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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Ninety-Six: The First Time
The sun shone brightly, and the sea breeze gently blew, carrying the salty scent that filled the air. Yet, confusion lingered in Nico Robin's eyes.
She couldn't understand why this Black Fish had not eaten her and instead pushed her up to the Surface of the Sea.
At that moment, Nico Robin was sitting on top of Xiaqiu's head, coughing repeatedly.
What was going on?
Why didn't it kill her? Was it planning to save her?
More importantly, this sea creature was not taking her to Sainting Island but was heading in the opposite direction away from the island.
What did it intend to do?
Nico Robin felt perplexed. She adjusted her position and sat cross-legged behind Xiaqiu's horn, pressing her hands against it.
"Awake?"
Xiaqiu sensed the movement on its head and opened its mouth wide.
To think she would encounter Nico Robin.
Xiaqiu was quite fond of Nico Robin; she was his favorite female character. However, now that he had transformed into a fish, his feelings for Nico Robin had dulled significantly. He found himself wanting to eat her.
Nico Robin's strength is impressive. As an agent of Baroque Works, she certainly benefits from her Historical Text abilities, but her combat power is at least at the level of a Senior Agent.
However, the only issue is that most of her abilities rely on her Devil Fruit powers. While her physical condition is decent, it is limited in strength.
Without her Devil Fruit, her physical capabilities are likely no better than those of a billion-level powerhouse, with Enhanced Energy being quite limited.
While her powers may not be particularly useful, keeping her around isn't a bad idea.
Having previously cared for Moo Moo, having someone to accompany me is better than being alone. Since I will be staying in Alabasta for a long time, finding someone to keep me company would be ideal.
More importantly, perhaps she could communicate with me.
Since I can't speak for now, finding someone to converse with is the best option, and she is the most likely person among everyone to engage in conversation with me.
Not only is she an archaeologist, but she is also a linguist with extraordinary language skills. By the age of eight, she had already mastered multiple languages.
She possesses strong social skills, analytical abilities, and work competence. As long as I respond and catch her attention, I can establish a communication system with her.
Communicating with others is what Xiaqiu longs for the most.
Therefore, Xiaqiu does not intend to let her go and has decided to keep her around.
However, to take care of her properly, I cannot keep her in Alabasta; I need to find a deserted island.
Fortunately, Xiaqiu had captured a lot of magnetism from the islands along the way. There must be plenty of islands on this route.
Xiaqiu carried Nico Robin on its back, moving forward. If the weather ahead looked unfavorable, Xiaqiu would take evasive action early.
"This Black Fish is indeed quite clever."
Nico Robin sat atop Xiaqiu, her eyes slightly narrowed.
It avoided dangerous waters, not even getting close, steering clear well in advance.
Many sea areas posed no threat to it; the reason for its evasiveness couldn't simply be to protect itself.
Such behavior was completely uncharacteristic of a beast. It displayed a certain level of intelligence and possessed strength far surpassing that of a Sea Beast.
This Black Fish was peculiar.
Nico Robin thought to herself, feeling somewhat reassured.
In the vast ocean, she was no match for it; whether it wanted to kill or maim her, she had no means to resist.
She decided to observe what it would do next.
Nico Robin, sitting atop Xiaqiu's head, lazily stifled a yawn.
"This island is too close."
Xiaqiu sensed the surrounding Magnetism, shook her head, and continued onward.
"This island is a bit too near the main shipping route; it's easy for others to approach." Xiaqiu dismissed another island.
"Too big."
Xiaqiu shook her head again, moving closer to the island before slowly drifting away.
And so, two hours passed.
"Over there?"
An island appeared faintly in the distance, and Xiaqiu rushed toward one of the islands.
This island was on the way to Alabasta, and there were several islands and dangerous waters separating it from Alabasta.
It couldn't be too close to Alabasta; what if she escaped on a raft?
It couldn't be near the main shipping route either; it had to be somewhat off the beaten path, as remote as possible.
Moreover, this island was not intended to be large, about the same size as Narl Island.
Here it is.
Xiaqiu thought as he rushed towards the island with Nico Robin.
"Are we getting closer to the island? Will he leave this time?"
Nico Robin straightened up and looked towards the distant island.
Just moments ago, when they approached the island, the Black Fish had come near but then drifted away again, leaving the island behind.
"Why is it getting closer? What is he planning to do?"
As Nico Robin noticed the coast drawing nearer, she couldn't help but furrow her brow.
Xiaqiu carried Nico Robin to the edge of the island, searching for a spot where the water was deeper.
The water at the front was shallow, while the back faced the Ocean Cliff.
"This seems like a good place."
Xiaqiu arrived at a certain point on the back side of the island, where the coast was about a meter above the surface of the sea. He stopped at the shore.
"Should I go up?"
Nico Robin shook her head, stood up, and jumped onto the Coast.
"What do you want me to do on land? Save me?"
"But why not take me to Sainting Island? It's clearly closer."
Moreover, there were other islands along the way that he could have gone to, yet he brought her to this one.
What was so special about this island?
Confused, Nico Robin stepped onto the island and stood at its edge, surveying the distance.
The island was overgrown with trees, and in the far left, there were towering hills covered in vegetation and thick weeds.
The weeds were tall, rising above her knees, indicating that it was a place rarely visited by humans.
"There's nothing unique here."
Nico Robin turned around and looked back, noticing that the Black Fish was still there, with most of its head protruding from the Water Surface. Its gaping mouth revealed menacing teeth that sent a chill down her spine.
"Those teeth look strange; those two fangs resemble a venomous snake's fangs." Nico Robin stared curiously at the two fangs of Xiaqiu.
What kind of fish was this?
"Why did you bring yourself to this deserted island?"
Nico Robin looked at Black Fish, pointing at the island with a puzzled expression. "Do you need me to help you find something here?"
"No, no, no," Xiaqiu shook his head vigorously.
"Is that so?"
Nico Robin nodded, then suddenly realized and glared at Xiaqiu. "Can you understand what I'm saying?"
"Mm-hmm."
Xiaqiu's head bobbed up and down eagerly.
"This is impossible."
Seeing the other’s reaction, Nico Robin was somewhat surprised. To confirm, she said, "If you can understand me, shake your head."
Xiaqiu immediately shook his head from side to side.
"You really can understand."
A look of disbelief appeared on Nico Robin's face. Not only could he understand her, but he could also respond.
This meant that he fully understood the words he had spoken.
Nico Robin stared blankly at Black Fish and said, "If you can understand me, then swim in a circle."
Upon hearing this, Xiaqiu immediately turned around and swam in a circle before returning to Nico Robin's side, lifting its head.
"This..." Nico Robin sat down on the shore, feeling somewhat incredulous.
A fish that could understand human language.
In her twenty-four years of life, this was the first time she had encountered such a creature.
This was no simple matter.
To be able to comprehend language, to grasp the meaning of multiple sentences, and even to alter a few words within them.
This proved that it did not merely react to specific sounds but had mastered language itself.
There were three implications: first, it possessed a vast memory capacity; only by remembering the structure and order of language could it grasp it.
Second was comprehension ability; language requires a fundamental understanding.
The third was intelligence; being able to master language indicated a high level of intellect.
Fourth, it certainly had come into contact with humans.
Nico Robin, upon realizing that she would not die for the time being, felt a surge of curiosity towards the fish.
"You can understand me, so can we have a chat?" Nico Robin asked while standing by the water's edge.
"Mm, mm."
Xiaqiu nodded vigorously, filled with excitement.
Finally, she could communicate with someone. In the six years since arriving in this world, this was the first time.
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