Xia Chen and Robin sat side by side and chatted for quite a while. Suddenly, Xia Chen looked into the distance, but said in an extremely serious tone:
" Robin, if anything happens, don't try to handle it all by yourself!"
Remember, we are all your partners. We've got your back! No matter what happens, we'll face it together!
"Um?"
Robin turned to look at Xia Chen, a warm feeling welling up inside him. Looking at Xia Chen's handsome face, he smiled and replied, "Okay!"
Hearing Robin's nonchalant reply, Xia Chen felt a little helpless. It was clear he hadn't taken his words to heart. Left with no other choice, Xia Chen added:
"I'm not kidding, I'm serious! If you encounter anything you can't handle, don't be afraid, we've got your back!"
"Never think that your life is meaningless; that's a huge mistake!"
"Think about it! If you died, wouldn't the world lose a great beauty? What a huge loss that would be for the world! Can you bear it?"
Xia Chen spoke righteously and indirectly, saying that it was to dispel the idea that Robin would appear in the original work.
"You are our partner, an inseparable part of our ship. Even if we are at odds with the world, we will protect you without hesitation!"
" Xia Chen..."
Hearing Xia Chen's words, Robin remained silent, tears silently welling up in her eyes. Her thoughts slowly drifted back to that day many years ago, a day filled with the smoke of gunfire.
A giant, half-frozen in ice, knelt before her and said, " Robin, set sail! One day, you will surely meet someone willing to protect you!"
If she could, Robin would like to say something to Saul right now.
"She's met someone! She's met a partner who's willing to protect her for life!"
Amidst the emotional turmoil, Robin's tears flowed even more profusely, and she threw herself into Xia Chen's arms.
Seeing this situation, Xia Chen was at a loss. He felt conflicted, unsure whether to let go or not. He was caught in the middle!
Finally, after a half-second internal struggle, Xia Chen placed his hand on Robin's back and gently patted her.
However, Xia Chen still felt uneasy. He was afraid that Robin might be misled by the CP9 again after arriving in Water 7, so Xia Chen said once more:
"Our next destination is Water 7, home to the world's most advanced shipyard! But that's not what I'm talking about!"
"What I meant was that many CP9 members are hiding there, plotting to seize the Ancient Weapon — Pluton!"
" Pluton?" Robin's body trembled upon hearing this, and he immediately pulled away from Xia Chen's arms, staring at him in shock.
In that instant, Xia Chen wondered if he should have said those words. He'd only been enjoying it for a short while, and it was over...
But there's no other way now. I can't exactly tell Robin, "Come back to my arms and let me explain in detail," can I?
Shaking his head, Xia Chen continued, "That's right, someone in Water 7 possesses the blueprints for Pluton!"
"!!!"
Upon hearing this, Robin's mouth dropped open, and he was speechless for a long time.
"So if we get there and any CP9 threatens us by saying we should go back with them or they'll kill us if we don't, don't believe them!"
"Don't even mention CP9, even if CP0, which is a level above them, came, I could easily take them down, understand?"
Xia Chen is now completely telling Robin what Vice Admiral the original story, and of course, the most important thing is to highlight his great strength.
Otherwise, he was really afraid that Robin would foolishly offer himself up because he was worried about them.
"Understood!" Robin replied with a charming smile. After spending this time together, she had completely integrated into the group.
She was reluctant to die, after all, everything she cherished was here!
Thinking of this, Robin ran into Xia Chen's arms again and hugged him.
Xia Chen, on the other hand, experienced the same pleasure he had felt before. Robin's fragrance and her soft body made Xia Chen almost forget about everything else.
The two of them held each other quietly, enjoying the sea breeze and gazing into the distance, feeling infinitely happy.
After a period of time~
A series of chattering sounds came from afar.
"Haha... we've found so many ingredients, we can have a feast!" Luffy said happily.
"Hmm! I'll ask Nami and Robin how they want it cooked when we get back, whether it should be steamed or... braised?"
Sanji was lost in thought when he suddenly froze on the spot, because he saw Robin nestled in Xia Chen's arms not far away.
At that moment, it was as if a shattering sound resonated within him. He instantly felt life utterly meaningless. Then he looked up at the sky and murmured to himself:
What meaning does life hold?
--
"Hahaha..."
"Cheers!" everyone said happily, raising their glasses.
Under the moonlight, around the campfire, everyone gathered together, happily eating meat and drinking wine.
Seeing this scene, Xia Chen couldn't help but think of a sentence.
"Prepare dinner by the campfire to celebrate surviving another day!"
Although Xia Chen forgot which famous person said this, he felt that the quote was very apt to describe the life of a pirate.
Of course, this only refers to those weak pirates who love to cause trouble, and who might not even have enough to eat at the moment; it doesn't apply to them.
While Xia Chen and the others were happily enjoying their dinner, somewhere in the world, a matter that could significantly impact the global landscape was being discussed.
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
In a conference room, five elderly men sat together, each with a blank expression.
After a while, one of the elders turned to the other and asked, " Saturn, what did you call us here to discuss?"
The old man, referred to as Saturn, was silent for a moment before saying, "We've just received news that Fire Fist Ace has been captured by Blackbeard, the pirate who previously nominated himself for the Shichibukai. Blackbeard wants to use him to demand Shichibukai position from us!"
"Now that he has proven his strength, there's no harm in giving him the Shichibukai!"
"As for that Fire Fist Ace? Isn't he one of Whitebeard's men? We can find a reason to trade with Whitebeard and get him back. There's no need to break the balance of the seas over this!" said a bald old man.
"That's what I originally thought too! But..."
" Blackbeard has given us another piece of information, and this information means that we can't let Fire Fist Ace go!" Saturn said, squinting.
"Hmm?" Everyone paused slightly upon hearing this, but said nothing. Instead, they all looked at Saturn, waiting for him to continue.
As one of the Five Elders, Saturn couldn't possibly be unaware of the importance of maintaining balance on the high seas, and the fact that he's risking disrupting that balance to detain Fire Fist Ace proves he must have his reasons.
What Saturn said next immediately made them understand why Fire Fist Ace couldn't be released.
" Fire Fist Ace is Roger's son!"