Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 36 Come on, let's work together to take down Crocodile!

Bane had Robin by the neck, while some bounty hunters around them looked eager to pounce.

But before Bane could speak, the clever Robin preemptively ordered, "Everyone, disperse. Can't you see I have something to discuss with Mr. Bane?"

As the second-in-command of Baroque Works, Nico Robin actually wields greater authority than Crocodile among these lower- and middle-ranking members.

Because the lower and middle-level members had no idea that they were working for Crocodile. They only knew that there was a very mysterious and powerful boss behind them. Over the years, the boss had solved many problems that seemed difficult for them to solve, demonstrating his strength and ability. But the lower and middle-level members did not know who this boss was.

On the contrary, Nicole Robin, as the vice president, wields considerable influence among these lower- and middle-level executives.

As soon as she spoke, the dozen or so bounty hunters silently retreated a distance. At this moment, Bane released Nico Robin, put her on the ground, and looked at the people around him, saying, "Alright, you can all disperse now. Go outside the camp and keep an eye on those two giants who might start fighting again at any time. And don't let those dinosaurs bother me!"

With a whoosh, the remaining bounty hunters scattered. Although they seemed to be following Bane's orders, there were probably a few lurking among them.

Bane didn't care about these people, nor did he feel any anger at being "betrayed." In his view, after dealing with Crocodile and absorbing his legacy, these people would all be working for him.

What's there to care about?

By then, we'll all be "family." Only then will any betrayal be something to be angry about and punished.

The huge camp was soon empty. Hundreds of underlings were on guard around the perimeter of the camp, while only Bane, Zoro, and Nami were inside, entertaining Nico Robin.

"Zoro, get a clean set of cutlery and invite our guests to try the local specialties," Bane casually instructed.

Zoro quickly got up, took out a whole new set of cutlery from a short distance away, and placed it on the empty seat.

Nico Robin glanced at the group, then gracefully sat down in an empty seat, even offering Zoro a drink, "Young man, could I have another drink?"

Zoro raised an eyebrow, seemingly admiring her courage, and opened his wine jug on the table, filling Nico Robin's glass with wine.

Nami had already sat down, but she was also a little confused about the situation, so she consciously shut up and sat quietly to the side.

Bane had already sat down again and was eating the roasted meat with gusto as if nothing had happened. While eating, he ladled a large bowl of "fish soup" with mosasaur meat and placed it in front of Nico Robin, saying, "Try it, it tastes very good."

Nicole Robin picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and ate it naturally, even calmly drinking her wine.

After about ten minutes, Bane picked up a tissue from the table, wiped his hands, lit a cigar, and looked at Nico Robin, saying, "Well then, explain your purpose, Nico Robin. You didn't come here just to deliver these 79 million Berries, did you?"

"You've probably already figured it out; we have people among your subordinates," Nicole Robin said, picking up a napkin from the table and elegantly wiping the grease from the corner of her mouth.

"Of course, and quite a lot," Bane said nonchalantly, chewing on his cigar.

"Perhaps I should introduce myself first. As you said, I am indeed a bounty criminal with a reward of 79 million Berries from the World Government, but at the same time, I am also the most mysterious organization on the Grand Line." Nico Robin wanted to use her identity to put pressure on Bane and regain some leverage.

Before she could finish speaking, Bane raised his hand to stop her, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said, "Not so much in the Grand Line, but in the first half, you're still somewhat qualified. I know you, Baroque Works, a huge criminal organization hidden in the shadows. You are the second-in-command of this organization, that is, the vice president."

Nicole Robin was clearly surprised that Bane knew so much information, but she quickly seemed to guess what was going on and said with feigned distress, "It seems that some of my subordinates have also chosen to betray me. This is truly distressing."

In her view, it must have been that one of the people who boarded the ship with Bane betrayed and sold out the organization, which is how Bane learned of this information.

Bane calmly shook his head and said, "It's not because someone betrayed you, but because I already knew all this. Not just you, but also the boss behind Baroque Works, Crocodile, who is currently one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Tsk, this guy is really interesting. A pirate, and he's addicted to playing the role of a national hero in Alabasta?"

When Bane accurately mentioned Crocodile, Nico Robin was genuinely surprised, because very few people in the organization knew anything about Crocodile; only a very few high-ranking officers knew some of it.

Ignoring Robin's surprised look, Bane slightly raised his chin and asked again in a somewhat arrogant manner, "So, no need for any self-introductions, just state your purpose, Nico Robin."

Before arriving, Nicole Robin always felt that she had made plans and schemes, and that she was the one who was caught off guard, so she should have the advantage in all aspects.

When she finally met Bane in person, she suddenly realized that all her plans and schemes were just empty talk. Her assessment of Bane, based on only a little bit of information and her own speculation, was completely wrong!

"I don't know when it started, but I've ended up like Crocodile, afflicted with arrogance," Robin thought with some regret.

Is this a case of "one is influenced by one's surroundings"?

This left Robin somewhat at a loss for words.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

He had originally intended to say that he was there on behalf of Crocodile, a very important figure, to recruit Bane.

But it's obvious that Bane's words just now showed a lot of knowledge about Crocodile and no respect whatsoever. Wouldn't it be awkward for him to say this again now?

For a moment, Nico Robin couldn't find a better reason, so after thinking for a while, she forced herself to say, "I'm here on behalf of Mr. Crocodile. He's heard about your deeds, and as you may know, he also had many unpleasant experiences with the Whitebeard Pirates, so he greatly admires you and hopes to invite you to join him."

"Very well, I understand Mr. Crocodile's intentions." Bane nodded noncommittally, then looked at Nico Robin with a meaningful gaze and asked, "And what about your intentions?"

"Me?" Nico Robin feigned confusion, saying, "As I just said, I'm here representing Mr. Crocodile."

"But that doesn't mean you're only here to see me on his behalf." Bane tapped the ash off his cigar and said with a hint of disdain, "Besides, does Crocodile even deserve to recruit me? If he came to talk to me in person, maybe we could have a few words."

Nico Robin didn't respond to that, but instead said with feigned helplessness, "It seems we can't reach an agreement here. If Mr. Bane needs Mr. Crocodile to speak with you personally, then I will convey your wishes to him later."

What she meant by saying this was to tentatively suggest whether she could leave.

It wouldn't be wise to offend a Shichibukai just for my sake, would it?

Seeing Nico Robin's attitude, Bane shook his head helplessly. It was only because he liked Robin quite a bit and needed her to take over Crocodile's business that he could manage it. Otherwise, if it were someone else, going around in circles like this, he would have twisted their head off.

After a moment, Bane spoke up: "Then let me speak, Nico Robin. I need your help to take down Crocodile. Are you willing to cooperate?"

(End of this chapter)