Chapter 39

According to what Robin had heard from others, Conqueror's Haki is extremely rare, found in only one in millions, and anyone who possesses it will eventually gather in the most dangerous seas—the New World.

This power cannot be cultivated; it is innate, growing with a person's spirit. If one's spirit wanes, they might even lose their Conqueror's Haki.

But without a doubt, anyone with Conqueror's Haki

Has the makings of a monarch.

...

Reflecting on her memories, Robin reevaluated the young man before her, who appeared only a year or two older than herself.

Where is the aura of a monarch?

She was unaware that Dak's Conqueror's Haki was artificially bestowed by a system. Presently, Dak didn't look like someone with the potential of a conqueror.

"Though I realize you're full of questions, this place isn't exactly safe. This experience has cast a shadow over my view of the outside world, let's head back."

Dak rubbed his neck, shrugged one shoulder, then turned back to Robin and headed towards the warehouse door.

Robin silently watched him.

Where are you going?

We're at sea.

"Let's go, didn't you promise?"

Dak half-turned, looking at Robin.

"What?"

"To come 'home' with me."

Dak closed the warehouse door, then reopened it, pointing inside.

Just as Robin was about to speak, the scenery behind the door changed.

Wasn't it a sunlit deck before, but when Dak opened the door, it transformed into a dark curtain?

What kind of ability is this?!

"Come on! No backing out now!"

Dak, thinking Robin was hesitating, quickly walked up, grabbing her arm, and led her through the door.

...

Robin looked up at Dak's back.

Though it had been long since she was last touched by a man,

Robin's gaze did not waver with this contact; her past experiences didn't allow her to react like a young girl to such physical interactions.

Robin followed Dak through that door,

Stepping into her new world.

Mystery Hatchery House.

"I'm back!"

Upon entering, Dak shouted. It was ten in the morning, and everyone should be awake by now.

"Woof!"

"Slurp!"

"Gabi~"

"Yibei~"

A crowd of little creatures from all around swarmed Dak, pinning him to the ground in a flurry of affection.

Each Pokémon has its own way of expressing love.

Growlithe is an affectionate licker, Scraggy uses headbutts, Cubone stuffs a Berry straight into Dak's mouth, and Eevee gently rubs his chin with its ears.

"Alright, alright! Enough!"

Dak struggled on the ground like a floundering fish, finally escaping the enthusiastic welcome of the little ones.

Once upright, he saw the exhausted faces of Bon Clay and Darkrai.

"Hehe, sorry for the trouble, but I didn't disappoint, did I? Ta-da, guess who's here."

Dak, feeling slightly apologetic, stepped aside to reveal Robin.

...

Robin was baffled.

Where is this?

What are these little ones on the ground?

Why can't I use my Devil Fruit powers?

Robin's mind became a whirlwind of confusion, bordering on pain from the rapid thoughts, feeling slightly overloaded.

"Yo, isn't this the 'Demon Child'? Dak, you've brought back quite the person."

Bon Clay clearly recognized Robin from her bounty poster but he also felt a headache brewing.

Bon Clay, like Robin, is a thinker, a calm strategist.

Upon seeing Robin, he knew their Mystery Hatchery House might be against the World Government.

"Bon Clay! Don't call Robin that!"

Dak pretended to be annoyed with Bon Clay.

Robin surely wouldn't like 'Demon Child' as a nickname.

"Alright, alright, my bad. Welcome aboard, Robin. I'm Bon Clay, a staff member at the Mystery Hatchery House. We're colleagues now. Nice to meet you."

Bon Clay quickly apologized, welcoming Robin warmly.

He was genuinely pleased.

The shop was already swamped; an extra pair of hands was definitely welcome, especially since Smoochum seemed to get jealous easily.

As for the World Government?

That's for Dak to worry about.

Though Bon Clay felt a bit arrogant, honestly, after joining the Mystery Hatchery House and witnessing top figures of the sea inside the shop, he'd begun to disregard the World Government.

As long as they remained in the shop, they were invincible at the Mystery Hatchery House.

"Robin?"

Dak looked at Robin, who was still in a daze.

Without Dak's explanation, Robin might never understand.

...

Hearing Dak's voice, Robin instinctively looked up at him.

Wanting to say something, but unsure where to start.

Questions abounded.

But at least it seemed safe now, no longer hunted at sea.

"Hiya~, don't worry, I'll explain everything slowly."

Dak patted Robin's shoulder, about to begin, when he suddenly noticed something alarming.

"Hey! Scraggy, Rockruff, stop it!"

"Growlithe, release Magikarp! It can't breathe!"

"Eevee, you little rascal! What are you doing? That's your sister!"

"Don't cling to my leg; have Darkrai fetch you some berries."

...

As Robin was about to listen intently to Dak's forthcoming revelations,

She saw Dak dive into the group of adorable critters, pulling here, tugging there, and occasionally shaking his leg to dislodge the plump charm to the ground.

This situation only eased slightly during mealtime.

While ensuring the little ones ate properly, Dak recounted the Mystery Hatchery House to Robin.

Robin's expression transitioned from bewilderment to shock, then numbness, and finally acceptance.

If resistance was futile, better to embrace it.

Though this new job was unusual,

It seemed quite pleasant.

Robin's gaze softened as she watched the little ones drink their milk, her face warming slightly.

"So, Robin, will you join the Mystery Hatchery House?"

"Mhm."

"Then, from now on, this is also your home."

[Congratulations to the host for acquiring a new staff member (female)]

[Reward: Female Staff Dormitory, 1,000 Magical Coins]

[Note: Staff members' strengths are not suppressed in the Mystery Hatchery House. To obtain Pokémon, staff only need the Pokémon and the store manager's approval]

(End of Chapter)