"—Rayleigh!"
Luffy fell silent. The cheerful grin that was always on his face slowly faded.
Everything that had happened at the Sabaody Archipelago was still vivid in his mind. Sakazuki (Admiral Akainu) was completely different from Borsalino (Admiral Kizaru). Akainu was the kind of man who could not tolerate the slightest impurity.
Perhaps Kizaru might hesitate because of Luffy's grandfather…
…but Akainu definitely would not.
Akainu would exhaust everything he had just to erase Luffy.
Luffy had personally witnessed the battle between Akainu and Silvers Rayleigh. Akainu fought like a madman, completely ignoring his injuries.
And on top of that, he possessed the Mag-Mag Fruit (Magu Magu no Mi)—a Devil Fruit fad for having the strongest offensive power.
If Rayleigh hadn't stopped Akainu…
there would have been no need to guess.
Luffy would have died.
What truly shook him was that Rayleigh had genuinely risked his life.
If Luffy had arrived even a little later—
Rayleigh would already be dead.
"Where… is Rayleigh now?"
Luffy's voice was hoarse.
"He's in the dical ward. He still can't get out of bed."
The mont those words were spoken—
Crackle—!
Blue lightning suddenly shot out through the window without the slightest pause.
"Luffy?!" Sabo hurriedly chased after him.
"Wait. Let them talk," Monkey D. Dragon said calmly. "Didn't you say we still need to rescue people? Let's discuss the plan."
Dragon lifted the teacup on the table and took a slow sip.
dical Ward
An old man with snow-white hair struggled to sit up on the bed.
"Thank you for taking care of this old man these past few days," Rayleigh said to the nurse delivering his al.
"No, the chief told us you're his benefactor. We must take good care of you," the young nurse replied.
She had no idea that the one-ard elderly man before her…
was the legendary Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh.
For the past few days, she had taken care of him carefully, with both respect and sympathy.
She placed the food on the table beside the bed.
"Let help you."
"No need. I still have enough strength for this."
Rayleigh braced himself with his right hand and slowly stood up from the bed. He walked to the table and sat down, using his remaining hand to pick up the chopsticks.
"Could you step outside for a mont?" Rayleigh said with a faint smile. "I'd rather not have anyone see looking this miserable."
The nurse hesitated, concern flashing across her face, but eventually she nodded and walked out.
Not long after, the door opened again.
Rayleigh turned his head. His wise eyes fixed on the newcor, and a smile spread across his face.
"That hat… suits a tough man."
"Uncle Rayleigh!!"
Seeing the old man with the empty left sleeve in the simple room, Luffy's eyes imdiately reddened.
"I… I'm not worth it…"
"There's no such thing as worth it or not."
Rayleigh set down his chopsticks and interrupted him.
A sharp glint flashed in the old pirate's cloudy eyes.
"You are a man truly acknowledged by Silvers Rayleigh."
"I'm willing to fight for you."
"Luffy, our adventures ended long ago. If these old bones of mine can exchange themselves for a bit of hope for the world…"
"I think that's worth it."
Drip.
Tears slid down Luffy's cheeks and fell uncontrollably onto the floor.
He wiped them away frantically with his arm. His reddened eyes burned with determination.
"Uncle Rayleigh… don't worry."
"I will definitely find a way to save you!"
Rayleigh looked at the fragile yet stubborn boy before him.
No matter how strong he had beco, Luffy was still only a boy—not yet eighteen—who had been at sea for barely two months.
Rayleigh slowly nodded.
"I'll wait for you."
Luffy stepped out of the dical ward, his emotions tangled.
System… you must have a way, right?
You definitely do… don't you?
Please… just this one thing.
[Ding]
Luffy let out a quiet sigh.
No matter what, he would repay this kindness.
He looked toward the headquarters building.
There was still sothing important he had to deal with.
Bang!
Luffy pushed open the door.
To his surprise, there was an extra person in the room.
Dark green wavy hair flowed down to her shoulders. Loose bangs partially covered her calm, sharp eyes. She wore a simple cropped top and long pants that revealed her slender waist. Her skin was fair, her lips a soft pink.
"Robin?!" Luffy blurted out.
"Luffy! Why are you here?" Nico Robin turned around, her deep blue-black eyes shining with joy.
Luffy: ???
Isn't this my house…?
But Robin suddenly stepped closer, studying him carefully.
"Luffy… when did you get so tall?"
"Huh?" Luffy blinked in surprise.
She was right.
He used to be shorter than Robin, but now they were almost the sa height.
He had sohow never noticed.
After a quick sweep with Observation Haki, he realized—
His height had grown from 174 cm to 185 cm.
It was probably due to his lineage factor.
anwhile, Dragon and the other two silently watched the scene and realized they were clearly outsiders.
A strange light flickered in Dragon's eyes. With a casual wave of his rough hand, green wind wrapped around the three of them.
In an instant—
they disappeared.
Only Luffy and Robin remained in the room.
Of course, their departure didn't escape the notice of either of them.
Robin gazed at Luffy with watery blue-black eyes. She gently wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice soft.
"I thought I wouldn't care…"
"But it turns out…"
"I care a lot."
"Robin…"
Luffy was no longer the clueless bachelor he once was.
He understood exactly what she ant.
Then—
"Mmph!"
Luffy's eyes widened.
His lips had suddenly been sealed.
The kiss was brief, almost fleeting, but it left Luffy feeling as if he had reached the peak of a mountain.
Robin's cheeks flushed with shy crimson. She looked away, unable to et his gaze.
At that mont, Luffy snapped back to his senses.
Seeing Robin's bashful and uneasy expression—and finally understanding her feelings—he made up his mind.
Fine. If I'm a scoundrel, then so be it.
Luffy wrapped his arm around Robin's slender waist and kissed her back forcefully.
Their lips parted slightly as the kiss deepened.
Warm and intense.
Robin's mind instantly went blank.
She could only cling to his neck instinctively.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Her body felt soft and numb, as if all her strength had drained away.
Her pupils lost focus as she slowly closed her eyes.
Little by little, she sank into the mont.
Eventually—
their lips parted, a thin strand of breath lingering between them.
Robin opened her hazy eyes, panting softly. Her body trembled slightly, her legs weak as she collapsed into Luffy's arms.
"So… you do like after all," Robin said with a sly smile.
Her eyes curved like a satisfied little cat that had stolen cream.
"Uh…" Luffy looked slightly embarrassed.
After all, he couldn't exactly deny it now.
He could only hope a full-blown romantic battlefield wouldn't happen later.
Robin snuggled contentedly in Luffy's embrace. The faint scent of lilies that belonged uniquely to her lingered in the air, giving her a sense of warmth like ho.
"Oh right," Robin suddenly asked.
"How many tis have you kissed her?"
"Huh?" Luffy froze.
Caught completely off guard, he stamred,
"About… seven tis?"
"Seven tis?"
Robin glared at him fiercely. A competitive spark flashed in her eyes.
"R-Robin… don't… don't get impulsive!"
Seeing the obvious fighting spirit rising in her, Luffy suddenly felt nervous.
But clearly—
this was not sothing Luffy had any say in.
Nearly half an hour later…
Luffy sat on an expensive sofa, still carrying Robin's delicate lily-like fragrance.
Pure, fresh, and elegant.
Robin held onto his left arm, resting her head lightly on his shoulder, a victorious smile on her face.
Luffy picked up a Den Den Mushi.
"It's ti to contact them."
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