The old saying goes that you're only as young as you feel; for Gloriosa, that might as well be gospel. Despite her age, the elderly woman darted through the jungle foliage with surprising agility, more nimble than her years would suggest. Each step cracked twigs underfoot as she grumbled aloud, her frustration directed squarely at the Empress and her insatiable greed.
"Why must she be so stubborn?" she muttered, swatting a low-hanging vine out of her way. "I've told her repeatedly the deed doesn't exist. And yet, here I am, trudging through this infernal jungle, risking my neck for her whims!"
She paused at a fork in the path, her keen eyes narrowing as she glanced from one overgrown trail to the other. The jungle was dense, the canopy above casting the ground in shifting patches of light and shadow. She huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Now, which way—"
Her thoughts were interrupted by a glimmer of something hidden in the foliage. She stepped closer, squinting at what appeared to be a weathered wooden sign. Pushing aside a curtain of leaves, she read the crude, hand-carved lettering: Lost Kuja Pirates This Way.
Gloriosa froze, her mouth slightly agape. "What in the... where did this come from?"
She raised a single finger as though to protest the situation's absurdity but quickly shook her head. "No, never mind. I don't have time for this."
Clutching her staff tightly, she set off down the indicated path, her mutterings fading into the jungle. "Hang on, sisters. Though I'm still blaming the Empress for this nonsense, I'm coming."
Robin smiled warmly, holding her cup of sweet banana tea—a golden liquid that filled the air with a gentle, tropical aroma. The Jungle Queen leaned back slightly, her voice carrying the weight of years spent on the island as she recounted tales of her life.
"So, you've lived here on the island—all this time?" Marquette asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Robin nodded, taking a small sip. "That's right."
Sweat Pea leaned forward, her cup cradled in her hands. "Those all sound like quite the adventures."
"I'll say," Aphlandra added, glancing around the cozy tree house. "And you survived here all on your own?"
Robin's gaze softened. "Well, I wouldn't exactly say that. I would never have survived if it hadn't been for Ape and the others." Her voice carried a quiet gratitude. "He's been like a father to me."
As if on cue, Ape descended from the upper level of the tree house, carrying a wooden tray laden with freshly baked banana bread. The rich, sweet scent filled the room, blending seamlessly with the warm atmosphere. His sharp eyes softened as he spotted Robin chatting with the Kuja Pirates. Though apprehensive at first, he couldn't help but feel a spark of pride seeing her connect with women of her kind.
Ape approached and gently placed the tray on the table. "Thank you, Robin. That is very kind of you to say," he said, his deep voice laced with affection.
The three Kuja Pirates sudden froze up on seeing the
Robin turned, her smile widening. "It's true. I wouldn't be here without you."
The Kuja Pirates exchanged glances, a newfound respect shimmering in their expressions. Marquette reached for a slice of banana bread, the soft crust crumbling slightly under her fingers. "Well," she said, her tone lightening, "this tea and bread alone might be worth the trip."
The three pirates erupted with soft laughter, the barriers between them easing under the gentle charm of the Jungle Queen's hospitality.
"Oh, why thank you. It's my mother's recipe," Ape said, nodding with pride as he placed the tray down. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have my philosophy to catch up on."
As Ape ambled away, Marquette turned to Robin, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Did that... did that ape just talk?"
Robin chuckled as Aphelandra added, "This island just gets weirder and weirder. No offense."
"None taken," Robin replied, her smile easy. "The Bakuvvu is strange at first, I admit. But after spending so much time here, I've learned to embrace it. It's nice to have someone to talk to again."
Marquette tilted her head curiously. "You've been here since you were little? Have you ever tried to find others? We could take you back to Amazon Lily with us. You helped us, and it's only fair we help you."
Robin lowered her cup, cradling it between her hands. For a moment, her gaze softened with unspoken emotion. The question had once plagued her, but over time, the jungle had become more than a refuge—it was home. After the fall of Ohara and being branded a criminal by the World Government, nothing was left for her in the outside world. The jungle had saved her, and she belonged to it as much as it belonged to her.
"I'm sorry," Robin said softly, shaking her head. "I can't accept your offer. I belong here, in the jungle." She paused, her tone brightening. "But there is another way you can repay me."
The three Kuja Pirates exchanged curious glances. "What's that?" Aphelandra asked.
Before Robin could respond, a rustling in the nearby brush caught their attention. The foliage parted as a tiny elderly figure leaped into the clearing, landing with surprising agility. She raised a staff high above her head, her stance tense and ready for battle.
"Ah-hah! Release my sisters at—" Gloriosa's battle cry faltered as she took in the scene before her. Instead of prisoners in peril, she found Marquette, Aphelandra, and Sweat Pea sitting peacefully on a small patio, sipping tea with a middle-aged woman in a leopard-skin bikini.
"Gloriosa?" Aphelandra exclaimed.
"What are you doing here?" Marquette added.
Gloriosa lowered her staff, her brow furrowed with confusion. "I heard a strange call from the beach and thought you were in danger!" she said, her gaze narrowing at Robin. "And who is this?"
Robin rose gracefully from her seat, offering a polite nod. "I'm Robin, the Queen of this jungle," she said. "And, as it happens, the one who saved your sisters."
The elderly Amazon stared, utterly flabbergasted. "Saved them? What... what is going on?"
One explanation later...
Gloriosa stood on the porch of the treehouse that evening, stroking her chin as her eyes narrowed in thought. The events at the ruins played vividly in her mind—the Kuja Pirates falling under the thrall of this so-called Mangu God. It explained the fate of so many of their sisters who had never returned from the Bakuvvu. The notion of a deed luring them to their doom seemed sinister and tragically plausible.
"I see," Gloriosa said, her voice contemplative. "So this Mangu used his power to enslave you all."
Marquette nodded solemnly. "That's right. We would have been trapped forever if not for Robin."
Gloriosa turned her sharp gaze toward the Jungle Queen. "You saved them?"
Robin inclined her head with calm assurance. "I did. Though I can't say I appreciate your intrusion into my jungle," she replied. Her tone was firm but not unkind. "But I couldn't leave you to become slaves to the Mangu."
Gloriosa sighed, shaking her head. "Well, I can assure you, our presence here wasn't entirely our decision. We came at the behest of our Empress," she explained. "She seeks the deed to Ape Mountain."
At the mention of Ape Mountain, a subtle shift occurred. From inside the treehouse, Ape peered nervously over the edge of his book. His eyes widened, and a soft, involuntary "Oh no" escaped him. Quickly, he ducked back behind the book, hoping his reaction had gone unnoticed.
Robin's gaze remained steady. "You mentioned this deed before. Who is this Empress you serve?"
"Our Empress," Sweat Pea began, her voice filled with reverence, "is Boa Hancock—the most beautiful woman in the world. Her desires are our command."
Aphelandra and Marquette nodded in agreement, their expressions mirroring Sweat Pea's admiration. But Gloriosa merely rolled her eyes, clearly immune to the legendary allure of Boa Hancock. She alone saw beyond the surface, recognizing the Empress's vanity and the exploitation that came with her rule.
"Oh, good heavens," Gloriosa muttered, shaking her head.
Robin observed the exchange, noting the fervent loyalty these women displayed. It reminded her too much of the Mangu's control over his followers. She couldn't help but disdain any ruler who held such sway over their people, especially one willing to send them into danger for personal gain.
"And why does she want this deed?" Robin asked, her voice even but probing.
"She wants what any Empress desires," Aphelandra replied. "To extend her rule over neighboring territories. Whoever holds the deed to Ape Mountain controls all of Bakuvvu."
Marquette added, her voice tinged with resignation, "But now it seems the deed was just a myth. This island has little to offer us."
Robin let out a small, barely audible sigh of relief. The idea that the Kuja Pirates might leave her jungle untouched gave her peace. She hoped their Empress would abandon her quest for Bakuvvu and leave the jungle to its rightful Ruler.
"Well, I hope your Empress will come to see reason," Robin said, resolute but tempered with understanding.
Marquette, Aphelandra, and Sweat Pea exchanged uneasy glances. The worry etched on their faces spoke volumes. The realization that their mission might have been in vain—chasing a myth instead of tangible treasure—was heavy. Failing their Empress, the woman they revered, was not something they had prepared for.
Gloriosa broke the silence, her voice laced with resignation and frustration. "Mmm, I fear you underestimate how stubborn she can be," she muttered, her hand tightening around her staff. "The Empress is not one to abandon her desires easily, no matter how futile they may be."
Robin studied the elderly woman thoughtfully, her own experiences with unyielding determination flickering in her mind. "Convincing someone so set on their goal is never easy," she acknowledged, "but sometimes even the strongest wills can be swayed by the truth—if presented correctly."
Gloriosa let out a quiet sigh, her expression weary. "The truth is not always enough, Robin," she said. "Boa Hancock's pride is as formidable as her beauty. It blinds her to reason, even when it's staring her in the face."
Robin tilted her head, considering the words carefully. She had encountered those who let pride cloud their judgment, and she knew that breaking through such barriers often required more than logic. "Then perhaps it's not just the truth she needs," Robin said, her voice steady. "She needs to understand what's at stake—what she risks losing if she continues this path."
The next morning, Robin perched high in the canopy near the beaches, her sharp eyes tracking the Kuja Pirates' ship as it disappeared into the horizon. The gentle sway of the trees matched the rhythm of the waves, a soothing contrast to the tension that had gripped the jungle the past few days.
She had given them her trust, a rare commodity in her world. The pirates had promised never to return to Bakuvvu. Robin could only hope their Empress, Boa Hancock, would accept the truth: the deed to Ape Mountain was a myth—or so they believed.
Sliding a hand between her leopard-clad breasts, Robin retrieved the deed. The scroll, bound with a simple rope, bore the authority to rule this untamed land. Its weathered surface carried the weight of responsibility Robin had silently borne for years.
"This stays with me," she murmured, her voice resolute. "As long as I hold this, Bakuvvu remains free."
A rustling above drew her attention. She glanced up, her expression softening as Chopper peered timidly through the leaves.
"Robin... are they gone?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.
Robin smiled as she slid the deed back into its sacred hiding place. "They're gone, Chopper. We can breathe easy now."
"Really? What a relief!" Chopper chirped, leaping gracefully to the branch beside her. His wide eyes darted to the horizon, then back to Robin. "Do you think they'll stay true to their word?"
Robin nodded thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on the sea. "I believe they will. But it's not just them I worry about. It's who might come after them."
Chopper tilted his head. "Why would they? There's nothing here but the jungle, right?"
Robin chuckled softly, ruffling his fur. "Exactly. And it's up to us to ensure it stays that way."
Robin glared at the distant waves as they sat together in the morning light. "Let's hope that was the last intrusion on Bakuvvu. This jungle deserves its peace."
Chopper nodded earnestly, his tiny hand resting on hers. "And it's lucky to have you, Robin."
Her lips curled into a gentle smile. "No, Chopper. I'm lucky to have it."
Despite the departure of the Kuja Pirates, the Bakuvvu had yet to see its last intruder. Far out at sea, a small boat sliced through the waves, its sail taut against the steady wind. Its lone passenger—a young woman with tangerine hair tied back in a loose ponytail—fixed her sharp gaze on the horizon. She wore a simple bikini top and jeans, her casual attire contrasting with the determined glint in her eyes. Over her left shoulder, a strange tattoo marked her skin, its meaning known only to her.
The young woman studied a weathered map across her lap, the edges curling from the salty air. The drawn contours of a familiar jungle island matched the faint silhouette growing closer ahead. Her fingers traced the lines thoughtfully, stopping at a distinct mark near the center. She glanced at the Log Pose fastened to her wrist, the needle pointing unwaveringly south.
With a deep breath, she leaned back, her brow furrowed as the wind carried her forward. The gentle creak of the boat's wooden frame was her only companion, save for the cries of distant seabirds.
"This better be it," she muttered, her voice low but firm, as her eyes flicked between the map and the jungle-covered island drawing nearer. The weight of her journey—and whatever awaited her on Bakuvvu—pressed heavily on her shoulders.
The sea glistened under the morning sun, the waves calm yet purposeful, as if urging her onward. Whatever she sought on this remote island, the Bakuvvu held its secrets close, and she was determined to uncover them.