Ignoring Dr. Clover, who was still kneeling on the ground, Blake walked unhurriedly up to Robin and placed a hand on her head.
He could clearly feel Robin's body flinch—but she didn't dodge.
"What's your name?"
"N… Nico Robin."
Robin's voice trembled. She spoke in broken fragments, obviously frightened.
Blake acted as if he didn't notice at all and kept questioning her.
"The scholars should've known I was coming today. So why were you here?"
"I… I…"
The Robin of this age wasn't the weathered, world-weary woman from the original story yet. Even though Blake's expression was mild, the pressure he gave off was enormous—so for a moment she couldn't even come up with a decent excuse.
In truth, she'd simply wanted to put her learning to use.
She'd read about Celestial Dragons again and again in books. The "ancient script" the scholars studied behind her back also had something to do with Celestial Dragons. It only made her more curious.
Robin had thought she could rely on the powers of the Hana Hana no Mi to slip in without anyone noticing… but she hadn't known a power called Observation Haki even existed in this world.
So she was dragged out directly.
"Saint Blake, Your Highness…"
At that moment, Dr. Clover spoke again, clearly trying to plead for Robin.
Only then did Blake shift his gaze back to Dr. Clover and say flatly:
"I'm not a cruel person. I won't kill a child just because she looked at me."
Dr. Clover didn't even have time to finish exhaling in relief when Blake's voice sounded again:
"But rules are rules. Anyone who looks directly at the descendants of gods must pay a price."
"Aramaki! Tell him what happened to you."
Aramaki stepped forward at once, looking down at Dr. Clover, and recounted what had happened in the Taya Kingdom.
Dr. Clover hesitated.
After all, the Celestial Dragons' reputation was known to everyone—and Robin was still just a child.
Even if it was "only" becoming a retainer, if something went wrong, Clover had no way to answer to Olvia.
The couple had already sacrificed one life for the study of the ancient script. If their only child suffered another accident… Clover felt he could only kill himself out of shame.
While Dr. Clover was still hesitating, Robin—who had already recovered her composure—spoke first.
"Your Highness… I'm willing to become your retainer. I hope you'll forgive my mistake."
Blake laughed inwardly.
This is the power of knowledge.
Even in the world of pirates, the broken window effect still worked.
If Blake had proposed "be my retainer" from the start, neither Robin nor Dr. Clover would have agreed.
But like this—seizing on a not-too-big, not-too-small "fault," with Aramaki standing there as a living example—their instinctive resistance weakened by a lot.
Blake nodded, putting on a show of solemnity.
"In that case… from today on, you're my retainer."
"Yes, Saint Blake."
Perona muttered under her breath.
"Hmph. What an act."
Her voice wasn't loud—but she was currently being held by Blake, so he heard it crystal clear.
Blake glared at Perona, then reached up and roughly ruffled her hair, kneading her pink fluff into a mess.
"Ugh! You bastard!"
Perona hurriedly fixed her hair and didn't dare provoke him again.
Seeing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Robin's eyes.
"So I don't need to worry about being in danger… but…"
When she thought of her mother—someone she hadn't seen in a long time, someone whose image had already started to blur—Robin's mood sank again.
Blake's purpose for coming to Ohara had already been achieved, but he didn't rush to leave. Instead, he took Stella, Perona, Robin, Aramaki as bodyguard, and two CP agents, and went sightseeing all over the island.
There was less than a year left until the Buster Call. Olvia's expedition team would likely be noticed by the World Government within the next few months. Once Blake left this time, the island of Ohara would be gone—so it wasn't a bad idea to look around while there was still time.
"This is my treehouse. Whenever something makes me unhappy, I come here and stay for a while."
Following where Robin pointed, everyone focused—and only then realized that behind a small tree hollow, there was a whole other space.
It had that feeling of: at first extremely narrow—only enough for one person to pass—then after a few dozen steps, suddenly open and bright.
Robin had stored books and tools inside. The space was spotless.
Clearly, she used it often—or rather, she often ran into things that made her unhappy.
Just like that, Robin became their tour guide for Ohara.
A little girl's friendliness was easily several times stronger than that old man Clover's. Blake also found Robin's "tiny grown-up" manner amusing.
She seemed to know it would be hard to ever come back after leaving this time. More than introducing the island to Blake's group, it was like she was leaving herself something to remember.
As evening drew near, Robin went to her uncle's house to say goodbye.
She was also living with relatives, but Robin's life was even worse than Harry Potter's. Still, it was the family that had raised her in the end, so Blake didn't stop her.
About half an hour later, Robin returned, looking downcast.
Blake didn't ask. He could guess the farewell hadn't been pleasant.
"Since you're back, get on the ship. We're leaving for the next stop."
The moment they returned onboard, a guard came running in a hurry—holding a Den Den Mushi in both hands.