As evening approached, Samui returned home earlier than usual.
Upon stepping inside, she immediately noticed a familiar figure sitting in her living room, watching TV while eating snacks.
"I'm back," Samui said, glancing at the person on the couch with a thoughtful look.
"Why are you here?"
Sitting nearby, also watching TV, Yugito replied, "She came on her own and said she knows you."
The visitor was none other than Boa Hancock, holding a bag of potato chips.
Upon seeing Samui, she spoke up, "I… was feeling a little hungry and don't really know how to cook. You said I could come to you if I needed anything."
Samui: "…"
She sighed slightly, then changed her shoes and headed straight to the kitchen.
Mabui was already there, preparing dinner.
Noticing that the meal was slightly more lavish than usual, Samui raised an eyebrow.
Mabui saw Samui enter and smiled. "You're back."
"Yeah."
"That Hancock… who is she?"
"His Majesty's servant. She's now living nearby," Samui replied.
Mabui wasn't surprised and simply nodded. "We figured as much."
When Hancock had first arrived, both Mabui and Yugito were stunned by her beauty.
And when she mentioned Samui's name, they immediately guessed that she was likely His Majesty's new favorite.
His Majesty's taste in women had never been lacking.
Samui said, "She's new to Konoha. Try to take care of her when you can."
"I got it."
Such a stunning woman would no doubt receive plenty of favor from His Majesty.
As dinner was served, Hancock was still engrossed in her snacks and the television—things she had never encountered before.
But after tasting Mabui's cooking, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Delicious!"
Mabui smiled warmly. "If you like it, feel free to come by anytime."
Without hesitation, Hancock nodded enthusiastically.
Yugito looked at Hancock's demeanor and couldn't help but ask, "You said you used to be the ruler of a kingdom?"
Hancock replied, "Yes, of the Amazon Lily Kingdom on Nine Snake Island."
Yugito chuckled. "No wonder you don't know how to cook."
Samui shot her a glance. "You don't know how to cook either."
Yugito, however, defended herself righteously, "Who said that? I can make noodles!"
Samui observed Hancock thoughtfully.
His Majesty had said she was to be a servant, but looking at her, it was hard to imagine her serving anyone.
If things continued this way, she might suffer some unpleasant experiences—just like Tsunade had in the past.
Poor woman.
Samui asked, "Do you know how to use the household appliances?"
Hancock shook her head. "Some, but not all."
Her original world had some level of technology, but it didn't compare to what existed in Konoha now.
After dinner, Samui escorted Hancock back to her residence.
Once inside, she sat on the living room couch and asked, "Do you understand your current status?"
Hancock hesitated before answering, "His Majesty's… servant."
"Do you know how to serve someone?"
Hancock slowly shook her head.
She had always been the one served, never the one serving.
Samui continued, "Have you thought about what you're going to do from now on?"
"…"
Hancock was silent for a while.
She understood her situation well enough—she had already resigned herself to fate the moment she kneeled before the Emperor.
She looked at Samui and asked, "Can you… teach me?"
Samui, however, responded with another question: "Are you ready for this?"
Her words carried a deeper meaning, but Hancock didn't hesitate for too long before replying, "Yes."
................
The next day.
When Makoto arrived on the second floor of the attic, he saw that Hancock was also there, still wearing her signature purple qipao.
Standing there, she looked stunningly beautiful.
The once-proud Pirate Empress now appeared remarkably obedient.
Upon seeing Makoto, she even took the initiative to bow and greet him.
"Your Majesty."
Seeing this, Makoto found it amusing.
At that moment, Samui also heard the commotion and walked out from the inner room.
"You taught her?"
"I just taught her some basic etiquette and what she should do," Samui replied.
"She's quite tall, so her clothes need to be custom-made. That's why she's still wearing this outfit."
Makoto said, "It's fine. Qipao look good on her. She should get a few more made."
He then walked up to Hancock and, finding himself forced to tilt his head up to look at her, felt somewhat helpless.
This woman was really tall—at 1.9 meters, she was practically a giant compared to an average person.
And she often wore high heels on top of that.
Come to think of it, Nico Robin seemed to be about the same height…
That reminded him—the Straw Hat crew was still under his house arrest.
Glancing at the official matters Samui handed him for the day, he saw that there was nothing urgent.
He handed them back to her to handle, then took Hancock with him as he left.
Hancock, remembering everything Samui had taught her the night before, quietly followed behind the Emperor like a dutiful attendant.
They arrived at the place where the Straw Hat crew was being held, and Makoto decided to conduct a private interrogation of Robin.
Unlike their initial imprisonment in a pirate prison, the crew was now under house arrest.
Their living conditions were quite good, and even if they wanted to leave, there weren't too many restrictions.
Some of them had attempted to escape, but under the constant surveillance of the Solarity Tower, they had failed every time.
Inside the interrogation room, the moment Robin stepped in, Makoto immediately felt a sense of height pressure—this woman also wore high heels…
He couldn't help but sigh. "Why are people from your world all so tall?"
Even though he himself was over 1.8 meters, he still felt somewhat overshadowed by these two women.
Robin was slightly taken aback upon hearing the Emperor's remark as soon as she entered.
Then, when she noticed that the woman standing quietly and obediently behind him was none other than the Pirate Empress, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, she couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
"Your Majesty."
Her expression remained calm, neither humble nor arrogant.
After witnessing firsthand what had happened on Lightmarker Island, she and her crewmates had come to understand just how terrifying the power of this empire truly was.
They had been under house arrest for some time now, and she still didn't know what was so special about their pirate crew.
Makoto gestured toward the seat across from him, signaling for Robin to sit down.
"How has life been in Konoha so far?"
"…Konoha is very prosperous," Robin replied after a brief pause.
"It is more prosperous than any city I've ever seen. And the people who live here all seem to be very happy."
Makoto said leisurely, "The people here have all experienced war, which makes them appreciate a stable life more. In your original world, pirates ran rampant, causing chaos and disorder everywhere. Naturally, people's sense of happiness was much lower."
That sounded exactly like something a ruler would say.
Robin continued to agree, "Your Majesty is right."
But she couldn't help but ask, "May I ask why Your Majesty is keeping us here? We are just ordinary people. After arriving in this world, we drifted at sea for nearly a month before landing. We shouldn't have violated any of the empire's laws or prohibitions, have we?"
Makoto said in a slow, deliberate tone, "Can someone with a bounty of 79 million, the so-called 'Demon Child,' and the sole survivor of a Buster Call still claim to be just an ordinary person?"
At the mention of the words "Buster Call," Robin's expression changed instantly, her eyes filled with shock and fear.
Hancock, standing nearby, was also visibly surprised.
Of course, she knew what a Buster Call was.
To think that this woman had actually survived one?
This made Hancock reevaluate Robin as she took a closer look at her.
Robin quickly forced herself to regain her composure and said, "That was in another world. Here, I only wish to live as an ordinary person. I hope Your Majesty can let us go."
With Crocodile now serving the empire, it wasn't surprising that this emperor knew about her past.
But that was all in the past—there was no World Government here anymore…
Makoto gazed at her and said slowly, "I can let your companions go."
Upon hearing this, Robin felt a sense of relief—but then, she suddenly realized something was off.
"…You mean—"
"I can release your crewmates, but you must stay."
"..."
Hancock also turned to look at Makoto upon hearing this, then glanced at Robin again.
So His Majesty has taken a liking to this woman…
She is indeed quite beautiful, but not as beautiful as I am…
Hancock pouted inwardly.
His Majesty really is insatiable.
Robin fell into silence.
She wanted to find some words to persuade him to let her go as well, but seeing Hancock standing behind Makoto, she realized that no matter what she said, it would likely be useless.
She contemplated for a long time before lowering her eyes and asking, "Your Majesty… do you keep your word?"
"If you stay, I will release Luffy and the others."
Robin looked at Makoto and said seriously, "I will stay, but Your Majesty must release Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper."
Makoto couldn't help but chuckle.
This woman was smart.
Since she had already seen through things, he no longer bothered pretending and said directly, "Nami stays too."
Robin was momentarily stunned, though she had expected this outcome.
Seeing that the former Pirate Empress was already by the emperor's side, and considering the way he spoke, she had suspected that he might be a man of desire.
That was why she had clearly listed the crew members she wanted to exchange.
But he didn't even bother hiding his intentions and stated his demands outright.
He was the emperor of an empire, while she was merely a prisoner.
What right did she have to negotiate with him?
Hancock, who had been listening the whole time, heard yet another woman's name and couldn't help but mutter in her heart: His Majesty really is insatiable!
After a long silence, Robin let out a bitter laugh. "In reality, Your Majesty doesn't need to discuss anything with me if you truly intend to do as you please, does he?"
Makoto, however, smiled and said, "What can I say? I'm just too kind. I'm giving you a humane choice. Besides, staying here isn't a death sentence. The life I provide for you will surely be far better than drifting aimlessly across the sea."
Robin countered, "What makes Your Majesty so sure? Do you even know what I truly want?"
Makoto responded without hesitation, "What you want no longer exists in this world."
Robin's expression stiffened.
The emperor was right—the world had changed, and what she had been searching for no longer existed.
She turned her head away, pressing her lips together.
"I just want to stay with my companions."
Makoto remained calm and said, "I'm only giving you this one chance."
Robin fell silent.
The Straw Hat crew had yet to reach Water 7, and they hadn't experienced the events of Enies Lobby.
Her mindset hadn't fully shifted yet.
But over this time, she had genuinely enjoyed being with everyone.
If possible, she would love to remain on the ship, to keep sailing across the seas with Luffy and the others, chasing their dreams together.
Yet life was full of hardships—how could everything go as one wished?
She lifted her gaze to the emperor sitting across from her.
For a moment, she felt as if a cage were opening its doors, beckoning her inside.
After a lifetime on the run… had she finally been captured?
Makoto said, "I'll give you some time to think it over. And try to persuade Nami as well as your other companions."
Robin froze for a moment, looking at him in confusion.
Makoto smiled. "I don't like people hating me. Isn't it true that you and Nami chose to stay in Konoha? You had no other choice, so you had to part ways with Luffy and the others. Just explain it properly to them—I'm sure they'll understand."
Robin felt a sudden chill run down her spine.
Meanwhile, the man before her continued to smile cheerfully.
"I'm actually helping you. If you say something you shouldn't, think about Luffy's personality—what do you think will happen?"
Those words immediately made Robin realize the gravity of the situation.
She stood there, momentarily lost in thought.
If Luffy and the others found out she had been forced to stay, knowing their personalities, how could they possibly let it go?
This was the Sun Empire, an entity far more powerful than even the Four Emperors.
If Luffy did something reckless… Robin didn't even want to imagine the consequences.
Makoto stood up and left with Hancock, leaving Robin alone in the interrogation room, staring blankly ahead.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed before a glimmer of light returned to her eyes.
They were just some agreeable companions she had met along the way—parting ways shouldn't be that big of a deal…
She tilted her head back, looking up at the ceiling.
The interrogation room was narrow and oppressive, like a cage, making it hard to breathe.
When Robin returned to their quarters, the Straw Hat crew immediately gathered around her.
"Robin!"
"Robin-chan, are you okay?"
"What did they call you in for?"
The worried expressions surrounding her only made Robin's heart feel heavier.
She had been thinking about how to bring this up the entire way back.
Everyone quickly noticed that something was off about her expression.
Sanji asked, "Robin-chan, did something happen?"
"…It's nothing." Robin took a deep breath, trying to appear calm.
"I just want to rest for a bit."
Seeing this, the others stepped aside, allowing her to return to her room.
Once the door closed, they all exchanged uncertain glances.
Something had happened—that much was obvious.
But if Robin wasn't ready to talk, there wasn't much they could do.
Usopp and Chopper began complaining, frustrated about being confined and wondering when they would finally be released.
Nami looked troubled.
Zoro leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
Sanji silently lit a cigarette.
Luffy gazed into the distance at the Sun Empire's towering spire.
The uncertainty of their future was eating away at their patience.
Suddenly, Robin's door swung open again, and everyone immediately turned to look.
Robin stood in the doorway, her gaze filled with a complex mix of emotions.
"Robin…"
Robin's gaze finally settled on Nami.
"Nami, can you come in for a moment? …I have something to tell you."
"Oh… okay."
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