One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

Sakazuki walked slowly to his office. Though it wasn't as grand as Sengoku's, it was still spacious enough. Despite its size, the room had no unnecessary decorations—just a desk by the window, a set of reddish-brown leather sofas, and a low coffee table were all the furnishings it contained.

Nico Robin had been brought to Sakazuki's office by the lieutenant commander aboard the ship. At this moment, the small, thin girl sat nervously on the sofa, glancing uneasily around the room.

The sound of the sliding door opening startled her, and when she saw Sakazuki enter, her body visibly tensed. Sakazuki walked straight to the sofa and sat down beside Robin.

He spoke slowly: "My subordinates just reported to me that you didn't eat the breakfast delivered to you on the ship earlier. But I assume you're not in the mood to eat anything right now, am I right?"

Robin didn't respond to his words. After a moment, she clenched her teeth and looked directly at the nearby vice admiral. "Where is my mother?"

Sakazuki didn't immediately answer her. Instead, he lifted his right leg and crossed it over his left, sitting in a leisurely posture.

Only after making this movement did he speak, unhurriedly: "I won't lie to you and tell you some nonsense like your mother is safe and sound. While the truth is harsh, I can responsibly tell you that her time is running out."

"But…"

"I didn't bring her out of Ohara to save her. It was because Saul had previously rescued her from the Navy's prison that we were obligated to bring her back. Only then could the Navy's authority be maintained. Breaking the law comes first; no one can save her."

Robin's pupils widened slightly. Though she had some suspicions in her heart, hearing Sakazuki say it out loud left her momentarily unable to accept it. Coupled with the fact that she hadn't eaten anything aboard the ship, she began to feel dizzy and hear a faint ringing in her ears.

Seeing the dimming light in her eyes, Sakazuki continued speaking: "Adopting you is partly a fulfillment of the promise to the scholars and partly a response to Saul's request. Although we've done our best to rescue others, the Buster Call has left no shortage of children orphaned and homes destroyed."

Robin hugged her knees tightly, lowering her head so that her expression was unreadable. She almost murmured, "If you knew, then why did you still do it?"

Sakazuki's expression remained indifferent. "The World Government issued a clear decree long ago—studying the Void Century's history is forbidden. The scholars knowingly broke the law. Who else can they blame but themselves?" He paused, then added, "To put it even more bluntly, the casualties and displacement of Ohara's residents are entirely the scholars' doing."

"?" Robin raised her head slightly in confusion. Sakazuki no longer looked at her but instead stared at his own knee. After a moment, he asked her in return, "Nico Robin, tell me: Did those scholars not know that studying the Poneglyphs was illegal? Did they not know their research would endanger innocent people around them?"

Robin suddenly recalled the days leading up to the Buster Call. She remembered the scholars cheering and celebrating her birthday, yet panicking when she expressed her desire to participate in the Poneglyph research.

She remembered Dr. Clover's words as he urged her to leave: "If you hear what I'm about to say next, you'll become a criminal. Leave, Robin!"

The girl's expression turned dazed as she murmured to herself, "They all knew…"

"Now, it's too late to point fingers or offer any defense." Sakazuki's voice remained calm. "You're very smart, and I don't take you for a child who can be easily fooled.

Whether you listen or not is up to you, but the Navy, which has always been dedicated to protecting civilians and fighting pirates on the front lines, would never act without reason. Everything has its cause and effect."

He stood up, walked to his desk, and said softly, "That's all there is to it."

Before Robin could dwell on her inner turmoil, Sakazuki picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed a number. He shook the receiver in his hand toward her and said, "Who's right and who's wrong—you'll see it all for yourself in time. Use your own eyes to observe, think carefully, and make your own judgments.

Many things cannot be explained by the binary concepts of good and evil, black and white. And yet, unfortunately, many people only understand things in those terms.

"To analyze and think through problems from multiple perspectives and layers—this is the first lesson I, as your adoptive father, am teaching you."

A voice came through the receiver, carrying a trace of exasperation: "We haven't seen each other in ages, and the first thing you do is take advantage of me? You're putting me in a difficult position here, Sakazuki!"

Sakazuki remained indifferent. "I wasn't speaking to you earlier. By the way, Jonathan, I've adopted a civilian girl—" Before he could finish, he noticed the Den Den Mushi imitating a dumbfounded expression from the other end.

"WHAT!?"

"Let me finish what I was saying…"

"Oh… Sorry… Please, go on."

"It's true that the food in the Navy mess hall is quite decent. The portions are reasonable, and the nutritional balance is excellent. However, for a malnourished young girl, I'd prefer a more targeted approach to her diet for some time. So, may I come to your place to mooch a meal?"

"Of co—" The voice on the other end, belonging to the man called Jonathan, was abruptly cut off. The receiver seemed to have been snatched away, and it was replaced by a soft, elegant female voice: "Of course, you can!! How could the mess hall food ever compare to my cooking skills?"

"Jessica, thank you very much," Sakazuki responded politely into the receiver.

"Then, it's settled—6 PM tonight, don't be late!" Jonathan's voice suddenly chimed in again, followed by the sound of frantic footsteps and the noise of someone rummaging through drawers. "Do we still have chilled beer at home?"

"…." Sakazuki sighed helplessly as he hung up the phone. Turning his head, he noticed Robin sitting there in a daze. With a faint trace of amusement in his eyes, he said, "Let me teach you the fifth lesson—'A man is made of iron, but food is the backbone.' Time to enjoy a private meal!"

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