In May of 1499 of the Sea Circle Calendar, Ohara's jungle had taken on the deep green of early summer.
In the forest clearing Nico Robin had once mentioned, a cluster of exquisite treehouses now stood-the trunks had been skillfully carved into the frames of houses, and branches and leaves woven into natural roofs.
Vine-covered walkways connected the rooms. What should have been a peaceful, tranquil place filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers was now shrouded in an invisible tension.
The entire jungle was unnaturally quiet. Even the usually noisy birds had fallen silent, leaving only the rustle of wind through leaves to throw the sounds from the main house at the center of the treehouses into sharper relief.
"Kakarot, Lilith, don't worry. Rouge will definitely be fine! Yueli is such a good doctor, and there's Bailing's life force too!"
Little Robin wore a delicate light blue dress. Her once sallow skin had become fair and lustrous, and her black hair fell smoothly to her shoulders.
She clutched Kakarot's hand tightly, her palm slightly sweaty, though she tried hard to sound calm.
Kakarot looked down at her. Little Robin's body was rigid, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. A nervous flush colored her fair little face, and her black eyes, usually sparkling with intelligence, were now filled with worry.
Her words of comfort had failed to convince even herself, only making the atmosphere around them more somber.
Kakarot gently patted the back of her hand, trying to offer some reassurance.
The tension in his own heart did ease a little, but he still could not let go of it entirely-from the main house nearby, Rouge's stifled moans came in fits and starts, each one like a fine needle piercing their hearts.
His Observation Haki clearly picked