Nine Serpent Island welcomed them with warm sunlight and thick, emerald jungles, its cliffs wrapped in violet orchids swaying gently in the breeze. Even from the shore, the island radiated a distinct beauty that could only belong to the World of One Piece.
"Wow, Hancock, this really is Nine Serpent Island. It's… stunning," Nami said, unable to hide her awe.
Hancock smiled with her usual queenly confidence. "It is beautiful, isn't it? I will take all of you on a proper tour."
Rolan followed behind the four women, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. The women were walking together, chatting, their arms linked like old friends. He watched them idly, wondering how the bonds between them had strengthened so quickly after the events on Sabaody Archipelago.
He had originally been concerned about how to manage their relationships. Now their unity was so strong that he, ironically, was the one left outside the circle.
Rolan did not stay long on Sabaody. Hancock and the others were aware that lingering too long would only complicate matters for Nine Serpent Island, so their brief time there was spent shopping and enjoying a short visit to the amusement park before they rushed back to Amazon Lily.
"Oh, I almost forgot. This island hasn't opened to outsiders yet. Men are forbidden to enter," Hancock said gently.
"I'm sorry…" Bepo lowered his head immediately, apologizing with exaggerated guilt.
Law leaned against the railing of the ship, Kikoku resting on his shoulder, showing no intention of stepping off.
Rolan stepped onto the deck to follow Hancock, but her voice drifted back to him. "Rolan sama, please wait outside for a while as well."
"Nani…"
His foot froze mid-step. He genuinely wondered if he misheard her. Hancock… telling him to wait?
But she didn't seem to be joking.
He slowly retracted his foot, baffled by what his so-called "little ancestors" were planning. These women had changed too suddenly. Hancock had always been clingy to him, even to the point of wrapping herself around him like he was her anchor. Now she walked away from him without hesitation.
Rolan returned to the ship, leaning lazily against the mast, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded with disinterest.
…
"Robin, are you sure this is alright?" Hancock glanced back repeatedly as they walked. Her heart tugged painfully every time she took another step away from Rolan. She felt as though breathing became difficult the farther she was from him.
She would have preferred to stay glued to his side all day.
Nami flicked her hair and said, "Don't look back. You can't spoil men. They'll act up if you let them."
Lina nodded seriously. "Exactly. Men become trouble if you let them think they can get away with anything."
But Hancock's heartache was plainly visible.
Seeing this, Robin, who had orchestrated the suggestion, diverted the topic smoothly. "Hancock, since you invited us here, show us the scenery of Nine Serpent Island. We want to see everything."
…
"Pfft… pfft…"
Bepo tried to hold back his laughter but failed when Rolan trudged back onto the ship with a gloomy expression. The giant bear immediately slapped his paws over his mouth when Law shot him a dangerous glare.
Rolan didn't care. He simply stared at the two of them, his brows slightly raised. They weren't getting off the ship… but something else felt off too.
After a moment, it hit him.
"Didn't there used to be four of you? No… actually three people and one bear. Where are the other two?"
The expressions on Law and Bepo's faces immediately darkened.
Rolan straightened slightly, recognizing the tension.
"What happened?"
Law hesitated before slowly nodding. "It's something we'd prefer not to relive."
…
Time rewound to the battle against the Golden Lion Pirates.
A thick, unpleasant sound echoed. A tall, pale man in a strange lab coat stepped out, his feet making wet splashing noises with every movement.
Lina pinched her nose. "What's that disgusting sound supposed to be?"
The newcomer spun around proudly, revealing himself to be Indigo, scientist of the Golden Lion Pirates.
"You must be Rolan and his crew. Your Captain has already joined Golden Lion. Surrender quietly."
Robin smiled faintly. "Funny. I'm pretty sure your Captain is being beaten into the ground by ours right now."
Indigo's face darkened. "You should understand the situation. No one can defeat Lord Golden Lion!"
With a sharp motion, he drew his sword and swung it toward Robin.
A cloud of white condensed into a vine, stopping the blade two centimeters from Robin's forehead.
"Nami, was that you?" Robin asked calmly.
Nami stuck out her tongue. "Robin san, leave this guy to me."
Robin lowered her hand and stepped back with a chuckle. "Then I'll count on you."
A voice suddenly whined from the side. "Seriously? I've been standing here forever. Doesn't anyone notice me?"
Everyone turned to see Masira, dressed in his usual floral clothes and pink hat, standing beside a large rock.
Law clicked his tongue and readied Kikoku. "Is he a Golden Lion officer too?"
Lina stopped him with a raised hand. "Let me handle this… ingredient."
She burst into flames and shot forward.
Another figure approached Robin with heavy steps. A woman nearly two and a half meters tall, swinging her hips boldly.
"Are you Nico Robin? The survivor of Ohara?"
Robin's expression cooled. She disliked the casual mention of her past.
"Talking like that might get you hurt," Robin warned.
"You? A historian? What can you possibly do?"
Robin's smile grew sharper. "I don't need much strength to deal with someone who talks too much."
The woman roared and charged, beginning a fierce clash with Robin.
Law prepared to deal with the remaining soldiers, but suddenly a barrage of deadly slashes swept across the island, pulverizing the ground beneath them.
The entire island shattered into dust.
Bepo, Shakuyaku, and Pekin were thrown into the chaos.
"ROOM!"
Law expanded his operating space instantly, teleporting Bepo to safety. He reached toward Pekin and Shakuyaku, but a metallic blur flashed past his ear.
A gauntleted fighter appeared right where Law had been standing.
Law spun, eyes wide, only to see Pekin and Shakuyaku's bodies falling into the sea, blood staining the water.
…
As Law finished recounting the events, Rolan finally pieced together the situation.
Their deaths were caused by the aftermath of his battle with Golden Lion.
Rolan's jaw tightened slightly, though his expression remained cool. "So it was because of that clash… I see. My apologies. If I had known the terrain or timing would cause trouble, I would have adjusted."
Law shook his head. "Captain, this isn't on you. When the four of us sailed together, we all accepted that the sea would take us someday."
"If blame must fall anywhere… then it falls on my own weakness."
Rolan said nothing, leaning back again, eyes calm, unreadable… but listening.
_____
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