One Piece: The Arm of Fate

"Lucci, it's me. Bruno."

He spoke calmly, lowering his voice:

"There's been an unexpected surprise. Nico Robin, the Devil's Child, showed up in my tavern. She's currently heading to the nearby Life Card shop with her companions."

"No leads on the Pluton blueprints yet, but capturing this woman would still be a major achievement, wouldn't it?"

"You're helping someone with ship repairs and can't get away? That's fine. I can handle Nico Robin alone... Hmm? You're sending two others? A bit unnecessary, but... understood. Just to be safe."

...

About half an hour later.

Robin and her group walked out of the Life Card shop.

The shop was tucked away in a narrow alley, and with Water City's layered and complex structure, it had been hard to find. They had split up to ask locals for directions and finally made their way through several twists and turns to locate it.

The order was placed, and the deposit paid.

Once the rest of the crew from the End arrived, they could come here directly to make life cards.

"Task complete. What now?" Robin looked back at the sisters and chuckled. "I just saw a large bookstore earlier. I'm heading there to buy a few books. What about you two?"

"Ehh—"

Nami stretched her voice, grumbling, "Sister Robin, you're no fun. You've been reading in the ship's library every day. Now that we're finally in a big city, you're still burying your head in books?"

"I'm not going!"

She grabbed Nojiko's arm. "Nojiko, let's go try those Shuishui meatballs we passed! There were also Shuishui sausages, Shuishui tiger skin cakes… I want them all! All! The smell alone nearly knocked me out!"

Water City had countless local snacks, most of them called "Shuishui something," reflecting how proud the locals were of their city.

"All you ever do is eat."

Nojiko pinched her nose and grumbled, "You're spoiled rotten by your brother…"

Despite her words, she still pulled out her wallet and was ready to follow Nami.

"Want me to bring you something, Sister Robin?"

"I…"

"Don't say no! It's a rare chance to visit a big city. Just enjoy yourself!"

"…Alright."

Robin finally nodded and smiled.

After watching the sisters walk off arm-in-arm, she turned around, shielded her eyes from the sun, and headed toward the bookstore.

The sunlight was so warm.

...

No one noticed—

At that moment.

On the orange-tiled roof above the alley, three figures squatted in the shadows like cats, quietly watching the three who had just split up.

"They seem pretty close. So the Devil's Child of Ohara actually found companions willing to accept her?"

Kalifa adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses and said coldly, "But those two companions look like nobodies. Do either of you recognize them?"

"Hmm, let me think."

Kaku pinched his long nose, trying to recall. "I think I saw a wanted poster for that blue-haired girl somewhere. But the orange-haired one… nothing. Probably not high enough bounty for me to remember."

"Then don't overthink it. Let's move."

Bruno in the middle shook his head slightly. "I'll handle Nico Robin. With my ability, she won't escape… The two of you should only need a few minutes to take down the other two. Then bring them to me. We'll use them to threaten her into cooperation."

"Understood."

"No problem."

Kalifa and Kaku nodded indifferently.

A few minutes?

They were being generous. It wouldn't even take that long.

"Still, even though this operation is a sure thing—"

Bruno pulled out a pouch and opened it. Inside were various disguises and props:

"Lucci said we shouldn't expose our identities. So before I met up with you, I prepared all this…"

Outskirts of the bookstore street.

Robin walked alone by the canal, wearing a long black leather coat and carrying a bag. The glow of the sunset reflected off the water, casting a golden hue over her face — she looked relaxed and at peace.

At that moment—

A tall figure in a robe, white mask, and wig passed by her.

During the Mask Carnival, such attire was everywhere. Robin glanced over but paid no attention.

However—

As the two passed each other, a cold voice that only she could hear whispered:

"I am CP9."

Robin abruptly stopped in her tracks, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Her first thought—

Had Shano's robbery of the Devil Fruits been exposed so quickly?

No, that couldn't be it.

If they knew the culprit was the infamous "Shano," they'd send in top brass.

This guy clearly had no clue who she was with.

So…

They were targeting her personally?

CP9 — the second-most mysterious intelligence agency under the World Government — had no idea who she was traveling with now?

She turned to look more closely at this clueless fool.

But the figure didn't stop. He turned into a narrow alley, confident she would follow.

"…"

Robin stood there, hand on her forehead, shaking her head.

If this were in the past—

She would've felt fear, even despair.

Since childhood, she had been hunted relentlessly and knew all too well the terror CP9 represented.

But now—

She had faced Aokiji and followed Shano through countless battles. CP9 no longer felt like a looming terror.

They didn't even know who her current captain was… and still dared to come after her?

Compared to CP0, who served the Celestial Dragons, these guys were amateurs.

She sighed, dialed Nojiko's number, whispered a few words, and then slowly walked into the alley.

...

The alley was cold and damp, moss growing in the corners.

The mood was completely different from the sunny streets outside.

Robin walked forward and soon caught up with the tall figure ahead.

"I really miss this."

She said, her voice echoing faintly in the alley. "The last time I was 'invited' like this by a CP agent was seven years ago in West Blue."

"You're trying to stay calm, but your footsteps betray your nervousness."

A faint voice replied as the figure — cloaked and masked — turned and faced her coldly.

"Nico Robin."

Bruno's voice was low and cold. "O'Hara's survivor. The Devil's Child who destroyed five warships at age eight. You know why we're here. I don't need to say more."

Robin stopped.

"Of course I know."

She gazed at him for a long moment and sighed. "Everyone who's ever come for me starts the same way. You guys really never change."

"But I'm curious… do you really have no idea who I'm with? How dare you come here?"

Bruno frowned.

Her reaction wasn't what he expected.

She wasn't acting. She was truly calm — confident even. And in her icy blue eyes…

Was that mockery?

His intel described Nico Robin as fearful, cautious, and constantly in hiding.

Since when had she become like this?

"Hmph, drop the act."

Bruno stepped forward. "I know why you're so calm — you already contacted your companions and expect them to come rescue you, right?"

"So naive, Nico Robin!"

He looked down at her coldly.

"Did you really think we wouldn't anticipate that? Your two companions — the orange-haired girl and the blue-haired one — have already been dealt with by my colleagues. Don't count on them. Give up and come quietly!"

He paused, watching her reaction.

But Robin just smiled, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and calmly said nothing.

"You still don't get your situation, do you?"

Bruno's voice grew darker.

"Still hoping someone will save you? Stop dreaming! I don't care who your captain is. No matter how many people you have, none of them can stand against CP9! You'll only drag them all to their deaths!"

Even Supernovas with 100 million bounties were nothing.

In this half of the Grand Line, CP9 were gods above pirates.

…

Her captain is no match for CP9?

Robin blinked — finally showing a flicker of emotion.

She recalled all the scenes along her journey — the black-haired man who left a deep impression.

From killing Crocodile with ease… to facing Admiral Akainu…

From punching through mountain ranges… to wrestling with a Tyrannosaurus…

From clashing with Garp… to being offered a billion-Beli bounty by the enraged government…

And he's no match for CP9?

"Ah…"

It was as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world.

At first, Robin chuckled softly. Then louder. Then she couldn't stop — doubling over, holding her belly, laughing so hard she couldn't breathe.

"Hahaha… hahahahaha—!!"

Her laughter echoed wildly in the alley.

She laughed out every injustice, fear, and shadow of her past.

CP9? World Government?

What a joke.

"You think this is funny, Nico Robin?!"

Bruno's eyes turned cold. "I actually had some sympathy for you. But now I see the rumors were true. You're heartless and insane! You don't even care about your friends. They were probably just pawns to you!"

"Hey now, don't talk nonsense about Sister Robin."

A lazy girl's voice interrupted him.

"What's this? You're admitting we were already defeated? Isn't that rude? Don't you think that's underestimating us?"

That voice—

Bruno frowned and turned.

Nojiko stood at the mouth of the alley, stretching and yawning.

Seeing him look, she casually raised her hand to Robin and smiled:

"Sorry, Sister Robin. We were a bit far away. Took us a few minutes. Sorry to keep you waiting."

Robin chuckled and shook her head.

Nojiko turned and faced Bruno, cracking her knuckles.

"Well, since he didn't run away, I'll take care of him. Don't worry — I'll be quick."

She walked over, unhurriedly.

Take me down?

Bruno sneered. She may have escaped Kaku and Kalifa, but did she think she stood a chance against him?

Foolish… but loyal. Too bad for her friends.

He tensed his core muscles.

Iron Body!

Next second, Nojiko's fist came crashing toward him!

"Ripple Fist Avalanche!"

BOOM!!

The moment it hit, Bruno's eyes bulged.

No!

Something was wrong!

That seemingly small fist erupted with monstrous force. His proud Iron Body defense cracked instantly — sternum broken — and he flew back like a cannonball.

"Gah!"

He coughed blood and landed on his knees in a cratered alley floor.

He stared down at his crushed chest in disbelief.

He had trained in Iron Body for years—

And got one-shotted?!

Who was this girl?

"Is that it?"

A disappointed voice followed.

He looked up and saw the blue-haired girl walking over, shaking her head.

"That long-nosed guy took three punches before going down. I thought you, being older, would be tougher… but you couldn't even take one."

What?! Even Kaku—

No, impossible.

Bruno scanned the alley in panic.

Then—

"Hey, uncle. Looking for these two?"

A girl's voice called from above.

Bang! Bang!

Two unconscious bodies landed with a thud.

Bruno's eyes widened.

It was Kaku and Kalifa.

Masks off, out cold.

Kaku's face was bruised and frostbitten. Kalifa was charred like coal — unrecognizable.

"…!"

Bruno stared in horror, mouth agape.

This wasn't a joke.

The smell of burning…

It was real.

"How pathetic. This is CP9?"

A voice came from above.

It was Nami, sitting on the wall, legs swinging.

She looked down with a grin.

"This girl with glasses was really desperate, but she still couldn't hurt me… So funny, right? Trash. Trash~"