Arima didn't respond directly to Robin's words. Instead, he warmly invited her to join his family for dinner on the ship.
That sudden gesture threw Robin off guard, despite having thought herself prepared, she felt a flicker of unease.
Still, she quickly steadied her heart. Since she was here, she might as well accept it.
Earlier, Robin had been bound overnight by Arima's wood clone with vines. Now, Arima asked Kushina to take her to freshen up.
Once the two women left, Tsunade finally asked, "Arima, what do you think she came to our ship for?"
"Who knows? But there's no need to be overly guarded against her. This girl has always had a pitiful past. Years of running have probably made it impossible for her to trust anyone."
Arima spoke with deep empathy for this unusual guest.
"Then have you considered keeping her on the ship? After all, you've been wanting to decipher the Poneglyphs."
Tsunade could see through Arima's thoughts.
She knew Arima had always been fascinated by the Poneglyphs. Since she was also a woman, maybe Robin would find it easier to open up to her persuasion.
"No need to rush. Let's take things step by step. We're headed for Skypiea anyway, and there's a Poneglyph there. That's a perfect excuse to bring her along."
"Alright, but we'll need to disguise her. Can't risk the World Government interfering."
"Do as you see fit. You're more familiar with disguises than I am."
Arima decided not to meddle further. To him, Robin was just a traveler passing through. If he could help her for a time, then so be it.
Robin's build was similar to Natsuka's, so Kushina fetched a kimono from her and gave it to Robin to change into.
After a while, freshly bathed Robin followed Kushina toward the dining hall.
"Robin, you look beautiful in a kimono. Arima once said something about a lotus rising out of the water… I think that describes you perfectly!"
Kushina led the way, turning back often to chat with Robin.
"Hehe, Kushina, you're quite amusing. What kind of person is Arima?"
Robin wanted to know as much as possible about the man she was about to deal with.
"Arima? He's really nice! You don't have to worry about getting along with him. If you want something, just ask him. He loves helping others."
"Are you all Devil Fruit users?"
"Well, that's… something I can't tell you for now, Robin. Don't be fooled by how I look, I may look young, but I know how to keep secrets!"
Kushina put on a serious face, which only made Robin chuckle.
"Haha… alright, I won't press you. But where are you all heading next? That can't be a secret, right?"
"That I can tell you! We're going to Skypiea to look for gold. But Arima also mentioned something called a 'Poneglyph.' He said he wants to bring it back too."
"A Poneglyph?! Really?"
At those words, Robin's expression changed dramatically. Joy, anticipation, grief, and fear all tangled together.
Deciphering the Poneglyphs was her mission. Yet until now, she had never encountered an original stone.
The copies from her homeland had long since been burned to ashes in the great fire more than ten years ago.
"I think it's a Poneglyph! But Robin, you asking so seriously makes me unsure. You'd better ask Arima yourself later!"
Kushina hadn't expected Robin to react so strongly.
"Sorry, Kushina. There's a reason for it… my family, teachers, and friends were all wiped out by the World Government because of the Poneglyphs.
My homeland too was burned to the ground."
"It's alright, Robin. I know about you. Arima once wanted to visit your homeland's library, but he found out it was destroyed.
I'm sure he's really happy you're here. Even Shanks, one of the Yonko, never got to sit and dine at our ship's table!"
Kushina didn't guard herself much against Robin. To her, sharing things unrelated to core secrets wasn't a big deal.
But to Robin, the meaning was much deeper. She was finally meeting the true big players of the sea.
A thought flashed in her mind: Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could stay here forever? Not only safe, but with a chance to see the real Poneglyphs!
Lost in thought, she didn't realize they had reached the dining hall.
The table was already set, food neatly laid out.
Spotting her favorite grilled fish, Kushina happily hugged Naomi before dragging Robin to sit beside her.
Before dinner began, Arima raised his glass toward Robin. "First, a toast to our guest, Miss Nico Robin! May you enjoy your days aboard the Konoha Senju! …Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses to welcome her.
Robin had been on the run since childhood. She thought she had long grown numb to warmth and coldness alike.
Yet the actions of Arima and his crew made her feel the warmth of a family again.
Everyone here was open and honest with each other, bound by trust. It reminded Robin of Saul's last words before he died.
"The sea is vast. One day, you'll meet friends who will protect you."
'Could they… be my friends?' she wondered.
Kushina broke her thoughts, pushing a piece of grilled fish toward her. "Robin, Aunt Naomi's cooking is the best in the ninja world! You have to try this!"
Robin looked at Kushina's bright smile and couldn't help but feel her gloom ease.
Arima noticed the change in Robin's expression. 'This girl really is genuine. Probably only she can break down Robin's walls.'
Sensing his gaze, Robin turned to look at Arima.
Arima calmly lifted his glass across the long table, smiling as he toasted her again.
Robin murmured, "You really are a man impossible to see through."
After dinner, Kushina eagerly pulled Robin and Natsuka out to the deck to enjoy the sea breeze.
"Miss Natsuka, why are your eyes a different color from your brother's? Was it caused by a Devil Fruit?"
Robin finally asked what had been on her mind ever since she first saw Arima's unusual right eye.
"It's not from a Devil Fruit. Arima and I aren't biological siblings."
Natsuka answered with a smile, recalling the day she first met him, an unforgettable moment engraved in her heart.
"Oh? I've never heard that mentioned before."
It was news to Kushina too, something she had never imagined.
"Kushina, it's normal you don't know. You weren't even born back then. I was entered into the Senju family registry long ago, so of course we don't talk about the past anymore."
"I see… lucky I wasn't born earlier. If I had been registered into the Senju clan too, I wouldn't be able to marry Arima!"
Kushina's thoughts always took unexpected turns, never quite like anyone else's.
"My, my, so I've uncovered a secret! Turns out you like your Arima, huh?" Robin teased, her mood considerably lighter.
"Of course! I'm not afraid to say it, I like Arima! I know Natsuka likes him too. I used to think it was just pure sibling affection, but now…"
Kushina's words tumbled out, quickly turning to tease her friend.
"You brat, talking nonsense again! Keep it up and I'll stitch that mouth shut with fish bones so you can only watch, never eat!"
"Too cruel, Natsuka! Or maybe you're just embarrassed because I hit a nerve?"
"Oh, you've grown bold, Kushina! Let me, "
Their banter quickly turned into playful roughhousing.
Robin quietly envied the bond between them.
After a while, tired out, the two girls composed themselves again, sitting demurely as the three of them silently enjoyed the sea breeze.
At last, Natsuka spoke.
"When my brother pulled me out of that cellar, he became my greatest support for life.
Wherever he goes, I'll follow. Back then, my homeland was ravaged by war, and I was the only survivor. So, Miss Robin, I truly understand how you feel."
Kushina's heart sank with a quiet sadness. She could faintly sense the weight behind Natsuka's words. All she could do was hold her sister close, trying to comfort her.
Robin was moved as well. After a pause, she asked, "I see… but why are you telling me this?"
"Because our experiences are similar, I can better understand your heart. If you only wish to travel with us for a while, you're more than welcome.
But if you want to stay for good, then you must never betray my brother's trust. Anyone who tries to harm him will become my enemy."
Natsuka's voice was calm, her face expressionless, yet her words carried weight.
Kushina knew how rare it was for her sister to be this serious. She didn't know if she should speak up on Robin's behalf.
Robin held Natsuka's gaze for a long while before finally saying, "I understand. Just give me some time to think. We'll be together for a while yet, after all."
She left herself some leeway, avoiding making things too rigid between them.
Then Natsuka's sweet smile returned. "Good. I've finally spoken my true thoughts. If someone else comes to share my brother's love, won't I be the one to lose out?"
Kushina puffed up in protest. "Natsuka, you scared me half to death! No, you have to compensate me for my trauma!"
She lunged at Natsuka to tickle her, and soon the two girls were laughing and wrestling again.
Meanwhile, Robin fell into quiet thought. This time was different from all the pirate crews she had dealt with before. She couldn't just bluff her way through.
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