To The Unknown

( 3rd POV )

A week had passed since the ship had set sail from the bustling harbor. Under the relentless heat of the midday sun, the vessel cut through the glittering sea, its sails billowing as it surged forward toward the distant island that was now just a smudge on the horizon.

"Land ho!" The shout from the crow's nest broke the steady hum of the ocean, the lookout's voice brimming with excitement. The crew erupted into motion, eager hands grabbing ropes and adjusting sails as the ship veered toward its destination.

Down in the modest wooden cabin, Vanze and Robin sat engrossed in conversation. The cabin was dimly lit. Despite the low light, Vanze's eyes burned with focus as he leaned forward, his voice low but intense.

"So, basically, your Devil Fruit will grow stronger if you stretch your imagination," Vanze explained, the fervor in his tone unmistakable. "Think bigger, Robin. Imagine forming wings of arms to soar into the sky, or conjuring massive hands or legs to crush anything in your way. There's no such thing as a weak Devil Fruit, only weak users. And you... you're too smart for that. I believe, in time, you'll reach an awakening with your fruit."

The boy kept explaining a subject that seems hard to understand for most people in the West Blue, Robin's brow furrowed in concentration, absorbing every word. The weight of his explanation felt heavy. "But... I'm not as strong as you, Vanze," she admitted, her voice tinged with a rare hint of vulnerability.

Doubt clouded her usually calm expression, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rough wood of the table. 

Vanze leaned back, crossing his arms with confidence. "You will be," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll make sure of that. But it won't be easy, Robin. The training is going to be brutal. Are you ready for that?"

Robin's eyes darkened with resolve. She had seen too much, suffered too much, to back down now. "I'm willing to try," she said, her voice steady, almost defiant. Memories of O'Hara's destruction flashed in her mind—the smoldering ruins, the desperate screams, and the cold truth that the weak were swept aside like leaves in the wind. She couldn't afford to remain weak, not anymore.

Vanze's face softened at her determination. He chuckled, a low sound that seemed to shake off some of the tension between them. "Haha, no need to be so serious. If anyone dares to mess with you, they'll have to go through me first." He puffed out his chest in mock bravado, crossing his arms over his chest as if daring the world to challenge him.

His playful stance, however, only drew a laugh from Robin, her earlier tension melting away at his antics.

"Fufufu, so dependable of you," she teased, her voice light. "But if your story is correct, I'm a month older than you, Vanze. You should be calling me onee-chan, don't you think?" Her laughter was soft and melodic, dancing in the small cabin like a breeze.

Vanze rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, woman," he muttered sarcastically, the grin breaking through. But before he could retort further, his ears caught the distant call of the lookout above. He straightened, his expression growing serious again. "We should get ready. It sounds like we've arrived."

Robin smirked, never one to let an opportunity pass. "Alright, Vanze-chan," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she stood and adjusted her cloak. "Lead the way."

"Chop chop, girl," Vanze shot back, though his tone was playful. His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, a mix of affection and exasperation flickering across his face. Together, they made their way up to the deck, the sounds of the crew bustling about in preparation growing louder as they neared the exit.

As they stepped onto the sunlit deck, the sight of the island took Robin's breath away. It was lush and vibrant, with tall palm trees swaying gently in the tropical breeze. Very different from Qurpady archipelago.

.....

At the docks of Vuldia Island, a soft breeze carried the scent of the ocean as Vanze and young Robin stepped off their ship. The island was small and unassuming, barely more than a blip on the map. The dense jungle wrapped around it like a green cloak, with only a few scattered houses indicating that people even lived there, it's more like a small village.

It felt isolated, silent but for the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves. Just like what Vanze expected from an island bordering with the Calm Belt. The journey from one end of the island to the other would be swift, or at least it seemed that way.

Robin, her dark hair swaying gently in the breeze, glanced up at Vanze, her expression puzzled. "Why did we come to the other side of the island, especially to a quiet place where there's no one around? Why not head to town, Vanze?" she asked, her brow furrowing. The young archaeologist wondered, the emptiness of this part of the island felt odd.

Vanze, walking beside her, smiled slightly as he gazed into the distance. His piercing eyes held a quiet intensity, a stark contrast to Robin's innocent curiosity. "This island is just a stop for us, Robin. Our real destination lies beyond here," he explained, his voice steady and measured. "We're heading to an island that's located in the Calm Belt."

Robin's eyes widened as the realization hit her. The Calm Belt, a place notorious for being teeming with Sea Kings and void of any wind to sail by normal means, made her blood run cold. "What? The Calm Belt?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with panic. "Why would we go there? It's crawling with Sea Kings, and we won't even have wind to sail. How do you plan on crossing that!?"

Vanze, sensing her growing anxiety, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. His touch was light, but it steadied her. "Calm down," he said gently, his gaze softening as he looked down at her. "I have a plan. I've got a special boat ready for us, and I also have a way to keep the Sea Kings from bothering us." His tone was confident, almost nonchalant, as if traversing the dangerous Calm Belt was just another day's work.

He led her down a narrow path through the underbrush, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the thick grass. The air was heavy with the smell of salt and wet earth, the sea visible in the distance, calm and unbroken by any waves. There wasn't another soul around; just the two of them and the distant cries of seabirds.

When they reached the shore, Vanze stopped and, with a casual wave of his hand, something extraordinary happened. A sleek, futuristic speedboat materialized out of thin air. Its surface gleamed under the sunlight, sharp and angular like a predatory beast waiting to pounce.

Robin's jaw dropped, her eyes shining with amazement. "Whoa… Is that our boat, Vanze?" she asked, her voice filled with awe. She circled around it, inspecting every inch like a curious cat. "It looks so cool. Is it really safe?"

Vanze chuckled at her barrage of questions, his chest puffing out slightly with pride. "Yes, yes, and yes," he replied, clearly enjoying the moment. "This baby can move at 300 miles per hour, so it won't take long for us to reach our destination, especially if we follow my special compass."

Robin blinked, her excitement mixing with a hint of apprehension. "Uhm… Can you help me get on it?" she asked, already trying to climb aboard with some difficulty. "Oh, and what about the Sea Kings? You haven't answered that part!" Her voice carried both curiosity and concern, her mind racing with thoughts of the colossal creatures lurking in the depths.

Vanze couldn't help but smile, shaking his head as he watched her. Well, what did I expect? She's only eight… he thought to himself with a sigh. "Don't worry. I'll use Haoshoku Haki to keep them at bay. It won't affect a large area, only about 30 meters, but it'll be enough to scare off anything that gets too close."

He lifted her onto the boat with ease, her small hands gripping the edge as she settled into a seat. Pulling out a compass—Jack's compass, a special relic—Vanze tapped it lightly, its needle instantly locking onto their destination with unwavering certainty.

"What's Haoshoku Haki?" Robin asked, her wide eyes gleaming with curiosity. She was always hungry for knowledge, eager to learn more about the mysterious world of pirates and powers she had found herself in.

"I'll explain it later," Vanze said, securing her seatbelt with a quick motion. "All you need to know right now is that it can scare off sea monsters and keep us safe. Now, sit tight."

"Thank you, Vanze," Robin whispered, a soft smile of gratitude forming on her lips as she settled into her seat. The engines purred to life beneath them, the boat slowly drifting away from the shore before picking up speed.

As the boat sliced through the water, Vuldia Island quickly shrank in the distance, the surrounding sea a vast, endless expanse of deep blue. Robin's hair whipped around her face as the wind roared past them, the boat accelerating rapidly. "Oh… It's so fast!" she shouted, barely able to hear her own voice over the roar of the engine.

Vanze laughed heartily, his grip on the wheel firm. "Hold on tight, Robin. We're going faster!" His voice boomed over the rush of wind, and with a mischievous grin, he pushed the boat to its limit. His senses were sharp, his Kenbunshoku Haki and KG active, scanning the area for any threats. He was prepared for anything.

"I-is it safe going this fast?" Robin called out, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Maybe," Vanze replied with a grin, the thrill of the moment clear in his voice. "It's my first time going this fast too!"

"Eh…!?" Robin's eyes widened in shock, her heart racing as she gripped the edge of her seat even tighter.

The boat continued to speed forward, leaving a white streak of foam in its wake as the vast ocean spread out endlessly around them. The horizon was a thin line where the deep blue sea met the lighter blue sky, creating a seemingly infinite expanse.

.....

Vanze stood at the helm of their speedboat, his gaze flicking over to Robin, who leaned against the side of the boat, her face pale and drawn. The rolling waves lapped gently against the hull, but even the calm sea couldn't soothe her discomfort. His brow furrowed with concern as he asked softly, "Are you feeling any better now, Robin? I've slowed down the boat."

The sun was beginning to dip lower on the horizon, casting a warm, golden light across the endless stretch of ocean around them. The Calm Belt lived up to its name, the water as smooth as glass, reflecting the sky in perfect clarity. Yet Robin's face remained tense, her breaths shallow as she tried to collect herself.

Taking a deep breath, she managed to push through the nausea. "I think I'm better now," she replied, though her voice wavered. She forced a smile, the sight of land nowhere in view unsettling her further. "It's just... the speed. It's been three hours now. Did your compass break, Vanze? Are we lost?"

Her question hung in the air, tinted with genuine worry. They'd been navigating the Calm Belt for what seemed like forever, with no sign of anything but water in every direction. Her mind raced, thinking about the lurking Sea Kings beneath the calm surface and the eerie stillness of this stretch of the ocean.

Vanze's lips twitched into a small smile as he shook his head. "No, my compass isn't broken," he said, holding up the strange, old relic in his hand. "It's still pointing us exactly where we need to go. We're not lost." He turned his gaze forward, his voice growing softer. "In fact, look ahead. There's land."

Robin squinted at the horizon, her heart leaping as the faint silhouette of an island came into view. Relief washed over her, the tension leaving her shoulders for a brief moment. "Finally... land," she murmured, her voice filled with hope. But as she glanced at Vanze, she noticed his expression had changed.

Vanze's normally calm demeanor hardened, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the horizon. He could feel it—something powerful, lurking just beyond their sight. Both of his senses power flared, a wave of tension rippling through his body. "It's coming," he said in a low, serious tone, his hands gripping the wheel tightly. His body tensed, ready activated his pest repellent power.

Robin glanced up at him, confusion and concern filling her wide eyes. "What's coming?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Suddenly, the still surface of the sea exploded. Water shot up into the air, a massive splash sending ripples racing across the ocean. The speedboat rocked violently, and Robin let out a startled cry. "Vanze, what was that?!"

Vanze's eyes were locked on the creature emerging from the water. "Don't panic," he said firmly, though his eyes never left the beast that now loomed over them. "I've got this."

From the depths rose a Sea King, its enormous, serpentine body covered in glistening green scales. Its eyes—burning red with a predatory glint—narrowed on the tiny speedboat, its shadow casting a dark pall over Vanze and Robin as it loomed above them. The creature let out a low, guttural growl, its long neck arcing above the water, ready to strike.

Robin's breath hitched in her throat as she stared up at the beast in terror. "It's huge," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Every fiber of her being screamed to run, but there was nowhere to go. The Sea King's presence was suffocating, a tangible weight pressing down on her chest.

Vanze stood firm, his body unyielding as the Sea King towered over them. He took a deep breath, summoning his willpower. His gaze sharpened, and a pulse of purple energy radiated from him. "Hmph. GET LOST!" His voice boomed with authority as he unleashed his Haoshoku Haki.

The air around them seemed to crackle, the force of Vanze's willpower crashing against the Sea King like an invisible wave. The beast froze, its eyes widening in shock as the overwhelming pressure of Vanze's Haki struck it. For a brief moment, the massive creature hesitated, its predatory snarl fading into uncertainty.

And then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the Sea King recoiled. With a powerful surge of its body, it retreated into the depths, vanishing beneath the surface in a great splash. The water calmed once more, and the oppressive presence of the creature faded, leaving nothing but the quiet lapping of the waves in its wake.

Vanze exhaled slowly, the tension draining from his body as he deactivated his Haki. He turned to check on Robin, who was still huddled against the side of the boat, her face pale and her eyes wide with lingering fear. "Hey," he said softly, his voice gentle now. "It's gone. The Sea King's gone. We're almost to land, so you'll be fine."

Robin nodded weakly, though her hands still trembled as she gripped the side of the boat. "I-I'm okay," she whispered, though her voice betrayed her exhaustion. The encounter had rattled her to the core, and it was clear that the fear hadn't entirely left her.

Vanze gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll be there soon," he said, steering the boat toward the approaching island.

As they neared the shore, the details of the island became clearer. Tall, lush trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly in the warm air. The shoreline was pristine, the soft sand gleaming under the fading light of the setting sun. A tranquil calm seemed to settle over the island, a stark contrast to the recent danger they'd faced.

After anchoring the boat, Vanze carefully stored it back into his system inventory, the sleek vessel disappearing with a soft hum. Meanwhile, Robin collapsed onto the beach beneath a tall palm tree, her breathing still shaky as she tried to regain her composure. She closed her eyes, letting the sound of the waves soothe her frayed nerves.

Vanze approached her quietly, his footsteps soft on the sand. "Robin," he said gently, extending a hand toward her. "Come with me. We need to find a place to rest."

Robin opened her eyes and looked up at him. For a moment, she hesitated, the fear of the Sea King still fresh in her mind. But the warmth in Vanze's eyes gave her strength, and she took his hand, allowing him to help her to her feet.

Together, they walked along the beach, the fading light of the sunset painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The island seemed peaceful, almost untouched by the outside world. The scent of salt and tropical trees filled the air, creating a strangely calming atmosphere despite everything they had been through.

"Let me grab something real quick," Vanze said, stopping in an open area just off the beach. He reached into his inventory and pulled out a small capsule from his Capsule Corp survival kit.

With a quick flick of his wrist, he tossed it onto the ground. In an instant, a house materialized before their eyes—a simple, yet sturdy structure that seemed oddly out of place on the deserted island.

Robin blinked in surprise, her mouth falling open slightly. "Wow… You really do have everything, don't you?" she said, her voice filled with awe.

Vanze chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully. "Not everything, but close enough. Come on, let's get inside."

The house was surprisingly spacious, with three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a comfortable living space. Robin wandered through the rooms, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected luxury after such an exhausting journey.

"You should rest for now," Vanze said, his voice filled with concern. He could see how tired she was, the strain of the day evident in the way she moved. "We've had a long day, and you need to recover."

Robin nodded gratefully, her body heavy with fatigue. "Thank you, Vanze," she whispered, before retreating to one of the rooms. She glanced back at him briefly before disappearing behind the door.

Vanze stood in the hallway for a moment, watching her go, then turned to choose the room beside hers. The weight of the day pressed heavily on his shoulders, and he let out a long sigh.

"Sigh, yeah, I also feel exhausted after maintaining Kenbunshoku Haki and KG for almost three hours," he muttered to himself, taking off his sunglasses and rubbing his temples with one hand. The strain of using his abilities for such an extended period had taken its toll, and he was eager to get some rest.

As he lay down on the bed, the events of the day replayed in his mind. It had been a long and arduous journey, both physically and mentally draining. But now, they had a safe place to rest and recover.

.....

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A/N: Please donate your power stones and leave more reviews for my story, I appreciate it and thank you for your support!