While Leno's group was eating, footsteps echoed outside. Soon, a squad of men in black suits entered, led by a short, slightly plump man.
"Leno-san, please forgive the abrupt intrusion. I am Capone Bege, head of the Capone Family. I've come today specifically to apologize to you."
"You came quickly. I was just about to go looking for you," Leno said with a smile as he wiped his mouth.
Bege's pupils shrank. He'd seen the manor of the Hog family—charred corpses everywhere.
Hurriedly, he said, "Mr. Leno, I sincerely apologize for the mistakes committed by my subordinates." He gave a shallow bow, then clapped his hands. Two suited men carrying chests stepped forward.
"This is one hundred million Berries, as a token of our apology."
"You used us, and you think you can just buy us off with a little money? You must think very highly of yourself," Sparks of lightning danced in Leno's eyes as he stared at Bege.
Cold sweat streamed down Bege's back. "Leno-sama, please—whatever conditions you have, name them. I'll do everything in my power!"
Leno glanced at the men behind him. "You can go back alone. Leave these men here as your atonement… And I don't want a next time... Understood!"
"T-this… could you possibly change the condition?" Bege pleaded.
ZZZT—BOOM!
Countless lightning spears pierced through the men, pinning them to the ground. Even Bege himself was blasted aside, collapsing in a wretched heap. Agonized screams filled the room.
"Was I negotiating with you? If there is a next time, your Capone Family will not exist. Get out!"
Staggering to his feet, Bege took one last look at his fallen men, bowed shakily toward Leno, then limped away.
"So it was him who sent people to harass us, just to use us against the Hog Family?" Kuina said coolly.
"Exactly. He provoked you so you'd stir up trouble with the Hog Family, while he took advantage and eliminated them," Leno explained.
"That's terrible! Good thing we're strong, or we'd have been in big trouble!" Chopper flailed his little arms.
"Nami, your fire should really be aimed at—" Leno turned toward her, only to find Nami already crouched before the open chests, her eyes sparkling at the mountains of Berries.
Forget it. But then Nami beamed and said, "For a hundred million Berries, I could let this kind of thing happen a few more times, no problem!"
Leno and Nojiko both slapped their foreheads. Hopelessness…
After finishing their meal, they left the corpse-littered manor. By now, they were used to it—able to eat comfortably even with dead bodies all around. (T/N: No worries, there is no smell of blood, only roasted humans ψ(｀∇´)ψ )
This time, having learned his lesson, Leno obediently followed behind the girls, swiftly paying and packing without complaint. Nami was delighted with his behavior, laughing all the way back.
Just as they finished shopping and prepared to return to the ship, gunfire rattled nearby, drawing their attention.
"Another gang shootout? This never ends," Nami grumbled.
Suddenly, a figure stumbled out of the alley, collapsing on the ground. Blood gushed from a gunshot wound in her shoulder.
At once, black-suited men in sunglasses surrounded her. "Nico Robin, after running for so many years, It's time for you to live out the rest of your days in the World Government's prison."
Robin lay helpless on the ground. The seastone bullet had sapped her strength—she couldn't even use her Devil Fruit.
Hearing their words, despair clouded her eyes. After more than ten years of fleeing, was this truly the end?
Then, in the corner of her vision, she saw a group nearby—Leno's crew. Her eyes widened with recognition. Reaching out her hand toward him, she pleaded:
"Save me! Please!"
Leno blinked, stunned when he heard her name.
Nico Robin? This battered woman in her twenties? Her desperate cry shook him for a moment.
"Save you? If I do, you'll have to join us. No objections, right?"
Robin nodded frantically.
Nami immediately protested. "Hey, Leno, we don't even know her! Why save her?"
"Don't worry. She's not a bad person," Leno said with a smile.
The men in suits scowled.
"We're agents of the World Government, capturing a fugitive. Don't meddle if you know what's good for you."
Leno ignored them and glanced at Kuina. She dashed forward, her blade flashing. In moments, the agents fell, one after another.
Leno scooped Robin into his arms and led the way toward the port.
Behind him, Nami muttered bitterly, "What a fool, that big pig-hoofed pervert. He can't move when he sees a pretty woman. Just because she's… bigger, curvier… hmph!"
Nojiko and Kuina both gave Leno reproachful looks as well. Feeling their stares, Leno sighed helplessly. What was I supposed to do—leave her to die?
He glanced down at Robin's pale face.
"So, betrayed again?"
"You… you…" Robin's heart skipped. Why does he sound like he knows me?
"Nico Robin, the sea is vast. One day, you'll meet companions who'll protect you. Today, you've found them."
Robin trembled, tears welling in her eyes. Staring at him in shock, she whispered, "You… how do you know…?"
"Ah yeah and Saul isn't dead."
Robin hugged Leno's neck in excitement. "Really? Saul is really alive?"
"Yes. Alive and well."
"That's… that's wonderful! Waaaah!" Robin burst into sobs, repeating the words again and again.
At the docks, Leno conjured a large ship with a wave of his hand. Robin stared in awe, but didn't ask questions.
Soon, the Gale sailed once more. With Chopper's treatment, the seastone bullet was removed and Robin could move freely again.
When she stepped out of the cabin, she saw people practicing swordsmanship, cooking, or chatting over tea—everyone calmly going about their lives.
Robin approached Leno with a smile. "Captain Leno, thank you for saving me."
"Don't mention it. How's your injury?"
"It's fine now. Dr. Chopper has already bandaged me," Robin replied calmly.
Looking at her, Leno's chest ached. Since the age of eight, she's been fleeing and surviving alone… Without thinking, he stepped forward and gently embraced her.
Everyone else froze, staring with complicated expressions. Nami exploded.
"See! I told you! Dummy Leno's a total pig! A pervert! He's already hugging her! Unbelievable!"
Robin, surprised, was about to speak when Leno whispered at her ear.
"Robin, it must have been so hard, all these years alone. Don't worry—those days are over. From now on, we'll be with you."
At his words, her composure shattered. Tears streamed down her face as she wrapped her arms around his waist and nodded firmly.
"Mm!"
As they held each other in silence, Nami's impatient voice rang out.
"Hey! Leno, you pervert—how long are you planning to hug her?!"