Robin remained quiet, the silence stretching out until it became heavy. She didn't continue, her eyes fixed on the horizon as if she were reading a script written in the clouds.
"It is unknown to most," Tsuru finally spoke up, her voice carrying the authority of a woman who had seen everything the sea had to offer. "It's a new island that appeared fifteen years ago. We have the coordinates recorded, and Zephyr will lead the ship there... but the legends are a different matter. If I'm correct, that island has a name, doesn't it... Robin?"
The students, who had been hanging on Tsuru's every word, snapped their heads back toward Robin.
Robin let out a soft, melodic huff and shook her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Why just me? Why don't you ask Hancock? She knows it too. Oh, and Vivi, Hiyori, and Shirahoshi... they know it as well." Feeling the weight of the interrogation lift, she relaxed her shoulders and reached out, resting a hand on Nami's shoulder. "Come, Nami. Let's head inside."
The two walked toward the inner deck, heading for the living quarters, leaving the rest of the crew completely dumbfounded.
"So even those girls know something," the youthful Shakky mused, puffing a long plume of smoke into the stagnant air.
"Well, it's certainly interesting," added the youthful Gloriosa, plucking a grape from a small bowl and eating it with a contemplative look.
Nemuri, leaning against the railing nearby, caught the exchange and smirked. "Ooh, someone sounds worried," she purred.
Ryukyu chuckled softly beside her, watching the ripples of the sea, while Shakky gave a sharp, knowing grin. "Of course we are. Knowledge is the most dangerous thing on this ship."
Nagant stayed silent, her eyes fixed on the steam rising from her coffee cup as she stirred it, her mind clearly miles away. As the mystery deepened, the rest of the girls followed Robin's lead, deciding that the adrenaline of the sea beast was enough for one day. They began to filter back toward their rooms to rest.
The boys, however, were far from finished. The surge of energy from the encounter was still thrumming in their veins, and they weren't ready to let the silence of the Calm Belt win.
"I'll fucking wait for some more fish," Bakugo growled, his palms sparking. "Let's see who can take down the most. I'm not leaving until I blast something!"
"Huh? You want to go, matchstick?" Kid challenged, his metallic arm clanking as he stepped forward. "I'll out-kill you before you can even make a spark."
Shoto simply shook his head at their bickering, but Yoarashi roared with excitement. "ME TOO! COUNT ME IN! PASSIONATE FISHING!"
Luffy joined in with his signature laugh, "Shishishi! Let's see who catches the biggest one! I'm gonna eat it all!"
"Count me in!" Mirio shouted, striking a pose. "I'll show you the power of professional fishing!"
"Hey... Mirio... let's just go back..." Tamaki muttered from the shadows of his hood, though no one heard him over the rising noise of the boys placing bets and preparing their gear.
While the top deck descended into a loud, competitive frenzy, the atmosphere in the girls' quarters was entirely different. They gathered around a large meeting table, the door locked against the chaos outside. Nami sat at the head, her eyes sharp as she looked at the circle of women.
"Alright," Nami said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "No more games. Robin, Vivi, Shirahoshi, Hiyori... and Hancock... tell me what you know about this island."
The atmosphere in the girls' lounge was a sharp contrast to the shouting and clanking of metal coming from the boys on the deck. The room was filled with the soft aroma of tea and the quiet rustle of fabric as the seventeen girls gathered, the tension of the sea beast replaced by a mounting, feminine curiosity.
"Nami-chan is right!" Nejire chimed in, floating lazily in the air with her legs crossed, her finger pressed to her chin in deep thought. "I'm also curious! What makes a place so special that it's a secret even here?"
Momo adjusted her seating, smoothing out her skirt. "Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious myself," she admitted, her voice elegant but laced with intrigue. "An island that only appeared fifteen years ago... it defies geographical logic."
Ain leaned against the bulkhead, her arms crossed. "There's no point in keeping secrets anyway," she noted practically. "We're heading straight for it. We'll see it with our own eyes soon enough."
The Wano group sat with a calm grace. Kiku took a slow sip of her tea and chuckled softly at the growing excitement, while Kaya sat beside her, a gentle, knowing smile on her face. Nearby, Kendo was focused on the ceremony of her own brew, the steam rising in white curls. Yui simply gave a single, deadpan nod, her expression unchanging but her eyes attentive.
Ibara clasped her hands together as if in prayer, her vine-like hair swaying slightly. "To harbor a secret is a great sin," she murmured. "Truth is the only light that should guide us."
Yanagi raised her hands in a ghostly, spooky gesture, a playful glint in her eyes. "Perhaps the mystery is a scary story... a ghost of an island that doesn't want to be found."
"Whatever it is, it's certainly intriguing," Tashigi said, her hand resting on the hilt of Shigure. Kuina, sitting cross-legged next to her, nodded in agreement. "A place the legends avoid... that's where the real challenge is."
Hibari didn't look up from her sniper rifle, her tools clicking as she cleaned the barrel. "Yes... it's been bothering my ears. The silence outside is one thing, but the silence about this island is worse."
Bello Betty leaned back, a cigar perched between her lips. She exhaled a cloud of smoke, her eyes scanning the blushing faces of the younger girls. "Well," she drawled with a mischievous smirk, "maybe it's a lewd thing that shouldn't be disclosed. A place of total debauchery, perhaps?"
The room went dead silent for a heartbeat before a wave of red washed over the faces of the students. Nami, Vivi, and even Momo sputtered, their cheeks turning a deep crimson.
"Hey, now... what are you all thinking?" Betty continued, her grin widening as she saw their reactions. "Such naughty thoughts for such young ladies."
The blushing deepened, a chorus of embarrassed protests breaking out, until Nico Robin couldn't contain herself. She covered her mouth with her hand, letting out a melodic, genuine chuckle.
Camie who was chilling then said oho so...that's not good girls.
"Hahaha..." Robin's eyes crinkled with amusement. "You have a vivid imagination, Betty."
She lowered her hand, her expression softening as she looked at Vivi, Hiyori, Shirahoshi, and then toward the door where Hancock's room lay. The laughter died down, replaced by a shared look of understanding between those who knew.
"It isn't a ghost story, and it certainly isn't what Betty suggests," Robin said, her voice turning velvet-smooth and serious. "The reason it's a secret... is because that island is the only place left in this world that the gods forgot to destroy."
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To be continued