【One Piece】Dawn in the Darkness

Chapter 287 The Night is Deep

Once upon a time, Robin always felt that she was destined to be lonely, and never believed that the partner that Sauro mentioned would really appear by her side. Everyone she met was greedy, cruel and selfish, and the kindness she received always concealed betrayal. So she never thought that she would have a partner, and she had to spend the rest of her miserable life alone.

But now... the crew members were desperately trying to stop Aokiji from taking her away, and were busy and worried about her injuries. This was the first time in a long time that Robin felt... maybe... someone really cared, and the first time she felt that she had really met the partner that Sauro had mentioned.

This time her partners would not let her down, and nothing was worth losing them. Looking at her partners surrounding her bed, Robin smiled gently, and a burden somewhere in her heart was relieved, as if a pressure that she herself was not aware of had disappeared.

Listening to the breathing sounds of his companions, Robin stood up with a gentle smile on his face, put on his coat, and left the cabin slowly.

The night is deep, the sea water is as black as ink, the sky is filled with stars, twinkling at their brightest and fullest. The sea in the distance reflects the starry sky, and the sky and the sea seem to be integrated into one.

Robin took in the gentle sway of the waves and the peaceful atmosphere with a satisfied smile.

……

Lucci leaned against the mast, looking at the vast starry sky twinkling in the night sky. The waves beat rhythmically against the hull, making the already quiet night even quieter. His thoughts were completely immersed in this silence, and he did not notice the faint footsteps coming from the deck until the sound of the Den Den Mushi in his hand came again.

"Hello?" Whitebeard's deep voice came from inside.

Lucci turned his attention back to the Den Den Mushi in his hand, and Marco successfully handed the Den Den Mushi over to his father.

"Dad."

"Son," Whitebeard greeted, "How has your travels been going so far?"

"Ace has found Blackbeard's location and is heading to that island."

"Where is it?" Marco's anxious voice came from inside.

"Banaro Island."

"Marco will be there as soon as possible," Whitebeard said.

"About five days," Marco added.

The sudden announcement from Dad and Marco caught Lucci off guard. "Dad, I'll handle it with Ace."

"Listen to me, Lucci, I will get there as fast as I can, but I hope you can hold Ace back before then." Marco said in a serious voice.

"Why?" Lucci tilted his head in confusion.

"Teacher may be more dangerous than we thought." Den Den Mushi paused, and finally Marco explained, "Until then, take care of yourself, Lucci."

"Click."

Lucci looked at the hung-up Den Den Mushi, his brows tightening as he wondered why his father and Marco looked so nervous. However, no matter what, he had to reunite with Ace as soon as possible.

"Banaro, it's not far from us."

Lucci put away the Den Den Mushi in his hand, stood up, and looked down at Robin who was standing on the edge of the deck with his back to him, trying to change the subject, "Are you feeling better?"

"Captain, do you know that you are about to leave?" Robin was not affected by Lucci's words. He still looked at the sea and asked softly.

Lucci did not answer Robin's question. He turned to look at the island behind them, and his thoughts returned to that day again.

“It will be very sad.”

"Parting is always difficult." Lucci turned his gaze back to the sea and said softly, then smiled and comforted, "Our separation does not mean we will never see each other again or lose contact, and don't you still have you by his side?"

"You're right." Robin turned and looked at Lucci, smiling, "But to the captain, you are different, so as a crew member, I hope you can stay as long as possible."

"Perhaps I will say goodbye to you after we reach the Seven Waters City."

"Thank you," Robin said with a smile, and at the same time used his ability to take out a blanket from the room, stretched out his arm, and handed the blanket to Lucci.

Lucci took the blanket from his arm, looked at Robin's back as he left, and smiled helplessly.

……

The boundless sea is like a shimmering blue and white canvas. The sun shines on every wave and dances with each wave. Above it, a man in a white suit vest and a blue shirt rides a bicycle straight on this picturesque sea.

"Blue! Blue!"

"Crack!"

"Kuzan!" A deep voice came from the Den Den Mushi.

"There is intelligence that the vice-captain of Whitebeard's second team appeared alone on Long Ring Island, and the Straw Hat Pirates are involved." Marshal Sengoku said in a hoarse voice, "You need to confirm the authenticity of this news."

"Alala, I know, I just fought with them." Aokiji replied.

"So the news is true." Zhan Guo sighed, "Did you also do the ice road that suddenly appeared between the two islands reported by the intelligence department?"

"Yes, that's right. I fought with the Straw Hat Pirates there." Aokiji explained. "As for the Ice Road, a ship was wrecked nearby, and another island will take in some refugees."

"Did you catch them?" Zhan Guo asked, not holding out hope.

"Oh, they ran away." Aokiji said casually.

"Forget it, just go back to the headquarters and report the situation." Zhan Guo said directly.

"Alala, maybe not. I have some other things to do." Aokiji refused, and without waiting for Sengoku on the Den Den Mushi to say anything, he hung up the Den Den Mushi.

……

Zhan Guo pinched his temples, looked at the hung up phone, and his head twitched. None of these guys obeyed his orders.

The shrill scream of the Den Den Mushi sounded again. Sengoku looked at the screaming Den Den Mushi and sighed. Sometimes he really wanted them to think he was not there, but he had to give a complete report.

"We can't let him go this time. Immediately arrange for the admiral to hunt him down!" they ordered.

Sengoku looked at the Den Den Mushi on the table in confusion. Arranging the admirals of the navy was an extreme measure and there was no need to do so. If he knew that his son died in their hands, the navy would be in big trouble and it would be very likely that they would lose an admiral and Marinford might also be destroyed.

One of the elders continued dryly, "We just need him alive."

Zhan Guo felt a chill run down his spine when he heard the last sentence. It seemed that the revolutionary army had indeed caused them great trouble.

Cap had to start to worry now, for by some strange coincidence the old man showed up.

"Hey! Sengoku!"

"boom!!"

Sengoku looked at the wall with a big hole in it and his forehead twitched. When he saw Garp walking into his office, he couldn't help but roared, "Garp!! I'm asking you for the last time, can you walk through that door normally?!"

But he didn't care at all, just walked in with his damn, annoying smile, and sat casually in his chair, eating a bag of senbei, with the crumbs scattered all over his documents.

Watching his behavior, Zhan Guo's headache got worse with every second, and he really wanted to retire immediately.