Chapter 8 – Stormbound Oaths: Robin, Tina… and a Third Gift?!
"Don't worry. They're just unconscious now," Lucien said with a lazy grin. "No one's provoking me, and honestly—I'm too lazy to kill anyone else."
He chuckled softly as he appeared beside the fallen Marines.
Tina's eyes widened. "What are you doing?" she asked sharply, stepping forward instinctively.
Lucien didn't even look back. "Relax. I'm just taking some… precautions—to prevent you from getting clever. You know, running away… or killing yourself in a tragic display of loyalty."
As he spoke, his fingers curled into claw-like shapes. Lightning surged in his palms, but unlike the bright gold of Raijin's wrath, this thunder pulsed with a deep violet hue—dark, unstable, almost alive.
He waited until it coiled and hissed like a caged beast—then slammed it down into the deck.
"Dark Thunder Seed."
The black lightning spread like a swarm of serpents. Tina's face paled as it slithered into the unconscious hearts of her subordinates, leaving no marks—but binding their lives to his control.
Lucien laughed again, satisfied. "Now you'll think twice before defying me. Eventually, you'll fall for me completely—and when that day comes, you won't even want to leave."
Tina gritted her teeth. "I already agreed to be your divine consort. Was this really necessary?"
Her fists clenched at her sides. This was no longer just about her—it was about her men. About being shackled without chains.
But Lucien only looked at her with maddening tenderness. "Think of it another way. Look at how far I've gone for you. Isn't that proof of how much I care?"
Tina was stunned. Her logic battled his twisted reasoning, but somewhere inside, something fragile trembled. No one—not since her parents—had ever said they cared so much for her. Not like this.
"Thunder Rotation. Electricity generates magnetism... Magnetic Attraction."
"Ah—!"
Before she could react, Lucien raised a hand—and her body flew straight into his arms. The magnetic pull left her breathless. His strong hand slid along her cheek with unnatural gentleness.
"Our fruit powers are perfectly in sync," he whispered beside her ear. "I wave… and you come to me. Like destiny."
Tina flushed, her cheeks burning red. She shut her eyes tightly, refusing to speak. Her silence was answer enough.
Lucien smiled, pleased by her unwilling submission. But he didn't push further—there would be time.
He let her slide to the floor, dazed, as he turned toward the ship's interior.
---
His Observation Haki swept through the vessel like a net, sensing life forms scattered across the lower deck. Among them… a familiar presence.
"So, you've captured quite a few pirates on this trip," he said casually.
Tina, trying to regain her composure, took out a slim cigarette, lit it with a snap, and exhaled slowly toward his back.
"Just some small fries. They're from the Foxy Pirates," she said coolly. "Their captain slipped away, as usual. Silver Fox Foxy… a tricky bastard."
Lucien nodded and vanished in a burst of static, reappearing inside the holding cells with Tina hurrying behind.
Several pirates had already perished from the lightning storm that ravaged the ship earlier. Others remained unconscious, their mouths bound with incense-soaked cloths to prevent shouting or powers from activating.
Lucien walked deeper, stopping before a particular cell.
"Wait… her?" he muttered.
Inside the cell lay a girl in a pink sailor suit, indigo hair messy but strikingly bright. Even unconscious, she wore a mischievous smile.
Porche.
From the Foxy Pirates.
Lucien's brow lifted. "Didn't expect a bonus."
He raised his hand.
"Leifa Leiyetie."
The iron bars melted, forming a pool of black sludge as he stepped inside.
Tina stood at the door, confused. "You know this pirate?"
Lucien gently brushed the hair from Porche's face and scooped her into his arms. "I know of her. She doesn't know me."
"…So she's also your target?" Tina asked quietly.
"Obviously. Though I'd say she's a free add-on," he said with a smirk. "Robin was one. Then you. Now Porche. Buy one, get two free."
Tina's face twisted. She wanted to be angry—but there was no time to process the emotions storming inside her.
"These pirates were supposed to be sent to Impel Down."
"They're weaklings," Lucien said, uninterested. "No Devil Fruits. Not worth the trip."
With a flick of his fingers, arcs of lightning danced—then silenced the pirates forever.
Tina stared, stunned.
"When did you capture them?" he asked suddenly.
"This morning," she answered without thinking.
Lucien's eyes narrowed. "That explains the ship tailing yours from a distance."
Tina froze. "What?!"
Her eyes darted back to the deck, where her unconscious crew lay.
"If you take me now… they'll be slaughtered! Foxy has the Slow-Slow Fruit—he'll wipe them out!"
Lucien paused.
"Slow-Slow Fruit, huh? That might be worth stealing."
"You want to help? Then let me go fight them myself!" Tina said sharply.
Lucien gave her a sidelong look. "No need. Just behave. I'll handle it."
He hoisted Porche over one shoulder and wrapped his arm around Tina's waist.
And in a burst of lightning, they disappeared.
---
Robin, still sitting on the deck of the small flying ship high above, raised an eyebrow as she saw Lucien reappear—now with two women in tow.
She sighed, folding her book. "A harem... why am I not surprised?"
The lightning cage around her fizzled and vanished as Lucien approached with a grin.
"Let's go, my divine consort. Robin."
Robin smiled with polite sarcasm. "Before you whisk me away, God Lucien, don't you think you should properly introduce yourself?"
He chuckled. "I'm Lucien. From Sky Island. Its god—and emperor."
Robin's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Sky Island? Interesting…"
She crossed her arms with slow elegance, her eyes never leaving his. "But I'm a wanted criminal, bounty 79 million. The World Government's top target. Taking me in means inviting their wrath. Are you prepared for that?"
Lucien stared down at her.
"The World Government?" he said with a cold smile. "Let them come."
---
To be continued…