L.O.J.S.H 225

'Is this really a good idea...?' 

I couldn't help wondering as I flew in the mist-covered sky of the Florian Triangle while keeping an eye on the eternal pose in my hand to make sure I didn't lose my way. 

'Whatever the case, I need to know what's going on...' 

I shook my head, opting to focus on the road instead of doubting myself. I had already decided, and I'm already on my way to the Archipelago, so I should see it through. 

'I just need to keep a low profile... In and out with no one the wiser...'

I firmed my resolve, taking a deep breath as I formulated a plan of action in my head. 

'I could probably reach the Archipelago within a week of full-speed flight if I forgo... but that would be foolish.' 

Luckily I wouldn't have to, even though I'm not carrying nearly enough food to last me an entire week. The patch of sea beyond the Florian Triangle was rather busy with traffic because it was near the last island in the grand line. 

So I can always find a ship to steal food from or take a nap there if necessary.

Once I get to the Archipelago, I'll stick to the outlaw areas with marine presence and find Shaki's Rip-off Bar.

'Whatever is going on in the Archipelago, Shaki will know... probably.'

And with such thoughts in my mind, I pressed on through the Florian Triangle's Fog, but I had forgotten about something crucial, and I was about to be reminded of it.

Suddenly, a crushing pressure descended on my body, almost making me fall into the sea. Two gigantic red orb-like eyes attached to a mountainous shadow appeared before me, and I immediately froze. 

Feeling the soul-crushing pressure the creature before me radiated, my breath hitched, and I had no idea how to react. Luckily, whatever the thing was, it didn't seem interested in me as it slowly closed its red eyes and disappeared.

'First six vice admirals and now this, even the anime's protagonist didn't have to deal with this shit... fuck my luck...'

I felt my eyes twitch in annoyance as I floated in place, trying to catch my breath. I won't deny that I've forgotten about the presence of these colossal shadows in the Florian Triangle, but even if I remembered, I wouldn't have acted differently. 

If even Luffy, the trouble magnet, didn't pump into those creatures, what were the chances I would?

'Pretty high as it turns out...'

I bitterly smiled, shaking my head. Luckily that thing wasn't interested in me, or I might have died then and there. I'm confident in my abilities. Heck, I might even be overconfident, but that thing felt like it could crush easily.

'Whatever... I don't want to even think about it anymore...'

I took a deep breath, trying my hardest to pretend this situation never happened as I resumed my journey. I might have increased my speed considerably after the encounter, but that's beside the point...

...

Nanohana.

Numerous shady-looking men wearing formal back suites and matching fedora hats were traversing the dark back alleys near the docks, seemingly searching for something or someone, aided only by the moon's pale light.

"We're here on sufferance! Hurry up and find the traitors!" the leader of said shady-looking men impatiently exclaimed. "They were last seen near the docks! We must find them before they manage to escape, or we risk exposing ourselves!" he added and began barking further instructions.

"Traitors...? So they're really not here for me..." Nico robin murmured to herself, frowning behind her mask as she hid on a roof's ledge nearby, watching the shady-looking men go about their business.

These men, who Robin knew to be government agents, had appeared soon after the pirate who attacked Crocodile's casino fled the marine's ambush. They immediately began a relentless hunt across the island, though they were discreet, only going out at night, at least.

Robin's first thought was that the world government knew about her presence on the island and sent their goons to capture her. She confronted Crocodile about the matter, and he assured her that wasn't the case.

And even though Robin didn't take Crocodile's word for it, she had no choice but to lie low and hope for the better. But even after so many weeks, the agents didn't leave, so she felt compelled to investigate.

Surprisingly enough, the warlord's words proved correct, and they weren't her for her but searching for two traitors instead. 

Satisfied with the conclusion, Robin turned to leave, but a sudden exclamation from the agents' leader made her stop. 

"There they are! Keep them busy while I activate the flair!" 

Robin saw the agents' leader quickly reach into his inner pocket, retrieving a flare gun, only to drop it to the ground in a panic as the two men he described as traitors charged at him. 

Robin raised an eyebrow as she watched the two men, one round and short with green hair, the other tall and muscular with pink hair making quick work of the agents who stood between them and the agents' leader.

"CP9...?" Robin muttered, feeling surprised and confused as she watched the two men utilize the six powers in their fight as they unleashed Rankyaku slashes and flew around with Geppo.

However, they weren't quick enough despite beating all the agents in their way as the leader picked up his gun and raised it into the air, preparing to fire it. 

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before sighing and crossing her arms. 

...

"Goddamnit, we won't make it in time! Mother, it looks like I'll be joining you soon!" Kumadori exclaimed in vexation as he watched the agents' leader raise the flair gun. 

"That's fine by me. You stay here and be a distraction then while I get away. I'm sure your mother is missing you!" Fukurou snidely replied as he watched the same scene, preparing to make a quick getaway. 

However, before they could react or say anything else, multiple arms sprouted around the agents' leader's body, clutching his head and legs. 

The arms pulled, and the agents' leader collapsed to the ground with a sickening crunch of breaking bones, folded into himself. And under the duo's confused gaze, the arms took hold of the flare gun. 

More arms sprouted on the ground, forming a neat line into the roof of a building, and they began passing the flair gun until it reached the hands of a woman sitting on said roof's ledge.

Fukurou and Kumadori's confusion turned to relief, which turned to alarm as they watched the woman carelessly play with the gun's trigger, causing them to panic.

"And what do we have here...?" the woman playfully asked while eyeing Kumadori and Fukurou from above. "CP9 turncoats... now that's something you don't see every day," she added, tilting her head. 

"Your subtle attempt to get a reaction out of us is impressive. However, such mind games futile before me, Fukurou The Silent, Lover Of Rumours," Fukurou replied, crossing his arms and sounding oddly proud. 

"That's right! There's no way I would tell you that we are indeed CP9 turncoats, who betrayed the world government to work for a pirate-" Fukurou added, taking a deep breath. 

Luckily, Kumadori quickly reacted, covering Fukurou's mouth and reaching to zip it. But several arms appeared on his body before he did it, and he turned to the masked woman, noticing her hand at the flair gun's trigger.

Kumadori sighed in resignation, removed his hand from Fukurou's mouth. 

"That's very impressive indeed, Fukurou The Silent," the woman remarked, nodding at Fukurou in approval while ignoring Kumadori. "It's such a shame that I'll never figure out who you're working for and what you're doing on Alabasta..." she added with a sigh, sounding almost genuinely disheartened.

"That's right! I will never tell you that we're working for Johnny silver hand!" Fukurou replied, projecting even more pride in himself. "Or that he told us to infiltrate the Baroque Works and feed him information!" he added, waving a hand to the side. 

"Give up these meaningless efforts already!" He concluded, standing akimbo in the middle of the street with an aura of undeniable self confidence.