After the banquet, to satisfy everyone's desire to explore Skypiea, Leno arranged for guides to take them sightseeing around the island.
Little Aileen wanted Leno to accompany her, but Belle-Mère scooped her up by force and carried her off to visit the so-called "Lovely Street" with Genzo and their daughter.
As they passed by the great Golden Bell beside the plaza, Nami's body trembled with excitement and involuntarily "turned into clouds," drifting toward the massive bell and wrapping it in swirling white vapor.
Watching the clouds rolling furiously around the golden surface, Leno smacked his forehead. Nami's obsession with gold truly left him speechless.
After struggling for a while with no results, Nami re-emerged, looking dejectedly at the towering bell.
"It's too heavy. How are we supposed to take this thing away~?"
Coming up behind her, Leno flicked her lightly on the forehead.
"Use your head for once. This Golden Bell is the symbol of Skypiea—you can't just take it! Besides, the gold we already have would last ten lifetimes. What would you even do with more?"
"I just can't help it~!" Nami grumbled, rubbing her forehead.
"If you really want gold, have them take you to the old City of Gold. There might still be some treasure left behind."
Thinking back to how hastily they had gathered gold before, there might indeed be some leftovers. Best to send that greedy little cat off before she fixated on the bell forever.
"Really? Let's go! Let's go!" Nami grabbed a nearby attendant and dashed off without looking back.
Watching her scurry away, Leno could only shake his head helplessly.
When he turned around, he found Robin standing beneath the Golden Bell, quietly studying the inscriptions of the Poneglyph.
"So? Any discoveries?"
Robin shook her head in disappointment. "Not the information I was hoping for."
As he had expected, Leno pointed toward a line carved onto the golden pedestal.
"Maybe this will give you a clue."
The moment Robin read the words, her pupils widened in shock.
"This is… 'Guiding everything toward the Final Land! Gol D. Ro… Roger?!'"
Seeing Robin lost in thought, Leno didn't disturb her. He wanted her to come to terms with her own path.
Despite her cheerful appearance, Leno knew Robin still carried the will of Ohara on her shoulders. Without a clear goal, that burden could someday break her—when a person loses their purpose, life itself loses meaning.
After a long silence, Robin suddenly looked up, her eyes bright once more. She turned and threw herself into Leno's arms, her voice trembling slightly.
"Thank you, Leno. Thank you~"
It seemed she had found clarity. Smiling, Leno gently patted her back. "Robin, don't worry. As long as we keep sailing, the truth of history will eventually surface."
"Mhm~" Robin looked up from his embrace, eyes glistening with tears. "Leno, do you want to know what's written on it?"
Leno raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what does it say?"
Seeing his teasing expression, Robin glared. "You already knew, didn't you? Liar~"
"How could I? Who besides our beautiful Miss Robin could even read the Poneglyphs?"
Watching him play innocent, Robin pinched the soft flesh at his waist with mock fury. "That's for lying to me! And that! And that~!"
"Alright, alright! I surrender!" Leno quickly gave in, laughing.
"You do know!"
"...What?!"
Leno stared in disbelief. "Robin! You've gotten sly—you're tricking me now?!"
"Hehehehe..."
"Oh, you think that's funny, huh? Let's see if you're still laughing in a minute." He scooped her up and vanished.
Whoosh!
At the top of a massive vine, their figures reappeared. Leno grinned mischievously at the woman in his arms.
"Go on, laugh. Why'd you stop? There's no one around now."
Seeing his wicked smile, Robin squirmed uneasily, turning her head to look out at the endless sea of clouds.
"Um... the view is lovely, isn't it? Heh... hehehe."
"Yeah, beautiful~" Leno's gaze burned as his hands began to tickle beneath her arms.
"Hahaha! Ah—! I yield! I yield! No more~!" Robin twisted frantically, unable to endure the tickling.
Thump!
Whether by accident or fate, the two tumbled together into the thick cloud layer below.
Robin landed sprawled across Leno's chest, panting from the rough play, her breathing ragged and quick.
Leno's breath grew heavier as he gazed up at her flushed face.
Sensing something, Robin's eyes flickered with panic as she tried to rise—but before she could, her lips were caught by his.
"Mmm—mmph..." Her small fists struck weakly against his chest.
When they finally came up for air, her glistening eyes met his, hazy and dazed.
Leno rolled over, stirring the clouds into swirling waves.
"Leno... it's still daytime..." came her soft, trembling voice.
"The sunlight's perfect—for exercise."
Soon, shredded bits of clothing drifted down from the clouds, followed by wild, rolling surges of mist.
Two hours later…
Robin lay beside Leno, eyes filled with exhaustion and satisfaction.
Seeing how energetic he still looked, she bit his neck in frustration.
"Hiss—! What are you, a dog?"
Smack! Leno reflexively slapped her firm rear.
"Ah~!"
"You're terrible! Are you satisfied now?"
Playing with the softness in his hand, Leno smirked. "Satisfied? Not even close."
Realizing his intentions, Robin froze and quickly grabbed his wandering hand, pleading softly.
"Please… no more. Spare me~."
"Hmph~"
Robin rolled her eyes and shifted slightly, searching for a comfortable spot to lie down. Her whole body felt as if it had come apart.
After a moment, she turned her head. "Leno, the inscriptions on the Poneglyph—are they really true?"
"Of course. They describe one of the Ancient Weapons said to hold the power of gods."
"Poseidon? Is it really that terrifying?"
Leno nodded, expression turning serious. "'Sea King—Poseidon' possesses the ability to command the giant Sea Kings. But she's still young—her power hasn't awakened yet."
"...A human? As a weapon?"