The crack of musket fire and the thunder of cannon blasts echoed across the sea.
Mixed in with those sounds of destruction came something subtler—bones snapping.
Robin's gaze locked onto the massive ship drawing nearer, her ears catching the distant roar of explosions from the island behind her.
She wasn't worried about Don. In her eyes, his strength had already reached a level beyond her imagination.
Right now, her only thought was to grow stronger
Strong enough to remain at Don's side without becoming a burden.
The enemies Don would face in the future would no doubt be formidable. If she couldn't keep pace, then during battles ahead, Don might have to split his focus to protect her.
From the moment she met him until now, these days had been the most relaxed she'd had in over ten years.
And that peace—she was utterly addicted to it.
She would never let go, even if it killed her.
"Twist Whip!"
Striking down the pirates manning weapons on the distant vessel, Robin flung her right hand forward. Arms sprouted and stretched outward, linking together like a whip.
The chain of arms arced across the water, the final hand latching firmly onto the enemy ship's mast.
With a sharp pull, Robin was yanked across the waves, landing cleanly on the deck.
She twisted her body just as two blades slashed down from front and back.
Crack!
Two pirates who had tried to ambush her collapsed silently, their necks grotesquely bent.
"Treinta Fleurs: Clutch!"
Robin crossed her arms, unleashing a technique that consumed a good amount of stamina.
Dozens of arms sprouted all across the ship.
And now, she truly felt how much Observation Haki amplified her ability.
Before, her powers only worked within her line of sight. She needed to see the space she wished to affect.
But now, with Observation Haki, her sight was no longer a limit.
Within moments, as bone after bone snapped, silence fell upon the vessel.
Robin lowered her hands and turned toward the woman standing at the bow.
She wore a form-fitting flamenco dress of white dotted with red, with violet layers, and a red flower tucked into her hair.
Her very appearance stood out starkly from the others.
Viola's sharp eyes locked on Robin, full of wariness.
So, this woman also had an ability user by her side? And judging by the power—it had to be a Paramecia.
"Who are you?"
Robin's gaze drifted briefly to the fires blooming across the distant island before asking.
"Viola. An assassin from the Killer Corps under Torrepol of the Donquixote Family. Codename: Viola."
Her answer came without hesitation.
So direct?
Robin blinked, a little surprised.
But Viola herself was caught in a dilemma.
Her contact with Don hadn't been by choice.
If it were only her, she would have already found a way to escape the Donquixote Family.
But her family was still in Dressrosa—her father, and her sister's child.
If she betrayed them now, her loved ones would surely be killed.
And so, she dared not move recklessly.
Viola wasn't skilled in combat. While her Devil Fruit gave her some means, Robin's earlier display made it clear she was no match.
And more importantly—there was someone far stronger close by.
After weighing her options, Viola simply stood where she was, showing no hostility.
Seeing this, Robin didn't press further. She turned instead to the railing, her eyes fixed on the burning, exploding island in the distance.
"This is a trap?"
Robin asked flatly.
Viola nodded.
"Yes. Because of Admiral Kizaru and the World Government, Doflamingo changed his original plan. He wants to draw the Navy's and Government's attention onto you."
"…What?"
Robin froze, turning back to Viola.
"You're calling him by his full name directly?"
Robin could tell—there was no reverence in Viola's tone for Doflamingo.
From what Don had told her, his subordinates usually held him in near-worship.
"Shouldn't you be more concerned about the Admiral and the World Government?" Viola frowned.
"We already know."
Robin waved the concern away. Don had already made his stance clear, so she saw no need to dwell on it.
"In that case, my advice is—don't stir up too much trouble."
Viola studied Robin's expression, trying to gauge whether she spoke the truth.
Her fruit could read a person's thoughts—but against those with Observation Haki, its effect was hindered.
And to use it openly might be seen as an attack, so she refrained.
"As for that, I can't decide." Robin shook her hand dismissively, not pressing her with more questions.
On the burning island, the factory was in ruins.
Don's Observation Haki had already spread across the vast sea around them.
Unlike others, his Haki specialized in sheer range.
Perhaps because he kept it active constantly, his Observation had evolved in that direction.
He witnessed everything that had happened on the ship—Robin's decisive strikes, and the woman in the dance dress.
"Looks like she's grasping Observation quickly."
The method Don had taught Robin came from Koushirou.
But unlike when Koushirou had used killing intent to provoke him, Don had chosen a different approach.
Strong Observation Haki could, to some extent, influence another's thoughts.
And with it, Don had planted the intense spark Robin needed.
Her talent and training had carried her the rest of the way.
Below, the burning island finally began to sink as seawater poured in.
Don's body turned to flame and shot skyward, leaving a blazing tail behind him.
Boom!
The fireball descended onto the anchored ship. The flames receded, and Don emerged, landing with a forceful gust that rippled through Robin's and Viola's clothes.
"I left one alive. Might be useful for gathering intel."
Robin gestured subtly toward Viola.
Don's eyes swept over her.
Younger than he had pictured.
"You're the one who left that message?"
He glanced at Robin, then questioned Viola directly.
Robin's eyes flickered with understanding.
From Viola's earlier attitude, she had already guessed as much.
END OF CHAPTER
patreon.com/MrBehringer
Fireborne Legends
🔹 Rising Bounty – Read up to 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Legendary Bounty – Command up to 35 chapters ahead