Zephyr: "..."
"What's wrong with you? Never mind, but I have to say..."
Garp laughed so hard he was practically in tears. He seemed to notice something was amiss with Zephyr's expression, but he paid it no mind.
After a hearty laugh, he lay back down, leisurely crossing his legs. He gazed at Ian's disappearing back, his eyes gleaming slightly as he said with a meaningful tone: "That kid's really brave! But if you want to recruit him into the Marines, I guess..."
He whistled leisurely: "It's impossible!"
After hearing Garp's words, Zephyr fell silent. He also looked in Ian's direction, his eyes filled with a hint of complexity and confusion, but soon, a cheerful smile returned to his face. "Impossible? Who knows?"
…
Early in the morning, Robin also got up.
Seeing the other half of the bed empty yet slightly messy, she couldn't help but smile faintly, her eyes curving into crescents.
But soon, she sat up straight, stretching comfortably. The sheet draped over her body instantly slid down along her smooth skin.
It was quite a silky sight!
In the blink of an eye, it seemed to encounter two obstacles, and the sheet's descent slowed to a halt.
Robin didn't mind. She dropped the sheet, stood up, and in the blink of an eye, she was already dressed.
Glancing at the slightly messy bed, her cheeks flushed faintly red.
But soon she let out a helpless smile and shook her head.
She had been waking up late these past few days; it seemed she needed to fix her schedule.
After tidying up the bed, Robin walked to the kitchen.
Seeing the already-prepared breakfast, her lips curved slightly. She hummed softly, carried her cup of prepared black tea, and sat at a sunny spot by the table.
Just as she was about to enjoy her breakfast and tea, Robin paused and glanced around her home thoughtfully before lightly snapping her fingers.
At once, arms sprouted from various parts of the house, some holding mops, others holding rags, beginning to tidy and clean.
Meanwhile, Robin enjoyed her breakfast. Though it was rather late for breakfast, she still cherished such peaceful mornings.
Even if she didn't know how long this peace would last, as a wife, she did her best during this time to fulfill that role.
To be honest, although with Ian around, she felt a sense of belonging and no longer feared the Marines, she was still somewhat concerned about the two high-ranking officials from Marine Headquarters who had arrived.
Perhaps those two high-ranking officials seemed to treat Ian well now, especially the Chief Instructor, who seemed to hold Ian in high regard.
But what would happen once her identity was exposed?
How would those two men treat Ian then?
And when that marine admiral appeared before them all... What choice would they make?
Finishing her breakfast, Robin shook away her wandering thoughts.
After another light snap of her fingers, arms appeared again, clearing the dishes, washing them, and putting them neatly away.
Then one hand refilled her empty teacup.
Robin lifted the cup, took a sip, and accepted the notebook handed to her by one of the arms.
She opened it, frowned slightly, and began to review her current work.
The winery was running smoothly.
With help from Zephyr, no, now even with Garp, the green grape wine from the Sibia River Archipelago was bound to be a hit.
So, the work at the docks needed to speed up, to finish before winter arrived.
Speaking of which, the merchant ship would arrive in a few days.
What else did the household need to buy?
Would the merchant ship bring anything new this time?
Thinking that, Robin's lips curled again, her right hand brushing over the gold ring on her left ring finger.
It's the golden ring Ian had bought for her last time.
A simple, ordinary ring that had somehow been passed down from Ohara.
Yes, just a simple gold ring. But engraved upon it was the emblem of Ohara's Tree of Knowledge.
After fondly touching the ring for a moment, Robin lowered her head and looked back at her notebook.
There was nothing to worry about with the winery, but the situation at Baiscaiborg Island required attention.
The Capone Mafia Family, one of the five major mafia families in the West Blue, had, for some reason, set their sights on the Grado Mafia Family recently.
Why were they targeting the Grado Mafia Family?
Was it because the Grado Mafia Family had changed bosses and stopped paying tribute?
No... The Capone Mafia Family seemed to be searching for something.
It looked like she had to tell Ian about this.
Robin thought for a moment and turned another page. Something there made her expression turn complicated.
"Nico Robin."
The black market in the West Blue seemed to be actively searching for her whereabouts.
Who could it be?
After a brief silence, Robin composed herself and closed the notebook, but just as she did, something clicked in her mind.
Oh, Gini had hired a Bounty Hunter, apparently a very famous one in the West Blue, and told her to tell Ian when he returned.
It seemed Ian had specifically asked Gini to hire him.
She mustn't forget to tell Ian about it later.
After organizing the day's tasks in her mind, Robin stretched again, her graceful figure in a western-style suit appearing especially alluring under the morning sunlight.
She snapped her fingers once more.
A book was pulled out from under the bed by her summoned arms and passed along until it reached the table.
Looking at it, Robin hesitated before slowly opening it.
She knew... As the sole survivor of Ohara, this peaceful life would one day be taken from her.
The World Government would never let her go.
The Marines wouldn't either.
Even the ambitious figures at sea wouldn't spare her.
And Robin also knew that, as Ohara's survivor, she would one day embark on her journey to uncover history.
It was her fate.
And now, having found a home here, she was already content.
However, just as she was about to open the book, she suddenly sensed something. Her delicate ears twitched, and without hesitation, she snapped her fingers again.
Instantly, the book on the table was passed back under the bed by the summoned arms. Robin stood up and walked toward the kitchen.