Robin could tell Don was just teasing.
But in their current position—Don pressing her arms down, his entire body leaning against hers—her heart still raced.
She bit her lip lightly.
"President, you can pull it off, can't you?"
Her voice was soft, almost breathless.
"You've got that much confidence in me?" Don asked, gazing into her flushed, radiant face.
Just as Robin was about to answer, the cabin door creaked open.
Both of them turned their heads at once.
Lao G stood frozen at the doorway, eyes wide as he took in the scene before him.
And of course, he also caught the sharp, unfriendly glares from the two inside.
"Ahem! I didn't see a thing!"
His eyes darted nervously as he slammed the door shut, then stumbled off down the deck, his legs all but tangled together.
I'm doomed… I barged right into that?!
Panic filled Lao G's mind.
Inside the cabin, the two turned back to face each other.
"Weren't you keeping your Observation Haki on?" Robin asked, clearly exasperated. "How did you not notice him coming?"
Don let go of her arms and scratched his cheek, looking embarrassed.
"How was I supposed to know he'd just walk in without knocking?"
He glanced at Robin as she sat up and straightened her dress, absentmindedly rubbing his chin as if appreciating the view.
Robin nearly rolled her eyes, but restrained herself—it felt unseemly.
"Let's focus on what's in front of us. As for our big plan, I'll leave it entirely in your hands. I'll just handle the fighting."
Having admired the sight enough, Don waved dismissively, acting like a carefree boss handing off all responsibility.
Robin sighed, helpless, though inside she felt a quiet warmth.
It meant Don truly valued her. That was something she hadn't really experienced before.
With that, Don rose and walked to the cabin door. Turning back, he told her,
"Before we reach the Grand Line, you need to awaken your Observation Haki. So prepare yourself—I won't be going easy on you."
He pushed open the door and left, while Robin stiffened.
Her cheeks flushed as she recalled Don's "training methods."
—
Out on deck, Don hadn't even reached them yet when he overheard Lao G talking animatedly to Bu Wu.
"Ahem!"
Bu Wu coughed several times when he saw Don approaching, trying to warn him.
But Lao G didn't pick up on it at all.
"I'm telling you, that Robin lady is a real beauty. Don sure knows how to enjoy himself. You should've seen it—when I opened that door"
He winked and gestured, until he felt a hand rest on his shoulder.
"Quit fooling around."
Lao G swatted the hand off, but then froze.
On this ship, there were very few who would dare do that.
And whoever it was had snuck up behind him without a sound.
When he looked up, he saw Bu Wu's expression—a look that screamed pray for your life.
Creak, creak
Lao G turned his neck stiffly, the joints grinding audibly.
Behind him stood Don, smiling pleasantly—but the smile carried no kindness at all.
"Go on," Don said with that same grin. "I'm listening."
Gulp.
Lao G swallowed hard, instinctively stepping back.
"No, no—I didn't say anything!" he stammered, forcing a laugh.
Boom!
A sharp sonic crack split the air as Lao G's figure vanished from the deck.
"AAAAAAHHHH!"
His scream echoed across the sea before he finally crashed into the waves far in the distance.
Bu Wu swallowed nervously.
"I swear I didn't say a word. He just wouldn't stop."
Don gave him a sideways look. "What do you want with me?"
"The route ahead," Bu Wu answered quickly. "Once we enter the Grand Line, we can either ride the currents, or go against the flow at Reverse Mountain's convergence."
"You're not considering the Calm Belt?"
"The Calm Belt leads straight across the New World—it's far too dangerous," Bu Wu explained.
"Ahem!"
Soaking wet, Lao G clambered back onto the ship.
The crew pretended not to notice, each busying themselves with meaningless tasks.
"Crossing Reverse Mountain is the only way to reach the Grand Line. The Calm Belt only connects to the East and South Blue."
Shaking seawater from his clothes, Lao G stepped closer.
"Our ship has enough power, but we'll definitely run into vessels coming up from the North Blue. Collisions are almost certain."
"How long until the current?" Don asked.
"About a month and a half." Bu Wu replied.
"Too long." Don shook his head.
"Then… should we head into the North Blue instead?" Lao G suggested cautiously.
"Forget it. Stick to your plan. Robin and I will disembark at the convergence."
"We could escort you to the North Blue…" Lao G pressed, worried about what Chinjao might say if he learned they'd abandoned Don halfway.
"No need. You've got your own business to handle," Don said, shaking his head again.
He gazed at the slanted upward flow of the currents outside.
"Just give me a ship."
Lao G and Bu Wu exchanged glances, then nodded.
"Understood. We'll prepare one."
Don waved them off and turned back toward his cabin.
"Maybe we should train in the North Blue," Lao G muttered. "There are plenty of pirates there. They say the sudden surge of weapons across the seas all came from there."
"Huh?"
Bu Wu shot him a look and immediately cut him off.
"Stick to the plan—we'll sail through Paradise first. As for the North Blue…" He glanced toward Don's retreating figure. "I've got a feeling something big's about to happen there."
—
Inside the cabin, Robin had slipped off her blouse, her bare back catching the light.
Hearing the door open, she pressed her hand to her chest and turned—then relaxed when she saw Don.
He approached, eyes trailing over her pale back, while Robin calmly pulled on a new top.
"We'll be leaving the ship soon—at the currents' convergence on Reverse Mountain," Don said.
"How will we get down?" she asked, lowering her hands.
"I've got a way. But this time, I'm going to stir up trouble. Which means you'll be fighting plenty too."
It would be the perfect chance to temper her in real combat.
Robin's face tensed. Somehow she knew this wouldn't be easy.
"You won't be up against any real masters. If you are, I'll handle it. The rest… they're yours."
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Getting back at me?"
Her gaze drifted to the thick stack of papers on the table, and she suddenly felt she'd hit the truth.
"Impossible! Absolutely not!" Don waved his hands defensively.
"I'm not that petty!"