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"Allen, you're back!"
As soon as Allen landed on the deck, he felt two warm figures rush into his arms, hugging him tightly.
Nami and Nojiko had been waiting anxiously since they boarded the ship. Now that he was back, they nervously checked him over for injuries. Finding none, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Even though they knew Allen was incredibly strong, his opponent had been the legendary Marine hero, Vice Admiral Garp!
"You... you're okay? Vice Admiral Garp just let you go?"
Robin, sitting under a parasol in the distance, looked at Allen in surprise. In her imagination, even if Allen had returned, he would have likely come back battered and fleeing for his life. But here he was, completely unscathed, as if nothing had happened.
Allen gave Robin a deadpan look.
"What do you mean, 'he let me go'? I beat him so hard he couldn't get up, and then I walked back with my head held high, okay?"
"Robin, as a historian, don't you know what happened in the Valley of the Gods more than 30 years ago?"
Allen's eyes sparkled with curiosity. While he was sure the World Government had covered up the fact that he'd slaughtered Celestial Dragons, Robin, with her Ohara background and role as the crew's historian, might have some knowledge of the event.
"Are you talking about the battle where Vice Admiral Garp became a Marine hero? I only know that he defeated Rocks, the great pirate who wanted to overthrow the world at the time."
After a moment of thought, Robin answered uncertainly.
"Tsk... The World Government really has no shame, glorifying itself like that."
Hearing Robin's words, Allen curled his lip in disdain.
"During the Battle of God Valley, Garp, Roger, Sengoku, Rocks, Whitebeard, Shiki, and Linlin all ganged up on one person—the 'Subversive' Allen."
"The 'Subversive'... Allen? Same name as you? Could it be that you're part of some legacy or family line?"
Robin stared at Allen in surprise. As a historian, she had an insatiable curiosity for hidden histories like this.
"Family?"
Allen met Robin's gaze, utterly speechless. What was this woman thinking? How had she jumped to the idea of a family legacy?
He hadn't considered that, compared to the fact that his appearance and body hadn't aged in over 30 years, a family inheritance might seem easier to accept!
"Is it possible that I am the 'Subversive' Allen from back then? That's why that old man Garp couldn't beat me!"
Even if he'd used a sneaky trick to injure Garp, Nami and the others didn't need to know that. It was fine to show off a little in front of his women!
"You're... the 'Subversive' Allen?"
Robin was so shocked that she didn't even notice the book slipping from her hand and falling onto the deck.
Of the people Allen had just mentioned, Nami and Nojiko might only recognize the Pirate King Roger. But as a historian who had traveled the first half of the Grand Line, Robin knew exactly how terrifying those figures were!
No wonder Allen looked down on Crocodile. Even one of them, Whitebeard, had been enough to send Crocodile fleeing from the New World to Paradise to lick his wounds.
Nami and Nojiko also widened their eyes, momentarily at a loss.
"Al... Allen, you were on the seas more than 30 years ago?"
Seeing Nami's expression, Allen nodded proudly. If you had the ability, why not show off a little? Wasn't that the whole point?
"Yes, back then I—"
"How old are you?"
Allen, who had been about to elaborate on his legendary status, froze and turned to look at Nami in confusion.
"What did you say?"
"I said—how old are you?"
Nami blinked her big eyes innocently, though the corners of her mouth twitched as she tried to suppress a smile.
Nojiko, fully aware of her sister's teasing, didn't say a word. She simply turned away, covering her mouth to hide her laughter.
"Alright, little Nami, it seems you still don't know who's in charge of this ship. Let me show you just how 'old' I am! Robin, go raise the sails. We're setting off!"
With that, Allen scooped Nami up by the waist and carried her toward the cabin.
"Robin, I'll help you with the anchor!"
Noticing Allen's gaze lingering on her, Nojiko quickly dodged away from him and Nami, rushing to Robin's side.
Whoever caused the trouble should deal with it—she was no fool!
Robin, no stranger to the ways of the world, knew exactly what Allen and Nami were about to do. She smiled awkwardly and began working with Nojiko to prepare the ship.
Though raising the anchor and setting the sails were mundane tasks, she performed them diligently.
At least the captain she'd aligned herself with this time was truly capable of protecting her. After all, even Vice Admiral Garp hadn't been able to touch him!
The ship slowly set sail, carried by the ocean currents and sea breeze. Nojiko headed to the galley to prepare food, while Robin sat under the sun umbrella on the deck, trying to focus on her book. But her expression was far from calm.
Despite having experienced countless betrayals and storms at sea, this was the first time she'd encountered something like this.
In broad daylight, the sounds coming from the cabin were impossible to ignore. For a full hour, she'd been too distracted to concentrate on her reading.
Is this kind of thing really that enjoyable?
"Nojiko, bring me the bag on the deck!"
"Wait a minute, I'm still cooking!"
Allen's voice called from the cabin, but Nojiko was busy in the kitchen and couldn't step away.
"I'll get it!"
Robin, still on the deck, picked up the bag. She'd only just joined the crew, so she wanted to prove her usefulness and ensure the captain would continue to protect her.
But as she stood up, a blush spread across her face.
Ahem.
"Captain, I've brought the bag for you."
Robin knocked on the cabin door. Allen didn't bother hiding anything, opening the door just enough to take the bag before quickly closing it again.
That was... awkward.
"It's fine, you'll get used to it. Allen can be a bit... excessive at times like this, but he's reliable the rest of the time."
Nojiko stood at the kitchen doorway, smiling at Robin, who nodded with a strained laugh.
On this ship, safety was guaranteed. But whether she could keep her dignity intact? That was another question entirely.
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