Inside a dimly lit room in Seven Water City, the only light came from a flickering kerosene lamp.
A lone figure stood motionless, his face hidden by shadows.
Without turning, he spoke calmly, "You're here late."
Although the door was closed, three figures had already appeared inside the room.
One of them replied in a low, hoarse tone, "Iceburg has a meeting tonight. He can't make it."
The shadowed figure nodded slightly.
"The intel's here. Read it for yourselves. If you're smart, you'll leave before that troublesome man arrives."
The three exchanged glances and silently took the documents from the table, reading them under the faint yellow light.
"'The Fifth Emperor?'"
One muttered the title slowly, his brows furrowing.
"'The Arrogant Emperor, Plunderer, Shirogai defeated Kaido and Big Mom…'"
Another read the words aloud, disbelief heavy in his voice.
Only one remained silent—a slender figure with a small bird perched on his shoulder. His eyes scanned the documents until the end, unreadable.
After a long pause, he finally spoke in a cool, measured voice.
"It doesn't matter. Our plan stays the same."
The first man clicked his tongue impatiently.
"But this so-called Fifth Emperor—even the Elders are wary of him!"
"Calm down," the black-clad man said indifferently.
He touched the kerosene lamp's flame to the paper in his hand, watching it catch fire. "We were never after the Straw Hats to begin with. Their arrival here is irrelevant."
"Fine."
The shadowed figure sighed, defeated. "Then we stick to the original plan."
The others followed suit, burning their copies.
In moments, the papers were reduced to ashes.
"Whoosh—"
The flames flared, and when they died out, the room was empty.
Only the kerosene lamp remained, burning weakly as the oil within ran dry.
Hours later, the flame sputtered out completely, leaving only darkness.
---
Meanwhile, the Going Merry glided across the waves under a steady wind.
"Wow! Everyone, look! That must be Seven Water City that Kokoro mentioned!"
Nami shouted excitedly, holding up her telescope as the dark silhouette of an island appeared on the horizon.
"Luffy, Shirogai! We're almost there!"
"Yeah, that's definitely an island."
Zoro's calm voice carried over the sea breeze as he and Sanji gazed ahead.
With Observation Haki, even without the telescope, they could see it clearly.
"Really? Wow! It really is an island!"
Luffy jumped up and down on deck, laughing joyfully.
"Hahaha! I'm gonna find someone huge and super strong to fight! Maybe five meters tall!"
"Luffy, how would someone that big even fit on the Going Merry?"
Usopp rolled his eyes, arms crossed. "You never think these things through."
"There are already too many guys on this ship," Sanji said with a grin, hearts in his eyes. "We have Nami swaaan and Robin Chwaaan, but the more beautiful women, the better! Maybe we'll find a stunning shipwright!"
"Perverted brows," Zoro muttered flatly. "As long as they can repair a ship properly, even a five-meter-tall woman is fine."
"A five-meter-tall woman!?"
Sanji went pale. "That's not fine at all!"
"Do you think they sell cotton candy there?"
Chopper asked curiously, peering over the railing with wide eyes.
"Hehe…"
Robin rested her chin on her hand, watching her crewmates with a soft smile. Their energy, their laughter—it was contagious.
A quiet, familiar voice spoke beside her.
"Looks like you've really made yourself at home with this crew."
Robin turned. Shirogai stood next to her, smiling faintly.
"Yes," she said with a charming smile. "I've decided to truly be one of them."
"That's good."
Shirogai placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone warm but firm.
"With me around, don't change your mind again."
Robin tilted her head slightly. "You went to see Aokiji, didn't you?"
Shirogai blinked. "Hmm? How did you know?"
Robin chuckled. "When you returned, Nami mentioned how the wind suddenly turned cold, which didn't match the usual weather. I guessed Aokiji must've been nearby—using his Ice-Ice Fruit powers. And in this sea, who else but you could make an Admiral act that way?"
She stepped forward and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you, all of you. For the first time, I don't feel cursed to bring misfortune."
As she started to step back, Shirogai caught her wrist, drawing her effortlessly into his arms.
"Running already?" he murmured near her ear, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You get to hug me, but I don't get one back? That hardly seems fair."
Her breath hitched, heat rushing to her cheeks. When he finally let her go, she turned away quickly, trying to gather herself.
On the surface, she looked calm, collected—but her heartbeat gave her away. She hadn't meant the hug to mean anything, and yet… somehow, Shirogai managed to throw her off balance.
Shirogai smiled faintly as he watched her walk away.
"Tch. Acts like a cool-headed lady, but deep down, still a shy little girl."
---
"Robin-chwaan, why's your face all red?"
Sanji froze mid-sentence, staring dreamily. "You're even more radiant today—like an angel!"
"It's nothing," Robin replied quickly, smiling as she turned toward the bustling island ahead.
Her gaze softened… until it froze.
On the crowded dock below, a figure in an exotic cloak and a green demon mask stood motionless, staring directly at her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The masked man turned away, melting into the crowd.
"Could it be… CP…"
Robin's breath trembled. Fear crept up her spine—fear she thought she'd buried long ago.
"Don't worry."
A hand landed gently on her shoulder. Shirogai's calm voice followed.
"I've got it handled."
"Shirogai…"
Robin turned, meeting his steady eyes.
"Robin," he said, placing a crimson rose in her hair. "In this city, make whatever choice you want. No matter what happens, you're safe."
He turned toward the glowing skyline of Seven Water City, a small grin curving his lips.
"Nightmares aren't easily erased. The best way to get rid of one…"
He cracked his knuckles.
"…is to beat it into the ground."
---