Chapter 44

3Just after leaving Aokiji's line of sight, Shanter nearly collapsed.

"Is the gap between us still that vast?" Shanter slumped to the ground, feeling utterly powerless.

The impression Kuzan left on Shanter during the incident at Ohara four years ago was far too profound. That overwhelming, unmatched strength still lingered vividly in his mind.

Shanter pounded his legs hard, trying to steady his breathing before forcing himself to stand.

"Robin, you'd better be safe. Please, no harm must come to you," Shanter murmured, a sense of unease gnawing at him. Having been delayed by Aokiji, he knew the risks surrounding Robin had only increased.

The more Shanter walked, the stronger his unease became, until eventually, he broke into a sprint.

Bad premonitions have a way of coming true—Robin was indeed in trouble.

Using his Observation Haki, Shanter sensed Robin's presence, only to see her captured by a group of bounty hunters.

When Shanter reached about forty or fifty meters from Robin, he froze. At least ten rifles were aimed directly at her head. Robin didn't cry out for help upon seeing Shanter; she merely looked at him with apologetic eyes.

Shanter understood her gaze perfectly: Big Brother, I'm sorry for causing you trouble.

He responded with a gentle look: It's okay.

With no other choice, Shanter issued a cold threat: "If you want to live, release her now, and I'll let you walk away."

The blood-soaked Shanter was on the verge of being mocked for his arrogance, but the bounty hunters caught sight of him plunging Seijō Muramasa into the ground, and their taunts died in their throats.

They understood all too well what this meant: their leader was dead, and the 200-plus bounty hunters who had joined in the siege against Shanter had all been dealt with within the past half hour.

"I'll say it again: if you want to live, release Robin. If even a single hair on her head is harmed, I guarantee your deaths won't be quick or painless," Shanter said, his voice radiating cold menace.

A split formed among the bounty hunters. Those who had been temporarily recruited wanted to let Robin go and avoid provoking the fearsome "Asura" in the mask. Meanwhile, the leader's original subordinates were determined to fight to the bitter end.

The two factions argued fiercely, unable to reach a decision.

Shanter remained calm, watching them in cold silence.

Suddenly, a soft yet eerie voice broke the deadlock. "Hey, ugly mask guy over there. If you want us to let Nico Robin go, you'll have to cut off your own hand first."

The bounty hunters froze—it was Robin's voice.

"This is my chance!" Shanter seized the opening. Conqueror's Haki exploded from him like a tidal wave.

Although his Haki wasn't as powerful as Shanks', it was more than enough against bounty hunters of this caliber. Dozens of them collapsed, rendered unconscious.

"Twelve Flurry Blossoms!" Although Robin's legs were weak from the Haki's pressure, she had spent enough time with Shanter to build up some resistance. She took the opportunity to strike down several surrounding bounty hunters and made her escape.

"This isn't good!" The remaining conscious bounty hunter leaders recognized the dire situation and opened fire on Shanter and Robin.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Are you seeking death? Shield!" Shanter twirled his blade, Kōten, creating a wall of swirling sword light that blocked the incoming bullets.

"Meteor!" Shanter raised Kōten above his head and thrust downward, sending a crescent-shaped blade of energy streaking toward the bounty hunter who fired first.

Unable to defend himself, the bounty hunter was pierced through, dying instantly.

"Well then, you can all die now." Shanter leapt into the air, swinging Kōten in a wide arc.

Rather than a single slash, his blade moved with such speed that it created the illusion of a massive cross-shaped strike.

"Cross Meteor Shower!"

In an instant, it became a one-sided massacre. The majority fell, while a handful of the temporary recruits managed to survive unscathed.

Shanter wasn't bloodthirsty by nature, but he was merciless toward anyone who posed a threat to Robin.

"Let's go, Robin," Shanter said softly. He thought of hugging her but decided against it, realizing his body was drenched in blood.

"Mm," Robin replied, not wanting to linger in the gruesome scene.

"Big Brother, give me your clothes when we're back on the ship. I'll wash them for you."

"Huh? What's with this sudden act of kindness?" Shanter asked in mock surprise. Robin, always absorbed in her books, had never volunteered to help with chores before.

Robin: "..."

On the ship, Shanter, now cleaned up and bandaged, suddenly looked at Robin with suspicion.

"By the way, what did you just call me in front of those bounty hunters? Ugly mask guy? What's that supposed to mean?"

Robin, caught off guard, let out a silly laugh and buried her face in her book, hoping to avoid the question.

"Don't think you can dodge this," Shanter said, gently pinching Robin's cheek. "Wearing a mask is one thing, but why did you have to add 'ugly' to it?"

Robin kept smiling but didn't respond.

"This matter isn't over, Nico Robin," Shanter said, clearly annoyed. Even his usual term of endearment, "girl," was absent.

"Do you really think I'm that ugly?" he asked quietly.

Though Shanter never voiced it, the scar that slashed across his face—a mark of disfigurement—was a sensitive topic for him. Standing next to Robin, whose features were flawless, Shanter often felt a sense of inferiority. Her careless words today had struck a nerve.

"I'm sorry, Big Brother. I shouldn't have called you that. I was wrong," Robin said, sensing the seriousness of his tone.

"It's fine. I know I'm not exactly easy on the eyes..."

"Don't say that!" Robin interrupted loudly.

"It's really not a big deal," Shanter said as he walked toward the kitchen. "I'll make dinner now. Those bounty hunters interrupted our evening meal."

Watching his expressionless retreat, Robin was filled with regret. Why had she said those words?

"Here, girl. Have some fish soup." Shanter ladled the steaming broth into Robin's bowl.

"Thank you," Robin said, taking a sip. Suddenly, she asked, "Big Brother, if I ever did something wrong or became strange, would you still stay with me?"

"No. Eat your food. Why are you asking so many questions?" Shanter grumbled.

"I'm serious!" Robin pressed.

"Of course, I'd stay with you. Otherwise, what would you do? You're so clumsy; how would you survive without me?" Shanter softened his tone.

"I feel the same," Robin replied.

Hearing this, Shanter smiled faintly, though Robin, focused on her soup, didn't notice.

Unbeknownst to him, she was secretly smiling too.

---

Get early access to advanced chapters and faster updates by joining the Pirate King membership for just $5! ln my p@tr3on:

p@tr3on.com/KZ478

Your support helps keep this alive and going. Again thank you for reading.