Afterward, Nojiko pretended nothing had happened.
She quietly gathered the blanket and her clothes, then walked calmly—perhaps too calmly—back to her own room.
She shut the door.
And didn't come out again.
Robin, still the outsider, said nothing.
She chose instead to silently observe, staying in the background like a well-trained spectator.
Nami, on the other hand, buried her face in her palm.
There weren't words for what she was feeling.
Her own sister had not only listened from behind the door while she and Nanashi had been... together—
But after they left, she had come into her room.
Her bed.
Which still had the traces of what she and Nanashi had done.
And now... there was another trace—not hers—and it was even more obvious.
"Haaaah…"
She took a long breath. Tried to calm down.
But the image of Nojiko in her mind had already been completely shattered.
Maybe she was just... at that age now.
"Nami, want me to step out for a bit?" Nanashi offered gently, hoping to break the tension.
"Yeah... I should clean up the bed." Nami replied as she headed downstairs.
Nanashi stepped outside, walking into the orange grove.
He picked one fruit at random, peeled it, and split it in two.
He held out one half to Robin, who had silently followed behind him.
"Try it. Nami says their oranges are really sweet."
Robin hesitated, then accepted it. She peeled off a slice and brought it to her lips.
The juice burst in her mouth—tangy and sweet, with more sugar than sour.
"It's good. I should bring some back to share."
This was a taste from another world.
Nanashi finished his half and asked casually, "So, how do you feel about your current situation?"
"…"
Robin didn't answer. She didn't dare admit that her life and death were no longer her own.
"Tsk." Nanashi clicked his tongue. "I told you, I'm not that hard to deal with."
He sighed, then added with a grin, "Okay then, let me ask another way—do you have any wishes right now?"
"My wish…" Robin said slowly. "Is to live."
Nanashi waved a hand dismissively. "Come on, that's the bare minimum. You'll be alive for so long you'll get sick of it. What else?"
Robin went quiet. She did have another goal—one that burned deep inside her.
"To uncover the true history of the world."
Her mother had died for that.
So had O'Hara.
Maybe the scholars had been foolish. Maybe they had overestimated their strength, challenging the World Government head-on.
Maybe the decision-making had been flawed.
But the purpose—the desire to uncover the truth—had never been wrong.
Seeking the truth… would never be wrong.
What's truly wrong with the world is that it's ruled by a single global government. And even worse, that very government suppresses the truth.
To most people across the world, they're nothing more than blindfolded victims—kept ignorant of the truth.
From now on, the notion of victim-blaming must never prevail.
Robin longed to uncover the truth of history. She yearned to know what had happened during the mysterious Void Century, a time that had cost countless lives.
"It's a simple wish. Once things here are settled, you'll have a proper chance to investigate it."
It was a casual promise—spoken like a passing remark.
But Robin didn't care for promises. She was practical.
"What do I need to do? As your subordinate."
Beyond her ability to manipulate flowers and sprout limbs, her greatest skill was reading and interpreting ancient texts.
Other than that…
She didn't think she had much value.
Well, aside from being worth a bounty.
Nanashi gave her a once-over, then said with an air of ease and nonchalance:
"You? Just dress nicely and make me feel good. I don't need anything else from you."
"???"
Robin thought she'd misheard him.
Was he seriously turning her into a mere decoration?
There wasn't anything particularly remarkable about her appearance…
Not at the moment, at least—not compared to Nojiko.
What Robin didn't realize was that Nanashi saw something more in her—potential.
Their conversation, though brief and seemingly aimless, didn't offer Robin much in the way of security.
Still, she found it surprisingly easy to talk to him.
Meanwhile, Nami had finished making the bed. She walked to Nojiko's door and cleared her throat.
"Nojiko, give me the quilt. I need to wash it."
The door cracked open just slightly, and the quilt was shoved through the gap.
Nami's eyes flashed. She lunged forward and forced her way in.
"Nami?!"
Nojiko was startled.
But when their eyes met, she looked away in shame.
"Nojiko, we need to talk—seriously."
Her tone was sharp, aimed straight at the heart of the matter.
"Tell me, who were you fantasizing about when you… did that kind of thing?"
"…"
Nojiko lowered her head even further.
The usually bright and confident woman had turned into a timid mess under Nami's fierce gaze.
Nami groaned, rubbing her forehead in frustration.
Still, she tried to look at it from Nojiko's perspective.
Nojiko had lived in this small village her whole life.
She'd never encountered many men—certainly not like him.
Nanashi was a mystery.
Not only was he handsome and well-built, but he'd saved their village, and his strength was on another level entirely.
He was capable—dangerously so.
And Nojiko? She was just an innocent girl, slightly older than Nami.
It would have been stranger not to be attracted to him.
So, with a sigh, Nami decided not to blame her second-favorite sister.
Why second?
Because her favorite right now was obviously Nanashi.
An idea sparked in her mind, and her tone shifted, now a touch more dramatic.
"Nojiko! Are you seriously fantasizing about my man? Nanashi?! Answer me!"
The room fell silent. Nojiko gritted her teeth.
"...Yes."
"You peeked?"
"...Mhm."
"You're drawn to Nanashi?"
"I… couldn't help myself…"
"You saw how strong he is?"
"...Yes."
"Then I'm going to punish you, Nojiko!"
"I'll accept whatever punishment you give. I'm sorry, Nami."
"Join me in defeating Nanashi tonight!"
"Ok—Huh… wha—?!"
Before nightfall, Nanashi finished praying and used his power to create a modern house beside the old wooden one.
It came fully equipped with modern appliances.
Since it was formed by faith, there was no concern about wear or breakdown. As for power?
With Nami around, generating energy was never an issue.
Nami, Nojiko, and Robin all moved into the new house.
The old cabin wasn't demolished—it was preserved as a memorial to the sisters' past.
Nanashi had originally planned to spend one last night with Nami before moving on.
He didn't expect to end up spending the night… with two people.
The next morning, he departed, leaving behind Robin's curious and strangely lingering gaze.
Nanashi hadn't expected Nami and Nojiko to be that bold.
Actually, he suspected it was all Nami's idea.
She probably thought she could team up with her sister and overpower him.
But she'd sorely underestimated his strength.
Did she really think that was all he had to offer?
He'd only been gentle out of affection.
She clearly didn't understand his kindness.
So, Nanashi decided to show them what real strength looked like.
After all, what's that old saying?
"A filial daughter is born under the stick."
Two more obedient daughters had been born overnight.
As for the aftermath of Crocodile's death…
Nanashi wasn't worried.
It wasn't like anyone could trace the act back to them—not in the chaos of the Grand Line.
He had already returned to another world.
Nami and the others were back in the East Blue. Who would even imagine such a leap?
Besides, Nami's strength was more than enough to keep her safe.
During his time with Nami and Nojiko, Nanashi had somehow unlocked the ability to transfer divine fluid.
In doing so, he'd transformed Nojiko into an Angel of Redemption.
She now possessed all the benefits—armament haki, Senzu-like recovery, and the Six Styles.
And if something ever went wrong…
Well, Nanashi was still their final line of defense.
They could call on him anytime.
The only one he truly worried about… was Vivi.
After all, Crocodile died in Alabasta.
Still, he doubted the World Government would retaliate against a kingdom over a pirate's death—not yet, anyway.
Their so-called "weapons of destruction" hadn't been developed.
Not yet…
Vivi: "Miss Esdeath, Mr. Nanashi, Miss Nami, Miss Kisara—thank you all so much for your help!"
Esdeath: "Thanks? No need. If you ever need someone taken down, just call me."
Vivi: "O-oh… okay!"
Nami: "I didn't really do anything."
Nanashi: "Same here. No need for thanks."
Kisara: "Emmm… I didn't even get a chance to fight. My Zanpakutō didn't come in handy at all."
Saeko: "Wait—you have a Zanpakutō too?"
Tendou Kisara: "You do as well? Mine's an A-rank ability. It's called Shinsō."
Saeko: "Yeah, after Natsuki-kun ended the crisis in my world, I spun the roulette and got a Zanpakutō too. Also A-rank. Its Shikai is called Senbonzakura."
Nanashi was already aware of Saeko's ability and had even enhanced it to allow her to fight one against four.
Senbonzakura was indeed an impressive Zanpakutō.
March 7th: "Looks like a Zanpakutō is among Nanashi abilities too!"
Nanashi: "S-rank. Name: Dominator."
Momonga: "As expected of a top-tier boss! Everything he draws is S-rank!"
Vivi: "Hmm… I just tried spinning the roulette and ended up with a new ability."
Silver Wolf: "Oh? What is it?"
Hai Xiaomei: "I'm curious too!"
Vivi: "It's A-rank—Wood Release."
Nanashi was stunned.
Wood Release?
Was it that Wood Release? The legendary ability of the First Hokage?
Vivi: "There are instructions in my head now for using wood-based techniques."
Nanashi: "It suits you perfectly. Once you level up a bit more, you'll even be able to reshape your entire country."
Vivi: "Really?! That's amazing! I'll do my best!"
Saeko: "She really is a devoted princess… all for her homeland."
After exiting the group chat, Nanashi glanced down at his phone.
8:30 AM. Saturday.
He and Yukino were waiting for someone.
"Yō, Yukino."
She had arrived.
Haruno appeared, dressed in a youthful, vibrant style.
"Let's go!"
Nanashi held Yukino's right hand, while Haruno clung to his left arm with a playful smile.
As for their destination...
Chiba Prefecture.
They had taken a bus from Minato Ward, Tokyo, all the way to Chiba.
Their final destination: the Yukinoshita family estate.
The trio stepped off the bus and stood at the gate.
"Yukino, nervous?"
Haruno reached over and gently tugged at Yukino's stiff cheeks. "Stick to the plan—don't panic."
"Mm..."
Don't panic—easier said than done. Yukino still felt a wave of anxiety as she thought about facing her mother.
Nanashi was here for one reason: to propose marriage.
A butler-like guard approached them and said respectfully:
"Miss, the Madam is expecting you."
They followed him into a traditional reception room.
There sat Yukinoshita's mother, dressed in a refined kimono. Her makeup and hairstyle were elegant and understated, exuding grace and dignity.
Even when the trio entered, she merely gestured calmly.
"Please, have a seat."
They sat opposite her at the tea table. Yukino and Haruno flanked Nanashi on both sides.
That subtle detail didn't escape their mother's notice—her brows furrowed slightly.
Nanashi was the first to speak.
"My name is Nanashi Fumei. I'm the student council president at Eden High School, a classmate of Yukino's, and a friend of Haruno's."
Student council president? That alone made Inoue look him over more attentively.
She nodded politely, every movement measured and refined.
"I am Yukino and Haruno's mother, Yukinoshita Inoue."
(Name assumed for context—feel free to adjust.)
Her voice was smooth and composed, without the sharpness typical of middle age. Her face was flawless and pale, almost youthful. If not for her mature aura and attire, she could've passed for Haruno's older sister.
Since it was a discussion between Nanashi and Inoue, Yukino and Haruno remained quiet.
"If you don't mind, Mr. Nanashi, please state your purpose directly."
She had only agreed to meet because Haruno said it was something important. Seeing a young man and noting Yukino's silence, Inoue already had a vague idea.
Nanashi wasn't one to mince words.
"I came here today to propose to Yukino."
"Propose... marriage?"
A flicker of surprise passed over Inoue's otherwise calm face.
She had expected a simple meeting—perhaps Yukino's boyfriend asking for her blessing.
But a direct proposal, with marriage already in the conversation?
That caught her off guard.