"Nico Robin must know the answer, right? Let her answer!"
Someone shouted, thinking it would solve the mystery quickly.
But another voice quickly cut in:
"Are you stupid? Nico Robin isn't allowed to answer. That would ruin the fairness of the quiz."
Right now, the desire for truth had overwhelmed any desire for rewards.
Everyone—whether pirate, Marine, or civilian—wanted to know:
What made Nico Robin, just a child back then, so feared that the World Government branded her as the 'Devil's Child'?
Meanwhile, at Marine HQ…
Garp and the three Admirals could only watch with heavy expressions.
They all silently hoped that no one would answer the question—better yet, just skip it entirely.
Because if the answer came out…
The truth from twenty years ago would resurface—
A truth that would shame the Marines and damage the credibility of the World Government.
But it was too late.
There was no stopping the broadcast now.
[Crocodile: I know the answer. I will answer it!]
The voice echoed clearly, shocking everyone.
In the desert, Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had made his decision.
He weighed the risks, considered the value of his knowledge, and chose to speak.
"This is my best chance. I won't let it pass."
The giant screen flickered—revealing the cloaked man with a scarred face, holding a thick cigar and exuding confidence.
Crocodile's sudden appearance stunned everyone.
"Crocodile? He's answering this?"
Even the three Admirals were caught off guard.
"There's no way he knows… right?"
All they could do now… was pray he got it wrong.
The familiar voice of the system returned:
[This question has only two chances to be answered. If both attempts are wrong, the question will be skipped.]
No one questioned the rule. It was fair. If you could guess three wrong options, then the last would be obvious. That couldn't be allowed.
Crocodile spoke:
"The claim that Nico Robin destroyed six warships is clearly absurd.
She was eight. Eight! How could she do that?
As for stealing naval supplies—ridiculous.
If that was enough for a 79 million bounty, then what does that say about the Warlords?
No. There's only one real reason.
D – Nico Robin has the ability to interpret the historical texts."
As Crocodile made his choice, silence blanketed the world.
At Marine HQ, Sengoku's face darkened. The three Admirals' gazes sharpened.
It couldn't be hidden anymore.
For twenty years, the secret had been buried. But now—because of a live broadcast quiz—it was dragged into the light.
Inside the World Conference Hall, uproar broke out.
No one knew yet if the answer was correct.
But even the possibility…
That Nico Robin could interpret the ancient text…
Made her far more dangerous than anyone had imagined.
The rulers of allied nations stared in disbelief.
The pirate crews waiting in Marijoa's bay? Equally shocked.
After all—the Poneglyphs were real.
The Four Emperors of the New World each possessed fragments of history.
But no one could read them.
Only one crew had done so before: the Roger Pirates.
And now… there was one woman alive with that ability.
[Big Mom: No wonder the Navy is so desperate. Hahaha! Nico Robin! Come join my crew! I'll guarantee your safety.]
Big Mom extended an open invitation, her eyes gleaming.
She had a Road Poneglyph in her possession… but no one to read it.
[Kaido: You're beautiful and useful. Join my Beast Pirates instead. I'll treat you ten times better than that hag Big Mom!]
Kaido, too, reached out.
He had the same goal—Raftel, the final island.
And for that, Robin's ability was the key.
The world had changed in an instant.
Nico Robin wasn't just a survivor.
She was a key to the Pirate King's throne.
[Sengoku: Nico Robin must not be allowed to join any pirate crew!
Anyone who tries… becomes an enemy of the Navy.
An enemy of the World Government!]
Sengoku roared, his rage erupting at the global stage.
He couldn't allow this to happen. She had to be kept under Marine control.
But the world was no longer listening to him.
All eyes were now on the screen…
Waiting.
Was Crocodile right?
[Crocodile answered correctly! Crocodile earns 1 point!]
The world erupted.
It was true.
Robin was targeted not because of what she did… but because of what she knew.
[Crocodile receives: A magical jar and an A-grade Physical Constitution Pill]
On screen, Crocodile looked down at his rewards.
A small glowing pill, and a mysterious jar—used by Luffy previously to draw a Devil Fruit.
"Let's see what I get…"
He cracked open the jar.
A dim light flickered.
From the smoke emerged a… finely crafted box of cigars.
Crocodile blinked. Then lit one with practiced ease.
"...That's it?"
Reactions poured in:
[Luffy: Sugoi! Even cigars? Can I get something that makes barbecue?]
[Zoro: Luffy, shut up about food for once.]
[Buggy: BWAHAHA! Crocodile's luck is trash!]
The world laughed—but everyone now knew:
The magic jar is all about luck.
As for the pill…
[Constitution Pills: Enhance physical strength significantly after consumption.]
Crocodile popped it without hesitation.
Immediately, a surge of power coursed through him.
His skin glowed. His muscles tightened. His old scars—vanished.
Even he looked stunned by his reflection on the screen.
"This pill… it's incredible."
For him, it was better than a Devil Fruit.
His strength had truly ascended.
Now, others were filled with new confidence.
They wanted to answer questions too.
To gain power, status… and the truth.
[Nico Robin, the only surviving scholar of O'Hara, has been wanted by the Navy for one reason—she can read the ancient texts.]
[If you want to know the full story—read it for yourself.
Or perhaps… Nico Robin will share it with you personally.]