Robin sat in her cell, staring at the smooth, unblemished walls. The Embercloud was luxurious even in captivity—soft bedding, warm lighting, and meals that would put many royal feasts to shame. But there was one thing Jacob had denied her: entertainment. No books, newspapers, or means of stimulation other than her thoughts.
She sighed, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the mattress. Even though she wasn't shackled to the walls, the Seastone cuffs around her wrists kept her completely powerless.
The cell door clicked open. Robin glanced up, expecting to see Jacob, Nojiko, or maybe Conis. Instead, a red-haired girl she didn't recognize stepped inside. She was young, perhaps in her late teens or early twenties, with an air of quiet confidence.
The girl wordlessly approached, holding a metal collar in her hands. Without hesitation, she fastened it around Robin's neck.
"You have four hours of free time," the girl said calmly, almost uninterestedly. "But if you try anything, that collar will electrocute you."
Robin's expression remained neutral but subtly tested the collar's weight. It wasn't heavy, but it carried a faint hum of energy.
The girl turned and walked away, leaving the door open behind her.
Robin smiled to herself. Interesting.
She stepped out of the cell, stretching her stiff limbs. For the first time in days, she had a taste of freedom—though how much of it was real remained to be seen.
Robin looked to the opened cells beside her and followed them—Mr. 13, the intelligent beaver, and Miss Friday, the vulture—wearing collars identical to hers. Despite their former allegiance to Baroque Works, they seemed oddly at ease here, as if they had found a new home. They guided her through the open corridors of the Embercloud until they reached an expansive training ground.
The sight before her was staggering.
The structure was vast—easily the size of a small island, with towering buildings at its center. The most prominent was a large tower that overlooked everything, likely a watchtower. Robin's sharp eyes caught a familiar figure peering down from it.
That raven-haired girl…
She had been the one to capture Robin back in Whiskey Peak. Robin had noted her presence but hadn't learned much about her yet. She's a very dangerous and fast woman.
Then, her gaze shifted to the rest of the crew, and what she saw shocked her.
The young captain, Jacob, was in the middle of an intense exercise—punching, kicking, and body-slamming a wall reinforced with Seastone while wearing Seastone cuffs. Sweat dripped from his body, yet he showed no signs of stopping, acting as if he were forcing himself to become stronger despite the cruel restraint on his Devil Fruit powers.
Nearby, the swordswoman who had devastated Whiskey Peak was engaged in a ferocious battle against a group of monkeys. But these weren't ordinary animals. They wielded swords, their movements disciplined and intelligent. They fought with skill beyond mere instinct.
Further back, a tall, horned woman rode atop a saber-toothed tiger, laughing madly as she swung her massive kanabo. The beast snarled beneath her, yet it obeyed her command without hesitation, a sign of complete mastery over the wild creature.
Robin's gaze then swept over the rest of the girls. They were sparring, but what caught her attention was how they were doing it—with their eyes closed by black cloths, their wrists bound in Seastone handcuffs.
They were training without their Devil Fruit abilities, relying only on their raw physical strength and combat skills.
Robin exhaled softly, hiding her amazement.
This isn't just a crew… this is a disciplined, battle-hardened force.
She understood now.
Jacob hadn't surrounded himself with just a harem. He had forged them into something more significant. These weren't ordinary girls.
This was an army of disciplined and strong fighters.
Robin was still absorbing the remarkable sight of the crew's training when a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Fascinating, isn't it?"
Robin turned to see a young girl with short pink hair and sharp, analytical eyes. She wore a scientist's garb, a stark contrast to the warriors in the training ground. Despite her youthful appearance, Robin instantly recognized her lineage—the cold precision in her tone, the number six tattooed on her thighs.
"Germa's princess."
Reiju, the eldest of the Vinsmoke siblings.
Robin kept her expression neutral. "So, those monkeys… they're called Humandrills, aren't they?"
Reiju smiled slightly, pleased by Robin's knowledge. "Indeed. Jacob obtained them after his exploits in the Calm Belt. They're a brilliant species. Not only are they physically strong, but they can also learn techniques just by observing them. Since Kuina started sparring with them, they've been picking up her sword style at an alarming rate."
Robin glanced back at the Humandrills. They mimicked Kuina's movements perfectly, blocking, countering, and adjusting their stances mid-fight. It was no surprise they had gained such proficiency so quickly.
Jacob's strategic mind in utilizing this world's resources is fascinating.
Deciding to shift the conversation, Robin asked, "Is there a library here?"
Reiju tilted her head slightly, studying Robin before casually pointing to the right. "Yes, down that corridor. However," she added with a smirk, "if you try to take a book back to your cell, you'll be electrocuted."
Robin chuckled softly. At least they're consistent with her punishment.
With that, she turned and headed toward the library. If she was stuck on this ship, she might as well learn more about her captors.
***
Over the past three days, Robin had grown increasingly familiar with the crew's inner workings. She watched them when she got her four-hour free time, listened to their conversations, and pieced together their roles within the strange yet formidable band of pirates.
Nami was the navigator. She charted their course with precision and skill Robin hadn't seen in anyone else's. Kuina, on the other hand, had a unique position—she was Jacob's confidant and bodyguard. But more than that, she was the crew's battle instructor, training them relentlessly to sharpen their skills.
Reiju, with her sharp mind and advanced Germa technology, acted as the chief scientist. Robin often saw her in the lab, either tinkering with inventions or assisting Kaya, the crew's doctor. Kaya, despite her young age, was surprisingly skilled in medicine. However, she didn't limit herself to healing; she also dabbled in scientific projects alongside Reiju.
Nojiko, Robin noted, had a dual role. She managed the forest aboard the Embercloud, ensuring that the lush greenery thrived, and she also cooked, though Conis played a more significant role in that department. Conis was a gentle soul, but Robin had already seen glimpses of her destructive potential—her Devil Fruit granted her terrifying light-based attacks.
Desire managed the ship's provisions, keeping track of supplies and rations, while Carina handled the crew's finances and doubled as their entertainer. With her voice, she lifted their spirits, and with her cunning, she ensured their wealth remained intact.
Alvida spent most of her time assisting Kaya, though her real value came from her Devil Fruit ability. With the power to create portals, she provided the crew with a near-instantaneous escape route if things ever went south.
Porche, surprisingly, was a tamer. Robin had assumed she was just another flirtatious girl with little to contribute. Still, that was shattered when she saw her command dinosaurs, sabertooth tigers, and even a massive pterodactyl with effortless ease. The ship's forested area teemed with prehistoric creatures from Little Garden, all under her control.
Then there was Raki, the ever-watchful guardian. She seemed to act as an energy source and a silent protector who kept an eye on everything happening aboard the Embercloud.
But the one who puzzled Robin the most was Yamato. Unlike the others, she had no clearly defined role. She trained, she fought, and she roamed freely. Yet Robin could tell—she was the strongest—even more potent than Jacob, though not by an overwhelming margin.
And then there was Jacob himself—the young captain, The Fire King.
The man who had single-handedly dismantled Hanafuda and taken her captive. He trained relentlessly, fought with unwavering determination, and led his crew with an unspoken authority.
Robin couldn't help but smirk to herself.
This was no ordinary crew.
It was an army. A well-oiled machine that had no weak links.
And she was right in the middle of it. She thought hiding here with them would be safer than under Crocodile. The young Captain was careful, meticulous, and capable.