Night had fallen.
With Captain Dante having issued no curfew, the Conomi Archipelago remained quite lively, even after sunset. For so workers just clocking out from the factories, the night was only just getting started.
After a busy day, they would often gather with workmates, order a glass of Tangerine Wine, the local brew here on Conomi Archipelago, have a simple drink, and chat about their lives and their hopes for the future.
Most people on Conomi Archipelago now weren't originally from here. They were just scavengers scratching out a living in the wasteland before Captain Mock, looking utterly bewildered, sohow bound them to this place.
Of course, since arriving here, they had beco deeply grateful to Captain Mock, who had initially terrified them, and to Dante, who offered the island protection. Now, when they reminisced about it out of boredom, they saw things with a different feeling, a different perspective. And they cherished their current lives even more, feeling even more indebted to Dante for everything they had now.
"Still short-handed at the Tangerine Factory!"
"Tell
about it! Conomi Islands Tangerine Jam gets shipped to most of East Blue. And I heard Captain Dante rescued so rich folks from Syrup Village from pirates a few days ago. To show their thanks to the archipelago, they're helping us push our specialties. We're gonna be even busier!"
"Good thing Captain Dante saved them. Those rich rchants would probably be shark food otherwise! Captain Dante's a good man, saving so many people. But I heard a lot of pirates got caught this ti, and they're sending them all to the factories. Why didn't our factory get any?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Those pirates? Not fit to work in our factory. The Tangerine Factory's the backbone of Conomi Archipelago! Those scumbag pirates are only good for the dirtiest, hardest labor. Besides, being busy is great! ans more wages!"
"Yeah, that's right, it's amazing! Honestly, it still feels unreal. Like, we're actually here, talking about being busy, talking about wages! It all feels like a dream."
"A dream, totally! Well, then, let's treat ourselves after a busy day! How about a glass of Tangerine Wine together? Gotta keep working hard tomorrow!"
"Gotta keep working hard tomorrow!"
A pair of workers, looking like they'd just finished their shift, walked past. This scene wasn't exactly uncommon here.
Kuzan, having left Romance Dawn, walked with his brown backpack slung over his shoulder. He stopped before a focaccia stall, his gaze scanning the street ahead with a blank expression.
Coming and going were workers with tired faces, but even tired, they still wore smiles. Like the two who'd just passed him, sounding like they used to struggle just to eat, but now they could actually afford a glass of Tangerine Wine.
At that mont, as Kuzan was scanning the surroundings with mild curiosity-
"Alright, your Goa Kingdom's Secret Focaccia is ready!"
The stall owner's voice pulled Kuzan back. He turned, looking at the steaming focaccia, already wrapped up.
He'd wandered around a bit after leaving Romance Dawn. Then, he'd caught a unique scent. Seeing it was a focaccia stall, and rembering he hadn't had dinner, he'd decided to give it a try. 'Looks good, I'll give it that.'
"This is special recipe from the Goa Kingdom, a secret recipe of the royal family I paid a fortune for," the hawker said, still preparing a fresh focaccia, seeming to notice his custor's gaze. He looked up with a proud smile, rattling off the advertisent he'd clearly morized. "You know, even the Hero of the Marines said it was good!"
"Oh, really?" Hearing the hawker's pitch, Kuzan played along, feigning surprise with an exaggerated look. "Even the Hero of the Marines ate it? It's unbelievable!"
After paying the cheerful owner, he picked up his focaccia and headed toward the docks.
He walked, biting into the focaccia. He took a bite. The crisp crust, the juicy, tender filling... His eyebrows shot up. 'Not bad at all.'
But a secret recipe from the Goa Kingdom royal family? And the Hero of the Marines saying it was good?
'Yeah, right. Like that's possible.' The Goa Kingdom didn't even any kind of focaccia.
Finishing it in couple bites, Kuzan wiped his hands and reached the newly built Conomi Islands docks. Seeing these spacious, luxurious docks with your own eyes, you'd never guess this was once a poor island in East Blue scraping by on tangerines.
Kuzan walked to the pier and spotted his personal ride parked in front: a beat-up bicycle.
Unlocking it, he muttered under his breath, surprised, "It wasn't stolen? The security here is pretty good."
Of course, he knew who was behind the massive changes on Conomi Archipelago.
Looking at the dark sea ahead, and then glancing at the brightly lit Cocoyasi Town behind him, he swung a leg over the bicycle, whistling softly. "Nice vacation while it lasted... sha it's over."
With that, Kuzan gently pedaled, the bicycle carrying him smoothly towards the dark sea.
Anyone who saw this would be shocked, especially for regular people in East Blue. A person, a bicycle, riding steadily on the water like it was solid ground.
Finally, he disappeared into the darkness.
****
"Okay, I'm heading to bed. You should get so rest soon too! Don't worry if you don't finish those books tonight, they'll still be here tomorrow."
"Alright, Captain. Good night." Hearing the words from her Captain, who was truly a bookworm, Robin offered a helpless smile. After the door closed, she lowered her head, her eyes returning to the books in her hands. A faint flicker of emotion crossed her eyes. 'It's strange,' she mused quietly. 'Being able to just... read. So peaceful.'
Back before East Blue, quiet reading wasn't even a dream, survival was the only goal. Co to think of it, how long has it been? Long enough I almost forgot I was wanted. Forgot the constant chase.
Sothing seed to cross Robin's mind. She paused, a small smile playing on her lips, then shook her head. Her gaze fell back to the books... she hesitated, then gently closed them.
She stretched comfortably. Her white, fitted shirt and black, hip-hugging skirt highlighted the graceful figure unique to the sea.
If Dante had been around, he'd definitely enjoy the view.
Imdiately afterward, Robin stood up, gathered her notebook and books, put them away, and headed toward where she lived.
Co to think of it, since coming to East Blue, she'd been living in the Branch Officers quarters, the sa building as Captain Dante.
It was a two-story building. Dante was on the first floor, she was on the second. As for Nami and Kuina, they lived in another building next door. Oh, right, Tashigi had moved in a few days ago too, apparently wanting to chat with Kuina about growing up.
Robin walked out of the Marine 16th Branch office and headed toward the officers quarters.
Suddenly, she felt a chill nearby, a sudden coldness seizing her. The calm, elegant smile Robin wore froze. She stopped dead, a wave of bad mories flooding back. She spun around, but saw nothing.
After a mont, Robin shook off the feeling. She looked down at her hand, ice had ford there, sohow, but her face settled back into its usual composure. As if nothing had happened, she continued walking.
She walked calmly, but a chilling feeling surged through her, bringing back that familiar sensation along with bad mories.
Even though she didn't see him, Robin knew in her heart...
"He's here!"
==========
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