Bold is for attacks

Italics indicate thinking

Steve's POV

"Hmm." I looked down at the picture of Robin and Lil in my locket, I just wanted to see Robin again, especially with how stressful things had been.

I was also looking at a local news report, Luffy had somehow gone and gotten himself arrested by Kaido, I wanted to go and save him but my brain was also understanding that trying to go in solo would just end up with me locked up too.

"Papa, are you ready to go?" Lil asked.

"Yeah, might as well, can't hide out here forever." I got up.

The two of us were gonna head into town, Lil said she knew a place we could meet up with the others if there was an emergency and Luffy being captured certainly qualified as one.

"Thanks for all you help." I thanked the elderly couple "For looking after Lil and helping me."

"Oh of course it's no trouble at all." The old woman said.

"Just stay outta trouble try not to get possessed again stupid." The old man said.

"I'll use your advice wisely." I bowed a bit "Well we best be heading out."

Lil and I set off for the nearby town, as we walked I noticed how the forest became more and more barren, the few lush trees we saw near the shrine were gone and withered husks and trunks were all that remained, dead animals scattered the tainted soil as well.

"It's so heartless." Lil frowned "Kaido, he has no respect for nature, his factories are poisoning the forests and rivers, killing all the animals and the people who try to live here. He makes them work in these prison factories; they have nothing."

"So, it's starve or eat food full of toxic chemicals that will kill you." I sighed.

"The people, they come to the shrine and pray for rain that isn't acidic, or food that's not going to make them even more sick." Lil said "I couldn't do anything; they say I make them smile but what good's a smile to someone who's starving. I wish I was stronger, so I could help them."

"You're a good girl Lil." I smiled at her "The fact you care so much is a good thing."

"Thanks Papa." She said "I guess sometimes I just feel like I'm a pirate but everyone treats me like a kid. I mean I beat those marines in Dressrosa and they barely took me seriously."

"Barely took you seriously, they put a 100 million bounty on you." I laughed.

"Cause I beat a vice admiral but Riven did all the work, and Arbell still helped me, I can't fight I'm weak and vulnerable next to my crystal beasts." Lil said "I can't punch, or use a sword, or a slingshot, or weather magic like Nami. I always have to depend on others, my beasts, you and Mama…I can't be like you guys."

I stopped walking and crouched down to look at her.

"I was younger than you when my mom gave me these." I showed her my whips "They're not easy but with a deft hand they pack a bunch, and with my powers they're not what I need any more…but I don't want you fighting so let's make a deal."

"Huh?"

I handed her one of the twin plant whips.

"You hold on to this for me okay, and use it to protect yourself, and I'll keep the other, to remind me to protect you too." I smiled "That seem fair? You're not a little kid any more so I won't baby you and the places we're going and people we're fighting are only going to get more dangerous so I need to know you can look out for yourself."

"I will Papa." She nodded.

"Ok." I smiled "But Lil you're also my little girl so if anything is ever too much for you, if you're in danger you can't handle on your own, just say so, and Robin and I will come running to protect you."

"I know…and if you need my help just say so too, love you Papa."

"Love you too Lil." I hugged her "Now let's get to that city."

LATER

Getting into the city actually wasn't too bad, either I was to intimidating or no one recognized me, I guess that's the benefit of a closed off country, so long as you don't stick out visually they can't know that you're really a wanted pirate. While we were at the shrine they procured an old robe for me, a white colored one with red diagonal stripes.

"The sleeves are so baggy." I complained.

"Well don't go tearing them off it'll ruin the look and make you stick out." Lil warned me "Come on the meeting place should be close by."

I followed Lil through the crowd trying not to stand out too much. We rounded one corner and we could see a noodle stand where Franky and Usopp were with Sanji and Wyper, but I didn't give a crap about them. For a few seconds I could swear it was like time stopped and the crowd parted like waves to give me a clear view of Robin. She was wearing a beautiful black kimono with these red wave patterns on it, her hair was done up in a very fancy pattern plus she had on more makeup than I'd ever seen her in.

"Mama!" Lil ran over "Look! Look!"

I walked over as quick as I could without breaking into a full blown run and making a total spectacle.

"Robin." I hugged her.

"OH~" She gasped a little

I just didn't want to move it felt good to have her close again, so calm.

"I missed you." I said.

"So did I." she said before stepping back "But…I can't right now."

I was surprised at her pushing me away, Robin had never really by shy about public displays of affection.

"I can't be seen doing things like that in public with you right now." She said lacing her fingers with mine "My work is…delicate."

"Yeah Lil mentioned that, we'll talk about that later." I smiled.

"Fufufu." She laughed "I should have known you'd figure that out quickly, please try not to burn the whole city down in a jealous rage."

"Do you really think I'm like that." I smirked a little.

"Hmm, your hand." She looked down "It's…"

"Someone helped me get them fixed, those people from the shrine." I said feeling her soft skin on my palms "It's been years since I felt your hands like this, and you're pushing me away?"

"I'm close to getting into the Lord's castle, I can make a difference there." Robin touched my face "I need you to trust me."

"I do." I nodded "I know you Robin, and you'd never take on something you couldn't handle or thought was too much."

Our chance to talk wound up cut short when some things came up and started harassing Sanji about something for their boss.

"Hey Sanji." I looked back "Don't make too much of a mess ok?"

"They smashed up the stand and spilled a bunch of food, gonna be tough not to." He said.

"The cook's gonna fly off, best the rest of us stay out of trouble." Wyper sighed "Franky I know where the ship is where you're ready we can get started on the repairs."

Sanji barely had to deliver more than a kick to knock those guys out.

"It's the kid who's soba those mean guys knocked over." Lil pointed out.

"She's smiling…but crying?" I said.

"I've heard about this." Lil said "The stuff from Kaido's factories, those fake devil fruits when people eat them they get this sickness that means they always laugh and smile, even when they're sad."

"Man Kaido's really got no qualms about just being a full blown jerk huh?" I sighed.

"Here, there's enough left for one more bowl." Sanji handed it to her.

"Really thanks." She said "I heard this stuff was yummy so I waited in line so long I'm late for work, but I finally managed to buy it and those jerks spilt it and I was really sad, but it tastes super yummy!"

"What's your name?" Sanji asked.

"Toko." She smiled.

"Toko…are you a kamuro?" Robin asked.

"Yes I am, oh and I'm late." She gave Sanji back the bowl "It's gonna start I need to hurry, thanks a bunch. Come see the courtesans sometime they're all super pretty!"

"What a strange kid." I hummed as she ran away.

"She seems like a nice girl." Robin giggled.

"Courtesans, lets go see!" Sanji panted.

"You have so little self-control it's baffling you're siblings with Reiju." Wyper growled.

"Courtesans are one of the wonders of Wano!" an old woman popped up "the most successful is the woman Komurasaki. The perfect woman that none can match."

"Ah a crazy old lady!" Usopp yelled.

"Who you calling old lady?!"

"Usopp don't be so rude." Robin sighed.

"O-Robi I have important news." The woman said.

"Hmm?" Robin looked confused.

Before we could ask what the woman wanted a procession started down the street though they were far enough away we couldn't get a good look through the crowd.

"That child Toko is a Kamuro, a young girl that assists and waits on a Courtesan." The old woman explained "Speaking of O-Robi you have been summoned to the mansion. Your long-awaited chance to meet the shogun has come."

"The shogun?" I hummed "Are you sure?"

"I can't wait." Robin smiled.

I couldn't help but feel myself get heated up, but I pulled back, I needed to control my emotions I couldn't get upset and fly off the handle.

"Are you alright?" Robin asked me.

"I'll be okay but the mansion of the Shogun…don't do anything dangerous please." I said.

"She'll be fine." Rose suddenly appeared "I've got business in the manor so I'll be there too watching her back, trust me little brother I won't let anyone dangerous lay a hand on your precious Robin."

I just laughed "I'll be counting on you then."

"I'll be in your care." Robin chuckled.

AN

Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated. Feel free to message me any questions or concerns.

Pick Up- Chapter 929

For those curious I for sure will be doing stuff with Film Red, I just need to decide when and where to do it for the story, putting it in the middle of Wano will feel disjointed but it will take a long time to get to if I wait till post Wano. I'm sure I can figure something out

Till Next Time!