"It's alright, Kuina!"
"In Vivi's heart…"
"You're already the strongest swordswoman in the world!"
Seeing Kuina's dispirited expression, Vivi immediately wrapped her arms around her.
She refused to let her beloved older sister lose confidence in herself.
"Vivi…"
"You really are the sweetest little sister."
Kuina hugged Vivi tightly, pretending to cry dramatically.
"Hehe!"
"And Kuina is the best big sister too!"
Vivi gently patted Kuina's back, comforting her with remarkable maturity despite her young age.
After a moment…
Kuina's smile gradually faded.
Her expression became unusually gentle.
"Vivi…"
"There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
Vivi looked up curiously.
"In a few days…"
"Teacher and I will be leaving Alabasta."
"We're returning to Marine Headquarters."
The cheerful atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
"So soon…"
Vivi lowered her head slightly.
"Will you and Sister Seraphina come back?"
Although sadness appeared on her face…
She did not ask them to stay.
Ever since she was little, King Nefertari Cobra had taught her that everyone carried responsibilities of their own.
If someone had chosen a path…
She should respect it.
Even if parting hurt.
Kuina nodded apologetically.
"It may take quite a long time."
"Teacher has arranged for me to enter the Marine Special Training Camp."
"I have to become stronger."
"So…"
"I'm sorry."
She truly didn't want to leave Vivi behind.
But remaining in Alabasta forever would never allow her to continue growing.
If she wished to fulfill her dream…
She had to keep moving forward.
Vivi immediately shook her head.
"No."
"You don't need to apologize."
"Everyone has something they must do."
"And…"
"All meetings eventually lead to farewells."
Her voice was calm.
Far calmer than most children her age.
Then she smiled brightly once again.
"Kuina."
"I'll stay here in Alabasta."
"I also have responsibilities."
"One day…"
"I'll inherit Father's will and protect this kingdom."
She extended her little finger toward Kuina.
"So…"
"Let's both become stronger."
"And when we meet again…"
"I hope neither of us will have any regrets."
Kuina stared at the small hand before her.
A warm smile gradually spread across her face.
"Okay."
"It's a promise."
Vivi laughed happily.
"It's a promise!"
The two hooked their little fingers together.
A promise made beneath the evening sky.
One that neither of them intended to break.
Whiskey Peak had once been famous throughout Paradise as a town of bounty hunters.
Now…
Its appearance had changed completely.
Following the arrival of the Marines, pirate activity around the island had declined drastically.
Many bounty hunters had either found honest work or left altogether.
The island was now occupied primarily by Marines.
Some belonged directly to Saint Roselith Seraphina's command.
Others had recently arrived as reinforcements from Marine Headquarters.
Construction of the new Marine fortress continued day and night.
"Vice Admiral Gion."
Seraphina respectfully addressed the elegant woman standing beside her.
"The future construction of Whiskey Peak Fortress will be entrusted to you."
"I'll be returning to Marine Headquarters tomorrow to submit my mission report."
"Afterward…"
"I'll also need to inspect the progress of the Marine Academy in the East Blue."
"I may not return for quite some time."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Please keep a close watch on Sir Crocodile."
"He's not someone who remains quiet for very long."
"And…"
"Please don't be overly harsh toward Nico Robin."
"As long as she commits no crimes…"
"I'll personally assume responsibility for anything concerning her."
"Lastly…"
"I would appreciate it if you could occasionally inspect the progress of the Marine Academy in Alabasta."
Standing before Seraphina was none other than Vice Admiral Gion, widely known throughout the Marines by her alias…
Momousagi.
Marine Headquarters had appointed her as the commanding officer responsible for overseeing Whiskey Peak during Seraphina's absence.
She was also one of the Navy's greatest swordswomen.
"No problem."
Gion smiled confidently.
"You can leave everything here to me."
"After all…"
"My reputation wasn't earned for nothing."
Then…
Her serious expression instantly disappeared.
She leaned slightly closer with an exaggerated pout.
"But, Seraphina-chan~~"
"I thought we already agreed."
"You were supposed to call me 'Big Sister.'"
"Why are you still being so formal?"
She looked genuinely disappointed.
Finding a younger sister she liked wasn't easy.
Seraphina silently released a strand of Kenbunshoku Haki.
Her Observation Haki quietly swept over Gion once again.
…
Still taller than me…
Seraphina maintained her composed expression.
Internally…
She clicked her tongue.
Why did so many remarkable women insist on being taller than she was?
After several seconds of internal struggle…
She finally surrendered.
"…Big Sister Gion."
Her voice carried an almost imperceptible hint of reluctance.
Gion immediately beamed.
"That's much better!"
She looked thoroughly satisfied.
After discussing the remaining details regarding Whiskey Peak's construction…
Time quietly passed.
The sun slowly descended toward the western horizon.
At the same time…
The pale moon had already begun rising in the east.
The sky transformed into a breathtaking sea of crimson and gold.
A magnificent sunset stretched across the horizon, bathing the unfinished fortress in warm orange light.
"So beautiful!"
Vivi exclaimed happily.
"Sister Seraphina!"
"Big Sister Gion!"
"Let's take a picture together!"
She wanted to preserve the moment forever.
After all…
One day this incomplete fortress would become one of the Marines' greatest strongholds.
"Of course."
Seraphina smiled softly.
Gion nodded in agreement.
Soon afterward…
The group gathered together before the unfinished fortress.
Gion.
Saint Roselith Seraphina.
Kuina.
Princess Nefertari Vivi.
And Kohza.
A Marine photographer captured the moment.
A photograph that would one day become an important piece of history.
Gion smiled elegantly.
Kuina grinned proudly.
Vivi flashed her brightest smile.
Kohza stood awkwardly among the girls, scratching his head with embarrassment.
Only Seraphina maintained her usual composed expression.
She had never been particularly fond of posing for photographs.
Elsewhere…
Inside a temporary tent.
Robin quietly sat beneath a shaded canopy, reading one of the many books she carried with her.
At that moment…
A dusty and visibly irritated Crocodile walked inside.
Robin looked up briefly.
"Sir Crocodile."
"Did you finish today's work?"
She asked casually before returning to her book.
Crocodile's face twitched.
"Robin…"
"Don't get carried away."
"Just because Saint Roselith Seraphina favors you doesn't mean you can say whatever you want."
His tone was visibly filled with frustration.
Ever since that day…
Seraphina had unexpectedly entrusted Robin with supervising portions of Crocodile's assigned reconstruction work.
Originally…
No one had ever mentioned assigning him a supervisor.
Yet somehow…
Robin had become exactly that.
Robin smiled faintly.
"I can't help it."
"Vice Admiral Seraphina specifically instructed me to monitor your progress."
"Who told you to be so unreliable?"
She turned another page without even looking at him.
Her relaxed attitude only irritated Crocodile further.
The following day after their encounter…
Seraphina had privately spoken with Robin.
She had told Robin that as long as she did not commit crimes against innocent people…
She would not be persecuted simply for existing.
She had even said something Robin never expected to hear.
"You may continue studying the Poneglyphs."
"If any problems arise…"
"I'll take responsibility."
Robin still couldn't understand why someone as powerful as Seraphina had shown her such kindness.
After all…
There was nothing Robin possessed that such an extraordinary person should desire.
Meanwhile…
Crocodile's thoughts became increasingly chaotic.
How had everything turned out like this?
A Marine…
Protecting the so-called "Devil Child."
The irony was almost laughable.
Then…
A dangerous thought suddenly crossed his mind.
What if…
He exposed everything?
If he revealed Seraphina's protection of Nico Robin to the World Government…
The incident could easily be twisted into accusations that a Marine Vice Admiral was secretly shielding the sole survivor of Ohara.
Such rumors alone might be enough to place immense political pressure upon her.
The corners of Crocodile's mouth slowly curled upward.
Perhaps…
There was still another move left to play.
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