"My... my lord! Please, spare me!"
The gang leader knelt in a pool of blood, trembling uncontrollably.
The sight of dozens of his subordinates being crushed by overwhelming gravity had completely shattered his will.
He repeatedly slammed his forehead against the bloodstained concrete floor, each impact producing a dull thud.
He was gambling.
Gambling that a godlike figure such as this would not bother killing someone as insignificant as him.
However, Tobirama did not even spare him a glance.
Nor did he slow his pace.
"Too noisy."
He casually raised a finger and pressed it downward.
Gravity.
Boom!
The pleading stopped instantly.
The gang leader's body collapsed under the overwhelming force.
In the world of the strong, the cries of the weak were often nothing more than meaningless noise.
After disposing of the last obstacle, Tobirama stepped over the wreckage and entered the dim, cramped room.
In the corner sat a small figure clutching a book.
Nicole Robin.
Only twelve years old, yet already burdened with a bounty of seventy-nine million Berries—the so-called "Devil Child."
She had not yet grown into the mature and elegant woman she would one day become. Instead, she was thin and weary, her eyes filled with fear and loneliness despite her efforts to remain composed.
She had witnessed everything that happened outside.
Compared to the criminals she had encountered throughout her life, the silver-haired man before her was far more terrifying.
"Are... are you here to capture me too?" Robin asked softly, her voice trembling despite her attempt to remain calm.
"To claim the bounty on my head?"
"Bounty?"
Tobirama let out a faint chuckle.
"I have no interest in something that isn't even worth a scrap of paper."
He pointed toward the exit.
"My ship needs a secretary."
"Someone who can organize documents and read ancient texts."
"I've heard you're the sole survivor of Ohara."
"And that you're quite capable."
He raised two fingers.
"So I'll give you two choices."
His tone allowed no room for negotiation.
"First, come with me and serve as my secretary."
"Second, stay here and die with the rest."
Robin froze.
Her gaze remained fixed on him.
His attitude was cold.
Domineering.
Even ruthless.
Yet her mind raced.
If she stayed, she would die.
If she left on her own, she would continue being hunted.
But this man...
He was unimaginably powerful.
At the very least, ordinary Marines and bounty hunters would never be able to touch her if she remained under his protection.
Survival.
That was the only thing that mattered.
Taking a deep breath, Robin forced herself to stand despite her trembling legs.
Then she bowed deeply.
"It would be my honor to serve someone as powerful as you, sir."
"I choose to become your secretary."
"As long as I can survive, I'll do whatever work is required."
She understood the situation perfectly.
This was not the time to cling to pride.
Tobirama observed the obviously forced smile on her face and the calculation hidden behind her words.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"A smart answer."
Of course, he knew she wasn't sincere.
This was merely a decision born from necessity.
But that didn't matter.
Not in the slightest.
"Once you're on my ship, there is no leaving."
"Whether your loyalty is genuine or not."
"Against absolute power, I have plenty of time."
He turned away.
"Keep up."
"Y-Yes!"
Robin immediately hurried after him.
However, the moment she stepped out of the room—
A fragrant breeze swept past.
A beautiful figure blocked her path.
Boa Hancock.
The future Pirate Empress stood with her hands on her hips, her stunning face filled with suspicion.
Her blue eyes swept over Robin from head to toe.
"Hey, you little runt!"
Hancock pointed directly at Robin.
"I'm warning you!"
"The lord may have accepted you as his secretary, but you'd better know your place!"
Robin blinked in confusion.
Hancock puffed out her chest proudly.
"Lord Tobirama belongs to me!"
The declaration immediately turned her face bright red.
She twisted shyly, entering her usual daydreaming state.
"Ah... the way Lord Tobirama looked at me earlier..."
"He must already be considering making me his empress..."
She then glared at Robin.
"A little girl like you doesn't stand a chance!"
"So don't even think about stealing my man!"
"Otherwise, I'll turn you into stone and throw you into the sea!"
Hancock's possessiveness was on full display.
In her eyes, every female was a potential rival.
Robin was completely stunned.
Looking at the breathtakingly beautiful girl before her, who seemed just a little unhinged, a bead of sweat rolled down her forehead.
This isn't good...
She had escaped one dangerous situation only to enter another.
One was a terrifying monster.
The other was clearly unstable.
Her future suddenly seemed rather bleak.
Still, survival came first.
"S-Sister... I wouldn't dare..."
"Hmph! Good!"
Hancock proudly raised her chin.
"From now on, you'll handle all the chores!"
"And stay at least a meter away from Lord Tobirama!"
Just as she was about to continue establishing rules—
"Hancock."
Tobirama's voice sounded from ahead.
He stopped walking but did not turn around.
"No infighting on my ship."
His tone was calm but carried unquestionable authority.
"If you still have that much energy, come to my room tonight and give me a report."
The moment those words reached her ears—
Hancock froze.
Then her face turned bright red.
Steam practically rose from her head.
"M-My lord's room?"
"A report?"
Her imagination immediately ran wild.
With a blissful scream, she collapsed into the arms of her sisters.
"Ahhh! I'm finished! Lord Tobirama invited me personally!"
Robin stared in disbelief.
Is this crew really okay?
Tobirama paid no attention to the commotion behind him.
He led the group out of the hideout.
Before them stretched the endless blue sea beneath a bright sky.
The merchant ship was already waiting at the harbor.
Standing at the bow, Tobirama felt the salty sea breeze as he looked eastward.
The core members were now assembled.
It was time to witness the true beginning of this world's story.
"Robin, take the helm."
"Yes, sir."
"Hancock, stop daydreaming and raise the sails."
"Right away, Lord Tobirama!"
Tobirama unfolded the chart and pointed toward a location at the far edge of the East Blue.
"Set our course."
"Destination: Foosha Village, Goa Kingdom."
He paused briefly before adding:
"We're going to recruit another crew member."
Foosha Village.
The hometown of Monkey D. Luffy.
The place where Red-Haired Shanks lost his arm.
And the place where the story of this era truly began.
Tobirama intended to see for himself what made that small village so special.
The sails unfurled.
The ship slowly departed from the harbor.
Its bow pointed toward the horizon—and toward the beginning of a new chapter.
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