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, Blake was very lucky.
Olvia hadn't 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 Fruit (Forest-Forest Fruit) instantly activated.
Vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around her limbs like living things.
This sudden change startled Olvia.
Just as she was about to draw her gun, she found the barrel already wrapped in vines, and the firearm was forcibly decomposed into wood chips.
"Pollen anesthesia!"
Olvia was about to shout a warning when she smelled a strange floral scent and instantly lost consciousness.
"Done!"
After confirming that he hadn't been discovered, Aramaki took Olvia back to the ship.
He needed to send her back to Mary Geoise and hand her over to Blake.
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 on a bed covered with a plush blanket, her wrists and ankles unbound.
Olvia vaguely remembered being controlled by sudden vines while excavating ancient ruins, indicating someone had attacked her.
However, the current situation seemed unusual.
"You're awake."
Hearing the voice, Olvia looked up to see a tall, burly man leaning against the door, his arms crossed.
His nearly three-meter height blocked the sunlight outside, obscuring his face.
"Sir, may I ask where this is?"
Olvia tried to keep her voice calm, but it still had the hoarseness of someone who had just woken up.
"My name is Aramaki."
Aramaki first introduced himself briefly, then replied:
"This is a ship going to Mary Geoise."
His words were concise, and his tone was without any warmth:
"You have been chosen by Saint Black."
"Saint Black? Celestial Dragons?"
Olvia's pupils constricted slightly:
"Why me? I am just an ordinary scholar from Ohara."
Aramaki opened the cabin window, and a cool sea breeze blew 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 up her spine.
As an archaeologist who was close to uncovering the truth of the Void Century, she knew very well what kind of group the Celestial Dragons were.
However, Olvia had never imagined that she would have any interaction with the Celestial Dragons.
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 composed herself:
"Mr. Aramaki, can I know more details?"
"For example, why does Saint Black know of my existence?"
"Also, what happened to the archaeological team members who were with me?"
Aramaki, however, did not explain much.
"They might have just discovered you're missing."
"But I imagine those people's fate won't be too good, after all, I found you by following the traces of CP."
"I am only responsible for safely bringing you to Mary Geoise. Other matters, you will know once you meet Saint Black."
Olvia bit her lip, feeling a deep sense of unease, and quickly pressed on:
"Why were the CP agents looking for us?"
"None of that is important."
Aramaki's tone was somewhat impatient.
"You just need to obediently let me take you back to Mary Geoise."
Thinking of Robin, who was by Blake's side, Aramaki then forced himself to suppress his impatience and reminded her:
"Listen, Ms. Olvia, I am executing the orders of the Celestial Dragon."
"If you are smart enough, it's best not to ask too many questions."
"I once easily defeated the great pirate Moriah, so resistance is futile."
Olvia felt a wave of powerlessness, but her scholarly instinct made her continue to inquire:
"At least please tell me, how long will this voyage take?"
"What about Ohara? My daughter..."
Aramaki suddenly interrupted her:
"You don't need to worry about Robin's matters; Saint Black will arrange them properly."
"You know Robin?"
Olvia's eyes widened.
Aramaki, however, did not continue to answer, walking directly out of the room and closing the door behind him.
Olvia slumped weakly onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling... Mary Geoise, Blake's manor.
Blake was enjoying breakfast served by Stella, looking somewhat suspiciously at the empty seat at the table:
"What's wrong with Perona? She suddenly didn't cause trouble at breakfast today; I'm actually a bit unaccustomed to it."
Robin chuckled:
"Your Highness, a three-year-old's quietness is often more terrifying than screaming; she might be preparing a more dangerous prank."
Blake speared a piece of pancake, suddenly felt something was off, wiggled his nose slightly, and then his face darkened.
"My collectibles are so creative even with pranks, but wasabi-flavored pancakes don't suit my taste."
Robin was secretly laughing nearby; a hand reached out from the wall, grabbed Perona who was peeking in at the doorway, and threw her into the room:
"A three-year-old's pranks are still at the food level; 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 at the door, and was bounced into the room, flailing her arms and legs, where she was caught by Stella.
Stella, with a smile, gently stroked Perona's pink hair:
"Alright, stop messing around, eat something quickly. Your Highness said he's going to train you all today, and if you run out of energy during training later, Your Highness will punish you."
"Okay..."
Perona reluctantly returned to her seat and obediently ate her breakfast.
After the meal, Blake led everyone to the training ground.
Originally, he only wanted to improve Koala and Mandy's combat abilities.
But following the principle of "it's the same to herd one sheep or two," he also included Robin and Perona.
Perona didn't care; she didn't show much practical combat ability in the original story.
Aside from rescuing Moriah during the chaos on Hachinosu, she was mostly a comedic character for the rest of the time.
It wouldn't be bad to keep her around as a cheerful companion in the future.
Robin, however, was a super pirate with a bounty close to two billion, and she almost used her Flower-Flower Fruit clones to take down Somaz in a surprise attack.
This indicates that she still has some combat talent.
And in the original story, Robin truly began to receive training only after meeting the Revolutionary Army.
That's right, she trained with Koala.
Fate works in mysterious ways.
Blake decided to cultivate Robin from a young age.
Perhaps in the future, she could not only be a secretary but also become a member of Blake's "God's Knights."