In the eerie Northern Graveyard, an abandoned house served as the backdrop for a tense conversation among a small, somber group.
Brook's voice trembled slightly, a rare display of apprehension, as he relayed the grim news. "…He is to be put to death in the Capital City today!" His skeletal frame seemed to shrink as he carefully watched Toko's reaction, sensitive to the impact of his words.
"WHAT!?" The single word exploded from Toko like a cannonball, shattering the heavy air.
In a blur of motion fueled by panic and determination, Toko bolted out the door. Zoro, Hiyori, and Brook barely had a moment to process her reaction before springing into action. Hiyori was swift, her movements echoing her urgency. "I'll go after her! Thank you for everything yesterday!" she called over her shoulder, already dashing towards the door.
Zoro, with equal haste, snatched up his kimono and followed in hot pursuit, his voice gruff with concern. "Don't be an idiot. You couldn't protect her at all!"
~~~
Meanwhile, the unsettling cacophony of screams and shouts near the Prisoner's Quarters painted another grim picture. A little 4-year-old, Olivia, clung to her mother Robin's side, her small fingers gripping tightly in fear.
Robin, ever the stoic and calming presence, tried to make sense of the chaos to the group of Straw Hats huddled around her. "It sounds like Tonoyasu was a thief," she observed, her voice steady but her eyes showing a hint of confusion.
Usopp, his face full of shock, struggled to comprehend the situation. "I don't even understand what this means!? Wasn't he supposed to be a saint?" he exclaimed.
The crowd's please rose like a tide, a chorus of desperation and grief.
"STOP THIS!!"
"Let him down!!"
"Lord Yasuie!! Take him down from there!"
The cries seemed to merge into a singular, heartbreaking lament.
Olivia's small voice quivered as she looked up at her mother, her eyes wide with fear. "Mommy, where is Daddy? Why isn't he here? Will we be okay?" The vulnerability in her question was palpable.
Robin, masking her own worry with a brave front, bent down to Olivia's level. Her smile was gentle yet carried the weight of her worry. "Nothing will happen to us. I promise. Your father should be here any moment." Robin kissed the top of her daughter's head as she picked up Olivia.
The scene at the execution site was a spectacle of despair. Yasuie, displayed for all to see, maintained a defiant demeanor. His laughter, though strained, echoed through the air. "Hahaha! I guess they haven't forgotten about me after all… You will not be heard my good people. Orochi won't ever let me go!" His smile, unwavering even in the face of death, was a testament to his spirit. "But first, I have two things to apologize for! And one thing I want to say to that fool, Orochi! Once I have made my peace, I intend to go into the great beyond laughing!"
~~~
The air hung heavy with tension in the aftermath of Yasuie's death, the sorrow of the Smile Fruit's curse still lingering like a stench. Hiyori, her eyes full of grief, clung to Zoro as if he were her lifeline amidst the chaos. But her heart lurched as she noticed Toko's absence—a small, precious spark missing in the gloom. "Toko!?" she cried, her voice a beacon of desperation slicing through the ruckus of the crowd. "She slipped through the gate!" a bystander yelled. "Get her back!" Hiyori cried to Zoro.
Frantically, Hiyori's cries rose like embers into the sky. "Don't Toko! Come back right now!" The urgency in her voice was palpable, each word etched with panic.
Sanji, ever the vigilant observer, caught the flurry of movement. "Hey! I know her, that's the girl that came to me for my soba!" His words sparked recognition among the Straw Hats, their faces mirroring his alarm—it was Otoko.
"Toko, please come back or Orochi will figure out who you are!" Hiyori's scream tore through the air, a desperate plea.
Orochi, his grip still on his gun after the execution of Yasuie, spotted Otoko. "There you are you wretched brat! So, you were Yasuie's daughter. If you hadn't laughed at me and mocked me, Komurasaki wouldn't have died you brat!"
Amidst the turmoil, Hiyori's voice reached a fever pitch. "Run, Otoko! Please, don't die too!"
Zoro and Sanji, as if cued by an unseen force, leapt into the fray, their resolve as sharp as their weapons. They cut through the blockade with a precision that spoke of countless battles waged and won.
A murmur rippled through the crowd, recognition dawning. "That's him! The Magistrate Slasher!" one voice exclaimed, while another identified Sanji, "And him! He's the Soba Cook who defied the Kyoshiro Family!"
From her vantage point, Olivia's eyes, wide and brimming with fear, caught a flash of familiar green. "Mommy, look! Daddy!" she screamed, her voice a small beacon in the storm of noise, desperate to reach Zoro in the sea of chaos.
With Toko now in his arms, Zoro glanced at Sanji, his tone clipped with urgency. "Sorry, I don't have time to waste on you, curly brows." Sanji, his irritation mirroring Zoro's, shot back, "Right back at you moss head!"
Orochi's rage shattered the air, "Curse you! You have ruined this execution! Listen up Samurai! You have my permission to slay anyone who interferes!"
Zoro, without hesitation, handed Toko to Sanji. "Take her."
"What!?" Sanji's exclamation was a mix of protest and surprise as he took hold of the girl.
Robin, sensing the gravity of the moment, drew Olivia closer, a protective shield against the chaos that Zoro was running into.
"Things are gettin' outta hand, but I can't blame 'em! We need to save Otoko!!" Franky's voice was a rallying cry.
Robin's mind raced, her strategic brain cutting through her own panic as she watch Zoro run head first into trouble, "We need to decide on a place to meet in case we have to split up and run!"
Against her mother's best efforts of shielding her from the potential danger Zoro was in, Olivia's gaze never left Zoro, her tears a testament to the fear gripping her. "Mommy, we can't leave Daddy again!"
Zoro, his focus razor-sharp, launched his attack, "Two-Sword Style…"
Sanji's warning cut through the air, "Don't! Tonoyasu gave his life for this! You're only going to-"
But Zoro was a man of action, not words, his technique unleashed, "720 Pound Phoenix!"
Before the strike could land on Orochi, Kyoshiro appeared, a formidable obstacle, his smirk a silent challenge. "Outta my way!" Zoro's shouted, but Kyoshiro was not moving. "I don't think so, after all… I am the Shogun's dog."
"Who is this guy!?" Zoro couldn't help but wonder as he began exchanging slashes with his opponent.
Sanji, amidst his own fight with X Drake, caught sight of Hiyori who was now in peril. His heart leapt. "A pretty lady! No, a beautiful woman is under attack! She needs my he… Wait!" His thoughts screeched to a halt as Zoro broke away, charging to Hiyori's rescue. "Why did you let them chase you!?" Zoro screamed at Hiyori.
Hiyori, her relief tangible, clung to Zoro as he carried her running from the danger. "I'm sorry, Zorojuro! I thought I was hiding my face well enough!"
Sanji's heart sank, a mixture of jealousy and anger. "What!? Mosshead knows that beautiful woman! But how!? He's married to Robin-chwan and has a lower bounty than me! That two-timing moss head! I'll show him for breaking my Robin-chwan's heart!"
As the commotion enveloped the area, Robin's keen eyes caught a fleeting glimpse of familiar mossy colored hair. Zoro, with his trademark intensity, was making haste through the tumultuous crowd, Hiyori clinging to him in a grip that spoke of desperation and fear. For a moment, a flicker of something unusual crossed Robin's composed features—a subtle tightening of her jaw, a slight narrowing of her eyes. It was a rare hint of jealousy, an emotional flutter in her chest at the sight of another woman holding on to Zoro with such intimacy, even in a moment of crisis.
Olivia's voice, laden with concern, broke through her mother's rare lapse in poise. "Mommy, I found Daddy!" she cried, pointing towards the commotion.
With a gentle, "Mm," Robin acknowledged her daughter, offering a reassuring smile to mask the twinge of complexity in her heart. But as Zoro and Hiyori disappeared into the distance, Robin's resolve solidified. With a subtlety that contradicted her inner turmoil, she sprouted eyes and ears discreetly along the path Zoro had taken, unfurling the silent watchers amidst the foliage. Through these eyes, Robin's vision cast wide over the landscape, tracking Zoro and Hiyori as they wound their way towards a shrine hidden deep within the forest—a place of quiet and seclusion away from the chaos of the town.
The shrine was old, its stones covered in the soft green of moss, and it was here that Zoro finally paused, Hiyori still clinging to him, both catching their breath in the serene isolation of the forest. Robin watched through the sprouted eyes; her heart caught in a complex dance of emotions. There was a pang of jealousy, yes, but also an overwhelming relief that Zoro escaped and is safe for now.
Her powers had always been a means of connection, a way to extend herself beyond the physical confines of her being. But as she observed the pair, the feeling of distance gnawed at her. She wished to be there, to confront the confusion, to assert her place by Zoro's side. Yet she remained where she was, a silent sentinel, her powers a bridge that allowed her to be close without intruding.
Torn between her role as a member of the Straw Hat crew and her life as a mother and wife, Robin's eyes betrayed a rare vulnerability. She whispered to herself, a mantra to try to calm the storm within, "They're just allies, nothing more. He was just trying to protect her."
As she was pulling herself back into reality and the situation going on around her, she noticed men coming down the path to where Zoro and Hiyori were trying to hide. The flicker of jealousy that had momentarily clouded her judgement dissolved, replaced by a surge of protective instinct. She turned to Olivia, her voice firm with resolve, "We must go to your father, now."
Olivia's face lit up with the prospect of seeing Zoro, and she clung tightly to Robin as they navigated the dense underbrush of the woods.
Behind them, Nami's voice cut through the air, tinged with concern, "Where are you going!? Robin!"
Robin's response was carried away on the wind as she melted into the forest's embrace, "To get Zoro!"
The clash of steel and the guttural cries of combat reached Robin's ears as she neared the clearing. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed the scene: Zoro, surrounded by a swarm of assailants, his swords a blur of deadly precision. She set Olivia down behind the sturdy trunk of an ancient tree, whispers, "Stay here, be as quiet as a shadow."
Without a moment's hesitation, Robin's powers unleashed, a flurry of arms materializing among the attackers. There was a symphony of cracks as the limbs twisted, rendering the men helpless. Zoro seized the opening, his blades dancing through the air to subdue the remaining foes.
From her hiding place, Olivia's eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and awe. She caught sight of a figure sneaking up behind Zoro, and her voice sliced through the chaos, "Daddy, look out!"
Distracted by the call of his daughter, Zoro's reaction was a hair's breadth from being too late. But Robin was there, her arms manifesting with precision to shatter the would-be assailant's arms, allowing Zoro to dispatch his surprised opponent with a swift, decisive blow.
The woods fell silent, save for the heavy breaths of Robin and Zoro and the soft rustling of leaves. Olivia burst from her cover and raced into Zoro's open arms. He enveloped her in a protective embrace, a silent vow never to let harm befall her.
Robin approached, and Zoro, with a smile that rarely graced his features, reached out to draw her into the circle of his arm, pressing a kiss to her forehead. They stood entwined; a family reunited in the aftermath of battle.
It was then that Hiyori's voice, tinged with mischief, broke the silence, "Now I can see why you didn't enjoy your night with me."
Zoro tensed; his senses acutely aware of the subtle shift in Robin's aura despite her stoic façade. "Robin, it's not what you think. Brook thought the same thing when he walked in and saw us. Wait! I mean he didn't see us doing anything, we were just sleeping. Not like together, I mean…" His words tumbled out, each one more awkward than the last, a rare display of his composure unraveling.
Robin, her expression unreadable, regarded Zoro with a gaze that could peel layers off the soul. Zoro's heart raced; in battles, he could face a hundred men without flinching, but the thought of misunderstanding clouding Robin's eyes was like facing Kaido alone. He was a master swordsman, yet in matters of the heart, he found himself disarmed, fighting to navigate through his own jumbled explanations.
Robin held Zoro's gaze for a moment that stretched like an eternity, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions that only he could incite. "Zoro," she began, her voice betraying none of the turmoil that may have been brewing beneath her serene exterior.
She looked over as Hiyori stepped into view. "I apologize for the remark. Zorojuro made it very clear that he had a wife and daughter. It was just very cold, and I was scared that Toko and I would freeze, so we huddled against Zorojuro as he slept."
Olivia, having been temporarily forgotten and sensing the tension between her parents, tugged at her father's sleeve with a small, uncertain hand. "Papa, are you and Mama okay?"
Zoro ruffled his daughter's hair, a softness in his eyes reserved only for her. "Of course, little one. Your Mommy and I fine." He glanced at Robin, seeking confirmation in her eyes.
Robin merely nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "Yes, baby. We've been through much worse than this." Her eyes flicked to Hiyori, acknowledging the unintentional role she had played in this familial drama.
Hiyori, for her part, seemed to shrink back at the look given to her by Robin, regret painting her features. "I…I did not mean to cause trouble," she stammered, her own eyes downcast.
Zoro, with his typical forthrightness, waved off her concerns as his arms tightened around both of his girls. "Let's just focus on what will happen soon." He said gruffly.
~~~
Under the dim light of the safe house, with the night cradling Wano in its silent embrace, the Straw Hats were resting after the eventful day they had. Zoro and Robin found solace in each other's presence. Their daughter, Olivia, slept peacefully, nestled securely between them. The events of the day lingered like a distant storm, and in the quiet, Zoro's whisper cut through the stillness. "Robin, are you really alright with what happened? It really was an accident."
Robin shifted slightly, her gaze lifting to meet his in the semi-darkness. "I am fine," she assured him, her tone even and calm, yet carrying an undercurrent of seriousness. "But let it be known, Zoro, if another woman dares to cling to you as she did, or you fail to notice a seduction in progress and fall into it, you'll share the same fate as Franky when he initially declined to join our crew." Her voice was a soft murmur, yet the warning was clear and unmistakable.
A shiver ran down Zoro's spine—not from the night air, but from the gravity of Robin's words. He knew there was no jest in her tone; she meant every word.
Robin continued; her voice softer but with a steely edge that belied her gentle touch on Olivia's hair. "And should there ever be a woman foolish enough to attempt to steal you away… well—" Her sentence hung unfinished in the air; a potent threat left to the imagination.
Without a word, Zoro bridged the gap between them with a kiss, a silent pledge and apology all in one. The kiss was a balm to the unspoken tension, sealing his promise in the quiet night.
Taken aback for only a heartbeat, Robin melted into the kiss, her initial surprise giving way to the depth of their connection. With their lips finally parted, she nestled closer, seeking the warmth of his embrace, her hand resting protectively over Olivia.
There, in the safety of their shared embrace, the family found a haven from the world's chaos. For the first time since their arrival in Wano, they succumbed to the night's call, entwined in an embrace that promised solace and strength. And as they drifted into slumber, there was a shared belief, woven through their dreams and the stillness around them—they were, indeed, unstoppable when together.