When Aramaki arrived at Ranna Island, it was still dark.
The sea fog before dawn was like a solidified lead-gray curtain, and Aramaki's breath condensed into white frost in the cold air.
He was very lucky or rather, Black was very lucky.
Olvia had not rested yet. She was squatting alone beside a pile of rubble, carefully cleaning a heavily weathered stone slab with a brush.
Aramaki lurked in the shadow of the reef, gradually sinking until he disappeared.
When he reappeared, he was already behind Olvia.
Olvia was completely unaware, her silver hair swaying in the wind.
Aramaki's fingertip lightly brushed the back of Olvia's neck, and the power of the Mori Mori no Mi (Forest-Forest Fruit) instantly activated.
Vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around her limbs like living creatures.
This sudden change startled Olvia.
Just as she was about to draw her gun, she found the barrel already wrapped in vines, the firearm forcibly decomposed into wood chips.
"Pollen anesthesia."
Olvia was about to shout a warning when she suddenly smelled a strange floral scent and instantly lost consciousness.
"Done."
After confirming that he had not been discovered, Aramaki took Olvia back to the ship.
He needed to send her to Mary Geoise and hand her over to Black.
When Olvia woke up, she felt a swaying motion and immediately realized she was on a ship, the cabin filled with the salty smell of seawater.
She found herself lying on a bed covered with a plush blanket, her wrists and ankles completely unbound.
Olvia vaguely remembered being controlled by sudden vines while excavating ancient ruins, indicating someone had attacked her.
However, the current situation seemed rather unusual.
"You're awake."
Hearing the voice, Olvia looked up and saw a tall, burly man leaning against the door with his arms crossed.
His nearly three-meter-tall figure blocked the sunlight outside, obscuring most of his face.
"Sir, may I ask where this is?"
Olvia tried to keep her voice calm, but it still carried the hoarseness of someone who had just woken up.
"My name is Aramaki."
Aramaki first introduced himself briefly before replying,
"This is a ship heading to Mary Geoise."
His words were concise, and his tone carried no warmth.
"You have been chosen by Saint Black."
"Saint Black? A Celestial Dragon?"
Olvia's pupils constricted slightly.
"Why me? I'm just an ordinary scholar from Ohara."
Aramaki opened the cabin window, allowing a cool sea breeze to blow into the room.
"I don't know the specific reason. I am only responsible for carrying out the orders given by Saint Black."
Olvia felt a chill run down her spine.
As an archaeologist approaching the truth of the Void Century, she understood very well what kind of group the Celestial Dragons were.
However, Olvia had never imagined she would have any interaction with them.
Moreover, since a Celestial Dragon had sent someone to capture her, did that mean Ohara's secret had already been discovered by the World Government?
Taking a deep breath, Olvia forced herself to calm down.
"Mr. Aramaki, may I know more details?"
"For example, why does Saint Black know about my existence?"
"And what happened to the archaeological team members who were with me?"
Aramaki did not explain much.
"They might have just discovered that you're missing."
"But I imagine those people's fate won't be very good. After all, I found you by following the traces left by CP."
"I'm only responsible for safely bringing you to Mary Geoise. Other matters you will learn them after meeting Saint Black."
Olvia bit her lip, feeling a deep sense of unease, yet her scholarly instinct pushed her to continue asking.
"Why were the CP agents looking for us?"
"That's not important."
Aramaki's tone became slightly impatient.
"You just need to obediently let me take you back to Mary Geoise."
Thinking of Robin, who was currently by Black's side, Aramaki forced himself to suppress his impatience and reminded her,
"Listen, Ms. Olvia. I am carrying out the orders of a Celestial Dragon."
"If you are smart, it's best not to ask too many questions."
"I once easily defeated the great pirate Moriah. So resistance is pointless."
Olvia felt a wave of helplessness, but her scholarly instincts still pushed her forward.
"At least tell me… how long will this voyage take?"
"And what about Ohara? My daughter"
Aramaki suddenly interrupted her.
"You don't need to worry about Robin. Saint Black will arrange everything properly."
"You know Robin?"
Olvia's eyes widened.
But Aramaki did not answer further. He simply walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Olvia collapsed weakly onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Meanwhile, at Mary Geoise, inside Black's manor.
Black was enjoying the breakfast served by Stella while looking suspiciously at the empty seat at the table.
"What's wrong with Perona? She didn't cause trouble during breakfast today. I'm actually not used to it."
Robin chuckled softly.
"Your Highness, when a three-year-old suddenly becomes quiet, it is often more terrifying than when they scream. She might be preparing a more dangerous prank."
Black speared a piece of pancake with his fork. Suddenly he felt something was off. He sniffed the air slightly, and his face darkened.
"My little collectibles are quite creative with their pranks, but wasabi-flavored pancakes do not suit my taste."
Robin was secretly laughing nearby.
A hand suddenly extended from the wall, grabbed Perona who was peeking in from the doorway and tossed her into the room.
"A three-year-old's prank is still limited to food. It seems Sister Stella needs to strengthen your preschool education."
Perona stomped her foot angrily and muttered in a low voice,
"Hateful bookworm."
However, she accidentally stepped on the spring trap she had placed by the door.
With a sudden bounce, she was launched into the room, flailing her arms and legs before being caught by Stella.
Stella smiled and gently stroked Perona's pink hair.
"Alright, stop making trouble. Eat something quickly. His Highness said he will train all of you today. If you run out of energy later, His Highness will punish you."
"Okay…"
Perona reluctantly returned to her seat and obediently began eating her breakfast.
After the meal, Black led everyone to the training ground.
Originally, he only wanted to improve Koala and Mandy's combat abilities.
But following the principle that "herding one sheep or two sheep is the same," he included Robin and Perona as well.
Perona didn't really care.
In the original story, she rarely displayed any serious combat ability.
Aside from rescuing Moria during the chaos on Hachinosu Island, she mostly served as a comedic character.
Keeping her around as a cheerful companion in the future wouldn't be bad.
Robin, however, was a super pirate whose bounty would eventually approach two billion.
She had even nearly used the clones created by her Hana Hana no Mi to assassinate Somaz in a surprise attack.
This showed that she definitely possessed some combat talent.
And in the original timeline, Robin only truly began serious training after meeting the Revolutionary Army.
That's right.
She trained together with Koala.
Fate truly works in mysterious ways.
Black decided that Robin should start cultivating her abilities from a young age.
Perhaps in the future she would not only serve as his secretary…
…but might even become a member of his own "God's Knights."