On the Sabaody Archipelago, a dilapidated fishing boat that looked like it could fall apart at any moment slowly docked.
Kyle was the first to jump ashore, stretching his arms and loosening his stiff joints. He pushed open the heavy oak door of a large villa, and two petite figures immediately rushed into his arms like swallows returning to their nest.
"Lord Kyle! You're finally back!"
"We missed you so much!"
Sakura and Suzu hung on him, one on each side, nuzzling their heads against his chest. Kyle grinned, enjoying the moment as he skillfully wrapped his hands around their slender waists and took a contented sniff. Ah, there's no place like home!
Just then, the two maids paused. They looked up from Kyle's embrace, their gazes drifting over his shoulder to the quiet, black-haired little girl standing behind him, who was curiously observing the inside of the villa. Sakura and Suzu's cheeks puffed out at the same time, their voices tinged with a hint of jealousy.
"Lord Kyle… you brought another new girl back."
"Girl! Girl!" Perona, with her signature twin pigtails, floated out from inside. She flew circles around Kyle, teasing him gleefully.
A drop of cold sweat trickled down Kyle's forehead. You can't say it like that! Sakura and Suzu were brought here by Caron, Perona was brought back by Moriah, and Robin wanted to follow me herself. I've always acted with integrity! I'm a true gentleman!
He stretched out his hands and pinched Sakura and Suzu's puffed-up cheeks, which felt delightfully soft. "This is Nico Robin. From now on, she's our new companion."
Mihawk walked past them without a word, completely ignoring the scene. He headed straight for the training ground in the backyard. He could feel his sword getting hungry, and practicing his swordsmanship was far more important than any woman.
"Gihahahahaha… new research material…" Moriah cackled as his figure merged into the shadows in a corner and disappeared. He had gotten some new ideas for his Devil Fruit abilities during the fight on Ohara.
With the sword fanatic and the homebody gone, only Kyle and the chattering group of girls were left in the villa.
That night, the large dining table was laden with a lavish spread of dishes.
Sakura and Suzu stood to the side, looking a little embarrassed. "Um… Lord Kyle," they said softly, "we're ashamed to say it, but our cooking is probably still not as good as Mr. Mihawk's."
Kyle picked up a piece of roasted meat and stuffed it into his mouth. "A chef's knife skills are their foundation," he mumbled, "and Mihawk is unmatched in that area. When he doesn't get to cut people during the day, he has to take it out on the vegetables at night."
Mihawk, who had been sitting perfectly straight, paused as he was cutting his steak. He raised his hawk-like eyes to look at Kyle and asked in a flat voice, "Are there still powerful swordsmen in the New World?"
Ever since he had mastered his Haoshoku Haki, he hadn't had a battle that required his full strength. He knew that only by constantly finding stronger opponents could his own blade become even sharper.
Kyle swallowed his food and thought for a moment. The current Mihawk had indeed reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. There were very few people in the world who could challenge him.
"Hmm… let me think." Kyle began counting on his fingers. "There's Saint Garling of the God's Knights. That bald Gorosei member with the first-generation Kitetsu, Saint Nusjuro, should also be very strong. And... Golden Lion's two-sword style is powerful, though I think his swordsmanship is held back by those steering wheels he has for legs. Oh, and Rayleigh's sword skills haven't gotten rusty, either."
He suddenly leaned closer to Mihawk, a mischievous smile on his face. "What do you say, Hawkeye? How about I take you to Mary Geoise? We could go meet that Saint Nusjuro. Maybe snatch the first-generation Kitetsu and use it as a kitchen knife?"
Mihawk's eyes instantly lit up. He put down his knife and fork, his expression completely serious as if he were genuinely considering the idea.
"If you need it," he said, his tone leaving no room for jokes. If Kyle truly needed him to, he would not hesitate to draw his black blade and accompany him to the very top of the world.
Seeing how serious he was, Kyle quickly waved his hands. "Just kidding, just kidding! It's not time for that yet."
"However," Kyle's tone shifted, "I'll take you to meet Rayleigh tomorrow. You two can have a friendly spar and then get some drinks."
Robin sat quietly in a corner of the dining table, eating her food in small, neat bites. She listened silently to their conversation. She understood every single word they said, but when put together, it sounded like complete nonsense. The books on Ohara had never taught her anything like this.
Go to Mary Geoise? To meet the Gorosei? These were words that would terrify ordinary people, but they spoke them as casually as if they were discussing which market to buy groceries from tomorrow.
There were no strict hierarchies here, no suffocating rules, and certainly no betrayal or suspicion. Lord Kyle liked to joke around, but he always took control when things got serious. Mr. Mihawk seemed cold, but he was surprisingly gentle. And Mr. Moriah… was also becoming more human. Sakura, Suzu, and Perona would bicker over small things, but their eyes were bright and free of shadows.
Robin glanced at Sakura, who was serving her more food, and then at Kyle, who was ordering Mihawk to cook another dish. She suddenly felt that her decision to kneel and beg them to take her with them was perhaps the most correct decision she had ever made in her life.
As she thought this, her lips, which had been pressed into a tight line for so long, finally curved upwards into a small, subtle smile.
Mama, Sauro… she thought. I think I've found companions I can trust. I won't be alone anymore...
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