#aokiji

Laying on the ground in front of the Straw Hat Pirates, Aokiji is…curious.

When he had first seen Nico Robin emerge into notoriety again for the first time in a few years, he was resigned to the fact that he had saved a woman destined to be heartless. Destined to be deserted, destined to be alone.

Destined to be cold, dark, condemned.

He expected nothing different than the same old strategy of catching a ride with the strongest group around and then leaving them to crash-and-burn that Nico Robin had stuck to for two decades; that Aokiji’s determined to end right here, right now.

He didn’t expect this.

Monkey D. Luffy. Up-and-coming rookie, with no accolades to his name, other than the defeat of various small-time villains and the weakened Crocodile. A man who has absolutely no chance against a man of Aokiji’s caliber and who Aokiji could defeat (quite literally) in his sleep.

A man who is now standing protectively in front of Nico Robin, glaring at Aokiji with a ferocity that surprises him. He’s got an arm stuck out to the side, keeping Nico Robin behind him, and demanding Aokiji leave her alone.

Aokiji’s mildly shocked. They couldn’t genuinely care about Nico Robin, could they?

All she does is use people. Surely, they’ve realized that.

No, Aokiji realizes as he fends off their attacks with ease and freezes Nico Robin with a casual “hug.” That’s true desperation in the Captain’s voice as he orders his crew to save her from getting crushed. That’s pure joy in the celebrations of said crew after they save her. That’s pure determination in the Captain’s posture as he demands a solo fight against Aokiji.

They do truly care about her.

As Aokiji defeats the Captain with an ease only someone of Aokiji’s strength can achieve, Aokiji considers what may happen, if Nico Robin sticks with this crew for much longer.

They’re going to get attacked for her, he knows.

But, it doesn’t seem like they’ll care in the slightest.

They’re determined to not give her up.

Aokiji sighs, leaving the Captain alive (so that he’s not killed by said Captain’s grandfather when he returns to Headquarters – Garp is terrifying enough when he’s notangry, thank you very much), and leaves for Marineford.

Maybe, he was wrong, believing that Nico Robin’s been doomed since he saved her, all those years ago.

Maybe there is a chance Nico Robin could be filled with warmth again, after all.

donivanessdoodles:

Super fun time in the Super Server Summer trade! Drawing Kuzan was a lot of fun, the summer festival theme was so good. ;0; I hope you enjoy this babe @chososrightpigtails