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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 108: Xiaqiu's Plan
Under the moonlight, the wind howled, rustling the branches that swayed like clawing demons in the pitch-black surroundings.
Not far away, a woman and a beast were locked in a gaze—an imposing figure of a tall woman and a massive creature.
The beast was nearly fifty meters long, standing close to eight meters high, with dorsal fins reaching six meters. Its colossal frame boasted enormous horns and a protruding jaw, filled with layers of menacing teeth that glimmered ominously.
Most people would tremble in fear before such a beast.
Yet the woman wore an expression of scrutiny, while the beast's eyes flickered with a hint of evasion.
Thud, thud.
Before long, the giant creature could no longer bear the tension. It slowly turned its head away, shifting its massive body and moving its six legs toward the distance.
"Black, I know it's you," Nico Robin called out loudly.
"Huh?"
The beast halted, turning its head back to look at her with an awkward expression.
Nico Robin said with irritation, "Black, what are you sneaking around for at night?"
She wasn't worried about Black attacking her; if he wanted to harm her, he could have done so two years ago when he could have easily killed her at sea.
Moreover, if he intended to strike, he would simply charge at her. Even though she had grown significantly stronger, she still might not be able to defeat him.
Seeing his sneaky demeanor, Nico Robin knew he was up to no good.
The giant beast lowered its body, looking somewhat aggrieved as it lay there.
This giant creature was Xiaqiu.
After a year and a half of growth, not only had it increased in size, but it had also grown six legs, allowing it to come ashore.
However, it wanted to scare Nico Robin, so it had refrained from revealing itself. For the past few days, it had been training elsewhere to come ashore. Tonight, it quietly crawled onto the land, planning to hide in the forest and wait for her to wake up in the morning. It intended to suddenly appear and roar, giving her a good scare.
Little did it know that as soon as it came ashore and took a few steps, she spotted it.
"You've grown legs!"
Nico Robin circled around Xiaqiu, surprised to see its sturdy legs. "I saw you without your Pectoral Fin six months ago, so this isn't due to Devil Fruit powers, right?"
"No, no," Xiaqiu shook its head.
"It used to have fins, and now it's turned into legs."
Nico Robin had never seen such a creature before; it had transformed from a fish into an amphibious being, crossing millions of years of evolution from marine life.
She walked around Xiaqiu once more, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Clap, clap.
Nico Robin clapped Xiaqiu's leg, producing a crisp sound that echoed; it was remarkably sturdy.
"Your bones can actually support such a massive body on land."
Nico Robin looked somewhat surprised. "And your legs can actually support your body weight."
Whales can breathe through their lungs but cannot survive on land because their massive body weight would crush their bones and rupture their organs.
Moreover, Xiaqiu's current weight exceeds three hundred tons, making it quite astonishing that his legs can support him on land.
However, Xiaqiu cannot be judged by common logic.
His bones, muscles, and internal organs have undergone multiple enhancements, making them dozens of times stronger than those of a whale.
Even if he continues to grow larger, his bone resilience is sufficient to support his body.
As for his legs, Xiaqiu inherited them from F-Crocodile. F-Crocodile's size is enormous, much taller than an ordinary crocodile, with a short but extremely robust tail.
Even so, F-Crocodile remains the second largest animal in Alabasta, second only to Running Duck, and can even lift its legs to move forward.
This proves that F-Crocodile's legs are even stronger and structurally sound.
Additionally, he didn't grow just four legs but six, distributing the pressure among each leg.
But most importantly, the legs he grew inherited the growth genes from F-Crocodile. The muscles and bones that developed are no different from other parts of his body.
With resilient bones and powerful muscles, Xiaqiu can not only go ashore but also run at a speed that rivals F-Crocodile's—if not faster.
"No wonder you've been avoiding me lately. But why did you come here so late tonight?"
Nico Robin looked at Xiaqiu, her expression softening as she reached out to touch his nose.
"Rumble rumble rumble."
Xiaqiu's mouth emitted a series of sounds as she lifted her foot and wrote a few characters in the dirt: "Surprise."
"Is it a surprise?"
Nico Robin smiled slightly, then suddenly realized something, her eyes widening. "You can write?"
Then Nico Robin chuckled, "Well, if you know how to read, naturally you can write too."
Seeing Xiaqiu could write brought a smile to Nico Robin's face; this way, their communication wouldn't be limited to simple yes or no answers but could convey more meaningful content.
"That's great! From now on, we can meet on land," Nico Robin said with a smile.
"Yes."
Xiaqiu nodded enthusiastically. Previously, they had to communicate from a distance, but now it wouldn't be so troublesome.
"However, according to our agreement, we still have six months left before we have to part ways," Nico Robin suddenly said.
Parting ways?
Xiaqiu's mouth fell open, her expression turning somewhat sorrowful.
She was the only one who could communicate with her, having accompanied her for a year and a half, yet they would eventually have to separate.
"You will keep the promise, right?" Nico Robin looked intently at Xiaqiu.
"Mm."
Xiaqiu nodded, taking a small step back. She wrote a few characters in the empty space: "Keep the promise."
Nico Robin let out a sigh upon hearing this and suddenly asked, "What will you do after we part ways?"
"I'll find a sea to live in," Xiaqiu wrote slowly.
"Then won't you be all alone?" Nico Robin looked at Xiaqiu and asked.
Xiaqiu nodded.
Nico Robin smiled and said, "So how about you come with me instead?"
"Together?"
Xiaqiu turned to look at Nico Robin.
Nico Robin gazed back at Xiaqiu and said earnestly, "Black, come with me. Only I know that you can speak. You can follow me to the shore."
"Follow Nico Robin?"
Xiaqiu fell into deep thought. She was the only one in this world who could communicate with her, the only one who knew of her intelligence.
Moreover, her identity ensured that she would not betray herself.
After spending a year and a half together, feelings had already developed. Being with her was indeed comforting.
However, Xiaqiu's purpose was not merely companionship.
It had been a year and a half since she last fed on humans, and her body had not continued to strengthen; it remained at the level it was a year and a half ago.
Although she had gained considerable strength in the water after growing larger and developing legs, her physical resilience had not increased, which ultimately had its limits.
It was only after he had grown legs that he decided to stay here for such a long time in order to communicate. Now that his legs had developed and he had communicated for quite a while, he could no longer delay.
Xiaqiu planned to part ways with Nico Robin before the agreed-upon time, returning to Whiskey Hill Town, disembarking from the Attack Bounty Hunter, and then securing Whiskey Peak, even Twin Cape.
So Xiaqiu shook his head, indicating his refusal.
"Is that so? Then I won't force it," Nico Robin replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice, but she said no more.
Xiaqiu shifted his body and erased the previous writing, curiously writing: "Where are you going?"
Nico Robin glanced at the text and answered, "I need to review the Historical Text of Alabasta and require someone’s protection, so I will temporarily return to Baroque Works."
Back to Baroque Works?
That was indeed a good place to go.
Crocodile was probably the only one who could protect her now.
Xiaqiu nodded, but the next moment, he suddenly froze.
Crocodile?
A thought struck Xiaqiu's mind; if Nico Robin was going back, she would definitely meet Crocodile.
If he could follow Nico Robin near Rain Banquet Casino, there was a way to easily kill Crocodile—so simple it was almost unimaginable.
As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, even without his Devil Fruit abilities, Crocodile's physical prowess was incredibly formidable.
Devour him, and I can gain a vast amount of Enhanced Energy.
Not only that, if Crocodile dies, then Baroque Works would be left without a leader.
Nico Robin could return to Baroque Works, and with her strength and understanding of the importance of Historical Texts, becoming Vice President would be no problem.
If Crocodile is dead, only Nico Robin remains.
Aside from Nico Robin, no one has seen Crocodile.
So, at that time, would it be possible to cooperate with Nico Robin and take over Baroque Works?
With my own assistance, as long as Nico Robin is willing, there is a great deal of potential.
First, I could consume all the strong members of Baroque Works to gain Enhanced Energy.
And through the powerful influence of Baroque Works and Crocodile's wealth, what else could I achieve?
I could collect or purchase the creatures I desire, allowing myself to devour them and evolve the necessary parts.
I could gather strong individuals, consume them to enhance my body, making myself even more resilient.
This is an opportunity, a chance for me to become significantly stronger, a path for my complete transformation.
Xiaqiu has always harbored a dream deep within, one that he has tirelessly worked towards.
That is to immerse himself in the history of this world and become a part of it.
Not just to live an ordinary life and then die an ordinary death.
Now, an opportunity had presented itself right before him.
He could not give up.
Xiaqiu thought as he looked at Nico Robin.
To kill Crocodile, to take control of Baroque Works, and to utilize Baroque Works, he needed Nico Robin's help.
Killing Crocodile did not require her consent.
But for the latter two, it was essential that Nico Robin be involved.
Once she learned of his intentions, the likelihood of her disagreeing was high, so he could only guide and deceive her.
For now, he couldn't tell her.
With this in mind, Xiaqiu wrote a few words in the dirt: "Very dangerous."
"My life has always been dangerous. Except for this past year and a half, since I was eight, only Baroque Works has been able to protect me," Nico Robin said with a bitter smile.
If it weren't for her dream, Nico Robin would truly want to spend her entire life on this island.
After hearing Nico Robin's words, Xiaqiu paused for a moment and wrote several lines in the dirt: "Then please let me protect you."
"Hmm?"
Nico Robin's eyes lit up as she asked, "Black, do you mean you are willing to come with me?"
"Yes."
Xiaqiu tapped his head thoughtfully and then wrote a line, "I will protect you."
"Black."
Nico Robin was deeply moved by this line and hugged one of Xiaqiu's legs, saying, "Thank you."
Seeing Nico Robin's gesture, Xiaqiu felt a twinge of guilt for using her, but...
This was the only opportunity he had at the moment; he couldn't give it up.
I'm sorry, but I can only use you.
However, I will protect you well.
Xiaqiu grinned, his enormous sharp teeth glinting ominously in the moonlight.
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