"Let's stop here. It's Marine recruitment season — your chances of getting accepted are pretty high."
Sabaody.
A quiet, empty coastline.
Mist rose softly from the frozen sea under the warm sunlight.
Robin stood there with her travel pack on her back, smiling faintly — the kind of smile that hid exhaustion.
Her silhouette looked almost dim through the drifting fog.
"…I'll miss you."
The young nun hesitated for a moment before finally answering.
Wandering between factions, carrying betrayals on her back — this had long become Robin's way of surviving.
To pursue true history meant living under constant pressure from the World Government.
That was a burden neither Laurentina nor the silent Aokiji beside them could shoulder for her.
Perhaps the Straw Hats truly were her destined harbor.
"This is for you.
I don't know whether tomorrow or disaster will come first…
but knowledge should never die."
Robin opened her bag and took out a worn notebook — its corners frayed, the cover faded from years of use.
Laurentina flipped through a few pages.
The yellowed paper carried the heavy scent of ink, each line filled with elegant handwriting.
These were ancient text decoding notes.
Laurentina froze.
The notebook suddenly felt scorching hot in her hands.
Hey, hey— is this really okay?
A Marine admiral is literally standing right here staring at us.
Giving away something so dangerous…
Under the nose of the government's watchdog…
Why did she feel a strange thrill?!
Is this… NTR but with knowledge?
Laurentina turned slowly toward Aokiji.
Robin did too.
Both stared straight at him.
Kuzan blinked.
Suddenly looking… uncomfortable.
"Ara ara… don't look at me like that.
Do whatever you want."
Baing stared at simultaneously by two beautiful women was apparently too much even for him.
It was like ants crawling across a hot metal pan.
He turned away, lay down under a tree, pulled down his sleep mask, and pretended to rest.
Good.
Very understanding.
"Alright."
Laurentina held the old notebook with both hands, clutching it against her chest.
Afternoon wind rustled the treetops, making a soft, wave-like whisper.
Sunlight broke into scattered colors through the leaves, spreading shimmering gold across the ground — like stardust at dusk.
Robin's long hair fluttered in the breeze.
She tucked it behind her ear, smiling gently as she stepped forward and pulled Laurentina into a soft embrace.
"Goodbye."
Her fingers brushed against Laurentina's nun outfit; she could feel the girl's nervous breathing.
Her heart wasn't racing —
it simply felt…
lonely.
Robin stepped back, smirking playfully.
"Future Marine miss, next time we meet, we'll be enemies.
Remember to spare my life."
"Hmph.
Don't let me catch you, you troublesome woman."
Robin laughed, walked past them, then turned back several times to wave as she headed toward the crowded district.
"Stay low-profile.
If you step out of line, I'll be the first to arrest you."
Aokiji removed his mask just as Robin left earshot.
His voice was serious and firm.
Robin's body froze —
just for a second —
before she continued forward without turning back.
"Perverted weirdo."
Laurentina muttered under her breath, glaring at him in disgust.
Aokiji's mouth twitched.
He sighed and walked the opposite direction.
Marine G-69 Port
Aokiji commandeered a small patrol ship to take Laurentina to Crescent Bay.
Not because he enjoyed the hassle —
but because he didn't trust her not to "accidentally" steal his bicycle.
He was far too lazy to chase her on foot.
The trip from Sabaody to Marineford was short and smooth.
No disturbances.
At sunset, the warship glided into Crescent Bay.
Laurentina hugged her chainsaw, eyes sparkling as she took in the Marine powerhouse.
In the center stood a colossal fortress — towering like a slumbering beast.
Its ramparts brimmed with cannons, rifles, and heavy defenses.
Inside that fortress were the Marines' legends:
Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, Zephyr…
Her heart surged uncontrollably.
One day… I'll stand among them.
She forced herself to calm down and followed Aokiji onward.
The fortress entrance housed various administrative offices.
After Laurentina's paperwork was registered, Aokiji led her toward the residential district.
Marineford had grown massively over the years — practically a small urban center.
Shops, eateries, homes… all built to serve officers who lived long-term on base.
Salaries were high, competition low.
It was comfortable living.
As they walked, Aokiji couldn't help eyaing the girl again.
Her strength.
Her potential.
Her clear sense of justice.
Her ability to stand against evil instinctively.
The Navy needed people like her.
But one thing made him uneasy —
the rising factional tension.
Right now, the Dove Faction (Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, etc.) kept the Marines stable and united.
But Sakazuki's Hawk Faction was growing stronger fast — filled with younger officers with promising futures.
And after seaing what happened to Zephyr…
their hatred toward pirates had intensified drastically.
And Kuzan?
His only reliable subordinate…
was Smoker.
Now Laurentina had fallen directly into his hands.
He wasn't going to let her slip away.
It was evening, the time when most officers were off-duty.
Marines and civilians alike greeted the admiral warmly — his easygoing personality was clearly beloved.
Many people glanced at Laurentina walking beside him.
Curious, but silent.
Anyone accompanying an admiral…
was certainly not ordinary.
Kuzan's Usual Barbecue Spot
"Admiral Kuzan, over here!"
Smoker and Tashigi had just finished shopping for supplies and were waiting outside the BBQ restaurant.
"Ara ara~ Since it's rare to gather everyone, let's enjoy a meal together."
Aokiji smiled as he walked inside.
Just a meal?
Smoker bit down harder on his twin cigars, eyaing the nun-like girl behind Kuzan.
Why does she look… familiar?
Tashigi, holding a thin cigarette, smiled kindly at Laurentina.
She had been with Vice Admiral Tsuru when Aokiji submitted the simplified battle report.
She had heard every detail.
A talented Marine recruit indeed.
"Colonel Smoker, we meet again.
As a resident of Loguetown, thank you for protecting us."
Laurentina bowed politely, lifting her skirt slightly in a graceful greeting gesture.
Smoker froze.
"…Eh?"
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