The Eternal Truth sailed across the sea.
Yake reclined in a deck chair, sunbathing. Since things were too boring, Robin had taken a liking to volleyball. Robin and Reiju were now playing, both beauties drenched in fragrant sweat.
Robin and Reiju both possessed exceptionally powerful "D" wills, deeply drawing Yake's gaze. Perona, who currently only had a "C" will, was not even qualified to play and could only cheer from the sidelines.
"This ball is so white—ah, no, so big!" Yake could not help sighing at the beautiful sight before him. He took the drink Perona had brought him, happily took a sip, and continued enjoying the alluring showdown between Robin and Reiju.
"Captain, it looks like we've reached Sabaody." Perona's ghosts had already spotted the islands. Perona had now been promoted to a full crew member and served as the lookout; her ghosts were simply too convenient for scouting.
"Really? Let me see. Hmm, that's right. This is definitely it." Looking at the familiar scenery and colorful bubbles, Yake immediately recognized the place where he had lived for ten years.
"Hey, Robin, Reiju! You can stop now. We've arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago. I'll show you around my home. This is where I grew up," Yake called out to them.
With a powerful spike, Reiju ended the match. Robin's physical abilities were far inferior to Reiju's; even with her Devil Fruit powers, she could only barely save face.
"Robin, the captain is calling us!" Reiju helped the utterly exhausted Robin up.
"Ahh, I'm really jealous of your physical abilities. Are all of you monsters?" Robin said enviously.
"Sometimes, I wish I were just an ordinary person too. Come on, let's go change," Reiju said, seemingly reminded of unpleasant memories as she changed the subject.
They were both wearing scorching-hot bikinis right now. At the very least, they needed to change into something proper before going ashore, especially since they were about to meet Yake's parents.
Once everyone had tidied themselves up, Yake and the others disembarked and set foot on Sabaody.
Grove 13, Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Shakky was cleaning the bar counter while Rayleigh sat nearby reading a newspaper. A white Mink Tribe catgirl was also cleaning the place.
"Anna, you're almost done cleaning. Go wash the cups," Shakky said.
That was right. The little catgirl Anna, a Mink Tribe slave Yake had rescued on Grove 1, had come to Grove 13 to ask Shakky for help. When Shakky heard it was Yake's arrangement, she had made Anna a waitress at the bar. Anna had already worked here for several months.
"Okay, Mrs. Shakky, I'm going, meow." After putting away her broom, Anna skipped off toward the washroom.
"Oh, right, Mrs. Shakky, what do you want to eat today, meow?" Anna suddenly poked her head back out and asked.
"Haha, Anna, make whatever you want! Everything you cook is delicious!" Rayleigh laughed. This fluffy little girl truly was adorable. Not only was she an excellent cook, but she was also obedient, lively, and optimistic, completely unbothered by her experience of being sold as a slave.
"Dad, what delicious food are you making? Why didn't you call me?" Yake walked in with a broad smile.
"Yake! You're back!!!" Shakky could not help getting excited. She had not seen Yake in a long time, and there had not even been any news of him. She had worried for so long.
"Mom, Dad, I'm back. Oh, and these are my crew members." Yake stepped aside, and Robin, Reiju, and Perona entered one after another, making Shakky's eyes light up.
"Hello, Uncle and Auntie!" The three women gave slight bows to show their respect.
Shakky and Rayleigh were instead a little unaccustomed to it and did not quite know how to react.
"Oh my, why are you being so polite? Come in, sit down." Shakky quickly recovered and gestured for them not to be nervous, telling them to sit wherever they liked and treat the place like home.
"Kid, you've really got skills. Don't you already have Hancock?" Rayleigh whispered mysteriously, his eyes full of envy.
Yake gave Rayleigh a smug grin.
"Oh, right, Anna, come out! Look who's here!" Shakky called toward the room.
Yake saw a white catgirl poke her head out. The moment she saw him, she became incredibly excited and darted out to launch herself at him in a face-rubbing embrace.
"Benefactor, I finally get to see you again, meow! Carrot!" Anna rubbed her face against Yake's, looking rather intimate.
Yake struggled to peel the little catgirl off himself and looked at her carefully.
"Y-you're the one I saved at the auction house... Anna!" Yake finally remembered. She was the Mink Tribe girl he had casually rescued at the auction house. He had assumed Shakky had arranged for her to return to Zou, but she had been here all along.
"Mm-hmm! Lord Yake, I've heard so many stories about you, meow! I want to go on adventures with you, so I didn't return to Zou, meow!" Anna looked at Yake expectantly, hoping he would take her aboard his ship.
Yake fell silent for a moment and stroked Anna's head. Anna let out a comfortable purring sound, just like a real cat.
"Anna, the sea is very dangerous. Even if I'm strong, I might not be able to protect you! Are you prepared to die?" Yake said sternly, hoping to dissuade her.
"I've been prepared for a long time, meow! Otherwise, I wouldn't have secretly run away by myself. And I'm very strong too, meow! I-I-I'm a very good cook. I'll definitely be able to help Yake, meow!" Anna said anxiously, afraid Yake would refuse to let her aboard.
"Captain, aren't we missing a cook anyway? Why not let her be our cook?" Robin immediately took a liking to the cute little Anna. White and fluffy, she struck straight at Robin's girlish heart.
Yake pondered for a while.
"Fine, Anna. Once our ship is coated, you can come with us. You'll be the cook on our ship."
"That's wonderful, Carrot!" Anna was overjoyed and leaped onto Yake again, rubbing her face against his in another Carrot.
Yake helplessly let Anna have her way, though she really was adorable. He could not resist petting her head; it felt wonderful.
"All right, Anna, there are so many people today. Go prepare a feast and let Yake and the others see your cooking!" Shakky said with a happy smile.
"I'll do my best, meow!" At once, Anna jumped down with a serious expression and ran toward the kitchen.
Robin's hand trembled slightly in the air. Anna had run off before she could touch her even once, so she could only glare fiercely at Yake.
Yake found it rather baffling, but did not think much of it. He began introducing his crew members to his mother one by one.
"What? She's Nico Robin!" Rayleigh stared at Robin in shock.
She was one of the few people in this world capable of reading Poneglyphs.