Chapter 281: Lucci, Monet, and the Wind of the Future
People vanished one after another, and Robin broke down, crying and wailing.
But her cries couldn't stop Saul from disappearing. The giant vice-admiral vanished right before her eyes. Robin frantically rushed forward, trying to touch Saul one last time before disappearing.
But she couldn't make it in time. As she jumped to hug Saul, she grasped only air and fell heavily to the ground, bleeding from the impact.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
Robin pounded the ground, the pain from her injuries failing to stop her anguish.
After an unknown amount of time, Robin passed out from blood loss.
When she awoke, she found herself in a completely sealed room.
The room was enormous, with only a bed beneath her and nothing else.
Robin stared blankly at the white ceiling.
Where...
Where was this place?
"You don't need to be so tense. We mean you no harm."
A voice suddenly spoke, though the room was empty. Robin had no idea where the voice came from.
"You emit a strange power that makes objects disappear, so we can only communicate with you this way."
As Robin looked around in confusion, the voice continued, "You don't need to be afraid. Marshal Makima found you at sea. We will help you control your power, so it doesn't rampage uncontrollably."
Robin remained silent, fearful of interacting with others. She believed that if she got close to anyone, they would disappear.
Just like Saul!
Just like her mother and Dr. Clover!
She believed she harboured demonic power, making her a demon who caused others to vanish.
Curling up, she hugged her knees and cried into them.
"Crying won't solve anything."
Suddenly, a woman appeared.
Before Robin noticed, Makima was at the bedside, looking at her gently. "Open your heart to me. I won't disappear."
Robin looked up at Makima, drawn into her spiral eyes.
"Can you tell me..." Makima asked, stroking Robin's head. "What happened to you?"
Without knowing why, Robin felt compelled to speak.
"It was..."
...
Upon hearing Robin's account of what happened in Ohara, the Five Elders, who were monitoring the room, were stunned.
They never imagined that its inhabitants would vanish after Ohara disappeared from the world. And the source of all this was a girl who seemed barely ten years old!
Combining this with the previous reports of the Demon Child from Makima, they felt a deep sense of fear. They believed Nico Robin held a great secret.
But their greed also made them eager to control this power. They decide to help Robin master her ability so they can use it to make anything they dislike disappear.
Truly disappear!
However, Robin was currently too dangerous. Even approaching her would cause people to vanish gradually. The stronger the person, the longer they could last, but no one dared guarantee she wouldn't explode with power.
For instance, the power that made all of Ohara disappear was far more potent than what she displayed. It wiped out a massive island and its inhabitants, even affecting many people's memories.
This meant Robin could potentially unleash power tens of times greater than usual. If she lost control, those around her would be in grave danger!
At the same time, they were conflicted. Robin's ability was too powerful. If uncontrolled, she posed a significant threat to the World Government.
So, they decided to observe her for a while. If they deemed Robin irredeemable, they would eliminate her without hesitation.
Thus, Robin stayed in the Black Order. Two other individuals had also arrived at the Black Order around the same time as Robin.
After leaving the room prepared for Robin, Makima went to the Pandora Chamber.
The psychic training box was in the centre of the room. After years of searching, the World Government had finally found the perfect talent for it!
A boy and a girl, appearing under ten years old, are the same age as Robin.
The boy wore a black top hat with a pigeon on his shoulder. He was the government's chosen prodigy, named Rob Lucci!
Yes, the same Lucci would later be part of Enies Lobby and eventually join CP0. He was CP9's most potent agent in 800 years, though he had not yet joined CP9.
The girl had wavy, grass-green hair and golden eyes. Though young, she was a beauty in the making.
She was Monet, originally a subordinate of Doflamingo in the main story. In this timeline, the World Government had taken her to the Black Order, which often took in children.
Makima was drawn to them because they showed extraordinary talent in psychic training.
Psychic training could be categorised into levels.
Most people had no talent and could only use telekinesis for auxiliary tasks, which was ineffective against stronger foes even after three years of training.
Then there were those with slight talent who could skillfully use telekinesis in combat, combining it with Haki.
Those in the second tier could become mid-level forces within any organisation.
The third tier consisted of actual geniuses. The psychic users created by Genichi's human manufacturing machine fell into this category. Such individuals could become solid fighters through the psychic training box, capable of clashing with pirates worth billions.
Sengoku's talent was in this tier. Combining his telekinesis with his Haki, Sengoku did not weaken after losing the Buddha Fruit, and he became stronger!
Previously, there had been no existence beyond the third tier. Genichi almost believed this was the limit of the psychic training box.
Until Lucci and Monet were sent to the box. Lucci's talent in telekinesis was astounding, breaking Genichi's concept of the third tier.
Despite only recently beginning training, Genichi believed that in three years, Lucci might soar to new heights with telekinesis, possibly reaching the level of the Four Emperors.
Monet's talent was even more incredible than Lucci's!
Genichi believed Monet represented the world's adaptation to telekinesis laws to their limit. Perhaps this was compensation for taking Monet's Snow-Snow Fruit.
Monet's storyline was less prominent than Lucci's, but her talent in this area far exceeded his. They would train together for three years in the Black Order.
After three years, Lucci would be assigned to CP9, while Monet might join the Marines, the Black Order, or follow Lucci to CP9.
But unexpectedly, during Monet's seventh day of training, Backwater arrived.
Backwater's sudden arrival put Pandora Island on high alert, even drawing the attention of the Five Elders.
They took Backwater very seriously. The Cross Church had risen solely due to Backwater, and his sudden arrival was perplexing.
Only when Backwater met with the island's leaders and the Five Elders did they understand his purpose.
Backwater wanted to form the Right Hand of God. They already knew this, as the Pope of the Cross Church was their man.
But the other members of the Right Hand of God had yet to be found, and Backwater's visit to Pandora Island was to have Monet become the Wind of the Right Hand of God, the Wind of the Future.
The World Government had no reason to refuse Backwater's proposal.
The Cross Church was essentially their organisation. Moreover, joining the Right Hand of God didn't mean giving up other identities. Monet could still be part of the government.
As long as she worshipped the gods.
Worship the gods?
The Five Elders didn't believe, but Monet was just a child. She could be made to think.
Thus, they agreed to Backwater's request but stipulated that he must assist the World Government if necessary.
Backwater agreed and said he would take Monet to the Cross Church headquarters in three years to study theology.
And so, this series of events concluded.
At least temporarily.
Ohara's sudden disappearance shocked the world, but it was an archaeological sanctuary. Apart from a few concerned individuals, most people didn't care about history or scholars. No one would mourn their deaths.
As for Robin, no one but the core members of the World Government knew of her existence.
Robin remained alone in her vast, empty room, meditating daily, trying to control her power.
But no matter what she did, food would disappear if not devoured.
People on Pandora Island grew increasingly fearful of her because Robin's power occasionally expanded, causing researchers to vanish suddenly, even in front of their colleagues.
Their fear of Robin grew daily, but they couldn't leave under government orders and vented their anger on her.
They believed they would disappear eventually and wanted the Demon Child to suffer.
Robin saw all of this but said nothing. She knew from the start that the World Government was not her friend.
The government had persecuted her parents and friends. The CP's arrival caused Ohara's disappearance and her strange powers. It was all their fault!
Robin harboured deep resentment towards the World Government but was powerless. She couldn't use her abilities to escape this prison.
Today was another day of mockery and disdain. Robin lay curled up on her bed, holding a card in her hands—the Disappear card she had seen in her dream.
She didn't know why it appeared but felt her powers connected. It seemed to have fused with her, appearing at her will.
In this cold prison, Robin found solace in its presence, allowing her to sleep peacefully.
And so, she fell asleep.
In a semi-conscious state, Robin noticed the mist around her again. The next moment, she found herself back in the giant hall.
She had returned to this world!
Robin's eyes widened in excitement. She believed this place had given her the Disappear power, and coming here again might help her master it.
But she soon realised she wasn't alone this time.
After all, a hall with so many seats couldn't just be for her.
"Hey? A newcomer?"
A processed voice called out. Robin looked towards the sound, seeing a card through the mist.
'Drive'
The Drive card?
So, she was the Disappear card?
"The newcomer is 'Disappear.'" A voice from the head seat said softly.
"I am Adam, this is the Twilight Hermit Society, comprised of…"
"Those who drive the destiny of eras."
...
I can only say that this new virus is terrifying...
I just recovered today. My father, due to complications from the virus, is hospitalised. They found cerebral hypoperfusion and heart and lung results are pending. I'm on the brink of a breakdown. Honestly, I almost couldn't write today. I had to take a leave for my other book.