"Mo~ thank you, Ha Shiro."
Nami accepted the drink with a bright smile, then leaned in and planted a kiss on Ha Shiro's cheek.
"I want one too, Nami~!"Sanji practically skidded across the deck, hearts bursting out of his eyes.
"Thank you too, Sanji," Nami replied sweetly, waving him off.
"Thank you, Ha Shiro."
Robin's "reward" was different.She quietly sprouted a hand on his shoulder, her fingers gently gliding along his cheek before she let it fade into petals. The way she lingered made Ha Shiro's heartbeat skip for a moment.
"Robin-chan, I want that too~!" Sanji barked like an excited dog.
A second hand appeared—only to pat Sanji on the head and give him a teasing little scratch before disappearing.Even that tiny bit of affection had Sanji swooning with happiness for the rest of the day.
"So biased…" he whimpered dramatically.
"There's still more inside. Go help yourself," Nami said, waving him away.
The fishing trio—Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy—immediately jumped to their feet and lunged for the remaining snacks.
"(⊙o⊙) Whoa! There's an island ahead!"
Luffy was the first to spot the landmass—an uninhabited island rising in the distance.
As usual, Nami took charge."Everyone, we need food and fresh water. Fan out and search! I'll take my measuring tools and chart the island."
Ha Shiro didn't follow this time. Instead, he released a puppet to tail Nami while he stretched out on the deck, basking lazily in the warm sun.
Soon, the deck grew quiet. Only Ha Shiro and Robin remained.
"Robin," he said suddenly, cracking one eye open, "tell me about your past. Why do you hate the World Government so much?"
"Huh?"Robin turned to him, momentarily caught off-guard.
"I know some things about you," he said calmly, "but I'm not sure. I want to hear it from you."
He wasn't hiding the fact that he was probing.
"…As you already know," Robin said softly, "I'm called the 'Devil's Child.' Knowing that, do you still want to stay close to me?"
"So what?" Ha Shiro replied instantly, sitting up. "A woman I like isn't someone the world can hurt."
"…What?"Robin's expression flickered—shock first, then a composed smile sliding back into place.
"What about that little girl in the Navy?" she asked slyly, her eyes curving with mischief.
"Tch—there you go using that trick again."Ha Shiro nearly choked. "She's just… my training partner. I only like her hair."
"Oh? Then what about me and Nami?" Robin asked, eyes gleaming. "Are we just your 'training partners' too? Do you only like our hair?"
"You're impossible—how am I supposed to talk like this?"Ha Shiro groaned. Robin was too sharp. She saw through everything.
Her expression suddenly shifted—serious, yet tinged with vulnerability."If one day, protecting me means becoming the enemy of the entire World Government… what would you choose?"
"What's wrong with that?" Ha Shiro shrugged. "Pirates are already enemies of the World Government. You're asking weird questions."
"…Can you really protect me?" Robin asked, studying him closely.
"I should be able to escape from a Vice Admiral," he said honestly. "And if it's an Admiral… I can at least buy you some time."
Robin laughed—a soft, disbelieving sound."Hahaha… do you even know how strong Admirals are? And you dare say something like that?"
"No one believes me," Ha Shiro admitted.
"If that day really comes…" he scratched his cheek, "I'll just grab you and Nami and run. Luffy can handle the rest."
"Oh? Now that sounds more believable."Robin still wasn't convinced of his power, but she accepted that answer.
"Alright then," Ha Shiro said, leaning toward her with a sly grin, "if you're done scolding me, come here. I want a taste—like last time."
"Oh? You want that?"Robin didn't budge. Instead, she sprouted a hand that grabbed his… lifeline.
Ha Shiro froze."…Oi. Robin. Are you serious? I was kidding!"
"If this works so well on you…" Robin's voice dipped, playful yet dangerous as she moved closer, "…then I'll use it more often."
She tightened her grip with her extra hands."Now then, let's talk about your secrets. Are you a spy for the Navy?"
Ha Shiro tensed. Her smile was triumphant."Talk," she said sweetly, tightening once more.
"Okay! Okay, I'll talk!" Ha Shiro yelped. "Let go! I'll say anything!"
He raised both hands in surrender."I used to be Navy barber instructor Tony—just cut hair for a living! You can look it up! Now can you please let go?!"
"Oh? Is that so?" She tilted her head. "Then why did you come aboard? And why did you save me?"
More hands sprouted—holding his wrists, ankles, everything."…Robin, maybe let go first?"
"If you want me to let go," she said, eyes gleaming, "call me onee-san. Loudly. Maybe I'll feel generous."
"Don't go too far—ah! Sister! Sister Robin! Please let go!"
Ha Shiro dropped to his knees "in pain," howling dramatically.
"Much better," Robin said, completely unfazed. "Stay like that. When they come back, I'll release you naturally."
She sat down calmly and opened a book, as if nothing were happening.
"Don't go too fa—ahhh— IT HURTS! IT HURTS TOO MUCH—!"
He screamed like he was dying.Fortunately, Ha Shiro was acting—committed to the role. An actor's discipline.
In truth, Robin hadn't grabbed anything vital at all.After all, Ha Shiro wasn't just long hair—he had plenty of tricks.
"Robin," he growled suddenly, "it's time for me to fight back."
His hair shot out, instantly knocking apart every sprouted hand, scattering them into petals.He appeared at Robin's side in a blink, wearing a wicked grin.
"Oh? Look."Robin pointed toward the shoreline. Figures were returning.
"Mm."Ha Shiro leaned in, bit her lower lip, gave her a sharp slap—and bolted.The whole sequence was fluid, practiced, lightning fast.
"Ha Shiro! You little—!"Robin reached after him with her fruit ability, but he had already launched himself with Moon Step and vanished.
"Ha Shiro, Robin! Come help—look at all the good stuff we found!"Nami and the others were returning, baskets brimming with fruit and fresh supplies.
"Coming," Ha Shiro said, slipping out from hiding.He glanced at Robin—who silently mouthed just wait.
…I'm dead tonight, he thought.
Sure enough, Robin came for him.
She made up an excuse to sleep with Nami—and deliberately chose the inside spot.
"Aah—!""Ha Shiro, what happened?" Nami asked."It's okay… must've bumped my leg. A-accident."
If he hadn't prepared, he wouldn't have survived Robin's subtle night-time "punishment."
Hidden by the curtain, he barely escaped.
Robin, on the other hand, finally allowed herself a satisfied smile.