Robin smiled, not out of politeness, but because she could truly see that Saul was living freely and happily on Elbaf.
For a long time, she had believed he died at the hands of Kuzan. That belief lingered like a shadow, leaving her with a quiet sense of guilt throughout her years at sea. If Saul had not tried to save her, he would not have fallen that day.
That memory shaped her life.
She understood that her survival was not just a continuation of Ohara's will, but a life that Saul had protected at the cost of his own. Because of that, she learned to value it even more.
Back then, people avoided her.
They called her the Devil Child and treated her like something dangerous. Wherever she went, distance followed.
That only changed after she met Rolan.
From him, she learned the truth, Saul was still alive. Since then, she had quietly held onto the hope of seeing him again.
Now, that moment had finally arrived.
On Elbaf, she stood before the Giant Vice Admiral who once risked everything to save her during the Buster Call.
The tears in her eyes were not from sorrow.
They were from relief.
Saul laughed as he looked at her. Seeing Robin alive, and more importantly, happy, was enough.
After the tragedy of Ohara, his injuries had left him bedridden for nearly two years. Even then, he kept track of her from afar.
He wanted to stand beside her, to protect her again.
But he could not.
All he could do was watch as she drifted across the sea alone.
Until one day, he saw her smile again in a newspaper.
At that moment, he knew she had found people who would stand with her.
Only then did he finally let go of his worries.
Now, standing before him, Robin had grown into a composed and confident woman.
She was no longer alone.
She was part of the strongest pirate crew in the world.
Saul no longer had any reason to worry.
"Robin, are you planning to go to war with the World Government next?"
Robin did not hesitate. She nodded.
"We've gathered all the road poneglyphs. Next, we head to Laugh Tale. After that, we take on the World Government."
Nearby, Brogy burst into laughter as he drank with Issho.
"Ka ba ba ba ba! Your Lotte Pirates are incredible. There's no one in this world I respect more."
He turned toward his companion.
"Dorry, you agree, right?"
Dorry grinned and raised his drink. "Giagiagiagia, of course. No one else would dare do what you're doing. That Rolan of yours, he must be Joy Boy."
Robin shook her head immediately.
"No. Rolan is not Joy Boy. The one you're referring to is the Sun God Nika."
The moment she said that, the entire banquet shifted.
Dorry, Brogy, and the surrounding Giants all paused.
In Elbaf's history, Joy Boy was clearly recorded.
And the one from 900 years ago was indeed the Sun God Nika, the Warrior of Liberation.
Given Rolan's actions, rising to the top of the pirate world and standing against the World Government, it was only natural they assumed he was the one.
Robin noticed their reactions and continued, a slight smile forming.
"Rolan isn't Nika. He's Nika's master."
She glanced around the table. Every Giant was listening closely now.
"The Sun God Nika has already awakened."
Silence lasted only a second.
Then everything erupted.
"What?"
"Nika has awakened?"
"The Warrior of Liberation is back?"
Shock spread through every Giant present.
Their traditions were clear.
Unconditionally support the Sun God Nika.
Just then, Brogy spoke again, his voice steady.
"You're mistaken."
Issho and the others looked at him.
Sabo frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Dorry laughed as well. "Giagiagiagia, it's wrong."
The rest of the Giants joined in, their laughter echoing across the hall.
Robin and the others exchanged confused glances.
Brogy finished his drink and set the goblet down with a heavy thud.
"Who said the Sun God Nika is Joy Boy?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"Joy Boy has never been just one person."
Sabo's expression sharpened. "Explain."
Issho stroked his chin in silence.
Even Robin, with all her knowledge, found herself listening carefully.
Brogy continued.
"Every island has its own Joy Boy. Every group has one. Even the entire pirate world has one."
"Joy Boy isn't a single person. It's an idea. Someone who brings freedom, joy, and liberation."
He gestured broadly as he spoke.
"The reason the Sun God Nika was called Joy Boy is because he brought that joy to the entire world."
He pointed at himself and Dorry.
"We lead Elbaf. We keep it thriving. We bring our people joy. That makes us Elbaf's Joy Boy."
Then he gestured outward.
"Rolan gathered abandoned islands, built Peach Garden, and gave people a place to live freely. That makes him Peach Garden's Joy Boy."
As his words settled, Robin, Sabo, and Issho finally understood.
The world's interpretation had been too narrow.
Joy Boy was not a title tied to one individual.
It was something anyone could become.
Dorry let out a satisfied burp.
"Giagiagiagia. Even without Shanks's influence, Elbaf will stand with your Tempest Pirates when the war begins."
At that moment, every Giant in the hall stood.
An overwhelming presence filled the air.
It was not just strength, it felt absolute, as if the space itself responded to their will.
Robin, Sabo, and Issho felt it immediately.
So the rumors were true.
Every Giant of Elbaf was a warrior.
That strength was likely the reason this land had stood unchallenged in the New World for centuries.
Dorry raised a hand, signaling everyone to sit.
Then he looked back at Robin and the others.
"To be clear, the Sun God Nika from 900 years ago, the one the world called Joy Boy…"
He paused briefly.
"…was a Giant."
The three froze.
"And not just any Giant," Dorry added.
"He was the chief of Elbaf."
Silence followed.
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