One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 141 Robin is Drunk [5.2K]

"Wow ah ah!"

Nami pointed at the large ice block and exclaimed in surprise.

Aokiji slowly withdrew his right hand, his gaze indifferent.

He was already used to the awe he garnered from those around him after he made a move.

He could predict exactly what this little girl named Nami would say next.

It's nothing more than things like "Is this what a Marine Admiral is like?" or "What terrifying abilities!"

result--

"Nojiko, this guy's ability is completely imitating yours!" Nami turned to Nojiko and said indignantly.

"I was the first one!" Aokiji was speechless for a moment, and an black line appeared on his forehead.

“It’s still not quite the same.” Nojiko shook her head slightly. “If I were to intervene, I would turn this elephant into a snowball, not this crystal-clear block of ice.”

"That's true."

Nami clenched her fist and struck her palm, as if she had just realized something. "I wonder who would get frozen if you two used your abilities on each other..."

"Is that even a question?!" Aokiji roared with sharp fangs.

"Sigh..." Aokiji rubbed his temples. The tense, interrogation atmosphere he had just tried so hard to create had been completely ruined.

He didn't want to argue with the little girl, so he turned to look at Xia Nuo:
"There's no reaction at all. It seems this big guy really isn't one of you."

"We're really not familiar with each other."

Shano glanced at the mammoth.

He didn't understand why this guy was here, shouting about bonds and protection before rushing in and getting killed in a second.

"Let's ignore him for now and continue with our previous topic."

Aokiji stared into Xia Nuo's eyes. "You...you were laughing just now, weren't you, Xia Nuo? Was what I asked you that funny?"

"Did you laugh?"

Xia Nuo replied nonchalantly, "Probably. Anyway, I did want to make fun of you."

"Laughing at me?" Aokiji frowned.

"Don't you understand? Then let me demonstrate again, it's that..." Xia Nuo imitated Qingzhi's tone from before, approaching him and saying in a cold voice:

"Where do you intend to place the Navy and the justice we uphold? And what exactly are your ambitions?"

"Pfft hahaha!"

Xia Nuo couldn't help but slap her thigh. "He puts on such an imposing air, yet asks such an utterly stupid question. Hey, Kuzan! How can you keep this up? You probably want to laugh even when you hear it yourself, right?"

"I stand up for what is injustice, I beat up the villains, and I protect those I want to protect to the very end—this is what I believe in, and what I have always done! It's such a simple and clear thing, yet you insist on throwing a bunch of accusations at me... You're clearly just covering up your jealousy!"

Aokiji was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "I'm jealous of you?"

"Of course!"

Xia Nuo laughed heartily, "And you're quite jealous, because I can do this freely, but you can't!"

"You know better than anyone how corrupt the World Government is, yet you still shamelessly act as its lackeys, cleaning up the messes of those bubble-wearing scumbags everywhere! The number of innocent civilians who have died unjustly because of your righteous actions is probably no less than the number who have died at the hands of pirates!"

"In this situation, you're still telling me that the navy is upholding justice?"

"What justice?"

Xia Nuo's voice suddenly rose a notch:

"Is this some kind of justice that helps the Celestial Dragons destroy a country every three years?!"

Aokiji could no longer maintain his composure; he abruptly looked up, his expression drastically changing:
"Even I only recently learned of these secrets by chance, how did you know..."

"It's not important, is it?"

Xia Nuo narrowed her eyes slightly, interrupting his question, her tone becoming increasingly aggressive, "So you actually know about this too... No wonder you're so dejected. A dignified naval admiral, yet you exude the aura of a confused, useless middle-aged man, it's impossible to hide!"

"However, this stench has been emanating for a long time, perhaps sixteen years?"

"Kuzan, the reason you pay so much attention to Robin, and care so much about Ohara back then, is it because from that moment on, your ridiculous sense of justice couldn't overcome the hurdle in your own heart and collapsed completely?!"

"..."

Aokiji's breathing noticeably faltered.

His face was grim, and he subconsciously took a step forward. Suddenly, a chilling aura began to emanate from his body, and white frost instantly climbed up his eyebrows.

But in the end, they all vanished.

He lowered his eyes, the shadows obscuring all his expression.

Silent for a long time.

It wasn't that pirates hadn't mocked his stance to his face before.

But that couldn't shake his beliefs at all, because vicious pirates should be wiped out of this world.

He wouldn't even bother listening to the end; he'd just freeze the other person into an ice sculpture.

But Xia Nuo... is an anomaly.

This so-called "pirate" with a bounty of one billion is doing something even more pure than what the Navy does.

This made it impossible for him to act against his conscience, and he was powerless to refute it in the slightest.

Aokiji slumped onto the bench, looking up at the starry sky, his arms outstretched limply, letting out a breath of pent-up frustration.

His gaze shifted slightly, first looking at Robin.

The woman, who used to hide in the dark, now leaned against a streetlamp, her previous tension and panic completely gone.

The evening breeze ruffled her hair, and a faint smile played on her lips—a reassuring smile that Qingzhi had never seen on her face in all these years.

Then he looked at Smoker.

This old friend, whom I've known for many years and who I get along with very well, stared at me without saying a word, a cigar dangling from his lips in a wide grin.

Aokiji's gaze finally settled on Xia Nuo.

"I kind of regret coming to see you today."

He said with a hint of self-deprecation, "I originally wanted to probe your background, but in the end, you saw right through me?"

"Let's go."

Before Xia Nuo could answer, he shook his head and stood up.

"It's time to go back and rest. Honestly, I can't even argue with a teenager. It's so boring."

Casually tying his tie in his white suit, Aokiji leaned over the back of the chair, bent down, and reached behind the bench.

Only then did everyone notice that an old-fashioned bicycle was lying on the lawn.

Aokiji lifted his long legs and easily stepped over the bicycle frame. The bicycle creaked, but steadily supported the weight of the admiral.

"It's been a long time since we last met, why don't we have dinner together?" Smoker exhaled a smoke ring and glanced at him sideways.

"It's better to spare me."

Aokiji waved his hand, "There are too many people and eyes outside the garden. As a Marine Admiral, it would be a bit too inappropriate to be photographed having dinner with a great pirate."

"Hey, little brother."

He glanced at Xia Nuo again.

"Let me continue to witness how far an outcast like you can go on this twisted ocean."

After saying that, he took long strides and rode his bicycle out of the garden, holding the handlebars with one hand and casually putting the other hand in his pocket.

jingle!

The bicycle bell rang softly, and the tall figure gradually disappeared into the twilight, leaving only his last words drifting gently on the wind:

"However, remember what you said today. I hope you can always keep this original intention... Otherwise, next time we meet, I will personally end your life."

…………

A gentle night breeze swept through the garden, carrying a slight chill as it passed by everyone.

The crowd stared at the receding figure, exchanging bewildered glances.

"Leaving now?"

Nami was the first to come to her senses, muttering in dissatisfaction, "What? Looking at how dejected he looked just now, I thought my brother could persuade him to turn against us."

"Cough!" Smoker, with a cigar in his mouth, almost choked on the smoke when he heard this. "Let a Marine Admiral become a pirate? You really have a wild idea."

"It's not impossible."

Xia Nuo withdrew her gaze from the distance and said calmly, "However, these kinds of people all have their own pride and principles, and they can't be easily persuaded by words alone."

Things cannot be accomplished in a day.

Today's confrontation has planted a seed in the other side's heart.

Who knows, maybe one day in the future, if the opportunity arises, I might actually be able to bring Aokiji into my camp.

After all, Blackbeard, a typical villainous pirate, and Aokiji were completely incompatible, yet Blackbeard managed to recruit him despite the latter's weakness.

His chances of success are only greater.

"Let's go, let's ignore this guy." Xia Nuo shook her head, turned around, and smiled at her companions, saying, "We've been delayed for so long, everyone must be hungry, let's go to the restaurant first."

"Oh my gosh, time for a picnic!" Nami cheered excitedly and was the first to rush out of the garden.

The others followed along, chatting and laughing, but Xia Nuo deliberately stayed behind. When no one was paying attention to him, he looked up at the distant sea.

Aokiji's movements seemed slow, but he had already ridden to the edge of the sky and was about to disappear at the horizon.

It really makes one wonder if this guy secretly used his long legs to pedal hard to accelerate after he was out of sight.

Or perhaps you should just carry your bicycle and run like the wind?
Anyway...

"You think you can just leave after spouting tough talk and showing off?"

Xia Nuo crossed her arms and snorted, "Is it that easy?"

He's the kind of person who holds a grudge and seeks revenge!

At least leave me the wool!
…… Yes.

He hasn't yet taken any of Aokiji's wool.

Facing such a world-class powerhouse.

Even with his exceptional skill in thievery, he lacked confidence that he could take something from someone without their Observation Haki being detected.

The reason they were able to successfully abduct Garp and Akainu was because they fought for a long time, with both sides physically clashing at close range and their attention focused on the battle, which gave them ample opportunity to take advantage of the chaos.

Unfortunately, this time... they didn't end up fighting.

Aokiji didn't dare to lay a hand on him. He couldn't very well strike first and slap Aokiji across the face just to find an opportunity to steal something, could he?

That's somewhat inappropriate.

Fortunately, with that new gadget, this guy's wool won't escape him.

Xia Nuo opened the backpack menu.

"Steal" card deck activated!
—Effect: Five cards, five chances. Each time, you can ignore distance and randomly take an item from any person in your field of vision!
The first person I'll use this on is you, Aokiji!

……

On the sea.

Aokiji rode his bicycle, his expression gloomy and silent.

Not long ago, in Zhan Guo's office, I accidentally came across that document, which resurfaced in my mind.

The truth behind the Battle of God Valley 32 years ago.

It was this document that further fueled his wavering belief in justice, and it was because of this that he conceived the idea of ​​meeting Xia Nuo.

But the result...

Aokiji shook his head, banishing these troubling thoughts from his mind.

He then recalled a small detail he had noticed earlier.

Flames are erupting from that orange-haired girl... Is she actually the user of the Flame-Flame Fruit?
Should we call headquarters and ask them to revise the bounty?

Aokiji tilted his head.

He could easily guess the reason.

This must be because Xia Nuo didn't want his sister to become the target of public criticism, so he used various means to cover up the truth and caused the headquarters' intelligence department to make an incorrect judgment.

The little girl is timid, and probably afraid that her bounty will increase...

Then forget it.

There seems to be no need to take it so seriously for underage girls.

Aokiji yawned lazily and continued pedaling his bicycle forward.

Where the sea passed, it left a narrow trail of ice.

But for some reason, he suddenly felt his feet sink into the ground.

He instinctively looked down, only to find the spot where the bicycle had been standing empty, marked only by a dotted line. Before he could react, he had fallen into the sea.

Pfft!
The icy seawater instantly swallowed him, bubbles gurgling as they floated upwards. Aokiji opened his eyes wide and stared blankly at the sky.

"Ah?"

…………

"Ok?"

Xia Nuo stared in surprise at the bicycle that had suddenly appeared in his hand.

What an unexpected surprise!
He was just randomly trying his luck and didn't have high hopes. After all, any random item like a suit jacket, gloves, or sunglasses would be valuable, and an eye mask would be even better.

It turned out to be a grand prize.

I'm really lucky.

He initiated the sacrifice without hesitation.

[Offering: Kuzan's bicycle]

[Quality: Epic]

[Value: 4500 points]

[Appraisal Comments: Admiral Aokiji's signature vehicle, a seemingly ordinary bicycle, has witnessed countless legendary moments along the way. Although it offers no combat bonuses, as one of the most recognizable modes of transportation in this world, its value should not be underestimated.]

4500 points?
It's definitely valuable, the same price as the baseball cap that Akainu wears, which looks like it's been marinated.

The remaining points, which were originally 27000, suddenly surged to 31500.

"Comfortable."

Xia Nuo clapped his hands in satisfaction and closed the system panel. Just then, Nami turned around and waved, urging, "What are you doing, brother? Hurry up and catch up!"

"Coming!"

He laughed heartily, quickened his pace, and strode after him.

And behind him.

In the silent park, a cold night wind blew, and the mammoth in the ice remained motionless...

Just like how Aokiji got home after losing his bicycle, nobody cared.

…………

As night falls, the lights of the food city shine like stars.

As Xia Nuo and her group stepped into the reserved restaurant, the warm lighting, the rich aroma of the food, and the pleasant, soft music immediately put them at ease.

"cheers!"

Amidst the crisp clinking of glasses, everyone tilted their heads back and drank heartily.

After a few rounds of drinks, Robin held his wine glass in his right hand, a faint blush rising on his fair cheeks.

She was usually elegant and composed, but at this moment she showed a rare hint of intoxication, resting her chin on her left hand and quietly gazing at Xia Nuo.

I don't know if it was the effect of the alcohol or the lighting that was too blurry.

When you blink.

She seemed to see it again, that nightmare that had haunted her since childhood, that powerful, terrifying, towering figure radiating a chilling aura, the one who had personally killed Sauro…

But when Xia Nuo spit out the bone in a very uncouth manner, laughing and patting his belly...

She blinked again.

The terrifying figure with an icy expression vanished in an instant.

"Captain..." she called softly, her voice much gentler than usual.

"Hmm?" Xia Nuo's mouth was stuffed full, and she turned her head blankly, meeting her slightly watery eyes.

Robin blinked, then chuckled softly, "You know what? Sometimes I think, if you hadn't reached out to me that day on the turtle's back..."

She paused, her fingertips gently tracing the rim of the wine glass. "Where would I be now?"

"Why do you say this suddenly?"

Xia Nuo was puzzled, and continued stuffing the roasted meat into her mouth, chewing as she said, "Baroque can't stay here anymore, so he probably joined some underground force again and is playing hide-and-seek with the World Government, right?"

"maybe."

Robin chuckled softly, but his gaze drifted into the distance. "But more likely... I've already given up."

Her voice was soft, yet it made Xia Nuo fall silent for a moment.

Robin tilted her head back and downed the drink in one gulp. The burning sensation of the alcohol made her frown slightly, but she quickly relaxed.

She put down her wine glass and suddenly reached out and gently tugged at Xia Nuo's sleeve.

So, thank you.

She raised her head, her eyes, hazy with intoxication, filled with an unprecedented seriousness:
"Thank you so much for letting me know that people don't have to hide in the dark all the time, and that sunlight... no, even streetlights can really be so warm."

Xia Nuo paused for a moment, then chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair.

"Don't talk nonsense. Isn't this just common sense? You're our partner."

Robin didn't dodge his hand; instead, she narrowed her eyes slightly, like a lazy cat.

She leaned closer, her breath, tinged with the scent of alcohol, brushing gently against Xia Nuo's ear: "Oh, just... a partner?"

Xia Nuo paused in his movements.

At the other end of the table, Nami and Nojiko stopped what they were doing, pretending to get napkins to wipe their mouths, but their eyes kept sneaking glances in their direction.

The ash from Smoker's cigar had piled up quite a bit, but he didn't flick it off. He stared intently at the wine glass in front of him, as if he had suddenly become very interested in the water droplets on the glass.

And Kuina—

The young swordswoman sat quietly in the corner.

Her gaze seemed focused on the dessert in front of her, but the marks the knife made on the cream grew deeper and more chaotic...

Ouch?

Ah Yin also keenly sensed the change in atmosphere, tilted his head and looked left and right, and finally decided to bury his entire dog head in the huge strawberry milk bowl in front of him.

Just as the atmosphere became delicate—

"belch!"

Robin suddenly let out a small hiccup, covered his mouth in discomfort, swayed, and fell directly into Xia Nuo's arms.

Xia Nuo hurriedly caught her and pulled out a napkin to wipe her mouth.

After putting the napkin back, I looked down and found that Robin had closed his eyes and was breathing evenly; he was obviously asleep from being drunk.

"..."

He sighed helplessly and gently picked her up in his arms.

"That's all for today," Xia Nuo said, standing up. "I'll take her back to the ship first, everyone continue eating..."

(End of this chapter)