The port of Germa was a mosaic of conflicting emotions. Judge stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable behind his mask.
Reiju waved broadly, a soft smile on her face, while Ichiji and Niji glared with bruised egos. Yonji looked away, still sulking, and Sanji stood slightly apart, his eyes downcast and thoughtful.
Krieg waved back from the deck of the Charlotte Ange until the giant snails of the seafaring kingdom faded into the horizon. Their course was set: a return to the New World, back to his stronghold on Faus Island.
Two weeks later, the ship docked. Krieg reunited with Nico Robin, who had been overseeing things in his absence, and the two sat down to finalize the next phase of her life.
"I still think starting from the East Blue is your best bet," Krieg argued, leaning over a map. "It's the most peaceful sea. You could enter the Grand Line with minimal interference."
Robin shook her head, her gaze firm. "But Uncle, I was last seen in the West Blue. If I suddenly appear in the East, it breaks the trail.
To keep the World Government guessing—and to keep your involvement hidden—I need to create a deliberate trail of breadcrumbs starting from where they expect me to be."
Krieg sighed. He knew she was right. At twenty-two, Robin was no longer a helpless child.
She was a formidable combatant, capable of suppressing a Marine HQ Colonel and more than a match for average Grand Line pirates.
Even if CP9 caught wind of her, she had the skills to slip away. But "Uncle" Krieg still worried.
"The West Blue is home to the 'Five Families' of the underworld," Krieg noted. "It's a quick way to disappear into the sub-culture, but it's dangerous."
"Which is exactly why it's perfect," Robin replied with a small smile.
Reluctantly, Krieg conceded. Preparations moved swiftly. He pulled specialized equipment from the R&D department he'd personally funded and gathered the necessary supplies. A few days later, they stood together on the deck of a smaller, non-descript vessel.
"Did you say your goodbyes?" Krieg asked.
"Last night," Robin said softly. "And it's not as if we'll never meet again."
"True... but it might be a long time before you see Monet or the others again. Are you sure about this?"
Robin looked out at the sea, her eyes reflecting a steel-like resolve. "I'm sure. I have to move forward. To fulfill the vow I made to the scholars of Ohara, I must take to the sea."
A few days later, they reached a secluded cove in the West Blue.
"This is the frequency for my private Den Den Mushi," Krieg said, handing her a slip of paper. "Memorize it, then burn it. No exceptions. And here is the Vivre Card you asked for."
He handed her the "mother" piece of a Vivre Card made from her own fingernail. By holding the mother piece and giving Krieg the "sub" pieces, he and Monet would always be able to track her location.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"I wish I could give you mine as well, but..."
"I know," Robin interrupted gently. "If I'm caught and your Vivre Card is found on me, it would destroy everything you've built in the Marines. We can't risk that."
"Forgive me. Just... keep yourself safe. Eat properly, sleep well, and don't push yourself too hard."
"Eat, sleep, don't overdo it... I know the lecture by heart, Uncle," she teased, though her voice wavered slightly. "I'm going to start making 'sightings' of myself while searching for the Poneglyphs. I'll likely embed myself in a pirate crew to hitch a ride into the Grand Line."
"Right. If the Government sends pursuers, the crew you're with will likely be wiped out. If you run into a crew that gives you trouble, just send me the coordinates. I'll 'clean' them up as part of my official duties."
"Fufufu, how reliable... Thank you, Krieg-mister. Thank you for taking me out of that basement when I had nothing left.
Because you rescued me from Ohara, I got to see my mother again. You saved me from the Buster Call. You taught me how to survive."
She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Why... why have you done so much for me?"
It was the question she had carried for years. Krieg reached out and ruffled her hair, his hand heavy and warm.
"Because it's an adult's job to protect children. To me, Robin, you're like my own daughter. Don't waste time being polite about it."
Robin froze for a second. "...Daughter, huh."
"Hmm? Did you say something?"
"Nothing, Uncle." She stepped forward and gave him a brief, fierce hug. "Thank you. Until we meet again."
Krieg watched her walk away until she disappeared into the treeline. He sat back in his chair, feeling the weight of the passing years
Current Status:
Alabasta: Fleet Admiral Sengoku had asked him to investigate Sir Crocodile, who had recently set up his base there as a Warlord. This was a high priority. Interestingly, this was where Robin was destined to join the "Baroque Works" in the original story.
Thriller Bark: Gekko Moriah was still in Wano fighting Kaido, so the Florian Triangle was safe for now.
Drum Island: Wapol wasn't King yet, so the "Doctor Hunt" hadn't started.
Little Garden: Krieg had already secured a supply of Kestia (the ancient disease-bearing tick) for his "Gift Green" bioweapon, which he'd used on the Celestial Dragons.
Speaking of the Celestial Dragons, the reports indicated that while the doctors had stopped the progress of the "Gift Green" infection, they couldn't cure it.
The "Gods" of Mary Geoise were now living in a state of permanent, agonizing stasis. Krieg allowed himself a grim smirk.
"First, we'll perform a patrol toward Reverse Mountain," Krieg decided, marking his nautical charts. "Then, a wide sweep through the first half of the Grand Line to Alabasta. I have a King to meet... and a 'Hero' to evaluate."
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