The one fighting Hibari was none other than Robin.
She had heard Leno's provocation aimed at Akainu.
And she had also seen the sudden blush spreading across Hibari's face.
Robin's expression showed no obvious change.
What was there to care about?
She knew very well that even if Leno really did take Hibari in someday, her status and relationship would never be the same as theirs.
There was no threat at all.
Not to mention that Leno was only mocking Akainu.
"Although…" a thought crossed Robin's mind. "If Hibari really joined us, she could help share the burden…"
She couldn't help recalling that night…
When she had overestimated herself and used the Flower-Flower Fruit to launch a night raid.
The result?
By the time she could finally open her eyes the next evening—
It felt as though her body had been dismantled and reassembled.
She hadn't wanted to move a single finger.
"Next time… even if it kills me, I'm not using 'Body Bloom' to create that kind of clone again…"
Robin made a firm decision.
No other reason—just that the stamina consumption from blooming an entire body was far too great.
Right now, she had developed less than one percent of her Devil Fruit's potential.
Thinking of something, her cheeks flushed faintly.
"That giant bloom Leno mentioned before… perhaps… I could try it?"
Imagining certain possible scenes—
Robin felt her face growing warm.
It wasn't her fault.
It had to be Leno's influence.
Her sudden blush, wandering gaze, and clearly distracted, daydreaming expression—
Left Hibari completely speechless.
Hey, sis. We're in the middle of a fight!
Hibari's eyes widened as she screamed internally.
"What's with that blush?!"
"Leno just said right in front of you that he'd capture me to be—be that—and you're not angry?! Why are you the one blushing first?!"
She simply could not comprehend Robin's train of thought.
This was nothing like the dramatic scenario she had imagined!
Meanwhile—
Akainu, locked in fierce combat with Leno, also sensed through his Observation Haki the suspicious flush on Hibari's face and her slightly flustered expression.
"That damned bastard!!!"
Alarm bells rang in his mind.
A father's fury surged violently upward—like discovering that the cabbage he had carefully raised might already have been eyed by a pig… or worse, that the fresh, tender cabbage was walking straight toward it of her own accord.
"Hibari… don't tell me she's already fallen for that bastard Leno?!"
With that suspicion planted—
Many previously unreasonable things suddenly made sense.
No wonder she had repeatedly tried to dissuade him when he said he was coming to eliminate Leno!
Akainu had thought she was worried about her female comrades!
So that was the root of it—Leno, that damned brat!!!
Believing he had uncovered the truth, Akainu truly turned red—and truly exploded!
The feeling was indescribable.
It nearly drove him insane.
"Leno!!! I'll kill you!!!" Akainu roared.
His attacks became even more frenzied, completely reckless—like a man fighting to the death.
However—
Facing Akainu in his enraged state, Leno showed no panic. Instead, the corner of his lips curved upward faintly.
As everyone knew, the only way to break through one's limits and grow stronger—
Was to fight!
Besides, anger did increase aggression.
But it also caused people to lose composure, exposing more openings.
All Leno needed was pressure.
As he countered Akainu's assaults, his mastery of Annihilation of All Things grew increasingly refined.
Everything was proceeding according to his calculations.
The thoughts stirring in his mind caused the contemptuous statue within his body to seem slightly loosened.
In the distance—
The Blackbeard Pirates observed the fierce battle in full.
Those who had escaped Impel Down's Level Six alongside Blackbeard unconsciously swallowed.
Their faces showed solemnity—and even a trace of fear.
They knew clearly that when Leno had first been imprisoned in Impel Down, his strength, though decent, had been nowhere near this terrifying level.
And how long had it been?
"This guy's strength… it's growing way too fast…"
"Corrupt King" Avalo Pizarro licked his dry lips.
Even back in Impel Down, they had known Leno's talent was extraordinary.
But they hadn't expected this level of genius.
"Do we… really have a chance to snatch the fruit right under his nose?"
"Heavy Drinker" Vasco Shot took a swig of liquor, yet even the alcohol tasted bland.
"…."
Hearing his previously fearless subordinates sounding discouraged—
Blackbeard nearly choked on his own breath in anger.
"Pull yourselves together!" he growled.
"We're not fighting alone! Don't you see Admiral Akainu drawing most of Leno's firepower for us?!"
He pointed toward the two figures clashing in the distance.
"When they're both exhausted—that'll be our best chance to move!"
His gaze locked onto Domino, who was maneuvering among the female Marines.
Greed was undisguised in his eyes.
"No matter what… I must obtain the Tremor-Tremor Fruit!" Blackbeard vowed inwardly.
He knew better than anyone—
Only by acquiring the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and absolute power could he fully suppress the Level Six monsters he had brought from Impel Down.
These companions weren't loyal to his charisma.
They were bound together purely by利益 and the lack of a better option.
No one else spoke.
They weren't fools. Without a real opportunity, they wouldn't throw their lives away.
At the same time—
Sengoku's warship finally reached a sea area from which Amazon Lily's situation could be clearly seen.
Standing at the bow, he could already perceive the shockwaves of the fierce battle.
And the sky and clouds, dyed crimson by Akainu's magma.
His expression darkened, his heart sinking.
"This is bad! Sakazuki… he's already fighting! Judging from that commotion, the situation doesn't look good!"
He could no longer wait for the warship to slowly approach the shore.
"Full speed ahead! Follow me!"
After tossing those words to the officers and soldiers behind him—
Sengoku took a deep breath and kicked off the deck.
"Geppo!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His massive figure shot into the sky, air exploding beneath each step.
His body became a blur as he dashed through the air toward the battlefield near Amazon Lily.
This distance—
For a Fleet Admiral like him, it wouldn't consume too much stamina.
It wouldn't overly affect his condition for the battle to come.
If not for conserving strength, he would have used Geppo to travel from the very beginning.
The closer he drew to the battlefield, the stronger his ominous premonition grew.
Not because his Observation Haki detected anything in particular—
But because the surrounding temperature kept rising.
Only when Akainu was in a truly dire situation would he fight with such overwhelming force.
"Sakazuki… hold on!"
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