At the critical moment, a transparent barrier suddenly rose, like a solid city wall, emitting a faint glow.
The cannonball struck the barrier and exploded with a bang, fire scattering everywhere, and the debris falling into the sea, splashing up huge waves before silence fell.
Yun Lie looked at Nami, who was eager to try, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Karina, it's a good chance to test your new move."
Ever since Karina ate the Paramecia-type Air-Air Fruit, she had been researching ability development day and night, often forgetting to eat and sleep. Now was the perfect opportunity to unleash her new power.
"Watch me!" Karina excitedly ran to the bow, the sunlight glinting on her lively hair.
She clasped her hands together, her eyes focused and determined. A grayish-white sphere slowly expanded in her palm, and as it grew, air rushed into it frantically. The surrounding wind also became violent, stirring up gusts that made everyone's clothes flap wildly.
"Air Cannon!"
When the sphere expanded to a one and a half meter radius, Karina pushed it forward with all her might, her delicate shout filled with confidence and boldness.
The sphere shot towards the Hammer Pirate Crew like an arrow released from a bowstring, moving so fast that its trajectory was almost imperceptible.
"What is that thing?"
Captain Tang Ritian's eyes widened as he watched the rapidly approaching sphere, his face instantly turning pale.
He gripped his half-person tall hammer, feigning composure, ready to meet the attack.
"Boom!"
The moment of impact, the sphere exploded, a tremendous roar like a thunderous clap echoing across the entire sea.
A powerful air current spread wildly from the explosion's center.
Nojiko's eyes widened, her hands covering her mouth, watching the scene before her in disbelief.
Karina collapsed to the ground, exhausted, her chest heaving, but her face was full of triumph: "Isn't it amazing!"
Her smile was radiant with the joy of success.
Looking at the Hammer Pirate Crew, their pirate ship was shattered, wooden planks scattering like snowflakes on the sea, and not a single crew member survived the force of the explosion.
Yun Lie smiled helplessly: "It's amazing, but..."
"But what? I destroyed them all!" Karina asked, puzzled, her eyes still clouded with the lingering excitement.
Robin covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "You also destroyed the 33 million beli bounty. If you want that bounty later, you won't have a chance."
"Ah! My beli!" Karina and Nami's wails echoed through the sky, almost making them faint.
This battle, though won with flair, lost its bounty, which was truly a cause for both laughter and tears.
"How adorable, ha ha ha."
Robin's lips curved into a sly arc, and a mischievous glint sparkled in her deep blue eyes.
Her fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of her teacup, that iconic dark smile seemingly conveying her schadenfreude, even her eyes reflecting a hint of playful teasing.
Yun Lie moved his lounge chair beside Robin, the wooden chair making a soft sound as it scraped against the deck.
He lay down languidly, his gaze, however, held a hint of scrutiny: "Robin, how have you felt during this time?"
Beneath the seemingly casual question lay his long-standing observation.
Although he had trusted Robin's character from the beginning, as Captain, caution was always necessary.
To his surprise, Robin's performance on the Infinite Space was impeccable, without any hint of disloyalty, as if this place was the home she had long sought.
"I'm very happy, my companions all take good care of me."
Robin's smile was gentle and sincere, the sea breeze gently rustling the hair by her ears, carrying a sense of ease.
Yun Lie, however, was not swayed by this relaxed atmosphere, his expression growing more serious: "You know I'm not asking about that."
Robin's smile suddenly froze, her delicate body trembling slightly.
She slowly closed her eyes, her voice filled with bitterness: "Without protection, I am just a pitiful person abandoned by the sea. Dreams, they are all false."
Those years of hiding and sneaking surged through her mind like a tide.
From a young age, she had carried the stigma of "Devil Child," and to survive, she had to betray and be betrayed countless times.
Her once fervent dreams, under the blows of reality, gradually became unattainable.
However, the days on the Infinite Space were completely different.
Nojiko's meticulously prepared meals held warmth, Nami's lively laughter brought vitality, Karina's touching singing soothed her soul, Little Kong would secretly bring fresh fruit, and even the outwardly tsundere Mitsuri would silently care for her when she was sick.
This kind of familial care was something she had never dared to hope for in years.
"I've given up on my dream. I will leave at the next island." Robin opened her eyes, a resolute glint in them.
Yun Lie's gaze was deep, and he asked softly: "Is it because of the Marine Admiral, Aokiji?"
He knew Robin's character too well; just like in the original story, she always tended to bear everything alone, unwilling to implicate those she cared about.
Robin suddenly looked up, her eyes wide with shock: "Since you know, then why did you still let me stay on the ship?"
Yun Lie's lips curved into a confident smile: "Have you forgotten what I said on your first day aboard?" His voice was firm and strong.
The so-called Devil Child is nothing more than a fig leaf for the World Government. As long as you don't touch their taboos, they won't easily make a move.
Otherwise, over these past ten-odd years, with the World Government's CP organization, even with Aokiji's protection, there were still many ways to make Robin disappear from this world without a trace.
The real obstacle was only Aokiji himself.
"How should I put it? Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Yun Lie raised an eyebrow and smiled, deliberately making an exaggerated wink, the curve of his lips carrying a hint of roguishness.
Robin was amused by his antics and lightly covered her mouth with her slender fingers, her eyes sparkling with laughter: "Captain-san is truly interesting. I'll hear the lie first."
The sea breeze brushed through her hair, blending her soft laughter into the salty air.
Yun Lie suddenly straightened his back, placed one hand on his chest, and assumed a righteous posture, his voice deliberately deep and solemn: "I am a man of justice, and I cannot stand to see a girl like you being bullied. I want to protect you."
As he spoke, he even theatrically flicked an imaginary cape, as if truly enveloped in a sacred glow.
"And the truth?" Robin tilted her head, her amber eyes full of mischief, clearly seeing through his deliberate performance.
"I lust after your body."
Yun Lie blurted out, blinking, his expression instantly switching from feigned seriousness to direct teasing, his voice deliberately drawn out at the end, carrying a hint of playfulness.
The deck suddenly fell silent.
Robin opened her mouth, but nothing came out. A flicker of surprise crossed her delicate face, immediately replaced by helplessness and amusement.
She had never expected Yun Lie to respond with such blunt and explicit words.
"Captain-san, with so many beautiful women on this ship, would you really miss one more of me?"
Robin shook her head, looking at Yun Lie as if he were a lecherous fiend.
She wasn't stupid; besides Little Mitsuri, who was in her "beginner protection period," every woman on the ship had that kind of relationship with Yun Lie.