One Piece: Deriving All Things

"What do you mean, 'so fast'?" Sanders raised an eyebrow, confused.

"N-Nothing!"

Peckin gave an awkward laugh, quickly taking a few steps back. The others followed suit, scattering like startled birds and fleeing the scene in haste.

"Strange," Sanders muttered under his breath, turning back towards his room. However, this time he activated his Observation Haki, spreading it out to figure out what exactly his crew had been discussing.

Normally, Sanders didn't keep his Observation Haki active all the time—he didn't have a voyeuristic habit, after all.

The voices of Peckin and the others immediately reached his ears:

"BABY-5, didn't you say the captain was in there? Why did he come out so fast?" Summer spoke in a hushed tone.

"I wasn't wrong! The captain went in and pulled the curtains shut—why would anyone pull curtains in broad daylight? Do you ever pull curtains during the day?" BABY-5 retorted, her voice tinged with doubt.

"And didn't you see how the captain came out of Robin's room just now? His face was practically glowing!"

"But that's way too fast, isn't it?"

"The captain's super strong though! He doesn't even flinch when fighting monstrous beasts like Kaido. You'd think he'd have stamina for everything."

"You don't get it. Don't judge a book by its cover!"

"Law, you're a doctor, right? Maybe you should check on him."

"I'm a surgeon…" Law's tone was flat.

"Shh! Keep your voices down. The captain's Observation Haki is insanely powerful—it can cover the entire island!"

"It's fine! Who keeps their Observation Haki active all the time? With all the noise on this island, it'd drive him crazy."

…

The more Sanders listened, the darker his expression became.

It finally dawned on him what these people had been gossiping about.

He had drawn the curtains simply to examine the pure gold!

What on earth were these crew members imagining?

And worse, how dare they gossip about their great captain behind his back?

Had he been too lenient with them, leading them to think he didn't have a temper?

Sanders' eyes narrowed, and his Rumble-Rumble Fruit powers began to build.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several bolts of lightning streaked down from the sky, striking the unsuspecting crew. Before they could react, Law and the others were sent sprawling on the ground.

Summer and Peckin were especially miserable, their bodies charred black as they lay unconscious, eyes rolling back in their heads.

"What happened to you guys? Struck by lightning?" Wappa walked over from a distance, puzzled as he glanced at the cloudless sky above.

"N-No… nothing happened," Law managed to croak, black smoke still rising from his mouth.

"Are you sure? Should I call Mansherry to heal you?" Wappa looked at the fallen crew with concern.

"No need."

Law checked himself and the others, confirming that no one was seriously hurt. A few days of bed rest would suffice. He quickly waved off Wappa's suggestion.

Having angered their captain, it was better to just endure the punishment quietly.

If they called Mansherry for healing, there was no telling if they'd just get struck by lightning again immediately after.

"Alright then. I'll go report to the captain. You handle taking them back." Wappa shrugged and headed towards Sanders' room, glancing one last time at the still-smoking Summer and Peckin.

Law sighed, grabbed Summer and Peckin by their collars, and gestured for Bepo—now in his polar bear form—to carry BABY-5. Together, they hurried away from the scene.

Meanwhile, back on the balcony, Robin retracted the ear she had extended and smiled faintly.

She held a book in her hands, but for some reason, she couldn't read a single word.

For some reason, when she had seen the ring earlier, those words had slipped out of her mouth.

She'd regretted them almost immediately afterward.

But she hadn't expected Sanders to shamelessly admit it outright.

When had she started to admire—or perhaps even like—Sanders?

Was it when he told her that becoming his crewmate meant she could roam the seas without fear?

Or was it the day she stood helpless before a Buster Call, only for that towering man to step in front of her, giving her a sense of security she hadn't felt in nineteen years?

Or perhaps it was the countless times he faced the great figures of the sea, standing tall and fearless in battle?

A gentle breeze rustled her hair as Robin absently rubbed the ring on her finger.

Night fell.

Nico Robin had just finished washing up. Dressed in a bathrobe, she was drying her hair with a towel when a pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist.

Her expression shifted, and she was about to counterattack when a familiar male voice murmured in her ear:

"It's me."

Robin's body stiffened slightly before relaxing. She continued drying her hair as though nothing had happened.

"Captain, isn't it a bit inappropriate to sneak into a female crewmate's room in the middle of the night?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Sanders replied, his voice thick with amusement. "I'm here to give you some guidance."

"Guidance?" Robin raised an eyebrow, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she tossed the towel onto the sofa and turned to face Sanders.

"Of course. Real combat training."

Sanders held Robin's hand—the one adorned with the ring—and pulled her into his embrace.

Without further ado, Sanders leaped from the balcony, carrying Robin with him.

High above a secluded part of the island, a small airship hovered steadily in the sky.

"You came prepared," Robin noted with a chuckle as she took in the sight. "So, you've been planning this for a while?"

"No choice," Sanders admitted with a smirk. "Observation Haki can be such a pain. Can't have the others finding out I'm giving you special treatment, can I? If word got out, how would I maintain my authority as captain?"

He landed lightly on the airship and carried Robin into a private room aboard the vessel.

With the number of crewmates proficient in Observation Haki increasing, even the smallest disturbances could attract attention. And given the destructive potential of a battle between the Hana Hana no Mi user and the Goro Goro no Mi user, a hidden location was essential.

With no one around to witness, Sanders began his private training session.

At first, Sanders, confident in his unmatched physical strength, tempered by his indestructible body and Mythical Zoan fruit, was careful not to go all out for fear of accidentally injuring his crewmate.

But to his surprise, the Devil's Child had grown significantly stronger after a year of intense training.

Robin's mastery over her Hana Hana no Mi had reached an astonishing level.

What began as sparring quickly turned into a fierce duel, with Robin taunting him at every turn:

"Captain, is this all you've got? If this is the best you can do, how do you expect to train anyone else?"

Her words stoked Sanders' fury.

He, a renowned powerhouse of the seas, feared by legends across the world, was being ridiculed by one of his own crewmates? Unacceptable!

Enraged, he unleashed the full power of his Rumble-Rumble Fruit with a devastating attack:

"Zero-Volt Thunder Dragon Strike!"

This was a technique honed over two decades, its power immense and unrelenting.

But Robin didn't back down. She met his attack head-on, her deft use of the Hana Hana no Mi creating a chaotic battlefield.

As Sanders struggled to gain the upper hand, he furrowed his brow and activated another of his fruit's abilities:

"Mo-Mo no Mi—Fivefold Speed!"

His movements became blindingly fast, each strike landing with deadly precision. Within moments, Robin was overwhelmed, forced into retreat, and finally admitted defeat.

Sanders smirked, victorious. "A god like me can't be bested by a mere Devil's Child."

However, as his anger subsided, he remembered that this was meant to be a training session, not a battle to crush his opponent.

Sanders shifted his approach, slowing his pace and sharing his knowledge without reservation. Techniques refined over decades, secret insights, and battle-tested strategies were imparted to Robin, helping her hone her skills to new heights.

Unbeknownst to him, he too learned much from the session. The intense combat and exchange of techniques pushed his own abilities to the next level.

By the time their battle concluded, the meticulously prepared training arena was in ruins. Debris was scattered everywhere, the result of their earth-shaking clash.

As dawn broke, the two warriors lay exhausted in the aftermath of their training.

Knowing he had to return before anyone noticed his absence, Sanders picked up Robin and flew back to the ship.

For now, this secret midnight duel remained known only to them—and to the small, battered airship that floated silently in the sky, its hull bearing the scars of their battle, swaying gently in the high-altitude winds.

The sun hung high as Sanders strolled leisurely out of Robin's quarters, radiating satisfaction. His robust physique, honed through years as one of the sea's top fighters, made last night's intense "training session" a minor exertion at best.

Robin, on the other hand, was not so fortunate. Her physical condition made it clear that her hand-to-hand combat needed improvement. Coupled with Sanders' lack of restraint during his first "lesson," she was now confined to bed for recovery.

In the galley, Sanders barked an order at Baby-5, who stood at the counter.

"Prepare two lunches. One for me to eat here, and one to go."

Baby-5, her hair slightly singed from yesterday's lightning strike, nodded obediently. The captain had held back when dealing with her, sparing her from a fate similar to Shachi and Penguin, who were still bedridden.

"Captain, should I deliver Robin's lunch for you?" Baby-5 asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"No need," Sanders replied curtly. "And keep your mouth shut, or you'll end up like them too. Also, let Law know not to heal them—I want them to learn their lesson."

"Yes, Captain."

Dressed in her maid outfit, Baby-5 stood at attention, suppressing her urge to gossip. Yesterday's thunderbolt had left a lasting impression on her. From now on, she resolved never to meddle in Sanders' affairs, especially not when Robin was involved.

After finishing his meal, Sanders picked up the second tray and returned to Robin's room.

She was awake, reclining against a pile of pillows with a book in hand.

"Time to eat," Sanders announced with a smile as he set the tray down.

Robin glanced at him, her lips curving into a faint smirk.

Sanders raised an eyebrow, watching as Robin nonchalantly tossed the blanket aside and began changing in front of him.

Her graceful movements revealed her toned figure, unmarred by modesty. She slipped on a tight denim jacket that highlighted her waist and paired it with a floral-patterned orange skirt that left her long legs exposed.

The sight stirred something in Sanders, but the glaring daylight streaming through the windows reminded him to restrain himself.

Once dressed, Robin sat at the table and began eating, while Sanders silently contemplated the future.

The Thunder God Pirates had always operated as a close-knit crew, sharing the sprawling palace they had claimed. Initially, the proximity fostered camaraderie, but now that dynamics had shifted—particularly between him and Robin—it was time for a change.

"Thinking about something?" Robin asked between bites, sensing his distraction.

"I'm considering spreading out," Sanders replied. "The palace is huge, and it's wasteful for us all to crowd into one area. Everyone can have their own space."

Robin's expression remained calm, but her mind shifted to another matter. "What about the pure gold? When do you plan to tell the others about it?"

Sanders paused before answering. "Only Issho for now. The others can wait."

"Why?"

"They're too young," he explained. "Especially Nami and Shirahoshi. Wearing a pure gold ring would stop their growth. A few centuries later, they'd still look like teenagers. Besides, I'm not sure if the ring might interfere with physical training."

Robin nodded thoughtfully. Pure gold's glow could halt aging and stave off illness, but its impact on strength development was uncertain. Given the crew's youth, it was a risk Sanders wasn't willing to take.

"So, when you train, you should remove the ring," he added.

Robin tapped the table with her finger, her mind racing. "I'll wear it for a while and test its effects. That way, we can verify if your concerns are valid."

Sanders agreed. Among the crew, Robin was the perfect candidate for such an experiment—not too young, not too old, and already experienced in combat.

That afternoon, Sanders summoned the crew to announce the new living arrangements.

Though puzzled by the sudden directive, the crew quickly complied. They split into small groups, each choosing a section of the palace to call their own. Those who valued solitude found quiet corners, while others grouped together for companionship.

By evening, everyone had settled into their new quarters.

Later that night, Issho returned from Dressrosa. He showed little interest in the new arrangements, as he spent most of his time managing nearby casinos and territories.

Sanders, however, had more pressing matters to discuss.

In a sealed room, he handed Issho a small ring.

"What's this?" Issho asked, his fingers tracing the smooth surface of the ring.

"It's inlaid with pure gold," Sanders explained. "Its glow can extend lifespan and halt the progression of injuries or illness."

Issho's usually serene expression shifted as he grasped the significance. "One of the methods you mentioned for attaining immortality?"

"Exactly," Sanders confirmed.

"Something this precious… I imagine it wasn't easy to come by."

"It wasn't. Which is why, for now, only you and Robin are getting one. The others can wait until I'm sure of the side effects."

Issho nodded, slipping the ring onto his finger. Though he remained composed, the weight of Sanders' words lingered in the air.

In the quiet of the room, two powerful allies exchanged a silent understanding. This ring wasn't just a gift—it was a symbol of trust and a step toward reshaping their destinies.

Immortality!

That's something countless people have pursued relentlessly.

And yet, here he was, receiving it just like that!

Holding such a rare and precious item in his hands, Issho could hardly believe his luck.

But then, what Sanders said next nearly made him lose composure.

"It's not a big deal. I got a lot of this stuff. There's still a huge chunk I didn't bother to take, just grabbed a small piece," Sanders explained casually.

Issho's lips twitched involuntarily. He didn't even know how to respond.

This was an object capable of extending lifespans, possibly enabling near-eternal life. How could something so invaluable be brushed off so lightly?

And yet Sanders said he had plenty, and this was only a small portion of it!

"With this, extending life is no issue. If you ever feel like you've lived long enough, just toss the ring into the ocean, and your body will start aging year by year until you eventually pass away," Sanders explained further.

He even went on to share the story of Olgar and how pure gold would attract a massive anglerfish.

"I'm truly fortunate. I haven't been under your command for long, and yet I've already received something so valuable. I don't even know how to thank you, Sanders," Issho said, sighing in genuine gratitude.

The temptation of immortality—few in this world could resist it.

Moreover, this kind of immortality wasn't irreversible. As Sanders had mentioned, if you ever grew tired of living, you could simply remove the ring.

"No need to thank me. You're my vice-captain, after all," Sanders replied with a smile.

Issho slipped the ring onto his finger and left the room. He didn't ask who else had received such a ring or inquire about anything else. It was as though he'd never been there.

Sanders, on the other hand, returned to his quarters.

By now, Robin had already moved in with him. Neither of them made any attempt to hide the shift in their relationship.

Having tasted the forbidden fruit, both of them were reluctant to let it go.

Even though the "Demon Child" was still tired from the "training" earlier, her Flower-Flower Fruit powers gave her an undeniable edge—her creativity surpassed others, after all.

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T/N:

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