One Piece: Rise of Valoria

The air was still and dark as the faintest light of dawn barely crept over the horizon. William stood at the edge of Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, the world around him draped in the silence of early morning. His heart felt heavy yet steady, knowing what lay ahead. His journey to the West Blue was one filled with purpose—finding Nico Robin and bringing her back to their growing family. But before any of that could begin, he had to say goodbye.

The others were awake, standing together outside the bar as William prepared for his departure. The Boa sisters—Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold—looked at him with a mixture of sadness and resolve. Rayleigh and Shakky stood to the side, giving him their quiet support.

William turned to Sandersonia and Marigold first. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders, pulling them into a brief but firm hug. "Take care of yourself, Marie, Sonia," he said softly, his voice full of warmth. "And make sure to take care of your silly sister for me."

Marigold smiled. "You don't have to worry about us, William. Just make sure to come back safe."

Sandersonia gave a short nod. "We'll be ready for training when you return."

William released them and turned to Hancock, who stood slightly apart from her sisters, arms crossed and lips pursed in a stubborn pout. She looked away from him, trying to mask her emotions, but William could see through it easily. He stepped toward her and wrapped her in a long, gentle hug.

Hancock resisted at first, but after a few seconds, she buried her face in his chest, her fingers clutching at the fabric of his cloak as if she could hold him in place by sheer force of will. "Don't leave me," she mumbled, her voice barely audible. "Don't abandon me for her…"

William sighed softly, pressing his cheek against her hair. "Hancock, you know I'm not abandoning you. I'll be back soon, I promise. I just need to find Robin."

Hancock remained silent, her grip tightening around him. After a few moments, William gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You know I'll come back, right?"

Hancock's lips trembled, but she nodded, albeit reluctantly. "You'd better," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. "Or I'll never forgive you."

A soft chuckle escaped William as he gave her a playful tap on the forehead with his finger. "Silly girl," he said affectionately. "I'll be back before you know it. And besides, someone has to keep you out of trouble."

Hancock blushed, her usual fiery attitude dulled by the tears forming in her eyes. "I'll hold you to that," she murmured, burying her face back in his chest for a final moment.

After coaxing her with soft words and promises, Hancock finally let him go. She stepped back, wiping her eyes quickly as if she didn't want anyone to see her tears. William gave her one last reassuring smile before turning to the others.

Rayleigh stepped forward, his usual laid-back expression replaced by something more serious. "Take care of yourself, kid. West Blue's not exactly a peaceful place these days."

William nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. I'll be back soon."

Rayleigh gave him a small, approving nod. "Just follow the vivre card when you're ready."

Shakky, ever calm and composed, gave him a nod of support. "Good luck, William. Bring her back safely."

With everyone's words of encouragement settling in his heart, William took a step back from the group. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool morning air fill his lungs. Then, with a surge of energy, two massive wings sprouted from his back, shimmering in the dim light of the early morning. The wings, strong and majestic, beat once, twice, lifting him off the ground effortlessly.

The Boa sisters and the others watched in awe as William hovered above them, his wings casting long shadows on the ground. He gave them a final wave before soaring into the sky, his silhouette disappearing into the darkness of the pre-dawn sky.

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The flight across the Grand Line toward West Blue was long, but William relished the feeling of the wind against his face. His heart set on finding Nico Robin, the last piece of the family he had left behind years ago. As the hours passed, the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue across the ocean below. Islands dotted the horizon.

It was late afternoon when he finally reached his destination—an island in West Blue. The place was bustling with activity, though it had an air of quiet tension, the kind that comes with living in a world constantly under the shadow of pirates and Marines alike. William landed in a secluded area, retracting his wings before stepping into the heart of the island's small town.

He needed information—anything that would lead him to Robin's whereabouts. But asking the wrong people could raise suspicion, and William knew he couldn't afford to attract too much attention. He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, concealing his face as he walked through the crowded marketplace.

The town was alive with chatter, vendors shouting out their wares and townsfolk exchanging gossip. William's sharp ears caught snippets of conversation, but none of it was useful. He kept walking, scanning the faces around him for anyone who might know something about the person he was searching for.

Finally, he approached a small tavern tucked away at the edge of the market. The place looked worn but lively, a perfect spot for gathering rumors and information. William pushed open the door and stepped inside, the smell of ale and food hitting him immediately.

The bartender, a burly man with a thick beard, glanced up as William approached the counter. "What can I get you, stranger?" he asked, wiping a glass with a rag that had seen better days.

William pulled out a a stack of Berries and slid them across the counter. "I'm looking for information," he said, his voice low and steady. "About a woman."

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Depends on the woman. Got a name?"

"Nico Robin," William replied, watching the bartender's reaction carefully.

At the mention of her name, the bartender's face went stiff, and he glanced around the room as if checking to make sure no one else had heard. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "That's dangerous talk around here, friend. Word is, she's being hunted by the World Government."

William's expression didn't change. "I know."

The bartender hesitated, clearly weighing the risk of helping this stranger. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "There's been talk of her being spotted on a few islands in this area. No one knows exactly where she's hiding, but if you're determined, I'd start asking around the northern ports."

William nodded, slipping a few more Berries onto the counter. "Thanks."

Without another word, he left the tavern, his mind racing. Robin was close—closer than he had expected. But if she was being hunted, that meant there would be eyes everywhere. William would need to be careful. The last thing he wanted was to lead the World Government straight to her.

As he stepped back into the fading light of the evening, William felt a surge of determination. He would find Robin. He would protect her, just like he had promised all those years ago. 

With the information he had gathered, he began his search in earnest, disappearing into the streets of the island as the shadows of nightfall crept in.

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