The little girl is timid, probably afraid her bounty will go up...
Let's just forget about it then.
She's just a young girl, no need to take it so seriously.
Aokiji lazily yawned, pedaling his bicycle to continue forward.
A narrow trace of ice was left behind wherever he went across the sea.
But somehow, suddenly, he felt emptiness beneath his feet.
He instinctively looked down, only to find the spot where his bicycle was supposed to be was empty, replaced with dashed lines, and before he could react, he plunged into the sea—
Splash!
The icy sea water swallowed him instantly, bubbles rising to the surface, Aokiji widened his eyes, staring blankly at the sky.
"Huh?"
......
"Hmm?"
Shano looked somewhat surprised at the bicycle that suddenly appeared in his hands.
An unexpected surprise!
It was originally just a casual lottery play, with little expectations; anything like a suit jacket, gloves, sunglasses, or even an eye patch would have been valuable.
Yet it turned out to be a grand prize.
His luck was truly excellent.
He activated the sacrifice without hesitation.
[Offering: Kuzan's Bicycle]
[Quality: Epic]
[Value: 4500 points]
[Appraisal: The signature ride of Navy Grand Admiral Aokiji, a seemingly ordinary bicycle bearing witness to countless legendary moments along the journey. Though it doesn't offer combat bonuses, as one of the most recognizable modes of transport in this world, its value is undeniable]
4500 points?
Sure enough, it's quite valuable, on par with the Akainu's duckbill cap that's almost thoroughly brined.
The remaining points, originally 27000, suddenly surged to 31500.
"Feels good."
Shano clapped his hands in satisfaction, closed the system panel, just as Nami ahead turned and beckoned him: "What are you doing, brother? Hurry up and catch up!"
"Coming!"
He laughed heartily, quickened his pace, and strode to catch up.
Behind him.
In the silent park, the cold night wind blew, and the mammoth in ice remained motionless...
Just like how no one cared about how Aokiji would return without his bicycle.
......
As night fell, the lights of City of Gastronomy sparkled like stars.
The group led by Shano entered the reserved restaurant, the warm lighting, the rich aroma of food, and the soft music instantly relaxed everyone.
"Cheers!"
With the crisp sound of glasses clinking, everyone raised their heads and drank with gusto.
After several rounds, Robin held her glass in her right hand, her fair cheeks showing a faint blush.
Usually elegant and composed, she now rarely appeared slightly tipsy, resting her head on her left hand, gazing quietly at Shano.
Was it the effects of the alcohol, or the lights that were too hazy?
When she blinked.
She seemingly saw that nightmare looming from her childhood again, that powerful, terrifying figure exuding a bone-chilling cold, who killed Saulo with his own hands...
Yet when Shano rudely spat out a bone and laughed while patting his belly.
She blinked again.
That cold and frightening figure suddenly vanished without a trace.
"Captain..." she called softly, her voice much gentler than usual.
"Hmm?" Shano stuffed to the brim, turned his head in confusion, meeting her slightly watery eyes.
Robin blinked, suddenly letting out a soft laugh: "Did you know? Sometimes I wonder, if on that day at the turtle's back, you hadn't reached out first..."
She paused, gently rubbing the rim of her glass with her fingertips, "Where would I be now?"
"Why suddenly bring this up?"
Shano puzzled, continued stuffing his mouth with roasted meat, chewing while saying, "Baroque couldn't keep you, so you probably would have joined another underground faction, playing hide-and-seek with the World Government?"
"Maybe."
Robin chuckled quietly, but her gaze gradually drifted, "But more likely... I'd have given up."
Her voice was light, yet it made Shano fall silent for a moment.
Robin raised her glass to drink it all down, the hot rush of alcohol making her frown lightly, but she soon relaxed.
She put down the glass, suddenly reached and lightly tugged Shano's clothes.
"So, thank you."
She looked up, the drunkenness mingling with unprecedented seriousness in her eyes:
"I'm really thankful, for letting me know one doesn't always have to hide in the dark, that sunlight... no, even a street lamp, can truly be this warm."
Shano was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair:
"Don't say silly things, isn't it obvious? You're our companion."
Robin didn't shrink from his touch, rather she squinted, like a lazy cat.
At some point, she moved a bit closer, her breath carrying the faint scent of alcohol brushing lightly past Shano's ear: "Ah la, just... a companion?"
Shano's actions came to a halt.
On the other side of the table, Nami and Nojiko's actions froze as well, pretending to reach out for napkins to wipe their mouths, their eyes secretly glancing over here.
Smoker's cigar had ash piled long but remained un-flicked, intently staring at his glass, as if suddenly deeply interested in the beads of water on its surface.
While Kuina—
The young swordswoman sat quietly in the corner.
Her gaze appeared to be focused on the dessert before her, but the knife was carving deeper and messier lines on the cream...
Woof?
Ah Yin also sharply sensed the change in atmosphere, tilting her head in observation before deciding to bury her whole head into the giant strawberry milk bowl in front of her.
Just as the atmosphere grew delicate—
"Hic!"
Robin let out a small hiccup, feeling uncomfortable, she covered her mouth, wavering slightly before falling directly into Shano's arms.
Shano hurriedly caught her, took a napkin, and helped her wipe her mouth.
Upon returning the napkin, he looked down to find Robin already asleep, breathing evenly, evidently drunk into slumber.
"..."
He sighed helplessly and gently lifted her into a horizontal hug.
"Let's call it a night." Shano stood to speak to the others, "I'll take her back to the ship first, you all continue eating..."