"Snow-Snow Fruit?"
Shano raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised.
That seemed to be Monet's ability, right? A cadre of the Donquixote Family who showed up six years later in the Dressrosa arc of the original timeline.
He hadn't expected the fruit to somehow end up in his hands instead.
"A Logia-type?"
Kureha also looked over in astonishment.
"This type of Devil Fruit is incredibly rare. Who would've thought that Wapol had something this good stashed away? You're one lucky brat, huh?"
"To others, maybe," Robin chuckled, "But to our captain, even Logia fruits are starting to feel rather commonplace."
"Oh?" Kureha raised an eyebrow.
"It's true."
Shano clicked his tongue.
"With this one, there are now three Logia users on board."
Flame-Flame Fruit, Snow-Snow Fruit, Smoke-Smoke Fruit.
Round it up a little, and it's practically like having the Three Admirals under his command.
"Not impressed, huh?"
Kureha laughed teasingly.
"But I think snow and ice powers are super cool. Hey, handsome, how about using this as payment for your medical fees?"
"You think I've got dementia now?! I already paid you!"
"Then trade me for something else?"
"Like what?"
"My secret to eternal youth and beauty. How about it?"
"Who the hell wants that?! And anyway, old hag, your wrinkles could probably fit Chopper in them! Youthful? Yeah, right!"
"Wanna die, you little punk?!"
...
The two of them brawled again with a crackling of fists and shouts. When it finally settled down, Kureha stood off to the side with a black eye and crossed arms, grumbling. Shano, completely unscathed, laughed heartily and waved as he turned to leave.
"This time we're really going. See you, old hag! Later, Chopper!"
"Safe travels, Brother Shano! Sister Robin!"
Chopper stood on tiptoe, waving his little arms as hard as he could.
Eventually, their figures faded into the night.
Chopper stayed in the doorway, unwilling to move, staring long after they were gone.
"Alright, stop standing around like an idiot."
Kureha gave him a pat on the head.
"If you want to see them again, get back to studying! Graduate early!"
"Yes, Doctor!"
Chopper wiped away his tears and clenched his little hooves, determination burning in his eyes.
Once she had assigned Chopper his study tasks and saw him off, Kureha slumped back onto the couch and popped open another bottle of booze.
Hm?
She suddenly stared suspiciously at the top of her liquor cabinet.
Right then, Chopper's voice rang out from his room:
"Doctor!"
"What?"
"My cotton candy is gone! Sob I only took one bite this afternoon… I saved the rest for tonight!"
"I dunno, maybe a rat ate it. Who'd bother stealing your candy anyway?"
Kureha brushed it off irritably, scanning the liquor cabinet top to bottom.
Forget the cheap cotton candy…
Something's wrong.
She scratched her head, confused.
Where was that thirty-year-old sherry she'd hidden at the top of the cabinet?
Could she have been drunk and accidentally opened it last night?
...
Night sky.
As he soared through the air, Kuma suddenly felt a chill on his head. He instinctively paused mid-flight and touched the top of his head.
Huh?
Where was his hat?
He could've sworn he grabbed it off the table and put it on before leaving…
Maybe he was too eager to get to Dressrosa and flew too fast—did the night wind blow it away?
Kuma looked back, hesitating.
He considered going back to search for it, but the vast ocean…
Eventually, he gave up and resumed flying full speed toward the New World.
...
Drum Island river path.
Under the moonlight, Shano and Robin boarded the giant turtle moored at the edge of the river.
"Heading to regroup now?"
Robin asked.
"Yeah, I used your Den Den Mushi to call them yesterday. They just arrived at an island called Hot Spring Island. Do you have a Log Pose for that?"
"I do."
Robin opened her backpack.
"I've prepared Eternal Poses for over a dozen islands near Alabasta."
"That's amazing, Sister Robin!"
Shano was overjoyed and gave her a big bear hug.
Robin stiffened slightly at first, but the next second, Shano had already let go and started rummaging through her bag for the Eternal Poses, excited.
Robin regained her composure, rubbing her forehead a bit self-deprecatingly as she looked at his back.
Even knowing that this captain wasn't like the others—that he was a man worth trusting—her instinctive reflex was still to flinch.
When would she finally let go of the subconscious vigilance buried so deep?
"Why so quiet?" Shano asked while digging around. "Nervous about meeting the rest of the crew?"
"Not really."
Robin spread her fingers and looked up at the moonlight, smiling softly:
"I guess I'm just used to being alone. The thought of joining a lively crew... feels a little strange."
"Haha, don't worry."
Shano finally found the right Eternal Pose and stood up laughing.
"There aren't many rules on my ship—everyone's pretty chill. The only problem is how noisy they are. You'll fit right in. Oh, and we've got cats and dogs on board—you can pet them all you want!"
Cats and dogs?
Robin raised a curious brow.
The dog must be that powerful giant wolf... but the cat? Did he mean that little ball of fluff that looked more like mochi than anything feline?
How is that thing a cat…?
The giant turtle slowly turned, carrying them into the night.
Moonlight shimmered over the sea, laying out a glittering silver path ahead.
...
A gentle breeze.
Once they left Drum Island, the temperature quickly became milder. Robin took off her heavy winter coat and laid it out in front of her.
Shano used it as a pillow, sprawling lazily on the turtle's shell.
Sure, it wasn't as comfy as lying on Robin's lap, but now that he was healed, he couldn't justify faking unconsciousness anymore.
At this moment—
Though he appeared to be stargazing, relaxed and dreamy...
He had actually opened the system panel, tallying up the points earned during this Drum Island trip.
Ever since he got Henry's Thief's Insight, Shano had been carefully studying, refining, and blending the knowledge until his thieving skill reached a whole new level—bordering on divine.
Back at the treehouse, he'd made several moves—yet not a single person had noticed.
Naturally, the gains were substantial.
[You sacrificed Chopper's cotton candy – gained 50 points]
[You sacrificed Kureha's vintage sherry – gained 300 points]
[You sacrificed Wapol's jeweled crown – gained 450 points]
[You sacrificed Robin's cowboy hat – gained 1200 points]
[You sacrificed Kuma's bear-ear hat – gained 3200 points]
The biggest haul was, no doubt, Kuma's bear-ear hat. Over 3000 points—far more than Crocodile's hook was worth.
It also showed just how powerful Kuma really was.
Originally, Shano had aimed to steal the "Bible" Kuma always carried.
The same one he'd held in his hands for decades, a symbolic personal item that even later helped distinguish him from the Pacifistas.
So it had to be valuable.
But when Shano casually flipped through it—
—It turned out to be no holy text at all.
Every page was densely filled with Kuma's handwritten notes: Bonney's illness cycles, temperature trends, doctor diagnoses, tested medications and their outcomes…
Even clipped newspaper pieces documenting rare mentions of Jade Scale Disease across the world.
The Bridge Kingdom, Sky Island Visalia, Boeing Archipelago, Karakuri Island, Amazon Lily…
Some had already been visited. Others were still on his list.
Only then did Shano understand.
In the original timeline—at the Sabaody Archipelago, when Kuma scattered the Straw Hats across the world—those destinations were…
...the very places he'd personally traveled to in search of a cure for his daughter.
His salvation lay in those journeys.
Shano immediately shut the "Bible" and placed it back.
If he had really sacrificed that book, he'd have been too guilty to sleep for days.
Instead, he settled for the bear-ear hat—it wasn't as meaningful, but still netted 3200 points. Combined with the others, he had earned a total of 5200 points.
His current balance now reached 50700—his first time breaking the 50K mark. An unprecedented bounty.
Closing the system panel, Shano's mood lifted considerably.
Tch, being too rich is kind of a burden in its own way.
Once he regrouped with the crew, the shop would probably refresh in a few days.
Hopefully it'd offer something reallygood—he was itching to splurge.
...
Time flew by.
Five days later, Shano and Robin arrived at Hot Spring Island and reunited with the rest of the crew.
The island itself was a well-known resort destination.
It was filled with natural hot springs, steaming vents bubbling constantly.
The mineral-rich waters were said to have healing effects, making it a popular spot for vacationers year after year.
The crew had been there for a while and were already familiar with the place.
As soon as Shano showed up, they grabbed him and dragged him off to the island's best hot spring spa.
This was exactly what Shano had in mind.
Life drifting on a turtle shell was far from comfortable—just washing up was a problem. He planned to rest here with Robin for a day, fully recover, and then head off to the next destination.
——
Night deepened.
The hot spring area was shrouded in hazy mist. Paper lanterns hung under the eaves, their warm yellow glow spreading through the steam, making the entire bathhouse look like a dreamscape.
Splash—
In the rising white mist, Shano leaned back completely, slumping into the bath carved from volcanic rock.
The warm spring water flowed over his shoulders and neck, relaxing every inch of muscle and bone. The towel on his head was drooping, wilted from the heat, but he didn't bother adjusting it—just let out a long, contented sigh.
"Ahh… After leaving that freezing Winter Island, soaking in a hot spring really is the best…"
Suddenly, a cloud of smoke drifted over from his right.
Shano rolled his eyes and looked toward the neighboring bath. "Come on, Smoker. Really? You brought a cigar into the hot spring? You seriously can't go without it even for a bit? Will you die if you don't smoke?"
"Can't help it, boss."
Smoker grinned, raising the cigar in his fingers. "This was a gift from Miss Robin. Said it's a premium blend Crocodile used to love—one stick's worth fifty thousand berries. I've never had anything this high-end before. Gotta savor it while I can."
Robin gave that?
Already making moves, huh?
Shano raised a brow, finding it a bit amusing.
He remembered it clearly.
In the original timeline, when Robin first boarded the Going Merry, everyone except Sanji was extremely wary and hostile toward her.
And Robin?
Easily exploited Nami, Chopper, and the others' weaknesses, breaking them down one by one with subtle tactics. It didn't take long for the crew to drop their guard.
Now, even his crew was falling for the same old play?
Well, if it helped Robin settle in and integrate faster…
Shano chuckled. He wasn't about to meddle—he'd rather just sit back and enjoy the show.
"Hey, Old Man Zeff."
He looked over at Zeff, who was focused on a book across from him, and cheerfully asked, "Don't tell me Robin gave you something too?"
"Huh? Captain, how'd you know?"
Zeff looked up, surprised. He closed the book and showed Shano the cover.
"Here, this is what Miss Robin gave me. 'Lost Culinary Arts of Alabasta.' She said it came from Crocodile's collection."
He flipped open the book, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Alabasta really is a civilized ancient kingdom. There are so many dishes in here I've never seen before! This one here, the Gaia Roast—it uses natural stone slabs heated under the blazing sun as cooking pans, with added coriander and perilla leaves…"
Once he got into cooking talk, Zeff couldn't stop. He went on and on to Shano and Smoker with great enthusiasm.
Shano let it in one ear and out the other, his gaze drifting toward the bamboo wall that divided the space.
Tch, even the most grounded old man on the ship had been taken down.
Wonder if any of the young girls had resisted Robin's charm…
——
Meanwhile.
On the other side of the bamboo partition, in the women's bath.
Blinding divine light collided and squeezed through the misty white fog.
"Waaah! Thank you, Robin-nee!"
Nami leapt excitedly into Robin's arms. "You prepared sea charts for Drum Island, Thor Island… even all the islands near Alabasta? That's amazing! My Grand Line map project can now make a huge leap forward!"
"A simple favor."
Robin smiled gently. As Nami ran off happily to examine the charts, she handed a thick stack of books to Nojiko.
"These are martial arts manuals collected by Baroque Works—mostly focused on Mr. 2's Okama fighting style. Not really suitable for girls to learn entirely, but there are plenty of useful insights. Could help patch up some gaps in your techniques."
Nojiko flipped through a few pages—and her eyes lit up.
What a find!
Just as Robin said, for someone like her who practiced multiple fighting styles, this summarized version was quite valuable and useful for reference.
"Robin-nee!!!"
Nojiko couldn't help but hug her.
In the corner of the bathhouse, Kuina wrapped in a towel leaned against the bamboo wall, coldly watching that elegant silhouette.
Hmph.
Crafty old woman.
She was just a newcomer who'd only recently joined Lord Shano, yet here she was, pulling everyone in with gifts and smoothing over relationships in no time.
Even Nami and Nojiko were calling her "Robin-nee" now!
So frustrating.
That mature and effortless poise… it was infuriating!
But…
Now that she'd seen through the scheme, she wouldn't fall for it.
Presents? Just refuse, simple as that…
"Vice-Captain Kuina."
A gentle voice came from beside her, and a faint floral scent wafted in. Kuina turned in surprise, only to find Robin had somehow appeared right in front of her.
"That's okay to call you, right?" Robin smiled, eyes twinkling. "After all, that's what the papers and bounty posters say."
"Uh… I-I guess it's fine here," Kuina blushed, muttering, "But don't call me that in front of Lord Shano yet… He hasn't officially approved it. I can't…"
"He definitely will."
Robin leaned in slightly with a gentle smile. "I saw the whole dockside battle. The way you commanded and the strength you showed—no one deserves that role more than you."
"Eh, r-really…?"
Kuina was already a little dazed. Damn it, this steamy bathhouse was too hot—she could barely stand!
"And also, Vice-Captain, I have a gift for you too. It's a famed sword that's been passed around in Alabasta for generations."
"Of course, it's no match for your Wado Ichimonji. But as a backup weapon, it should be qualified."
"This is…"
Kuina's eyes widened with delight. "One of the 50 Ryo Wazamono—Hanashū!"
——
Back on the other side of the bamboo wall.
Hearing Kuina unconsciously call her "Robin-nee,"
Shano shrugged and withdrew his attention.
Welp, even the sword girl had fallen. There was no point even wondering about his two airhead sisters—they were long gone.
The outcome was obvious.
——
The next morning.
Everyone had fully rested and recovered, in peak condition.
The Log Pose had finished charging, and without further delay, the Falling Curtainset sail from the hot spring island toward its next destination: Alabasta.
Shano sat under a parasol, sipping coffee leisurely while gazing at the distant sea horizon.
Alabasta, huh?
Even though his journey hadn't reached there yet, the big boss that loomed over the country—Crocodile—had been dead for what felt like centuries already.
What a strange feeling.
Baroque Works had already collapsed, and the drought in Alabasta hadn't even begun. Looks like there wouldn't be any trouble here.
He could spend time enjoying the culture and scenery of the desert kingdom before heading straight toward what interested him most.
—That historical Poneglyph hidden beneath the royal mausoleum in Alubarna.
It contained proof of Pluton's existence in the true history… and clues to its whereabouts. Robin should be quite interested in that.
As for Shano himself—
He wasn't interested in Pluton, but the stone tablet itself definitely caught his attention.
"They say the Poneglyphs are indestructible…"
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
As his strength continued to grow, regular steel plates were no longer enough for his physical training.
Switching to Poneglyphs might be way more fun.
——
Alabasta, Elma.
This was the famous Oasis City of Alabasta.
As the gateway to the Sandora River, it was a crucial stop for all merchant ships and travelers entering the kingdom's interior.
On both riverbanks, stone docks stretched toward the blue waters. Ships loaded with goods lined up, unloading treasures from faraway lands.
However—
At this moment, the docks were overcrowded. Masts rose like a forest on the wide river. Cargo stacked high, and impatient sailors leaned over the rails, craning their necks.
"Still not letting us through?"
"What's going on?! Are we getting through or not?!"
"New here, huh? Don't rush. I've been stuck here all day—it's gonna be a while."
"You were here yesterday, old man? You know what's happening?"
"Use your eyes," the old captain scoffed. "See that massive pirate ship blocking the river? Who's gonna risk sailing past that?"
"A pirate ship?" someone sneered. "So what? We're all used to pirates in the Grand Line. One ship can't block all of us, can it?"
"Idiot. You think that's a regular pirate?"
The old captain snorted and pointed his pipe toward the skull flag, fluttering beneath which stood a hulking figure over five meters tall.
"That guy… He's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, appointed by the World Government—Hanakusa! A terrifying monster with a former bounty of five hundred million berries!"
"Not every Warlord is as easygoing as Crocodile. If you want to die, don't let me stop you!"
The sailors around him gasped.
"W-W-Warlord of the Sea…?!"
"What's he doing here?!"
——
The massive black ship loomed like a beast at the river's mouth. Its blood-red sails bore the pattern of playing card devils, flapping wildly in the desert wind.
On the broad deck—
A man in a black coat leaned lazily against the railing. Dozens of bound merchants knelt at his feet.
"I told you," he said with a lazy smile, "until I get what I want, not a single ship passes this river. And yet you didn't believe me. You really tried to break through?"
He smiled as he drew a massive four-meter-long scythe from his back—
Thud!
The blade slammed into the deck beside a merchant's head.
All of them jolted. One man in gold-rimmed glasses even wet his pants, the stench quickly spreading on deck.
"Ugh… so you're not that brave after all."
Hanakusa sneered, yanking the scythe back out.
"I've blocked this river for a full day. The royal family of Alabasta hasn't even stirred. Are they underestimating the losses this causes? Or are they just not taking me seriously…?"
He caressed the blade, murmuring, "You think if I spill some blood—maybe rack up a few dozen corpses—the king will move faster?"
Silence blanketed the deck.
"Why's nobody speaking?" Hanakusa's smile vanished. "You merchants look down on me too?"
"Mmmph! Mmmph!!" The man in glasses struggled frantically, tears almost spilling.
Hanakusa stared for a second before growling in annoyance.
"Jack! You idiot! I told you to tie them up—not gag them!"
"Huh?"
A burly blond youth scratched his head, confused. "Sorry, Boss Hanakusa! First time out with you—I didn't catch that. Please forgive me!"
"Shut it and fix it!"
"Yes, sir!"
Under Hanakusa's glare, Jack hurried over and yanked the cloth from the merchant's mouth