Parting

"You really are indifferent, aren't you?" Buggy looked at her calm expression and couldn't help but remark.

"Indifferent? If I were to die here, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Isn't death just a form of liberation? Actually, I've considered how I might die many times—hanging, firing squad, assassination, being buried at sea..." Robin looked at the lamp wick that could go out at any moment and spoke slowly. "With you here to keep me company, Red-Nose, I don't think we'll be too lonely when the time comes."

Her sorrowful tone made Buggy feel a chill run down his spine. For a moment, he truly felt that Robin possessed a genuine desire for death; she wasn't joking.

When Robin was eight, her hometown was subjected to a Buster Call. From that moment on, she lost everything. Friends, family, teachers—all those beautiful things and her world became like two parallel lines, never to intersect again. Afterward, she was branded with a bounty of 79 million berries for the crime of destroying six naval warships. To survive, she struggled through a dark world of betrayal, and that experience had occupied twenty years of her life.

It was easy to imagine that her heart was not as strong as it appeared on the surface; it was more like a state where a single straw could cause her to collapse.

Buggy was silent for a while, then tilted his head slightly to look at Robin, who was half a head taller than him. He detached his right hand from his body, placed it gently on her head, and gathered his emotions, trying his best to make his voice sound infectious:

"Don't stop your footsteps on the path of your dreams. You can never predict the future, nor can you know if the road ahead is filled with thorny jungles or fields surrounded by butterflies. Try to keep moving forward. Perhaps a group of wonderful companions is waiting for you there, ready to share your joys and sorrows, to listen to your past and your future. At that moment, you might see the true answer of the world. At the very least, now is not the time for you to hand in your paper!"

"Red-Nose..."

The most fragile string in Robin's heart was touched instantly. Her eyes suddenly stung, and tears flowed uncontrollably. She covered her mouth with one hand, lowered her head, and sobbed quietly, crystal-clear teardrops falling onto the ground one after another.

Throughout her many years of fleeing, whether she encountered pirates, bounty hunters, or even ordinary civilians, everyone cursed her betrayal and loathed her existence.

This was the first time she had heard words encouraging her to live, like a hearth fire suddenly lit in a cold night—warm and moving.

Buggy pulled his clown handkerchief from his inner pocket and silently handed it over.

Robin took the handkerchief and looked at it in her palm. Instead of using it to wipe her tears, she carefully folded it and tucked it into her inner pocket. Then, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve and grinned, revealing an unrefined and somewhat comical smile. "I must look ugly when I cry, don't I? A friend of mine once told me that whether I'm sad or happy, I should smile more; that's the only way to be happy. Dereshishishi—"

"What a strange laugh." Buggy looked at Robin helplessly. Although he knew the laugh came from her only friend, he couldn't help but complain.

"It's not strange at all, because I'm happy... that's why I do it. Alright, Red-Nose, let's find another exit."

The dejection on Robin's face slowly faded, and she returned to her usual calm. If not for her reddened eyes, one wouldn't be able to tell she had just been crying.

Buggy took out a Den Den Mushi that had half its hair styled, revealing only one eye: "Since they can place Seastone at the entrance, other places probably won't be easy to break through either. No need to waste effort. I brought a Den Den Mushi; let's find a way to have them open it from the outside."

He dialed the number, and the Den Den Mushi's eyes opened. Cabaji's voice came through: "Captain Buggy!"

"Cabaji, you're still in the village, right?"

"Yes, our men are waiting for your orders. Whether it's food or alcohol, we've purchased them from the villagers at market price as you instructed and moved them onto the ship."

"Very good. Bring some men to the western jungle. I left cross-marks along the way. Follow the marks to the Ancestral Ruins. I'll be waiting for you here. My red nose will serve as your guide... Damn it, how could my red nose serve as your guide!"

Hanging up the Den Den Mushi and putting it back in his pocket, Buggy helplessly held his forehead. This annoying side effect always made him say foolish things.

Robin said, "It will probably take half a day to a day to get here from the village. It looks like we'll be spending the night together."

"Of course, I'd be happy to, as long as this guy isn't here." Buggy looked at the giant octopus beside them with disdain.

"Kachuu, kachuu." The giant octopus waved its tentacles, venting its dissatisfaction.

The two sat on the ground, leaning against the wall, and the octopus sat down as well. Each was lost in their own thoughts. The only oil lamp in the cavern flickered, like a candle in the wind, yet it stubbornly refused to go out.

After an unknown amount of time, Robin whispered, "Red-Nose."

Buggy didn't reply, as if he had fallen asleep.

Robin took out the handkerchief and examined it carefully. It was embroidered with a skull pattern sporting a red nose. It looked somewhat comical, but in her eyes, it was unexpectedly cute. She whispered softly, "You are the most special pirate I have ever met. I don't know if a Child of the Devil like me can possess feelings, but I still want to consider you my friend. Thank you for the courage you've given me."

"Yeah," Buggy replied softly.

After that, no one spoke again. The surroundings were shrouded in silence and darkness. However, neither of them could sleep soundly that night. The giant octopus hadn't recovered from Gray's death, Buggy was dejected because he hadn't found any treasure, and Robin was tossing and turning, deeply moved by Buggy's words.

Until the Den Den Mushi made a "purupuru" sound, the tranquility was broken.

Buggy picked up the Den Den Mushi again, and Cabaji's voice came through: "Captain Buggy, we have arrived at the Ancestral Ruins."

Buggy asked, "What time is it now?"

The voice replied, "It's already morning."

Buggy questioned Cabaji, and the other party confirmed that there were indeed no markings for a switch visible on the parchment.

As expected, the sunlight was too bright, making the hidden map markings on the parchment invisible.

Buggy looked at Robin: "Robin, do you remember the locations of the switches we stepped on?"

Robin nodded.

After providing the opening method over the Den Den Mushi, and after a few attempts, the underground door slowly began to push inward.

Blinding light penetrated the cavern; it was the rising morning sun.

Buggy stood up and looked back at the still-dazed Robin. "Let's go."

"Yeah."

For her, although this place was dark and lightless, she didn't have to fear the malice of outsiders, allowing her heart to maintain a brief moment of peace and quiet. The dawn outside was like a cage of darkness forming step by step; once she stepped out of the tunnel, she would walk into a cage formed by the hostility of the entire world.

"No, hold on... Nico Robin. Even if there are too many enemies ahead, you must stick to your own path!" Robin's eyes became firm.

The air outside was much fresher than inside. Watching the halo cast by the morning sun, Robin tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and stood up slowly. "Living in disgrace... perhaps it's not so bad."

She looked at the giant octopus and said, "Little octopus, do you want to come with me? Perhaps we can look out for each other."

"Kachuu." The giant octopus nodded its head. Perhaps because Robin knew about its past, it felt a sense of closeness and reliance toward her—though Gray's influence played a part as well.

Buggy asked, "Are you leaving?"

"I've been out for a long time this trip; it's time to go back... otherwise, I'll have to face the reprimands of certain people."

"In that case... hm... take care on your way." Buggy did not try to make her stay; he knew he lacked the strength to shelter her, and reality was always crueler than ideals.

Robin pulled Gray's notebook from her bosom and handed it over. "I tore out the diary entries inside. I think the rest might be of some use to you."

Buggy took the notebook without opening it immediately, instead watching Robin as she departed. "Take care."

"You too, Red-Nose-kun..." Robin waved her hand and walked into a secluded path with the giant octopus, her final farewell whispered so softly it was barely audible. "Will we ever have the chance to meet again..."

Her graceful, lithe silhouette was like a vibrant violet; one could not help but be drawn in when near her, and the lingering fragrance she left behind was just as intoxicating...

RED! NOSE! KUN!

The group of pirates who knew Buggy's temperament stood dumbfounded. What kind of charm had this woman cast on Lord Buggy? The great Captain Buggy hadn't even gotten angry!