One Piece: Transmigrated as Crocodile-Chapter 265 - CHAPTER 265 - Robin’s Principles and Decision, Pluton

"Still worried about your crew? It should be fine. The climate of the Grand Line is unstable, so not being able to reach them by Den Den Mushi for a while isn't unusual. Besides, your crew doesn't seem weak. There's no need to be so anxious. To put it bluntly, if something had really happened, the Marines would've ed it." Xia noticed Rosen's concern.
"You're right." Rosen relaxed. He realized he still wasn't used to having his crew away from his side, especially since they had been separated during a naval battle.
But hearing Xia's words, Rosen remembered Hathaway was still on board. That reassured him.
As long as they didn't run into another top-tier powerhouse like Akainu, with Bonez and Enel there too, they should be able to handle most situations.
What Rosen didn't know was that Robin, Hathaway, and the others were about to bring him an unexpected surprise.
Water 7.
Inside a tavern, two beautiful women drew the attention of many thugs. But when one pirate recognized one of them, he was so startled he rushed out of the tavern without daring to linger.
Though he had a reputation in Water 7, he was nothing more than a small-time gangster. Faced with a woman worth nearly 800 million Berries, he dared not even entertain improper thoughts.
As stunning as she was, his life was more important.
"Are you sure about this? You once said that power was extremely dangerous. If it went out of control or fell into the wrong hands, it could bring disaster." Hathaway sipped her drink with Robin. The tavern owner only watched from afar, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Since they wouldn't be staying long, they weren't worried about being ed to the Marines. Such s rarely led to anything anyway.
"Yes, I know. That's why I want you to promise me one thing. Though we're not that familiar yet, I believe you understand war better than I do. If one day the Boss loses control, or if this thing is about to fall into others' hands, you must do everything in your power to destroy it." Robin's voice was low and firm.
"If you're that worried, why insist on doing this at all?" Hathaway frowned.
"Because we're too weak. That man's dream requires greater power, something that can last as a deterrent. Maybe I've lost my mind… I never thought releasing such things into the world was a good idea. But some things will appear eventually. Nothing can be buried forever. Since that's the case, it's better that it ends up in hands we know." Robin had pondered this for a long time. The immense pressure from Akainu only solidified her decision.
Though she could still move, her injuries were severe. The Boss had stayed behind alone to cover their retreat, and the thought weighed heavily on her heart.
Fortunately, the latest bounty posters suggested he was still safe.
So, under Robin's orders, the Dawn was hiding in Water 7. Taking a different route would have risked pursuit. But staying right under the enemy's nose was ironically safer—a tactic Robin knew well.
"I'll do my best. Have you figured out what to do?"
"According to the records of the Poneglyphs, Water 7 has shipwrights who protected the blueprints of Pluton. Such things are usually passed down for generations, like the Shandians on Skypiea. Based on municipal records and historical accounts, I've identified several possible guardians of the blueprints. But there's a troubling fact—the government's intelligence agency has a strong presence on the island." Robin was deep in thought.
"I've observed them. With Enel's Mantra, apart from that pigeon-keeper you mentioned, none of them would pose a threat to us." Hathaway spoke with confidence.
"We can't draw any attention, not even let anyone know the blueprints are in our possession. And since one of those potential guardians is just a small-time thug, it won't be too difficult for us." Robin's reasoning came from piecing together key details of past events.
Hints like Tom's apprentices, Iceburg's stance toward the so-called Franky Family, and other subtle traces.
If CP9 hadn't focused solely on Iceburg, they might have noticed Franky long ago. Robin had simply figured it out earlier.
But if conflict broke out, things could spiral quickly. CP9's surveillance over Water 7 was extremely tight—they had paid dearly for this mission.
Even Rob Lucci, hailed as the strongest genius born in 800 years on Enies Lobby, nearly wasted his potential after five years undercover. His talent was extraordinary, but being misused by Spandam held him back.
A powerhouse like that, wasted as a spy!
"If things turn out as you say, I'll use Haki to knock everyone unconscious. Then we can search slowly. But blueprints aren't easy to find. And since ancient times, ships like Pluton must have already been built. Don't you know where one lies dormant? Why not go for an existing one instead?" Hathaway asked curiously.
From Robin's attitude, it was clear she knew more than she revealed.
And if the Poneglyphs held records, then she must also know where ancient weapons once rested. At least there would be clues.
"Because this is closer. If there's a new one, why not use it? Besides, I suspect the World Government already knows the location of the ancient one—or even has control over it. But without the blueprints, they can't replicate it. That's just my theory, but either way, this is easier to obtain. As for finding the blueprints, leave that to me. If necessary, you're better than me at interrogation—getting someone to talk won't be hard." Robin smiled faintly.
"Won't he be angry?"
"Oh? You're not afraid of our Boss, are you?" Robin asked in surprise.
"I'm worried about you. Don't forget, the missed Den Den Mushi call was your choice. To those who don't know the truth, it might look like you're trying to take the captain's place." Hathaway said calmly.
"I just didn't want him to worry. And we can handle this, can't we? He'll be waiting for us in Andia. When we succeed, we'll tell him—it'll be a surprise. After all, he once spent a long time and paid dearly searching for this thing." Robin covered her mouth with a small laugh. Fate was strange—back then, he desperately wanted it, and she told him nothing.
Now that he no longer wanted it, she was determined to find it for him, even hiding it by refusing his call.
"Then let's begin."
"I'll inform Enel. He can't fight yet, but his Observation Haki still works." Hathaway stood.
Rosen had no idea the reason his Den Den Mushi couldn't connect was because Robin was planning a surprise for him. Nor could he imagine that an ancient weapon might soon appear in his hands ahead of time.
And if it could truly be kept secret, Rosen wasn't entirely indifferent to Pluton either. After all, it was a warship. Upgrading the Dawn with it wasn't unacceptable.
They were already a prime target of the World Government. Even Akainu had been sent to hunt them. Rosen no longer had any reason to hold back.
Before, he had avoided becoming a direct target of the government's purge too early. But now, with even their strongest already moving against him, there was no point in hesitation.
(End of chapter)