Holding the girl close, Doflamingo spoke gently, his voice a low murmur against her hair. "From this day forward, you are my family."
"Family?" Robin echoed silently in her heart. "I have a family again! Mama... Saul... I won't be alone anymore." The thought brought both tears and a fragile warmth.
Doflamingo released her from the embrace but took her small hand in his. "Come," he said. "It's time we left this disgusting place."
Robin nodded, her own expression mirroring his distaste for the island where her recent memories were anything but pleasant.
And so, the tall man and the small girl walked hand-in-hand towards the passenger ship waiting at the coastline. Since "Old Father Aokiji" hadn't shown up yet, Doflamingo couldn't be bothered to wait any longer. He had too much to do. While he'd been tempted to exchange a few blows with the Admiral, partly to help Robin confront her lingering fear, the opportunity hadn't presented itself. No matter, there would be plenty of chances later.
The gloom hanging over Robin seemed to evaporate, replaced by a glimpse of the simple curiosity befitting an eight-year-old. Who wouldn't want a simple, happy childhood? But this world rarely allowed for such luxuries. People like Doflamingo, like Robin, had to seize their own happiness with their own hands.
"Last call! Get onboard now, we're about to depart!" a sailor shouted from the ship.
The deck was crowded, but as Doflamingo and Robin approached, the passengers fell deathly silent, their eyes wide. The events of that day were still vivid, unforgettable horrors in their minds.
"Sir! Welcome aboard!" A sailor hurried forward, plastering an overly enthusiastic smile on his face. "And welcome to this lovely young lady! We're honored to have you travel with us."
There was an old saying about not hitting a smiling face, especially one offered so deferentially. Doflamingo merely nodded.
"Lead the way."
The sailor escorted them onto the ship. Every passenger remained perfectly still, behaving themselves impeccably. Not even a whisper broke the silence, though their eyes darted nervously away, afraid to look directly at the pair for fear of drawing attention.
Doflamingo, naturally, had no interest in these people. As long as they didn't bother him, he couldn't care less what they did. Robin, however, stared at the passengers with unconcealed hatred. Only days ago, these same people had been cursing her, cursing everything she held dear, wishing her dead.
Noticing her expression, Doflamingo gently placed a large hand on top of her head. "Want revenge?" he asked softly, his voice deceptively mild. "After all, every single one of them wanted you dead."
His words hung in the air, instantly amplifying the tension onboard. Everyone held their breath, terrified of the devastating attack they felt was surely coming.
Robin remained silent, torn. A part of her desperately wanted them all to suffer, to die. But the deeply ingrained kindness within her warred with that urge, leaving her conflicted and unable to answer Doflamingo's question.
"S-Sir! It was our fault!" Finally, someone cracked under the oppressive silence, stammering out apologies. "We can apologize to the young lady... We were wrong..."
"Yes, sir! We were wrong! We were blind!" "Sir, please, spare us this once!"
"If apologies actually worked, what use would pirates be?" Doflamingo listened to their pleas, his expression growing colder, his voice laced with frost. "In this world, power is the only thing that speaks. Robin, they wanted you dead. That's perfectly normal. They stood to gain a hefty bounty. It all boils down to their greed. But," he added, "they're just small fry. Insignificant pawns. The real enemies aren't these ignorant fools. Still... if you want to collect a little interest, punishing them seems appropriate."
Doflamingo knew Robin was likely wavering internally. If he pushed her towards indiscriminate slaughter right away, it would create a rift between them, driving her away morally. That wasn't his goal. He needed Robin utterly loyal, completely devoted, ready to work for him without question. This approach offered her a release while subtly acknowledging—and beginning to reshape—her innate kindness.
"Then... let's just punish them," Robin agreed, adopting Doflamingo's assessment. Her face was cold as she spoke. "If they wanted to kill me, they should have been prepared to be killed themselves. But... Big Brother is right. They are just pathetic, greedy cowards. This will be their lesson."
"Thank you, esteemed sir and lady, for your mercy!" "Thank you, thank you for sparing our lives!"
"This is reality. Remember this, Robin: the weak have no voice," Doflamingo reminded her pointedly. "Only the strong can control their own destiny. All we need to do is become stronger."
"Mm. I'll remember," Robin replied, her eyes fixed intently on Doflamingo as she gave a small nod.
"Go on then, Robin," Doflamingo prompted. "Revenge is always more satisfying when you deliver it yourself."
"This..." Robin hesitated. "I... What should I do?"
"Give each of them a punch or a kick. Go on," Doflamingo urged. "If you can't even handle something this simple, how can I entrust my life to you? Can you bear the weight of my trust?"
"Of course, I can!" Robin declared firmly, unwilling to disappoint him.
Doflamingo turned his imposing gaze on the passengers. "What are you waiting for? Line up, quickly! Step forward and receive your reward!"
"Sir, this..." "Sir, we were wrong..."
The crowd murmured, reluctant. Accepting punishment was one thing, but being slapped by an eight-year-old girl? It was utter humiliation, a complete loss of face.
"Hurry up. My patience is limited," Doflamingo stated flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument. The menacing edge to his voice instantly silenced any further protest. Not another peep dared escape their lips.
'So imposing,' Robin thought, watching Doflamingo command the entire deck with just a few words. A spark of envy ignited within her. 'I want to be strong like that, too.'
The first person shuffled forward to stand before Robin.
"Kneel," Doflamingo commanded, adding another layer to their torment. "If you wished to humiliate others, you must be prepared to be humiliated yourself."
You couldn't fight power with stubbornness. Reluctantly, the first man sank to his knees before the small girl.
A strange sense of satisfaction washed over Robin. It was undeniably cathartic. While she didn't want them dead, Doflamingo's method resonated with a darker, hidden part of her – that cunning, ruthless streak Doflamingo aimed to cultivate.
Staring at the kneeling figure, Robin couldn't overcome the dark impulse stirring within her. What good was kindness, anyway? Could it fill her stomach? Finally, her hand moved.
Smack!
The sharp sound of the slap echoed across the silent deck. The man on his knees flinched but said nothing, merely lowering his head further in shame before retreating.
"Next," Robin called out, her voice steady. The demon inside her felt… unleashed. Liberated. The experience was transformative, leaving her feeling strangely elevated, almost craving more.
Smack!Smack!
The crisp sound repeated again and again as the line moved forward. The atmosphere on deck grew heavy, oppressive, yet no one dared object.
There were many people on board. Doflamingo watched impassively as Robin slapped them, one after another. She worked like an unfeeling slapping machine, her initial hesitation giving way to a practiced, detached efficiency.
"Well done, Robin," Doflamingo commented quietly when it was over. "Kindness must be reserved for those who deserve it. Blind kindness only makes others see you as weak, easy prey. When ruthlessness is required, never hesitate."
"I understand," Robin nodded, absorbing his lesson.
"Alright," Doflamingo addressed the passengers nursing their stinging cheeks. "We have spared you. Disperse."
"Thank you, sir, for your immense kindness!" "Thank you for sparing our lives!"
Doflamingo heard their words of gratitude but paid them no mind. He could see the hatred simmering beneath the surface, hidden deep within their eyes. The urge to kill someone wasn't easily concealed, no matter how hard they tried to hide it. He recognized that look all too well. Still, he wasn't concerned. Ants were merely ants.
This entire ordeal had served its purpose. Robin was visibly changed, more composed, perhaps colder. Doflamingo was molding her into the cool-headed queen he envisioned—utterly ruthless towards enemies, fiercely protective and loving towards her family.
"Set sail," Doflamingo ordered the captain.
The captain, feeling as though he'd received a royal pardon, immediately relayed the command he hadn't dared give without permission, terrified of angering the fearsome man. "Brothers, set sail!"
The helmsman and sailors sprang into action, and soon the ship began to pull away from the island.
Another boring sea journey begins, Doflamingo thought idly.
Robin, however, found everything fascinating. She rarely had the luxury or peace of mind to simply enjoy the scenery. Her childhood spent dependent on reluctant hosts, followed by her desperate life on the run, filled with schemes and betrayals, had forced her to grow up too fast, sacrificing the simple joys of her peers. Now, things were different. She felt her mindset shifting, adjusting.
"Look! There's someone in the sea!" "Seriously? He's riding a bicycle on the water!" "What? Let me see!"
The sudden commotion drew the attention of both Doflamingo and Robin. Curiosity piqued, Robin went to the ship's railing to see the strange sight.
The fleeting expression of happiness on her face vanished instantly, replaced by stark terror. She stumbled backward instinctively, a primal urge to flee seizing her.
"Ara rara..." A familiar, lazy voice drifted across the water. Standing casually on the sea's surface nearby was the Marine Admiral Aokiji, his gaze fixed on the ship. "Isn't that Nico Robin?"
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