Robin's soft lips pressed together, her glistening eyes fixed intently on Leno.
She wasn't particularly interested in weapons themselves, but with two Ancient Weapons appearing on the Poneglyphs one after another, she couldn't help forming a different idea.
"Ancient Weapons… as far as I know, only three of them are known to exist."
Leno wrapped an arm around her restless waist, his gaze drifting toward the horizon as he slowly explained.
"Poseidon—the one I mentioned to you before. As for Pluton, after reading the text in the tomb, you should already understand."
"And now, I'll tell you about the third Ancient Weapon. Its name is 'Uranus.'"
"Uranus—King of the Heavens."
"As for its location or what it looks like… I'm not sure. I only know that it's currently controlled by the World Government."
He looked at her fondly and gently stroked her back.
When it came to her sole passion and pursuit, he had always supported her. He only wished she wouldn't push herself so hard.
Everything he knew—so long as she asked—he would gladly tell her.
"In truth, there are many things I only vaguely understand myself. But I'll walk with you until the day we uncover the truth."
Robin's eyes brightened. She rubbed her cheek against his chest with a burst of emotion.
"Thank you, Leno. Without your help all this time, I wouldn't have known what to do."
"Haha… you're my woman! Of course I'll help you."
"Mhm…"
Her cheeks flushed as she murmured a response. Then something occurred to her, and she asked:
"By the way… now that we've killed Crocodile, will the World Government retaliate?"
"After all, the 'Shichibukai' is an institution under the Government. Don't forget—you negotiated with the Five Elders. You agreed not to interfere with each other."
Crocodile had provoked them first, yes… but he hadn't even managed to harm them, and Leno killed him outright…
"You worry too much. Those so-called Shichibukai—do you really think those old geezers care about them?"
"If one dies, they'll just replace him. It's nothing to them."
Leno vigorously ruffled her hair. This woman just thought too much—always worrying about this and that.
Perhaps because he had a near-omniscient perspective, he thoroughly understood how they viewed pirates.
"And you really don't need to take those five old men so seriously. They're just puppets following orders."
"…What did you say?"
Robin suddenly sat up and straddled Leno's waist. Her eye twitched, her mouth hung open—completely stunned.
Puppets? The Five Elders?
Puppets of who?
Who could command them, the highest rulers of the World Government?
Seeing her terrified expression, Leno belatedly realized—maybe he had just revealed something outrageous again.
"Ahem… uh… what did I just say?"
"…"
Robin stared down at him in silence.
This bastard—just moments ago he claimed he didn't know much, and now he casually dropped a world-shattering bombshell!
And she had trusted him completely too… He must still be hiding so much more.
But how to make him talk?
Maybe… offering herself? It wouldn't be the first time… at worst, she'd just add two more positions. But absolutely no more than that…!
When no interrogation came, Leno finally lifted his head in confusion—only to see Robin flushed and fidgeting.
"???"
"Hey… Robin? Are you okay?"
"I—I'm fine. Continue. What did you mean earlier?"
Forcing herself to focus, she put on a fierce expression and glared at him.
He'd already said so much—he couldn't stop halfway now.
"Well… it's nothing that can't be said. The Empty Throne simply has a king sitting on it, that's all."
"Th-That…"
Her expression froze before it could even shift. Her eyes trembled violently.
It took her a while to process the implication—and then disbelief washed over her.
"K-King Cobra said… said…"
What else could she say? Humans were greedy. Oaths and pacts meant nothing in the face of desire.
If the World Government was in the hands of that kind of person, how could anything possibly turn out well?
She lowered her gaze, looking sadly at the man beneath her. How could he hold such earth-shattering truths inside him and still act so casually?
Seeing the sorrow and despair on her face, Leno's heart tightened. He sat up and pulled her into his arms.
"Leno… tell me. Does this world still have hope?"
"Does everything I've pursued… even matter?"
Her voice was muffled against his chest, tinged with confusion and a faint nasal tremble.
She had thought a world ruled by the Celestial Dragons was already hellish enough. But behind it all lurked a true King of the World.
If everything was dictated by that person… what meaning did her struggle have?
Holding her face, Leno met her near-broken gaze and spoke word by word:
"Of course there's hope. And everything you've done matters."
"…Why?"
"Because you have me."
Four simple words—but powerful, confident, and brimming with certainty.
In that moment, his eyes were blazing with unrestrained spirit.
"Trust me. Time will give us the answer."
"…Alright."
But she still seemed dispirited, and Leno felt helpless.
He hadn't expected that one revelation would shake Robin's faith so badly. And he wasn't good with emotional comfort.
Thank goodness he hadn't told her the throne's master had lived for 800 years—she might completely break.
He wondered idly—if he fought Imu now, what were his odds of winning? Even if he couldn't win, he could definitely escape…
Maybe he should try someday? Who knew—maybe he'd win?
Being King of the World… sounded pretty fun…
SLAP!
Leno smacked himself hard.
No getting cocky. No drifting off! He had too many women to cherish—he had to stay steady!
His sudden burst of internal chaos startled Robin, who stared blankly at him, confused.
Leno awkwardly rubbed his nose, glanced at her… and suddenly an idea lit up.
If he couldn't comfort her mentally… then he'd use the method he was good at.
The forested little pathway leading into her heart—he'd just walk it a few more times, right?
Without another thought, and to Robin's startled cry, Leno lifted her into his arms and sprinted toward the cabin…