Year 1512 of the Sea Circle Calendar — New World, Sleeping Ancient Town.
Inside a cave indicated by ancient Poneglyph-like markings…
"Finally… I've got it."
In the damp, shadowy cavern, a young girl dressed in a nun's habit cupped a blood-red, teardrop-shaped Devil Fruit in her hands. Her hair, white as fresh snow, spilled down her waist.
Without hesitation, she took a bite.
A wave of nausea surged straight up from her stomach, turning her face pale as she crouched silently on the ground.
"Laurentina, I heard you need to finish the whole thing if you want the full power."
Beside her stood a more mature woman — dark hair, bronze skin, wearing a purple travel outfit.
While inspecting age-worn inscriptions on the stone wall, she turned and spoke seriously.
Do you think I've never heard of Devil Fruits? Everyone knows one bite is enough!
"You're trying to trick me? You're such a jerk."
Laurentina grabbed her long-handled circular saw, scarlet pupils flaring with a strange light.
The fruit she had obtaind — the Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Vampire Model — was the very one sought by Baroric Ledfield, the infamous "Red Count."
But Laurentina had beaten him to it.
Vmmm—
A pair of black bat wings burst open from her back.
Before she even had time to explore her new ability to fly, she glared at Nico Robin and lunged with a punch.
Robin's eyes lit up.
Laurentina looked like she had stepped past the limits of beauty — a form so stunning it bordered on divine.
If she had been a gentle forest fawn before, now that little fawn had sprouted the seductive wings of a demoness.
Innocence and allure merged like black and white into something impossibly striking.
No words that spoke of beauty or nobility could fully describe her. Even the Pirate Empress might pale in comparison.
The nun spread her wings, floating forward, the golden pendant on her chest swaying gently.
"Heh… embarrassed, are we? You really do look like a succubus-nun from some adult comic right now."
Robin, entirely unfazed by the incoming attack, crossed her arms with a lazy smile:
"Four-Wheel Fleur: Bind Vine."
Four arms sprouted around her waist, wrapping tightly around herself — and catching the airborne girl mid-flight.
Laurentina staggered clumsily to the ground.
"H-Hey! Where are you grabbing?! I swear I'll— I'll saw all your limbs off!"
Damn it! Why that humiliating move?!
Her face flushed crimson. Robin's teasing of Franky during their first encounter flashed through her mind.
She never expected she would become the next victim of Robin's mischief.
Robin chuckled and playfully poked Laurentina's side.
Laurentina retaliated by jabbing at Robin's waist — her fatal weakness.
Before long, the two were rolling around on the stone floor, laughing despite the dust.
After the roughhousing…
"You're set on it? Joining the Marine Headquarters' new recruit program?"
Robin asked abruptly as she sat on a clean rock, her voice suddenly subdued.
This half-year treasure-hunting journey with Laurentina had been the happiest time she'd had since Ohara.
Laurentina stood, patted the dust off her habit, and looked at Robin seriously.
"Yes. Compared to baing a pirate… I'd rather be a Marine.
If you follow the classic 80/20 rule, then 80% of Marines are genuinely good people."
She understood Robin's bitterness — after all, the Marines had eradicated Ohara.
But it was the World Government that made the decision, rubber-stamped by Kong, while Sengoku, Aokiji, and the others merely executed orders.
Sure, there were scumbags like Morgan within the Marines…
But focusing only on the darkness meant ignoring the large number of genuinely honorable Marines.
As for pirates?
Ninety-nine percent represented evil.
Even Luffy had caused chaos in Impel Down, and the Straw Hat Grand Fleet had its share of villainous deeds.
Even Whitebeard and Shanks — despite having principles — still plundered merchant ships and civilians.
"What about you?" Laurentina asked.
"Of course I'll continue pursuing true history."
Robin closed her thick notebook and smiled, her tone brooking no argument.
Hearing from Laurentina that Saul had escaped Marine judgment had eased a weight on her heart.
The giant vice admiral who once protected Ohara… was still alive somewhere.
After packing their bags, the two boarded a merchant ship heading to Sabaody and left Sleeping Ancient Town behind.
Grand Line — waters near Sabaody
"Hey! Woman! You crushed my hair!"
In the small cabin, Laurentina and Robin were squeezed into a single bed — the girl in a thin nightgown growled angrily.
Not their fault.
This was the last room available.
Late morning sunlight streamed through the porthole onto Robin's warm bronze skin, giving her a soft glow.
Her relaxed figure was like a cup of coffee on a quiet afternoon table.
They'd stayed up far too late "playing around," and Robin, half-asleep, didn't notice her arm pressing down on Laurentina's hair.
"…Just a little longer. Once this trip ends, I'll be leaving anyway."
Robin murmured, shifting into a more comfortable position.
This woman!!
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
"Attention passengers! A pirate ship has appeared ahead! Prepare for defense!"
Laurentina froze mid-shout.
Robin had just jinxed them, and fate wasted no time.
Never say "after this trip, I'll…" !!!
"Everyone stay calm! Our Seagull of Victory has the protection of Captain Runes of the— ARGH!"
The announcer's voice cut off with a scream.
"Jiehahaha! If you don't wanna die, get out on deck!"
A rough voice echoed down the corridor.
The two women exchanged a look — trouble.
They quickly dressed, grabbed their weapons, and rushed out.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Weather flipped instantly — bright skies swallowed by thick clouds.
Gunshots and screams filled the deck.
A pirate ship with a roaring sea-lion figurehead had latched onto the merchant vessel.
The muscular pirates had cornered the resisting crew.
"Runes? Weak."
A towering man — over two meters tall, wearing a pirate tricorn — stepped on a severed head, sneering.
The defenders' spirits shattered.
"It's… the Mad Lion Pirates! One of this year's Supernovas!"
Robin's face hardened as she crossed her arms.
Laurentina could see that much herself.
"Kill all the resisters! Leave no men alive!"
The pirate captain unsheathed his blade and stabbed it into the deck.
Jeston the Mad Lion
Bounty: 230 million berries
A brutal pirate from the South Blue — butcher of seven Marine branches and twenty towns.
He once skinned an entire town's civilians and hung their corpses at the harbor just to flaunt his power.
Falling into his hands meant a fate worse than death.
"Yahahaha! Didn't expect two beauties aboard."
A pale, gaunt man beside Jeston stared greedily at Laurentina and Robin.
His gaze crawled over Laurentina in a way that made her stomach twist with disgust.
She tightened her grip on her chainsaw.
First Mate "Strange Fish" Quintus
Bounty: 140 million berries
A deranged sadist — countless victims had died under his twisted "games."
"Sleepy Bubbles!"
Quintus puffed up his cheeks and expelled a spray of bubbles like a fishman's gills — aimed directly at Laurentina.
"Sleep peacefully, little girl. I'm a Goldfish-type user — no one escapes my bubbles."
His grin widened, breath heavy with excitement.
Damn it… this disgusting creep targeted me.
Meanwhile — Sabaody Archipelago, Hidden Port
"Rayleigh, old friend! We're heading for the New World. Drinks next time!"
Shanks waved before stepping aboard his ship, the black coat on his shoulders billowing.
After years of laying low in East Blue…
It was time to fight for the title of Emperor.
"Alright boys — let's go!"
"OUUU!!"
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