Rain fell over Alubarna for five straight days.
In those five days, the entire city was reborn.
Bloodstains were washed clean from the streets, and charred ruins were slowly covered by fresh sprouts of life.
Under the overwhelming might of the Straw Hat crew, every lingering conspirator and remnant of Crocodile's forces was completely purged.
Inside the royal palace, within the sacred hall—
Vivi donned a deep blue robe symbolizing royal authority, a radiant crown resting upon her head.
Under the solemn witness of the two guardians—Pell the Falcon and Chaka the Jackal—
She formally inherited her father Cobra's will.
The girl who once stood strong aboard the Merry—
Now carried a gaze as unyielding as stone.
She understood clearly—
She could no longer sail with that small ship.
Her path now lay within this vast desert—
And among her countless people.
"Hey, Luffy, time to go, right?"
Inside the guest chamber, Sanji leaned against the tall window, gazing at the now-cleared sky, smoke curling lazily between his fingers.
These five days of rest hadn't dulled him—
If anything, the power within him had only grown denser.
"Yeah, yeah, we've stayed here long enough."
Usopp packed their belongings nearby.
"That smoke guy, Smoker, came again this morning. He kept threatening to arrest us for 'illegal entry' if we didn't leave soon."
At the center of the room—
Ronan stood, holding a spear unlike any other.
The weapon Smoker had delivered.
The shaft and blade together measured a full ten feet eight inches.
Forged from the core of the legendary Adam Tree—
Warm to the touch, yet heavy as iron.
Ancient.
Majestic.
The spearhead—
A tri-edged armor-piercing design—
Forged from high-purity Seastone alloy.
A cold blue gleam pulsed along its edge—
As if it could pierce even space itself.
"…A true war spear."
Ronan gave it a light shake.
The air trembled—
Like the roar of a dragon.
He rested it on his shoulder, satisfied.
"Now that the weapon's here… it's time to go."
"A new adventure is calling us."
After a reluctant farewell with Vivi—
The crew returned to the Going Merry, docked along a remote shore.
Waves gently struck the hull.
The ship rested quietly in the sunset—
Like a home awaiting its travelers.
But the moment Luffy stepped onto the deck—
"…Hm?"
Luffy.
Ronan.
Zoro.
Sanji.
All stopped simultaneously.
Observation Haki—
Fully activated.
Within their perception—
Inside the cabin—
A presence.
Deep.
Hidden.
Coiled like a sleeping shadow.
Shing—!
Zoro reacted first.
His thumb nudged Wado Ichimonji half an inch out of its sheath, the blade glinting coldly.
Sanji shifted his stance slightly, energy gathering into his leg.
"Come out."
Ronan raised his spear, its tip angled toward the cabin door.
Though he already knew who it was—
For the sake of the crew, caution had to be shown.
Otherwise, explanations later would be… troublesome.
Creaaak—
The cabin door slowly opened.
Golden sunlight slipped through the gap—
Cutting into the dim interior.
Dust drifted in the air.
And from the shadows—
A tall, elegant woman stepped forward.
Deep eyes.
Long black hair.
A purple jacket draped lightly over her shoulders.
Calm.
Composed.
As if she belonged here.
"You're finally back."
"I've been waiting for you for days."
Nico Robin.
She stood quietly—
Observing this group of "monsters" that had piqued her curiosity.
Luffy tilted his head.
"Who are you? Why are you on our ship?"
"SO BEAUTIFUL!!!"
Sanji's eyes instantly turned into hearts as he twisted like jelly.
"As expected, the desert after rain blooms with the most beautiful flowers!"
Zoro snorted, blade slightly drawn, killing intent faintly rising.
"Snap out of it, love-cook."
"This woman isn't simple. Her being here isn't a coincidence."
Robin ignored their hostility.
She closed the book in her hand and looked gently at Luffy.
"My name is Nico Robin."
"I'm an archaeologist."
Her voice was calm, smooth, almost hypnotic.
"I can read ancient text."
"If you truly wish to become the king of that throne—Pirate King…"
"Then your ship cannot lack an archaeologist who understands the language of the past."
"Archaeologist? Ancient text?"
Luffy scratched his head, confusion written all over his face.
"What does that have to do with becoming Pirate King?"
"Luffy."
Ronan stepped forward.
The Seastone spear struck the deck with a heavy thud.
"She's right."
"To reach the end of the Grand Line… Laugh Tale…"
"Strength alone isn't enough."
"We need to find the Poneglyphs—coordinates of history."
"And the language carved into them…"
"Was lost eight hundred years ago."
"Without someone who can read them…"
"Even if we sail the entire ocean, we'll never reach the end."
"Ohhh… I see!"
Luffy slapped his palm.
(He clearly didn't.)
But still—
He looked at Robin again.
Those clear black eyes held no suspicion.
Only instinct.
"Since Ronan says so…"
"Then you can join us!"
"LUFFY—!!!"
Usopp, Nami, and Chopper exploded at once.
"That was way too fast!!"
"We don't even know her yet!!"
"What if she's a spy?!"
"I'm not mentally prepared for a new crewmate yet!!"
Robin blinked.
Even she hadn't expected it to be this easy.
She looked at Luffy.
Softly asked:
"You're not afraid I might betray you?"
"I'm called the 'Devil's Child' by the World Government."
Luffy grinned.
Bright.
Simple.
He pressed down his straw hat.
"No need to worry."
"I feel like… you're not a bad person."
Ronan exhaled slowly.
Looking out at the moon rising beyond the horizon.
Even though everything has changed…
Some encounters are inevitable.
With Robin joining… the Straw Hats are finally complete.
"Everyone!"
Luffy stood at the bow—
Pointing toward the roaring sea ahead.
"Set sail!!"
"A new adventure—begins now!!!"
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