"Taken by the Marine?"
Though unexpected, Olvia remained composed.
"They're unarmed, not Devil Fruit Users, and by all appearances just ordinary civilians..."
"But they came from Alabasta without proper identification," Shakky lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag before continuing softly.
"Given that Alabasta has openly sided with Michael now... of course the Marine would investigate suspicious arrivals from there."
"I considered that... today's Marine isn't like the old rabble. For harmless scholars, even if detained over identification issues, they'll be released after investigation." Olvia shook her head.
"If anything, me acting rashly now would just alert our enemies."
"Some good news though... your giant partner's whereabouts remain undiscovered." Shakky nodded.
"Saul, was it? Currently hiding near the coastal area of Grove 16..."
Olvia nodded in acknowledgment.
Saul had been her partner all these years, working closely together.
This time he'd arrived at Sabaody Archipelago several days ahead.
While giants stood out...
They didn't among other giants.
Grove 16 of Sabaody had originally been part of the lawless district.
But now, it had become the designated vacation spot for the giant kingdom Elbaf.
The prosperity of Sabaody Archipelago and Fish-Man Island had reached even distant Elbaf.
Combined with Elbaf's good relations with the Marine, Groves 16 and four surrounding numbered islands were specially designated as a resort area for giants.
Being former lawless territory, even after cleanup, regular folks still avoided living there.
"Understood. I'll head to Grove 16 to find Saul first... you can send all Sabaody intelligence there afterward."
Olvia said this and stood up, preparing to leave the tavern.
But Shakky raised her head, smiling as she looked at Olvia.
"By the way, to prevent you from being at a disadvantage, I'll tell you this first—right now, the Sabaody Archipelago is almost entirely under the full jurisdiction of a Rear Admiral named Nico Robin."
Shakky's words completely halted Olvia in her tracks.
"Nico… Robin?" Olvia frowned. "She's… just a Rear Admiral at Headquarters, isn't she?"
"You're underestimating your daughter too much… Though she is indeed just a Rear Admiral at Headquarters, reliable intelligence suggests she's already been internally designated by the higher-ups as the successor to Chief of Staff Tsuru." Shakky's smile didn't fade.
"Remember, the Sabaody Archipelago right now can pretty much be considered Nico Robin's personal domain."
...
Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 16.
"Dereshishishishi!"
"This wine really does taste great!"
Sitting by the shore beneath a cliff, the former Marine Giant Vice Admiral and current Revolutionary Army officer, Saul, was holding a large bottle of premium wine—specially brewed for giants and bought from a vendor on Grove 16—and drinking heartily.
Over the years, Saul had been fighting for the Revolutionary Army, so he hadn't returned to Elbaf even once.
This time, when he came to the Sabaody Archipelago, he discovered that the area around Grove 16 was practically swarming with giants!
It instantly stirred up his homesickness.
Thanks to the considerable number of giants in the area, he could swagger around openly without any issues.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten that he was here to assist Olvia.
By his calculations, Olvia should have already arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago with her people…
She'd probably come looking for him soon.
Thinking this, Saul took another swig of wine and muttered to himself:
"Work's about to start—can't afford to be as relaxed as I am now."
"Oh? Is that so? I wonder what kind of work that might be?"
A slightly hoarse, low female voice rang out from the cliff above.
Saul jolted, snapping his head up.
Under the moonlight, a woman clad in a Marine officer's uniform, draped in a Justice cloak, leaped down from the cliff.
Descending from the sky, it was as if two worlds had intertwined at this moment.
In Saul's eyes, the woman's face grew larger and larger as she fell.
His body suddenly stiffened.
Sitting on the beach, nestled between the blue and white of the sand and tide.
"Dereshishishishi! I wonder what business a Marine lady like yourself has here?" Saul spread his massive hands and laughed.
"I'm just a giant here to enjoy the sights of the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Cut the act, Saul. You've already recognized me, haven't you?"
"Dereshishishi! It's just… I didn't know what expression to wear when seeing you." Seeing that his feigned ignorance wouldn't work, Saul could only let out a long sigh.
"After all… I'm with the Revolutionary Army now."
"But I also haven't forgotten that you're my savior, my friend… my family." Robin gracefully stepped down onto the beach using several hands extended from the cliff face, her expression filled with warmth as she looked up at Saul.
"Long time no see, Saul. Your laugh is still as weird as ever."
"Dereshishishi! My laugh is still as weird as ever!" Saul extended his hands, lifting the girl who had once looked at him with the same expression into his palms, bringing her before his face.
"You've really grown up well... you're the spitting image of Olvia."
"Just like mother?"
"Your gentle eyes are exactly the same."
"You're the only one who's called me gentle in recent years, Saul."
Robin's expression remained soft throughout.
If her subordinates saw this, they'd surely exclaim, 'An illusion! This must be an illusion!'
"This time, coming to Sabaody Archipelago... does the Revolutionary Army have some operation planned?"
"Ah, well... I really shouldn't say." Saul shrugged helplessly. "After all, my mission is just to assist Olvia... Oh no! I've said too much!"
"Dereshishishi! So... mother has come to Sabaody Archipelago too, hasn't she?" Robin nodded thoughtfully.
"Take me... to see her."
"To be honest, I don't know exactly where she is now... but she'll definitely come back here to find me."
"Is that so?"
Robin smiled contentedly.
"Uh, Robin... what are you planning to do?"
"Of course, to fulfill my promise! You should remember I once said I'd definitely bring mother back to my side, right?"
"...Sigh."
Saul looked at that face identical to Olvia's.
He sighed.
Then made the same assessment as he had years ago.
"What a strange pair you mother and daughter are…"