Chapter 74: Nico Robin, Welcome To The Hunter Guild!

East Blue!

Under the setting sun, the sea sparkled like diamonds.

After seven long days of rigorous assessment, the first batch of people who participated in the Hunter's assessment gathered in the town square, celebrating their success.

Out of more than 2,000 hopefuls, only 27 individuals emerged victorious, earning their spot as hunters. This severe elimination rate – one in a hundred – left the town buzzing with admiration.

On the stage set up in the square, Leno, Buggy, Kuina, and other examiners personally congratulated the new hunters, handing out their provisional licenses.

"Congratulations! In the next six months, you will undergo further study and examination. During this period, anyone who violates the purpose and rules of the Hunter's Guild, or wishes to leave, will be permitted to do so," Leno announced from the stage.

His speech was brief but heartfelt, emphasizing the spirit and purpose of the Hunter's Guild. His infectious smile and encouraging words filled everyone with warmth, and even those who failed the assessment were motivated to try again next year.

As Leno finished speaking, the sound of enthusiastic music began to fill the air. The crowd was captivated as a beautiful voice rang out, filling the square.

"I only believe in the future, who cares about the cynicism of others!

Your passion is what makes you so special!"

The voice belonged to Uta, who slowly rose onto the stage, her figure radiant under the evening sky. She smiled warmly at the audience, clearly delighted to perform for so many people.

"Who is she?"

"Her voice is incredible!"

"She's adorable!"

Both hunters and spectators alike were mesmerized by her performance. The power of her Fruit gave her a transcendent voice, as though it resonated from another world.

"That unique dream figure!

Keep chasing, keep chasing!

Awaken the burning heart at dawn!"

Kuzan stood next to Leno, watching Uta with admiration.

"Her singing has the power to inspire people," he remarked.

Leno nodded in agreement. "Indeed. If there's one pure thing left in this world, it must be music."

Uta seemed to catch Leno's words, and their eyes met. Leno smiled and gave her an encouraging thumbs-up.

Originally, Kuzan had been stationed in Elegia, but after hearing Leno's plan to challenge Kaido, he rushed over. Leno had simply asked him to bring Uta along so everyone could enjoy her singing.

He still remembered the words etched into the stone statue that sealed the Demon King of Songs—how the happy sound of her voice could weaken Tot Musica.

"Are you sure about this battle with Kaido?" Kuzan asked, sensing Leno's growing strength through his Observation Haki. He knew Kaido would be no easy foe.

"I'll know once the battle starts," Leno responded confidently.

Kuzan nodded, his eyes meeting those of a short-haired girl among the candidate hunters on stage. The girl quickly looked away, startled.

"Hm?" Kuzan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"What is it?" Leno asked.

Kuzan shook his head, still staring at the girl. "Nothing. I thought I saw someone familiar, but it might just be a coincidence."

"Oh? An acquaintance?" Leno glanced at the girl, who now appeared calm, though her racing heartbeat gave her away. She definitely knew Kuzan and was scared of him.

Leno delved into his memory, quickly finding her registration information.

Olvia, an orphan from Rogge Town, a botanist who had passed the logistics team assessment.

Suddenly, it clicked. Devil Child, Nico Robin! Olvia was Robin's mother. The infamous Ohara Incident flashed before Leno's eyes, where Kuzan had "killed" his Vice Admiral partner, Saul, casting a long shadow over Robin's life.

"How did she end up in East Blue?" Leno mused, piecing together how Kuzan's actions may have indirectly influenced Robin's decisions.

Smiling at the thought, Leno turned his attention back to Uta, whose song continued to captivate the crowd.

"Motivate yourself forward with eagerness!

No more muddling along!

Live peacefully every day!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as Uta finished her performance.

"I am Uta, thank you, everyone!" she called out happily.

"Uta!"

"Uta!"

"Uta!"

The chants of her name filled the air as fireworks shot into the sky, lighting up the night.

The first hunter assessment had officially ended, and the town came alive with celebration.

Uta hopped down from the stage, rushing to Leno. "Leno, did I sing well?" she asked excitedly.

Leno nodded. "You were amazing, Uta. You'll definitely become the number one singer in the world one day!"

Uta beamed at the praise.

As more fireworks exploded overhead, Kuina and Uta stood side by side, enjoying the spectacle.

"It's finally over. I can sleep well tonight!" Luwell yawned, stretching out her toned body.

Kuro adjusted his glasses, ever the serious strategist. "The pass rate for hunters in this assessment was lower than expected."

Leno, unfazed, replied, "Raising the threshold isn't a bad thing. After all, the value of an industry lies in its rarity."

"These early candidates will set the standard for future hunters. We need to be strict at the start to ensure excellence later."

Luwell sighed. "You're a workaholic, Leno. Well, I'm heading off to rest!"

Meanwhile, Buggy, standing in the crowd, was busy showing off as usual. "Remember me? I am, Buggy!"

Leno chuckled, watching Buggy with amusement. Today was the beginning of a new chapter for the Hunter's Guild.

As fireworks continued to light up the sky, Robin stood in a dark alley, trembling. She had come to confirm Kuzan's departure from the Marines, but now regretted exposing herself to him.

"It really is you!"

Kuzan put his hands in his pockets and said slowly, "Nico Robin."

"Kuzan!" Robin gritted her teeth, her voice sharp.

"Are you here to catch me?"

"Catch you? Why?" Kuzan's tone remained calm, but Robin's heart pounded.

Facing him again, she was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Years ago, he killed Saul, yet he also spared her life. She could still recall his words with perfect clarity.

"You can hate me as much as you want," he had said, "but be grateful you're still alive. Try to live hard. Remember, I'm not your friend, but if you do something bad... I'll be the first to hunt you down."

Kuzan scratched his ear, as if remembering that moment. "Ah, that... I'm not a Marine anymore."

Robin clenched her fists.

"Then why did you leave the Marines?" She gritted her teeth, her voice tense.

"That's my business. But you, what are you doing in East Blue when you're not running around with those gangsters in West Blue?" Kuzan asked, his sharp gaze piercing her.

Robin didn't flinch. "That's none of your concern!" she shot back, her voice cold.

"Oh? You've grown more courageous," Kuzan said as he began walking to the other end of the alley. "Planning to run away?"

Her pace quickened. She wanted to escape, like always. That's how she'd survived all this time in West Blue—by running. Kuzan's voice echoed behind her, carried by the cold wind.

"If you really want to stay, go find Leno and confess. Maybe he can give you a bit of hope."

Robin ran to the beach, her fear subsiding slightly as the salty breeze hit her face. People were celebrating by the shore, dancing around bonfires. The boats at the dock wouldn't sail until tomorrow.

Finding a quiet corner, Robin sat against a stone, hugging her knees, waiting for dawn.

"Want a drink?" a voice startled her.

Robin looked up, surprised. A woman sat behind the stone, casually sipping from a bottle.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize anyone was here."

The woman smiled, brushing it off. "No need to apologize. This is a nice place to be alone, isn't it?"

Robin nodded, unsure of what to say.

"If you've got something on your mind, take a drink," the woman said, tossing a bottle of beer toward Robin.

Robin hesitated, then took the bottle. She glanced at the woman—Luwell, the examiner.

"I remember you," Luwell said with a smirk. "You're Olvia, right?"

Robin nodded sheepishly. "Yes."

"Cheers!" Luwell smiled, raising her bottle. Despite herself, Robin smiled a little too, clinking her bottle against Luwell's.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The silence stretched on, the sound of waves and distant laughter filling the void.

After a while, Robin broke the silence. "You seem worried. What's on your mind?"

Luwell chuckled, leaning back on her hands.

"Worried? Yeah, I guess you could say that." She took another sip.

"Have you heard about the battle between Leno and Kaido? That guy's something else."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "Kaido... one of the Four Emperors, right? They call him the strongest creature in the world."

"Yup," Luwell nodded.

"A real monster. I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that Leno even went up against Kuzan and won! But Kaido... that's a whole different story."

Robin sipped her drink thoughtfully. "Leno really beat Kuzan?"

Luwell's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Oh, yeah! They fought for hours. It was intense, but in the end, Leno won. When Kuzan fell into the sea, we were all holding our breath... but he did it!"

She smiled, lost in the memory. "Thinking about it, it's crazy. I used to be a nobody, just scraping by on the streets. Now look at me—following someone like Leno. It's surreal."

"Kuina was just a simple girl, and Kuro... well, he used to be a sly con artist. Even Buggy—circus clown! And now... we're part of something bigger, following him into this whole new world."

Luwell sighed, her admiration evident.

Robin felt a tinge of curiosity.

"What kind of person is Leno?" she asked, hoping to understand the man everyone seemed to admire.

Luwell tilted her head back, gazing at the stars. "You see that star up there? The one that never seems to change?"

"The Morning Star?"

"Yeah! That's Leno, to me. Like the Morning Star—always there, always guiding, bringing hope. He's why we keep moving forward, even when everything else feels lost."

Robin looked up at the star, her thoughts drifting. Hope... She remembered Kuzan's words: "He'll bring you some hope."

Luwell's voice broke through her reverie. "I trust him. And Kaido? Leno will definitely defeat Kaido!"

Robin studied Luwell's face. Even with worry in her eyes, she believed in Leno with her whole heart. What kind of man could inspire such unwavering faith?

After a while, Luwell, clearly tipsy, leaned against Robin. "Hey... do you believe in him?" she asked, her voice slurring slightly.

Robin blinked. "Uh..."

"Believe it! Believe it!" Luwell said loudly, half-giggling.

Robin sighed. Luwell had gotten drunk too fast. She was going to need help getting back to town.

As they reached town, Robin found Kuina and Uta playing with fireworks. Kuina shook her head when she saw Luwell slumped against Robin.

"She's drunk, huh? Only Leno can calm her down when she's like this."

Uta giggled, agreeing, "Yeah, Leno has magic—real magic!"

They found Leno and Kuro, both sitting and drinking together. Leno stood up, gently taking Luwell from Robin's shoulder.

As soon as Leno touched her, Luwell fell silent, fast asleep like a content cat.

Later, Robin found herself alone with Leno. He looked at her curiously. "Do you have something to tell me?"

In the quiet tavern, Robin hesitated, but then finally gathered her courage. "I'm from West Blue. Not Rogge Town."

Leno remained calm, his smile steady. "A third of the people who passed the assessment hid their origins."

Robin blinked in surprise. "What? Really?"

Leno laughed lightly. "It's not uncommon to hide your past, Olvia. It's just a way to protect yourself."

Robin stared at him, her heart pounding. "But... I'm different."

"Oh? How?" Leno asked, leaning forward.

Robin took a deep breath. "My name... is Nico Robin."

Leno's expression didn't change. He simply smiled and said, "Well then, Nico Robin, welcome to the Hunter's Guild."

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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg

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