After leaving the room,
Leno and the others regrouped.
They didn't know exactly how he had punished Robin—but the fact that she was alive meant things hadn't gone too far.
And so, everyone's gaze fell on the trembling figure in the corner.
The only one who wasn't a member of the Leno Pirates.
Nami curled herself into a tight ball, her back pressed firmly against the cold stone wall.
She could clearly feel those ill-intentioned gazes on her—like she was being stripped bare.
It made her skin crawl.
Her situation was terrible.
Not only was she in enemy territory—Moria's stronghold—
she was also facing someone even more terrifying: Leno.
Not a single companion stood beside her.
The little cat burglar was completely alone.
As one of the "Weakling Trio," fear was inevitable in a situation like this.
The fact that she hadn't fainted outright was already impressive.
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
"Y-What do you want?!" she shouted, trying to sound fierce.
No matter what, she couldn't lose in spirit!
"Nothing much," Leno replied lazily, eyes glinting with amusement.
To Nami, that expression was more frightening than Arlong's.
Her gaze darted around desperately before finally landing on Robin, a faint plea in her eyes.
"Robin…" Her voice lowered, tinged with tears. "Robin, you…"
Robin stiffened slightly.
She saw the fear and pleading in Nami's eyes.
But there was nothing she could do.
If she had rescued Nami on her own without involving Leno, perhaps it would be different.
But the one who truly saved her was Leno.
And besides, she and Leno had already settled the matter. There was no need for her to interfere now.
So Robin simply turned her face away slightly, avoiding Nami's gaze.
Watching Robin deliberately avoid her, the hope in Nami's eyes slowly dimmed.
Her face turned pale and conflicted. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Robin could feel that disappointed gaze still clinging to her profile.
Her feelings were complicated too.
She had already done what she could.
What more did Nami expect?
The Straw Hats had come to save her once—but she had repaid that debt twice now.
In some sense, even three times.
She had done enough.
At that moment—
Leno let out a short laugh, breaking the suffocating silence.
"Get lost."
Nami jerked her head toward him, certain she'd misheard.
After finally catching her, shouldn't this vile man humiliate or torment her?
Why let her go so easily?
Leno seemed to read her thoughts instantly and tilted his chin slightly.
"Before I change my mind. If you fall into my hands again, you won't be this lucky."
Nami froze, struggling to process it.
Leno pointed casually at Robin, his tone flat but openly mocking.
"Remember this—Robin saved your life again. And from today onward, Nico Robin is completely square with your Straw Hat Pirates. No more ties."
Nami's pupils trembled as she looked at Robin in disbelief.
So that was it!
Robin had saved her like this… again!
A flicker of resentment she had just felt twisted into shame.
She wanted to slap herself.
She opened her mouth, but every word jammed in her throat.
Leno's earlier mocking words echoed in her ears—
"A pirate crew that needs women to protect them."
Her blood rushed to her head with a buzzing sound.
Humiliation and fury burned her cheeks red.
She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
"You!" she glared at Leno, eyes red with anger.
"You what?" Leno cut her off impatiently. "Don't push your luck."
He lifted his foot and gave her backside a light, dismissive kick.
"Scram, little cat burglar."
Nami stumbled forward, both hands flying to cover herself.
It didn't hurt—
but the insult burned worse than pain.
Her face flushed crimson.
"Y-You bastard!!"
Leno gave a casual nod of appraisal.
"Nice bounce."
Then he smiled faintly.
"What? Not leaving? Don't worry. We'll be meeting again soon."
Nami didn't understand what he meant—only that his smile unsettled her.
She shot him one last furious glare, then looked at Robin—who still refused to meet her eyes.
Grinding her teeth, she bolted out of the room.
—
Not long after Nami left,
the distant sounds of fighting echoed through the castle.
"Gomu Gomu no—!"
"Three-Sword Style!"
"Nami-saaaan! Where are you?!"
The voices of the Straw Hat crew drew closer and closer.
At this rate, they would reunite with Nami soon.
Because of Leno's interference, Moria's attention had been split.
He hadn't fully directed his zombie army to annihilate the Straw Hats like before.
As a result, Luffy's group advanced faster than expected, encountering less resistance.
But every advantage came with a cost.
Moria stared at Absalom's battered body.
"Hogback… can he still be saved?"
"My lord, yes. But this body is… in poor condition," Hogback replied.
"Then save him. I don't care what he looks like. As long as he lives."
"Leave it to me!"
Moria knew exactly who had done this.
But after the humiliation he had just endured—
forced to hand over Perona, forced to smile like a coward, unable to even protest when his subordinate was nearly killed—
his chest burned with suffocating rage.
Strength was everything.
And Perona had sacrificed herself for him.
All that humiliation, anger, and fear had nowhere to go.
He needed an outlet.
And the Straw Hat crew, foolish enough to intrude at this moment—
were the perfect punching bag.
"Hehshishishishi…"
Shadows gathered around Moria, murderous intent thick in the air.
"Straw Hat… Luffy… It's all because of you… Hehshishishi… Perfect timing…"
"I'll cut off all your shadows! Turn you into my strongest zombies! Only then will my hatred be satisfied!"
"Awaken! My strongest weapon!"
His massive Doppelman shadow plunged into the ground, surging toward a colossal frozen figure!
Rumble—!!
A wall of the castle exploded outward.
A giant shadow tore free from layers of ice.
Towering like a small mountain, with a massive horn and pale purple skin—
It was the giant demon, Oars.
At the same time—
near the entrance of Thriller Bark—
a transparent paw-shaped bubble appeared.
"Straw Hat… is here, right…"
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