Iceba Island.
Unlike its neighbor, the Sabaody Archipelago, Iceba Island was devoid of beauty.
Instead, two phrases defined it: "battered by snow and wind" and "a land sculpted from ice and silver."
This was a winter island, locked in perpetual frost.
The bitter cold clung to the land like a stubborn shadow, unwilling to retreat.
Towering snow-covered mountains stood proud at the island's center.
Howling blizzards never ceased, sweeping down from the peaks, scouring the landscape in a relentless white fury, leaving no place for life to take root.
The Port of Iceba Island.
In stark contrast to the lifeless interior, the port buzzed with activity. Its proximity to the Sabaody Archipelago made it a natural haven for those fleeing trouble: outlaws who had crossed powerful people, struggling merchants, slave traders, pirates, even bounty hunters, many had made this place their refuge.
Though the island was surrounded by punishing cold, this narrow strip of coastline had defied nature. Here, people had built a haven of their own, a city for the unwanted, a "City of No Crimes."
In this place, your past meant nothing. So long as you had money, or a willingness to work, you could live as a normal citizen.
The ground was coated in white frost, dry and frozen solid.
Luffy walked the snowy streets, boots crunching loudly with each step.
He carried two oversized bags, both stuffed with women's clothing.
Just yesterday, it had been swelteringly hot, like being trapped in a steam oven.
Today, it was a frozen wasteland, snow falling in thick curtains, cold enough to freeze water midair.
Ah, the weather on the Grand Line, it really did change on a whim.
The cold didn't bother Luffy, of course. But Robin, whose body hadn't yet reached "monster-level" resilience, was visibly shivering.
So Luffy, in full gentleman mode, had spent the entire day accompanying her through every clothing store in the city.
Not that there were many.
In truth, the shops were few, and fashion was a luxury. Most residents simply bought fur pelts and had a tailor stitch together something functional.
When feeding yourself was hard enough, who had time to worry about style?
Luffy led the way, the bags in his hands rustling.
Robin trailed behind him with a blissful smile, looking like a girl whose boyfriend had just bought her a designer purse.
But her happiness ran deeper than that.
If one looked closely, they would notice a beautiful black ring on the middle finger of her right hand.
It all began about half a month ago...
─────────🏴☠️─────────
The day Luffy spoke with Doflamingo, after the sun set and his sunbathing session ended, he enjoyed a delicious home-cooked meal from Robin and returned to his room for something equally exciting, his favorite thing: a system lottery draw.
As soon as he stepped inside, Luffy gave a command:
"System, show me Robin's stat panel."
The system replied in its usual cold tone: [Confirmed.]
Robin's status screen appeared before him:
Name: Nico Robin
Talent Rating: SS
Stamina: 246
Strength: 86
Agility: 180
Mental Power: 600
"Six hundred…" Luffy murmured.
Despite the incredibly high Mental Power stat, he didn't smile.
The Mental Power stat was influenced by two things, innate talent… and life experience.
The destruction of her homeland, the loss of loved ones, betrayal after betrayal, each tragedy had hammered Robin's fragile heart until it became steel.
Luffy let out a long sigh.
"I won't let you suffer ever again," he promised silently.
Shaking off his gloom, he issued his next command:
"System, draw Robin's exclusive item."
[Affirmative.]
With that, the familiar roulette wheel appeared, spinning with all sorts of strange and powerful items.
This time, Luffy didn't bother to look, he closed his eyes. The result was always random anyway. Better to wait in peace.
[Ding! Host has obtained "Vongola Ring – Varia Ring." Item stored in inventory.]
"Vongola…?"
Luffy blinked, glancing over at the cotton gloves on his bed.
"The Vongola Ring? That's from the same power system as my [X Gloves], right?
But I don't remember the rings doing anything special…"
He opened his inventory and pulled up the item's details.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
[Vongola Varia Ring]
Allows the wearer to use the Sky Flame attribute: Propagation.
(In the "Reborn!" universe, this ring is worn by the Vongola's strongest Guardian, representing the solitary cloud, free and unbound, who protects the family from afar.)
─────────🏴☠️─────────
Luffy examined the ring in his hand. The band was jet-black, inlaid with a swirling purple-gold flower design. Silver trims of an unknown metal lined the top and bottom. At its center sat a small shield-shaped gem, engraved with a billowing cloud.
"Propagation, huh? Sounds perfect for Robin," Luffy thought.
It was still early.
"She's probably in her room reading," he guessed, then walked over to Robin's door, ring in hand.
He knocked gently.
"Robin, are you there? Can I come in for a moment?"
There was some noise inside, but when she heard his voice, it went completely silent.
"Huh?" Luffy frowned, puzzled. He knocked again, a little concerned.
"Robin? Is everything okay?"
Inside, Robin had panicked like a student caught dozing in class.
She scrambled to respond, her voice flustered:
"Ah! Yes, yes, Luffy-san! I, I'm fine! Just give me a second!"
There were some more hurried, fumbling sounds.
Luffy waited patiently, not knowing what was going on.
Finally, the door creaked open.
Robin stood there in an oversized sweater that reached just past her knees. Her damp hair clung to her face, cheeks flushed with warmth.
"Sorry… I was just taking a bath. What's up?" she asked, smiling sweetly.
She hadn't had time to dry off completely. The sweater clung to her figure, outlining her curves. Her long, pale legs were bare, and because she was a bit taller than Luffy, she leaned forward slightly as she spoke, her soft smile shining through her freshly washed face.
For a moment, Luffy's heart skipped a beat.
Even he wasn't immune to beauty like this.
But thanks to his absurdly high Mental Power stat, over 1,000, he recovered in seconds.
Robin noticed the change in his eyes: from dazed to clear in just two seconds.
A flicker of disappointment crossed her face.
Still… he stared at me for one full second! That definitely counts, she thought secretly, her face curling back into a practiced smile.
"So? What is it, Luffy?" she asked again, pretending he'd been mesmerized far longer than he was.
Luffy didn't overthink it. He simply reached into his pocket and held out the ring.
Robin blinked.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
The moon hung high, its gentle silver light rippling across the sea. The world was quiet, calm, bathed in a serene glow.
"Robin," Luffy said softly, "this is the Varia Ring.
"I hope that when you wear it… you can live like a cloud, free and unbound.
"And I, I'll be your sky.
"I'll hold up the heavens for you… so you have a place to fly."
He spoke without flair, yet with unwavering resolve.
Their eyes met. Time seemed to slow.
Robin's lashes trembled. Slowly, she closed her eyes. Tears threatened to fall from their corners, but she refused to cry, not in a moment this beautiful.
Silently, she extended her right hand.
Her voice quivered through a smile:
"Thank you, Luffy…"
In the moonlight's gentle haze, her heart overflowed, not with pain or confusion, but with warmth, longing, and something far deeper.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
"The sea is endless… but someday, you'll find someone to stand by your side. No one is destined to live alone in this world... Tra-la-hee-hee-hee..."
That night, Robin sat on her bed, knees hugged to her chest. She stared out the window at the stars above, gently turning the ring in her hand.
"I've met the one you spoke of, Saul," she whispered.
==========
You can find much more on my Patreon: Patreon.com/Veltoria
There are currently 5 active fanfictions on Patreon, with over 466+ advanced chapters available across them!
From Naruto Onwards, I Control Time — Up to Chapter 294
Haikyuu!!: Rise of Sengoku — Up to Chapter 231
Danmachi: Is It Wrong To Aspire to Be An Adventurer? — Up to Chapter 97
Legend of Hogwarts (Harry Potter x League of Legends) — Up to Chapter 136
I Am Luffy: Partner System Online (One Piece) — Up to Chapter 119