Chapter 58 - CHAPTER 58 - Choices and Trouble Arrives

"Is all the cargo ready? Tomorrow is the third day. The Log Pose should be set, and it's time to prepare for departure." Standing at the ship's bow, Rosen watched as Rear Admiral Harry and the children left. Then, he turned to Robin. "Everything is ready. But do you really trust what the Marines gave you?" Robin was referring to the documents Harry had provided. "The logic, structure, and coherence all check out. If he had made it up on the spot, I doubt anyone could fabricate something so flawlessly without a single contradiction." "Besides, if he didn't want to share it, he would've refused outright. He had no reason to deceive me over something of relatively minor value. And let's not forget—I saved his life. If he were the type to betray his savior, I wouldn't have entrusted him with the children." Rosen had his own judgment. While nothing was absolute, the chances of Harry lying to him were low. Besides, it was just a training method—even if it were inaccurate, there was no risk of serious harm. At worst, it simply wouldn't produce the intended results. "You sure don't sound like a lifesaving benefactor. Honestly, I can't tell what kind of person you really are anymore," Robin said, gazing at the distant sea with a rare moment of honesty. "What kind of person? That's a deep question. Some people go their whole lives without ever figuring that out. But for now, we are people with something to do—and that's enough." Rosen had never dwelled on such things. Did it even matter? As long as one understood what they wanted, they should go for it. Overthinking, getting caught up in perceptions of how one should be—that was something only people living for others worried about. "Hmm." "But I do know what kind of person you are," Rosen added, sensing Robin's distraction. "You mean because of my betrayals? Or my past?" "No, I mean your future. No one stays the same forever. One day, we'll all get what we want." His words struck something deep within Robin, reminding her of a certain someone who had once told her something similar. Rosen didn't want darkness to consume her. After the events at Sake City, he had realized just how valuable Robin's intelligence skills were. If she had hope for the future, she would be at her fullest potential. And that was something that benefited both of them. Robin remained silent for a long time, staring at the calm sea. Eventually, she spoke. "What is it that you want?" "This life. Maybe it's dangerous, maybe it's not all sunshine—but experiencing the wonders of this world, that's what I want." Rosen meant it. What could be more exciting than surviving in a world as chaotic and fantastical as this? "Then I'll help you," Robin said softly before walking away. She had started to accept it. The Crocodile she followed now was different. From abandoning Alabasta, to saving the children, to protecting her at the banquet—he was not the same as before. If he truly wanted to witness the world, then she would keep her promise. "Haven't you always been helping me?" Rosen smirked. "MR.1 hopes I'll be more dedicated. If you want to thank someone, thank him," Robin replied with a rare smile. For the first time, she felt at ease. Rosen never dwelled on betrayals. Was this what being accepted felt like? Rosen grinned. He wasn't sure what Daz Bones had said, but he was relieved. He could sense the genuineness in Robin's voice. She wasn't entirely loyal, not yet. But she was committed enough—for now, that was enough. He had always worried about a future betrayal, but there was no better intelligence officer than her. If she betrayed him again, he wasn't sure if he would let her live. When they first met, she had treated him as the old Crocodile, which didn't affect him. But now, her attitude had changed—and so had his trust in her. "Maybe not everything that happened in Sake City was bad." —— As the sun set, Rosen sat at the bow, fishing—but soon drifted into a nap. Maybe fishing just wasn't for him. But he wanted to enjoy the rare moments of peace. His body still needed time to fully recover, so he couldn't train yet. He realized something—they needed more entertainment on the ship. To keep a crew mentally strong, they needed distractions. The cool ocean breeze blew as the sea glistened under the fading light. A fish had already bitten his hook—unnoticed. A maid approached, placing a meal before him, waking him up. Rosen accepted the plate and casually asked, "Have Daz Bones and the others returned yet?" "Not yet," the maid answered quietly. Rosen frowned. "The island isn't exactly safe right now. Bring me a Den Den Mushi—I'll check in on them." The ship's doctor had mentioned Daz Bones went out to buy medicine. Even if they got sidetracked, they should have been back by now. Just as the maid turned to leave— "Boss!" A bloodied figure emerged from the shore, carrying Daz Bones on his back. It was MR.5's voice. Rosen turned—and his expression darkened instantly. It was Daz Bones, severely injured. Both he and MR.5 were covered in blood. "Quick, get them aboard! What happened?!" The crew rushed forward, lifting them onto the ship. The moment he saw his own people, MR.5 collapsed. Rosen's good mood vanished. A dark, ominous aura surrounded him. "Treat MR.1 first—I'm fine. The enemy didn't care about me," MR.5 gasped. "MR.1 was injected with something—save him, now!" His voice was urgent. Though MR.5 was injured, he had mostly exhausted himself rather than sustaining life-threatening wounds. Over the past few days, he and Daz Bones had trained together, gradually forming a genuine friendship. They may have been cold-blooded assassins, but that didn't mean they couldn't have comrades. "Doctor, start treatment immediately. MR.5, who did this?" Rosen's voice was low and dangerous. Sake City shouldn't have had any strong forces left. Daz Bones was powerful—he could handle a bounty worth over 100 million. Even if he encountered a troublesome Devil Fruit ability, he shouldn't have been this badly injured. "It was the Marines," MR.5 spat, seething with rage. "Vice Admiral Onigumo attacked. He told me to deliver a message—" "'The Shichibukai's duty is not to observe, but to assist.'" Rosen's eyes narrowed. "So this is about Luca?" Was Onigumo punishing him for not saving the Marine Captain? Rosen scoffed coldly. A Vice Admiral openly slapping him in the face? "Tell me everything," he ordered. The crew hurried to assist the ship's doctor, while Rosen's killing intent surged. (End of Chapter) ========================================================= DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS PAT REON . 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