One Piece: The Avengers

For a period of time after that, the two of them set up a temporary home in a mountain forest far from the town and settled down.

Shanter also promised Robin that as soon as his injuries healed, he would accompany her to find the Historical Texts.

Robin took on all the household chores, while Shanter's main tasks, aside from buying supplies, were going out to "sell" or "fish."

The method was simple: Shanter wandered around crowded places alone. At only 12 years old, with a bounty of 41 million Berries on his head, he was still quite an attractive target for bounty hunters.

Shanter himself was both the bait and the hook, and those bounty hunters naturally became the fish. Of course, Shanter's main goal was wealth, not murder. For bounty hunters who weren't strong enough to threaten him, he usually just robbed them and knocked them out.

However, for bounty hunters who posed a potential threat to his and Robin's safety, Shanter showed no mercy—he would kill them all and then profit from their deaths.

Thus, every few days, Shanter would gain something from his efforts.

As the saying goes: "Those who come out to mix with the world will eventually pay the price." Unfortunately, the bounty hunters who crossed paths with Shanter became the sacrifices to this saying.

Currently, Shanter's actions could be summed up as: focusing solely on the result, not questioning the motive. Anyone who harbored hostility toward him had to at least lose the ability to resist. This was a far cry from the time at Colonel Falin's Navy base when he merely beat up the soldiers who were sent to capture him.

Days passed, and Shanter's gunshot wound gradually healed. After all, it wasn't a major injury. Although a penetrating wound took time to heal, it had already fully recovered.

Both Shanter and Robin cherished this "cohabitation" life that they had regained. In the three years they had been apart, neither had had it easy.

"Kid, what jam do you want for your bread?" Shanter, who was preparing breakfast, asked Robin, who was still lying in bed.

"Huh?" Robin was still half-asleep, having stayed up late reading the night before.

"I'm asking what kind of jam you want?" Shanter said, a little displeased. "I've told you so many times, don't stay up late reading. It's bad for your skin, especially since you're already so dark. But you never listen. You're really not behaving well!"

"What kinds do we have?" Robin, seeing that Shanter was starting to nag again, quickly asked.

Then, Robin mumbled softly, "What's the matter? You're whining again like an old housekeeper."

"What did you say?" Shanter's hearing was sharp.

"Nothing, really, nothing!" Robin was startled, quickly adding, "I meant, what kinds of jams do we have?"

"Fine, I'll let you off this time. But next time, I'll punish you severely!" Shanter put on a fierce mask, though it was obvious that it was fake. "We have strawberry jam, hawthorn jam, and apple jam. Which one do you want?"

"Ugh, they're all too sweet. Don't you have any ketchup?" Robin sounded a bit disappointed.

"Finished it yesterday," Shanter spread his hands.

"Is there anything else?" Robin asked weakly.

"No... Wait—yes!" Shanter, seeing Robin's loving expression, suddenly changed his tone. "But only I can 'eat' it! You can't, kid."

"Why can't I eat it? What jam is it?" Robin was also curious.

"Robin jam!" Shanter said with a mischievous smile. "It's fragrant and sweet, just like you!"

Robin froze for a moment.

"Brother, you're teasing me again!" Robin complained, not backing down. Petals flew in the air as eight hands playfully punched and scratched Shanter.

"Ah, I was wrong! Haha—stop, stop! Ah—my bread's going to fall! Stop! I'm sorry!" Shanter quickly begged for mercy.

After the playful bickering, they finished breakfast, and Shanter, pretending not to care, said, "Kid, our salt and vegetables are almost gone. Go to the town and buy some, okay?"

"Me?" Robin hesitated, knowing she had been rejected many times by the shopkeeper.

"I'm a little tired. Let me rest for a while," Shanter lazily lay back on the bed.

"Oh, fine then!" Robin agreed. "When should I go?"

"Right now. Here, this is the shopping list! And here's the money!" Shanter sprang up like a whirlwind, pulling the list and money from a drawer.

"Oh." Robin gave him a suspicious look as she watched his swift movements but said nothing and left.

Shanter hid behind the door, watching Robin walk further away.

"Great! Finally got the kid out of the way! Time to set things up!"

Around 11:00 AM, Robin, carrying a large bag of items, finally arrived in front of their home.

As she approached the cabin, something felt off.

First, the door was tightly shut. Normally, unless it was nighttime or both of them were out, they never closed the door.

Second, all the curtains were drawn. In such a pitch-black cabin, what could Shanter possibly be doing alone?

Finally, there seemed to be a number of dragging marks around the house. Robin was certain these weren't there when she left earlier.

"Did something happen? Could it really be this coincidental?" Robin thought to herself, carefully pushing the door open.

"Whoosh!" A loud sound rang out as Robin was sprayed with something from all directions.

Startled, she was about to react when she saw 12 candles arranged in a heart shape lighting up in the pitch-black cabin, and a familiar smiling face.

"Hi, kid!" Shanter grinned. "How's it? My little fireworks display, not bad, huh?"

Robin realized that the thing sprayed on her was just colorful paper and streamers.

Seeing Robin's confused expression, Shanter looked disappointed. "Hey, silly girl, today's your birthday! You didn't forget, did you?"

Robin suddenly realized, and to cover her surprise, she smiled. "Thank you, brother!"

"Then sit down! Today, you're a princess!" Shanter waved her over.

At this point, Shanter looked a bit bashful. "Hurry up! Today, I've got a very special gift for you!"

Robin, illuminated by the candlelight, looked at Shanter's slightly flushed face, surprised. After all, she had never seen Shanter look so shy.

"What is it? You're really making me curious!" Robin said with a smile.

"Want to know? Then Robin-chan has to close her eyes first. You can only open them when I say so." Shanter said this with a calm expression, his face returning to normal.

"So mysterious?" Robin, hearing this, obediently closed her eyes.

Soon, Robin felt Shanter hang something around her neck. Though she was curious, she kept her eyes shut.

"All done! You can open your eyes now!" For some reason, Robin felt that there was a strange, almost tragic atmosphere in Shanter's words, as if something was waiting for judgment, and a touch of guilt.

"Hm? Brother, isn't this your jade pendant? The one left behind by your mother? It's the only memento she left, and it's a family heirloom. I can't accept it!" Robin was startled and instinctively tried to refuse.

"Is that so? You don't want it?" Shanter's voice was full of disappointment as he reached to take the jade pendant back.

"Wait—so you mean...?" Robin suddenly realized, pushing Shanter's hand away. "I'll take it! I'll take it! This gift, I accept!" Robin tightly gripped the jade pendant, both excited and nervous, almost afraid Shanter might take it back.

"So, you've accepted it?" Shanter's disappointment vanished. After all, Robin had always called him "brother," and Shanter was genuinely afraid of getting the "brother card." That would be a tragedy.

"Well then, from now on, you'll be part of the First family," Shanter said as he leaned close to Robin's ear, deliberately blowing a breath, sending a shiver down her spine. "That means I, Shanter of the First family, will be your fiancé."

"Mm." Robin's face turned red, her cheeks flushed with a soft glow. She lowered her voice and said, "Brother, you've given me such a wonderful gift, so... I'll give you one too."

"Sure! What are you going to give me, kid?" Shanter's heart soared with happiness at Robin's words. Childhood friends finally reaching this point, he couldn't be more delighted.

"Well, brother, close your eyes too," Robin's voice became softer, almost shy.

"Mm, okay! All yours, kid." Shanter closed his eyes obediently, his curiosity piqued.

Just as Shanter closed his eyes, a wave of cold yet fiery tenderness suddenly pressed against his lips.

---

Enjoying the story? Want to read ahead?

Get early access to 30+ Chapters and faster updates by

joining the Pirate King Membership tier for just $5! You can choose to support me on :

Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/KZ478

Your support helps keep this story alive, and I deeply appreciate every contribution

Thank you for reading and supporting my work.