"So, you want me to join Baroque Works as well?"
"Yes, but Robin, this operation is very dangerous. If you're worried, there's no problem if you refuse."
After all, it's a royal household of a country. They aren't blind, and can surely detect something. Currently, all of the kingdom's issues are closely linked to Baroque Works.
However, their capabilities are limited. Everyone in this organization acts under code names, never using real names, and they always operate in male-female pairs. The male code names are Mr. + a number, and the smaller the number, the stronger the individual. The female code names are a combination of Miss + a date/holiday.
This is the limited information they've uncovered. To find out who the mastermind truly is, Vivi has made this decision.
"Miss Robin, this matter is indeed abrupt, but once resolved, the Alabasta Kingdom is willing to offer you reasonable compensation. Please consider it."
Igaram had reviewed Robin's resume before, and her extensive work experience made him feel that Robin could easily blend into this organization. Yet what Robin said next shocked the two people in front of her.
"Actually, before you came, I had already received an invitation from this organization."
"What?!"
Vivi and Igaram's expressions changed dramatically. If even Nico Robin was within the infiltration range of that organization, then perhaps there were more infiltrators within the palace. Worse yet, if the person before them had already accepted the invitation...
"Don't worry. I'm not interested in this matter, and this happened last night. I didn't have a chance to tell you before you arrived."
She gave a false timeframe, altering what had happened long ago to seem like it had occurred the day before.
If she wanted, she could immediately tell them who was behind this work agency. But she didn't do this, as Crocodile's identity could be used for greater gains in the future.
She was merely curious about the kingdom's hidden history and had no intention of overthrowing it. Moreover, she had a good impression of Vivi, and didn't mind offering some help, hence why she mentioned this.
Even if this didn't happen, she never planned on letting Crocodile succeed. Based on the information gathered so far, Alabasta's hidden history is certainly related to the Poneglyph, and with that, she could apply for backup.
Anyway, she was already prepared to backstab Crocodile and wouldn't mind using him to gain favor with others at a suitable moment.
In the end, she agreed to Vivi and Igaram's request, but both left with heavy hearts.
"Princess Vivi, could she...betray us? If she tells others, you'll be in danger."
"No, I trust her, and if she really wanted to betray me, why would she have told us this in the first place? Get ready to set off, Igaram, there's still much to prepare."
As a princess, joining an organization directly would easily expose her, so she planned to adopt a pseudonym and start off as a small-time bounty hunter.
While they were caught up in their dilemma, Robin was calmly making a phone call.
"Hello, Yamato, what's up?"
"Nothing much, just wanted to ask, how do you convince two people who are very much at odds?"
"Um... beat them into submission?"
After a moment's contemplation, Robin gave what she thought was the most suitable method for Yamato.
"Don't be so violent! I mean persuade, persuade, you've got to use logic and reason."
"Forgive me, Yamato, but that method... doesn't exactly suit you."
Words might resolve conflicts, but to Robin, that method wasn't suitable for Yamato, who was more inclined towards physical persuasion.
"Damn, do you really have that little faith in me? I've changed a lot!"
"If you could persuade them, then there would be no need to ask me, right? The reason you're looking for advice is because you failed, isn't it?"
"Right, I asked you for advice because I failed."
"My advice is to try a new method, perhaps if you become a bit stronger, you'd handle it better?"
The conversation went in circles, but ultimately returned to the start. It wasn't that Robin was unwilling to help; she just saw this as an inefficient task likely to fail, and suggested a method Yamato was more adept at.
"...."
"See, you can't even persuade me to teach you how to persuade others, so how could you expect to resolve a major conflict with words? Perhaps you should practice on persuading me first?"
Ultimately, Robin didn't make it difficult for Yamato. Instead, she proposed a more reasonable exercise plan to enhance Yamato's rhetoric and logical thinking.
After receiving a positive response, they began to chat casually.
"By the way, how have you been lately? Aunt Olvia has been quite worried about you."
"Pretty good, actually. By the way, I found something interesting outside. It's very similar to our system."
"Oh? What system?"
"The Numberer system, where power is determined by numbers; the smaller, the stronger. But it's a bit weak. Here, even Mr. 1 probably couldn't defeat our NO60."
When Robin learned about the Baroque Studio's system, she found it very familiar. It was quite similar to the Hundred Beasts' Numberer system, with the same scheme, albeit with a huge disparity in overall strength.
Additionally, their system is harsher than today's Hundred Beasts. Failed missions result in being hunted by higher-ranking agents, and subordinates often attack their colleagues for advancement. Under Crocodile's lax management, the internal structure of this criminal organization was very loose.
"Oh come on, they actually copied our Numberer system. I should take some time to visit you."
"Sure, I'll contact you during the mission, but you might not find much interest."
Yamato's "visit" could be catastrophic for some organizations. At this time, Crocodile had no idea that by merely carrying out his plan, he unknowingly became the target of a New World monster.
Currently, he was dealing with Baroque Studio affairs. Unlike the original timeline, Nico Robin didn't stay by Crocodile's side as his deputy but instead was in a special evaluation period.
Just as Robin and Yamato ended their call, her Radio Snail started ringing.
"Boss?"
"Mr. 7 is dead. This is an opportunity. Show me your abilities. You came all the way from the New World, you're not just a woman who can't lift a chicken, right? Let that guy know the price of refusing recruitment, Miss Allsunday.
Additionally, Mr. 2 will contact you. Cooperate with him."