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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Ninety-Nine: Purpose
Nico Robin walked barefoot into the forest, looking up at the branches overhead. Suddenly, she raised her hands and gently waved them.
Petals danced in the air.
In the next moment, arms sprouted from the surrounding trees, snapping several branches and tossing them down.
Nico Robin carefully examined her surroundings and selected two branches: one that was rounded and of a suitable length, and another that was thick.
She then found a stone about the size of her palm and used it to scrape away the rough bark from the thicker branch, peeling it back layer by layer until only a piece of the inner wood remained—about an inch thick and two inches wide.
Next, she used the pointed end of the stone to carve out a shallow pit near the outer edge of the wood. Then, on the left side of the hole, she struck the edge with the stone to create a notch.
Nico Robin gathered some dry grass and leaves, shaping them into a nest-like structure and placing it on the ground. She set the piece of wood in the center of the nest, picked up the stick, and secured it in the pit. Then, two hands sprouted from her knees, working in tandem with her own to grip the stick as she began to rub it back and forth.
With vigorous motion, smoke soon began to rise from the pit, and fine powder ground from the wood fell onto the dry grass below.
Afterward, Nico Robin picked up the nest and gently blew on it. As sparks flickered to life, the nest began to burn.
At that moment, it ignited.
Nico Robin used leaves and weeds to stoke the flames larger. She moved away from the swamp to gather dry branches, stripping off their bark and placing them nearby to catch fire gradually.
Once the branches were ignited, Nico Robin once again called upon her abilities, causing countless arms to sprout around her.
Some arms dug a large pit beside the flames.
Others brought large stones, scooping up wet mud from the mire, alternating their efforts to transport the wet mud to the pit.
Then, Nico Robin knelt beside the pit and built a circle of mud walls, leaving entrances on both ends.
After that, she moved stones and placed them on top of the mud, sealing it off while leaving only one exit.
Finally, she covered the stones with more mud, still leaving an opening and the entrances on either side.
Next, she placed burning wood inside to roast. Before long, the mud hardened from the heat, smoke billowing from the sides and top as flames burned within, radiating warmth.
This created a simple stove.
Not only could it cook food, but it also emitted heat to ward off the cold.
Moreover, if both openings were sealed, it would ensure a long-lasting fire.
"That's impressive," Xiaqiu thought as he watched this scene, deeply admiring how easily a stove was made.
"Let's eat first."
Nico Robin glanced at the sky; it was already afternoon, and she was extremely hungry. She disappeared into the Coast.
Not long after, she returned, holding a rabbit that had already been skinned and cleaned.
Nico Robin found a stick and skewered the white rabbit. Then she went to the left side of the fire pit, using her Flower-Flower Fruit ability to grow an arm and moved some stones to create a stone platform.
She pulled out some wood from the left side of the fire pit, added some bark and reeds, and the flames roared to life.
Afterward, she grew another arm on the stone platform, holding the stick over the fire to roast the rabbit.
Once the rabbit meat was cooked, a delicious aroma filled the air, causing even Xiaqiu to unconsciously sniff.
Nico Robin took big bites of the roasted meat. After finishing, she went to fetch water from the stream.
Upon returning, Nico Robin rested for a while before leaving the shore and heading deeper into the island.
For a while, she did not reappear.
Why hasn’t she come back yet?
Xiaqiu felt a bit anxious. Could she have run off? With her skills, it was likely she could make a raft.
Or had she encountered danger?
Xiaqiu had been waiting until evening when Nico Robin finally returned, carrying some dry grass and a plucked wild chicken. After setting down the grass and the chicken, she noticed Xiaqiu looking at her intently and couldn't help but ask, "Have you been waiting for me all this time?"
Xiaqiu nodded. Nico Robin smiled and said, "I went into the forest to continue my search for some necessary items. I think I've gathered enough."
Xiaqiu felt relieved and nodded again.
"Are you worried that I might run away?" Nico Robin suddenly asked.
Xiaqiu hesitated for a moment but then nodded; she was indeed concerned.
Nico Robin chuckled and reassured her, "Don't worry. On this island, materials are scarce. There are plenty of trees, but it's impossible to make strong enough ropes to build a raft. Even if I managed to make one, it wouldn't withstand the waves of the Grand Line or the harsh weather. At least on my own, it's very difficult to leave this Deserted Island."
With that, Nico Robin sighed and added, "So there's no way I could sneak away. You don’t need to worry."
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xiaqiu shook her head.
Nico Robin then walked back to start roasting the wild chicken. After eating, she spread the dry grass on a patch of ground not far from the shore and lay down on it, gazing up at the tranquil night sky.
Even now, she still found it hard to accept what had happened. Just that morning, she had been the Vice President of an assassination organization, and by evening, she was trapped on this island by a sea fish.
Without the arrival of others, it would be impossible to construct a vessel capable of withstanding the storms of the Grand Line using only the materials available on this island.
This meant that for the next two years, she would have to remain here.
Cut off from contact with anyone else, she could only stay on this deserted island, accompanied by the Black Fish.
It was a sad thing not to be able to pursue her dreams.
Yet at the same time, there was no need to hide or run away.
For the sake of her dreams, she had to lurk in the shadows, endure humiliation, associate with villains, and join an assassination organization.
But now, after passively giving up her dreams for two years, she found a semblance of peace.
How ironic fate could be.
Nico Robin thought as she closed her eyes and drifted into slumber.
In the distance, after seeing her lie down, Xiaqiu slowly sank down as well, feeling a bit excited inside.
This was the first time he had found someone to communicate with and received a response in return.
Xiaqiu eagerly anticipated interacting with others. For six years, he had spent most of his time surviving alone, with only Moo Moo accompanying him for a year.
Having a human soul, every moment of life was filled with constant contemplation.
Even after spending a year with Moo Moo, he could not convey his thoughts or engage in meaningful communication.
Thus, Xiaqiu was eager to connect with others, and today, he finally got his wish.
Xiaqiu felt joyful as he slowly submerged into the ocean. However, he did not rest; instead, he left this place and headed towards Alabasta.
He had an important task to accomplish, which was also his ultimate plan.
Traveling to Alabasta, he sought out F-Crocodile, intending to consume it and grow limbs.
Xiaqiu had spent too long in the sea and found it exceedingly dull. He planned to explore the land, which required limbs.
For now, Xiaqiu dismissed the idea of mammalian limbs since they could not support his massive size. Instead, he chose the limbs of a crocodile, aiming to evolve towards that species so he could venture onto land.
The only large habitat for crocodiles he knew of was Sainting Island, the very island where Alabasta was located.
In Alabasta, there were two types of crocodiles: the Banana Crocodile and F-Crocodile, both belonging to the same family.
The Banana Crocodile was larger, reaching nearly twenty meters in length and adorned with bananas on its head; it became his target.
However, the only thing Xiaqiu knew about the Banana Crocodile was that it inhabited the lakes in the Rainy District, raised by Crocodile, and was found around the Rain Banquet Casino.
Xiaqiu couldn't traverse the desert and had no idea where else to find a Banana Crocodile.
Thus, the only option left was to settle for the F-Crocodile.
F-Crocodiles were more abundant, residing in the rivers of Sainting Island.
They were relatively large, measuring six to nearly ten meters in length.
Their temperament was gentle, being amphibious and even capable of crossing deserts, making them a common mode of transportation for many residents of Alabasta.
So now, Xiaqiu planned to head to Alabasta at dusk to search for F-Crocodiles.
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