West Blue, somewhere on the vast sea.
Nico Robin, cloaked in black, guided a small boat slowly across the waves.
Her heart was heavy with unwillingness as she recalled everything that had happened recently.
She had originally planned to head for the New World, to seek refuge with the Beasts Pirates.
After all, in a world where the World Government strictly forbade research into the Void Century, only the Beasts Pirates—and Ian the Skyfire—would never bow to the government's threats.
If she could gain that man's help, then perhaps revealing the true history of the world was not impossible.
Though hesitation lingered in her heart at the thought of approaching the most terrifying pirate crew in the world, Robin had still embarked on her journey without regret.
Even if it meant death, if she could die for the sake of exposing history's truth, she would accept it willingly.
By luck and caution, Robin had managed to stow away on a merchant ship, only a step away from entering the Grand Line.
But she had not expected the turmoil in the West Blue. The World Government had greatly tightened inspections on all ships heading for the Grand Line.
She was discovered.
If not for the vigilance she had honed through years of fleeing, reacting instantly to escape, she would already be shackled and on her way to Impel Down.
Yet even so, the Marine had not given up its relentless pursuit.
Unlike before, this time the Marine's chase bordered on madness.
Marines from countless nearby bases had been summoned, forming a grand fleet of dozens of ships, closing in like a massive fishing net.
Every island along the way was searched with ruthless precision, and the entire sea around her was temporarily locked down—no ship was allowed to sail freely.
Robin fled desperately.
But no matter how hard she tried, the Marine's net drew tighter and tighter.
After narrowly breaking through their encirclement once again, she was left adrift, not knowing where to turn.
Whichever island she headed toward, the Marine would be waiting.
But if she stayed at sea, her small boat lacked the supplies to last much longer.
And long before her supplies ran out, the Marines closing in from behind would catch her without hesitation.
Despair slowly crept into her heart.
The world was vast, yet it seemed she had nowhere left to run.
Just as Robin was sinking into hopelessness, aboard a Marine warship not far behind—
"Admiral Kizaru!"
A Marine officer from a nearby Marine base stood rigid as a spear. "Confirmed! Nico Robin is fleeing north!"
"Nearby Marine bases have been notified to dispatch reinforcements!"
"They'll block the direction she's trying to escape. In that case, the entire sea area will be surrounded. That woman will have nowhere to run!"
Kizaru, leisurely flipping through a book in his chair, slowly looked up. "That's excellent."
Hearing the admiral speak, the officer couldn't hide a smile of delight.
This man was an admiral of the Marine Headquarters—a figure far beyond his reach under normal circumstances!
To earn his approval meant a future full of opportunities, limitless possibilities!
Ignoring the officer whose grin wouldn't fade, Kizaru's brow furrowed slightly.
This is turning out to be even more troublesome than I imagined.
At first, it was only a few dozen warships. But as more Marine bases received the orders, over a hundred ships were now converging to trap Nico Robin.
With such a massive movement, it was impossible for the Cross Guild or Zephyr-sensei not to have noticed.
I just hope their response isn't too fast.
Otherwise, this situation could get very complicated.
Kizaru pondered this as the Marine ships continued forward, the surrounding vessels closing in.
Against the full might of the Marine, no matter how skilled Nico Robin was at fleeing, she was beginning to run out of options.
When she first spotted several warships ahead, the girl didn't hesitate. She steered her small boat to the right, attempting to escape.
The boat shot forward at incredible speed.
Using the powers of the Hana Hana Fruit, she sprouted dozens of arms along the ship's sides, rowing furiously with more than ten oars.
The efficiency was undeniable; the boat flew across the water like an arrow released from a bow.
But once the Birdcage was fully formed, no matter how fast a bird flew, it couldn't escape.
Robin soon saw the warships reappearing on the horizon.
Her face had already turned pale as paper.
She probably knew by now that this time, there was no escaping fate.
Yet, the girl was still not ready to give up.
Her mother's dream, the dreams of all the scholars of Ohara—they all weighed on her shoulders.
She couldn't just give up!
So the girl turned the bow of her small ship and fled quickly in another direction.
This time, it took even less time before she saw another Marine warship coming straight toward her.
Thankfully, she didn't have to struggle to escape this time.
Just as she prepared to change direction again, a brilliant light fell from the sky and condensed at the bow of the boat into a man wearing a yellow-striped suit.
"Oh! Finally found you."
The man greeted Robin with a cheerful smile. "Nico Robin, the government and Marine have been looking for you for years."
The girl's eyes froze as she looked at the man before her.
"Admiral… Kizaru?"
How could it be an admiral? How could a Marine admiral personally come for her?
This man before her, like Aokiji back in Ohara, was an absolute monster…
Her body went weak, and she collapsed onto the boat.
Her once-beautiful face was now pale as paper.
There was no escape.
With someone like him, how could she possibly run away?
Mom, the professors, everyone… I think I'm powerless now.
Tears streamed down the girl's face.
Kizaru looked at the silently crying, desperate girl and let out a sigh.
He could not judge whether what happened in Ohara was right or wrong.
But as a soldier, all he needed to do was follow orders.
"Come on, girl. Let's go back."
And so, Nico Robin was arrested on the spot.
Just a few minutes after she was captured…
Wano Country.
Ian had already received the news.
He couldn't help but let out a sigh. The Marine acted quickly—Nico Robin had already been captured.
But it didn't matter. One step at a time; no need to rush.
**********
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