Xie Wen had originally wanted to say something.
But faced with Nico Robin's half-smile, and Baby 5's attitude of "I've wandered half my life without finding a worthy lord," looking ready to drop to her knees and pledge allegiance at any moment...
The words stuck in his throat finally turned into a long sigh.
"Fine, I get it. Let's leave it at that..."
Xie Wen waved a hand helplessly, then pressed his aching head. Taking advantage of the gesture, he shot a fierce glare at Nico Robin, the culprit behind all this.
As it turned out...
The Little Furball Cats beside him suddenly jumped in to join the fun.
"Yeah, yeah! Big Brother Xie Wen loves maids! He even bought Klee a maid outfit, meow!"
(=＞＜=)
"Little Sister Klee looks super cute in her maid outfit! And Big Sister Shalmy looks like a goddess descended to earth in hers, meow!"
(=﹃=)
Baby 5's expression grew even more excited, as though she might grab Xie Wen and marry him on the spot at any moment.
Fortunately, just then, a booming yet shrill voice drew everyone's attention...
"You won't ruin the Young Master's grand ambitions!!!"
A familiar Stone Giant rose from the ground, though its appearance was slightly different this time. Its coloring was closer to ordinary stone, a mixture of grayish white and earthy yellow, and it was much larger than before, almost as tall as Dressrosa's palace, which stood on the highest ground.
"Pica?"
Xie Wen raised his eyebrows in surprise.
He could just about understand Lao G showing up, since he had not hit him all that hard back then, but Pica...
That had been the equivalent of taking one of Klee Meow's Jumpy Dumpties head-on. How could he be up and moving again so soon?
"Master Xie Wen,