Chapter 6: Qualified Maid
With the help of telekinetic wind control, the Ship arrived at the capital of waters Water 7 from Reverse Mountain in just seven days.
That's an incredible speed.
Even for a large three-masted sailing ship, it would take at least half a month to travel from Reverse Mountain to the Capital of Waters, Water 7, without stopping for supplies along the way. The Ship, being a medium-sized two-masted sailing ship, managed the journey in half the time.
This demonstrates just how fast the Ship can move. In this age of sail, the power of the wind is crucial. Among Logia Devil Fruits, the Logia Wind-Wind Fruit would be considered one of the top Devil Fruits.
"Robin, go see if there's a black market stronghold on this island," Kahn instructed.
After docking the Ship, Kahn and Robin rented a Bull and made their way to the central street of the capital of waters. To train Robin, Kahn did not use his unique observation, Haki, and instead relied on Robin, who was carrying a metal box.
"Yes, Master," Robin responded, nodding slightly.
They arrived at the most luxurious hotel on Central Street and secured the most exclusive suite. After placing the metal box in the suite, Robin left to gather information.
Kahn sat on the balcony sofa, releasing his innate Observation of Haki combined with telekinesis. Similar to Enel's Mantra, it could not only eavesdrop on conversations but also read the perceptions of the heart, enveloping the entire capital of waters.
Furthermore, Kahn, like a deity, could use telekinetic power to control all objects within his perception range. If someone tried to sneak aboard the Ship, Kahn could lift the thief with just a thought or use telekinesis to eliminate air friction and launch a stone at sniper speed to incapacitate the intruder.
This is why Kahn felt secure in breaking down the ship and leaving Robin to gather intel alone. As long as he didn't encounter a super-strong opponent, Kahn was confident he could protect the Ship and Robin from afar.
Over the past two years, Robin had gained a good understanding of Kahn's abilities, except for his mind-reading Observation Haki. She also knew Kahn would secretly protect her.
However, Robin didn't rely on Kahn's ultra-long-range protection. After leaving the hotel, she bought a mask typical of the capital of waters, covering some of her baby fat, though she was still recognized as the "Demon Child" with a bounty of 79 million Berries at the age of eight.
She wandered around Central Street, crossing her hands on her chest to use her Devil Fruit ability to peek into dark alleys and look for signs of the black market. In the Pirate World, every force has its own logo, including the World Government that has ruled for 800 years. To find a black market in a city, you just need to check its most prosperous areas for these signs.
As a world-recognized shipbuilding holy land frequented by pirates and marines alike, the capital of waters naturally had black market strongholds. Robin soon found a black market sign in an alley. She didn't report to Kahn by air but returned to the hotel suite to inform him in person.
"...Thanks for your hard work," Kahn said, pinching her serious little face as she entered work mode.
"Master..."
"Sorry, sorry, it's just that you're so cute," Kahn apologized, not sounding very sincere.
"..." Robin looked at Kahn, slightly speechless.
For all his seriousness, Kahn could be more mature than Robin, almost like an experienced adult. But his childish side made him seem less like a fifteen-year-old boy and more like a master humouring a young child. Robin found it both endearing and exasperating.
Fortunately, it wasn't the first time Robin had been playfully harassed by Kahn during a work report.
At first, she would blush shyly, but now, Robin simply touched her pinched cheek and asked, "Master, are you going to the black market now?"
"Yeah..." Kahn nodded, standing up. "I hope the black market here has a little surprise for me."
Robin didn't ask what the surprise was, just as she didn't ask why Kahn had just entered the Grand Line and was heading to the Sabaody Archipelago. A qualified maid only needed to faithfully carry out her master's orders. She didn't ask unnecessary questions or speak out of turn. When her master wanted to share something, she would know.
Robin's smart mind and calm personality would have made her an elite in any profession. In just two years, she had become the perfect maid Kahn had envisioned in his previous life.
Leaving the hotel, Kahn and Robin approached the door marked with the black market sign.
Knock, knock—
The door quickly opened to reveal a fat middle-aged man in a black suit.
The man carefully examined Kahn and Robin, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes before his attitude became enthusiastic. "Welcome, distinguished guests, please come in!"
He gestured for them to enter, clearly recognizing Kahn's identity. Kahn, reading the man's mind with his heart-piercing Observation Haki, led Robin inside without changing his expression.
The middle-aged man then looked around, took down the black market sign at the door, locked it, and guided Kahn and Robin to the living room on the second floor.
Each black market has its own style; they aren't uniformly dark and dirty or smoky places. This particular black market was a residence with a simple exterior and lavish interior, with only the middle-aged man present. Without the sign at the door, no one would know this was a black market stronghold.
After settling Kahn and Robin in the second-floor living room, the middle-aged man brought out red wine and tea to entertain them. "Master Kahn, I wonder what you need?"
He didn't ask what Kahn wanted to buy but what he needed. Most black markets didn't keep goods on-site to avoid being robbed by fools. Instead, they conducted business with customers, delivering the goods to the pier after payment. If a customer needed something not available at this location, it would be transferred from other bases.
"I want information."
Kahn glanced at Robin, who had taken the initiative to decant the red wine, and then looked back at the middle-aged man. "I want to know..."
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