

They shared anecdotes, exchanging light-hearted banter that seemed to bridge the gap between them, drawing them closer despite the trials that lay ahead.

Daiki, meanwhile, had returned to the Abili, Robin still unconscious in his arms.

He carried her to one of the ship's rooms, unceremoniously depositing her inside.

The crew looked on, some with curiosity, others with wariness, but none dared question him.

With a curt command, Daiki ordered a restraining collar to be placed around her neck, ensuring her Devil Fruit abilities would remain dormant.

Turning to the guards stationed nearby, Daiki spoke with quiet authority. "Stay here. If she asks for food or water, give it to her. But ensure that she doesn't leave this room not even for a bathroom break. One of you will be with her at all times. If she escapes… you'll have no place on this ship anymore."

The Royal Guards members exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of his words.

Each of them was capable of restraining Robin on their own, let alone as a group.

Any one of them could overpower her with ease, and with the added reinforcement of fifty other guards and operators aboard the ship, Robin stood no chance. Her Devil Fruit abilities were useless under the effects of the collar, leaving her entirely at their mercy.

"Jasmine, you're responsible for taking care of her needs," Daiki said, his gaze shifting to a young girl standing on the deck.

"Me?" Jasmine stammered, momentarily caught off guard.

She had been assigned to the ship by Suzu, usually tasked with minor duties. This was unfamiliar territory.

"You only need to assist her when these men cannot," Daiki explained, his tone dismissive but firm.

"Yes, Master Daiki…" Jasmine replied, lowering her gaze respectfully.

As Daiki turned and left, Jasmine looked at the guards, who merely shrugged, indicating their lack of interest in the details.

Each of them had witnessed enough to know not to question his orders.

Inside the dimly lit room, Robin began to stir. Her mind was a haze of confusion and fear as the fog of unconsciousness lifted.

She was painfully aware of her situation and the sheer power of the man who had captured her.

Daiki… The name, along with his imposing demeanour, echoed in her mind.

Despite her desperate circumstances, Robin was no stranger to survival. She'd faced countless threats throughout her life, most of them coming in the form of ruthless pirates and bounty hunters.

But this time was different. She wasn't dealing with mere outlaws, these were elite guards of a kingdom.

Their strength and precision were overwhelming, and she realized that escape would be nearly impossible.

Robin was around the same age as Anos, perhaps a year older, though her life had left its marks. Her skin was tanned from years of hardship, her features delicate yet hardened by experience.

She sat alone in the corner, the weight of captivity bearing down on her as she considered her next move.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock, and the door creaked open to reveal Jasmine, carrying a plate of food.

The young girl entered the room, her expression calm yet cautious. Setting the plate down, Jasmine met Robin's gaze.

"What are you thinking? Don't worry, come over and eat something," she said, her tone unexpectedly gentle.

Robin hesitated, studying the girl. There was no malice in Jasmine's demeanour, just a sense of dutiful obligation.

Seizing the opportunity, Robin spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "Will you let me go?"

Jasmine's expression softened, though her answer was implicit in her silence.

After a moment, she offered a faint, sympathetic smile. "Eat while you can. You'll need your strength."

Robin nodded slowly, understanding the unspoken truth.

She approached the plate, her mind racing.

This time, the stakes were higher than ever before. And though hope seemed elusive, she knew she would need every ounce of her will to survive.

---

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