There weren't many special techniques left that truly suited Robin.
Red had, of course, considered having Robin learn the Six Powers, then letting her develop either a giant clone capable of using them, or even an army of standard clones that could do the same.
After all, although the Six Powers had long since become commonplace in the pirate world, there was no denying how powerful they were.
However, Robin spent the vast majority of her daily time meditating and cultivating her mental strength. On top of that, she simply wasn't naturally gifted in physical combat…
Rather than wasting time forcing her to learn the Six Powers, it would be far more effective to let her continue refining her mental power to enhance her overall strength.
That said, calling Robin's physical skills "weak" was only in comparison to monsters like Luffy and Zoro.
At the very least, her observational and analytical abilities were absolutely top-tier in the pirate world—so much so that they even surpassed the Observation Haki of many powerful fighters.
In the original timeline during the Dressrosa arc, Robin had relied on her extraordinary dynamic perception to easily defeat Cavendish after he entered his second personality!
One had to understand…
Once Cavendish entered that state, his speed became so terrifying that even Bartolomeo—already quite formidable—could barely track him!
Yet Robin still managed, at the exact instant she was attacked, to precisely activate the Flower-Flower Fruit's ability on Cavendish's body and subdue him in one clean move.
And now, having gained Psychic attributes and spending every day cultivating through meditation, Robin's insight had long since broken through its limits.
Perhaps even Luffy and the others wouldn't necessarily be her match in this regard.
And besides…
"It's rare to develop a clone technique that's this compatible with physical combat," Red muttered to himself. "If Robin doesn't learn at least a few physical techniques, that'd really be a shame."
Watching Robin in the distance as she once again located another regional boss Pokémon, Red fell into deep thought.
"Isn't there some way to showcase Robin's incredible insight while also compensating for her lack of physical aptitude?"
With nothing better to do, Red lay down on a rock brushed by a gentle breeze—undisturbed by wild Pokémon—and began a full-on brainstorming session.
In the anime, Robin hadn't completely lacked physical combat prowess either.
During the Onigashima battle, she had defeated Black Maria—whose bounty was 480 million Beli—using Fish-Man Karate she'd learned while training with Hack in the Revolutionary Army.
"Could it be that Robin is more compatible with a soft, technical martial art like Fish-Man Karate?"
"As a woman, she really isn't suited for the wide, explosive combat style that Luffy and Zoro favor…"
"Wait—soft techniques?!"
Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Red snapped his eyes open and shot upright from the rock.
His gaze flickered as he muttered to himself,
"Soft techniques… insight…?"
"There's a really strong sense of déjà vu in that combination!"
In that instant, Red's mind flashed to the Hyuga Clan from his previous life's anime—Naruto.
By relying on the Byakugan, which allowed them to see the flow of energy inside the human body, the Hyuga Clan had developed the Gentle Fist, a martial art specifically designed to strike vital points.
While the pirate world had no such thing as the Byakugan, and Robin—despite having eaten the Flower-Flower Fruit—clearly couldn't gain a similar ability…
Who said that Gentle Fist had to target chakra points?
There were no chakra meridians in the pirate world for Robin to strike.
But from another angle…
Robin's precise insight, combined with techniques specifically targeting joints and structural weaknesses of the body…
Even if she couldn't fully recreate the Hyuga Gentle Fist, it would absolutely raise her combat power by several levels.
And most importantly, Robin's early combat style had always focused on targeting joints in the first place.
It was only later, when battles escalated into massive spectacles, that she lost the chance to fully apply that approach.
"Even if it's just an idea… it might actually work."
"But to turn it into reality, I'd need a teacher truly proficient in Fish-Man Karate."
With that thought in mind, Red lay back down on the rock, his mood noticeably lighter.
If this plan really succeeded, then the Straw Hat Pirates would truly be heading toward becoming a crew where every single member had their own unique specialty.
And when that time came…
The sparks created by the game world's level-up rewards combined with the crew's own talents and potential would undoubtedly shock the entire world!
...
...
"What? You want Ryugu Palace to send someone proficient in Fish-Man Karate!?"
Inside Ryugu Palace, King Neptune—who had been eating and drinking at a banquet—was interrupted by a suddenly delivered Den Den Mushi.
Yet he showed no displeasure at all.
Because he knew very well that only one group could possibly be calling him through that Den Den Mushi—
The Straw Hat Pirates.
Ever since confirming that the Straw Hat Pirates had truly attacked Mary Geoise and rescued over a thousand enslaved Fish-Men and Merfolk, Neptune's respect for them had skyrocketed.
What had once been courtesy shown merely out of deference to the Whitebeard Pirates had now transformed into genuine reverence. The Straw Hats had become honored guests of Fish-Man Island.
As for their requests—Neptune spared no effort to fulfill them.
Upon hearing Red mention his desire to find a Fish-Man Karate master, Neptune's mind immediately became active as he began selecting candidates among Ryugu Palace's elite guards.
But just then, a massive blue figure entered his peripheral vision.
Neptune froze mid-thought.
After a brief flash of inspiration, he spoke into the Den Den Mushi:
"Sir Red, please give me some time. I'll personally select someone who will surely satisfy you to teach Fish-Man Karate."
"That's fine—we're not in a hurry,"
said the Den Den Mushi bearing Red's expression with a gentle smile, before hanging up on its own.
The instant the call ended, Neptune turned his gaze toward one of the banquet's guests, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Jinbe, you've been free lately, haven't you?"
"Eh?!"
Jinbe—who had been wondering who could possibly be calling Neptune—froze. Recalling the loudly broadcasted contents of the call, an odd suspicion arose in his heart.
Setting down his sake cup, he hesitated briefly before nodding.
"Because of the Straw Hat Pirates, Marine surveillance is everywhere in the New World right now. Things should be quiet for a while."
"Is that so? That's wonderful!"
Neptune slapped the table and burst into laughter.
Jinbe shot him a strange look and asked directly,
"Your Majesty, do you need me to handle something?"
"Wahahahaha!"
Neptune laughed heartily.
"I won't beat around the bush, Jinbe~"
"You heard the call just now. The Straw Hat Pirates need someone proficient in Fish-Man Karate…"
"And didn't you also want to meet the Straw Hat Pirates? Perfect timing—you'll go and teach them Fish-Man Karate."
"That way, I won't need to act as a middleman for you."
"The Straw Hat Pirates?" Jinbe's eyes widened again. "The caller just now… was a member of the Straw Hat Pirates?!"
"Hm?!" This time, Neptune looked confused. "That was their vice-captain, Red—an infamous pirate with a bounty of 3.5 billion Beli!"
"You didn't know?"
"Vice-captain… I see."
Jinbe nodded in realization and explained,
"Whitebeard was in a hurry, and it's hard to obtain information in the deep sea. I only knew about the Straw Hats' captain and their deeds."
"I see~" Neptune nodded knowingly, then asked again, "So, will you go?"
"Of course!" Jinbe smiled warmly. "Whitebeard also asked me to deliver a gift to the Straw Hat Pirates."
"It seems Whitebeard truly holds them in high regard."
...
...
"Clones plus joint-based soft techniques?!"
Night fell.
Beside a temporarily constructed legion camp, the Straw Hat Pirates gathered around a massive bonfire.
Above the flames, a gigantic sea beast—skewered between two broken ship masts—was being roasted, releasing an irresistible aroma.
Hearing Red's proposal, Robin—who had been enjoying the grilled fish—paused mid-motion, a thoughtful glint appearing in her eyes.
After a moment, she gently furrowed her brow.
"But… we don't really know any soft martial arts, do we? Is this a move from the Pokémon world?"
"Of course not."
Red smiled.
"And who said we don't have any soft martial arts techniques?"
"I've already asked Neptune to send a professional to teach us Fish-Man Karate. Judging by the time, he should be arriving soon."
"Huh?!"
The instant Red finished speaking, the Straw Hats' three main powerhouses—and Usopp—froze simultaneously, setting down their food and turning toward the same direction.
"There's a really strong presence approaching us…"
Usopp, the weakest among them, spoke first and nervously asked,
"Is it an enemy?!"
"No."
Before Luffy and the others could raise their guard, Red lifted his hand and laughed.
"It's probably not an enemy—but the teacher I found specifically for Robin."
As he spoke, Red released his vast psychic power, probing toward the incoming presence.
The next instant, delight flashed in his eyes.
Psychic perception might not cover as wide a range as Observation Haki, but its clarity was on an entirely different level.
So Red immediately saw who was approaching!
Someone riding atop a shark inside a bubble ring…
A massive blue chubby guy?!
"Jinbe?! Neptune actually sent him to be Robin's Fish-Man Karate instructor?!"
Red's eyes gleamed.
He'd been debating whether to recruit Jinbe into the Straw Hat Pirates like in the original storyline.
But when they arrived at Fish-Man Island, Jinbe had been nowhere to be found.
And without the Marineford War, Jinbe's status as one of the Seven Warlords hadn't been revoked—he was still active.
So Red had never known how to properly cross paths with him.
In the end, he'd left everything to fate.
But who would've thought…
Fate was this stubborn.
Even with the pirate world's storyline altered to such an extent, Jinbe still ended up intersecting with the Straw Hat Pirates.
Red suddenly chuckled and turned to Robin.
"Robin, you'd better seize this opportunity."
"The one about to appear is absolutely the greatest Fish-Man Karate master alive today!"
"Oh?!"
Red's words successfully drew puzzled looks from Robin and the rest of the crew.
Not long after, Jinbe—still riding his shark—passed through the dense Sea Forest and appeared before the Straw Hats.
Swish—swish—swish!
The sudden intrusion instantly put the resting Straw Hat legion on alert.
Even Jinbe himself was startled by the sight.
"Huh?!"
Facing thousands of hostile gazes locked onto him, Jinbe halted immediately.
At that moment, a shout rang out from below him.
"Hey, Sir Jinbe~! Over here!!!"
Jinbe looked down and saw Red waving enthusiastically at him.
With Red's voice breaking the tension, the Straw Hat legion realized Jinbe was a friend, not a foe, and relaxed once more.
"Esteemed members of the Straw Hat Pirates, my apologies for arriving late!"
Cradling a treasure chest, Jinbe leapt down from the shark and landed near the bonfire.
With a warm smile, he stepped forward and introduced himself formally:
"Greetings, Straw Hat Pirates!"
"I am the captain of the Sun Pirates—known as the Sea Knight, Jinbe!"
"I was specially sent by His Majesty Neptune to exchange insights on Fish-Man Karate with you all!"
Known as the Sea Knight, Jinbe was not only upright and honorable in conduct, but his words were equally refined.
Though he'd come to teach Fish-Man Karate, he framed it as an exchange of insights.
"Hahahaha! We don't have any Fish-Man Karate insights to exchange with you, Warlord of the Sea—Jinbe!"
Red stepped forward, greedily appraising Jinbe from head to toe, already scheming…
How to tie Jinbe to their ship in the days to come.
After some thought, Red realized the only real leverage point was…
The Sun Pirates—and Fisher Tiger.
After all, the Straw Hat Pirates, just like Tiger, had all stormed Mary Geoise!
Red suddenly extended a hand of friendship.
"Welcome aboard, Jinbe!"
Jinbe: ???
(End of Chapter)