"Ugh."
Moses rubbed his forehead and looked out the window, only to see a giant face looming right before his eyes.
At that moment, Garp's sinister chuckle echoed:
"Not bad, kid. You knocked out half my crew again with that stunt."
"Why don't you come out so I can get a proper look at you?"
Moses calmly walked to the window, drew the curtains, and lit the Honey Wax in the chandelier.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Immediately, the castle interior became invisible through Crow Dabao's feathers. Garp pursed his lips and casually tossed the bird onto the nearby sofa, muttering to himself:
"That brat needs some discipline. But it was actually that Spirit Body girl who released the Conqueror's Haki."
"Does she have that kind of potential too?"
Unable to make sense of it, Garp soon grew bored and left the room.
Moses sat cross-legged on Perona's bed, munching on rice crackers while watching the pouting girl sit up from the mattress.
"Why the long face?"
"I think I messed up again."
"But who knew they'd be so weak? They couldn't even handle a little girl's Conqueror's Haki."
Perona mumbled awkwardly, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Moses: "..."
He felt mentally exhausted.
But he could only offer a brief explanation.
"Physical strength doesn't equate to spiritual resilience. Do you think everyone's as lucky as you? Getting a Devil Fruit that directly affects Spirit Bodies right off the bat?"
"But Moses, you weren't affected at all! They really are weaklings, can't even compare to a little kid."
Thunk!
He knocked her forehead with his fist.
"Oww!"
"What right does someone who got lucky have to criticize others? Without your fruit, you couldn't even beat Crow Dabao."
Perona immediately bristled, muttering under her breath: "I can't beat a bird? Why don't you check outside? Who's the one lying on the sofa out there?"
Moses couldn't be bothered to respond.
Lying down and closing his eyes, he had a feeling that going outside now would mean getting disciplined by Garp.
The mental exhaustion was real.
Seeing Moses give up, Perona also turned moody. She flopped down, turned her back, and pretended to sleep.
...
Rustling sounds woke Moses!
Rubbing his eyes, he sat up to see Nico Robin tiptoeing toward the exit.
"You're awake?"
She froze, turning to look silently at Moses, lips pressed tightly together.
"I know who you are."
Her body trembled.
Nico Robin took an involuntary step back. "You've mistaken me for someone else."
"Your makeup's smeared, and the tissue stuffed in your nose is showing."
Nico Robin's pupils constricted in fear, but she didn't move. She knew the tissue in her nostrils wasn't visible.
Was this boy bluffing?
No, he must have figured it out.
But his face seemed familiar.
That little boy eating grilled meat who'd helped her at the alleyway before.
Moses got out of bed without another word to her. He went to the window, drew back the curtain to see the sky and hear the crashing waves outside.
"Dabao?"
He called softly.
The ceiling rippled as Crow Dabao's form materialized from it.
Flapping its wings,
it landed on Moses' shoulder.
"Caw, what's up?"
Crow Dabao's tone was a bit off, carrying a hint of frustration.
"What's wrong? Got a problem with something?"
Hearing this, Crow Dabao immediately started cursing, his beak spewing profanities as one wing pointed accusingly at Perona, looking as if he wanted nothing more than to drop a load right on her head.
How many times had he been knocked out these past few days?
Moses sighed and reached out to ruffle the bird's head, his tone oddly amused.
"Get used to it. Habit is a creature's greatest weapon. Once you're used to it, you'll develop resistance to Conqueror's Haki."
The bird's head drooped instantly, his voice hoarse as he croaked, "How many times?"
"A hundred or two, maybe?"
"Squawk? How many?"
"Well, if we hit you with it once every night before bed, over time your mental resilience against Conqueror's Haki should improve."
Nico Robin watched quietly as the man and the bird conversed in terms she didn't understand.
Conqueror's Haki? What was that?
She didn't interrupt.
But her mind was racing.
Her gaze swept over the room's layout—she hadn't been awake for long.
The last thing she remembered was walking down the street when her emotions suddenly plummeted into overwhelming despair, as if death would be preferable.
Then, in a dizzying whirl, she found herself here.
Before she could even process her surroundings, she heard strange laughter, then felt something pierce through her chest—her mind went blank, and consciousness slipped away.
Now, taking stock, she realized she was inside a room.
No telling where outside was.
But through the window, she could see the sunset and hear the sound of waves, so they were likely at sea.
Yet there was no gentle rocking—this didn't feel like a ship.
The floor beneath her had the texture of stone when she touched it earlier.
"By the way, is dinner ready?"
Moses' stomach growled as he asked Crow Dabao, who bobbed his head and squawked:
"Ready, ready! Sea king steak, bone broth with rice. Delicious."
Moses grinned.
Glancing at Perona, who was sleeping like a log, he walked over, grabbed her ankles, and shook her like a bedsheet.
"AAAHHH!!!"
Jolted awake, Perona stared at Moses in panic before her face darkened. Her Spirit Body emerged from her form, swiping at him with a slap.
"Conqueror Spirit!"
A smug-looking Hollow Doll came clawing toward Moses' face.
He ignored it.
A faint pressure pulsed against his consciousness.
Releasing her ankles, Moses flicked black-red sparks between his fingers before pressing his palm against her Spirit Body, forcing it back into her physical form.
The next second, Perona shot upright, baring her teeth as she lunged at Moses, arms outstretched to bite him.
He simply pressed a hand to her forehead and pushed her back down—right where she came from.
Perona rolled around on the bed, grumbling under her breath in frustration.
Moses chuckled. "Dinner's ready. Sea king steak, rice, and bone broth. Wanna eat?"
"Eat!"
Grinding her teeth, she wriggled off the bed and slipped into her little black shoes.
Glaring at Crow Dabao, she tilted her chin up. "Stupid bird, take me and Moses outside."
Crow Dabao squawked indignantly. "You—you ghost brat! Who do you think you're ordering around?"
Then he activated his ability. Ripples appeared on the window, and the same phenomenon occurred on Moses and Perona's bodies.
The two vanished from sight.
Nico Robin watched this scene with a mix of envy and bewilderment, only to realize she was still here.
Huh?
Was I completely ignored?
Crow Dabao tilted its head, studying her curiously.
...
Navy Ship Cafeteria.
Moses and Perona arrived here.
As soon as they entered, they encountered a group of six young boys.
Will's eyes lit up when he saw Moses and Perona walking together. "Hey, thanks for what happened earlier."
Moses smiled and nodded, casually patting his arm.
"It was a transaction."
Perona asked curiously, "Moses? What kind of transaction?"
Hearing this, Will's face turned slightly red with embarrassment. Moses noticed and gave a mischievous grin:
"Nothing much. Anyway, you didn't lose out."
Something wrong?
Perona recalled her first encounter with Moses that day—ah, right. It was these little thieves who told Moses her location.
Her expression turned odd, and she glared at them fiercely. Clutching Moses' arm, a Spirit Body arm suddenly emerged from her palm.
"Negative Spirit."
Four Hollow Dolls darted back and forth among them, passing through their chests one after another.
The Spirit Body retracted.
Covering her mouth, she laughed gleefully, "Hahaha, serves you right! Who told you to go around snitching?"
With that, she tugged Moses' arm and headed toward the food counter.
Leaving the group of young boys and girls kneeling on the ground, muttering socially humiliating phrases.
Moses glanced back and saw the entire cafeteria full of navy soldiers staring at them with strange expressions.
"Of all people to offend, you had to pick the petty Peipei. Tough luck!"
Moses grabbed two portions of food and walked over to a dining table, handing one to Crow Dabao.
"Mei, I've already eaten."
"Yeah, I know. Take this to the one in the castle. She hasn't eaten yet."
"Caw!"
Ripples formed over Crow Dabao's body, and the plate of food was sent back to Perona's room.
Nico Robin stared blankly at the steaming hot meal that suddenly appeared on the floor before her as ripples shimmered.
At that moment, Crow Dabao landed on Perona's bed, its sharp eyes fixed on her:
"Mei sent this for you. Good food. Eat while it's hot."
Robin hesitated, unsure what this meant, but soon stopped overthinking it. She was hungry—better eat first.
Picking up the plate, she sat on the nearby sofa, taking small bites with a knife and fork.
Navy Ship Cafeteria.
After the meal.
Moses went to the top deck of the ship.
Leaning against the railing.
He watched the orange-red sun sink into the sea, painting the entire ocean in fiery hues.
The sea looked like it was burning.
Looking up, a faint black dot hovered high in the sky—Crow Dabao, flying at an unknown altitude.
"Ara ara, didn't expect you to be so leisurely. Haven't seen you all afternoon."
Kuzan walked over.
Leaning beside Moses, he scratched his head with a troubled expression:
"The sunset is beautiful!"
"Cut the nonsense." Moses said flatly. "Just say what you want to say. No need to beat around the bush."
Kuzan took a deep breath, tilting his head to look at Moses, his gaze turning somewhat profound.
"Nico Robin is with you?"
"Yeah, she's here."
A bit surprised by Moses's directness, Kuzan silently studied him.
Moses nodded, turning to meet his gaze with a calm expression. It was impossible to tell what Kuzan was thinking or what he meant by his question, but—
"Do you want her? Are you going to arrest her? If you do, I can hand her over to you."
Kuzan averted his eyes, and the atmosphere between them grew heavy. After a brief silence, Kuzan frowned, irritation creeping into his voice.
"I didn't oppose you saving her, but I never said you should keep her with you! Do you have any idea how troublesome her identity is? If others find out you're hiding her, your life—no, not just yours, even old man Garp's—will be turned upside down!"
"Are you serious?" Moses stared at him steadily. "She's right here. If you want her, I don't have the power to stop you. You have the chance. So, are you going to do it?"
Kuzan scratched his head in frustration before glaring at Moses. "Kid, you really think I wouldn't dare?"
"Wouldn't dare?" Moses chuckled. "Or wouldn't want to?"
He held Kuzan's gaze without flinching.
After a long moment, Kuzan raised his fist and swung at Moses's head—slowly, deliberately, giving Moses more than enough time to dodge.
But Moses didn't move.
This, too, was a test.
In the end, Kuzan's fist stopped just short of Moses's forehead, trembling slightly. His lips twitched with suppressed anger.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
"You don't have killing intent," Moses grinned. "Besides, you're way stronger than me right now. Dodging wouldn't change anything."
"And most importantly—on this ship, I'm untouchable. Grandpa won't let me die. At worst, I'll just get beaten up. And you… you wouldn't kill me anyway. There's no irreconcilable conflict between us."
Moses had his own doubts, but at least on this ship, Kuzan wouldn't act.
Still, this matter had to be settled here and now.
He needed to know—what exactly was Kuzan thinking?
A wisp of cold air escaped Kuzan's lips as he shook his head in resignation. "You're really an annoying brat, you know that? Fine. What's your plan for that girl? Hiding her is no small crime. Are you prepared to make an enemy of the world?"
Moses smirked. "How about this—after we cross Reverse Mountain, we dump her somewhere? What do you think of the Grand Line?"
"You want to make her life even harder? Pouring oil on the fire, huh?"
"Then how about you drop her off in East Blue after we pass Reverse Mountain? Not many people there would recognize her, right?"
Kuzan's eye twitched.
It wasn't a bad idea, all things considered.
But after some thought—
"Ugh, forget it. Too much trouble. Do whatever you want. But if she ever gets exposed, I'll be the first one coming for her."
"Coming to save her?"
Moses raised an eyebrow.
Kuzan's fist collided with Moses's skull.
"Gah—!"
Moses clutched his head, hissing through his teeth. "You're mad. Look at you, getting worked up again."
Kuzan: "..."
At that moment, Crow Dabao descended from the sky, his sharp claws gripping the railing and leaving two deep grooves.
Moses suddenly laughed and said, "Since you don't object to me being her temporary guardian, why don't you come inside with me to handle the handover?"
As he spoke, Moses looked at Crow Dabao and grinned, "Take us inside to meet the newcomer."
Crow Dabao nodded, and a ripple appeared on his surface. Moses and Kuzan shrank in size and entered the Castle
Space.
Their vision shifted.
Moses glanced at Kuzan, who had entered with him, noting his sour expression, and smirked. "Stubborn as a mule."
Then, spotting Nico Robin—now washed clean of her ugly makeup—sitting on the sofa while being bombarded with questions by Perona, Moses chuckled and called out:
"Look who's here? Your guardian has arrived, Nico Robin."