"I can hold off two Admirals, but only two of my crew are combat-ready. I won't risk my comrades' lives for strangers," Rhett said softly.
In the distance, Akainu's magma fist descended, turning the refugee ship to flames. The screams carried even this far.
Robin's tears fell onto the deck. Rhett reached out, wiping his own eyes.
"See clearly, kid," he murmured. "This is the World Government's 'justice.' This world is rotten."
On the distant ice field, Kuzan stood alone, gazing at the burning Ohara.
"Kuzan! What are you doing?!" Akainu's furious roar echoed. "Stop daydreaming! Carry out the orders!"
Aokiji didn't respond, slowly raising his hand as chilling air gathered in his palm.
—But he didn't release it.
Rhett watched him, a cold smirk twisting his lips. "Kuzan, the flames are out."
Laboon approached Robin, gently nuzzling her cheek.
Robin bit her lip until it bled.
Rhett turned and walked toward the cabin.
"Lord Rhett..." Perona spoke timidly.
"Perona," Rhett said, not turning. "Take her to rest."
Perona nodded, taking Robin's hand.
But Robin spoke, her voice hoarse: "...Will you help me get revenge?"
Rhett paused.
"No," he said flatly.
Robin's nails dug into her palms.
"But—" Rhett glanced sideways. "If you want the truth, if you want to change this world... I can teach you how to make those so-called 'gods' kneel and beg for mercy."
I've got experience killing Celestial Dragons.
Robin's pupils contracted.
Rhett pushed open the door, leaving only these words:
"Survive. Grow stronger. Then—take back everything you've lost with your own hands."
The Oro Jackson sailed away as Ohara burned behind them.
Robin stood at the stern until the burning great tree vanished. Perona squeezed her hand.
"Robin... Let's grow stronger together from now on."
Robin nodded.
Rhett hadn't invited Robin to join the crew. He knew she'd find her own companions.
Robin had emerged from Ohara's shadow. Or so it seemed.
Sitting at a small wooden table, Robin studied a thick historical text Rhett had casually grabbed for her.
Hakuryu was as considerate as ever.
Robin adjusted her glasses, tapping the table.
"Perona, have you finished today's homework? I need to check it."
Perona floated mid-air, hugging her Kumashi plushie, yawning. "Mmm... I don't wanna."
Robin smiled gently. "That won't do. Lord Rhett said basic knowledge is essential. Otherwise, you'll become a total illiterate who can't even read words."
Perona puffed her cheeks as ghosts drifted from her body, circling Robin. "But it's so boring! Studying won't make me stronger!"
Robin poked one floating ghost, making it vanish with a "poof."
Closing the book, she said cheerfully, "Then how about this—if you can answer my question correctly, you can skip studying today."
Perona's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes." Robin raised a finger. "First question—'What should we do when encountering a storm?'"
Perona: "..."
Robin simply stared at her.
Perona silently floated to the table, picked up a quill, and grumbled, "...I'll do the homework."
This question was way beyond the syllabus, right?
Just then, Moriah emerged from between the deck planks, chuckling ominously. "Foshesheshe... Little girl, want me to do your homework for you?"
The old man couldn't bear seeing Perona struggle.
Perona brightened. "Really?"
Robin calmly turned a page. "Lord Moriah, if you help her, Lord Rhett might ask Lord Enel to give you an electric 'massage.'"
Moriah's shadow stiffened before silently retreating. "...Forget I said anything."
The cabin door opened as Rhett entered carrying several cups of warm milk.
"What's all this noise?"
Perona immediately floated over, pouting. "Lord Rhett! Robin's bullying me!"
Rhett raised a brow, handing one cup to Robin. "She made you do homework?"
Perona nodded vigorously. "Yeah!"
Rhett took a sip of milk. "You're at the age where you should be striving, not playing around."
Robin accepted her cup, smiling. "Besides, if you don't study hard, you won't even understand newspapers. What if the Marines issue a bounty poster you can't read?"
Perona froze, then her eyes sparkled—"...That makes sense!" Then she deflated.
After all this time, her bounty was only 1,500 Berries, while Robin's started at 79 million.
Just listen to that title—"Demon Child"—so intimidating.
As for Laboon's bounty... well, it remained unchanged. Rhett suspected Laboon's bounty was being manipulated.
She immediately floated back to the table, grabbing her pen with determination. "I need to learn to read newspapers!!"
Rhett and Robin exchanged a glance, clinking their cups.
In Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office, an urgent report was slammed onto the desk.
"Crimson Dawn intervened during the Ohara incident! And they took Nico Robin!"
Sengoku's brow furrowed.
Akainu's fist smashed through the desk, molten lava sizzling on the floor. "Kuzan!"
He whirled around, glaring at Aokiji. "Why didn't you intercept that ship?!"
Aokiji, unusually listless since returning from Ohara, lazily yawned. "Ara ara... Maybe it was too far away."
"Don't give me excuses!" Akainu's magma arm seethed. "Do you know how many innocent people will die hunting down those escapees?"
Aokiji's gaze darkened. "Sakazuki, are you questioning my judgment?"
The air between them dropped below freezing.
Meanwhile, Garp sat on the sofa munching rice crackers, laughing like a fool. "Hahaha! I'm gonna be a grandpa!"
Sengoku's vein bulged. "GARP!!!"
Garp scratched his ear. "Huh? Oh, the Ohara thing? Isn't that over already?"
Akainu was livid. "Crimson Dawn took Ohara's last survivor! The research on Poneglyphs could leak!"
Aokiji shrugged. "The World Government already ordered all scholars eliminated. As for one kid..."
He paused.
"What waves can she make? And don't forget—Rhett was Roger's crewmate. Who knows what he might know?"
Akainu's eyes burned with fury. "Kuzan! With that attitude, you're unworthy of being an Admiral!"
Aokiji gave him a cold look. "At least I don't slaughter civilians indiscriminately."