Robin looked at the man before her, a deep longing welling up in her heart.
She had missed him no less than Ling'er had; she simply had not chosen to hug Lott outright.
Meanwhile, Nami looked at Ling'er clinging to Lott and still could not help feeling a surge of jealousy.
Even if she could accept Ling'er and Robin, who would not want her man to favor her alone? Although Lott was not her man yet.
Lott caught Ling'er by the collar and gently set her down on the deck, then looked up at Robin. "Long time no see, Robin, Ling'er."
Robin nodded calmly, offering only a faint smile.
Lott guided the Skybreaker to a slow stop in the square in front of the Shrine.
That evening, inside the Shrine.
"Lott, do you mean we'll be able to go to the New World soon?" Kuro sat to one side, looking rather excited.
He had heard Lott talk about the New World long ago and knew it was where hidden powerhouses truly gathered, with all sorts rubbing shoulders.
There were the mighty Four Emperors, each ruling their own territory, the Newspaper King who operated in the underworld, the News Agency with information on the entire Grand Line, the great treasure One Piece, and more.
He could also sense that, with the Lott Pirates' current strength, only that world would give them room to spread their wings.
Hearing this, the others also looked at Lott with hope on their faces.
Lott nodded without hiding anything. "Yes, we can move our plans forward!"
With Lott's confirmation, everyone looked delighted.
Zoro tightened his grip on Wado Ichimonji and murmured, "The great swordsman Dracule Mihawk... I wonder how big the gap between us is now?"
Even Robin's expression showed a rare flicker of emotion.