Monster Hunter of the One Piece World

In fact, at the very beginning, Sherwin had his doubts. With Nico Robin abilities, hiding her identity and going into seclusion shouldn't have been that difficult. Or to take it a step further—putting on some disguise and adopting a new identity would be a very simple task...

After all, this is a world where even just putting on a fake mustache can fool a lot of people.

But Sherwin quickly figured it out—Robin wasn't unable to do those things, she simply didn't want to.

"...If Robin just wanted to avoid being hunted by the CP agents and the Navy, she could've easily found some remote island to hide on.

But over the years, she chosen to move between major powers and hasn't really concealed her identity. That means, aside from avoiding pursuit, she must have another reason."

Sherwin stroked the two cats and patiently explained to them.

As for what that reason was—of course Sherwin knew. But he couldn't just say it directly in front of Robin. So he acted as if he were guessing, speaking in a hesitant tone:

"Maybe... she wants to use those powers to take revenge on CP and the Navy. Or maybe... she wants to finish what Ohara started.

Either way, asking Robin to quietly stay on our ship and avoid drawing the World Government attention—she probably wouldn't agree to that... Right?"

"That right." Robin didn't hide her purpose.

"I want to inherit Ohara will—to find and decipher all the Poneglyphs. That will definitely make me an enemy of the World Government. So, I can't stay on your ship…"

A firm yet sorrowful smile appeared on her face. She didn't use her powers. Instead, she stretched out her real arms and gently patted Klee and Sanji.

"I truly appreciate your kindness, but I don't want to drag you into danger because of me."

Sanji Meow, as long as the Beautiful big sister Felynes weren't involved, could stay relatively calm. Though clearly unwilling, he still nodded silently.

But Klee Meow was different. The little plush cat had a simple heart. She believed Nico Robin was a good person, and so she wanted to protect her.

So, curled up in Sherwin arms, Klee Meow suddenly sat up, stretched out her arms, and began smacking Sherwin face repeatedly with her little paws, still refusing to give up as she insisted, "There really no other way, meow? But Sherwin-nii, you're the Meowster, meow!"

So she really thinks the Meowster is some kind of all-powerful wish-granting machine?

Sherwin rolled his eyes and leaned back to avoid Klee Meow little paws, then said, "Unless Robin is willing to temporarily give up on deciphering the Poneglyphs—at least until we have the strength to protect her properly—there no other way."

That was the only condition under which he could allow Robin to stay on the ship. But he also knew full well that Robin would never agree to it.

Sure enough, Robin rejected it without hesitation. "Impossible. Unearthing the buried history is the only reason I have to exist in this world."

"Hah!" Even though he had already guessed what her answer would be, Sherwin still couldn't help but let out a laugh.

In his view, the scholars and archaeologists of Ohara—including Nico Robin—were all incredibly stubborn. Otherwise, Ohara wouldn't have been destroyed by the Buster Call.

As tragic as the fall of Ohara was, a large part of it was their own doing. They knew full well that the World Government couldn't tolerate what they were doing, yet they lacked the strength to resist it—and still went around the world searching for Poneglyphs as if they were courting death...

They could've at least tried to seek refuge with a power that could protect them!

Instead, their lofty ambitions went unfulfilled, and the entire population of Ohara was dragged down with them. All those priceless books and documents were reduced to ashes.

Even though Sherwin understood that they were afraid that by seeking refuge with another power, they might end up becoming accomplices in uncovering the Ancient Weapons… still, when you can't even protect your own lives, isn't it a bit backward to be worrying about things like that?

If uncovering the truth of history is really that important to you, then the first thing you should do is figure out how to survive.

Wanting to go against the world greatest power while maintaining the autonomy of your own feeble side… do you really think the world is that kind?

Those naïve scholars of Ohara really brought to life the saying, "When a scholar rebels, it takes three years to get anywhere," and "Scholars are useless."

"What are you laughing at?" Nico Robin frowned in irritation Sherwin mocking tone was far too obvious.

"Of course I'm laughing at you—and those Ohara scholars." Sherwin didn't hold back in the slightest and bluntly shared his thoughts and judgment about Robin and the rest of them.

After hearing Sherwin words, Robin pressed her lips tightly together. Though she didn't argue back, her expression clearly showed defiance—mixed with a trace of regret and sorrow.

I knew these people were all stubborn to the core...

Sherwin curled his lip. In the world of pirates, you could generously say people follow their dreams—but put bluntly, they're just a bunch of hardheaded fools who don't know how to adapt.

Those Ohara scholars likely knew exactly what Sherwin was saying. But in order not to tarnish their ideals, and to keep their dreams free from political struggle and power plays, they deliberately chose the hardest path.

And Nico Robin, the sole survivor of Ohara, even after going through everything she had, still had no intention of changing that.

Which is why her only possible companions are those reckless Straw Hats—people who never think about consequences and have zero interest in the Ancient Weapons...

Sherwin shook his head with a sigh and said, "Maybe my words are harsh, but if you really want to uncover the hidden truths of history and live to see it, then the first thing you need to do is protect your own life. After all, you're the only one left in the world who can read the Ancient Texts."

In fact, if the Ohara scholars had been willing to let go of their pride, they could have just handed the dictionary that translated the Ancient Texts over to the big-name pirates of the New World—or even spread it to every corner of the world.

That way, anyone with ambitions for the One Piece would start learning how to translate the Ancient Texts. By then, the World Government would be so busy dealing with those ambitious people that they wouldn't even have the time or resources to go after the scholars of Ohara.

But if they had done that, far more people than just those on Ohara Island would have died. So from that perspective, the scholars stubbornness might actually have been a good thing.

Nico Robin naturally understood that Sherwin words were meant for her own good. However, years of living on the run, with no light at the end of the tunnel, had already planted a self-destructive tendency deep within her.

It was only suppressed by the "will of Ohara" that she carried—until she later joined the Straw Hat Pirates and found hope and bonds again. Only then did her will to survive begin to awaken once more.

But at this moment, Robin didn't see much hope coming from Sherwin and the others. So she remained silent, clearly unwilling to be persuaded.

After saying his piece, Sherwin didn't continue pressing her. He wasn't particularly good at this kind of thing to begin with.

"Robin big sister really can't stay, meow?" Klee Meow placed her paw on Sherwin arm, looking pitifully at Nico Robin across from them.

"Is that historical text really that important, meow?"

"Sorry, Klee." This time, Robin didn't use her powers. She leaned forward instead and gently rubbed Klee Meow little head.

"It the dream of mine, my mother, and the scholars of Ohara. There no way I could give up on it."

"…Alright then…" Klee Meow drooped her ears, accepting Robin departure without energy. But soon, she perked up again.

"Then in the meantime, Klee will make you a few more bombs, Robin big sister, for self-defense, meow!"

"..."

Huh? Why am I suddenly a little worried about future Crocodile?