Seeing the strange look in Robin's eyes, Luo Xing gestured for the others to leave.
Jack and Who's-Who complied without hesitation.
Since Cobra had already brought Luo Xing here, there was nothing left to hide or worry about. Alabasta's greatest secret was this very stone—
the Poneglyph that recorded the whereabouts of the ancient weapon Pluton.
Earlier, Cobra truly had no intention of revealing it.
After all, no matter how benevolent Luo Xing appeared, he was still a pirate.
But Luo Xing had already known where the Poneglyph was hidden. At that point, resistance was meaningless.
Fortunately, Cobra trusted his judgment of people.
He could tell that Luo Xing might not be a pure-hearted saint—but he was certainly nothing like Crocodile, who toyed with lives and nations.
And now, rain had finally fallen upon Alabasta.
With the protection of the Beast Pirates, no pirate would dare harm the people of this land again.
Life here would only grow better.
Because of that, even if Pluton were ultimately controlled by the Beast Pirates and the Fifth Emperor, Cobra found he could accept it.
After all, the Nefertari family, one of the Twenty Kingdoms that founded the World Government eight hundred years ago, had long since lost all faith in the Celestial Dragons' rule.
Once Cobra and the others departed, Robin finally spoke, her expression unreadable.
"Do I really have a choice?"
She looked as if she wanted to smile, yet didn't quite dare to.
"You say 'willingly boarding your ship'… Is there really any difference between that and being forced?"
Luo Xing answered seriously.
"You don't have a choice—but there is a difference."
"If you come willingly, you'll live more comfortably. If you're forced… that only breeds misery."
"Pfft—"
Robin couldn't help herself. She covered her mouth and laughed softly, her gaze toward Luo Xing growing even stranger.
"The mysterious Fifth Emperor… a genius inventor greater than Vegapunk himself. I never imagined you'd be this kind of person."
"…Rather endearing, actually."
Luo Xing shrugged helplessly.
Being called cute—especially by an elegant, intellectual beauty like Robin—was a first for him.
It seemed his usual approach didn't work on her.
Then again, it made sense.
Since the age of eight, Robin had been on the run. There was no kind of person she hadn't encountered.
She wasn't like Vivi—she wouldn't be moved so easily.
"What kind of person did you think I was?" Luo Xing asked.
Robin tilted her head, thinking.
"Based on your reputation—those unbelievable inventions—you should be a cold, obsessive researcher with a monstrous intellect."
"And judging by how you dealt with Donquixote Doflamingo and Crocodile, you're calm, ruthless, and decisive."
"For someone like that to care whether I'm willing or not… that's surprising."
Luo Xing chuckled and stepped closer.
"You're not wrong. But my greatest hobby is collecting beautiful flowers… and beautiful birds."
Robin's breathing quickened slightly as the distance between them closed.
She remained composed—unlike an ordinary girl—but tension still crept in.
Her lips curved into a smile.
"So the great Fifth Emperor is just a man who likes beautiful women?"
Luo Xing nodded solemnly. "Exactly."
"Aren't you afraid your wife will be jealous? She is Kaido's daughter, after all."
"My wife Yamato and my father-in-law don't exactly get along," Luo Xing replied calmly.
"As for jealousy… she won't, as long as she doesn't know."
"You really are incorrigible."
"Sometimes I trouble myself over it. But I simply can't ignore beautiful girls suffering in misery."
"Pfft—hahaha…"
Robin laughed openly now, all previous fear and wariness gone.
She looked at Luo Xing with renewed curiosity.
"What an interesting man."
For the first time, she thought that working under someone like him… might not be so unbearable.
A mischievous impulse rose within her—
Robin had always possessed a subtle, dark sense of humor. She simply hadn't had the freedom to indulge it before.
Without thinking, she blurted out:
"I'm not very strong. And there's no one else here."
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze—then flushed crimson and turned her back to him.
Luo Xing was just as surprised.
Was Robin… teasing him?
He smiled but didn't cross the line, instead feeling genuinely pleased at the change in her attitude.
After a moment, Robin regained her composure.
"I don't dislike you," she said softly.
"But if you truly want me to come willingly, then respect my wishes."
Luo Xing agreed without hesitation.
He had no need to force Robin the way he once did with others.
She let out a quiet breath of relief.
Then they turned to business.
"The location of Pluton is recorded on this Poneglyph," Robin said. "Do you want to know it?"
Luo Xing felt a trace of satisfaction.
In the original timeline, Robin lied to Crocodile—but she didn't deceive him.
Clearly, his attitude had earned her trust.
"To be honest," Luo Xing replied, "I'm not that interested in Pluton. I just don't want the World Government to get it."
That was the truth.
Given enough time, Luo Xing could create god-tier Monster Cells.
With those, even Kaido would possess world-ending power.
Compared to that, ancient weapons were hardly impressive.
Robin nodded.
"The location recorded here is very special. The World Government will never find it. Even if you tried, it wouldn't be easy."
"Then we'll leave it for now," Luo Xing said.
They exited the underground chamber together.
"You said you'd help me find the true history," Robin asked quietly. "Was that real?"
"Of course," Luo Xing replied. "I never lie to my women."
"…."
I'm not your woman, Robin thought irritably.
And wasn't he just talking about hiding things from his wife?
Men really are all liars.
As if reading her disbelief, Luo Xing casually pulled out three sheets.
"These are Poneglyph rubbings," he said.
"One from Wano, one from Zou, and one from Skypiea."
Robin's eyes widened.
She had spent half her life searching for even a single Poneglyph—
and this man had three, just like that.
She carefully accepted them, hands trembling.
Perhaps… she really had chosen the right person.
That night, Luo Xing simply held Robin as they rested.
No force.
No fear.
Only a quiet beginning to something new.
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