"She's a huge problem. The World Government has always wanted her head!" Rayleigh said, staring at Robin.
"Doesn't the World Government want my head too? Dad, we're both pursuing the truth of history!" Yake said carelessly, while secretly exposing one of Rayleigh's secrets.
"Besides, Dad, weren't you also the vice captain of One Piece, Roger?"
Robin suddenly looked at Rayleigh. "Y-you're the right-hand man of the Pirate King, Pluton Rayleigh. Then you must know what happened during the Void Century! Please, you have to tell me!" Tears streamed down Robin's face as she collapsed weakly to her knees.
"Child, I can tell you the truth of the Void Century, but what would you be able to do after learning it? So keep searching. Only by experiencing the journey yourself will you understand why the government hid the truth of history." Rayleigh sighed. He truly regretted the tragedy of Ohara. Fortunately, Robin was still alive, but knowing the truth would do her no good.
"Robin, Dad's right. We promised to seek the truth of history together. How can we let someone else tell us directly?" Yake helped Robin up and comforted her.
"I'm sorry, Captain. I was too impulsive. I... I just..."
"Alright, don't say any more. Mom, bring some good wine for my crew. Let's have a proper drink." Yake interrupted Robin. He was not someone who liked getting overly sentimental.
"Alright, brat. Are you sure that little girl over there can drink?" Shakky pointed at the childlike-looking Perona.
"She's about the same age as me, Mom..." Yake said awkwardly. It seemed that none of the crew were younger than him, except Anna, who had not officially joined them yet.
"By the way, Dad, sorry for the trouble, but please coat our ship. We're preparing to head to the New World." Yake walked over to Rayleigh.
"No problem, but you'll have to pay for the materials." After saying that, Rayleigh lowered his voice.
"Shakky's been keeping a tight grip on things lately~"
"Hahaha, Dad, you really have it rough. Don't worry, I've got plenty of Beli." Yake laughed without restraint.
"You've really been in the spotlight lately! Even that old guy Garp can't do anything about you." Rayleigh seemed delighted that Garp had suffered a setback.
"He just can't catch me. If it's purely hand-to-hand combat, I'm no match for him." Yake had not gotten cocky. Garp's fists were truly dark and hard, and who knew why that old man still had such ridiculous stamina at his age.
"Hahaha, of course. Back then, Garp chased us all over the world. He's not an opponent who can be defeated so easily." Rayleigh laughed heartily. Naturally, he understood Garp's strength well.
"Everyone! Food's ready!" Anna called out as she emerged wearing an apron.
At the dining table.
"Mmm, Anna, your cooking is really amazing. It's so good." Yake's mouth was stuffed full of meat, making his words somewhat unclear.
"Looks like we'll be eating well from now on." Reiju set down her chopsticks and wiped her red lips with a handkerchief, elegance on full display.
"Great, I finally don't have to cook anymore, billa billa~" Needless to say, that was Perona. She had been the part-time cook until now, and before her, it had been Robin.
"Anna, we'll be counting on you from now on." Robin stroked Anna's fluffy head with a satisfied expression. Perhaps that was why she had deliberately sat beside Anna.
"Alright, a toast to celebrate our new crew member—Anna! Cheers!!!"
"Cheers!"
The next day.
Rayleigh was coating Yake's ship. Yake gave Robin, Perona, and the others plenty of Beli and sent them shopping. Aside from its filthy corners, the Sabaody Archipelago could also be considered a commercial Holy Land.
Yake flew to Amazon Lily alone. He had not seen Hancock in a long time. Once he entered the New World, he probably would have even less time to see her.
Amazon Lily was enjoying a bright, sunny day.
Yet rolling thunder came from the sky. It was the sound Yake made as he moved through the air. Once the trail of lightning became visible to the naked eye, it meant Yake had arrived.
"This thunder? Yake is back!" Hancock hurried out of the palace and stared blankly at the sky, like a wife waiting endlessly for her husband's return.
Crackle.
The electric current dissipated, and Yake appeared before Hancock with his arms open.
"Yake~ You finally came to see me!" Hancock threw herself into Yake's arms like a swallow returning to its nest, her face flushed red.
"It's been about a few months since we last met. Did you miss me?"
"What do you think?" Hancock had already closed her eyes.
The palace attendants had all been sent out by Sandersonia. Her reason was that Her Majesty was discussing important matters with Lord Yake, and unrelated personnel were to leave.
After not seeing him for several months, Hancock poured all her longing into this day.
Yake: It's fine, I can handle it.
After thoroughly expressing their longing for each other, Yake took out the Beauty Pill he had won from the lottery. He had gotten five last time and used one himself. Although Hancock was already known as the most beautiful woman in the world, she bore an unspeakable scar.
Yake wanted to see whether this Beauty Pill could remove the Celestial Dragons' brand from Hancock's back.
"Hancock, eat this." Yake stroked Hancock's face.
"No, I want you to feed me." Hancock curled up in Yake's arms like a little bird and coquettishly acted cute.
Yake placed the Beauty Pill into Hancock's mouth. She did not refuse and swallowed it in one bite, then provocatively held Yake's finger between her lips and stared straight at him with seductive eyes.
Yake: Guys, I can't take it anymore.
Amid Hancock's scream, Yake pounced on her once more.
"Yake, is this real? That mark is gone..." Hancock looked through tear-filled eyes at her smooth back in the mirror. This meant that the mark identifying her as a Celestial Dragon slave had been completely erased.
"That's right. I went through a lot to get it. Haven't you noticed? You're even more beautiful now." Yake gently stroked Hancock's shoulder.
"Yake, I..."
"There's no need to say such things between us. Oh, and give the other two to Sandersonia and Marigold. Don't sneakily eat them yourself." Yake kissed Hancock on the forehead.
"Mm, I will. You're leaving again, aren't you?" Hancock seemed to have already guessed.
"Sigh, Hancock, if two hearts are meant to last, why must they be together day and night?" Yake held Hancock and whispered in her ear.
"At most half a year. I'll build my base on Skypiea along the Grand Line. When the time comes, have everyone from Amazon Lily move there together, alright?"
"Mm, don't lie to me." Hancock's heart was already bound to Yake. She would only comply with his words.
"Then let's go. Let's eat together. Tomorrow, I'll be returning to the Sabaody Archipelago."
The two walked out of the palace, leaning against each other. They called Sandersonia and Marigold over, and the four of them shared a meal.