One Piece: My Crew Uses Zanpakuto

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"Robin, do you want to be my crewmate?" Ikki glanced at the smiling Nico Robin and shook his head, looking helpless.

"Unfortunately, Robin, you're a wanted criminal with a bounty from the Marines and World Government. And I have friends who work for the Marines. My Marine friend would be very sad if I asked you to join my crew. Besides, right now, I don't want to be hunted by the Marines or the World Government."

Ikki was quite satisfied with his current status as a famous sword hunter. If he had a bounty from the Marines or World Government, he wasn't sure whether Tashigi would be sad or not. Just being chased by Marine and World Government forces would be quite a hassle.

Moreover, it would also make Vivi's position as a crew member awkward. The princess of a country that belongs to the World Government becoming a crewmate of a criminal with a bounty? It would be strange, and Vivi's father would likely be furious.

Nico Robin frowned slightly after hearing Ikki's words. She really wanted to board his ship so she could discover more Poneglyphs in the future. She couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

Her eyes moved slightly, and she tightened her grip around Ikki as he ran. She pressed her body closer to his back, and the thigh held by Ikki pressed inward slightly against his waist.

"Mr. Ikki, are you going to reject a big sister you like just because you're worried that your Marine friend will be sad? If you do this... you'll miss out on a lot of wonderful things."

"Haha, you don't need to tempt me, Robin. Although I like mature older sisters, I can resist temptation. I told you that when we were on the Explorer," Ikki replied. "Also, loosen your legs a little. You're making it harder for me to run."

Ikki felt the pressure on his back increase as he continued moving forward, keeping his eyes on the path ahead.

"But if we spend more time together, perhaps I will genuinely come to like you," Robin continued. "When that happens, you won't mind me doing this or that with you. Of course, if I like you, I wouldn't mind doing something more... intimate with you."

"To put it another way, even if I don't really like you, Captain Ikki, wouldn't you enjoy sketching me? If you allow me to join your crew, I could be your model wearing whatever clothes you prefer."

"You mentioned not wanting a bounty from the Marines now, but I'm guessing you don't mind being wanted later when you're strong enough. As long as you let me join your crew, I can wear a mask in towns and other places."

"Besides, after so many years, my appearance has changed significantly. There should be relatively few Marines who could recognize me."

Robin leaned closer to Ikki's shoulder, her warm breath caressing his neck.

Ikki rubbed his nose and glanced at Robin's proximity. In his mind, he couldn't help but imagine her wearing various outfits: nurse, businesswoman, secretary, and others. The thought suddenly made him feel somewhat intrigued.

"Captain Ikki, you seem to be picturing me in sexy outfits," Robin observed with interest, noticing his expression.

"Ahem, what are you talking about? Am I that kind of person? I was just thinking about... costume play."

"Costume play? So Captain Ikki likes that sort of thing. I understand!" Robin nodded slightly, making a mental note.

"What do you understand... Also, I haven't agreed to you joining my crew, so don't call me 'Captain' yet," Ikki protested. "And you, you tricked Alabasta and Princess Vivi. I have to consider my crewmates' feelings no matter what."

"Instead of trying to charm me, why don't you make a call to Nami and the others? Inform them that Crocodile is waiting on the only road between Katorea and Alubarna, so they can be careful."

Ikki shook his head and tapped Robin's thigh with his finger to remind her to focus on business.

Hearing this, Robin temporarily set aside her attempts to join his crew. Ikki took out the Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialed Nami's number.

Meanwhile, in Alubarna...

"Your Majesty, the rebels have approached Alubarna Square. Please order the Royal Army to prepare for battle." Chaka, the Royal Guard Captain, knelt before King Cobra and urged anxiously.

Beside him, Pell, another Captain of the Royal Guard, also knelt before the king.

"No! Both the royal army and the rebels are citizens of Alabasta. The people of Alabasta must never harm each other," Cobra declared, waving his hand dismissively. "Chaka, Pell, I don't want to hear any more about this. I will not allow the Royal Army to fight. If sacrificing my life can prevent this civil strife, I am willing to do so."

Cobra looked past his advisors toward the royal troops stationed at the palace gates below the square, and at the approaching rebel forces in the distance. His face set in determination, he raised his voice and shouted:

"Royal Army! By order of your king! All royal troops, lay down your weapons and allow the rebels to enter the city. Even if they want to take my life, you are not permitted to harm our people!"

Many royal soldiers who had raised their spears and were nervously watching the rebel army suddenly heard Cobra's words. They looked at their king in horror.

"Your Majesty, you cannot put yourself in such danger!" one soldier cried.

"Please command us to fight back, Your Majesty! We are willing to die for you!" shouted another.

"Your Majesty, many of the rebels are unarmed. They are no match for us at all. We will certainly bring you victory," a third insisted.

At this moment, because Mr. 2 Bon Clay wasn't there to impersonate Cobra and confuse the royal army, many troops remained quite loyal to their king. They were unwilling to see Cobra sacrifice his life for peace.

"Silence, everyone! This is a royal decree!" Cobra shouted anxiously. "Anyone who disobeys my orders is no longer a member of Alabasta's Royal Army!"

Hearing this, the soldiers' expressions darkened. They reluctantly lowered their weapons and raised white flags toward the rebel army. After all, they were members of the Royal Army, and it was their duty to obey King Cobra's commands.

Cobra sighed in relief and looked worriedly toward the rebels. After gathering himself, he hurried toward the Royal Army below.

He wanted to be at the forefront of the confrontation. Although Chaka and Pell were concerned, they could only follow their king, respecting his decision.

However, before Cobra reached the palace gates, several gunshots suddenly shattered the tense calm. After the initial shots, the rebel army erupted into chaos. The sounds of gunfire and cannon fire began one after another.

"What's happening? Didn't I forbid fighting?" Cobra frowned deeply and ran faster toward the palace gate. "Who fired first?!"

By the time he arrived, the royal army and rebel forces had already engaged in battle. The chaotic scene made it impossible for people to recognize those around them. Even Cobra's orders could no longer be heard by all members of the royal army.

"Damn it, how did it come to this?" Cobra clenched his fists so tightly that his palms began to bleed, though he didn't notice.

"Your Majesty, please fall back. It's too dangerous here," Chaka and Pell urged, guarding the king from behind, their faces filled with anxiety.

But Cobra, consumed by self-blame, paid no attention to their pleas.

"Captain Ikki, it seems we're too late. The battle has already begun," Robin observed with a frown as they neared the Royal Palace of Alubarna, looking at the chaotic scene below.

In her opinion, once a battle involving hundreds of thousands of people began, it would be nearly impossible to stop easily. She felt partly responsible for this outcome, which filled her with worry and sadness.

She had already seen the Poneglyph, and she no longer wanted to witness bloodshed because of Crocodile's schemes. Moreover, if Alabasta's conflict couldn't be resolved, Robin believed Vivi would never allow her to join Ikki's crew.

"It's not too late—the battle has just started," Ikki replied. "And I told you, don't call me 'Captain' yet!"

Ikki landed on the wall at the castle gate with Robin still on his back. Looking at the battle scene below, he decisively used his Intermediate Conqueror's Haki without even taking the time to set Robin down.

To ordinary observers, an invisible wave of dominating pressure surged from Ikki and rapidly spread in all directions. To stop the fighting quickly, Ikki didn't control the direction of his Conqueror's Haki but used his full strength to extend its reach as far as possible.

In an instant, almost everyone within range of Ikki's Haki froze momentarily before collapsing unconscious to the ground.

After several tens of seconds, when Ikki finally reined in his Haki, only a handful of people remained standing on the battlefield.

"See, Robin? I told you we weren't too late," Ikki said with a smile as he finally set her down from his back.

"I-Ikki... was that..?!" Robin touched her chest and looked at him in shock. Because Ikki hadn't controlled his Conqueror's Haki, she had felt the full brunt of its impact directly behind him.

"Conqueror's Haki. What, you forgot this already?" Ikki laughed.