Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

With a casual flick of his finger, Nico Robin's delicate frame shuddered, the strength instantly drained from her hands.

She slumped naturally against Zane's chest.

Once she regained her composure from the tremor, Nico Robin bit him over his heart in a fit of playful pique.

"Use a little more strength, I can take it!"

The thick-skinned Zane lay even more comfortably in the hot spring, his hands—the same ones capable of his flicking technique—now skillfully handling her as if he were dribbling a ball.

"S-Sorry to disturb you!"

While Zane and Nico Robin were fooling around, the sliding door of the bathhouse was pushed open, and a timid figure stepped inside.

Steam swirled within the bathhouse, making the interior look exceptionally hazy and ethereal.

Seeing someone enter, Nico Robin instinctively stopped her play and submerged herself in the water, revealing only her head.

But as soon as she finished these movements, Nico Robin immediately realized her mistake.

Given their Captain's Observation Haki, he must have detected someone approaching long ago.

Since he hadn't stopped them, it meant there was no issue with the visitor.

And indeed.

As Nico Robin peered through the haze, she saw Vivi approaching through the misty vapor, wrapped in nothing but a bath towel.

Zane had naturally sensed the approach long ago.

It was precisely because he knew it was Vivi that he hadn't made a move.

At this moment, as he watched Vivi draw closer to the edge of the pool, he looked her over with keen interest.

The royal family was truly living on a tight budget.

This much was evident from the towel Vivi was wrapped in.

The towel was very narrow.

It barely covered the curve of her chest and barely reached below her hip bone at the bottom.

With legs feeling somewhat weak, she approached the warm pool, encouraging herself not to be nervous. However, as she drew closer and her gaze fell upon Zane leaning against the opposite wall, her entire body suddenly flushed red.

Her whole body truly turned red.

Not only did a faint rose color bloom on her pure face, but the parts of her body not covered by the towel also turned a soft shade of pink.

"Our princess is certainly being bold tonight!" Seeing that it was Vivi, Nico Robin's eyes flashed with surprise before she stood up with a captivating air.

Warm spring water slid down her undulating curves.

Nico Robin swayed her alluring hips and walked forward until she reached the other end of the pool wall.

"What's wrong? You're already inside; are you planning to just stand there without coming down?" Looking at the restrained Vivi standing frozen in place, Nico Robin gestured gracefully.

"Th-Thank you!"

With a frantic heart, Vivi hurriedly placed her hand in Nico Robin's and carefully stepped into the hot spring.

During this time, she didn't dare look at Zane at all.

Or rather, her gaze would pull away the moment it made contact.

It was too terrifying.

This was on a completely different level from the drawings she had peeked at in the past.

'I... I won't split open later, will I?'

Apprehension, panic, and an indescribable sense of excitement flooded her entire body.

Wading through the pool water, Vivi felt lightheaded and weak. By the time she realized what was happening, she found herself lying in Zane's arms.

"Mr. Zane..."

Looking up blankly with her head tilted, gazing at the familiar face so close at hand, Vivi's red lips parted slightly.

"There's no chance for regrets now!"

Looking at the innocent yet seductive Vivi, Zane's appetite was piqued. He unceremoniously lowered his head and began to taste those slightly parted red lips.

Seeing her Captain make his move, Nico Robin didn't leave. Instead, she leaned against the side with interest, propping her cheek on her palm to watch the show.

'Still too inexperienced.'

'How can there be no response at all? This lacks any sense of playfulness.'

'Not bad, not bad.'

'It seems we found the right person. With a little training, there's great hope for her to join forces with Baby 5 to rival Hancock in the future.'

'...What's going on? Why is it suddenly getting so hot?'

'It must be because I've been soaking in the hot spring for too long.'

'Forget it, Vivi looks like she's already at her limit. Let me, the senior, provide a perfect conclusion.'

Her mouth growing increasingly dry, Nico Robin bit her lower lip and swam forward like a mermaid to take turns.

*

*

*

The rebellion in Alabasta ended very abruptly.

In less than a week, the turmoil was completely quelled.

"Is everything ready? We can't afford any mistakes. We must ensure the entire nation hears Princess Vivi's speech."

"No problem. The Transponder Snails have been delivered to all regions, and professional Visual Transponder Snails have been set up in major cities to ensure nothing goes wrong."

"Everyone, stay sharp! The turmoil has ended, and the rainfall has returned to normal. From now on, we are going to welcome a beautiful new life."

"Yeah. By the way, have you heard? It's said that King Cobra is planning to have Princess Vivi succeed him as Queen."

"Is that true? If so, that would be wonderful! King Cobra is good, but Princess Vivi has the favor of a god. If Princess Vivi takes over as Queen, our country will surely receive divine protection in the future."

"Mhm, I really hope to see the Lord God again."

"...."

With the rebellion over, whether as a celebration or a way to encourage the people, a necessary ceremony was required.

And so it was.

Cobra specially arranged for a speech to be broadcast across the entire country.

However, the one giving the speech was not the King, but Vivi.

Whether it was her performance during the rebellion or her success in recruiting Zane to quell the uprising, Vivi's various displays had undoubtedly made Cobra very satisfied, and he had already begun the preliminary preparations for her future succession.

This speech was the warm-up to push Vivi onto the throne.

As for Vivi, What was this future Queen of Alabasta doing at this moment?

"Mr. Zane... I am so happy right now!"

Inside the dressing room.

Her waist-length light blue wavy hair was not tied in a ponytail as it usually was; instead, it draped smoothly over her shoulders and back, with only a single strand of hair falling naturally on each side of her face.

Her attire had also changed from her armored warrior outfit to a sleeveless dress, primarily white with light pink accents.

In this outfit, Vivi had undoubtedly shed her original innocent exuberance, replaced by the elegance and poise of royalty.

Except...

After being touched up and styled, Vivi's exquisite face was her face warmly flushed.