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

Chapter 66, the Poneglyph, a gift for Robin.

Alabasta, the land of rain.

On the second basement level of the Rainbow Casino, Nico Robin was sitting in what used to be Crocodile's office.

However, during this period, the office seems to have undergone some renovations and become larger. The original pond where Crocodile kept banana crocodiles has been transformed into a normal living room.

As the vice president of Baroque Works, Nico Robin always felt busier than when she worked for Crocodile. It seemed like there were endless documents and tasks to deal with every day, which made her feel irritable whenever she thought of the hands-off boss, Bane.

"I wonder where that guy is now?" Robin muttered to himself.

However, just as she finished speaking, the Den Den Mushi on her desk suddenly rang.

Robin was already used to this situation. With her current status, she received calls from senior executives of Baroque Works every day, mostly reporting on their work progress.

And you know what? Ever since Crocodile's Utopia project collapsed, Baroque Works has been accumulating wealth at an ever-increasing pace.

After glancing at the Den Den Mushi, Robin's expression brightened immediately, because the one who contacted her this time was none other than Bane.

After deliberately waiting a few seconds, Robin calmly answered the Den Den Mushi and said softly, "President, what can I do for you?"

"Oh dear, it seems our vice president is quite resentful," Bane said with a chuckle.

Thinking about it carefully, he also felt a little ashamed. Nicole Robin had kissed him boldly when they parted, but after leaving, Bane had never contacted her even once, which was really a bit of a jerk.

Upon hearing Bane's voice, Robin replied calmly, "How could I dare? After all, I witnessed the fate of the previous president."

"Hehehe," Bane chuckled twice, then said, "Speaking of which, is the encrypted fax machine I asked you to prepare last time ready?"

Upon hearing this, Robin glanced unconsciously at the fax machine on his desk and said, "Of course, but it hasn't even been turned on yet. It's really pitiful."

"There's a hidden meaning in his words," Bane clicked his tongue.

How come he never noticed before that Robin is quite clingy?

Wasn't it agreed that her character was a cunning, independent, and mature woman?

Before Robin could reply, Bane said with a smile, "I've been looking for a gift for you all this time, and today I've finally found the perfect one. I'm sure it will suit your taste. So, what's the encryption code for the fax machine? I'll take a picture of the gift and send it to you."

"This is the first time I've ever heard of giving someone a photo as a gift," Robin remarked with amusement, but quickly provided a code.

Over there, Bane was fiddling with his fax machine in the cabin.

A short while later, a previously taken photo was sent out.

The fax machine on Robin's end was clicking away. Although she remained seated in the boss's chair, a pair of hands had sprouted from the machine. After a moment, they retrieved the photo sent by Bane.

Robin's expression changed drastically after just one glance. He stood up from his chair, took two steps to the table, and picked up the faxed photo.

Then, with a hint of excitement in her voice, she said, "The Poneglyphs! This is the Poneglyphs!?"

That's right, the photos that Bane took of her were the historical texts hidden in the land of gold, Santorini.

"How is it? Do you like this gift?" Bane asked with a smile.

Robin, snapping out of his reverie at the photograph in the Poneglyph, smiled brightly and asked, "How would you like me to reward you?"

The mature woman was indeed a mature woman; her very first words were captivating, causing Bane to feel a little swayed even on the Den Den Mushi. However, being a man of strong will, Bane quickly teased, "Just help me manage Baroque Works well and make me lots of money."

"What an oblivious man~" Robin said deliberately in a seductive tone.

But after saying that, she couldn't help but laugh, holding the photo in one hand and asking, "Where did you find this?"

"Sky Island, the land of gold, Shandora," Bane replied calmly.

"The Land of Gold!?" Robin was slightly surprised, but only slightly, and quickly continued, "I didn't expect you to be able to find such a legendary sea treasure."

She had originally planned to chat with Bane about the Land of Gold, but before she could speak, she noticed some unexpected insights from the historical text in the photograph, and changed the subject, saying, "Someone reached that legendary Land of Gold before you."

"Was it the ancient texts left on the historical record that told you that?" Bane replied, unsurprised.

"I came here to guide this text to its final destination." Robin translated the ancient text simply and clearly, then said, "This text was left by the Pirate King, Roger."

"I see," Bane remarked, feigning surprise.

This made Robin ask, somewhat puzzled, "Why do you seem completely uninterested in this?"

"I wasn't really curious to begin with. I've told you before that I'm not interested in that period of history. The reason I sent you the photos of the historical text is because you like it, right? It's a gift from me, nothing more," Bane replied calmly.

"Hehehe~" Robin chuckled twice, then said in a seductive tone, "You should know that the Poneglyphs contain incredibly terrifying Ancient Weapons. Aren't you tempted by such power? Perhaps this Poneglyph you're showing me contains a power capable of destroying the world?"

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

Robin wasn't lying, and Bane knew perfectly well that the Skypiea, as recorded in the Poneglyphs, was the location of Poseidon, one of the legendary ancient weapons capable of destroying the world.

However, Bane knew perfectly well that the Sea King was none other than Shirahoshi, the little princess of the Fish-Man Island royal family.

Therefore, he wasn't particularly interested in the Poneglyphs. He might become slightly more interested if he ever discovered the secret of Uranus, the King of the Sky King.

"Not interested, not tempted," Bane replied to Robin crisply.

Then, before Robin could speak again, Bane said, "Alright, alright, I can already smell the aroma of roasted meat. The Sky Beasts on Skypiea are beckoning me. I'm not talking to you anymore. Focus on your work. If I achieve anything else later, I'll reward you again."

After saying this, Bane hung up the Den Den Mushi without any hesitation.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Nico Robin looked at the silent Den Den Mushi in her hand with a somewhat helpless expression. That thing... it really is unpredictable.

Regardless, Bane's refusal to inquire about the Poneglyphs relieved Robin's anxiety. Whether he was in disguise or had some other scheme, at least for now, he wasn't putting any pressure on her, allowing her to be more at ease.

Meanwhile, Bane had also walked out of the cabin and onto the deck.

Looking into the distance, there seems to be a village hidden in the clouds, and the enticing aroma of roasted meat is coming from there.

Indeed, by this time, Bane and his group had already left Apayado, and Weber rang the bell and lit the lamps of Shandora.

Afterwards, the Shandians, having fulfilled their wish, generously gifted this land of gold to Bann.

There was no other way. Bane had never hidden his intention to take the Golden City away, so Waver and the others knew that they couldn't stop Bane and his group. Rather than ruining their relationship and causing trouble over the Golden City, they might as well be generous and just give it to them.

As for Bane, since the Shandians offered to give them something, it was somewhat justifiable, so he didn't refuse at all. With a wave of his hand, the power of darkness devoured the Golden Land, meaning that he now carried immeasurable wealth with him.

After taking care of the Golden Land, they didn't linger in Apayado. Weber contacted the villagers in advance to prepare a barbecue for the Sky Beasts, and Bane was naturally eager to go and taste the flavors of this Sky Island.

(End of this chapter)