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Noir and Mr. 2 calmed down after being reprimanded by Robin.
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Robin sighed, finally able to calm down and read.
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As she lowered her head, she noticed an object on Noir''s person.
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It was a pendant that had accompanied Noir as he grew up, engraved with his name.
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Robin''s mind suddenly jerked; she seemed to have seen a similar pendant somewhere before.
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When was that?
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Oh, right, before Ohara was destroyed, she seemed to have seen it in a book.
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Robin asked hastily, "Excuse me, Mr. Noir, what is your full name?"
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Noir, caught off guard by the question, instinctively replied, "Kyros D. Noir.
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Robin delved into her childhood memories, and the names Kyros and D matched the key words from the book she read as a child.
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Noir looked at Robin in confusion, but she seemed lost in thought and said nothing.
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With no other choice, Noir followed Mr. 2 back to the ship for a meal.
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It was a long time before Robin regained her composure, a slight smile tugging at her lips.
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If things were as she thought, Noir might actually be a lot like her.
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With thoughts occupying her mind, Noir didn''t chat much with Robin during the next few days of their journey.
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Soon Mr. 2 accompanied Noir to the borders of Alabasta.
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In the vast desert of yellow sand, Noir changed into desert travel clothes.
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In both this life and his previous one, this was Noir''s first time in a desert.
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Noir sneaked up to Robin and asked curiously, "Dear Robin-chan, is Crocodile really going to reveal his identity to meet me in person?"
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Robin frowned and said, "Of course not. He''ll communicate with you through a transponder snail."
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"And can you stop calling me that?"
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Noir thought for a moment and said cautiously:
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"Beautiful lady?"
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"I know, change it."
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"Sweetie?"
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"Change it!"
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"Nico-chan?"
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Robin glared at Noir and then said helplessly, "Just use my code name here. Knowing my identity won''t do you any good."
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Noir shrugged indifferently and said, "No problem, I''m not afraid of the Shichibukai."
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Robin nodded weakly, no longer wanting to explain the power of the Shichibukai. Maybe it really was that strong...
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As they continued their journey, Robin remembered what Noir had told her on the ship.
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"The poneglyph that describes Pluton is hidden in the underground shrine of the royal palace in the capital."
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Robin didn''t know how Noir had gotten that information.
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Even she and Crocodile, after so many years of infiltration, hadn''t discovered this top secret information.
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However, she didn''t believe that Noir was lying; it wouldn''t do him any good.
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Now that she knew the location of the Poneglyph, Robin decided to secretly verify Noir''s words.
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If someone could distract Crocodile...
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Robin glanced furtively at Noir.
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Sensing Robin''s gaze, Noir turned and flashed a big, goofy smile.
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Ugh...
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Could this guy really be a match for Crocodile?
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The long sandy road passed without incident.
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After completing his task, Mr. 2 reluctantly left.
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Robin and Noir, wrapped tightly against the sand, trudged through the desert for several more days.
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Finally, they came to a building in the desert.
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"Spider Café?"
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Noir stared at the sign in confusion and muttered, "Opening a café in the desert, what kind of genius thought of that?"
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Robin pushed open the door and explained, "This is just a drop-off point for Baroque Works'' senior agents. It''s supposed to be in a private place."
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They went inside, and as Noir expected, there wasn''t a single customer in the shop.
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However, the woman behind the counter was quite striking.
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She wore a skimpy crop top that showed off her midriff, with a headscarf and wavy blue hair underneath.
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Her blue-framed glasses were very eye-catching. When she saw the customers coming in, she smiled and said, "Welcome back, Miss All-Sunday."
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Robin nodded and said, "Paula, get us something to drink."
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"No problem."
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Paula turned and walked with exaggerated hip swings.
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Wow, one step, one wave.
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Noir''s eyes followed her every move.
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"Ahem."
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Robin cleared her throat, and Noir quickly sat up straight and looked away.
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After a while, two cups of coffee were brought to the table.
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Paula gave Noir a flirtatious look, lowered her broad chest and winked playfully before turning back with a sway of her hips.
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Noir''s eyes followed her again...
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Robin couldn''t help but roll her eyes.
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When Paula was out of sight, Noir finally sat up straight, took a sip of coffee and remarked, "This coffee is really good..."
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Robin ignored him and, after finishing her coffee, walked over to Paula and whispered in her ear, "I''m going to contact the boss. Keep an eye on him."
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Paula nodded and smiled, "No problem."
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After giving instructions, Robin turned and entered a secret room at the back of the cafe.
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The secret room was quite simple, with a large table filled with various Den Den Mushi.
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Several blue regular snails, black eavesdropping snails, and white anti-eavesdropping snails...
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Robin expertly picked up a snail marked "0" and dialed out. The snail immediately changed to the face of a sinister middle-aged man.
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"Have you brought the person?"
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The snail, now with the expression of a crocodile, spoke.
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"He''s at the Spider Cafe."
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Robin''s voice was flat as she said, "His strength is much greater than a senior agent. He''s a Logia user."
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"Logia?"
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The snail''s expression showed surprise that quickly turned to joy, "I am very pleased with this subordinate."
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Robin scoffed inwardly and said, "He is very confident in his abilities. He probably won''t become your subordinate easily."
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Crocodile''s voice was disdainful as he said, "Relying on the luck of eating a Logia fruit, that''s how bold he is."
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"I''ll make him understand that not all ability users are the same."
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Robin remained silent as Crocodile continued, "Bring him in. I''ll have a talk with him."
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Putting the snail down, Robin went outside to fetch Noir.
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Noir, engrossed in watching "Bouncing," quickly followed.
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Returning to the secret room, Noir picked up the snail and called, "Moshi Moshi?"
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After a moment, Crocodile''s voice came through, "Is that Noir?"
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"Oh, Sandman, why are you talking like a heartthrob?" Noir replied cheekily.