Marriage
Robin was deeply conflicted, but she ultimately accepted reality.
Things were no longer up to her.
Aside from genuinely becoming Lord Ryōsuke's woman, there was simply no other path left for her.
The man was incredibly domineering, which was obvious from their time together last night.
She also couldn't afford to bring disaster upon the Straw Hats.
It seemed her only option was to leave the Straw Hat Pirates.
Afterward, she would need to go see Zoro, Usopp, and Franky, who were currently in Wano Country.
The following night, Kozuki Hiyori took the initiative to visit Ryōsuke's room.
She was more than willing to bear Ryōsuke's child.
In her mind, Ryōsuke was now her greatest pillar of support, and she needed to cling to him tightly.
Only then would the people of Wano Country receive better protection in the future.
Of course, she was also growing impatient.
The anxiety of waiting for his favor was too agonizing; it was better to just get it over with.
She would just lie on the bed, let Lord Ryōsuke enjoy himself to the fullest, and then give him a child.
Naturally, Ryōsuke did not refuse.
The night passed without further words.
After Ryōsuke's diligent efforts, Kozuki Hiyori was likely pregnant.
Although she was just an ordinary girl and might not yield high-tier rewards, the process itself still provided plenty of benefits.
This time, he gained 0.5 units of chakra.
Ryōsuke certainly didn't mind; his massive chakra reserves were currently being accumulated exactly like this.
When noon arrived, Kozuki Hiyori woke up. She hadn't expected the process of making a baby with this lord to be so pleasurable.
If she had known earlier, why would she have been so anxious?
Looking at Kozuki Hiyori, Ryōsuke smiled and said,
"Although we are already husband and wife in name, we still cannot skip the proper wedding ceremony."
This was to send a message to the former retainers of the Kozuki clan to stop instigating rebellions.
Hiyori couldn't think that far ahead anymore; her heart was completely filled with happiness.
Lord Ryōsuke hadn't treated her as a mere toy, and for that, she was already completely satisfied.
"Thank you, My Lord."
At this moment, Ryōsuke also thought of the others. Since he had decided to hold a wedding for Kozuki Hiyori, Yamato and Ulti naturally had to be included, and of course, Robin would be part of it as well.
"I will have my subordinates handle this matter shortly."
"We will also notify Wano Country and the people on Onigashima."
Hiyori obediently nestled into Ryōsuke's embrace.
She was overjoyed. This way, the people of Wano Country wouldn't have to worry anymore.
Since she was receiving such excellent treatment, they would surely be treated well too.
This news immediately spread throughout all of Onigashima and Wano Country.
On Onigashima.
"To think Lord Ryōsuke is actually marrying four women in a single day... It really makes one envious."
"Yeah, not only have Yamato and Ulti become His Lordship's wives, but even Kozuki Hiyori is included. She's Kozuki Oden's daughter, after all."
"That is indeed shocking. But why is the fourth woman named Nico Robin? Doesn't that sound exactly like the member of the Straw Hat Pirates who's been making waves recently?"
"She is a member of the Straw Hat Pirates. I can't believe His Lordship even married a woman like her. It's just too enviable."
The citizens of Wano Country were naturally delighted as well. This lord did not oppress them like Kurozumi Orochi had.
He had given them a way to survive, and now he was uniting with Kozuki Hiyori. Perhaps it was precisely because of this union that they were being treated so kindly.
They rejoiced over the marriage between Kozuki Hiyori and Lord Ryōsuke.
But where some were happy, others were troubled.
Those troubled individuals were Usopp, Franky, and Zoro of the Straw Hat Pirates, who had gathered together.
Upon receiving the news, Usopp's face was filled with utter disbelief.
He looked at his two companions.
"You guys must have heard, right? That mysterious man, Uchiha Ryōsuke, not only subjugated the Beast Pirates on Onigashima, but he also established the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets and even conquered Wano Country."
"And now he's going to marry Nico Robin as the empire's Fourth Imperial Consort! Tell me, what are we supposed to do?"
He didn't doubt the authenticity of this news for a second. When the former Beast Pirates attacked Kurozumi Orochi's forces, he had witnessed it with his own eyes while hiding in a corner.
And those people no longer called themselves the Beast Pirates; they were now the grand army of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets.
He was completely at a loss for what to do. He lacked the combat power, and Luffy wasn't here.
But Nico Robin was their crewmate, and the wedding was going to be held very soon.
What made them feel so helpless was that if the wedding actually took place, Robin would truly become that man's.
Franky's face darkened as he stated with certainty,
"Robin definitely isn't doing this willingly. She must have been threatened by that so-called Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets. We have to go rescue her."
Usopp hesitated.
"But how are we supposed to rescue her? That Emperor is even more terrifying than Kaido."
Because he had assimilated the Beast Pirates. If his strength wasn't greater than Kaido's, that would have been impossible—and he was likely more than just a little bit stronger.
Hearing this, Franky also looked deflated.
He naturally understood the sheer weight of the Beast Pirates' name, so he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of dread toward that mysterious Emperor.
Zoro spoke in a deep voice.
"We should just go ask Robin in person."
"That's the only way we'll know what's really going on."
Kurozumi Orochi of Wano Country had already been eliminated, and the Beast Pirates had been assimilated.
So they probably couldn't be considered enemies anymore, right?
Right at that moment, Robin slowly walked toward them.
Robin had originally thought her movements would be restricted, but to her surprise, she was allowed to freely enter and exit the current Shogun's Palace of Wano Country.
Of course, it had now been converted into the imperial palace of the Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets.
Ryōsuke naturally wouldn't restrict Robin's freedom. After all, Robin had already been thoroughly molded by him and was carrying his child in her womb; there was no way she could escape even if she tried.
Furthermore, Robin was a very sensible person. She wouldn't bring disaster upon her crewmates.
The three men were overjoyed to see Robin.
Usopp took a few steps forward and hurriedly asked,
"Robin, are you okay?"
Robin nodded.
"I'm fine."
After all, she was only having a child; she hadn't been abused, and that man actually doted on her very much.
Usopp breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she was fine, that was all that mattered.
He immediately brought up the matter of the wedding.
"Robin, are you really going to marry the Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets? Are you being forced?"
In his eyes, Robin was a crewmate with whom they shared a deep bond.
They had weathered so many storms together; how could she just casually marry someone else?
Getting married meant she would likely have to leave the Straw Hat Pirates.
But their adventure wasn't over yet.