Kong Tai put down his wine gourd, his gaze turned to Robin, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips. He said, "Robin, now that you're on board, I hope you can truly consider us your companions, the kind of companions you can completely entrust your back to, and even your life."
"I don't want to dwell on your past, but I hope we can support each other and head towards the future. I believe our future will be very exciting and enjoyable. You..."
He paused slightly and then spoke sternly, "Are you truly joining us?"
"Yes!"
Robin nodded, a genuine, gentle smile appearing on her face. She looked at Kong Tai and said firmly, "Although I've only been on board for a few days, I've completely fallen in love with everyone on the ship. I also hope I can truly become a companion to everyone. I don't want..."
"I don't want to be alone anymore."
After saying that, it was as if she had shed a burden from her heart, and her entire being, from the inside out, became radiant.
When she first boarded, although she smiled at everyone she met, there was always a sense of awkwardness.
But her smile now was a smile of genuine happiness.
"That's right! We're all companions. Smile when you're happy, cry when you're not. Don't hide everything in your heart and bear it alone."
"Although we don't know your past, I imagine you've had a difficult time. I won't ask about it. When the time comes, you'll know. I hope you won't run away then, but truly consider us as companions and trust us. You know your captain here! Is a true pinnacle powerhouse of the world who doesn't even care about the World Government!"
"As long as I'm here, no one will be able to harm my companions. So don't be afraid, don't be confused, and don't hesitate. As long as it's a companion's dream, as long as it's in this world, and as long as it's not an evil deed, I... and the companions on this ship will support you unconditionally."
"Mhm, mhm!!"
Robin's gaze fell upon Kong Tai, her sight seemingly crossing the timeline, and she saw again the giant on the beach, the first person she had ever met in her life who could truly be called a friend.
Tears, like crystal droplets, silently welled from her eyes and streamed down her cheeks, falling to the ground.
It wasn't sadness, but happiness.
Just as her giant friend had said.
"A person can never truly be alone in this life. The sea is so vast, and one day she will meet companions who truly cherish and protect her."
And in Kong Tai, and in everyone on this ship, she felt the warmth that only true friends and true companions could feel.
At this moment, she was incredibly happy.
Seeing the tears on Robin's smiling face, everyone on the bow of the ship wore gentle smiles.
They knew that only now had this older sister (or young girl) who always wore a smile but always stayed in the darkness, always hiding everything in her heart, truly integrated into their team, truly come aboard.
Kong Tai withdrew his gaze and turned towards the front of the ship, his eyes filled with smiles and excitement.
"Soon, we'll reach Sky Island."
The thought of the wonders of Sky Island made him feel impatient.
He hadn't been this eager when they were at the foot of the mountain; it was only now, as they approached the summit, that he felt such urgency. He wondered why.
Just then, Hua, whose limbs had transformed into rabbit claws and whose head sported two long rabbit ears, quickly walked over from the kitchen behind.
"Hehe! Come try the apple and lemon juice I just made!"
He held a tray, yet walked as if on solid ground on the deck tilted at a 70-degree angle. It was a wonder how he managed it. Could his rabbit claws adhere to the floor?
It was truly miraculous.
"Kakalaka!!"
Indigo let out a hearty laugh, picked up a cup of juice from Hua's tray, and said, "Thanks, Hua!"
He then raised his hand, tilted the cup towards his mouth, and the yellow juice flowed down the side of the cup and into Indigo's mouth.
Gulp!
Indigo put down the cup, swallowed the juice, and turned to Hua with a smile, saying, "It's delicious!"
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
After being at sea for so long, his cooking skills had indeed matured. While it was still a distance from the meals cooked by Sanji that they had tasted, he could certainly be called a "master chef" by everyone on board.
"Huh!"
Just then, Hua suddenly noticed something. He walked past Indigo and came up to Robin, looking at her and exclaiming, "Robin-chan, why are you crying? Tell me who bullied you, and I'll deal with them."
As he spoke, he glanced at Kuina, then quickly averted his gaze, and looked at Indigo. He pondered, given Indigo's personality, it was unlikely he would bully Robin. So, the only remaining possibility on the bow was...
"What are you looking at? Robin is happy! Can't you see that? Idiot."
Sensing Hua's gaze on him, Kong Tai quickly turned around and yelled at Hua.
Then, with a thought, it was as if an invisible staircase suddenly appeared beneath everyone's feet, leveling their tilted stances.
"Alright, everyone, gather in the center!"
As he spoke, Kong Tai pulled back the railing behind him, took a step forward, and his foot landed on empty air.
Without hesitation, he continued forward, as if walking on flat ground.
"Hehe!!"
Hua scratched his head, stood up straight, and quickly used the invisible staircase to reach the same height as Kong Tai. He hurried to Kong Tai's front and placed the tray he was holding on the empty space in front of Kong Tai, who was now sitting cross-legged.
Following Hua's footsteps, Robin, Kuina, and Indigo also ascended to this platform of empty space.
Kong Tai turned to face the front of the ship. With a thought, a cup of juice automatically floated up and hovered in front of him. Two other cups of juice flew towards the back.
He hadn't forgotten Arlo and A Tao, those hardworking individuals steering the ship!
Kuina released Robin, stepped forward, and walked to Kong Tai's side. She bent her legs and sat cross-legged next to Kong Tai, then turned and picked up a cup of juice, drinking it happily.
Robin and Indigo, holding their cups of juice, walked towards the bow.
"It's amazing!"
Even though she had witnessed Kong Tai's abilities more than once, each time she saw them, it filled her with wonder.
Robin stood at the bow, leaning languidly against the railing at an angle. She glanced down at the transparent floor below, then looked up, raised her cup, and took a gentle sip.
"I wonder what Kong Tai's ability is, it's like he can do anything."
She pondered for a moment, then dismissed these insignificant thoughts.
They would get to know each other better as time went on.
They were true companions now, and she believed Kong Tai wouldn't keep secrets from her.
What they should be concerned about now was that they were about to reach Sky Island.
She could already see the end of the river within the thick clouds ahead, a seemingly endless passage.
She imagined that once they passed through this passage, they would reach their destination, "Sky Island."
"I'm really looking forward to it!"
...