· In just two short years…
Luffy had gone from a promising rookie to the Fifth Emperor of the Sea.
To Nico Robin, it all seemed far too fast.
She thought about the Emperors who already ruled the seas.
Every one of them was a veteran who had spent decades building their power.
Even the youngest among them, Red-Haired Shanks, had fought for more than ten years before earning the title of Emperor.
But Luffy?
He had done it in only two years.
Did he really deserve to be called an Emperor of the Sea?
Robin couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
The manga seemed to support her doubts.
During the Wano Country Arc, Luffy confronted one of the Four Emperors— Kaido.
Even after giving everything he had…
His attacks were little more than scratches.
Kaido defeated him with a single swing of his club.
An instant knockout.
The gap between them seemed like an insurmountable mountain.
Yet what happened next left Robin utterly stunned.
From the time Luffy was imprisoned after his defeat…
To the final battle on Onigashima…
Very little time had passed.
And yet, when Luffy faced Kaido again…
He was able to fight him on equal footing.
Then…
After repeatedly getting back up no matter how many times he was knocked down…
His Devil Fruit awakened.
He transformed into Sun God Nika.
In the end…
He defeated Kaido.
He ended Kaido’s twenty-year rule over Wano Country…
And officially became one of the Four Emperors.
“W-What…?” “This is basically cheating…” Robin couldn’t help blurting out.
Ryan smiled as he watched the constant changes in her expression.
“Hard to believe, isn’t it?” Robin nodded honestly.
“It really is.” “Can someone truly grow that quickly?” From being effortlessly defeated by Kaido…
To ultimately surpassing him…
Had even a month passed?
Probably not.
In other words…
Luffy had evolved from being one-shotted by an Emperor…
To defeating that very Emperor…
In less than a month.
It was unbelievable.
One could even call it impossible.
Ryan chuckled.
“Doesn’t that just prove how amazing Kaido is?” Robin blinked.
“…What does Kaido being amazing have to do with any of this?” Ryan adopted an utterly serious expression.
“The fake teacher was Rayleigh.” “He trained Luffy for two years and only taught him Haki.” “But the real teacher was Kaido.” “One club swing taught him Ryuo.” “The second taught him Conqueror’s Haki coating.” “The third hammered out the Sun God.” “Clearly…” “It shows just how important a good teacher is.” “As for Rayleigh…” “He’s basically roadside trash by comparison.” Robin suddenly had the overwhelming urge to call the police.
How could this man say such outrageous nonsense…
With such a perfectly straight face?
In the end…
She chose to ignore him and continued reading.
Soon…
She reached the Egghead Arc.
She watched Luffy stand alone against Admiral Kizaru and the Five Elders.
She witnessed Vegapunk’s death.
She learned that the world was destined to sink beneath the sea.
She even saw the death of Saint Saturn, one of the Five Elders.
But none of that shocked her as much as what came afterward.
When the story reached Elbaf…
She saw herself reunited with Saul.
At that moment…
Robin finally realized the truth.
Back then…
Kuzan hadn’t actually killed Saul.
He had spared him.
The overwhelming joy shattered every emotional wall Robin had built around herself.
Large tears streamed from her eyes.
They splashed onto the manga pages in her hands.
The page happened to depict her embracing Saul as they cried together.
“Thank goodness…” “Thank goodness…” “So Saul didn’t die…” “He’s still alive…” She repeated the words over and over.
The tears refused to stop.
Only after a long while did she finally calm herself.
She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
The gloomy aura that had surrounded her for years…
Melted away like snow beneath the spring sun.
She smiled warmly at Ryan.
“Thank you.” “Thank you so much.” Ryan rolled his eyes.
“What are you thanking me for?” “I’m not the one who saved Saul.” Robin shook her head.
“I’m thanking you…” “For letting me know he’s still alive.” Ryan shrugged.
“You’re welcome.” “You would’ve found out eventually anyway.” Robin lowered her head and continued reading.
Before long…
She reached the latest released chapter.
“And then?” She looked up anxiously.
“What happens next?” Ryan spread his hands helplessly.
“That’s all.” “The author hasn’t drawn the rest yet.” Robin looked down at the author’s name.
Eiichiro Oda.
“So…” “Am I actually just a character in a manga?” Her expression became strangely conflicted.
She wanted to complain…
But couldn’t find the words.
It felt as though something was stuck in her throat.
She couldn’t swallow it.
She couldn’t spit it out.
Ryan shook his head.
“I don’t know.” Robin looked at him in surprise.
“You don’t know?” Ryan answered honestly.
“Before I met all of you…” “I believed you were fictional characters.” “But now…” “I’m no longer sure.” “I can’t say whether you’re fictional…” “Or whether the manga was created based on your real world.” Robin fell silent.
“…” That answer…
Actually made sense.
If a manga character suddenly appeared right in front of her…
She wouldn’t know whether they had stepped out of the manga…
Or whether the manga had simply recorded their world.
After a moment, Robin asked, “Where is Eiichiro Oda?” Ryan immediately understood what she was thinking.
“You want to meet him.” Robin nodded.
Although Oda had revealed the World Government’s secrets…
And the existence of Imu…
He still hadn’t revealed the complete truth behind the Void Century.
Robin desperately wanted to ask him in person.
What exactly had happened during those missing hundred years?
Ryan sighed.
“I wouldn’t recommend doing that.” Robin asked, “Why?” “Because your appearance could expose my ability to travel between worlds.” “It would cause enormous trouble for me in my own world.” “So…” “I can’t allow you to meet Eiichiro Oda.” “And besides…” “Even if you did find him…” “Are you certain he’d be able to answer your question?” Robin frowned.
“What do you mean?” Ryan smiled.
“It’s simple.” “Maybe…” “Eiichiro Oda hasn’t even decided how to write the history of the Void Century yet.” “After all…” “He’s just a manga artist.” “What does he know about One Piece?” Robin stared at him speechlessly.
Ryan continued, “If you truly want to uncover the truth about the Void Century…” “You’d be much better off visiting Rayleigh at the Sabaody Archipelago.” “Or…” “Finding Scopper Gaban in Elbaf.” “One was the Pirate King’s right-hand man.” “The other was his left-hand man.” “Both of them sailed with Roger to the final island—Laugh Tale.” “They know the truth about the Void Century better than anyone.” “You can learn everything directly from them.” “That’s far more reliable than asking Oda.” Then Ryan raised one final point.
“And there’s something even more important that you’ve overlooked.” Robin looked at him in confusion.
Ryan calmly said, “Before long…” “Your entire world is going to sink beneath the sea.” “And yet…” “You’re still obsessed with uncovering the truth about the Void Century.” He looked straight into her eyes.
“So tell me…” “Is the past really more important than the future?” ( End of Chapter )
VOTE for me!
Have some idea about my story?
Comment it and let me know.