The gentle rotation of the Sabaody Ferris wheel slowly brought their private, bubble-encased cabin back down toward the bustling earth. The brilliant sunset that had painted the sky in shades of crimson and gold was giving way to the deep, sparkling violet of twilight.
Ben pulled back slightly from the kiss, resting his forehead gently against Robin's. He offered a warm genuine smile that completely broke through his suave, tailored disguise.
Robin smiled back, a delicate blush dusting her cheeks, her striking blue eyes shining with a serene, unburdened happiness she hadn't felt in twenty years.
"If that was your idea of a distraction, Magician-san," Robin murmured, her voice a soft, velvety purr, "I must admit, it was highly effective."
"I aim to over-deliver," Ben chuckled, lightly brushing his thumb across her cheekbone before stepping back as the cabin gently bumped against the loading platform.
The heavy glass doors slid open with a soft hiss, letting in the cool evening breeze and the distant sounds of the amusement park. Ben stepped out first, offering his hand. Robin took it elegantly as she stepped onto the wooden deck.
As they began to walk down the exit ramp, blending back into the crowds of tourists and locals, a sudden, frantic wave of noise washed over the plaza.
It wasn't the sound of carnival games or cheering children. It was the sound of absolute, wunadulterated panic.
"SOMEONE ATTACKED THEM!" a civilian screamed, sprinting past Ben and Robin, his face pale with terror.
"RUN! GET OUT OF GROVE 1!" a merchant yelled, desperately locking up his souvenir cart. "A PIRATE JUST ASSAULTED THE CELESTIAL DRAGONS! THE ADMIRALS WILL BE COMING!"
The crowd around the Ferris wheel instantly devolved into a stampede, people shoving each other to get as far away from the high-end groves as physically possible.
Ben and Robin didn't run. They simply stepped out of the main flow of traffic, standing calmly in the shadow of a massive mangrove root.
Ben adjusted his glasses, watching the terrified masses. He let out a long, highly amused sigh.
"Well," Ben said, glancing sideways at Robin. "I bet that was one of the members of our crew."
Robin let out a soft, melodic chuckle, shaking her head. "That is a bet I wouldn't take, Ben. With our family, we already know the answer to that question. It is an absolute certainty."
"True," Ben smirked, leaning back against the root. "The question isn't if one of them did it. The question is who did it."
Ben turned to her, a playful glint in his golden eyes. "How about a bet on that instead?"
Robin raised an elegant eyebrow, thoroughly entertained. "Oh? And what exactly are we betting on?"
Ben pretended to think about it for a moment, rubbing his chin. "Whoever loses... has to do one thing the winner says. No questions asked. Absolute compliance for one request."
Robin's eyes sparked with a mix of competitive fire and genuine amusement. The stakes were dangerously open-ended, but with Ben, she knew it was entirely in good fun.
"I accept your terms, Magician," Robin smiled, extending her hand. "Who is your pick?"
"I'll put my money on the swordsman," Ben said confidently. "Zoro has the worst sense of direction on the planet. He definitely got lost, wandered into the rich district, and probably swatted a World Noble out of his way because they wouldn't move."
Robin tapped her chin thoughtfully. "A solid deduction. I was debating between Mr. Swordsman, Chef and our Captain. But since Sanji is currently escorting Nami and Vivi, I know the Nami would physically restrain Sanji from doing anything that would endanger the ladies' shopping trip."
Robin smiled her signature, enigmatic smile. "However, Luffy is entirely unpredictable. Since you have claimed Zoro, I will place my wager on Luffy. Perhaps he saw them riding a slave and took offense."
"Luffy vs. Zoro," Ben grinned, taking her delicate hand and shaking it firmly. "The bet is sealed. May the best observer win."
As they dropped their hands, the heavy, rhythmic thud of military boots echoed over the cobblestones. A massive platoon of heavily armed Marines, led by a frantic-looking Captain, sprinted past their location, heading dead straight for Grove 1.
"MAKE WAY! SECURE THE PERIMETER AROUND THE WORLD NOBLES!" the Captain roared.
Ben and Robin simply watched them run past, completely unbothered by the military mobilization happening three feet away from them.
"It seems the authorities are quite distressed," Robin noted casually, as if commenting on the weather.
"Let them run," Ben shrugged. "Our crew can handle whatever they throw at them."
Ben's gaze drifted past the retreating Marines and locked onto a massive, opulent building situated at the edge of Grove 1. The building resembled a giant, garish circus tent made of solid stone, complete with a massive, grinning face carved above the golden double doors.
Neon signs flickered above the entrance: SABAODY AUCTION HOUSE.
Ben's relaxed expression hardened slightly. He knew exactly what went on inside that building. It was the darkest, most vile open secret of the World Government—a place where humans, fishmen, giants, and mermaids were sold like cattle to the highest bidder, primarily catering to the twisted whims of the Celestial Dragons.
Robin followed his gaze. She saw the sign. Her blue eyes darkened instantly, a cold, heavy shadow passing over her features. She despised slavery more than anything in the world.
Ben looked at Robin. The playful banter faded, replaced by a shared, silent understanding.
"You know," Ben said softly. "Since the Marines are so busy running around the plaza... do you want to cause a little more chaos?"
Robin looked at the Auction House, and then back at Ben. A dangerous smile graced her lips.
"I thought you would never ask," Robin nodded.
"Perfect," Ben smiled. He raised his wrist to his mouth, tapping the sleek black Kimoyo Bead strapped there.
"Merry. Come in," Ben spoke into the comms.
"Yes, Papa! Reading you loud and clear!" Mini Merry's cheerful voice buzzed instantly through the bead. "What do you want?"
"Change of plans," Ben ordered smoothly. "It seems one of our more erratic elements just assaulted a Celestial Dragon in Grove 1. The Marines are mobilizing an Admiral-level response."
"Oh, snap," Merry replied, not sounding panicked, just highly entertained. "Someone actually caught a body? Ten berries says it was Uncle Zoro."
"That's my bet too," Ben chuckled. "Listen. Tell everyone to skip the rest of the tour and head directly to the rendezvous point Hatchan gave us. Grove 13. We will meet the coating mechanic there."
"Copy that. Routing the squad to Grove 13."
"And Merry," Ben added. "Tell Franky to check the radar on his internal HUD. If Zoro isn't with them tell Franky to track Zoro's Kimoyo Bead, physically retrieve the idiot, and drag him to the meetup location before he wanders into Marine Headquarters by mistake."
"Understood, Papa! Dispatching the Iron General to fetch the stray moss! See you at the meeting point!"
Ben cut the communication. He looked back at Robin, offering his arm once more. He playfully bowed his head, holding his left hand behind his back.
"Shall we go, my lady?" Ben asked, his voice dripping with aristocratic charm.
Robin looped her arm seamlessly through his, her eyes glittering with lethal intent. "Of course, my lord. Let us properly dismantle the local economy."
They walked toward the heavy golden doors of the Auction House.
As they approached the massive, armed bouncers standing guard outside, Ben didn't slow down. He simply waved his hand.
A shimmer of magical energy washed over them. In an instant, both Ben and Robin dissolved into the ambient light, becoming completely invisible to the naked eye. Their footsteps were silenced by a localized muffling charm.
They walked right past the guards, slipping through the heavy doors just as a wealthy noble opened them to exit.
Inside, the Auction House was a sprawling, opulent theater. Hundreds of wealthy aristocrats, nobles, and shady underworld brokers sat in plush velvet seats. On the brightly lit stage, a man in a flashy top hat and a star-shaped visor was enthusiastically auctioning off a terrified, weeping pirate captain who had been fitted with an explosive collar.
"And do I hear three million for this sturdy worker?!" the auctioneer, Disco, yelled into his microphone. "Three million going once!"
Ben and Robin stood invisible in the back of the auditorium.
"Disgusting," Robin whispered, her disgust palpable.
"Agreed," Ben replied. "Let's put them to sleep."
Ben closed his eyes, focused his willpower, pulling the invisible, crushing weight of his spirit tightly around himself.
THROOOOM.
A wave of Conqueror's Haki swept through the auditorium.
It washed over the velvet seats, the balconies, and the stage. Ben deliberately filtered the intent, targeting only those who harbored malice, greed, and complicity in the auction.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
In perfect synchronization, the audience members' eyes rolled into the back of their heads. Wealthy nobles slumped forward onto the railings. Underworld brokers collapsed in their seats, dropping their bidding paddles. On the stage, the auctioneer's eyes went blank, and he face-planted directly into his podium, the microphone squealing with feedback.
Within five seconds, the entire front-of-house staff, guards, and patrons were rendered completely unconscious.
"Flawless execution," Robin noted, stepping out from the back wall as Ben dropped the invisibility charm.
They walked down the center aisle, their boots clicking against the marble floor, completely undisturbed by the sea of sleeping aristocrats.
They bypassed the stage and pushed through the heavy velvet curtains leading to the backstage holding area.
The holding area was a grim, depressing dungeon. Rows of heavy iron cages lined the stone walls. Inside were dozens of people—men, women, children, pirates, and civilians alike. Their eyes were dull with despair, and every single one of them wore a heavy, ticking metal collar around their necks.
The moment Ben and Robin entered, the slaves shrank back against the bars in terror, expecting to be dragged out to the auction block.
"Who... who are you?" a rugged pirate asked, clutching the bars. "Where are the guards?"
"They're taking a nap," Ben said casually.
Ben waved his hand from the center of the room, channeling a wide-area, highly complex unlocking charm.
"Alohomora Maxima."
A wave of golden magical light exploded from him, washing over the entire dungeon.
CLICK-CLACK. SNAP. POP.
Every single iron padlock on the heavy cage doors sprang open simultaneously.
But the magic didn't stop there. The golden light wrapped around the heavy, explosive collars clamped tightly around the prisoners' necks. With a synchronized, satisfying hiss, every single collar unlocked and dropped harmlessly to the stone floor, the explosive triggers completely deactivated by the magical bypass.
The prisoners froze. They touched their bare necks, unable to believe what had just happened.
"The collars..." a woman gasped, tears instantly welling in her eyes. "They're off! We're free!"
"Not just yet," Ben said, stepping forward.
He noticed the deep bruises, the malnutrition, and the injuries covering the captives. He raised both hands, his eyes glowing with the warm, ancient light.
"Golden Fleece: Restoration."
A gentle, raining shower of brilliant golden light descended upon the prisoners. The moment the light touched their skin, their wounds closed. The bruises faded. The deep, aching fatigue of starvation and abuse was washed away, replaced by sudden, miraculous warmth and energy.
The captives looked at their healed hands, weeping openly as they stepped out of their open cages.
"You... you are a god," an old woman cried, falling to her knees.
"Just a pirate passing through," Ben corrected gently.
Ben lowered his hands and addressed the crowd of fifty bewildered, freed slaves.
"Listen to me," Ben's voice was authoritative but kind. "The guards are unconscious, and the collars are disabled. If you have a ship, a crew, or a home on this archipelago that you can return to safely, the back door is clear. You are free to leave."
About half the crowd—mostly seasoned pirates and local merchants who had been kidnapped—cheered. They bowed deeply to Ben and Robin, shouting their thanks before sprinting toward the loading dock exits, desperate to return to their lives.
However, around twenty people remained. They were mostly civilians, women, and a few children who had been dragged from distant islands and sold into bondage. They looked terrified, clutching each other.
"We... we don't have anywhere to go," a young man admitted, his voice trembling. "If we leave this building, the slavers will just catch us again."
Ben smiled warmly. "I figured as much."
"For those of you who have nowhere to run," Ben announced, "I have made arrangements. You will be traveling to the Alabasta Kingdom."
Robin raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Alabasata?"
"Yes," Ben nodded. "The King there, Nefertari Cobra, is a very close, personal friend of ours. He is a good man. He will provide you with food, shelter, and honest work."
"But... how do we get there?" a woman asked. "We don't have a ship!"
"You don't need one," Ben said.
Before coming to the auction house, Ben had tapped into his private communication network. He had sent a priority message to Neo Vivi— he had forged back in Alabasta to rule in Princess Vivi's stead so the real Vivi could sail the seas.
Neo Vivi had already secured a private, heavily guarded room in the Alubarna Royal Palace to receive the refugees.
Ben raised his wand, pointing it at a blank stone wall. He channeled a massive amount of spatial magic, tearing a hole in the very fabric of reality.
RIIIIP.
A swirling, glowing blue portal tore open in the center of the dungeon. Through the portal, the prisoners could clearly see the warm, sunlit sandstone walls of a luxurious palace room, and the smiling, welcoming face of a blue-haired princess—Neo Vivi—waving them through.
"Step through the portal," Ben instructed. "Do not be afraid. Princess Vivi is waiting for you on the other side. You are safe now."
The refugees stared at the portal in absolute awe. Realizing this was their one true chance at salvation, they didn't hesitate. One by one, they stepped through the glowing blue light, vanishing from the grim dungeon of Sabaody and appearing safely in the heart of Alabasta.
"Thank you! Thank you!" they wept as they crossed the threshold.
Within minutes, the dungeon was entirely empty.
Ben smiled, raising his wand to close the gateway.
"Well, well, well," a raspy, deeply amused voice echoed from the darkest corner of the room. "That is quite the magic trick, young man."
Ben stopped. Robin instantly tensed, her arms crossing over her chest as she turned her sharp gaze toward the shadows.
Sitting casually on an overturned wooden crate in the very back of the holding cells was an old man. He wore a simple cloak, shorts, and flip-flops. He had long, shaggy white hair, a matching beard, and a distinct vertical scar over his right eye. He was holding a small, silver flask of cheap booze, looking completely relaxed.
Robin's eyes widened in absolute shock. She took a step back, her breath catching in her throat. As an archaeologist and a scholar of history, she knew exactly who was sitting on that crate.
"The Dark King..." Robin whispered, her voice barely audible. "Silvers Rayleigh. The Vice-Captain of the Roger Pirates."
Rayleigh took a sip from his flask, offering a mild, carefree smile. "Ah, I see my reputation precedes me. Though I'm just an old coating mechanic these days."
Ben didn't look surprised. He knew Rayleigh was going to be here. A wide, knowing smirk spreading across his face.
"Let me guess," Ben said, walking casually toward the legendary pirate. "You purposefully got yourself captured and put in that cage so you could rob whoever was wealthy enough to buy you?"
Rayleigh chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed in the empty dungeon. "Guilty as charged. I was a bit short on gambling money this week. I had my eye on a particularly unpleasant World Noble out there who was waving around a very fat wallet."
Rayleigh sighed, tapping the deactivated explosive collar on his neck, which fell off with a dull clank. "But it seems you spoiled my plans, young man. You knocked out the entire audience before the bidding even started."
"My apologies for ruining your heist," Ben smiled, entirely unapologetic.
He reached into his spatial storage.
"However," Ben said, "I think I have something that might adequately compensate you for the lost gambling funds."
Ben pulled his hand out, holding a sleek, heavy glass bottle. The liquid inside was a rich, glowing amber color. It wasn't just rum. It was a specialized, hyper-potent brew Ben had synthesized using Dumbledore's alchemy and Tony Stark's molecular engineering. He had designed it to replicate the exact, god-killing potency of the Asgardian liquor Thor had famously shared with Stan Lee.
Ben tossed the heavy bottle through the air.
Rayleigh caught it effortlessly with one hand. He raised a silver eyebrow, looking at the unmarked bottle.
"I brewed it myself just this morning," Ben said casually. "It is, without a doubt, the strongest, most potent alcohol currently existing in the world."
Rayleigh scoffed lightly, though a spark of genuine curiosity lit up his eyes. "Strong words, kid. I've sailed all over the World. I've drank with Whitebeard and Roger. I've had the finest sake Wano has to offer. It takes a lot to impress my palate."
Rayleigh popped the cork with his thumb. He brought the bottle to his nose and sniffed.
He frowned. "Smells like regular, high-grade rum. No different than the stuff from the West Blue."
"Taste it," Ben challenged, crossing his arms.
Rayleigh shrugged. He tilted his head back and took a generous, healthy swig directly from the bottle.
He swallowed.
For two seconds, absolutely nothing happened.
Then, Rayleigh's eyes bulged completely out of his skull.
The color drained from his face, and then instantly rushed back, turning his cheeks a bright, burning red. A visible puff of steam shot out of his ears. He coughed violently, slamming his hand against his chest as the liquid hit his stomach like a thermonuclear detonation.
"GAAAAH!" Rayleigh gasped, his eyes watering profusely as he leaned heavily against the crate, fighting to catch his breath.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, staring at the glowing amber liquid in the bottle with an expression of pure, unadulterated religious awe.
"By the gods..." Rayleigh wheezed, his voice hoarse.
Then, he threw his head back and let out a booming, roaring laugh that shook the dust from the ceiling.
"BWAHAHAHAHA!" Rayleigh laughed, clutching his stomach. "It's liquid fire! It kicks harder than Garp on a bad day! This is magnificent! This is the greatest alcohol I have ever tasted in my entire life!"
"I figured you'd like it," Ben smirked. "You are officially the first person in the world to ever taste it."
Rayleigh carefully, reverently placed the cork back into the bottle, tucking it securely into his cloak like it was a priceless treasure. He looked at Ben, and then at Robin, his sharp eyes evaluating them with a newfound respect.
"A man who can knock out a room with his spirit, bend space, and brew a drink fit for a Yonko," Rayleigh noted, standing up from his crate. "You are an interesting one. What did you say your name was?"
"Edgar D. Benjamin," Ben introduced himself. "And this is Nico Robin. We are part of the Straw Hat Pirates."
Rayleigh leaned back slightly, his sharp gaze flicking between Ben and Robin. "Edgar D. Benjamin and Nico Robin of the Straw Hat Pirates? You two don't look anything like the bounty posters I've seen."
Ben chuckled lightly, pushing up his glasses with a finger. "That's because we are currently in disguise, Rayleigh-san. It helps avoid unnecessary trouble in places like this."
Rayleigh nodded slightly at the explanation, a knowing smile touching his lips. "Ah, that makes sense. Straw Hat, you say? I've been hearing a lot about a certain rubber boy wearing a very familiar hat lately. I was waiting to meet your crew."
Rayleigh brushed the dust off his cloak. "Well, Benjamin. Since you ruined my robbery but gave me the greatest drink of my life, I'd say we are even. In fact, I owe you a proper thank you."
He gestured toward the back exit of the Auction House. "Why don't you two accompany me back to my place? My wife runs a quiet bar in Grove 13. We can talk more there."
Ben looked at Robin. Robin smiled warmly, nodding her agreement.
Ben already knew perfectly well that Grove 13—Shakky's Rip-off Bar—was exactly the rendezvous point Hatchan had sent the rest of the crew to. It was where they needed to go anyway to get their ship coated for Fishman Island. The timeline was syncing up flawlessly.
"We would be honored, Rayleigh-san," Ben smiled, offering his arm to Robin once more.
With the slaves freed, the nobles unconscious, and the legendary Dark King happily clutching his Asgardian liquor, the three of them walked out the back door of the Auction House, leaving a trail of absolute chaos behind them, and heading straight for the reunion of the era.