She donned her cloak again and quickly disappeared into the darkness of the docks, like a drop of water merging into the sea.
The next night was moonless.
Seraphilia arrived at the end of the pier on time, carrying Robin on her back.
The ship was more dilapidated than imagined, like a rotting fish skeleton.
Several sailors at the bow stared at them with eyes like wolves.
Old Ghost stood by the gangplank and waved impatiently.
Seraphilia stepped onto the swaying gangplank with Robin on her back.
Robin buried her face in Seraphilia's shoulder and neck, her body trembling from weakness and tension, but she tried hard to control it.
Seraphilia could feel Robin's uninjured hand clutching her clothes tightly.
"Lower deck, at the very back," Old Ghost warned in a low voice.
Seraphilia nodded and carried her down the steep ladder.
The air in the lower deck was foul, with the smells of mildew, salted fish, and tobacco twisted together, nearly suffocating.
Their compartment was at the deepest part, so small it barely allowed two people to curl up.
Seraphilia set Robin down, letting her lean against the hull, and then closed the creaking door.
Shortly after, the ship's hull jolted.
The moorings were cast off, and the sails were raised.
This ark of sin slowly sailed into the pitch-black night sea.
For the first few hours, the two shared the last of their dry rations and water in silence.
"Does the wound still hurt?" Seraphilia asked quietly.
Robin shook her head at first, then nodded, her voice as light as a sigh: "A little."
Seraphilia took out the last of the herbal powder, preparing to change her bandage.
This time, Robin didn't stare at her movements.
She turned her head slightly, closed her eyes, and offered her arm.
This was a signal.
She was trying to believe in the act itself.
While bandaging, the ship suddenly lurched violently, hitting a large wave.
Robin's body tilted, and Seraphilia instinctively reached out to steady her shoulder.
"It's okay," Seraphilia reassured her in a low voice, "we've entered the open sea; the wind and waves will get stronger."
Robin leaned against the arm supporting her and didn't move.
It was very dark in the compartment, and the two were very close, able to hear each other's breathing.
"Seraphilia."
Robin suddenly spoke, her voice as soft as a whisper.
"Hmm?"
"Do you... really know that Black Iron Town has clues to the poneglyph?"
This was the first time she had called out that name.
Seraphilia was silent for a moment.
She couldn't lie.
"I know it's one of the convergence points for underground information in the West Blue. Archeologists, grave robbers, artifact smugglers... they all trade there. Whether there are direct clues, I don't know."
She paused, her voice becoming clearer.
"But it's a place where there 'might' be clues. The probability is higher than us scurrying around everywhere like rats."
This answer was very honest.
So honest that it actually made Robin feel relieved.
False hope is more hurtful than no hope at all.
"Why do you... want to find the poneglyph?" Robin asked again.
The fingers Seraphilia used to adjust the bandage paused for half a second.
"I want to know the truth of the 'Void Century'."
She chose an answer that was grand, yet also absolutely true.
"What kind of history is it that the World Government would go so far as to destroy an island to cover up? The 'truth' behind it is worth anyone pursuing."
This reason could resonate with any survivor of Ohara in the world.
Robin didn't ask further.
The ship tossed in the dark night, sailing toward the unknown.
In this filthy and narrow lower deck, two girls hunted by the world formed an alliance for a common goal.
Trust was still fragile.
But a thread called "common direction" had already tied them gently together.
Early on the third day, before dawn.
A crisis tore through the silence of the sea.
Outside the lower deck, there was a sudden explosion of shouting, running, and the loud clashing of weapons!
"It's pirates!"
"It's the 'Blood Fin' crew! They're pulling alongside!"
"Prepare for boarding!"
The smuggling ship had encountered pirates!
Seraphilia's eyes snapped open, her ice-blue pupils glowing terrifyingly in the dark.
She immediately shook Robin awake, putting her index finger to her lips.
Silence.
Robin's body tensed instantly as fear seized her.
The sounds of battle outside escalated rapidly—screams, the sound of wood splintering, and the roar of flintlocks merged together.
This broken ship was no match at all.
The pirates had already boarded!
Heavy footsteps were rushing toward the lower deck!
"Search! Drag out everything valuable and all the people!"
Seraphilia's mind raced.
Hide? That was a dead end.
Fight? Two girls, one injured.
Jump overboard? In the vast ocean, Robin's wound would fester immediately, and for two fruit users, jumping into the sea was an act of suicide.
"Bang!"
The thin wooden door of the compartment was kicked open!
A burly pirate with a face full of scars, holding a cutlass, appeared at the door with a sneer.
"Heh, two little girls! What luck!"
He reached out to grab Robin, who was closer to the door!
Now!
Seraphilia lunged forward, shielding Robin completely behind her, and made a grabbing motion toward the pirate's face!
"Cloud Haze: Obscuring Mist!"
A large mass of thick, damp, and cold white Cloud Mist suddenly erupted at the door, completely swallowing the pirate's head!
The Cloud Mist not only obscured his vision but also carried irritating moisture that made the pirate's eyes sting and his breathing difficult!
"Close your eyes!"
Seraphilia barked, taking the opportunity to grab Robin's hand and yank her through the gap beside the pirate!
"Cough! What the hell is this!" The pirate swung his sword wildly in the Cloud Mist.
The passage in the lower deck was already in chaos.
"Run to the cargo hold!" Seraphilia pulled Robin, rushing toward the depths of the lower deck from memory.
After running just a few steps, another pirate charged out from the side, raising a flintlock!
The barrel was pointed right at them!
Seraphilia's pupils shrank.
At that moment, a flash of resolve appeared in Robin's pale blue eyes behind her.
She raised her uninjured right hand and pressed it toward the floor at the pirate's feet.
"Six Flower Bloom: Twining!"
Six arms suddenly grew out of thin air from the wooden planks under the pirate's feet!
The arms were like living vines, lightning-fast as they wrapped around both his ankles and yanked them apart!
"Agh!"
The pirate screamed as he lost his balance and fell forward, his flintlock flying out of his hand!
Seraphilia didn't hesitate for a second, pulling Robin past him and diving into the shadows of the cargo hold filled with wooden crates.
The two hid behind a huge wooden crate, panting heavily.
This was their first time working together.
Seraphilia's control, Robin's restraint.
Simple, yet it had created a chance for survival in a life-or-death moment.
In the darkness, Seraphilia looked at Robin.
Robin's face was deathly pale, her forehead covered in cold sweat, but her eyes were strikingly bright.
There was fear and lingering dread in them, but also a hint of... strange excitement.
Seraphilia nodded to her.
In those ice-blue eyes was clear affirmation and praise.
Robin met her gaze and also nodded.
No words were needed.
Standing side-by-side on the edge of life and death was better than a thousand words.
A tacit understanding based on real combat quietly took root in the shadows of the cargo hold.
The sounds of battle outside gradually died down, replaced by the wild laughter of pirates looting valuables.
The ship had been captured.
But they knew they were safe for the time being.
Seraphilia He gripped Robin's hand tightly..
She felt the other's cold fingers gently squeeze back.
In this darkness filled with blood and plunder, the two girls' hands were tightly held together.
Their flight had officially moved from the land into the even more treacherous sea.
And Black Iron Town in the West Blue was still far ahead.