Robin's First Tribulation

Sabo and Koala's date did not receive an uninvited third wheel, much to Sabo's relief. Cherry was bad, but she wasn't THAT bad.

Instead, Cherry was helping Robin prepare for her own tribulation.

"You need to circulate your vital energy according to the cultivation method that I provided to you throughout. Anticipate the angle of attack that the lightning will take. It will usually be one of these areas with the first strike. You're not likely to receive more than one on your first breakthrough, but you should be prepared just in case." Cherry carefully explained, pointing to areas on her body.

Robin was admittedly pretty nervous about the whole thing. She never imagined that she would intentionally allow herself to be struck by lightning one day. Cherry's reassurances of her success certainly helped though.

"You'll do just fine and I'll be right here." Cherry said, planting a smooch on Robin's forehead.

Robin dragged her in for a real kiss before settling herself back into place.

Cherry stood about 10 meters away. Which was far enough to not accidentally interfere, but close enough that she could intentionally interfere if necessary. Normally it was a big faux pas to save another cultivation from their tribulation, but the culture was different here and Robin didn't yet have the heart of a cultivator yet either.

Being saved from a tribulation was bound to make the next one much harder to compensate. It wasn't unlikely that such an action could end one's cultivation path.

So Cherry wouldn't step in unless Robin was going to die.

Robin took a cultivation pill which filled her body with vital energy, pushing her cultivation to the perfection stage. Soon after she triggered her breakthrough to begin.

A storm cloud formed overhead. This wasn't the ominous black cloud that Cherry had had, but a rather normal thunder cloud, if a bit darker gray.

Cherry's sword, Sakura Tengoku, didn't make any moves toward the cloud from inside Cherry. She briefly wondered why not before returning her focus.

Low rumblings were heard as electrical build up was seen inside the cloud. Soon after, a fairly ordinary looking bolt of lightning streaked downwards on top of Robin.

Robin easily endured it, but it seemed to only be a probing strike as two more that were clearly stronger came down in quick succession.

Robin sat upright and held strong. She successfully endured the second two strikes, though a bit of blood leaked from the corner of her mouth.

Thankfully that was all the heaven's had in store for her as the cloud quickly dispersed itself in the wind.

"Phew…" Robin let out a breath along with all the tension caused by her anxiety over the ordeal.

Cherry approached and rubbed her shoulders, adding a bit of vital energy to the tribulation energy to help repair what was damaged. Sweeping her sensing over Robin's body, she found that the damage done wasn't too bad. A clear sign that she should do well in the tribulations to come in the future.

"Congratulations, you've entered the second realm!" Cherry spoke brightly, genuine pride in her voice.

Robin stood up and leaned in to embrace Cherry, letting her weight be supported by her shorter girlfriend. Although it was over quite swiftly, she felt quite tired and wondered how Cherry had managed to tame a kraken in a state even worse than this.

The conclusion she came to was 'It's Cherry, of course she could do it.'

Cherry pampered Robin for the rest of the day. From a full body massage to a manicure and pedicure to cuddling and tender love making.

Robin almost felt excited for the next tribulation to come if it meant Cherry would become so attentive.

Alas it was generally Robin who had to ask for such things as Cherry's sense of time was a bit skewed. She might even go several months without initiating anything if Robin didn't prod her for it. Unfortunately it was a bit too embarrassing to do so which made Robin feel like an awkward teenager again.

It was a funny feeling. However, as Robin never had her own awkward love story during her teenage years on the run, she actually felt it was quite nice.

The two of them peacefully drifted off to sleep with Cherry nuzzled into Robin's neck.

…

"Belo Betty has been captured by the marines." Dragon said, having called Cherry to his office with some urgent news.

Cherry was not happy with this development. She, Robin, and Cherry had become quite close friends during their stay with the revolutionaries, and not just because they slept with her a couple of times.

"Where is she?" Cherry asked, cutting straight to the point.

"She's currently being held at the main administrative base in East Blue. However, they have held her there for far too long, so it's almost certainly an attempt to draw more of us out. Naturally I have no intention of leaving her out to dry, even if it's what she would tell me to do." Dragon said.

"And I'm the one you're sending because you need your actual subordinates doing their own work." Cherry concluded.

"That and you're both more dependable and more expendable than my own people are. No offense." Dragon said straightforwardly.

Cherry nodded her head at that. It was the correct choice tactically speaking, so she wasn't offended at all by his casual willingness to sacrifice her.

There was also the point that if Cherry was seen during the rescue operation, she'd be associated with the revolutionary army whether she liked it or not. No doubt Dragon intended to use that as a way to try and rope her in again.

Sadly for him, it wouldn't work even if it turned out that way. Cherry was a free spirit, unfettered and unconcerned by the incorrect conclusions of others.

"Do you know what I can expect when I get there? How certain are you that she's still there?" Cherry asked.

"I'd expect at least an admiral to be present, or someone of similar caliber. We're not absolutely certain, but I'd say at least 90% positive she'll still be there by the time you arrive." Dragon explained.

"I'll head out immediately then." Cherry gave a lazy salute before turning around to gather the others.

Cherry didn't anticipate this to be easy. She was much stronger than before, true, but having experienced just a taste of an admiral's power at Marineford she wouldn't be arrogant.

The mission being dangerous didn't mean she was going to coddle the other three ladies in her company though. They needed real battle experience in order to get stronger, training would only go so far.

The only one she was really worried about was Perona. She was by far the weakest of them and hadn't taken her training as seriously as they had. Perhaps this mission would be the wake up call she needs to realize that staying by Cabernet's side required her to be stronger.

After explaining the situation to the others they each had different thoughts.

Cabernet was as easy going as always as it wasn't really in her nature to worry over things.

Robin was nervous of course. A marine admiral was a monstrous existence and she understood that Cherry would have a hard time fighting them if it came down to it, let alone protect the three of them from danger. Still, she wouldn't back down since Betty was in danger.

Perona was absolutely petrified in terror and anxiety. So much so that Cabernet had to carry her, princess style naturally.

"WAIT! Maybe I should sit this one out, guys?" Perona said with barely concealed fear.

"You're coming with us or you're parting ways with us. Make your choice." Cherry said sternly. The glint in her eyes like a tiger staring down a rabbit.

Perona gulped and was wracked with indecision. Choosing between staying with someone you love and self preservation wasn't an easy thing to do.

"Worry not, princess! Your knight will protect you no matter what!" Cabernet shouted with zeal and sparkling eyes.

"O-okay! I'll go!" Perona managed to stutter, though the moment the words left her mouth she was filled with dread.

The only thing that kept her from crying was the confident face of her Cabby.