Chapter 60 - CHAPTER 60 - Let's Talk

"Can it be done?" Rosen asked Robin seriously. "Are you sure you want to do this? If it fails, the consequences won't just come from the Marines," Robin responded with uncertainty. Was he really going through with this? More than anything, she was shocked—and even a little afraid. "I'm not exactly known for my patience," Rosen said. "By the way, when you go ashore, buy all the latest newspapers. Focus on news about newly rising pirates, especially those from the North Blue. There's a chance Daz Bones might not be doomed after all." At that moment, Rosen suddenly remembered a certain pirate from the original timeline—someone known as the Surgeon of Death. In the future, he would become a Shichibukai—one of the Worst Generation, a feared and formidable name. His Devil Fruit alone was valued at over five billion Beli. With it, he could scan and analyze the human body, and even disassemble and reassemble a person's body as a form of treatment. If anyone could save Daz Bones, it was him. Of course, finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. But since he and Luffy were both Supernovas, they should have set sail around the same time—meaning he was likely somewhere in the first half of the Grand Line right now. And since he was already a Supernova, he must have done something noteworthy to earn a bounty. If they could find any relevant news reports, they might be able to predict his movements and take a gamble. Trafalgar Law—he needed to find information on this pirate. "Understood. I'll return as soon as possible," Robin nodded. "Wait, I'm coming with you," Rosen suddenly said. If someone like Onigumo, an extreme hardliner, happened to spot Robin, he might attack her, too. If Daz Bones was his left hand, then Robin was his right. One was his combat strength. The other was his intelligence. Losing either one was not an option. "You don't need to worry about me," Robin said confidently. "The Marines won't catch me so easily." "Fine. I'll wait for your report. And while you're at it, buy as many Log Poses as possible—any that can lead us to another island from here." Rosen sighed. Robin had been on the run for years—she knew how to handle herself. Besides, it was safer for him to stay on the ship—if the Marines made another move, he needed to be here. He was the only thing keeping the ship safe. The atmosphere aboard the Dawn was heavy. Understandably so. They had been humiliated—attacked at their own doorstep—and they couldn't retaliate. No one could stomach that. But objectively speaking, there was nothing they could do. —— Far north of the port city, a storm raged over a rocky sea. Dark clouds had loomed over the waters for hours. Several sailing ships were hidden behind massive reefs—impossible to spot from a distance. On the largest ship, standing on the bow in the pouring rain, Moris drank from a bottle, occasionally glancing at the sky. Nearby, a crew member pleaded with him to come inside. Seeing that he refused, they held umbrellas over him instead, reporting the latest situation. "Boss, we lost half our supply crew and a significant amount of funds—the Marines caught them. Our route might be compromised," said a refined-looking man with glasses. His name was Bate—Moris's right-hand man and most trusted advisor. "How much did we lose?" Moris frowned. Getting played by a Shichibukai had completely thrown his plans off balance. Twice now, he had been set back by them. Were Shichibukai his natural enemies? "Over 700 million Beli and 70 crew members. The one responsible was Vice Admiral Onigumo," Bate replied. "Unfortunate, but nothing we can do about it," Moris muttered. The Marines clearly wanted to lure him out with these captives and resources. But he knew better. If they stayed here too long, they would be discovered eventually. It was time to move. "Prepare to set sail. We'll settle this another time," Moris decided. A direct confrontation might go in his favor, but his crew would suffer massive casualties. And if both Vice Admirals attacked together, it would be too much trouble. Just then, a crew member rushed over, holding a Den Den Mushi. "Boss! A call from our intelligence outpost in the city!" Moris turned, slightly surprised. "Did the Marines find them?" Bate asked, equally startled. Their intelligence network was deeply embedded in the city. Normally, they never called out. If something critical happened, they would leave the island first before making contact. Now, a direct call? Something must have gone wrong. "Could be a surrender offer from the Marines," Moris chuckled. "Go ahead—answer it." —— Inside a tavern, several knocked-out intelligence agents lay at Robin's feet. She picked up the receiver. "Am I speaking to Captain Moris?" A smooth, feminine voice flowed through the Den Den Mushi. Moris raised an eyebrow. "I am. And you're not Marines, are you?" He had expected this to be a Marine call. Given how intense their operations were, the fact that this call had gone through at all suggested that the outpost had been compromised. And it had. But not by the Marines. By Robin. "I am Nico Robin, subordinate of Shichibukai Crocodile. Our boss would like to speak with you," Robin stated. Moris laughed out loud. "Crocodile? Wants to talk? Did I mishear something?" "Or has he forgotten that my current predicament is his fault?" He found it hilarious. Robin remained calm. "No, Captain Moris. I'd say you were just unlucky." Her words were smooth, confident. She was playing the game well. "Regardless, our boss has sent me to relay this offer—what do you say?" Moris went silent for a moment. Bate leaned in. "Boss, it could be a trap. A Shichibukai-Marine joint operation." Moris nodded. "Possible. Have the main fleet prepare to leave. We'll keep one fast ship behind. If it's a trap, we'll escape immediately." He turned back to the Den Den Mushi. "Fine," he said. "I'll choose the time and place. Pass that along to your boss." "Of course," Robin said with a smile. She knew human nature well. And she had a strong feeling about what Rosen was planning. But if she was right—wasn't this move too crazy? (End of Chapter) ========================================================= DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).