Rainbase is an oasis in the desert, and after years of Crocodile's management, it has become increasingly prosperous.
At night, Robin and Hathaway strolled through the city streets.
This little girl from Ohara had indeed grown up; her life in the shadows combined with her scholar status gave her a mysterious aura.
Neither of them was particularly talkative; after walking for a long time, their thoughts raced, but not a single word was spoken aloud.
"His Majesty Nero originally planned to take you directly to the New World this time."
Hathaway spoke when they passed through the bustling market and there were only a few scattered pedestrians on the street.
Robin remained silent; she had already guessed as much. Having passed the age of stubbornness, she now felt that following Nero's arrangements was a good choice.
"However, due to some unexpected circumstances, His Majesty ultimately left the choice to me."
The two sat down by a fountain, and Hathaway continued, turning to Robin: "Initially, His Majesty and I had the same idea, but now I've changed my mind."
"Why?" Robin asked, puzzled.
"Just as your giant friend said, little Robin, you will one day encounter true friends on the Grand Line."
Hathaway looked at Robin with tenderness; Nero genuinely cared for Robin, and so did she.
She also knew the real reason Nero changed her decision: in her Observation Haki, Nero had seen Robin's figure traveling with that Nika boy, searching for poneglyphs.
For Robin, Nero was a lifesaver, and Nicuss could naturally guarantee her a happy future.
However, too many abnormal experiences had left Robin with a negative attitude towards the world.
She had not yet seen the vastness of the Grand Line; Robin, who began searching for history alone around the age of ten, carried restless adventurous genes within her.
Going to Nicuss meant she would have to give up this restlessness, and it was hard to say whether this was growth or surrender.
So Nero decided to let her first see the vastness of the Grand Line, and then make a decision after experiencing it.
"...Saul?" Robin lowered her eyes. After so many years, she actually didn't hold much hope for those words anymore.
"You must have been very tired these past few years, right? Even without life-threatening danger, it's not easy for a little girl to survive alone in this man-eat-man world."
Robin's nose tingled; she hadn't felt such simple care since leaving the golden rose all those years ago.
Hathaway gave Robin a hug: "This was also specifically instructed by His Majesty."
Robin didn't speak, resting her head on Hathaway's shoulder and hugging her back... Early the next morning, Hathaway and Kuina departed.
This was just a stop along the way; after Robin's figure appeared in Nero's Observation Haki, she had already made plans to meet much later.
Traveling on the sea is joyful; although there will be many storms, it can definitely become the most precious memory of one's life.
Nero doesn't believe that keeping people under her watchful eye is always the best approach.
Everyone has their own pace; free and wild growth will produce the most beautiful flowers. If they can bloom, they can do so even if not in her own garden.
As the coastline of Alabasta receded further and further, Kuina tilted her head and looked at Hathaway: "Are we going directly to the Kingdom of Women now?"
"Oh... I'll tell His Majesty first." After a slight pause, Hathaway decided to confirm the itinerary with Nero again.
"Ha, yes, after all, Master is always coming up with new ideas." Kuina rolled her eyes and gave a helpless smile... "moshi moshi, Hathaway, is something else wrong?"
Nero held blueprints, hesitating about which type of statue to use for the siren grand theater. Beside her, a small robot held a den den mushi.
"It's like this, Your Majesty, Kuina and I are currently preparing to go to the Kingdom of Women. Is the plan still as originally intended?"
"Mmm... Stick to the original plan. Contact me when you arrive; I can fly there very quickly."
"Oh!" Realizing Nero was busy, Hathaway didn't say much. After confirming the plan hadn't changed, she hung up the call.
And Nero was still hesitating. It is well known that Devil Fruit animal and mythical beast types generally have three forms: human, beast, and hybrid.
Nero was currently struggling with which one to use for the grand theater's iconic landmark.
As an important junction connecting the New World and the First Half of the Grand Line, the future foot traffic here would be extraordinary.
Therefore, this matter could not be taken lightly; it must perfectly embody her majesty and compassion as an empress, and also showcase her artistic cultivation.
Mmm, so if I'm going to use the dragon form, which is better, seven heads or one?
Other areas were mostly complete; this was the last part, and Nero had no intention of delaying further.
"Eneru-kun! Come here and help me decide what form can perfectly display the characteristics I need!"
Azure lightning flashed, revealing Eneru, who had eaten the Rumble-Rumble Devil Fruit.
He was gnawing on his favorite apple, carrying a golden scepter: "Ugh... munch munch... What's up, Big Sister?"
"Mmm, Eneru-kun, help me decide which of my forms to use for the golden statue here. This concerns the glory of the Nicuss Empire, and I hope you can provide effective suggestions."
Nero immediately elevated the importance of the matter, while also showing her trust in Eneru.
"Glory, huh..." Eneru stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Is the area limited, so all three forms can't be displayed simultaneously?"
"Three forms? Wouldn't that be too crowded in terms of size? I still want to pursue realism." Despite saying this, Nero lowered her head in contemplation.
"Art needs refinement. Most people, even if they go to the New World, won't see you, Big Sister, right?"
Eneru waved his hand dismissively. He was only one step away from becoming a god, but all the ideas he should have were perfectly intact.
He had spent a considerable amount of time researching how to rule those foolish people and make them worship him obediently.
"Didn't you yourself say, Big Sister, that it needs to display the glory of the empire?"
"Mmm, is that so?" Nero made a fist and coughed twice in front of her mouth: "In that case, let it be as you say."
Nero pulled out a blueprint from her chest: "Mmm, then this look will do."
Eneru took the blueprint and his eyes widened; it clearly showed Nero's three forms, with a dragon head soaring behind her, and on either side, Nero's original appearance and her dragon-human form.
"Eneru-kun, you can freely control the shape of gold, so my 'discarded draft' can also come in handy."
Eneru's eyes moved away from the 'discarded draft,' his mouth twitching continuously. A 'discarded draft' carried around?
"Mmm, in terms of size, try to restore it one-to-one. For artistic refinement, just make the dragon-human form and me! The same height! That's fine."
Patting Eneru's shoulder, Nero left.
Only the speechless Eneru remained, dazed. He was now 100% certain that Nero had prepared everything long ago.
The reason for going through such a long roundabout was to increase the height of her own statue?
Looking down at the blueprint again, and recalling how Nero had just addressed him with 'your humble servant' and 'Eneru-kun,' Eneru fell into deep thought.
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