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Part 7

Up in Knots

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Robin's travel to the island of Natamba was a quiet and uneventful

one, but since her problems at the least island she enjoyed the peaceful

splashes Panchi's body made in the water. Her arm still stung when she

moved it, but was healing nicely. She had also read through most of the

book that she had bought in the town, which may come in handy when she

had some free time to roam the streets in Alabasta.

The island wasn't as big as she first had thought it would be, but

the ports were very large; as well as the bustling crowds that covered all

the streets and alleyways. The strange exotic scents that filled Robin's

lungs excited her. This place was very different from those islands she had

visited in the past. For on this day she would meet someone she could

possibly connect with and hopefully do the same with her.

As she walked through the streets she came to realize that she

looked like a foreigner in this area. Not only didn't she stand out, but her

clothes were too thick and therefore her body was getting too hot. Robin

definitely didn't want to meet Crocodile all dirty and sweaty, so she

decided to do some quick shopping while she still had time. The clothing

shops were easy to find, which relieved Robin on the stress on how much

time she had. When she had last received a letter from Crocodile, it stated

that she should meet him "By the fountain as the sun lowers on the

horizon."

Robin liked the fact that he wrote somewhat cryptically. It made

his letters fun to read on the long trips out at sea.

Picking out clothes was a simple task; she picked very plain

patterns; mainly because she usually didn't wear anything flashy. She

didn't like standing out too much, but sometimes it was inevitable. Her

foreign looks already drew much unneeded attention, but dressing so

differently would just add to that. In the end she decided on a light purple

style of dress that seemed popular among those who crowded the streets.

She was thankful that the clothing didn't draw as much attention to her as

the previous clothing had. Looking at the sky she figured she'd still have

few hours till the sun began to set, so she decided to go back to Panchi,

who was waiting by the docks.

She was quite happy about his loyalty; considering he was a gift.

He was a kind animal and didn't do much to annoy her. He would wait for

her as long as she wanted and for this she was very happy. It was nice to

have a companion while traveling, even if the mode of transportation was

created by that particular companion. She didn't really seem to mind that

he didn't talk back, but would listen. That was what everyone needed; just

someone to listen to. The world would become so much better if everyone

were to do just that. Sit and listen to each other.

Robin saw Panchi waiting at the docks and she smiled. He always

was there for her…

"How are you doing, Panchi? I have some food if you want

something."

The massive turtle seemed to like her attention and looked a bit

hungry. She sat on the dock handing bits of lettuce and other pieces of

vegetable to him. As he was munching she told him of her assumption on

how Crocodile was like and how he might be towards someone with the

same curse. Panchi looked at her when she paused and began to chew

again when she started talking. Robin figured it was either his way of

paying attention, or to completely drown out her ranting. Either way, she

was just content to talk while the turtle was right beside her.

Robin looked up at the sky and saw the sun was beginning to fall

to its rest as the moon began to show its face in the daylight sky. She stood

up and gave Panchi a kiss for good luck. Walking down the streets of

Natamba was actually easier to do during sunset rather than during the

mid-afternoon. The sun was giving the sky the beautiful colors of orange,

red, purple, and then night blue. She arrived at the fountain and found

herself still look at the sky as she waited.

"Do you normally stare at the sky?"

Robin's gaze looked to find the owner of the deep voice that had

just asked that question. There he stood, the man they called The

Crocodile. He was very tall and definitely a man of the seas. The scar that

ran across his face intrigued her, but what she was focused on was how

she should act in front of him. She knew to be cool and level headed; that

was the most important key.

"I only stare at the sky when I need to clear my head. How about

you? Do you ever stare at the heavens?"

Crocodile chuckled under his breath. "I only look when there is

nothing I see on land that I can see in the heavens."

Robin smiled. He even liked to speak in cryptic tones. He held out

an arm for her to hold and as she graciously took it, she had to wonder

where he would lead her troubled life now.

Crocodile led her to a large ship that was on the opposite, more

secluded part of the ocean. For a fleeting second she wondered how

Panchi was doing, but the thought quickly left her mind when the man in

front of her began to speak.

"Nico Robin, what a pleasure it is to finally meet you face to face.

Please, sit down."

Robin sat in the large leather chair that was facing a paper filled

desk. Crocodile sat in the chair of the opposite side and took out a few

sheets of paper from a pile. Robin watched his movement with a close eye;

he was very fluid in the way he moved, it was almost a pleasure to watch;

like watching waves rolls onto the beach. Robin then noticed that he

looked at her with a curious face, but she just sat and waited for the first

few words to come between them.

"Have you ever thought about the idea of an utopian society?"

The question was definitely one that Robin had not expected him

to ask. Thinking the question through her mind she answered her smooth

voice.

"I believe that almost everyone at one time would want to have

that type of society. And that's only because one doesn't exist in this

world."

Crocodile nodded agreeing with her speculation. Yet, he seemed as

if he wanted her to give him more to go on. He seemed to debate on if he

should go on with his plan, but paused when Robin spoke again.

"I have read and studied such societies over the years; cities that

are free of war and corruption, but that was all folly. Many were destroyed

by new way invaders in the end."

"You seem to know much in the study of people, Nico Robin. Tell

me, does this subject fascinate you?"

Robin gave him an affirmative answer and he smiled.

"Have you every heard of the organization of Baroque Works?"

Robin tried to think of the name, but couldn't find anything that

would be remotely connected to the name of 'Baroque Works'.

"I don't believe I have, sir."

"Really? Well, we are an new organization, but still the reputation

is one that is very… noticeable. And, by the way, you can call me

Crocodile."

He took some sheets of paper and handed them to Robin. She

skimmed through the informative sheets as he spoke to her.

"Baroque Works is mainly a group of agents that will help create

this new Utopia that I want to create. It's simply a conquer strategy, but I

would like to refrain from calling it that.

"These agents are all asked to be a part of this group. They were

chosen for their skills and status. It's actually how I have come to know of

you. You have quite the reputation around the Grandline. Anyway, these

agents are asked to join. If they decline, they will never speak of it again;

if they accept the invitation they will come to a 'commanding officer'.

These 'officers' are usually the higher ranking men and women. Then

each agent is then given a name. For men the are called "Mr." and then the

number of their rank. Women are called "Miss." and then a special day or

holiday. This is to ensure there are no names passed around about who

may or may not be in B.W. No one should no anyone else's identity and

that is mainly for protection.

"Do you follow?"

Robin nodded as she listened to Crocodile explain more of the

fundamentals of the group called Baroque Works. They were extreme

ideas and many drastic measures would have to be taken. yet this was a

chance to have people that were of the same caliber with her. It was

something she wanted have more than almost anything.

When Crocodile finished his explanation he held out a hand to her.

"Do you accept?"

Robin smiled and shook the man's warm hand.

"Yes."

Living on the ship with Crocodile was a new experience that Robin

had to get used to. She hadn't lived with anyone else for over ten years

and being alone was just something she was used to. Being accepted into

Baroque Works was something that didn't truly appeal to her, but to meet

people was something that her lonely life needed. It was also definitely

better than the assassin jobs she had to pull her life through; much more

calming and less detrimental to the soul.

All she needed now was a name…

She was told by Crocodile to call him Mr.0 when they were in

public and sometimes in private. Nobody expect her knew that the leader,

Mr.0 was indeed the dreaded pirate named The Crocodile; one of the

named "Seven." Yet she wondered who she would be partnered with. She

had been allowed to flip through the papers and see who was or was to be

part of B.W. Some had caught her eye, while others were just something

she didn't want to get in touch with. She also went through the list of some

of the men's partners. All of them had some sort of holiday name or day-

of-the-week name.

Where she came in; she had no idea. Walking on the top of the

deck, she watched Panchi swim next to the ship. The waters glittered

under the mid-afternoon sunlight and Robin just stood at the railing and

watch. It was another hot day, the sun beating down in the desert area, but

there were cool breezes that picked u from the water. She loved the sun, it

kept her spirits up. She hadn't liked the dark since she was a little girl;

even before the devil fruit's curse.

Maybe she would want her name to have something to do with

Sunday. Then something clicked. To be sunny all day… Miss All-Sunday.

It was a ridiculous way to come up with a code name, but it worked well.

No one would have to know how she came up with it anyway; the name

was hers to own for as long as she liked.

She told Crocodile of her decision that night and he had agreed the

name would be hers. It was then she awaited her partner assignment.

Robin waited in her chair expecting Crocodile to call out a name and tell

her where to meet the man, but all she got was an confused look.

"Is there something else, Miss All-Sunday?"

Robin willed herself from getting too flustered.

"No, that is. What about my assignment?"

"Assignment?"

"Yes, to a partner."

The man's laughter filled the room leaving Robin to feel a bit

uneasy. His laugh was chilling to the bone; something that was totally not

what she would expect from the suave man.

"Miss All-Sunday, I am your partner."

Robin didn't know if she could believe it. She would be partnered

up with Crocodile and would be with him at the top of the hierarchy. She

didn't know if she should have been relieved or afraid of this outcome.

Was she really that powerful? It was only time that would tell her if her

hopes and or fears would come true.