After the Angel docked.
Above the deck—
Robin looked at the icy environment.
She opened her mouth and said:
"Shanks actually set up his long-term strongholds here! What a surprise! I thought he would be more impulsive and set up his strongholds on some spring islands!"
Hearing Robin's words, Rob couldn't help but smile:
"The hegemony war has come to an end for some years! In the current New World, there aren't many places left for the big pirates as long-term strongholds, allowing them to come and go freely.
"Although Shanks is very powerful, compared to the Whitebeard Pirates, Beasts Pirates, and Big Mom Pirates, these three large forces from the old era who broke away from the Rocks Pirates, he is still too weak.
"I estimate that Shanks will choose to leave the New World and go to other sea areas for a while. After accumulating strength for a period, he will return to the New World and start his road to hegemony!"
Speaking of which, Rob adjusted the coat on his body, and the Shinto was hung on his waist.
He said calmly:
"Come on! Let's go see Shanks. Maybe one day—we won't be friends anymore!"
The voice fell.
Rob already jumped from the Angel, landed on the snow on the Spring Island, and walked towards the it, with Robin, Uta, and Makino following behind him!
Not long after, the four of them walked through the snow and came to the gate of a simple snow camp.
Wearing a straw hat on his head, a cotton-padded jacket, and three scars above the position of his left eye, with a beard on his face, Shanks stood there. He had matured a lot and already had the appearance of a future "Emperor."
He is now twenty-seven years old. Shanks was there, waiting.
These years, while Rob was wandering around the world, the world had not been stagnant. Shanks also experienced various battles in the New World. Among his opponents, not only was there Hawkeye, who couldn't find a suitable opponent, but also the Whitebeard Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, and the Big Mom Pirates!
And the one who left the deepest impression on Shanks was the Whitebeard Pirates, who caused him a lot of damage and even almost blinded him in one eye—Marshall D.Teach, an ordinary member of the 2nd Division.
Shanks saw Rob coming.
Shanks took off the straw hat on his head, a smile on his face:
"It's been a long time! Rob, it's really a pleasure to see you as energetic as ever!"
After hearing what Shanks said, Rob also had a generous smile on his face, focusing on the scar above Shanks' left eye. He opened his mouth and said:
"With your strength, someone can leave a scar on your left eye. Seems to be a powerful enemy that cannot be underestimated! Who is that person? I am very curious!"
Although he knew who left the scars on Shanks, Rob still pretended to ask.
Hearing Rob's question, Shanks froze for a moment, then stretched out his hand to touched the scar on his face, a cold light flashing in his eyes. Then he opened his mouth and said:
"A guy who seems to be very honest, but always feels like he's hiding a lot! An ordinary member of the Whitebeard Pirates' 2nd division, he's very capable, but he doesn't have any bounties! The name is Marshall D. Teach. If you meet him, be careful with that guy!"
Rob nodded, saying he would be careful, then looked at Shanks with fighting spirit in his eyes. He smiled and said:
"Want to fight me again, Shanks?"
And just as Rob was talking with a smile on his face, Shanks' left hand was already on his sword's handle, which was the same Great Grade Blade which Rob had personally built for him. After shaking it, Shanks then let go of it casually. With a smile on his face, he said:
"Forget it! It's not the time yet. When we meet next time, I will definitely ask for your guidance, Rob! Dahaha..."
Hearing Shanks' answer with high EQ, Rob nodded casually:
"Then let's talk about it next time!"
Avoiding the situation of meeting and fighting again, outside the camp of the Red Hair Pirates, after chatting for a while, the four of them entered the camp at Shanks' invitation.
It didn't take long—
A banquet for the Red Hair Pirates and Rob officially started. Together with Shanks, drinking and chatting, Rob talked about his plan after returning to the New World this time. He then asked Shanks:
"How are you? Are you ready to go to the top?"
"When you helped me stop the Beasts Pirates, I still remember what I promised you. When you are ready to climb to the top, I will help you!"
Holding a bowl of sake in his hand, a smile appeared on Shanks' face:
"Climbing to the top? Dahaha... For me now, it's too early to go to the top! In the past few years, I've gotten a good sense of how strong the wind and waves of this sea are."
Rob smiled and took Shanks' words:
"You're Shanks, what do you need to be afraid of? The bigger the wind and the waves—the more expensive the fish!"
Hearing Rob overestimate him, Shanks laughed.
Shanks took a sip of wine:
"You are right! The greater the wind and waves, the more expensive the fish! I'm not afraid of wind and waves, but as a captain, I should think about my crew and companions. So now is not the time!"
"After a while, I will leave the New World like you and go sailing in other places, giving myself, the crew, and my companions time to grow!"
"When I think the time is right, I'll bring them back to this sea again!"
Putting down the wine glass in his hand, Shanks looked at Rob with burning eyes and said seriously:
"At that time—I want a quarter of the New World! Among the seats at the 'apex' of the sea, there must be a place for me!"
Hearing what Shanks said, Rob nodded irrefutably. He could foresee Shanks' future among the characters at the "apex" of the sea!
And now that there is a man called Rob, who has been suppressing him till now, he may be able to further activate his competitive spirit, activate more of Shanks' potential, and maybe make him even stronger!
All in all—
Rob is looking forward to the day when Shanks returns to the New World.
The meeting and gathering with the Red Hair Pirates lasted only half a day.
After half a day, the four of them left this spring island.
"Next—"
Standing on the deck, Rob turned his head to look at Robin, Uta, and Makino beside him, with a smile on his face:
"Let's continue our travels and practice!"
Hearing the words, Robin, Uta, and Makino all responded with a smile:
"Yes!"
Riding the wind and breaking through the waves, the Angel quickly sailed away from this winter sea and headed towards the depths of the ocean.
In the fifth month of their return to the New World, while traveling and sailing, exploring new islands, and practicing special training, Makino lived up to expectations and awakened Observation Haki, greatly increasing her combat power!
In the sixth month, they found another Poneglyph in the New World, bringing them one step closer to unraveling the complete historical truth that has been blank for a hundred years. However, the danger also increased.
At the same time—
In the first half of the Grand Line, Fisher Tiger, the former hero who liberated the slaves, was killed during a long-planned Marine siege of the Sun Pirates.
Injured by the third "monster" of Marine Headquarters, Borsalino, codenamed "Kizaru," Fisher Tiger has died.
Regardless of the specifics of this news, what is certain is that Fisher Tiger is definitely dead.
"He is dead?"
Looking at the newspaper in his hand, Rob said with emotion:
"But this is probably Fisher Tiger's most desired destination! After all, his heart was dead, and he had already begun to deny himself. Death is more of a relief for him!"
It doesn't leave a good taste.
But everyone has a destiny.
Moreover, Rob had already suggested he move closer to the Revolutionary Army, but he didn't choose that path, which proved that Fisher Tiger already had the will to die.
In the blink of an eye, time continued to pass.
It has been seven months since Rob and his group returned to the New World, and the course of history has come to the end of 1512, with 1513 just around the corner.
Not long ago, after awakening Observation Haki, Makino also successfully awakened the power of her own Armament Haki. So far, Makino's two-color Haki has all awakened!
Next, she only needs to continue using potential potions, body training potions, and the "Haki Practice 8.0" that keeps pace with the times. Combined with her enhanced version of the Flame-Flame Fruit that has no side effects, she can continue to grow stronger!
With Rob's requirements for Makino's strength now met, she no longer needs to continue training in the practice space with gritted teeth every day as she has been doing.
On this day—
On the calm sea, driven by the breeze, the Angel sailed slowly forward.
Above the deck, Rob stood in front of Robin with seriousness and earnestness on his face:
"Are you ready?"
Hearing the words, Robin nodded:
"Come on! Oni-chan—I'm ready!"
Beside them, Uta and Makino looked at Rob and Robin nervously.
Next -
Rob was going to use his recovered fifth talent - the extreme sublimation, to give feedback on the growth through the practice space, and finally develop the ability of the Flower-Flower Fruit to its ultimate form. Robin, who had successfully completed the fruit awakening, would be freed from its side effects!
Raising his hand, Rob pressed it on top of Robin's small head and used his fifth talent - extreme sublimation. Pure white light directly covered Robin's body bit by bit, giving her whole body a special beauty!
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