From high above, the vast sea looked as if a chunk had been carved out by some immense force.
Tides crashed along the sharp trench, colliding and sending towering waves in every direction.
Two massive World Government and Navy warships had been obliterated—shattered, pierced, and trampled into fragments by that single strike.
Exhausted, Sakura Haruno's body swayed, collapsing toward the icy surface below.
"We won! We did it, Sakura!"
Sauro, his massive form looming, raised a hand to celebrate, only to hear a crack as the ice beneath him gave way, plunging him into the sea.
[Notification: Achievement unlocked—Anarchist. Earned 50 achievement points. Current balance: 150 points.]
"Sauro…"
Too drained to heed the system's prompt, Sakura was utterly spent. The attack, fueled by her burning will, had pushed her young body past its limits.
She could only watch helplessly as a wave swept over, swallowing both her and Sauro.
Fatigue weighed on Sakura, her eyelids heavy, blocking her vision. Her head tilted, and she slipped into unconsciousness.
…
BOOM!
The storm in the sky grew fiercer, lightning slicing through the clouds, screeching as it struck the sea.
In a daze, Sakura felt cold rain stealing her body heat.
Waves battered her, carrying her along with the few belongings she clung to, drifting for what felt like ages.
Until, at last, the rain cleared, and warm sunlight bathed her.
"Hey! There's someone here!"
A clear, youthful voice reached Sakura's ears.
Amid the sound of footsteps crunching on sand, she felt herself being dragged up and gently laid on the soft beach.
"Hey, are you alive?"
"Ugh—"
"What'd you say?"
"Food!"
Sakura's hands shot up, her eyes snapping open.
The girl beside her flinched, startled but unafraid, tilting her head curiously.
"I've only got this on me, if you want it…"
The girl in a tattered dress pulled out a small piece of bread, about to hand it over.
A pink blur flashed by, followed by loud crunching sounds.
"So fast!"
The slightly tanned girl's mouth fell open.
"Whew, barely survived!"
Sakura swallowed the bread with a loud gulp, though her stomach still rumbled.
Regaining a bit of strength, she turned to the girl who'd given her the food.
"Than—"
Seeing the girl's face clearly, Sakura froze, her outstretched hand pausing midair.
The girl before her had a gentle, scholarly air, with cute features and bright turquoise eyes.
That combination could only belong to one person Sakura knew—the infamous Demon Child, Nico Robin.
"Is something on my face?"
Robin tucked a book under her right arm, wiping her face with her left hand.
"Nah, thanks for saving me."
"I'm Sakura Haruno. What's your name?"
In that moment, seabirds squawked overhead, and waves lapped at the shore, bringing a cool breeze.
The sea wind lifted Sakura's short pink hair, revealing her doll-like face and radiant smile.
Nico Robin stared, caught off guard by the hand extended toward her, unsure how to respond.
"Oh! I'm…"
It took her a moment to react, as if jolted awake, reaching out to touch Sakura's hand.
But before she could finish, a commotion interrupted.
"There she is! Robin's over there!"
"Get that little monster! Teach her a lesson!"
A red tomato sailed through the air, spinning toward Nico Robin.
Smack!
Sakura pushed Robin aside, catching the tomato and taking a big bite.
Her fingers swiftly formed a Ram seal.
With a surge of chakra, she unleashed Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique.
A massive, scaly monster clawed its way out of the sand, casting a menacing shadow over the group of kids.
Hot, sticky breath blasted from its nostrils, its gaping maw silently roaring at them.
ROAR!
The kids turned pale, scrambling and tripping over each other as they fled.
"She's got a monster friend!"
"A m-m-monster!"
"Waaah, run, run!"
Their cries faded as they vanished into the distance.
"So, your name's Robin? That's a pretty name."
Dealing with the childish brats, Sakura put her hands behind her back, spinning around with a grin.
"You're not scared of me? They call me a monster, you know!"
Robin lowered her head, her left hand gripping her right arm, fingers digging into her skin.
"No way! Between you and me, I'm a ninja!"
Sakura took Robin's hand, giving her a playful wink.
The roughness of Robin's small hand made Sakura frown. She was about the same age as her…
"N-ninja?"
Robin looked at the girl who'd burst into her life like a comet, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
She was so vibrant, with a dazzling smile, unbothered by being called a monster—like a ray of light sent to brighten Robin's dim world.
Unconsciously, Robin squeezed Sakura's hand tightly.
In the distance, the parents of those kids were approaching, closing in on the two.
"Come on, let me show you!"
Sakura formed seals, casting Mist Servant Technique.
Dark, terrifying phantoms emerged from trees and rocks, lunging at the adults with claws and fangs.
Amid the chaos on the beach, Sakura grabbed Robin's hand, slipping away.
They ran down a path into the forest, where Sakura finally let go.
Panting, they collapsed against a tree, Sakura's stomach growling like thunder. They exchanged glances.
"Ha… hahaha!"
Their pure, carefree laughter echoed through the woods, startling birds into flight.
The setting sun's rays pierced the dappled tree shadows, bathing them in golden light.
"Oh no, it's already this late!"
Robin jumped up, anxiously eyeing the distant sunset.
"What's wrong, Robin?"
Sakura, lounging comfortably in the tree's shade, glanced up.
"I have to get home. I've got things to do tonight!" Robin crouched beside Sakura. "Um… can I see you again tomorrow?"
"Of course! I'll be sticking around for a while!"
"See you then!"
Robin jogged off, pausing at the path's end to wave goodbye to Sakura.
Once she was gone, Sakura sat up, drool glistening at the corner of her mouth.
Her glowing eyes locked onto sea beasts frolicking in the distant waters.
"Meat…!"
Her left foot slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust in the forest.
A streak of pink lightning tore through the haze, chakra forming a film under her feet, letting her glide across the sea. A several-meter-long ice harpoon materialized in her hand, piercing multiple sea beasts in an instant.
Her left hand flared with heat, roasting them—skin, bones, and all—before she wolfed them down.
It tasted awful… but it filled her up!
Starving, Sakura repeated the process, devouring one beast after another.
That day, the sea beasts along O'Hara's west coast fell victim to an unknown predator's rampage.