"Hehe..."
Uehara slowly stretched out his fingers, chuckling as he said, "Nico Robin, when it comes to it, compared to the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, shouldn't you be more afraid of this Fruit Power?"
After speaking, a chill spread from between Uehara's fingers, landing on the coffee in front of Nico Robin, instantly turning it into an ice sphere!
Nico Robin stared in shock at the scene, overwhelmed with an endless fear that made her face instantly pale with terror!
Freezing Power!
If she remembered correctly, this Fruit Power should be with that man who once turned her life into a nightmare, the Navy's highest combat force, Admiral Aokiji!
How could it appear here now?
However, what terrified Nico Robin even more was not these Fruit Powers, but the young man in front of her who seemed to have everything under control!
This young man who called himself Uehara Naraku, he knew her past, knew everything about her!
After a long time.
Nico Robin slowly clenched her fingers, regaining her composure, and looked up at Uehara Naraku, asking, "Who exactly are you...?"
"Truly wise!"
The white-haired youth wearing glasses approached, placing a glass of juice in front of Uehara Naraku, then looked at Nico Robin and said, "The one sitting in front of you, Uehara Naraku-sama, is a true deity..."
The speaker was none other than Uehara Naraku's foremost confidant, Yakushi Kabuto.
"Kabuto, that's enough."
Uehara Naraku waved his hand, signaling for Yakushi Kabuto to retreat, then turned to Nico Robin again: "I'm merely a mortal with slightly more strength... Well, let's not talk about other things, you should know there's no escape for you."
Uehara Naraku spread out his palm, playing with the lightning in his hand, and continued softly, "I heard there's a company called Baroque Works in Alabasta that's doing quite well. Coincidentally, I'm thinking of looking for a part-time job recently..."
"..."
Looking for a part-time job!
Nico Robin's forehead couldn't help but twitch.
Someone with such immense power said he wanted to find a part-time job!
Not just Nico Robin, everyone in the café couldn't help but twitch their foreheads too. They felt uneasily like someone was about to have really bad luck!
Uehara Naraku didn't care about everyone's expressions, continuing to talk to himself: "I heard that the mastermind behind this Baroque Works is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Mr. Crocodile. I personally admire him very much and want to contribute to his cause..."
"..."
Nico Robin's eyelids couldn't help but twitch.
To be honest, just the two Demon Fruit powers that Uehara Naraku displayed were enough for Nico Robin to believe he could beat Crocodile to a pulp!
If Uehara Naraku joining Baroque Works had no ulterior motives, then Nico Robin felt her years of reading had been wasted...
The expressions of those wearing Cloud Black Robes in the café were also somewhat subtle, their gazes slowly shifting to a trembling dark figure...
It was clear they all knew the last time Uehara Naraku contributed to someone's cause, they all saw that person's ending.
Really...
One of those that harms and then demands life in return!
"Sir, there's no need to do this, is there?"
Maintaining her composure, Nico Robin softly spoke: "With your power, Crocodile doesn't seem to be your match... There's no need for this, is there?"
Uehara Naraku also spread his palms, speaking softly, "There is a need...Because if I get into any trouble in the future, I can just pin it on him!"
Nico Robin: "..."
Is it really okay to so blatantly make Crocodile the scapegoat!
Besides, can Crocodile's head really bear the troubles a person like you could cause?
"Alright, I'm not asking for your opinion."
Uehara Naraku's face gradually turned serious, staring at Nico Robin as he calmly spoke: "You have two choices now, first, join our Akatsuki organization, essentially becoming my subordinate, then let me join Crocodile's Baroque Works..."
After speaking, Uehara Naraku continued to stare at Nico Robin, his expression gradually becoming colder, and a chill emanating from his body: "As for the second choice..."
"I'll choose the first!"
Nico Robin gritted her teeth.
"But you're not sincere."
Uehara Naraku shook his head, glanced at his system display panel, and called out to the people in the café: "Hey, one of you, step up and kill her?"
"Hmph, I'll do it! After all, it's seventy-nine million!"
"Wait!"
Nico Robin's expression turned a bit ugly, and she looked at Uehara Naraku, saying in a deep voice: "Didn't I already agree with you?"
"I did say you're not sincere, didn't I?"
Holding his juice, Uehara Naraku emotionlessly sipped on the straw, softly continuing, "Don't worry, even after your death, we still have ways to utilize your body and soul... In this world, there are plenty of means to use the dead, and we have even more!"
"..."
Nico Robin's expression became increasingly unsightly as she looked at Uehara Naraku and continued, "What do I have to do for you to believe! Additionally, using force to threaten someone into joining, this method, you can't expect loyalty from the person who joins!"
"Yes indeed..."
Uehara Naraku slowly nodded, looking at Nico Robin in surprise: "Since you're not loyal enough, that's why I plan to kill you and directly utilize your body and soul, that would be best for all of us!"
"..."
Is there any human sense in what you're saying?
What kind of twisted logic is this!
Nico Robin felt like she was going insane. In all her years drifting on the sea, she'd never encountered anyone as insane as Uehara Naraku!
She really wasn't afraid of dying...
But she didn't want to die without seeing the true history.
As Nico Robin was feeling desperate, a handsome young man suddenly spoke up: "Hey, Uehara, isn't this a bit harsh to force a woman? How about I use the Sharingan to control her directly!"
"The mantra would work too..."
Another red-haired young man also spoke, continuing, "I could use Memory-Concealing Manipulative Sand to control her brain, that would be better..."
"No."
Another slightly terrifying-looking man shook his head, speaking in a deep voice: "I think we should kill her, exchange her head for the bounty, and then use her remaining corpse for Reanimation, that way we don't waste anything..."
"I also agree with Kakuzu-senpai's opinion."
"Agree."
"Agree."
In an instant, the café became lively.
Only Nico Robin was dying with fear, although she didn't understand those techniques they mentioned, she comprehended things like brains, corpses, and heads!
Nico Robin deeply regretted why she chose today to read and have afternoon tea in this café, what kind of people did she run into today!
"Alright, let me ask her again..."
Uehara Naraku placed his hand on the table, looking down at the somewhat paralyzed Nico Robin, watching the fear and unease on her face.
A chill slowly spread under Uehara Naraku's hand, and he continued coldly: "Your last chance, will you choose to join Akatsuki now and never betray Akatsuki again? If so, you can survive and always have someone to protect you."
"..."
Nico Robin's lips quivered as she nodded.
"I agree."
"Very well."
Uehara Naraku slowly clapped his hands, sitting back down, his expression returning to one of laziness and casualness: "Now tell us the news from the great sea!
Also, help me prepare a member list of Baroque Works, so I can decide who to eliminate, then insert our people in..."
At the same time,
Uehara's system panel displayed two completed tasks.
Side quest: Possess a subordinate with Devil Fruit Powers (1/1), completed, reward: Life Energy 3000 points, Armament Haki 3000 points, Observation Haki 3000 points.
Side quest: Shelter the Child of the Demon Nico Robin (1/1), completed, reward: Life Energy 7900 points, Armament Haki 7900 points, Observation Haki 7900 points.