At that moment, a burst of noisy and excited shouting came from the entrance.
"Everyone! We're back!"
Franky struck an absurdly exaggerated "SUPER" pose as he charged in alongside the bizarre-looking members of the Franky Family.
"It's Franky! Hurry up and come eat!" Luffy waved excitedly.
"Barbecue! Men, charge!"
Franky burst into laughter before walking up to Luffy, his eyes blazing with near-religious fanaticism.
"Luffy, take a look at this!"
Behind Franky, dozens of burly men were carrying an enormous ancient tree branch radiating a faint amber-like glow. The wood grain was incredibly dense, every inch of it pulsing with strange vitality. Even sitting there motionless, it gave off an immovable, mountain-like presence.
"This time, I went completely all in at the black market!"
Franky slapped his chest proudly.
"I spent a full billion Beli to buy the thickest, most perfect branch of the Treasure Tree Adam on the market!"
"Now the Going Merry's keel will truly reach an invincible level."
"It won't just be a ship anymore—it'll evolve into the strongest, toughest fortress warship in the world!"
At that moment, Iceburg also arrived with the shipwrights of Dock One filing in behind him.
Luffy leapt onto the table and raised both arms, his presence overflowing with dominance.
"For our new crewmate, and for the voyage ahead—let's have a banquet!!!"
With Luffy's shout, all of Dock One instantly exploded into celebration.
Inside Dock One, the crackling of charcoal flames, the clinking of glasses, and Luffy's infectious laughter all blended together.
Robin stood quietly at the very edge of the feast.
She wore a deep-purple dress and held a crystal-clear glass of fruit wine, her back lightly resting against a stone wall.
She didn't join the nearly frenzied revelry. Instead, she simply watched her companions darting through the firelight with gentle eyes.
This was a peace she had never experienced in twenty years.
Yet the instant her lips curved slightly upward, the surrounding air abruptly froze.
"Stay there and listen, Nico Robin."
A cold, low voice seeped from the shadows behind her without warning, carrying a chilling quality that seemed capable of freezing the soul itself.
Robin's pupils shrank violently, and the wine in her hand trembled slightly.
That voice had haunted countless nightmares of hers. It represented the Navy's highest combat power—the absolute cold capable of freezing away all hope.
"Admiral Aokiji…?"
On the opposite side of the wall stood the tall, somewhat lazy figure of Kuzan, hands tucked into his pockets as he leaned against the wall behind Robin.
"Why didn't you run away immediately after using these pirates like you always did before?"
"According to the survival rules you've followed for the past twenty years, you should've already disappeared into the vast ocean by now."
Robin tightened her grip on the wine glass and inhaled deeply. The fear trembling in her eyes instantly transformed into unwavering determination.
"Things are different now."
"They treat me as a true, irreplaceable companion."
Aokiji remained silent for a long while before slowly speaking again.
"Twenty years ago, the giant who fought for Ohara… Saul… was my best friend."
The moment she heard that name, the sealed gates deep within Robin's memories were violently forced open.
That giant figure laughing amidst the frozen wasteland, telling her, "The sea is vast. Someday you'll find companions," overlapped with the brilliant sunset before her eyes.
"That day, I followed his will and let you escape from that island."
Aokiji spoke quietly.
"That's why I've had to keep watching your life ever since."
"But during these past twenty years, all I saw from you was betrayal and wandering. You never had a place to belong."
"I couldn't keep turning a blind eye forever. Originally, I intended to bring everything related to Ohara to an end."
He paused, and for the first time, a trace of relief slipped into his tone—something even he himself hadn't noticed.
"But I never expected that you'd truly find such reliable… companions."
"So, have you finally found a place to belong?"
Robin said nothing.
She simply gave a soft nod.
"Whether Saul was right or wrong to let you live… will you give the answer from here on out?"
"That's exactly what I intend to do."
"Then live well."
Aokiji's voice gradually drifted farther away.
"Remember this—as long as you're alive, Ohara has not perished."
Robin abruptly turned and rushed toward the corner of the wall, but the shadow there was already empty.
"Robin! Look over here! This is super fun!"
Luffy's energetic shout snapped Robin out of her thoughts.
She turned around, and the icy chill from moments ago was instantly swept away by the warm orange glow filling her vision.
The sunset had reached its final, most brilliant peak, painting the sky in a heavy crimson-red.
Citizens from across Water Seven were pouring into Dock One carrying their own wine, and some even brought accordions along.
"Hurry over there! The pirates are throwing a banquet!"
Surrounded by the crowd, Luffy and Chopper stood atop a makeshift stage built from stacked wine barrels.
Luffy had chopsticks shoved into his nose and was twisting his waist together with Chopper in an absurdly ridiculous chopstick dance.
"You two idiots! Stop doing something this stupid in front of so many people!"
Nami, still wearing her sexy orange swimsuit with an oversized white shirt loosely draped over it, angrily waved her fist.
"You're one to talk! You're wandering around in a swimsuit like an idiot too!"
Luffy shot back while continuing his ridiculous dance.
"Luffy! Want me to beat you up?! Shut your mouth!"
Boom!
Nami's furious fist, crackling with explosive lightning, smashed directly into Luffy's head.
A puff of smoke rose from the top of his skull. Somehow, this everyday "domestic violence" scene carried an indescribable warmth.
Robin watched all of it.
Watched every one of her smiling companions.
The final ray of the setting sun landed perfectly across Robin's face.
Once again, Saul's final voice echoed through her ears from that snowy frozen wasteland:
"Go to the sea, Robin! The sea is vast… Someday, you'll find companions willing to protect you!"
"No one born into this world is ever truly alone!"
"You were right, Saul."
Robin whispered softly, and at long last, a completely relieved smile bloomed upon her face—radiant like a flower.
At the far end of the street bathed in orange-red sunlight, Aokiji leisurely rode his bicycle through the crowds heading toward the banquet.
Listening to the thunderous cheers behind him, he sighed quietly.
"So… you finally found a place to belong…"
"Robin! Stop spacing out! Luffy's gonna eat all the meat!" Nami turned back and waved at her energetically.
"I'm coming!"
Robin lifted the hem of her dress and ran joyfully toward the setting sun—toward the companions willing to fight the entire world for her.
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