Luffy and Aokiji faced off on the frost-covered grass, the tension stretched taut as a bowstring.
Suddenly, Aokiji shifted his gaze toward Robin, standing behind Luffy.
"Straw Hat, do you know? That woman behind you—Nico Robin—she was just eight years old when she became a wanted criminal with a bounty of seventy-nine million Berries."
Luffy regarded him silently, his gaze icily.
Aokiji continued. "Though she was just a child, she survived through extraordinary cunning and ruthlessness, navigating a world of betrayal and escape.
She ingratiated herself with people, used them, and barely managed to cling to life in the cracks of the underworld. Do you truly believe a woman like that won't choose to betray you again? This time, she's simply found a new place to hide—your crew."
Aokiji abruptly stopped his assault, looking at Luffy.
"Let's make a deal. Hand over Nico Robin. Out of consideration for Vice Admiral Garp, who once looked after me, I'll let the rest of you go."
The answer came in the form of a fist.
Without hesitation.
This punch didn't make direct contact. It was a strike from a distance.
The flowing Haki around Luffy's fist erupted in a shockwave.
BOOM!
Caught off guard, Aokiji turned his head to avoid the brunt of the impact. But the fierce Haki still grazed his cheek, leaving a thin line of blood.
Flowing Haki?
He's already mastered Haki to this extent?
Impressive.
"Your words piss me off!" Luffy's face twisted with rage as he growled. "Shouldn't the ones reflecting on this be the World Government? Why should an eight-year-old child have to endure all that?!"
Or rather, the World Government was the one responsible for making an eight-year-old endure such a fate.
Aokiji knew exactly what had happened on Ohara.
So faced with Luffy's questioning, he fell momentarily silent.
Luffy stepped forward, his aura erupting as he declared with unwavering conviction. "If you have any grievance with Robin—from today onward. No! From the moment Robin came aboard and became my nakama—I'll bear all of it!"
This was his resolve. The resolve of a captain!
The muscles in Aokiji's face twitched slightly.
Luffy's earlier words had touched something deep within him—those complicated feelings about Ohara. But outwardly, he remained impassive, merely responding calmly.
"That was a regrettable conversation. Robin escaped from me once before. That was a long time ago.
But you'll soon learn just how troublesome it is to have that woman around. You'll regret it.
The best proof is this: every organization or friend that has ever associated with Nico Robin has been completely destroyed. Only she survived. Do you think that's some minor statistical anomaly?"
This was Robin's fate.
As a lone star from Ohara, her very identity made her an enemy of the World Government. Who in this world had the strength to shelter such a woman?
Even someone as powerful as Aokiji questioned whether he could.
Hearing this from a distance, Robin's body was trembled.
Whether from the surrounding cold or the chill of Aokiji's words, she couldn't tell.
She didn't retort because Aokiji's words weren't wrong.
But Luffy didn't answer with words. He answered with the most powerful response possible!
"Gomu Gomu no... Jet Gatling! "
Luffy's assault was like a raging storm, relentless!
Rubber afterimages almost completely enveloped Aokiji. Every punch carried immense Armament Haki and the impact of Gear Second.
Strike and retreat. But the next second, he would reappear from an even more tricky angle, at even greater speed!
Aokiji calmly blocked and evaded Luffy's attacks while continuing his questioning.
"Why has she alone survived every time? Do you truly believe you'll be the exception?"
Nearby, Robin bit her lower lip so hard her nails nearly dug into her palms.
Because, to some extent, what Aokiji said was true.
Every organization she had been associated with had indeed been destroyed.
"That's all in the past!" Robin couldn't help but shout, her voice trembling. "I am now—"
"The past is the past! The present is the present!" Luffy's voice cut through, unwavering and powerful, carrying unquestionable trust. "You're our important nakama now! That's enough!"
Robin froze. Watching Luffy's back—still standing tall even in the midst of fierce battle, shielding her from all doubt and danger—an indescribable warmth surged through her, shattering the last ice sealed within her heart.
Aokiji laughed, though the smile carried a hint of coldness. "Quite arrogant, aren't you?"
But even now, Aokiji had never truly underestimated Luffy.
This monstrous physique. This rapidly developing Haki.
In Luffy, he glimpsed the shadow of that old man he both respected and feared—Garp in his youth.
Yet, he didn't believe Luffy could win.
Because!
He was a Marine Admiral!
Aokiji!
One of the standing apex powers of these seas!
"Then let's find out!" Luffy roared, his fists like blazing meteors as he once again slammed toward Aokiji. "See for yourself whether we're Robin's true destination!"
Aokiji swung his ice blade, clashing violently with Luffy's fists once more. Ice shards and black-red sparks of Haki flew in all directions.
"Ice Ball! "
Several rapidly spinning ice balls radiating extreme cold instantly materialized, shooting toward Luffy from different directions!
Luffy moved like lightning, weaving through the gaps between ice balls. His rubber abilities allowed him to make impossible evasive maneuvers while seeking opportunities to counterattack.
He had probably figured out Aokiji's intent.
Trying to freeze him?
Dodging the ice balls, facing Aokiji's suddenly spreading extreme cold—the intent was clear.
Luffy's eyes snapped open. A crimson glint burst from the depths of his gaze!
Simultaneously, a far more violent black and red torrent than before erupted from him.
The shockwave, infused with Conqueror's Haki, dispersed the surrounding cold.
"Such terrifying aptitude." Aokiji was forced back slightly by this aura, his freezing mist momentarily stagnated. He muttered sighingly. "To dare shelter a woman who once defied a Buster Call. Having Conqueror's Haki isn't surprising—is it inborn?"
He scratched his fluffy, curly hair, his face clearly saying what a bother.
He wasn't particularly surprised that Luffy possessed Conqueror's Haki. It was unexpected, yet understandable.
After all, he was Vice Admiral Garp's grandson. Extraordinary genes ran in his blood.
And if you traced this man's path since setting sail—challenging East Blue's overlord, opposing a Warlord—weren't these all feats requiring unyielding will and kingly courage?
***
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