Conqueror of All 16 'True History'

Two figures could be seen traveling towards the castle, one which is a large figure wearing a cape whereas the other one is a tall female wearing purple cowboy clothing.

Crocodile had a stern expression on his face as he walked with large strides. Even if Crocodile was very confident in himself, he knew that his strength is not on top of this world as he had lost to the strongest man on this planet – Whitebeard.

That was where everything had begun, Crocodile sought after the Ancient Weapons, only to find clues about a Poneglyph in Alabasta Kingdom of its whereabouts.

It has taken Crocodile many years with careful planning and he had been lucky to find Nico Robin who knew how to read the Poneglyphs. A grin slowly appeared on Crocodile's face as he walked with confidence welling up. "Soon. Soon I will be back to get your head, Whitebeard…!" Crocodile said in a deep and low voice as his eyes shone brightly.

Nico Robin was walking half a step behind Crocodile, she knew that from Crocodile's clues, there's a Poneglyph nearby. Robin's dream is to find out about the Void Century. The Void Century is a century long gap in recorded and archaeological history, the study of which is forbidden by the World Government.

The reason why Ohara received a Buster Call was because the citizens of Ohara was able to read the Poneglyphs, this made the World Government restless. As the sole survivor of Ohara, Robin had been trying very hard since she was young to find out about the Poneglyphs and why the World Government wouldn't want anyone to find out about it.

Robin's thoughts were interrupted as she and Crocodile neared the walls of a castle.

"Let's go in." Crocodile's deep voice sounded out as sand started covering his body and nearing Robin's body.

Robin didn't make any movements as she knew what Crocodile wanted to do.

Crocodile was using his Logia Devil Fruit – Sand Sand Fruit. Which can make him turn into sand and everything around him. As Crocodile had his Devil Fruit for a longer period of time, he could use it with ease.

The sand below Crocodile and Nico Robin lifted them up in the air as they were flown over the wall and towards the castle.

Crocodile knew where he could find the King – Nefertari Cobra. The two of them passed by swiftly. Crocodile turned the walls in front of him into sand as he stared at the old man in front of him with an amused expression. "Cobra, nice to see you."

Nefertari Cobra is a fair man, who cares for his kingdom. Even after hearing about the people trying to rebel, he knew that they were misled to start a coup. But, Cobra knew that their deep-rooted desire was to preserve the welfare of the Alabastan people.

"You're the reason for the coup…?!" Cobra had a gloomy expression on his face, after a moment, Cobra glanced at Nico Robin only to be shocked. "'Devil Child' Nico Robin!" Cobra was a king after all, he knew about the 'Devil Child' that the World Government was hunting.

"Cobra, tell me where the Poneglyph is located…!" Crocodile's tone was cold as he stared at Cobra.

Cobra had difficulties regaining his calm when he heard Crocodile speaking about the 'Poneglyph'. "We have none!" Cobra said in a deep voice as he stood his ground and stared back at Crocodile.

"You better think about it again…" Crocodile grinned as he continued speaking. "What about your daughter? What about the Kingdom? I can kill them all." Crocodile had a mocking expression on his face as he stared at Cobra.

Cobra's eyes went bloodshot as he clenched his fists. His nails penetrated his skin and blood flowed down from his fists. A minute passed by without anyone speaking.

A tired expression showed on Cobra's face as he resigned himself into the fate of dying. "Follow me." Cobra was exhausted by the years of staying as a king. But, he loved doing it. Therefore, Cobra couldn't let Crocodile hunt down the people in the Kingdom.

Crocodile grinned as he walked behind Cobra. A step behind Crocodile was Robin, she narrowed her eyes slightly before regaining her usual indifferent expression with a small smile on her face.

The three of them walked for quite a distance as they neared a catacomb. "This is the Tomb of the Kings, it leads to a Poneglyph which the royal bloodline had to protect. Protect the real history of the world." Cobra said as he walked towards the tomb.

"Protect?" Robin sneered as she coldly gazed at Cobra. Robin had way too little trust in the World Government, as they would hide the real history from everyone. A cold glint appeared in her eyes, this was the reason why Robin would work with someone horrendous as Crocodile, because the World Government was way worse!

"Just lead us there!" Crocodile said in a low voice.

Cobra couldn't help but fear for the future of his Kingdom.

The three of them walked deeper in the tombs until they arrived in a large hall with a large piece of rock with writings on it.

Robin strode forward, leaving behind Crocodile and Cobra. To everyone else, the writing on the Poneglyph was gibberish, but to Robin it made sense as she could read all of it.

Time passed by swiftly as Robin continued reading the Poneglyph in silence.

"Read it out loud, this 'true history'…" Crocodile grinned as he gazed upon the Poneglyph, the Ancient Weapon – Pluton was nearly in his hands.

"Yes." Robin answered as she started reading out loud. "-Goxilla conquered and built this kingdom… … In the year 239.' 'In 269, the Dima family is the strongest.' '...' 'During the year 306, the Arimar completed the Fuda Holy Temple' 'In 325, Massamdi, the Ordian Hero…'"

"Hey hey! Wait!" Crocodile started shouting. "Was that what we were looking for?" Crocodile raised his right hand and made a grasping gesture. "I don't give a damn about this country's history! I want to know where the hidden Ancient Weapon is!"

Robin turned towards Crocodile and said with an indifferent expression. "There's nothing like that written here. It's only 'history'"

"What…?" Crocodile lowered his hands as his expression turned cold.

"The word 'Pluton' or 'Ancient Weapon' isn't written anywhere on this Poneglyph." Robin answered as she touched the Poneglyph with her right hand.

"…" Crocodile turned silent as he turned around. "I see… How pitiful..." At that moment, Crocodile turned towards Robin with a frosty expression. "Although you were such a cool partner…" Crocodile turned silent before continuing. "I will kill you. Right here, right now."

Robin widened her eyes in disbelief as she stared back at Crocodile in fear.

In the background, Cobra narrowed his eyes as he watched Robin and Crocodile while thinking deeply over something.

"The agreement we made four years ago, has come to an end." Crocodile said slowly as he glared at Robin. "What you said was 'As long as you take me to the True History, I'll tell you about the weapon.'" Crocodile said in a deep voice.

Robin lowered her head slightly.

"After four years of working in the Baroque works… You have always been a smart and diligent during that time…" Crocodile stopped for a moment, it was true that Crocodile appreciated Robin's talent. "And that was good enough for me. As you were a worthy woman."

Crocodile turned into sand as he pounced towards Robin with his golden hook. "But. You ended up breaking your promise!" With that ambush, Crocodile did only manage to pierce the cowboy hat off as Robin lowered her head and stepped backwards.

A smile appeared on Crocodile's face. "But, I am not mad at you. Do you want to know why, Nico Robin?"

Robin took this time to take a vial of water out from a pouch and throw it towards Crocodile. "I know your weakness! If I cut you with a knife when you're wet, you will bleed…!" Robin took a knife and ran towards Crocodile.

The vial of water was aimed above of Crocodile's body, but suddenly a hand appeared on Crocodile's shoulder and grabbed the vial and broke it on top of Crocodile's body.

As Robin neared Crocodile, Crocodile vanished in thin air. "Where did he go…?" Before Robin could continue, she felt her body being raised. Robin lowered her head and saw a golden hook penetrating her chest from behind.

"I will forgive you for everything you have done… Because I… From the beginning… Never trusted anyone!" Crocodile laughed in a deep voice as he saw Robin falling on the ground with blood all over her body.

Suddenly thunderous sounds could be heard in the tombs, Crocodile raised his head and glanced around. Only to see Cobra in a different place with a grin on his face. "Was it you? What did you do?" Crocodile asked in a low voice as he stared at Cobra.

"Nothing big." Cobra laughed in a deep voice before his tone turned solemn. "I pulled away a main pillar, this will cause everything to lose balance. You and I will die right here."

Cobra had a grim expression on his face as he glared at Crocodile. "Under the name of the Nefertari 12th King, I will never hand you this Sand Country!"

Chapter end