Longinus understood all too well—
in many ways, the Marines and pirates operated on the same underlying law.
Power ruled above all else.
Among pirates, anyone without overwhelming strength—no matter how wealthy or influential—was merely prey waiting for the stronger wolves to eat.
And within the Marines?
One only needed to remember what happened in the original timeline:
Fujitora and Ryokugyu, despite having no prior achievements, were directly appointed Admirals over Tokikake (Chaton) and Gion (Momousagi).
Strength eclipsed everything.
Beyond strength, however, was something just as vital—
factional support.
Pirates knew well that no one became Pirate King alone. Even the future Yonko continuously recruited troops throughout the New World.
Similarly, among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Mihawk may have been the strongest, but on the political board he inspired the least fear—
because a lone wolf without a crew couldn't exert influence beyond his own sword.
The Marine hierarchy was no different.
During the original Admiral selection, there was a reason one particular man was automatically ignored.
Not only did he lack ambition for the title—he lacked a faction behind him.
Thus, for a man like Longinus—
a man hiding ambitions far larger than he would ever show—
building his own G-2 faction had been a calculated project for years.
And of course, his determination to attend the Marine Headquarters' Elite Training Camp had always been firm.
Not only for formal instruction—
but because the recruits trained there often grew into the future pillars of the Marines.
With memories from another world, Longinus naturally understood the value of training alongside future elites.
Just as certain men gained their first foundation from their "Whampoa Military Academy,"
the new recruit camp would become his first stepping stone.
Maintaining his heroic façade, Longinus didn't linger.
He followed the information he'd extracted toward the central area where the pirates were gathering.
He was already certain that the escaped little girl was almost certainly the future archaeologist Nico Robin.
But he had no intention of searching for her.
As a Marine "hero," he would never do something as suicidal as hiding a wanted criminal from the World Government—that would be equivalent to an open declaration of treason.
As for capturing Robin and handing her over?
He had no interest in courting the wrath of the CP agencies…
or in provoking Kuzan, who bore deep guilt over a friend's death.
Thus, the best option was…
Pretend not to know anything.
The slave holding area was in the storage grounds behind the food festival venue.
Felix had initially chosen the location for its anonymity and chaotic crowds—
but had overlooked a fatal detail:
If slaves escaped, the same chaos that benefited the transaction also made tracking infinitely harder.
Now, the remaining pirates paced in agitation.
They knew just how valuable the girl was.
Her price alone was astronomical—
but more importantly, she was their captain's ticket to interacting with the real powers of the Underworld.
Their captain was currently fighting rival pirate crews, taking most of their manpower.
If they failed before he returned…
Every man here would hang.
"Damn it! Still no sign of her?!"
"Captain Ginyu, we've searched almost the whole venue!
They say the brat's good at hiding and escaping…
And she ate the Captain's Devil Fruit! I think… maybe she already escaped!"
"Idiot! Moron!"
The leader smacked him hard.
"She only just ate the fruit! You think she has energy to use it?!
And if she's good at hiding, then think!
If we haven't found her outside—
she might be hiding right under our noses!"
"This… This brat would dare stay here?"
"She dared steal the Captain's Devil Fruit.
You tell me—does she seem timid to you?!
Search! Every inch! Don't let me find so much as a shadow!"
Hidden nearby, Tina whispered:
"Big Brother Longinus…
Do you think that little beggar really came back?"
Longinus's expression twisted subtly.
In the wide net of his Observation Haki, the girl's tiny presence was painfully clear.
Not only had she returned—
she was committing a truly insane act.
"She's not just hiding…
She's trying to free the other slaves."
Tina gasped.
Longinus nodded slightly.
It seemed Robin's time on the run had not yet fully extinguished her innocence.
She still possessed dangerous kindness.
But Longinus knew too well:
Even if 99% of humans are kind…
the remaining 1% of darkness can swallow all of it whole.
A shrill scream shattered the tension—
"She's back! The little thief is back!!"
The pirates jerked in shock and charged toward the slave cages.
Tina stared at Longinus, wide-eyed.
"D… Don't tell me someone actually… betrayed her?"
"There are always fools who would rather hurt themselves if it means hurting others."
Longinus sighed.
"This world will never run out of that type."
Outside the crude prison, Robin stood frozen, face drained of blood.
She was only eight.
Half a year ago, she had watched her island burn.
These past months of betrayal and abuse had nearly broken her spirit.
Even so, she had returned—
to free others, knowing her escape might bring suffering upon them.
But now—
Her kindness was crushed underfoot.
Other slaves stared at her—not with gratitude, but with despair.
And hatred.
Because among them, one child had shattered everything.
A little boy—barely older than Robin.
"You… you monster! Why would you call the pirates?!"
An adult slave screamed from behind the bars.
"We could've escaped!
Now we'll all die!"
"If you didn't want to run—that's fine!
But why drag us down?!"
The boy's face twisted hideously—far too ugly an expression for a child.
"Because it's not fair!"
His voice cracked with jealousy.
"Why should you escape?!
If I have to stay—then all of you stay!
No one leaves without me!"
The cage fell silent.
Then chaos.
"You little bastard!"
"Because of you—because of YOU—!"
The boy screamed back, voice shrill with fear and malice.
"Shut up!
If you insult me again, I'll tell the pirates you're all helping the thief!
She's a selfish brat!
She made us suffer!
If she really wanted to save us—
why didn't she share her strange powers with us?!"
His eyes locked onto Robin, burning with insane envy.
"If I had her powers—
I wouldn't be afraid!
I could escape too!
This is her fault!
Everything is her fault!!"
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