Chapter 110: Night Conversations, Gentle Moments & Unspoken Promises
As night deepened, Kuzan politely declined Vivi's invitation to stay overnight and rose to leave. Under the moonlight, his tall figure stood out clearly. "I won't be staying here tonight."
He paused, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes. "By the way, Princess Vivi… weren't you supposed to have been kidnapped onto this ship? Why does it seem like… something's a bit off?"
"Eh? Well…" Vivi immediately faltered; a blush spread across her fair cheeks as her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her dress. "I-It's complicated… there are all kinds of reasons…" Her voice grew smaller and smaller until it was barely a murmur.
Kuzan gave a light chuckle and didn't press further. He turned and stepped off the ship, heading toward the island. Sol naturally followed after him.
Before long, Kuzan was pushing his bicycle toward the beach, the wheels leaving faint tracks in the sand.
"Speaking of which," Kuzan suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a trace of nostalgia, "it's been a long time since we walked like this together, Sol."
Sol walked with both hands behind his head, gazing up at the starry sky: "Yeah. Thinking back now, those days of getting drilled by that rotten old man Garp really sent chills down my spine."
Kuzan tilted his head: "So? How does it feel being a pirate now?"
"Freedom," Sol answered without hesitation, a smile tugging at his lips. "Real freedom. No more being bound by Navy rules. Now I can live exactly as I want." He paused, his gaze suddenly sharpening. "Most importantly—if I run into trash like Celestial Dragons again, I can beat them down without holding back."
Kuzan shook his head helplessly: "Hey hey, you're talking like you never punched a Celestial Dragon while you were in the Navy." He gave Sol a sideways glance, tone teasing—he remembered very clearly that was exactly the incident that led to Sol leaving the Navy.
"So what? I never signed up to protect scum like them," Sol scoffed.
Kuzan's movements slowed slightly; his gaze grew deeper. "But the Navy can't exist independently…" His voice carried a trace of helplessness. "Forget the New World—even just covering Headquarters and the four seas branches, the annual military budget is astronomical. Without the World Government, no one could sustain such a massive organization."
He looked up at the starry sky and continued: "The price… is exactly what you know best: protecting the Celestial Dragons, upholding the World Government's rule."
"To uphold 'justice,' far too many things have been sacrificed…" Kuzan let out a soft sigh and shook his head.
Sol grinned half-jokingly: "Then when you finally can't stand the Navy anymore, come be a pirate with me! We're short a freezer manager—your ability would be perfect for the job."
"Hahaha, we'll talk about that when the time comes!" Kuzan burst into hearty laughter. Soon the two reached the beach.
He swung his leg over the bicycle. Before leaving, he looked back at Sol: "By the way, I already sent out my golden Den Den Mushi." With that, the sea beneath his wheels instantly froze into a path of ice stretching forward.
Kuzan's figure gradually faded into the distance, leaving only a trail of glittering ice crystals under the moonlight.
Sol watched him go. The smile slowly faded from his lips; a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.
Back on the Merry's deck, the crew immediately crowded around him. "Sol's back! Did that Navy Admiral leave?" Luffy stretched his neck to peer toward the sea.
Usopp clung to the railing, shivering: "A Navy Admiral actually showed up in person… my heart almost stopped!"
"He seemed to come specifically to see Robin, right?" Nami stood with hands on hips, thoughtful. "Didn't he mention he's been watching her all this time?"
Robin gently brushed aside her wind-tossed hair: "Indeed… I only found out today."
"That guy's just like that—don't worry about it." Sol waved casually and headed toward the bathroom. "Gonna shower first—feeling sticky."
Inside the steamy bathroom, Sol lay back in the tub with a hot towel over his face. "That damn arrogant Kuzan…" he muttered under his breath. "Had to test whether we really meant to protect Robin… made my dragon transformation deepen again…" Droplets slid down his arm. "Wonder how much longer Troya's magic can hold…"
His eyelids grew heavier. Just as he was about to drift off, the bathroom door burst open.
"You fell asleep in here again!" Nami walked in wrapped in a towel, hair still dripping water.
Sol mumbled groggily, suddenly feeling something soft press against his back. "Mm? Nami, why are you in here…"
"Shut up," Nami knelt behind him and grabbed a towel, scrubbing his back vigorously. "There's a line outside waiting to shower." Her movements were brisk, but unconsciously gentler.
Amid the sound of running water, Nami efficiently finished his back and stood to rinse herself under the shower. She hung the towel aside and stepped under the spray without hesitation. "What are you staring at…" Sensing Sol's gaze, her ear tips flushed slightly. "…it's embarrassing, okay."
"No," Sol stood up smiling, water streaming down his toned muscles. "I just think Nami's really cute."
When they stepped out of the bathroom, Nami naturally took Sol's hand: "Come dry my hair." Her orange hair glowed softly under the lamplight, carrying a faint citrus scent.
The night breeze blew gently across the deck; only the faint hum of wind dials broke the silence. Sol ran his fingers through Nami's smooth orange hair as warm air from the wind dial lifted the strands.
"These Skypiean dials really are convenient," Nami said with squinted eyes, hair fluttering in the breeze. "Way faster than a normal hair dryer."
As her hair gradually dried, she suddenly turned, cupped Sol's face in both hands, and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
"Good night, Sol." Her voice was very gentle. "Today… thank you for protecting everyone."
Under the moonlight, her smile shone brighter than the stars. Sol froze for a second, then smiled and ruffled her hair: "Dummy. Isn't that obvious?"
Nami gave a soft humph and turned toward the girls' quarters—but paused at the cabin door and looked back at him once more.
Moonlight bathed the deck. Robin leaned against the railing, cradling a cup of hot milk; faint white steam rose from it. Her lips curved in her usual calm smile, but her eyes held more warmth than usual.
"The Vice Captain and our Navigator really do make a lovely couple," she said softly, taking a sip of milk. Her voice carried gentle teasing. "But today… thank you very much."
Sol leaned against the railing beside her, night wind brushing his hair: "Didn't I say it when I invited you aboard?" He gazed out at the rolling sea under the moonlight. "That promise to protect you wasn't just empty words."
Robin looked down at the gently swirling milk in her cup; her eyelashes cast delicate shadows in the moonlight. After a long pause, she lifted her head, brows relaxing into a soft smile: "Mm."
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