Just moments ago, she'd heard Crocodile mutter the name—
"Whiteflame."
It was that name that made a man as proud and ruthless as Crocodile lower his head in fear for the first time.
So young…
Yet so unimaginably powerful.
Not only did he command an island that could sail through the sky,
He himself could fly freely in the air.
Nico Robin had studied so many intelligence reports, read about the most dangerous pirates across the Grand Line…
And yet, she had never heard of someone named Whiteflame.
Who was he?
"She really is beautiful... No wonder Whiteflame brought you up here himself,"
baby-5 muttered jealously, obviously annoyed.
"Hi! I'm Rebecca. What's your name, big sister?"
Rebecca beamed at Robin with her usual radiant innocence and extended a friendly hand.
"I know you. Nico Robin. The one they call the Demon Child.
The Marines have been after you for twenty years.
I can't believe you're still alive."
Monet said calmly, having recognized her instantly.
"I'm Nami. Looks like we're crewmates now!"
Nami added with a cheerful smile.
Robin glanced at the women around her.
Each one wore a smile—not a trace of despair or resistance, despite essentially being captives.
Instead, they looked genuinely happy.
This… surprised Robin.
It made Whiteflame's presence feel even more mysterious.
Can You Help Me?
That night, after a refreshing bath, Robin found herself seated at a long dining table with Whiteflame and the others.
With a wave of Whiteflame's hand, a golden dragon coiled around one of the ship's pillars sprang to life, flying down and transforming into a massive round Western-style dining table.
Then, as if guided by an invisible force, plates of steaming food floated in and arranged themselves neatly on the table.
Candles, cutlery, wine glasses—all essential dining items—appeared just as effortlessly, like part of a magic performance.
Robin couldn't hide her surprise.
Even after all she'd seen, this still left her slightly stunned.
"Mmm! Sister Monet's food is amazing!"
baby-5 stuffed food into her mouth with her bare hands, grinning in delight.
Robin quietly glanced at Whiteflame.
He didn't seem to mind the lack of table manners in the slightest.
This wasn't a place of strict rules.
Here, freedom reigned.
Everyone lived by their own will, unburdened and unchained.
This place was... special.
"Robin, aren't you going to eat?"
Rebecca asked when she noticed Robin holding her fork and knife but not touching her food.
"Just about to."
Robin smiled politely and started cutting her steak.
"Rebecca, how long have you been with him?"
Robin had already pieced together most of their backgrounds.
Her instincts as a survivor taught her to assess every environment as soon as she arrived—to gauge danger.
"I was the first to meet him! I've always been with him!"
Rebecca smiled brightly.
"That long, huh."
Robin's eyes drifted toward Whiteflame.
He remained silent, quietly eating his meal as if none of the conversation concerned him.
She hadn't noticed it before, but now she realized—
She kept looking at him.
Was it to make sure he wasn't about to harm her?
Or to see if he ever looked back?
But every time, the result was the same—
After bringing her aboard, Whiteflame never spared her a second glance.
It was like she didn't even exist to him.
After dinner, the girls dragged Robin off to show her their "collection rooms."
"Collection rooms?"
Robin asked curiously.
But when she saw what was inside, her eyes widened in disbelief.
Luxury clothes, designer handbags, fine jewelry, rare makeup from all over the world…
Just Rebecca's collection alone was worth enough to buy all of Alabasta.
And that was just the beginning.
baby-5's room was even more extravagant—gold everywhere, overflowing with luxury items.
Robin could hardly believe her eyes.
Monet and Nami's rooms were relatively modest in comparison.
Monet's was filled with curious and rare objects—many Robin couldn't even name.
Nami's was simple and direct: cash, gold, jewels, gems…
Anything valuable, she hoarded.
"These… all came from Whiteflame?"
Robin asked in awe.
"Yep! He said we can spend whatever we want as long as it makes us happy!"
Rebecca answered happily.
"Plus, he has this amazing ability—he can sense where gold is underground!
We've already discovered several gold mines on the way here!"
"But I'm not that into gold, so I gave them all to baby-5 and Nami!"
"Robin, I don't know why Whiteflame brought you up here,"
Monet said, placing a chilled drink in front of her,
"But if he did, you can rest easy. He's never gone back on his word."
Robin took a sip—cold, refreshing, like snow melting in her mouth on a summer day.
"You're all… his women?"
Robin asked cautiously—the question that had lingered in her heart from the start.
"Of course!"
Rebecca replied without a trace of embarrassment.
"I've already decided—once I grow up a little more, I'm going to marry him!"
Robin looked her up and down.
She didn't seem like she needed to grow much more…
"Whiteflame is a man who will conquer the world,"
Monet added with a smile.
"To belong to him… is a dream most women can only wish for."
She placed sundaes in front of Rebecca and Robin.
"Conquer the world?!"
Robin's heart skipped a beat.
"Has he… done anything to prove that?"
"He killed Admiral Kizaru.
Took down Jack the Drought from the Beasts Pirates.
Crushed several top ministers from Big Mom's crew..."
"And if that's not enough—have you heard of the name 'Golden Lion'?"
Monet smiled as she listed each one calmly.
What?!
Robin's hand trembled slightly, the cup nearly slipping from her fingers.
She didn't know all those names in detail,
But words like "Admiral" and "Four Emperors" were more than enough.
If he had defeated figures of that level…
Then Whiteflame was more terrifying than she had imagined.
"I see."
Robin inhaled deeply.
At last, she understood.
Why Crocodile had backed down in front of him.
Even as a Warlord, he couldn't afford to provoke someone like Whiteflame.
That night, Robin lay beneath soft blankets, staring at the ceiling in silence.
"You're quite bold."
A cold voice broke the stillness.
Whiteflame had entered the room without her noticing.
Through the blanket, he could see her clearly—
Nico Robin was completely naked beneath it.
"Whiteflame… can you protect me?"
Robin's voice trembled, her eyes red.
"I want to fulfill my dream.
Will you… help me?"
Whiteflame didn't answer.
He merely flicked his fingers—
The blanket flew away, and he leapt toward her.
Tonight… would be a sleepless night.
Ascending to Sky Island!
Seven thousand meters above sea level lies the White Sea.
Above that, at ten thousand meters, is the White-White Sea.
This is the realm of the Sky Islands.
"We'll head up from here."
Whiteflame pressed his palm down, and the Nine Dragons stopped moving.
"Is Sky Island really up there, Whiteflame?"
Rebecca asked, her big eyes sparkling as she stared at the clouds.
"The people in the last town said it's just a legend—that it doesn't exist!"
"So I killed those fools,"
Whiteflame replied coldly.
In the previous town, he'd asked for directions to Sky Island—
But received only mockery and ridicule in return.
Just like Bellamy had once mocked Luffy's dream.
But unlike Luffy, who silently endured the punches,
Whiteflame had no patience for that kind of disrespect.
Without a word, he had sent Kuro to slaughter everyone who laughed at him.
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