A few more days passed, and mid-December arrived.
After so many days at sea, the sloop finally reached Water 7.
"Wow... the shipbuilding capital? That giant fountain is even more beautiful than in the books."
"First the super-sized Sandy Island, then a land island ten thousand meters up in the sky, and now a fountain island — every island on the Grand Line has its own flavor. It's amazing!"
Gazing at the island shaped like a colossal fountain, Nami and Carina couldn't help their exclamations.
"Robin, I'll drop you somewhere in a moment. Wait for me there in the other space," Yami said suddenly.
"...I understand."
Robin blinked, then nodded without asking why.
"Eh? Master, why send Robin into the other space?"
Carina and Nami both looked over; Nami even pointed at herself. "Do I need to go in too?"
"No. Stay with me."
Yami shook his head and explained, "There are several CP9 agents embedded in a shipbuilding company here in Water 7, and that's where I'm headed next."
At the words "CP9," Robin's pupils tightened.
"So that's it."
Carina and Nami nodded in realization.
Then Carina, as if guessing, asked Yami, "Master, you're not planning to steal their Rokushiki training methods from them, are you?"
"You guessed it."
Yami chuckled and pinched Carina's cheek.
"Ufufufu..."
Carina nuzzled into his palm, grinning smugly.
The pressure in Robin's chest eased a little as well.
As long as she hid in the other space, she wouldn't drag Yami into danger.
Thus, as the sloop neared Water 7, Yami opened an air door and stepped into the other space with Robin.
Closing it behind them, Yami scooped Robin up in a princess carry and used Moonwalk to fly toward Water 7's central streets.
"I'm sorry. I've been a burden."
Resting against his shoulder, Robin spoke softly.
If one looked down, one would see Robin showing a rare fragility.
Just as Arlong haunted Nami's nightmares, Aokiji and CP9 haunted Robin's.
They had left an indelible scar on her childhood.
Only they could make the strong Robin look this helpless.
"Ah... that hurts!"
No sooner had she apologized than a small cry slipped from her lips.
The gloom in her eyes was replaced by a hint of grievance as she looked up at Yami.
One arm slipped from around his neck to rub her hip where he'd pinched.
If she lifted her hem, she had no doubt there'd be a red mark.
Yami didn't avert his gaze; he shot her a glare and scolded, "What do you mean by that?"
"I... I..."
Faced with his simmering look, Robin's aura crumpled; her eyes darted aside, unable to meet his.
"I don't know what you went through to fear CP9 this much, but…"
Watching this rare little-woman side of her, Yami let his acting soar. Still stepping through the air, eyes forward, he said evenly, "My secretary and maids are my crewmates, and more than that—my only family in this world."
"Anyone who wants to hurt you won't step over my corpse; I'll make sure they're torn to pieces and leave no body behind."
"Whether they're Marine admirals, Cipher Pol, or the World Government, my answer is the same!"
"So don't apologize to me. Lean into me and rely on me all you want!"
As he said the last line, Yami lowered his head to meet Robin's eyes, utterly serious.
Robin stared at him, meeting those domineering, resolute eyes.
A warm rush welled uncontrollably into her eyes, turning her vision misty.
Two trails ran down her cheeks; unlike Nami, who would bury herself in Yami's arms and sob, Robin's face blossomed into a smile as she nodded hard and choked out, "Mm… I understand, Boss!"
Then she leaned into Yami's chest and quietly let the tears fall.
For a while, childhood memories looped through her mind.
Her mother's death, Saul frozen solid, her home a sea of fire, the endless flight—flashing past like slides.
As she recalled them, her body trembled despite herself.
But this time she felt no fear, because warmth wrapped her body and heart.
That strong current of warmth didn't just soothe her; it became a hammer that smashed those dark memories apart.
Like a mirror dropped to the floor, the images shattered into pieces.
The Devil's Child, having found someone to rely on, was no longer afraid.
Yami said nothing more—just stroked her back and slowed his Moonwalk.
Only after Robin's tears ceased did Yami, hovering above their destination, gently descend.
"Boss, go meet up with them. I'll wait here."
As Robin slipped from his arms, she wiped her cheeks, as if not wanting him to see her at her messiest.
If not for the damp patch on her clothes, the red in her eyes within the green other-space, and the faint rasp in her voice, Yami might have thought her tears an illusion.
"Mm. Be good and wait here for me."
Yami nodded—then did something startling.
He reached out to pat her head, and pinched her cheek for good measure.
He'd never done that to the cool, aloof big sister before.
The moment he did, Yami bolted skyward in a blur, even using the More-More Fruit's amplification to flee.
Watching his figure vanish, Robin touched her cheek and suddenly laughed through the last of her tears. "What a boss—so overbearing and so mischievous. No… so very reliable."
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