East Blue, near Loguetown—Orange Town, a bustling commercial island.
A gentle sea breeze drifted through the streets under bright sunshine. Vendors shouted endlessly, and crowds moved back and forth in lively chaos.
This was the first major island Tobirama and his group reached after leaving the desolate seas.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, the merchant ship had already docked at the port.
Tobirama changed into casual attire—still maintaining his signature high-collared divine robe style, but without the grim aura of the battlefield. Instead, he looked like an aloof young noble strolling through the city.
At this moment, he was walking down the center of the commercial street.
Beside him, Boa Hancock clung tightly to his arm, nearly pressing herself against him.
"Lord Tobirama! Look at this—this outfit would suit you perfectly!"
"My lord! That looks delicious, I'll buy it for you!"
"That one… a ring!"
Hancock's face was flushed. Though she tried hard to maintain the dignity of a mature woman, the excitement in her eyes and brows was impossible to hide.
So this is what a date feels like… right?
There were only two people—well, plus two "extras" behind them.
Sandersonia and Marigold followed a short distance back, panting slightly as they carried large bags filled with supplies.
"Our sister is completely hopeless…"
"Yeah. That look in her eyes—she's beyond saving."
Tobirama, meanwhile, remained indifferent.
He did not reject Hancock's enthusiasm.
It was pleasing enough to look at. More importantly, although she was still young, her innate talent meant that with proper training, she could become a very sharp blade.
"The supplies are basically replenished," Tobirama said calmly, glancing at the bags in the hands of the two younger sisters. "Go buy a few more East Blue nautical charts. After that, we'll set off to find Robin."
"Yes! I'll do anything you say, my lord!"
Hancock nodded vigorously, her eyes shining.
Just then—
Boom!!
A violent explosion shattered the peaceful atmosphere.
Near the port, flames shot into the sky as thick smoke billowed upward. Alarms blared, followed by panicked screams.
"Kill them!"
"Don't let them escape—hand over the fruit!"
"Protect Saint Delros!"
The streets instantly descended into chaos as civilians fled in all directions.
"…Hm?"
Tobirama stopped walking, his brows knitting slightly.
I finally come out for a stroll, and someone has to make trouble?
"My lord, I'll go deal with them," Hancock said coldly, instantly switching from lovestruck to battle-ready.
Anyone who dared interrupt her time with Lord Tobirama—pirate or Marine—deserved death.
"No need."
Tobirama raised a hand to stop her, closing his eyes slightly.
Divine perception spread across the entire island.
In the next instant, the situation at the port appeared clearly in his mind.
The port area was locked in a three-way confrontation.
On one side were warships flying the World Government flag, with CP0 agents in white suits and eerie masks standing on deck. In the center, heavily guarded, was an enormous, extravagantly luxurious ship.
At the bow stood a man wearing a bubble helmet, his face twisted and childish as he jumped about angrily.
"Useless! All of you are useless! Get that fruit back to me! I want that heart-shaped fruit to feed my slaves!"
A Celestial Dragon—Saint Delros.
Opposite them stood a group of fierce pirates.
Their captain was a burly man wielding a massive spiked club, his body covered in blood as he tightly guarded an exquisite treasure chest.
"That is…"
Tobirama's perception pierced through the chest.
Inside lay a strangely shaped pink Devil Fruit, covered in spiral patterns, with a heart-shaped stem.
A playful smile appeared on Tobirama's lips.
The Sweet-Sweet Fruit.
The fruit that should have belonged to Hancock.
"I was planning to look for it later," Tobirama said softly, opening his eyes and turning toward Hancock. "Didn't expect to find it so easily."
"Hancock."
"Yes!" Hancock answered reflexively, blushing.
Tobirama pointed toward the direction of the explosion, his tone calm, as if discussing something trivial.
"I have a gift for you. Do you want it?"
"A gift?!"
Hancock's heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
A gift? From Lord Tobirama?
"I want it! As long as it's from you, my lord—even if it kills me!"
"Then let's go."
Tobirama wrapped an arm around her slender waist.
"Hurry."
Before Hancock could react, a warmth enveloped her waist and her body went limp.
Shh—
Space twisted.
In an instant, the group arrived at the port battlefield.
—
"Hand over the fruit!"
A CP0 agent moved like lightning, Finger Pistol aimed straight at the pirate captain's throat.
"Dream on! I nearly died getting this!"
Basak of the Black Wolf Pirates roared, his spiked club coated in Armament Haki as he swung it down.
Boom!
Waves surged violently.
Though he blocked the strike, Basak was forced back several steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He clutched the chest tightly.
Once I sell this fruit, my future is secured! I'll never give it to those Celestial Dragons!
"Hmph, filthy pirates," Saint Delros shouted from afar. "CP0! Ignore everything else—secure the chest! If it breaks, I'll kill you all!"
"Yes!"
Three CP0 agents vanished simultaneously, forming a deadly encirclement.
Basak's heart sank.
It's over.
Buzz!
A flash of silver light tore through the space before him.
Two figures appeared out of nowhere—one man, three women.
The battlefield froze.
The CP0 agents' attacks halted mid-air.
Basak stared in shock at the sudden newcomers.
"Who are you?!"
The CP0 captain barked.
Tobirama didn't even glance at them.
He reached out calmly and took the chest from Basak's arms.
The movement looked slow.
Yet Basak discovered, in horror, that he couldn't move at all. The surrounding space felt solidified, like hardened cement.
Click.
The chest was now in Tobirama's hands.
"Excuse me," Tobirama said softly.
He opened it.
Inside lay the pink Devil Fruit.
"That's the one."
He took only the fruit and casually tossed the chest aside, then handed the fruit to Hancock.
"This is your gift."
Hancock stared at it. It wasn't a ring—but since it was given by Lord Tobirama…
It was sacred.
Only then did the others fully realize what had happened.
What kind of lunatic steals something right in front of CP0 and a Celestial Dragon?!
"You bastard!!"
Basak roared, veins bulging.
"That's my future! Give it back!"
He charged like a raging beast, his massive spiked club smashing down with terrifying force.
"Die! Bone-Crushing Strike!"
"Sir, watch out!" Hancock cried.
Tobirama didn't move.
He didn't even turn around.
Just before the club struck his head—
Bang.
A dull sound echoed.
The club stopped.
A slender, pale hand had casually reached back and caught the weapon.
Basak's eyes nearly burst from their sockets.
He strained with all his might, but the club wouldn't budge an inch.
"That's it?" Tobirama said calmly, glancing at him with mocking eyes.
"You wanted me to return it?"
Crack.
With a slight squeeze, the spiked club shattered into countless fragments.
The fragments shot forward like a storm.
Basak screamed as he was blasted away, collapsing lifelessly at CP0's feet.
Instant kill.
Cold sweat poured beneath the CP0 masks.
Saint Delros pointed furiously from afar.
"That lowly trash! How dare you steal my fruit! And that woman—she's pretty! CP0, seize them! Kill the man, bring me the woman!"
At last, Tobirama turned his gaze toward him.
"Celestial Dragon?"
His voice was cold.
"I planned to kill you later."
"But since you're in such a hurry…"
"…you really want to die."