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When Liam found Robin, she was resting.
Though the duel had been more playful and theatrical than serious, Robin had still given her all against Hancock.
Aside from the support of Liam's armored stand, she relied solely on her own fighting techniques, Haki, and the abilities of her Hana Hana no Mi (Flower-Flower Fruit) to contend with Hancock.
Hancock was strong - a formidable opponent who gave Robin a clear measure of her own current abilities.
"Satisfied now?" Robin asked, casually applying Kuja herbal ointment to her arm as she gave him a sidelong glance.
"Of course! Perfectly satisfied!" Liam grinned from ear to ear. "It was a feast for the eyes..." Then he shared his proposal.
"Sounds good." Robin readily agreed. Getting out for a while and picking up some fresh books to read seemed like a pleasant idea.
However, as she considered the Snake Princess's health, a flicker of hesitation crossed her face.
"If you want to join the pirate crew on their voyage, then just go."
The Snake Princess' voice came from the doorway. Draped in her robes, she leaned lightly against the frame, her pale face softened by a gentle smile as she looked at Robin inside the room.
Their eyes met. Snake Princess gave Robin a playful wink, her voice light and teasing: "Our princess has always been a bit headstrong, hasn't she?"
"Princess?" Liam was confused for a moment. But he soon understood: the Snake Princess was probably referring to Kuja island's first ruler, the founding emperor of this matriarchal nation - Princess Lily.
The same Lily who shared the name of Robin's mother in her original homeland, the Princess of Kano Land, who had left in search of the Hana Hana no Mi.
Robin rose and walked over to the Snake Princess and gave her a gentle hug.
---
The next day, the gates of Kuja City slowly opened.
On the waterway, the two Snake figureheads at the bow of the bright red ship were brimming with energy, their heads held high as if eager to lead the pirate ship out to sea.
Kuja women lined both sides of the riverbank, cheering as they watched the pirate crew members board the great ship one by one.
Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold, accompanied by their pet snakes, climbed aboard with beaming enthusiasm. Under the watchful eye of their older sister, they proudly joined the Kuja Pirates- a dream they had long awaited.
Once aboard, the pirate crew looked down to see their tall, beautiful leader standing on the riverbank, talking to the Snake Princess, who had come to bid them farewell in person.
In truth, the Snake Princess didn't have much to say.
They were pirates, after all, and bound by few rules. Originating from the Calm Belt, their actions had always been unrestrained. Beware of Marines? Avoid unnecessary conflicts?
That was nonsense. It was the Marines who should fear the Kuja warriors, and other ships should think twice before provoking them.
The Snake Princess was well aware of Hancock's strength and the formidable power of her Medusa Mythical Zoan. Few in the outer seas could match her, and those who could stood on the second half of the Grand Line, the New World, far beyond their immediate reach.
As for food, medical care, and daily life on board, the ship was equipped with professionals to handle all these matters. Navigation? That was hardly a concern. With two sentient Snakes pulling the ship, even the rudder was rarely needed.
When it came down to it, the Snake Princess had only one real concern:
"...While a little mischief is not a problem, make sure they keep it in moderation and don't get sick. Also," She paused, "If anyone wants to stay out at sea and live there, it's up to you to stop them. But under no circumstances are men to be brought back to the ship, the island, or the city."
Hancock's flawless face flushed slightly. Despite her attempt to maintain a dignified demeanor, she listened in silence, nodding occasionally.
"You nod like you understand... but how much of this did you actually take in?"
Once everyone aboard the ship was accounted for, the Snake Princess waved to the others, sending them off amidst the lively crowd.
On deck, Liam casually asked Hancock, "So how much of that advice did you actually get?"
At first he tried to lean against the ship's railing, but after a moment of awkward fumbling, he realized that his height made the position uncomfortable. Sighing, he decided to sit cross-legged on the deck instead.
Hancock glanced at him, her expression calm and indifferent. With a slight tilt of her chin, she turned and walked away without a word.
Surrounded by her fellow warriors, Hancock began asking and answering questions as they quickly disappeared into the ship's interior.
"Did she just blush?" Liam grinned at Robin.
Robin chuckled softly and shook her head without a word.
The two giant snakes began pulling the Kuja Pirates' red houseboat, slowly leading it away from the Amazon Lily Island.
---
"Princess," A Kuja pirate warrior approached respectfully, "Would you like me to take you to your cabin? It's right next to Lady Hancock's quarters."
Hancock's room aboard the ship was, of course, the same cabin that had once belonged to the Snake Princess.
"Alright, thank you," Robin nodded in agreement, but before she followed, she looked back at Liam.
The warrior added, "As for Giorno's room..."
Robin tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, coughed lightly, and said, "There's no need to make separate arrangements."
Hearing this, the warrior in front of her, along with several other women on the deck who seemed to be casually observing but were clearly eavesdropping, all wore subtle expressions of disappointment.
"What a shame," They muttered to each other.
Although the Kuja pirate ship was spacious, it wasn't big enough for everyone to have their own room. Aside from Hancock and Princess Jolyne, the rest of the crew shared rooms in groups of four, five, or even seven to eight per cabin.
Liam followed Robin into the cabin without objection, and the women on deck exchanged glances before sighing regretfully.
---
After a quick look around the shared cabin, Robin and Liam found themselves with little to do. So they decided to pay Hancock a visit next door.
As they entered the hallway, several female warriors emerged from the Snake Princess's quarters. They greeted Robin with a respectful bow and gave Liam mischievous smiles, even a playful wink, before giggling and walking away.
Liam and Robin had grown accustomed to such behavior and paid no attention, chatting casually as they lifted the curtain to enter.
Inside the spacious room, Hancock sat in the Snake Princess's large chair, poring over a map. On either side of her, Sandersonia and Marigold stood at attention, but when they saw Giorno and Princess Jolyne, they relaxed.
"No need to be so dramatic," Liam commented, raising an eyebrow. "Are they playing bodyguards for you on this trip?"
"Bodyguards?" Hancock looked confused, then shook his head dismissively. "They're just fooling around... Oh, by the way, we're going to the South Blue this time, not the Grand Line. Just a heads-up."
Robin seemed slightly surprised, while Liam rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "South Blue, huh…"
The two moved to get a better look at the map on the table, but Hancock frowned, her displeasure evident as though her authority was being challenged.
"Move over," Liam said nonchalantly, plopping down in a chair and nudging Hancock aside. "Why are you taking up so much space?"
Hancock bit her lip, glaring at him irritably.
Robin, meanwhile, had an inexplicable smile playing on her lips. Hancock seemed flustered under her gaze and quickly rolled up the map. "I'm tired. You two…"
Robin didn't wait for her to finish. With a glance at Sandersonia and Marigold, she gestured toward the door.
The two younger Boa sisters hesitated before catching on, giving an "Oh" in unison and leaving the room to patrol the deck.
Hancock straightened her posture, sitting primly as if bracing herself. "You're going to… ahem!"
Liam was utterly confused, his face full of question marks, but then he noticed Robin raising her hand. Petals began to materialize near the doorway, forming two flower clones that shut the door securely behind them.
(End Of The Chapter)