Leno didn't spare the Straw Hats—who were bracing for death—more than a glance. He merely swept his eyes over the unconscious Moria on the ground.
Then he spoke calmly to Perona behind him.
"Have someone drag him away. Don't let him die here and clutter the place."
"Yes! Lord Leno!" Perona immediately hurried off to organize the remaining subordinates.
The Straw Hats watched this unfold, emotions complicated.
Moria wasn't going to die anyway—they had never intended to kill him.
When Leno's gaze finally shifted to them—
a teasing smile curved at his lips.
"Well well, little cat burglar. We meet again."
Nami's face drained of color instantly, her body shrinking back involuntarily.
Leno ignored the murderous glares from Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji and continued casually,
"Do you remember what I said the last time I let you go?"
He paused, eyes sweeping across their grim faces.
"I said—'Next time we meet, have you figured out what you'll offer me to let you off?'"
It hit them like a memory-triggering blow.
At Enies Lobby, Robin had been forced to leave with this man in order to save them.
That same crushing helplessness flooded back.
Different time. Different place.
Same humiliation.
Nami trembled.
Now she understood what he meant earlier when he said, "We'll be meeting again soon."
He had planned this.
He'd used Robin's repayment of debt to sever her ties with the Straw Hats—so she could stay guilt-free.
And now—
he was targeting her.
Using the same method to take her away.
This man was terrifying.
His schemes ran too deep.
Nami stared at him in horror, lips trembling.
"Bastard! Don't even think about it!" Luffy roared, trying to lunge forward.
Zoro restrained him tightly, glaring at Leno.
"Don't you dare touch our crewmate."
Sanji stepped in front of Nami and Chopper, eyes colder than ever.
"Over my dead body will you lay a finger on Nami-san."
Even Usopp and Chopper, shaking badly, forced themselves to stand in front.
Leno scoffed at their desperate defiance.
"That's not up to you."
"Only strength gives you the right to speak."
Just as the Straw Hats braced themselves to fight to the death—
Leno simply glanced at them as if they were trash.
Then he turned slightly.
"You're lucky. This time, I'll let my crew use you for live practice."
His eyes moved to his own side.
"Kalifa. Domino. Robin."
He pointed at the Straw Hats.
"You three—clean them up."
During the voyage, Leno had instructed them in the basics of Haki.
They were far from advanced coating—but basic Armament hardening and rudimentary Observation were already within their grasp.
And these half-dead Straw Hats?
Perfect sparring dummies.
After all—
not everyone gets to say they beat the future Pirate King's entire crew.
Of course… whether Luffy would ever reach that title with Leno around was another matter.
Kalifa adjusted her glasses. "Understood."
Domino's lips curled dangerously. "With pleasure, Lord Leno."
Robin hesitated—just barely.
Then she inhaled and steadied her eyes.
Her debt had been repaid.
She was Nico Robin of the Leno Pirates.
Not a Straw Hat.
"Yes, Captain."
The battle erupted instantly.
The three women moved like predators into a wounded flock.
"Gomu Gomu—!"
"Shigan: Whip!"
Kalifa's finger, coated in a thin layer of black Armament Haki, struck Luffy's arm.
He screamed.
"Why does it hurt so much?!"
"Where are you looking, moss-head?" Domino's Rankyaku lashed out at Zoro, forcing him to block clumsily, arms numb.
"Cien Fleur—Clutch!"
Robin's hardened arms sprouted from the ground and walls, grabbing, slamming, restraining.
Sanji, unable to properly fight women, was battered mercilessly.
The fight was one-sided.
The Straw Hats were already at their limit.
Against three fully rested opponents wielding Haki, they had no chance.
Again and again they were knocked down.
Again and again they tried to rise—
only to become ideal practice targets.
Leno watched, nodding slightly.
Good results.
Finally, when the Straw Hats could no longer stand—
he stepped forward leisurely toward Nami, who had shrunk to the back in terror.
"Well then. Warm-up's over."
"Time to honor our 'agreement.' Come serve on my ship as a maid."
He reached toward her.
Nami squeezed her eyes shut, unable even to scream.
But just as his hand was about to touch her—
Buzz—
A massive, oppressive presence materialized between them.
"'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma."
Leno paused.
No surprise crossed his face.
Instead—there was a faint glint of expectation.
He had been waiting for this.
Moria and Luffy weren't worth his effort.
Kuma held his thick Bible, voice calm and polite.
"Mr. Leno. Please spare Straw Hat Luffy."
Leno smiled casually.
"No problem."
Kuma seemed slightly surprised at how easily he agreed.
"Thank you."
"But—" Leno added smoothly, "you'll need to agree to one condition."
"What condition?"
"Leave the Revolutionary Army."
Kuma was silent for a moment.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Leno looked unconcerned, as if he'd expected that answer.
He gestured toward Luffy.
"You're protecting him because he's Dragon's son, aren't you? Leave the Revolutionaries. No one will blame you."
Silence.
Leno's smile deepened slightly.
"Kuma… you wouldn't want Bonney to get hurt, would you?"
The name hit like a detonator.
The calm vanished.
Kuma's head snapped up.
The gentleness in his eyes disappeared—replaced by terrifying killing intent.
Dragons have reverse scales.
And for Kuma—
that scale was Bonney.
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