Original world.
"No!"
"No!"
"No!"
Every major force received the same answer.
Robert was nowhere to be found.
Even the Red Hair Pirates had conducted a search among their ranks, but unsurprisingly, they came up empty-handed.
Shanks frowned as he looked at the glowing screen in the sky.
"Now I'm more concerned about how that battle will end."
More than anything, he wanted to see what kind of power could scare his crew so much.
From the way things were unfolding, a huge battle was inevitable.
Benn Beckman suddenly spoke.
"Why don't we just ask the other world's Shanks?"
That made sense.
"(Original) Shanks: As expected, a fierce battle must have taken place in that world. How did it end?"
"(Present) Shanks: Ahem... It wasn't exactly a fierce battle."
The Shanks from the original world frowned.
He knew himself well—his other self wouldn't have phrased it that way unless he had lost.
"(Original) Shanks: Did we get beaten instantly?"
The Shanks from the present world hesitated.
He really didn't want to talk about it.
"(Present) Shanks: Not exactly..."
At least it wasn't instant defeat.
That meant they must have put up some resistance.
Shanks from the original world sighed in relief.
Seeing his counterpart's vague responses on the screen, others grew increasingly curious.
What had actually happened inside that tavern?
Why was Shanks avoiding the topic?
There was no way a Marine and a Pirate could coexist peacefully—a battle was inevitable.
This was their chance to witness Robert's true power.
It was also an opportunity to understand why Luffy had chosen the Marine path.
The comparison video resumed.
Robert walked over to the bar and sat down.
He placed his thermos cup on the counter.
Makino, sensing the tense atmosphere, cautiously approached.
"My lord, would you like something to drink?"
"No drinking during working hours," Robert said with a soft smile. "Please give me a cup of hot water."
Makino hesitated.
A man coming to a bar to drink hot water?
That was a first.
"(Current) Hina: Commissar Robert is always so gentle when he speaks."
"(Current) Tashigi: Haha. But the enemies don't think so. They start shaking the moment they hear his voice."
"(Present) Shanks: You nearly said my name..."
Robert took the steaming cup of water and drank it slowly.
Then, he spoke.
"Shanks, how long have you been out?"
The words sent a ripple through the tavern.
No one expected that to be his first question.
"(Original) Shanks: What?! Was I captured in that world? Impossible! Who caught me?"
"(Current) Sengoku: Impossible? You've been arrested several times."
Shanks turned slowly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Sir Robert, it's been a while. We were just released last month."
"Then why are you all gathered again? Planning to set sail?"
"This..." Shanks hesitated.
"It seems your reformation wasn't thorough enough."
Robert tapped his fingers on the counter rhythmically.
Da. Da. Da.
Shanks and his crew stiffened.
It was as if they were awaiting a verdict from fate.
"Should I do it, or will you do it yourselves?"
His voice was calm, but it carried an overwhelming pressure.
"Do it ourselves."
"Do it ourselves."
"Do it ourselves."
Without hesitation, Shanks and his men stretched out their hands.
Just then, the door opened.
Vice Admiral Momousagi stepped in, handcuffs in hand.
She swiftly and expertly cuffed each pirate before leading them outside.
The camera shifted.
Outside the tavern, an entire Marine battalion stood at attention.
Kizaru, Aokiji, Akainu, Garp, and Zephyr lined up in a row.
Shanks sighed.
His Observation Haki hadn't detected any of them.
Robert's Haki had been so strong that it had masked the entire Marine force.
"(Original) Garp: That's quite the display of force."
"(Original) Kaido: Shanks, you coward! You surrendered just like that?"
Shanks from the original world was just as stunned.
This was even worse than being instantly defeated.
They had given up without a fight.
This scene shattered the original world's perception of the Four Emperors.
"(Original) Shanks: Even if I knew I couldn't win, I shouldn't have surrendered!"
"(Present) Shanks: You're the guy who let a Sea King bite off your arm. You don't understand how terrifying Robert is. His Haki is so dense that you can't even move in front of him."
"(Original) Sengoku: That's it? It was that easy to capture them? Can the Four Emperors really be taken down like this?"
Sengoku had expected a fierce battle—a chance to gauge Robert's strength.
Who would've thought it would be over in seconds?
"(Current) Sengoku: How else are we supposed to capture them? Should we lure them into a trap like you did and then go all-in?"
"(Original) Sengoku: ..."
The difference was too much.
Comparing his world to the other was becoming increasingly painful.
Inside the now-quiet pub, only three people remained—Robert, Luffy, and Makino.
The once-lively pirates had been taken away in an instant.
Little Luffy stood on a stool, holding his drink with both hands.
He stared at Robert, wide-eyed.
That…
That was so cool!
Was this what a Marine was like?
His grandfather was a Marine, but he had never looked this cool!
"Bill, please."
Robert stood up.
"Sir, you only drank two cups of hot water. It's free," Makino said kindly.
"That won't do. A Marine cannot take advantage of the people, not even for something as small as a drink."
His voice was firm.
"(Current) Kizaru: As expected of Commissar Robert—he sets strict standards for himself, even with something as minor as a glass of water!"
"(Original) Kizaru: Hey, hey, hey… Don't blindly follow everything he does. It's just water!"
Makino hesitated.
She stretched out her hand, showing five fingers.
"Then… 50 Berries?"
Robert placed a 100 Berry note on the counter.
"If you don't have change, give me two more cups of hot water—one for the kid over there. It's my treat."
Makino's mouth twitched.
This was the first time she had ever seen someone buy hot water for someone else.
She accepted the money and handed out two more cups.
"Thanks."
Luffy, ever unbothered, happily drank his share.
Gulp. Gulp.
Both finished in a single go.
Robert turned to leave.
But before he could step outside—
Little Luffy rushed forward, carrying a wooden box filled with purple fruits.
He held it up to Robert.
"This fruit was left behind by them. Since you gave me water, I'll give you fruit!"
End of the Chapter.