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The moment Jason saw Robin, all the fatigue in his body vanished. His mood lifted immediately, and he dropped the two large bags he was carrying.
He rushed forward, picked up Robin, spun her around, and then playfully patted her cheek.
"Did you miss me?" Jason asked, holding Robin closely and feeling content.
"Well! Very good! She is only 15, but thanks to me, she has almost joined the 'D family'!"
"No, I'm just worried you'll be eaten by sea monsters!" Robin retorted.
Jason hesitated. Forget it, I won't argue with this little girl.
Releasing Robin, he turned to get a gift for her. Just as Jason reached for some snacks, he heard Robin muttering softly. With his sharp hearing, he managed to catch her words.
"Actually, I think about it every day!"
Jason's smile stretched wide with joy. "Come on, come on, I brought you loads of gifts!"
After curbing his excitement, Jason crouched down and began unpacking the gifts.
"Hmm? What is it?" Robin asked, squatting next to him.
"Of course it's good stuff! A snack! It's a specialty from Fish-Man Island! I hope it didn't get damaged."
Jason took out a sandwich, inspected it to ensure it wasn't broken, and handed it to Robin. She took a bite.
"Oh, it's delicious! Much better than anything I've had before!" Robin's eyes sparkled as she quickly devoured the sandwich.
"Don't worry! There's more!"
Jason opened his backpack, pulling out various pastries, breads, pine cones, and egg tarts, piling them in front of Robin until there was barely space left.
All the snacks were still in great condition, probably because the people of Fish-Man Island had extended their shelf life. Robin's face lit up with happiness.
Growing up, Jason always brought her gifts whenever he returned from a trip, especially treats. He insisted that she should eat well to grow strong.
"Jason, you eat too!"
Robin picked up a cake and fed it to Jason, smearing cream on his lips.
"Mmm!" Jason swallowed the cake in one big bite, noticing how gracefully Robin ate, leaving her face spotless.
"Sneak attack!" Jason teased, smearing cream on Robin's cheek with a playful kiss.
"Ouch! Jason!!"
"Hehe!"
The two of them playfully wrestled until Jason conceded defeat, halting their little game. They washed up and returned to the yard to continue eating.
"There's so much left! I can't finish it!" Robin said, rubbing her slightly bulging belly. The snacks from Fish-Man Island were more tempting than she had imagined.
"It doesn't matter! There's a freezer at home! Just store it and eat it slowly."
"What's that bag?" Robin asked, noticing another parcel.
"It's money!"
"Oh," Robin replied disinterestedly. She wasn't concerned about the money but knew it would eventually be spent on the two of them.
"Ahem! Actually, I brought another gift this time, and you'll definitely like it!"
"Huh? What is it?"
"Emm, I'm not telling!"
"Hmph! If you won't tell me, I'll find it myself!"
Robin began rummaging through another bag. After a while, she found a pearl larger than her fist.
"Wow! What a big pearl! Is this for me?"
"Of course!"
"Thank you! You're the best, Jason!"
She kissed Jason on the forehead, making him blush with delight.
"But this isn't the main gift!"
"There's more?"
"Yes, there is!"
"What is it?"
Robin wondered if anything could be more impressive than the pearl she had just found. She didn't know Jason had been carrying historical rubbings with him to keep them safe.
Watching Jason ponder mischief, Robin realized he was plotting something again. She rolled her eyes, then clung to one of his arms and leaned her face against his.
"Hey, tell me quickly!"
Faced with Robin's persuasion, Jason relented. He couldn't think of anything to barter for now, so he decided not to continue teasing her.
Finally, looking into Robin's big, imploring eyes, he sighed and prepared to tell her. But then an idea struck him, and he decided to have a bit more fun first.
"Ahem! Call me 'husband,' and then I'll tell you," Jason said with a mischievous grin.
Robin's cheeks flushed red. Despite living together for over a decade, she had never called him that. She eventually gave in, calling him 'husband,' much to Jason's satisfaction.
Jason: (*❛ั❛ั∗) Hehehe (gleeful laugh)
"Smelly Jason, I've said it! Now give me the gift!"
"Patience! Your husband would never let you call for something worthless!"
Jason revealed the rubbings of a historical text he'd brought from Fish-Man Island and handed them to Robin.
"What's this?" she asked, curiosity piqued.
"A rubbing of a historical article! Do you like it?"
"Wha... what?"
"It's a rubbing of a historical article. I found it on Fish-Man Island and thought you'd be interested."
Robin couldn't believe her ears and asked him to repeat it. When he did, she eagerly unfurled the rubbings. As she examined the ancient text, her eyes widened with amazement.
"Thank you! Woohoo!" Robin exclaimed, overwhelmed with emotion. She flung herself into Jason's arms and began to cry softly. It had been a long time since she had cried.
Though her years living with Jason had been filled with happiness, Robin never forgot her identity and responsibilities. She was the last scholar of O'Hara, bearing the weight of her mother Olvia and Dr. Clover's hopes. Interpreting the historical text and uncovering the lost century of history was her life's mission.
Seeing Robin's tears, Jason felt a pang of sadness. He held her silently until her tears subsided. Gently wiping her cheeks, he reassured her, "There's no need for thanks between us. I'll help you find all the historical texts and reveal that hundred-year history!"
"So don't cry! You're an adult now. If you keep crying, I'll call Nami to come and see you!" Jason's half-comforting, half-teasing words had the desired effect.
"Um!" Robin promised, wiping away her tears and managing a smile.
"Study this for now, and later I'll take you on a journey to discover more!" Jason encouraged.
Robin dove into studying the historical text, so engrossed that she didn't notice when Jason called her.
With his newfound free time, Jason thought for a moment, packed some Fish-Man Island snacks, and headed to visit the Bell-mère family. Upon arrival, he knocked on the door, and it was opened by 7-year-old Nojiko.
"Brother Jason! You're back!" she exclaimed, welcoming him warmly.
"Yes, I'm back! Where's Bell-mère and the others?" Jason asked, patting her head affectionately.
"They're tending to the tangerine grove! Come in, quick!"
Nojiko ushered him in, making tea like a pro. Jason couldn't help but admire how self-sufficient she was, a trait nurtured by the hardships her family had faced.
After tea, Nojiko sat across from him, a mischievous grin on her face. "Last time I visited, Sister Robin said you were away. Nami was upset because you always leave without telling her, and she ran out in vain many times!"
Jason chuckled. "Don't worry! I brought gifts!"
He placed the snacks on the table. Nojiko's eyes sparkled with delight when she saw the array of exquisite treats.
Bell-mère and Nami returned, spotting Jason as soon as they stepped in.
"Jason! You're back!" Nami cheered, only to put on a mock scowl as if holding a grudge.
"Good afternoon, Bell-mère and Nami!"
Bell-mère, ever the straightforward woman, couldn't resist teasing Nami. "This girl was just talking about you!"
"Nonsense! I wasn't!" Nami protested, feigning innocence.
"I brought gifts! You'll love them!"
"Where?" Nami's curiosity piqued, she looked around eagerly, but Jason was blocking her view, prompting laughter from everyone.
"Jason, why'd you call me out here?" Bell-mère asked when Jason pulled her aside to the edge of the forest.
"Here," Jason said, handing her two Devil Fruits.
"What's this?" Bell-mère asked, puzzled as she examined the strange fruits.
"They're Devil Fruits," Jason explained.
"Huh? You mean the legendary fruits that grant powers but curse you with the sea's disdain?"
"Yes."
"But... these are incredibly rare!"
"They are. But I have no use for them, and Robin already has a Devil Fruit power."
"I can't accept them!" Bell-mère insisted, overwhelmed by the gift's significance.
"Please hold on. Hear me out first. Robin and I may leave soon. We've grown attached to you over the years. But once we're gone, if a powerful pirate comes to the village, you need to protect everyone. These fruits will give you that ability."
Even though Jason refrained from explaining everything, he suggested that if a Fish-Man pirate named Arlong ever showed up, Bell-mère should feign defeat but ensure no one gets harmed while subtly using his name if needed.
Bell-mère didn't fully grasp the situation but agreed. Jason alluded to preparing Nami for a larger purpose in the future, which he couldn't fully disclose yet.
He urged her to choose a fruit to consume and to allow Nojiko to consume the other. Additionally, he offered to teach her Haki.
"Okay! But I still don't fully understand why you're doing this for me," Bell-mère said.
"Don't worry about it," Jason said. "If you want, I can teach you how to use Haki. You'll have the power you need to protect the village if anything happens."
"Alright," Bell-mère agreed, still a bit unsure but trusting Jason's judgment.
Over the next three years, Jason dedicated himself to teaching Bell-mère how to use Haki. Each night after their usual routines, they would meet on the outskirts of the forest. Under Jason's guidance, Bell-mère learned both Observation and Armament Haki to a basic level. With the power of the Devil Fruit, she felt more capable of defending her village from any threats.
On the last day of training, Jason told her, "That's enough for today. You've mastered the basics, and now you just need experience. Thank you for your dedication these past years."
"Thank you, Jason," Bell-mère replied sincerely, appreciating the skills she now possessed.
As they walked back home, Jason found Robin immersed in her studies. He approached her quietly from behind, wrapping her in a gentle hug. Robin had matured so much over the years, fully embracing her role as a scholar and member of the 'D family.'
"Robin, there's something I need to ask you," Jason began.
"What is it?" Robin replied, leaning back against him.
"You've lived here so long. Are you ready for a change?"
"Why change? Isn't it nice here?" she asked, slightly puzzled.
"It is, but we're grown now. We can explore the world, pursue your dream of studying historical texts, and find the True History," Jason explained.
Robin hesitated, contemplating her deep attachment to the village. Yet the promise of adventure and fulfilling her purpose pulled her too. "I do want to search for the historical texts."
"Exactly! Don't worry. We'll always come back to this place, and we'll stay longer each time."
"Okay, I'll go anywhere as long as you're with me," Robin agreed with a smile, reassured by Jason's words.
And so, with their hearts set on uncovering the world's secrets and fulfilling dreams, Jason and Robin began to prepare for the journey that awaited them beyond the village they had called home for so long.
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If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Phoenizbeelze
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