Shadow Island, inside the dark castle hall.
"Public enemy number one of the World Government, the Demon King Organization. Why did you bring me here?" Robin asked cautiously, her eyes warily studying Shakky, who sat on a sofa, smoking a slim cigarette.
Unlike the mature, sophisticated woman she would later become, the 21-year-old Shakky before Robin had a much fresher, youthful appearance.
After Crocodile was ousted from Alabasta, Robin hadn't joined Baroque Works, so her skin retained a fair, rosy hue, untouched by the harsh sun.
The situation unfolded like this: just as Robin was once again hiding out on a pirate ship, waiting for someone who would accept her as Saul had promised, the Demon King Organization's pet cat and its underlings appeared, swiftly eliminating the bloodthirsty pirates and whisking her away from the first half of the Grand Line to the New World!
Although she fiercely resisted, desperate to survive, the gap in their strength was insurmountable, and escape was impossible!
Now, filled with intense unease and deep fear, Robin had arrived at the stronghold of the Demon King Organization.
"I've heard your story. Relax, young lady, there's no need to be so tense. We mean you no harm," Shakky said, exhaling a ring of smoke with a calm smile.
As the unofficial "know-it-all" of the pirate world, Shakky was well aware of the "Demon Child" and the sole survivor of the Ohara incident, one of the few left in the world who could read the ancient script.
Having heard from Zyhark about Robin's struggles and suffering, Shakky understood the girl better, wanting to extend greater kindness.
Hearing this, Robin fell into contemplation, though her wariness did not waver.
Though she sensed no ill will from Shakky, and despite the Demon King Organization's status as the World Government's greatest enemy, she found it hard to trust a stranger after so many betrayals.
"Oh dear, what's there to be afraid of?" Aqua chirped in, pulling out a membership form and handing it to Robin. "Just sign here and join the Axis Church as a faithful follower, and we'll be family! And no one messes with family!"
Seeing Robin's anxiety, the ditzy goddess couldn't help but push her recruitment drive.
"Family…"
The word, distant to Robin, stirred a wave of emotions.
She'd heard plenty about the Axis Church during her time on the seas—stories of its dangerous members with a twisted mental state. From elderly grandmothers to young children, the church was infamous for its extreme methods of persuasion, seeming more like pirates than the pirates themselves!
But Robin had to admit, Axis Church members were incredibly loyal to their own, to the point she wondered if they'd all been brainwashed by their goddess.
"Better not," Darkness, a native of Aqua's world, advised seriously. "Joining the Axis Church can seriously mess with your head."
"Damn it, Darkness! Being in the church is better than being a public masochist who enjoys being humiliated and beaten in front of others!" Aqua snapped.
"Oh…such shameful insults," Darkness murmured, face flushed, clearly satisfied.
Aqua's eye twitched.
"Yahohoho! Before that, allow me to repeat what I didn't get to say before!"
In a flash, Brook appeared before Robin, his hollow eye sockets giving off a peculiar intensity. "Beautiful lady, please tell me—what color is your underwear?"
"You're a pervert too, meow!" Meowth groaned, covering its face in resignation.
"There's nothing cool about being an Axis Church follower. Sister, you should become one of my fans instead!" Uta, catching the lively atmosphere, chimed in.
"And who might you be?" Robin asked, looking at the girl with the distinctive two-toned hair in surprise.
Uta raised her head proudly, puffing her slowly developing chest. "I'm destined to be the world's greatest singer!"
Bonk!
Just as she finished speaking, a fist landed on her head.
Aqua, having freed herself from Darkness's grip, tightened her fist, annoyed at having her recruitment interrupted.
"Aqua! What do you think you're doing?" Uta turned, holding her head, baring her teeth in protest.
"Teaching an unruly kid a lesson, of course!"
"Stupid goddess! Uta's not a kid!"
"Annoying brat, who are you calling stupid? You're the real idiot—head to toe!"
Robin, watching the two bickering like children, then glancing at the others with their eccentric behavior, held back her laughter. Finally, she couldn't resist covering her mouth and letting out a chuckle.
The supposedly terrifying Demon King Organization seemed more like…
A playground for toddlers and a club for the insane!
With her quirky companions easing the atmosphere, Robin finally began to let her guard down, feeling less tense and anxious.
…
As dusk approached, Zyhark's main force successfully returned to Shadow Island.
Naturally, Yamato followed along.
Seeing Wano's tragic state and realizing how foolishly Kozuki Oden had trusted pirates instead of rebelling, Yamato had grown disillusioned with her former "hero," even feeling a sense of disdain.
In contrast, seeing Zyhark defend the people of the Land of Gods from the World Government, she admired him even more!
Zyhark, of course, welcomed her wholeheartedly as a powerful ally akin to a Yonko's strength.
After all, Yamato's true nature was quite kind-hearted, and if not for Oden's fanboy diary warping her perspective, she wouldn't have been saddled with the label of a "filial fool."
Besides, her father Kaido's extreme methods of "education" hadn't helped either.
Following a brief introduction and bonding session, the Demon King Organization threw a grand feast on Shadow Island to welcome new allies Robin and Yamato.
The next day, news of the Wano battle hit the newspapers, causing a global sensation.
Since the news agencies were controlled by the World Government, the articles naturally spun the story to highlight the Navy's strength, claiming the Admirals had driven away the Demon King Organization and promising to eradicate this threat to the world.
The Demon King Organization paid this manipulative spin no mind, entirely unaffected.
Early that morning, filled with excitement and anticipation, Robin began decoding the ancient texts on the four Poneglyph rubbings Zyhark provided.
Setting aside her lingering doubts about the Demon King Organization, uncovering the truth of the Blank Century was her lifelong dream!
Apart from the two inebriated goddesses, everyone else focused on their training, restoring their strength in preparation for the ultimate battle against the World Government!
Using this downtime, Zyhark took a deep-sea route to evade the World Government's surveillance, quietly departing from Shadow Island.
(End of Chapter)