You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/marvel6395
Chapter Header Serialization · Lovesickness 30 · Elder Sister's Secret
After the red tower ship returned to Amazon Lily Island, the Empress went straight back to the palace. Sandersonia and Marigold were very curious, recently, their elder sister seemed to often head deep into the palace, staying there for a very long time…
The two younger sisters hid in a corner outside the grand hall, waiting until nightfall before finally seeing their elder sister walk out from within. Sharing a glance, Sandersonia asked Marigold to accompany the elder sister to supper and keep her occupied, while she quietly slipped into the palace herself, determined to discover just what their elder sister had been doing all these days. Perhaps then she could find the reason for her sister's worsening illness…
…
On the reef, Justice cloak fluttering in the wind, Vice Admiral Kizaru flicked his lighter with a click, lit a cigarette, and slowly exhaled a smoke ring as he gazed at the two pirate ships out on the sea.
"Ahhh, how scary…"
The pirate ship animated by Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit hummed a tune as it sailed slowly along the surface of the ocean. On deck, the heavily bandaged Mondee watched the distant pirate ship gradually sail away.
"Hawk Eyes has been following those two all along… and he's actually together with that red-haired one…"
Mondee's voice was filled with bitterness. Being defeated by Liam in front of the entire world was the greatest humiliation of her life. She had no idea how her mother would punish her once she returned home.
"Shanks…"
From the shadow beneath the wide brim of her hat, Lady Ghost, Charlotte Amande, murmured with cold, emotionless eyes and slightly thick lips: "Mother said he was once a cabin boy on Pirate King Roger's ship… and also that man's… never mind, let's just return to the New World."
Everyone looked at Mondee. Mondee nodded, ordering the Homies aboard the ship to sail straight toward Fish-Man Island.
"Yes~?"
"Understood, Lady Mondee~?"
"Home we go~ Back to the New World~?"
The Homies all over the ship, the vessel itself, the doors, the helm, even the tables and teacups, sang and chuckled in agreement. Without a navigator, the sails shifted by themselves, turning the ship toward the Red Line.
Mondee gripped her sword hilt. "Hopefully, we'll run into a few battleships on the way. That'll be fun."
…
"Brothers! Set sail!"
With Shanks' spirited command, the Red-Haired Pirates roared in response, cheerfully raising their sails.
While the others busied themselves, Shanks, Liam, Robin, and Mihawk stood on deck, enjoying the sea breeze.
Leaning casually against the rail, Shanks looked at Liam and laughed: "Chopperna Giorno, huh?"
Mihawk crossed his arms, slightly puzzled by the tone in Red Hair's voice.
Liam laughed heartily, extending his hand. "Let's get reacquainted. My name is Liam!"
A round of laughter broke out on deck. Yasopp and the others chuckled. It was clear that when Shanks spoke about Liam, he hadn't been using the name "Giorno."
Mihawk nodded in understanding, uncrossed his arms, and casually slapped Liam's offered palm.
First mate Benn Beckman walked over, biting down on his long pipe. "Not using your real name… is that really fine?"
"It's not like I'm deliberately using a fake one," Liam waved dismissively. "That's just what they call me, so I let them. Even if people learned my real name, I'd honestly not care… but still--" He grinned, giving a thumbs up. "It's way more fun to roll with a fake one first!"
"Not Care, really?" Shanks took a sip of his drink, then glanced playfully at Robin beside Liam. "Then… what about this beauty here, who goes by Kujo Jolyne?"
"As expected of you, Shanks!" Liam laughed, pointing straight at the red-haired captain. "That's exactly the fun part!"
"Oh?" Beckman exhaled smoke. "So, what then…"
Liam shrugged and looked at Robin. "Everyone here is trustworthy. Whether you say it or not, it's up to you."
Robin smiled faintly.
"Long time no see…"
Suddenly, the skin on her face began peeling away bit by bit, like old plaster crumbling off a wall, startling the Red-Haired Pirates.
"Whoa! Her face, her face fell off…" Yasopp's eyes bulged wide, his big mouth agape as snot dripped down.
The "Jolyne mask" flaked away, dissolving into countless petals that scattered with the wind. Robin's true face was revealed before everyone's eyes.
"…Shanks." She smiled brightly.
Shanks slapped his thigh and burst into hearty laughter. "I knew it was you!"
Back then, on Lasgap Island, when he reunited with Liam, he'd seen Robin with him. So many years had passed, though the little girl had grown into a woman, her features remained recognizable. Shanks, who had already suspected Jolyne's identity, recognized her instantly.
Mihawk froze, staring at Jolyne's new face. After a long silence, he muttered quietly: "Seems like I've seen this face somewhere before…"
"…." Robin only smiled.
"How rude of you," Liam patted him on the shoulder. "Is that how you usually hit on people?"
"…." Hawk Eyes was speechless.
"Kujo Jolyne, huh… tch tch, how amusing." Shanks laughed and laughed, but gradually his smile faded. He turned back, leaning both elbows against the ship's rail, letting the sea wind hit his face. "Though I don't know what exactly you're planning… if the Marines and the World Government ever found out her real identity, they'd probably be throwing a fit."
Liam clapped his hands and laughed. "Exactly! That's why it's so fun!"
Robin tucked back her windblown, disheveled hair and gave a helpless smile.
First mate Beckman bit down on his pipe. "Now I get why the Captain likes you so much."
"Right? My taste isn't so bad, huh?" Shanks burst out laughing again.
With old friends reunited, there was no shortage of topics to talk about.
Learning that Liam and Robin had vanished from the world stage because they had gone to Amazon Lily Island in the Calm Belt, Shanks and the others finally understood. No wonder Liam's Haki had become so refined, he had spent years training in the legendary land of women.
"I've heard it's a nation of warriors, where everyone masters Haki, and men are forbidden to enter." Shanks sighed in admiration. "For you, a man, to have survived there all this time… that's some luck."
Robin chuckled softly. Shanks still didn't know that, by a twist of fate, she had even become a princess of Kuja.
Mihawk had been listening quietly all along. Finally, he asked: "Shanks, this course… where exactly are we headed?"
"…." Shanks gazed at the distant horizon, the sea breeze brushing past, and murmured with a faint smile: "A place well-suited for a duel."
"…." Liam, standing at his left, pointed at his own left eye. "So… aren't you going to say it? Who was strong enough to claw your eye up like that?"
Shanks touched the three scars across his left eye. "You mean this…"
(End Of This Chapter)