What a worry.
The story of this world is quite melodramatic.
Admiral Aokiji has always wanted Nico Robin to follow an old friend's wish, find companions and live well; but Nico Robin wants to kill Aokiji now, to avenge Saulo.
Nico Robin gazed at Aokiji, her expression faintly excited, her eyes gradually accumulating mist, tears slowly streaming down her cheeks!
"Saulo was my only friend!"
This woman suddenly wiped away the tears on her face, her voice gradually becoming somewhat grim: "Admiral Aokiji, I have never dared to think about it, but today I have the chance to kill you, the demon who killed Saulo..."
Yes, I never dared to think about it.
Nico Robin knows that no matter what, she could never be a match for Aokiji, so she never dared to think of revenge, only surviving like a rat.
Once she finds someone chasing her, she would flee directly.
"It's all good."
Aokiji looked up at the azure sky, slowly speaking: "I really didn't expect it, you still remember Saulo? Then go ahead and kill me now, so you won't have to carry this hatred anymore, right?"
After saying this, Aokiji suddenly looked at Uehara Naraku and spoke: "Hey, Uehara Naraku, you guys won't let me go, right? This is my grave, prepared for me, right? Before I die, can I have a few words with Nico Robin alone?"
"...Okay."
Uehara Naraku slowly nodded, and as he left with Hoshigaki Kisame temporarily, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.
After they left.
Aokiji slowly sat up, looking at the instantly tense Nico Robin, he spoke softly: "Don't be nervous, I won't make a move now, I've been defeated, only death awaits, rather than dying at their hands, it's better to die by yours."
"What do you want to say to me?"
Nico Robin's expression remained very vigilant.
Aokiji raised his head to look at Nico Robin, his voice suddenly lowered: "The giant who fought for Ohara seventeen years ago, Jaguar D. Saul was my good friend."
"What?"
Nico Robin's expression changed.
Back then she saw with her own eyes Aokiji kill Saulo! At this moment, Nico Robin suddenly understood why Aokiji let her go from Ohara...
Aokiji's expression remained indifferent, his voice grew lower: "Back then I followed his will and let you go from Ohara island and felt obliged to observe your life, these years I've been watching you.
Seventeen years have passed, you haven't changed much, never thought of finding a safe haven, instead, you would betray your companions and flee at the news of pursuit, I thought you would betray them after seeing me and flee alone.
Now you didn't flee, perhaps you've seen their strength, or truly found a haven, for that I'm happy.
But that Uehara Naraku is very dangerous..."
At this point, Aokiji suddenly rubbed his head, interrupting himself: "Well, anyway, you've at least found a place, don't disappoint Saulo, live well on your own!"
"As long as you're alive, Ohara hasn't perished."
After these words, sitting on the ground, Aokiji's back slightly hunched, his head slowly drooped down: "I've said my piece, now kill me!"
This was Aokiji's last words.
For so many years, he's been watching over Nico Robin, afraid that the little girl he let go would die on the sea.
Perhaps...
In his heart, he's regarded Nico Robin as a daughter?
Or perhaps, he's atoning for the Navy's sins in Ohara back then.
Who knows!
This is the one who wanted to give warmth to people the most, but instead received the coldest Fruit in the world, truly a great irony.
"Aokiji..."
After hearing Aokiji's last words, Nico Robin slowly clenched her fist, her eyes once again filled with mist.
Nico Robin suddenly shook her head, speaking in a deep voice: "I can't betray Akatsuki... Aokiji, please surrender to us!"
Nico Robin looked at Aokiji, continuing: "Earlier, Uehara Naraku said he's teasing you about becoming a Navy Spy, he definitely won't let you go back and leak information!
But as long as you surrender and stay with me in Akatsuki, Uehara Naraku surely won't kill you, everyone in this organization treats him like a god!
Uehara Naraku even believes himself to be a true god, manipulating this world, he's so arrogant, as long as you surrender, he'll surely accept you, the Admiral, because to him, it's a boastful toy..."
"An Admiral of the Navy Headquarters cannot surrender."
Aokiji lowered his head, rejecting Robin's proposal, his voice carried a trace of stubbornness and coldness: "When I was defeated, I was already prepared to die here, do it, Nico Robin, at least let me leave peacefully."
"..."
Nico Robin was silent.
Nico Robin suddenly knelt in front of him, looking up at Kuzan, her voice suddenly became emotional, tears running down her cheeks.
"Don't speak of death so lightly! For seventeen years, I've been worried daily about being chased, yet I've still been striving to live!"
"Sure is a rebellious little girl..."
Aokiji reached out his hand to stroke Nico Robin's hair, his ever-cold face showing a hint of relieved smile: "Haven't been able to see you properly, now you've clearly grown up, so don't throw tantrums like a child anymore..."
"..."
Nico Robin lowered her head and wiped her tears.
At this moment, seventeen years of grievances were fully resolved here.
Nico Robin knew everything this man had done for her, and now she just wanted Aokiji to survive, even if it meant living as shamefully as she once did.
Nico Robin could understand the pride of a Navy Admiral...
But she still wanted Aokiji to live, even if it meant living in disgrace.
Just as Aokiji wanted to say something more, he saw Uehara Naraku looking at them from afar, revealing a mysterious smile.
No, something's not right about that guy!
Aokiji's expression suddenly shifted, reverting to a cold indifference: "Nico Robin, hurry up and act, I have no strength left inside me, I can't commit suicide..."
"Don't be in such a rush to die!"
Uehara Naraku placed his palm on Nico Robin's shoulder, the corners of his mouth slightly curled into a smile, and he spoke to Aokiji: "Actually, both of you are wrong, I'm serious. As long as you agree to be my spy, I'll let you leave."
After saying this, Uehara Naraku ignored Nico Robin and Aokiji's astonishment, rubbed his forehead with his hand, and said: "It's such a headache, when I want to threaten you for loyalty, I can't find anyone to use as a hostage..."
After saying this, he looked at Aokiji, and his face suddenly showed a peculiar smile: "Do I have to use your teacher, Grand Admiral Zephyr, to threaten you? You're surely aware, Admiral Zephyr couldn't possibly be my match...
And how about your friend Smoker, who guards Log Town? He's your friend, right? But I think you, with your cold demeanor, may not care about them..."
"..."
Aokiji's expression remained unchanged.
He's actually a bit panicked inside.
Because the two people Uehara Naraku mentioned are indeed among those he cares about the most, especially his teacher, Grand Admiral Zephyr.
Uehara Naraku lowered his head in thought for a while, then suddenly reached out his palm toward Hoshigaki Kisame, and a mass of ghostly green energy was pulled from Hoshigaki Kisame's body!
That was the Soul Contract he had signed with Hoshigaki Kisame back then!
Although the Call of Destiny had already been exchanged for Chakra Energy, the Soul Contract was still present in him and Kisame!
Uehara Naraku waved his hand, and that ghostly green energy was cast onto the ground, and a green short spear fell in front of Aokiji: "If you don't want them to die with you, then pick up this Dark Spear!"
Dark Spear: Offers a cooperation agreement to others through the Dark Spear, if they accept the agreement, the Dark Spear will enter their body, binding their soul. If they betray the contract, the soul of the betrayer will be absorbed into the Dark Spear, enhancing its power. (Can only bind one person, can be actively lifted.)
"..."
Aokiji fell into silence.
Hoshigaki Kisame let out a faint sigh.
Nico Robin beside them gently persuaded: "Aokiji, first follow his orders, no one among the Akatsuki members will defy his orders... If he gets angry, he definitely will do as he says!"
"..."
Aokiji slowly extended his palm.
Nico Robin was right, no matter what, find a way to stabilize Uehara Naraku first.
The next moment, he slowly held the Dark Spear made of ghostly green energy lying on the ground.
As Aokiji grasped the Dark Spear, a ghostly green energy entwined their bodies, and a divine sigh appeared in their ears.
Oath has been signed.
"Even if you are a Navy Admiral, once you betray our agreement, you will die instantly, and your soul will not find peace."
Uehara Naraku waved his hand to heal Aokiji's body, then spoke softly: "In this way, even if you betray me, you won't have the opportunity to leak my information,"
After saying this, Uehara Naraku looked at Aokiji, and his face once again showed a smile: "Don't keep such a cold expression, be happy. At least this way, you can monitor me and even persuade me to abandon some wrong ideas..."
What Uehara Naraku said indeed makes sense.
At least by becoming one of his people, you can monitor his actions and prevent his dangerous moves.
Aokiji's expression slightly softened, he looked up and asked: "Now, can you tell me your true identity and real purpose?"
"Our true identity is Akatsuki, bringing the hope of dawn to this world."
After solemnly introducing his identity, Uehara Naraku spread his palms and continued: "Of course, our apparent identity is employees of Baroque Works, the main purpose is to let this world know the terror of Mr. Crocodile!
We want the entire world to recognize how terrifying Mr. Crocodile is, that he is the man most likely to become the Pirate King!"
"Sorry, stop for a moment..."
Aokiji couldn't help scratching his head, looking at Uehara Naraku and asked: "Um, can I ask, do you have a hatred against that guy Crocodile?"
Is this planning to ruin Crocodile?
Such methods of spreading terror are usually done by small pirates seeking fame and death!
If Crocodile, who is recognized as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and is highly renowned, dares to do that, he will definitely attract a host of powerful enemies!
Why would these two, with such strong power, truly hide in a small place like Baroque Works to ruin Crocodile!
What is this really for...
If there's hatred, couldn't they just secretly kill him?
"There should be no hatred, right?"
Uehara Naraku turned his head and glanced at Nico Robin: "Hey, Robin, has Mr. Crocodile ever said anything bad about me? Like treating me as an experiment or something?"
"..."
Nico Robin thought for a while, shaking her head: "No, Crocodile only said he regards you as disposable tools."
"Then now I have a grudge against him."